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.

Join Solo in style for women over 50 on Fbook. Loads of women holidaying solo. Lots of tips and ideas 👍

I usually have my main meal at lunch, then a snack & a glass of wine somewhere in the evening, preferably outside.

That sounds a great idea.

Go for it. You will never have to meet any fellow holidaymakers from that trip again.
Choose destination/hotel wisely, half board means you can explore in the day, but hotel for dinner. There will be excursions/activities you can take or leave, or just be by the pool with a book.

Try Europe first, short flights, lots of choice. Unfortunately you may be hit be single supplement.
Enjoy your holiday.

I’m nearly 60, and started going away myself last year after being widowed and my children being grown up. The Canaries are definitely my go to place, no one will even think about it, and you will probably find there are quite a few single people away at the same time. It will be fine ad probably liberating for you, and I hope it’s the start of many fun solo travel adventures.

I've done it many times to various different countries.

What you will find is that you're quickly become acquainted with other singletons because you will end up sitting next to each other on transport and perhaps in restaurants or at breakfast.

Whenever I went on holiday in a pair we could literally spend the whole holiday without ever having a proper conversation with another holiday maker but once I went on my own I made friends every time.

Sometimes even couples will invite you to join them for a drink or a male or an outing or an excursion because they think you might be lonely or not want to be on your own so it is really great.

Other than that it's great to go on your own on holiday because you can do exactly what you want when you want you don't have to refer to anyone else; you can stay somewhere as long as you like and if that means five minutes and then you want to leave you just can, whereas if you were with someone else you have to think about them and do what they want.

Loads of people holiday alone - just do it! You'll have a fab time.

I'm in my early 60s and have been travelling solo since my kids grew up.

I love being the only person I have to please when choosing when and where to go and what to do.

Not had any issues with other people thinking it odd that I travel solo.

Sometimes tricky finding good deals for solo travellers without a supplement, but I'm on the Passion For Cruises FB group where they specialise in solo bookings.

I Also recommend the "women over 50 travelling solo" FB group for inspiration and the knowledge that thousands of women are having a great time out there travelling on their own

Exactly this

This thread is very uplifting, so many positive comments.

Mid December is a perfect time to go and get back here for Christmas before all the families arrive - no offence to anyone, but I recall last year the resort got really busy on my last few days when the schools finished up - I came back on the 22nd December.

Agree with having a late lunch instead of going out for dinner, I go somewhere different every day then I usually head back to my hotel early evening for a glass of wine, absolute bliss

Wishing you lots of happiness X

I’ve done a bit of solo travel: Italy (twice), Russia and Singapore. I bloody love solo travel. You can please yourself and go at your own pace.

As for caring what people think of you life is way too short for that. If they think about it at all (most won’t) it will just be to register admiration and possibly a bit of envy.

Thank for for such a kind message. I expect lots of families with school-age children will be booking for the school holiday period, so it is good to leave accommodation for those who have no alternative but to fit their mid-winter break into a very short window of opportunity. Sadly I think that the holiday companies bump their prices up to catch the school holiday market. I quite like the thought of having little ones around the place and I expect that there will be some families with pre-school tots around in early/mid December

Make a booking and get your bag packed asap and enjoy yourself!!😁

I do it too , love it. Go and enjoy

Go for it! It’s the best! If you can afford it go for a cruise in the Caribbean - weather would be much better and there are lots of activities that you can participate in if you choose to do so!
I used to vacation alone often before kiddo- you wake up when you want, you go where you want; if you want to take it easy, you can just read by the pool without having to make conversation with anyone. It’s so indulgent!!

I frequently go away on my own (I’m 60) I’ve done Los cristianos, Tenerife in December and January, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote and also Palma Mallorca
Currently in Turkey (Dalyan) lots of single older people in this hotel (more female than male though) wouldn’t be warm enough in December for me though

DH and I go on cruises and we meet and get chatting to plenty of single men and women around your age. There's plenty to do alone but also opportunities to meet others if you want.

"You'll spend a lot less time worrying about what other people think about you when you realise how seldom they do". - David Foster Wallace.

People aren't looking at you or thinking about you at all; they're thinking about their own holidays and their own concerns. And even if they "viewed" you in any particular way, you're way too old to give a crap about stuff like that.

I can just about see how a man on his own might be viewed with suspicion if he was hanging round a place with a lot of kids, or even just a lot of women in bikinis or whatever. But really, nobody's thinking anything about a 60+ woman. If you were younger you might, in certain places, become a target for harassers and creeps. If you went somewhere like Ghana or Jamaica that's known as a sex tourism destination for older women, people might get certain ideas. But as it is, really, nobody thinks anything. Go and have fun.

My thoughts:

1. A lot of people will quite likely think "you lucky bugger!"
2. Even more people won't notice that you're alone (they really won't!)
3. You (most likely) won't know anyone there, so even if anyone did think negatively, so what?
4. I absolutely LOVE solo holidays myself, when I get chance.

I hope you go and have an amazing time, OP.

@Slyngel I feel very envious, winter sun, lie by a pool, read your book, listen to podcasts, nice meals.

I know you are saying Tenerife but also have a look at Funchal. It's a really lovely town, lots to do, feels very safe, great selection of hotels. I'd go back in an instant.

Wouldn't bat an eyelid. But would probably be jealous! If you feel you might be uncomfortable/actually do want company, there are plenty of holiday companies for solo travellers. Enjoy yourself!

Go to Santorini, it’s safe, friendly, beautiful and I saw loads of people holidaying on their own this year xx

I'm single, 63 and I have no family. I've ALWAYS taken a holiday alone, I've had no choice if I want to get out there and see the world. No one cares whether you're on your own or with a family. In fact, I often look around me and see unhappy families and couples on holiday and think how lucky I am. Last winter I went skiing for three months- alone, and loved ppl. It's so liberating to have the freedom to do whatever you want, when you want, if at all you want to. Sipping a cold beer on a Greek beach under the Mediterranean sun, without the usual family squabbles, is bliss.

I go on holiday on my own all the time op, in fact it is quite normal these days among young people. I was literally just planning a holiday to Tenerife today!

I’m in Lanzarote at the minute with DD, but sat with a wine and a book on my own tonight because she’s tired. I would happily come here on my own - came with easyJet, transfers all included, very easy