AIBU to ask you for your solo travel tips?

[Squeakysandals]

Posting in AIBU for traffic.

I've been abroad for work before but never for a solo holiday. Context is married with primary school kids. Husband and I run a business together from home, Husband works very long hours in business, I work long hours in business but also do nearly everything with and for the kids, all food shopping and cooking. Basically I'm knackered. Husband probably is too but wouldn't admit it and our business is his passion.

Husband doesn't like flying so holidays in places like Greece and Portugal have been off the table for a long while. This year it has been a struggle to agree on the way forward re booking a family holiday. I think we will end up booking a week's holiday in Wales again in a cottage by the sea.

However, a couple of years ago dh said I should book myself a holiday abroad if I needed some respite from everything and today I said I was going to do that, he said if you want to that's fine, so I did! I'm going to Spain in the middle of September on my own for four nights! I think what I'm looking forward to the most is someone cooking for me and not having to clean up / wash clothes / food shop and cook. I do all of these things at home. Husband looks after garden and does DIY.

Yes I could have seen if a close friend could come with me, etc, but actually I really want to go away alone with some books for a few nights and do nothing I've chosen a resort that looks good, great reviews, all inclusive because I doubt I'm going to do much sightseeing when I'm there.

Just wondered whether anyone else does this for self care and if they have any tips to share?! Thanks in advance.

@ilovesooty good for you! I think with the nature of our business being 24/7 and the fact that we work from home it will probably become a necessity for me to make going away abroad alone every year a necessity!

Did you feel a bit nervous the first time you did it?
I've already decided I'm going to Swan through the airport looking as though I travel alone all the time so I don't look vulnerable lols.

@FatAgainItsLettuceTime thanks yes I did wonder what you do with valuables if you leave your spot to go for a swim. Will look for a waterproof pouch. So many good ideas on this thread!

I buy men's swim shorts from Primark, they do them in loads of colours so easy to match to a tankini/bikini top or over a one piece so it looks deliberate and coordinated. Most have zip up pockets and they cost about £5 compared to womens swimshorts which have less fabric, no pockets and cost £20???????

If you can then leave cash and phone locked in your room and just have key in your pocket so you can be in and out of the water as much as you like, I have an Apple Watch so can pay for anything I need using that and it's waterproof.

This sounds fab - can I ask what cruise company you went with, and would you recommend them?

If you visit somewhere and it's busy with lots of people pestering you, pretend it's the London Underground - 'I'm just looking, thank you' and keep moving. I've done several holidays alone as I'm single, and the advice above helped even when visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.

The more I do solo-travelling the less I'm inclined to seek out travelling companions, be they partners, friends or family! Definitely self-care. Definitely not selfish.

For me, it's the (literal) freedom to spend the day as I want - without considering someone else. Its the ultimate in self-care. Meals whenever I want - and choice, whether that's a big meal & wine at lunch then snack later etc. I love the heat of a warm country and can happily laze pool-side for hours - but in the shade, ideally the shade of a building AND a parasol - no sun-worshippers to worry about.

Can quite happily chat to others but don't tend to meet for dinner / spend day with them - would sit for a drink in the evening.

Usually do AI but will explore a couple of days. Happy to do "easy" day-trips, maybe a boat-trip. Wouldn't tend to do something where no-one notices I've not come back for the bus!

@Highlandhome yes that sounds v similar!

I chose just to go away just for 4 nights in a resort thay you don't need to leave as its my first foray into solo holidaying but I can see myself building up over several trips to go on the odd excursion.

It's going to be an adventure!

Have deliberately gone for a place with a massive pool / big hotel for that anonymous feel.

Think I will befriend all of the female staff for that sense of extra security.

Hoping I don't feel any guilt when I'm there!
But do believe 100% that going away for a few days is self care and definitely not selfish. Also will remind my husband about all of the things I do in a day.

Enjoy OP, and thanks for this thread! I'm going away tomorrow on my first solo trip in years and I'm nervous! I used to travel on my own all the time, I met DH travelling and we live abroad. But I stopped travelling during covid and it feels like I've lost my confidence! I'm going on a 4-day yoga retreat in Greece, other optional activities too but lots of unscheduled time to explore/sleep! I desperately need a change of pace and some time to just do nothing after a difficult year or so. I feel slightly guilty because I'm going somewhere DH has never been, but he goes away with friends or for sports I'm not into and I really do think it's healthy to have time to yourself.
I like having yoga/another activity to focus on as it stops me worrying about what to do on my own all day. Just sleeping and reading sounds like bliss right now though...

