To not want to holiday alone?

[IclimbedSnowdon]

DH has said he doesn't want to go on holiday with me next year.
We had a holiday together on a Greek island during the summer. He didn't enjoy the experience, and kept saying he couldn't wait to get home.
He has been a bit like this the last few years, and it spoils the holiday. When I mentioned this time that he was spoiling the holiday, he said this was the last time he does this (have a holiday). He has said the same more than once since we arrived home, and I think he means it.
Our children are grown with families of their own, and I have no friends able to come with me. My only option is to go away alone, the thought of which makes me a little sad.
Are there any lone travellers out there, if so any tips, what's it like?

Lone travelling is great. You get to choose how you spend your days and eat / sleep / sightsee in whatever way takes your fancy. You can stay up as late as you like and go whenever and wherever you please without having someone else there who moans and doesn't want to be there. I treat myself to premium economy for long haul flights ( if they are a good price and I book early enough ) and it's a real sense of me time. Also if you fancy having a lie in and a day or two lazing by the pool with a book you can do exactly that. Absolutely recommend solo travel

Also recommend investing in decent 4 wheeled luggage so you can manage your case/s alone and try to book a fare with extra baggage included if you want to do some shopping while you are away.

Before the pandemic I used to travel for work a lot, which isn't quite the same, but I'd have a lot of weekday evenings on my own in a strange city, which is similar.

I found it quite liberating to be able to make all the decisions about where I would eat, go for random walks, see what interesting places I could get to.

The only downside was being on my own in a restaurant and having to wait for food, etc, with no conversation to fill the time. A book (or some knitting) helps a bit, but people who are more socially outgoing than me might have better luck striking up conversations with randomers instead.

I went on a short break (5 days) on my own last year. I was apprehensive but I honestly loved it and have been saying everyone should do it at least once. it was so nice just doing what I wanted without compromise!

I mostly have to holiday without husband or friends these days (they all have various commitments!) but I don’t really like going off totally by myself. So I tend to join group tours, which can be great as you meet like-minded people, but don’t necessarily have to stay with them all the time, or eat with them if you don’t fancy it. There’s nearly always a ‘free’ day as well so you can do your own thing, or join up with others if you want to explore together. I’ve made some good friends doing these tours too! There’s masses of variety on where you can go, what activities you might like, etc. (And they are not all ‘oldies’!).

Lots companies do this, eg - Exodus, Explore, Riviera Travel, Trailfinders, Wendy Wu Tours, One Traveller, Voyages Jules Verne…

So it may be good to try one of these to start with, until you feel confident enough to go off by yourself after a while?

My DM goes solo travelling on cruise ships or in organised groups. Try Fred olsen holidays. They have train holidays across Europe among other things

Holidays on your own are lovely. You do what you want, when you want, at the pace you enjoy, and if you can’t be bothered to do anything, you order a nice breakfast from room service and eat it in bed. I’ve never felt unsafe in ordinary tourist places.

I go on lots of holidays on my own.

Love it.

I’ve been on holidays on my own - I love the feeling of freedom you get of not having to consider anyone else at all.

I agree that you should try a group holiday either specifically for solos or most group holidays have other singles and if not others are welcoming.

Think about what exactly you want. For a first one I would suggest one that includes half board and an excursion most days so you know you will always have company. But if you decide during the holiday to do your own thing it's not a problem.

I loved travelling alone. The sense of freedom is amazing.

Many options as lone traveller. Group holidays, solo agents etc. It's scary but easy enough and very rewarding.

I fear that as you venture more and find your wings, the DH will become more bitter and twisted than he is already and resentful too. Do you see him just being happy that you're off travelling and having a ball? Be prepared for backlash and gripes where the talk of divorce lawyer further up may become reality.

What is it your DH doesn't enjoy? Is it that he doesn't like sunny beach trips? There must be some other type of holiday that you can compromise on?
I love solo travel and happily do it. You will be fine if that's what you choose to do, you get to do everything you want, when you want.
But there are plenty of group trips you can sign up to as a solo traveller if you want to meet others.

Wow this is really sad. What's your husbands problem with holidays?
I went travelling on a group tour as a young adult as I wasn't confident enough to go alone and I had a friend who regularly did tours like this from her 50s onwards as her husband refused to go on holiday once their kids were old enough that family holidays weren't necessary. She had a great time in the organised groups. Apparently cruises are good as well, but it's best to try and find ones specifically for lone travellers so you're no the odd one out.

Thank you all for your replies.
DH has never really been that interested in holidays, and wherever we've gone I arrange and book.
We've done various city trips here and abroad, relaxing beach holidays, and whole family holidays, the last one to Florida.
He thinks everything is too expensive, he always takes a pocket note book and keeps a record of what we're spending. He moans when there are too many people for his liking, which tends to be often, so I don't think he'd miss not having a holiday.
I did mention I'd have to go away on my own, and he didn't seem impressed. He said if I want to do a Shirley Valentine that's up to me.
I've been looking and there's a place we went to a couple of years ago that was very peaceful and traditional with pool access rooms. It would just be a relaxing week or two reading and swimming. It's showing only two rooms left for when I'd like to go so I need to make a decision.