Singles holidays

[Rupert47]

Hi All-an unusual question this one-I have posted in the parents section as well but this one's for me!
I lost my wife at Christmas(24 1/2 years of marriage)-I have a 15 yr old daughter and an 18 yr old son shortly off to uni.
We have chatted and with their blessing WE have decided that I need a holiday-they are both going away with friends and their friends parents so for the first time in 31 years I have to find a holiday for myself!
I've had a look at the most likely suspects,Solo,Just you etc but nothing has really caught my eye-I must stress that I am absolutely NOT looking for a romantic adventure,does anyone have experience of these type of holiday?,are they suitable for a single 47 year old guy who is quite fit and not really a beach type?-many thanks in advance-Simon

A cruise. You can do lots of activities on it as well as chill out and not on the beach - although you stop off at some of the ports, so you can do some sightseeing as well. You could choose to mingle with the other guests or relax in the cinema room etc. My female friend did one when she lost her son, and she was also in her mid 40's - and she loved it. Hope this helps.

I went to Havana, Cuba last year on my own for a week and had a great time! Lots of interesting sights, loads of tourists so people to chat to, and the locals are really friendly!

Virgin Atlantic do flight and hotel packages.

Sorry to hear of your loss. You could try this travel company I know they are legit, but also shop around as they are not the sole providers of the holiday offers they sell. They also have a forum on their site so you can exchange ideas before you decide. FWIW your children sound lovely and understanding. PS I am not connected with the website I have linked to.

My dad's in the same boat (although much older). we lost my mum 5 years ago. When he was ready, he started looking around. He avoided all the "single" specialists and booked himself on a residential cookery course. He met a sorts of interesting people. Might be worth considering that or another "interest" type holiday where you're less likely to be expected to start a romance.

That's a good idea Iloveshoes001 - i hope Rupert47 somes back.
www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/special-interest check the travel arrangements as some exclude flights. Even Solar eclipse and astronomy holidays to Botany holidays to cookery and wine tasting. I must divert myself and get on with work.

I would do an adventure type holiday - with someone like Explore or Exodus. There are lots of single people who go on those of all ages - being on your own won't be an issue.

I wouldn't do a specifically single type one, but an activity type one, as suggested, depending on what you're interested in. When I was a single parent I went to Mark Warner/Neilson (much prefer Neilson) and learnt to waterski and windsurf. Whilst there are a lot of couples there are also a few single people, and they usually eat together. I've also found that because couples don't tend to do activities together (often one is much better than the other) it's very easy to strike up conversations and friendships, and these extend to the more social aspects of the holiday too.

Thanks for all the suggestions!-I'm going to have a good look around-I have also noticed that the dates for the single traveller websites tend to be out of season-is this because of them trying to keep the single supplement costs down-hmm

I did a sunsail holiday when I was single, ended up having a bit of a fling with the instructor think they are Neilson now. It was nice as there was a mix of singles, and a couple of families so it wasn't an in your face "singles" holiday iyswim.

Another option is a group called Spice. I used to go on their ski holidays, they do a lot of walking, ski and adventure holidays link is www.spiceuk.com/bookit/bkiteventavail.asp?cat=All&subcat=All&searchfor=&show=All&orderby=By+Date and it is a mixed age range. At 47 you would be at the top end but as the holidays are fairly pricey you certainly wouldn't be out of place.

Hope you find something you like.

I have (quite a few years ago) been on Exodus and Explore holidays on my own. At the time when I booked they were prepared to give you some idea re particular trips re whether there were others already booked on that trip who were also travelling alone. On the ones I went on there was a wide age range, including people in their 40s. I liked the fact that it was a mixture of people travelling alone/ couples/ people travelling with a friend.