CORFU: Going Solo on my 1st holiday since separation & anxious about travelling solo

[CleanCityBird]

I’ve booked a 2 week holiday to Corfu and I’m travelling solo. Just me! I felt so good when I booked it, I thought I was so brave & courageous, & I’m so devastated that these doubts are creeping in. I’m a 53 year old woman & I went through a separation 7yrs ago. He left. It’s taken me years to get over it, I was devastated. My only daughter is 30 now & lives abroad with her partner. I don’t have much family & it’s been a huge adjustment living alone. I took in student this year & I’ve loved having them, breathing life into the house. It’s the money they brought in that’s paying for this holiday. I was beginning to feel like I’ve come out the other side (or I think I am).
So in March I booked this holiday to Corfu for 2 weeks in September. It’s my first holiday in 8 years. It’s almost upon me now. I’d imagined strolls on the beach at sunset, peacefulness, reading, swimming in the sea, beautiful food, wonderful locals.
The closer it gets to C Day the more anxious I become. I’m afraid I’ll get there, be paralysed by irrational fear, never leave my accommodation & count down the days until I come home. Worse, I’m afraid I will get to the day & won’t get on the plane, almost sabotage myself.
It’s the fear that is so powerful, but I don’t even know what I’m afraid of. I think it’s the sadness of what life is like now compared to what it used to be.
I’ve booked accommodation in Messonghi ( which I can cancel up to a week before travel). I’m nervous I’ve booked the wrong location for a solo traveller looking for peace. I’ve a very limited budget so I’m nervous about it. I read about Agios Gordios being beautiful but it’s pricier. Recommendations anyone has for a peaceful place beside a beach I’d be very grateful. But also, moral support would be wonderful for me to lean on to bolster my confidence & help me to grab hold of this holiday with both hands and begin to feel alive again.

Hi there OP, I hope you don't cancel. I have been told by many people that travel on their own that they find people to talk to. I hope you find folk to talk to and hopefully go for a drink with or for coffee and hopefully a meal .I reckon it will help you once you are there as it is quite brave of you to do so .I hope you find people to talk to.

First of all, well done you on having the guts to book your first solo holiday!! And you have picked well!! I love Corfu, used to work there in the 1990s and holiday there solo many times. Messonghi isn’t where I would choose to be honest, beautiful scenery but the beach is a bit crap!
I normally stay in Roda up in the north (you can book an airport transfer coach through Hoppa or a taxi/private transfer will cost about €65).
there are usually lots of solo travellers in Roda as it’s a really friendly place with a lovely sandy beach. There are bars and restaurants along the beach and a decent range of shops. I can give you some accommodation recommendation based on your budget too. But please do not worry, you will be accepted and treated well wherever you go.
budget: Valentinos, Makis, (if you are on FB try Maras Rentaroom), Banos apartments,
mid: Elizabeth, Pearl, Eleni villa, Ninos on the beach (it’s on the sea not the beach!)
hotels, Aphrodite (beach front) Coral (sea front)

there are various Facebook groups for Corfu and for Roda.

where we you end up enjoy it. Take a deep breath and embrace it. It’s a beautiful island with beautiful people.

I haven't been to Corfu but I did a solo trip to Crete last year. It was fabulous. You will be fine. Don't cancel.

Not unreasonable at all, it's daunting at first but I've got so into solo travel that I actually enjoy company probably less than solo these days. All the endless conversations about what shall we eat, where, what time, what shall we do today/ this evening etc, ok we'll do what you want but when do I get to choose etc... Dear God just let me relax and please myself, it's MY sodding holiday!

You'll have an absolute blast I just know it.

I was going to book a solo holiday but never got around to it. I was worried I'd be sad and lonely. I'd tell myself 'well I'll cry on the sunbed then.'
I think the beforehand nerves will be the worst, once you're there you're there.
Try to plan what you'd like to do, pack some books, but dont let the fear stop you from doing a brave thing.

I am also 53 and have been travelling solo since I was 24, despite being married. I love doing my own thing.

Solo travelling is GLORIOUS op! I’m a massive extrovert but I find travelling alone very invigorating. It will open up a million possibilities to you op.

have a wonderful time (don’t you dare cancel!) and let us know how you get on

Corfu is a safe choice, you will get there and realise your worries are unfounded.

