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.

I'm feeling all tempted to do this now!

Do it!
I used to holiday on my own and loved the freedom to do what I wanted.
Tip - eat your main meal at lunchtime, I felt less conspicuous doing this. Also take a book to read to the restaurant to reduce the risk of someone thinking you are lonely and joining you (my worst nightmare but you may be less of a misanthrope than me!!)

It's not regarded as at all strange. Lots of people holiday on their own. My mum has done several cruises on her own, and my MIL is just back from a coach trip. On all these holidays there were others travelling alone, there was always someone to talk to if you wanted to, but it was easy to find your own space too.
My 23 year old son sometimes does weekend city breaks on his own, if it's somewhere he wants to visit that his friends don't.

I’d really envious as I’d love to go away on my own. I think you should definitely do it.

I live in a spanish resort. So many people holiday by themselves. Ive done it myself too.

Have you considered a cruise? Lots of single people choose that option as it feels safer to go to bars and restaurants alone

I’m shortly off to Canaries arranged by TUI, next month.

Travelling solo from my local airport.

Im staying in a hotel because I want people around me, the facilities and representatives’ support and will be half board.
I don’t want to be going out of an evening looking for a restaurant by myself.
Self catering in a house or flat could be lonesome and you have your own buy food. Shopping for it could be tedious and expensive.

If you are on FB there is a group to join called:
“Solo in style: Women over 50 travelling solo and loving it.”
Many members from all over the world travelling globally on their own. Some have expensive tastes and money, others not so much.

You could try a long weekend to get your confidence up first. Go local UK, Dublin, Belfast, Jersey of Isles of Scilly.

Speak to a good travel agent. TUI has been great for me. I haggled on price!

I'm younger than you (early 60s). my DH is still very much alive but still working so has restricted holiday time. I go away 2/3 times a year on my own as well as holidaying with friends. As far as I know no one has ever noticed or commented. I have a great time, living life to my own schedule, sight seeing, eating and drinking exactly what I fancy and sitting in a hotel bar reading and people watching every night.

i don't know how long I'll be physically strong enough to continue seeing the world. Hopefully I've got another 20 years or so but just in case ill health or immobility hits me early I'm not wasting any of my good years.

Absolutely go for it life is too short

I can't wait until both kids are old enough for holiday clubs. DH and I have already discussed each of us taking one week a year to do a holiday of our own choice. He wants to have holidays with his mates abroad (all have older kids) and I want to explore the UK more. There are places that neither of us want to do but the other does so I'm happy to roll with that.

If you are on FB there is a group to join called:
“Solo in style: Women over 50 travelling solo and loving it.”
Many members from all over the world travelling globally on their own. Some have expensive tastes and money, others not so much.

I was coming on to recommend this group too.

If anyone does judge you for travelling alone, they’re clearly idiots with limited imaginations.

I would think what an awesome lady. My mum goes on holiday by herself (75) (she also comes with us) and she has a great time!

I went to Rhodes in my own in June, no one batter an eyelid

I’d think bloody good for you! I can’t wait to be in a position to do this, at the moment my leave needs really to be taken over the majority of the school holidays but Dh and I still try and have a week away somewhere just the two of us now the kids are 2 adults and 1 teen. I love them all dearly but family holidays are clearly focussed around the needs and wants of the family as a whole and dh and I have more relaxing holidays but even so he still drives us to do stuff. Enjoyable but I just want to bugger off on my own and please no one but myself for (3 years) a week!
Please go and enjoy it, I’ve done small amounts of stuff on my one and it’s really liberating.

We went to Spain recently and there wasn't a day we did t go out to the beach or wherever that there wasn't a few people on their own. Mainly over 40 I'd say. But they looked like they were enjoying themselves and I didn't think anything of it.

Hi OP, it doesn't matter how other people view you. You need a holiday and you should take it.

I'm always holidaying on my own. It can be a bit weird but I don't care.

Nothing wrong with it.

We went to Spain one year and there was a woman on her own, in her 60s. Husband died and she came away alone for the first time. She had a lovely time.

She sat with us, on her own went off on her own and we'd have a drink if we saw her out and about. We were AI and used to get her water for her. DS won free cocktail vouchers, about 15 of them doing different games so gave them to her.

We still keep in touch and she's always going off alone now.

There were lots of single people in our hotel just and sometimes they chat with others, sometimes they don't.

Go for it, I love being away by myself

I've been doing it for over 20 years. I don't give any thought to what other people think.

I go on holiday alone every year. For a start, no one knows you're alone and even if they do it's not about issue I enjoy going away by myself. I can get up when I want, do what I want and not have to compromise.

Can't see why anyone would care tbh. I travel regularly on my own ( usually trotting round Asia) and no one takes much notice so I doubt they would take any notice of you holidaying aline

This x100.

I've often traveled alone; it can be quite pleasant.

How I view you ..with jealousy...how amazing to go on holiday and do what you want. Go, relax. You deserve this! We just returned from holiday and lots of people on holiday on their own. It's very common now...

The majority of people won't notice. Of the ones that do, most will think "Good on you" and the occasional one will think you're odd (Like the woman in the pub last week who loudly proclaimed to her (I presume) Grandson, "Look at that weirdo sat reading a book by himself". I smiled and waved back.

If you're worried about it though, would something like this appeal to you. My Mum went on a few of them over the years

https://www.solosholidays.co.uk/singles-holidays-over-60s/

I’ve been camping in this country on my own quite a few times and had a great time, everyone has always been really friendly.

Going away in October for my first solo trip abroad. I’m going to a country I’m familiar with and plan on spending my mornings out and about, having lunch in a restaurant then heading back to my hotel to have the afternoon by the pool with my book. Not sure about the evenings, will see how it goes.

Pre-children I went on holiday alone all the time and loved it.

I have one friend who thinks people who travel alone are strange but she is really uncomfortable in her own skin and cannot do anything without a friend or her DH in tow. She once told me she will not go shopping alone…

I did it and I don't think people regarded me any way in particular. I chatted to a few people by the pool as you do and none of them asked me why I was alone or seemed to be curious.

During meals in the hotel I watched movies on my phone (with headphones) and don't recall anybody seeming to notice or care.

It’s absolutely fine (I do it) and I think you’ll have a lovely time OP. If it’s something you feel anxious about, then you can always book somewhere with an on site restaurant in case you don’t feel like venturing out - and take plenty of holiday reading!