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.

Most people wouldn't bat an eyelid at it. In fact some people would be jealous.

There may be some who have a negative opinion on it but the problem is with them, not you. Go for it and enjoy!

I wouldn't think anything of it, go ahead and enjoy your holiday, you deserve it!

Kindly OP, everyone else will be enjoying their own holiday / having their own worries to even notice you. And in the unlikely event that they did, why do you care what complete strangers that you'll never see again think of you?

Go for it, you might make some new friends. There could be others there in a similar position to you. Take a good book or two and enjoy some winter sun ☀️

Really jealous, you are living my dream. Can I come with you?

Check out the book retirement rebel and similar for some inspiration. One day when my DD may choose to stop travelling with me I’ll be adventuring solo - there is so much of the world to see

Absolutely fine to go alone. My questions would be:
How do you apply suncream on your back if alone ?
What about leaving your things by the sunlounger while you swim, with no one else to potentially keep them safe ?
Are you OK travelling in a taxi, abroad and alone, on your own ?
What about walking back to the hotel alone at night ?

I went to Australia by myself and didn't receive any sort of comment from anyone while I was there. My mother (68) holidays frequently by herself and encounters a few older women hoildaymakers too.

Go and enjoy. Here's my bit of free advice 😉

Take a clipboard or notepad with you and the hotel and restaurants may think you're an inspector and give you and upgrade ... or at least very good service!

Happy holidays!

I go by myself. I love it. Nobody cares.

I just booked 5 solo days all inclusive in Egypt in December. I'm in my 40s. I don't care what anyone thinks. In the main most people won't register my existence. I'm sure I'll strike up a few conversations and in the main I plan to read, swim etc. I chose somewhere that also has activities as I like those and maybe a day trip. Time will fly by. I deliberately didn't book 7 days just in case it felt too long, this is more of a testing the water travelling solo.

It's what you feel comfortable with - some people might not want to do all inclusive, some might prefer adults only, some won't like eating on their own in a town and others won't mind. I just want to have to make minimal decisions as I will be the only one making them, that was my deciding factor.

I've taken up the hotel transfer as feels safer. I'll also wear a wedding ring.

You'd have to apply your own suncream on your back in the room I guess, I've done it before with a spatula type thing.

In Tenerife I’ve seen pubs playing soaps on their TVs so older couples can sit there with their pints in the sunshine and not talk to each other 😅 You won’t stand out as odd if you are there on your own.

Or you could go trekking in the Himalayas, kayaking in Greece, diving in the Red Sea. You are still young. Enjoy life!

Friend of mine goes to menorca most years on her own, her husband is too ill to travel. She's in her 70s now. She's also been to tenerrife.

She gets a balcony with a view, has a fridge and a bottle of wine, does snacks for a meal in the evening. Has lunch by the pool. Arranges her own transfers. Loves it.

Another friend does a group holiday every year, usually quite exotic with explore or exodus. She's in her 60s now.

100% this, hope you enjoy a well deserved break

You'll be fine. More than fine. I've done it for years: I prefer solo travel and holidaying.

In general, it's increasingly common for middle aged and older women to travel alone. I've had some dodgy moments in Southern Italy and Northern Africa but where you're thinking of going is very safe for Western female tourists.

The trick is to take lots of good books!

You definitely deserve a holiday after the past few years so go and enjoy x

Other people are too wrapped up in their own world to notice. You do whatever makes you happy xx

I've just done it for the first time. I figure most of us will in our lifetime.

Easy to say no one cares. I don't care what people think. However I didn't completely love eating by myself in a restaurant. I took a book but I still felt a bit lonely when everyone around me was nattering away. I would go AI so you can either linger over meals or just eat and go, as you prefer. Wine on the balcony sounds great.

I believe (ie I have read on here) that cruises often have singles tables. It's not for me at this stage in my life, but when life is less relentless (does it ever feel that way?) I might be up for that.

@PamperGoals2024 I am totally with you on just not wanting to make too many decisions. Just a few days of not having to meal plan or cater for anyone is all I need really!

I would be a tiny bit envious.

Do it! I have. It's brilliant

1. You suncream your own back or wear a coverup.
2. Either decide to leave things by the pool where you swim or don't.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.

Not strange at all! Choose somewhere nice and relaxed where you can sit in the sunshine with a book, stroll out to cafes, have a nice meal in little restaurant etc. Sounds like absolute bliss. If I see someone having a solo holiday, I certainly don’t view them as strange - I just secretly envy them!

my mum does loads. sometimes she does saga type where its group trips but individual bookings iyswim.shes been all over world now. for more relaxed sun/sea holidays she often just goes on own. do it!x

I'm the same age as you OP.

In my 40's I went on several solo holidays abroad and never had any trouble or adverse remarks!

Take a book to restaurants or get a table with a view.

When I went to a beach I never took anything of value and only a small amount of currency - enough for sunbed, snack, drink. Then I didn't need to worry about things being nicked if I wanted to swim.

I always fell into conversation with other solo travellers, most were great, a few weird, but nothing really freaky.

I'd recommend going somewhere where there are places of interest, as well as time for beach/pool relaxation.

I bet you'll have a fabulous time, honestly

Honestly, nobody will notice - for all anyone knows you could have a husband and multiple family members back in the hotel/off on a trip you didn't fancy/whatever. And even if they did notice, they won't care. It's really not unusual.

If you do feel like you'd like to socialise or have people to eat out with etc, maybe look at organised day trips? I've been on numerous solo holidays and while I'm perfectly happy in my own company, sometimes I do crave a bit of interaction (especially if it's a longer holiday). I find organised stuff (boat trips, city walking tours, trips to historical sights or natural beauty spots etc etc) tend to be made up of at least 50% solo travellers and usually there's either lunch/dinner as part of the trip or the group arranges to meet up for dinner after (obviously this isn't compulsory!). Otherwise just take a kindle or some books, relax in the sun, swim, wander around taking in the sights, eat delicious food and ENJOY!