You can do this and I suspect once you get this holiday under your belt, you'll get the travel bug and go to more far flung places.

I haven't been on a bench holiday alone (simply because that's not my thing) but I have travelled alone quite often and find you meet people much more easily alone than you do when you travel as a couple or group.

I'd try to plan some days so you're joining a group trips or activities, but beach pool and restaurants alone with a book will be lovely.

You'll feel amazing and really accomplished once you've done it once. Have a great time.

I’ve been on many solo holidays. Enjoyed every one of them. I hope you won’t cancel because I think you’ll always wonder if you were hasty and missed out and will never have a holiday again.

You can keep posting here when you get the jitters, even once you’ve set off. But I think you’ll be fine

Ive done several solo trips (female, fifties) and it is nerve wracking but it does get better.

You'll find that people talk to you anyway and may even invite you to sit with them to eat or go in days out (both have happened to me. Ive also been shown around by locals too.

Take a book as a prop. Read if you feel uncomfortable. Try to plan one thing each day. Pop on here for support!

Good luck - I promise it gets easier.

Corfu is beautiful. Explore. Have a wonderful time.

I’ve done a few long weekends alone, but you’ve made me think that at least a week is the way to go.

A friend of mine is going solo to Corfu in September. She went on her own last year too and had such a great time she's going back. Load up your kindle, get some sunscreen, research things to do before you go and I'm sure when you get there you will enjoy it

Most practical problems can be resolved if you have a functioning mobile phone and a credit card so you can always come home if you really hate it.

The Greeks are a friendly people and everybody speaks English. You couldn't have chosen a better place to test your solo wings.
Enjoy your holiday!

I agree with this poster. I've also been visiting Corfu for 30 years. Book accomodation in Roda and join their Facebook group, add a post asking for meet ups.

Lots of solo travellers go to Roda and it's honestly such a lovely village. You'll adore it!

Fantastic accommodation is as above. Also include Angelina apartments, John Apartments, Alexandros etc. you'll be able to find them on booking.com or direct.

Going solo is great. If you want to join up with others, there will be an opportunity. If you want to stay on your room, that's your choice too. Take a book for when you're sitting on your own and don't want to be disturbed.

Personally I don't want to join anyone for dinner or trips. I enjoy my own company so I take a book and no one bothers me mostly. Have politely declined invites.

I went to corfu for my first solo holiday 4 yrs ago and like you was very aprensive I had an amazing time. look into booking excursions. Plan your days i felt very safe.I also met people. Im off to crete in September again solo and am counting down the days.

Same here. I've been travelling solo for over 20 years, including multiple trips to Greece. I really wouldn't want to travel with someone else now and have to think about what they might want to do.

You'll love it and be so proud of yourself when you're overlooking the med with an ice cold beverage.

Go ahead, don't overthink it and just enjoy it.

I found excursions a fantastic way to meet people. Viator is the place I book them. Book one for your second day so you can find your bearings and be social straight away.

It's Corfu not Cambodia, I'm sure you'll be just fine.

Did a solo trip in Cambodia to see Angkor Wat and that was fine too!

I know that area incredibly well its beautiful and very safe for a solo female traveller . If you are on Facebook there are several great groups for the area. Feel free to pm me with any questions , you will have a fabulous time

You can do all of the things you dreamed of AND hide away- stay in hotel for meals if you’re happier with the convenience of this and if your room has a balcony buy a bottle of wine and read your book in the evening.

you’ll find yourself in a little routine. No one will judge you, just go and peacefully enjoy.

corfu is beautiful and the food is amazing. The beach is stony mostly I think so get a lounger or take a thick towel.

please don’t cancel - imagine how happy you’ll feel when you’ve done it! Just flying will be exhilarating!

(I feel a bit similar because I went to Corfu last year, albeit with two children but I was on my own in terms of being the adult)

No advice to offer on your holiday destination I'm afraid.

I did travel solo while between husbands, I too was nervous. I did lots of research, even planning walking routes from my hotel to the town centre. Overkill perhaps but it gave me confidence.

I was frequently "adopted" by older couples and invited to join their table for an evening meal. I also did a scuba diving course so met a few fun people that way.

I never felt awkward dining alone, I think most waiting staff just assumed I was an expat living there.

Take whatever measures you need to stay safe and happy but have a wonderful holiday.