...to plan a solo holiday to get away from it all?

[thetapeoflove]

I work in a school so I have the benefit and the curse of school holiday times.

My partner does not like to travel. The last short UK holiday we planned, he ended up bailing on the morning of, because he got overwhelmed and anxious. I went on my own instead, which he was shocked by, but I wasn't going to let it go to waste. I've missed out on loads of stuff previously because he's changed his mind.

My parents want me to accompany them this summer on a kind of touring trip round places they used to live. They are both not in great health and need care. I am the nearest child, so I do 90% of the day to day stuff as it is.

I feel like going with my parents on this tour will break me. My mum is particularly difficult to be around for longer periods and nothing will be good enough for her. Dad gets tetchy and is quite rude to hotel workers/ waiting staff etc.

I feel like just booking myself onto some adults-only, sunny, all-inclusive break by myself and saying they can all just sort themselves out.

AIBU?

You must go! To counter pps I wouldn’t recommend a cruise if all you want to do is sit, read and swim – the pools are often tiny and crowded and you’ll be paying a premium to cruise to destinations you’ve no interest in seeing.

It’s cheaper to go long haul than to Europe in the UK school holidays; how far are you up for travelling? Greece, Croatia etc are so overpriced now in the summer, you’ll get more luxury for much less in places like Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam. Alternatively you could pick a more obscure (for the UK market) short-haul destination – Albania, Slovenia, Montenegro are all a bit “up and coming” so will be cheaper, but do careful research as their 5-star might not be the standard you’re expecting. Beautiful destinations if you can find a great hotel! TripAdvisor is your friend here, filter by 5-star reviews and take your pick. Let us know where you end up choosing so we can all live vicariously through you!

I came here to say FUCKING DO IT

I have 2 separate weeks at the Steigenberger Makadi in Egypt, May & Nov, Adult only, only 92 rooms, very chilled. Yes, the single supplement can sting, but worth it for the peace & quiet - i book with TUI

I went to Santorini on my own and I read books, drank beer and ate moussaka. And petted cats it was bliss.

Bali

My very best single holiday was on a Turkish Gulet. You get your own cabin with an en-suite. All meals are inclusive and freshly prepared by the onboard cook. The Gulet sails around the coast and drops anchor for lunch and a swim and the crew find a quiet bay to spend the night. It’s truly the most beautiful and relaxing holiday I’ve ever had.

Do it. Travelling solo is fab ypull havea great time.

I'm going to Skiathos solo at the end of May, and I cannot wait. I've started packing already!

There's a Facebook group Solo on Skiathos that's very helpful. I have a few trips planned, but most importantly I shall be doing exactly as I want.

Have a look/join this Facebook group - Solo in Style: Women over 50 Travelling Solo & Loving It!
Great inspiration, even if not over 50. Bon voyage.

Place marking.

I go on solo holidays regularly and love it. Some ideas:

• Barcelona if you usually do city breaks but want the option to sit on the beach and do nothing. There are beaches in the city, plus museums etc if you get bored of lying around
• Canaries for 'arrive and do nothing until you leave'
• Caribbean is long haul but very beautiful, relaxing and the water is warm!

You could also use the skyscanner 'everywhere' feature - enter your local airport, set the destination to 'everywhere' and set either specific dates or a whole month, and see what it suggests.

Do it. I've traveled solo for 20 years and it's can be a great experience. Now I do 1 solo trip every 2 years, leaving my partner at home! I'm going to Uzbekistan soon. If you fancy something different try a trip with a company like explore or intrepid, you'll get the option to share a room or pay for your own. It a great way to travel 'solo' but also meet new people and see new places.

Have a look at Passion for Cruises (and Holidays for Solos). They specialise in deals for solo travellers and don't have supplements. I've been on several of theirs, including 'hosted' trips, the most relaxing being river cruises.

Do it, i did my first solo holiday last year, at 52, and have done 3 more since...love it!

Canaries
Barcelona
tui have a lovely adults AI in the middle of Marrakech (Marrakech itself can be a bit overwhelming at times)
Athens (great swimming)

Batsi on Andros. Lovely safe Greek island resort. Chryssi Akti Hotel is lovely. I'd happily go there alone. It's quite a small island so treat yourself to a guided island tour on one day and then you can enjoy the lovely beach guilt-free for the rest of the time.

Olympic Holidays do packages.

I go at least once a year alone. I'm getting old now so am packing it in while I can. Some trips that stand out for me are

Seville, Cordoba, Granada, followed by a week R+R in the Molina Lario hotel in Malaga - fab roof terrace/bar and a must go to restaurant, El Pimpi. Beach across the road, and more tapas than I could handle.

Bayonne, St. Jean de Luz, Biarritz followed by a week in San Sebastian. Can't remember the hotel but it was just outside the old town. Fab beach and the food is to die for. Mad place at night but at my age I slunk home rather early! Expensive but worth it.

Riva del Garda 4 nights, crossed the lake by boat to Sirmione for 5 days. Gorgeous, gorgeous wow. Any decent hotel will be fine, most have lovely sun drenched gardens with pool.

Go for it. Have a great time
.And don't give anyone else a second thought.
👍😻X

Honestly I don’t think you should do it. Think of your husband and parents and put their needs ahead of your own every time….

Said no woman on here ever!!! Do it. I want to do it. Do it for all of us! And if anyone actually trots that nonsense above out for real give them the middle figure and run away laughing to the travel agent.

It's a no brainer - I'm SO jealous,you're a modern day Shirley Valentine!

Quick start packing and have a fantastic time 😍

Solosholidays.com do lots of relaxing holidays (Greek islands etc), as well as more adventurous ones, although possibly not so many in the school holidays.

Do it - i too have the school holidays off - im a TA
my husband just has the statutory four weeks - I’d happily book an all inclusive somewhere warm - in fact i might just join you !!