Take a spare change of clothes and any medicine in your hand luggage just in case your case goes awol. Enjoy yourself.....❤️

I do a solo trip every year more or less. I love the freedom of just doing what I want when I want and not having anyone moaning or bickering about plans and so on. That can happen when you go with someone else! But I do go away with others also.

Anyway I'm a wanderer, and do mostly city breaks. Just mooching around then sitting down and people watching is one of life's great pleasures.

I have a flat to the body waist belt that fits my phone, cards and keys. I get a strong safety pin and attach it to the inside of the waist belt, then attach the key (if the old fashioned type) to the safety pin with a small carabiner hook. Never lose a key!I take a photo of my accommodation and the street name so I can get a taxi and not worry about directions! I also put a post it in there with my name and emergency contact details, just in case. About £20 in local currency is good to have on hand too in case cards are lost/stolen or the internet is down.

I also take a pic of my passport details. Heaven help me if I lost the phone though!

The best thing is, (although it might not sound great to others) I am deaf and use super duper hearing aids which do allow me to hear most things now. So if I am hassled I point to the hearing aids and use the word for "deaf" in the country's language and ignore. They usually leave me alone in embarrassment!

I also don't venture out at night, but make the most of the day by getting up super early when the crowds are minimal.

It's just basic stuff and basic precautions, but it does make me feel more secure.

I’ve been to The Mistral five times now, love it! It’s only for independent travellers, all rooms are single but not small and pokey. You eat together in the evenings and can be sociable during the day around the pools or on excursions, or you can find a quiet corner to be alone and read and book or sleep.

@keyboardkat great suggestions thank youx

@shellyleppard will do this! X

Sun cream with a spray to reach your back properly! Put your cards onto your phone as apples pay if possible.

I travel and have travelled lots alone. I'm married but still travel alone regularly for work and pleasure. To be honest, I never really bother with money belts, extra alarms or locks etc anymore. Instead, I leave my passport in the hotel. I always bring at least 2 debit/credit cards and keep them in different places. When I go to the beach/pool I just bring £10 or £20 cash and leave my cards in the hotel.

When it comes to meals, don't be afraid to ask for a different table if they show you to a shit one. Plenty of hospitality staff are great at finding the right table for someone dining solo.

Take a notebook and pen. You'll have plenty of time for reflection and it's sometimes a handier thing to have with you at meal times than a book to read. Leave the book on the table when you go up to the buffet.

You are feeling grateful and positive about this trip. Let that come across when you chat to people - oh I'm so lucky to have a few days to myself to recharge - which will stop them doing/saying things out of pity and is a useful get-out if they invite you to sit with them and you don't want to. That said, if you want to accept then do. But my experience is that people don't if you sound happy with your own company.

Are there any yoga classes or similar take appropriate clothes if so.

I learnt the hard way lol. Went to Paris for a romantic weekend.....flew out on the Friday. My luggage arrived on Monday!!! Spent the entire weekend in a tracksuit LoL which I had to panic buy 🙄🤣🤣🤣

I almost always travel alone.

Daytime is generally wandering around if I'm in a city with the occasional gallery. Beach holidays are all about reading and swimming.

I invariably end up in conversation with people at other tables in restaurants, they seem intrigued 😳🤷‍♀️. I've also found I'm treated very well by waiters, even in Paris!

@LawksaMercyMissus good for you!

I've read some more reviews re the hotel I'm going to. There are some restaurants near the hotel and a beach but not much else to do but on this trip, that will suit me perfectly!

I will miss my husband and the kids while I'm away but honestly, what's the point in working so hard if you can't do something like this occasionally?! Or maybe even yearly!!

Sounds ideal. I’m doing this shortly. My biggest worry is navigating the airport but then again, I’m usually the one leading the way when there are two of us so why should this feel any different?!

hope you have a great time!

Yes @DunkFriesinShake I've been a bit worried about finding the transfer shuttle bus at the airport! But have never missed one before so just pre-travelling anxiety i think. Also my flight is at 5am so I will be driving to Gatwick through the night on my own! Roads should be quiet though.

@DunkFriesinShake have a lovely time!!

I booked last minute direct with P and O cruises on Iona. Was a great trip. But since found a company called Passion for Cruises which is aimed at great deals for solo cruises avoiding the solo supplement so I am booking a cruise with them for my next one.

@keyboardkat
Im deaf too and have been so lacking in confidence to travel solo.
You are an inspiration.