Solo travel- is it that odd?

[WanderLust893]

I’ve always loved travelling and would have loved to go backpacking in my younger years but didn’t have the confidence. I’m now in my fourties and married with kids in older primary/younger high school. My husband enjoys fairly adventurous, independent family holidays but says he finds city breaks abroad stressful with all the travel etc. I am an introvert and although I could probably persuade a friend to go I don’t relish the idea of spending an extended period of time with someone other than immediate family. I’m considering going away by myself for a couple of budget long weekends- off peak, staying in basic accommodation. I particularly fancy Eastern Europe.
I mentioned this to a friend and she said it’s a very strange thing to do. She said if her or her husband suggested this the other would assume they were cheating or up to something else dodgy. I know it’s quite unusual but is it really that strange? My husband would have no particular desire to come and it would mean not having to rope in family to look after the kids. I would obviously take all necessary safety precautions as a solo female.

I would love to have the courage to travel solo. It might be less common in married couples but you know your relationship and if it’s not weird for you both then who cares if it’s weird to outsiders.

I go camping, walking, cultural breaks and more all solo.

Of course it isn’t ‘very strange’ , or even particularly risky, and certainly not a cause for jealousy over suspected affairs (unless there is actually an affair going on, in which case it isn’t the travel that is the issue) .

I’ve not had any weird comments from friends etc.

The only question I have is 'why are you staying on budget accommodation'? If you really have a limited bugget and that is all you can afford then fine. But if you are feeling more guilty about staying somewhere nice, then stop that thought right now!.

I am married but go on holiday on my own all the time. I just went to South America. I enjoy it. No compromising, just doing what I want.

This is absolutely not unusual. I went on my first solo holiday last year and loved it. I could do exactly what I want and had no one else’s needs to think about. It was great.
I have a friend who goes on regular solo holidays and his wife does too. They have different interests and each support each others right to time apart doing their hobbies. They still have family holidays but do their own thing too.
Plan a break and go for it.

Absolutely this!! Most of my travel has been solo (and I’ve travelled a LOT) and it’s utterly wonderful having the freedom to do whatever you want without having to take anyone else into account. The downside of my solo holidays is that friends and family now think my trips that I plan are always so amazing that they want to come with me. Currently having to plan a trip for several of us and the constant involving everyone in planning so they feel involved/consulted is exhausting. So much easier when it’s just me. 🙄

Travelling solo is adventurous and can be good fun.
Surprisingly popular and nornal for many.
Got for it OP.
Depending on where you go, may be advisable to book /hook up with other solo travellers

Solo travel is not strange at all . More and more people travel solo and thoroughly enjoy it

For various complicated family reasons, dh has sometimes had to travel home for a few days and leave me in Italy or France. It has been glorious. I've felt like a real 'grown up' - look at me, 'moderndilemma', sitting in a little Italian village, eating fresh pizza and dinking a glass of red wine!

I also have need for winter sunshine (to combat SAD) so in Feburary I am off to Gran Canaria to a yoga and wellbeing holiday.

I’ve got around this by either booking late or not telling anyone until a few days before. Last year I booked a trip the day before I went.

Why does it matter what others think? Go for it!! Sounds great.

Go for it. Your friend is the strange one.

Of course it's not strange to go solo. I've been married 25+ years and I'm going away in February for 3 weeks to India. DH will remain here and working.

Most of my overseas travel (work and leisure) is done solo. I only travel with DH for very specific kinds of holidays. I find it much more relaxing travelling without him, plus he will only fly business class for long-haul trips which means less frequent travel for him.

Not odd at all. I go on a solo holiday usually a city break, but I’ve also gone camping or self catering in a cottage or a walking holiday, every year, at least once, sometimes several trips.

It’s lovely. We have family holidays too, but they aren’t relaxing. Kids fight and Dh, I love him, but he gets stressed and isnt always super relaxing to be around. I definitely do not want to travel with friends! I’ve been there done that. I no longer have any tolerance for fussy eaters who can’t choose a restaurant or anyone hungover in bed til 11am. I’m much happier on my own.

That said, I think most people lack the confidence for solo travel or get anxious in their own company or need constant entertainment. It’s not for them, but it’s perfect for me.

I love solo travel - been through parts of South East Asia on my own, various parts of Europe, the US. The freedom to do as you wish is just amazing

Not remotely odd. Your friend’s experiences sound quite limited.

I think if you enjoy going on day trips, meals and coffees, shows, cinema etc on your own then you’d probably enjoy travelling solo.

I love my solo holidays. I'm very comfortable in my own company and like getting a break from "peopling" for a few days. I've developed a bit of a solo holiday routine: sightseeing (or similar) during the day, earlyish dinner then cosy up in my accommodation with Netflix 😁 I love researching the places I want to go, how to get around, what places to eat are good....its great

You're going to India for 3 weeks alone? No friend going, you're not meeting up with family there - you're simply travelling to India alone, holidaying there alone for 3 weeks, then travelling home?

If that's what works for you and your husband then good on you but you can't honestly think this is a common thing to do? It's unusual as hell 😂

Ive done stuff like that my whole adult life. Not sure why you think it’s so hilarious.

Yeah it may not be super common but I’d agree it’s not that unusual, because when I was backpacking in my 20s I’d meet heaps of people in their 50s and beyond who were solo traveling in Thailand etc without their partners.

And this was a decade ago so I imagine it’s even more common now.

This is the problem I found when friends found out a
I had planned my own trip away a few want to join me when I go again the problem is I enjoyed my solo trip. I could do what I wanted to do.
I think I’m not going to tell people when I’m going again

I travelled solo in late teens and my 20s (India, Syria, Morocco, Mexico) and I always loved it. Then I got married, had children etc. - but in November I went to Florence for 3 days alone and it was GLORIOUS. I'm going to do more. I think, as someone upthread said, it's perceived as unusual because not that many people who have families who could theoretically go with them do it. But it's vital to take ownership of our lives, interests and desires - and if solo travel is part of that.... I also go to the theatre alone, and people think that is odd, too.