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.

Just double check your passport is in date and that you have enough time left on it to get around stupid travel company or Greek rules. I gather it’s a bit of a minefield.

@Farmageddon I cruise alone several times a year. Personally I go for P & O or Cunard depending on itinerary but have done Princess, Royal Caribbean and Marellla. A Fjord cruise is a favourite itinerary - P & O do 7 days out of Southampton and they are an ideal first cruise.

Freedom dining is great as you can chose a single or sharing table. A sharing table gives you the opportunity to chat with people then you all go your different ways.

@Squeakysandals kindle, earphones, good points about sun cream and security for valuables. Pass the time of day with people you meet or just enjoy having quiet time.

@Tippingadvice thank you!

Haven't told the kids yet about my solo trip!!

I'm married with two kids and jump on any opportunity to travel solo. My last spontaneous trip away was when I was 38 weeks pregnant and just needed a night away from everyone in a nice spa hotel! Saw friends, ordered room service and had a maternity massage the next day. Absolute bliss.

Before kids I used to spend 4-6 weeks cycling solo with nothing but a tent and a stove - luckily I have a husband that understands my need for alone time.

I always wore a wedding ring even when I wasn't married and if I got bothered I would say I was on my way to meet my husband

I never stayed out my hotel room after dark or always found a campsite and had my tent pitched while it was still light.

Sent a wee whatsapp with my location to my husband everyday so he knew where I was.

Carried a photocopy of my passport and an emergency credit card in a separate space to my wallet/handbag for emergencies

Whenever I ate out I would take my kindle with me to deter people from chatting with me - if I needed a chat I would instigate it.

Enjoy your holiday - you deserve it!

Practical tips...

As a single guest some hotels will purposely allocated you a room at the start of a corridor, so you don't have far to walk from the lift, can't be followed, and won't be out on a limb in a secluded room right up the far end by yourself. While this is great for some, I find instead it means you get to hear every single drunk person banging about in the corridor shouting their friends/family and disturbing your sleep in the early hours, and same again first thing in a morning with kids running to the lift. Instead I always ask if I please can have the room furthest away from the lift right down the long corridor. No disturbed precious sleep from noisy idiots!

Take a rubber doorwedge with you and kick it under your closed door from the inside when you go to bed at night. Doesn't matter if you forget to lock your door, or someone has a key, ain't no-one getting in when there's a rubber door wedge in the way!

When you leave your room shout "I won't be long, just popping to that shop/bar/cafe on the corner". Anyone passing or listening won't realise you're travelling alone.

Don't put your own address inside your luggage. Use a friend's. Or just "c/o Manchester Airport" so it stands a better chance of getting returned if you lose it.

Have one person at home you check in with every day, maybe morning and night.

If you're walking through a dodgy area you can switch whatsapp tracking on (not permanently, only for short time) so someone trusted can keep an eye on you until you phone to say you've arrived safely.

(These are tips from solo backpacking, staying in a proper resort you might not need to be so safety conscious)

Great tips @professionalnomad and @FarmGirl78 thank you, will definitely make a note of these!

Have come to the realisation I am am introvert and am burned out so actually need this trip.

Will definitely pretend there is someone in my room! Great idea.

I'm now on my way back from my solo trip!! Had to move it because of kids.

Thought I'd update the thread on my observations.

The resort I went for was a decent 4 star all inclusive place in Spain. The type of place you could go to and chill and nowhere around to visit!! As just wanted to chill by a pool somewhere.

I absolutely loved being on my own on holiday!! Really enjoyed that sensation. No responsibility no work no kids to keep happy and no one else to consider! Would absolutely recommend.

Downsides were people thought I was a bit odd being there on my own I think!!! So people looked while I was eating etc. I always had a book but felt like I got a lot of staring!! Most of the people staying there were German retirees so not many English to chat to! Few Spanish people stayed there.

But still I would definitely definitely do it again when close to exhaustion again or for self care purposes. Loved it!!

Didn't really speak to anyone so only reception staff and maitre de at the hotel restaurant- all inclusive- knew I was there alone.

So glad you enjoyed it.

@Tippingadvice thanks.

There were I think two other female solo travellers in the large hotel. Definitely took me away from the routine for a while.

Thank You for the update, OP!
Sounds great!

So pleased you did this and had a good time, well done, sounds like it is well deserved!

Do you really expect to be driven to exhaustion again? That’s very sad.
Is there some reason your husband will not do his share of taking care of his own home and children?

@MaltesersMate you raise a good point. I agree.

My husband works for our business 7 days a week often till 10 or 11 at night so does not have much free time for the kids and the house. Its really not ideal. Going away has made me realise I want to change things around the home as I don't want to get that exhausted again. I do need more me time for my hobby and exercise etc.

It’s not ideal for a father not be be around his own children, do they have any relationship at all? And how do you maintain a relationship with so little fun or playtime together?

How do you know that is what he is doing in his office until 11pm? I hope for your sake it’s not true, but I hope it’s not that old chestnut.

If he won’t do housework, he needs to at least employ someone who will, WITHOUT the rest of the family going without… it can come out of what he spends on himself.

Is he making enough money for the family for this amount of burden to be put on you?

Mind you, some people prefer a partner who brings home the bacon but isn’t around too much, and that’s fair enough if it suits both.

Anyone staring was envious of your peace :)
Glad you enjoyed

Thanks @cestlavielife !!