How would I be viewed holidaying on my own?

[Slyngel]

Hi there,

I'm 67 and single. I retired at 62 and spent three years full-time looking after my mum with Alzhemers' dementia. She died in 2022 at the age of 94. I miss her very much and am having trouble finding a new purpose in life.

I haven't been on holiday since 2016. I don't have anybody to go with but was thinking that a week in the sun in December or January might perk me up a bit and help me through the winter. I was thinking of somewhere like Tenerife.

I was wondering how people in these times view people holidaying on their own. Is it an okay thing to do or is it regarded as strange? Not looking for company specifically, I can cope on my own, but really just wondering how someone like me would be viewed by other holidaymakers on a winter sun beach-type holiday.

I would welcome any advice or views, positive or negative. Thank you.

Go and have a nice time away. It will be good.

I wouldn't bat an eyelid but if I happened to notice you were on your own I'd think "good for you"!

I know so many people who holiday on their own and if I could afford it alongside our family holiday I absolutely would.

I don’t think anyone would regard it as strange and it’s a really normal thing to do these days. The only people I’ve found who think things like that are odd are those who would never have the courage to do anything by themselves.

if you did want company there’s lots of options now for solo travellers and it’s not all just saga type holidays. If you wanted to do it as a group then do some Google research - lots of fun organised tours and things like that where you can meet others but still have time on your own.

Go on your holiday and have a fab time!

Why would you give a shit what people think?

No one would even notice and who fucking cares what anyone thinks!! Go and enjoy yourself and have a lovely time you've earned it.

I go to Turkey frequently, and often meet holidaymakers who are on their own. I don't think anyone would view you negatively, quite the opposite in fact.

I’d think good on you, enjoy yourself.

Most people won't even register it I imagine

Sounds like absolute bliss! I wouldn’t judge you at all for this, I’d be envious. Go and enjoy yourself.

'Oh a person on holiday on her own. I hope she has a lovely break from whatever else she does,' is what I would think.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. Even going away with my family, I would sometimes be by the pool by myself, or in the restaurant alone if one child is being put to bed/someone is ill and needs to stay in the room etc.
Go And enjoy!

i have a week in Tenerife every December and it’s a lovely time to go, I find it really gets me through the rest of the winter.

In December it’s full of what they call “swallows”-people who fly south for the winter, there are loads of people of around your age, many of them on their own, and no one bats an eyelid.

Do it and enjoy every minute!

Go for it! I've been to many places alone. Really like Antigua and mets lots of other people there also on holiday alone. The canaries is definitely a good start for a first time single person trip. Enjoy, you'll probably find some great company along the way.

A few of my friends go away alone and absolutely love it. Not sure why anyone would bat an eyelid.

Even when I go with DH, im sorry often laid around the pool alone as he doesn’t like sunbathing etc (I know it’s not the same, but no one could know whether I’m alone or not is my point).

We also went on a family cruise recently and in the Facebook group many people said they were travelling alone.

Why does it matter? Nobody is going to come up to you and say "hey, weirdo" even if they do think it is strange. What people think in the privacy of their own head should have zero consequence to your decision.
I go to Tenerife for a month every year on my own. I can assure you, nobody ever told me they thought it was strange. And I can't say I ever noticed much whether people were alone or had some company. Go and enjoy yourself.

My aunt does this all the time. She has a great time and meets so many interesting people.

My mum’s friend went on a cruise by herself and met one of the blokes they give free tickets to. They got married 2 years later. My mum has been with groups of friends and some of them have gone alone many times.

(Cruise companies have far more women going than men. There are dinner dances in the evenings of some. To make sure there are some partners for single women they offer free or heavily discounted tickets on the condition they go to the dances some evenings. She has been teasing him ever since about being her gigolo)

I'd be a bit jealous of you, it sounds wonderful. Definitely not strange. Enjoy it

It sounds like you have had a hard few years, sorry to hear about your mum. I think you're right, a bit of sunshine and heat will probably do you some good. You should go for it. Please try not to worry what others think, I mean this in a nice way but other people probably won't be paying any attention if you know what I mean. I'm 39 single no kids and I've been on a few solo holidays and have loved every one. One of my favourites was a week in Salou. I've also been to Tenerife and it's good as there is plenty of nice walks / shop browsing if you want a mix of lying at the pool and activity. My day usually is up at 9, hotel breakfast if included, hour by the pool with book, long walk, local shop browse, ready for a cold beer or two! At lunch at a local place ideally looking on to the sea. Back to pool for a dip / snooze. Showered and get ready as normal nice dress make up and hair done then mix of hotel dinner / local restaurant, always have my book with me! You might also find some conversation with other people. I was in Italy myself recently and after dinner popped for a wine and ended up sat next to a group who were having a right old laugh! If you want any hotel recommendations for Tenerife happy to share. I am thinking about doing the same this year

My mum had done a few trips on her own since she was widowed 6 years ago (she’s also done some trips with me and my kids or my brother and his). She’s gone to an area of Spain that was familiar and stayed at a hotel with a spa and a flat promenade close by for walks. She’s also done a few coach tours where she had always got on well with other travellers. She in her is late 70s. I think it’s a fabulous idea and I plan to do it once my kids have left home despite having a lovely husband. I just really fancy a week on my own.

I do lots on my own inc holidaying, volunteering at festivals. Never had any negative vibes from anyone! 😊

Nobody cares. Travelling alone gives you the freedom to do what you like when you like without consulting anyone else. I love it.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

I was newly single a few years back and have now been away 3 times on my own to Lanzarote- first time I almost didn’t go through with it because I thought exactly the same!

Honestly, it’s great and each time I go I feel more comfortable.

Pick the nicest hotel you can as when you’re on your own it’s important to feel safe would be my advice.

Bring some books or audiobooks and enjoy sitting in the sunshine, winter is an ideal time to go.

Some people can be judgemental, at first I got round it by saying I was meeting up with friends later or I knew folk on the island but now I just say I’m in my own and laugh if there are any strange looks.

Married couples can be the worst!

I've been to Tenerife for some winter sun OP and there's all sorts of ages, quite a few on their own, so don't worry about that. It's amazing to be sitting by a pool or on a beach in Jan/Feb, mid 20s.

I do it regularly. It's wonderful. I've never encountered any problems.