Solo Holidays

[Unforgettablefire]

Hi all.
Just wondering how many of you go on solo holidays or trips. Where to? And what do you do? Beach holidays because you want to go alone or to places nobody else wants to go to?
The reason I ask is I love bears. There's a bear sanctuary in Romania near Transylvania (I don't want to go to a zoo) and the area looks beautiful.
I'm struggling to find anyone that's up for it so I'm thinking of just going alone. Is that a bit sad or is it something people do?
Would love to hear experiences if anyones done it.

Lots of people on MN go on holiday alone.
I mainly go walking in Britain. A few years ago I got the (now defunct) sleeper train to Venice.
If nobody else wants to go, there’s nothing sad about doing what interests you.

Do you specifically want to go alone, or would you be up for going in a group? We go on group/guided tour holidays sometimes and there are always plenty of single travellers who all mix in with the group and seem to enjoy it. There are also groups on fb for people who are looking for travel companions.

I live on my own, and I holiday alone. I love it!

My first solo holiday was 5 weeks backpacking in Australia after divorce. Since then I’ve visited various European countries, mostly on my own and also with my DS when he was younger.

Go for it!

I’m planning a solo trip to Romania next year, to do Bucharest, Brasov (Transylvania/Draculas castle) and then go and see some bears.
All my research suggests it’s a good, safe country with lots of train and transport links.

I’ve done it but I feel like it’s better actually “doing” stuff with other people. I’m very content on my own at home and prefer chillin’ on my own. I don’t see holidays as relaxing but more an experience. It’s nice to share it.

However there’s nothing to stop going alone especially if you have a plan. The only thing I’d say from experience is that it may not live up to expectations. Although if you do it on your own you’ll be able to take that away if nothing else.

I go on solo holidays for quite a few different reasons and I love it. I go all over the world and please myself. Not that I do beach holidays though as the beach and good weather are on my doorstep everyday and it’s not a novelty. My most adventurous holiday was a specific whale watching trip to Alaska.

Also, I’m familiar with Romania because of family ties and I think you’ll have a great time in Transylvania. The Romanian people are so nice and I think you should just tell yourself you’re going - and go.

Thanks for the replies.
@MinnieMountain My whole life I've wanted to go on a sleeper train and travel through countries. Probably too expensive for me but it's always been a dream it would be such an adventure.

@hellcatspangle it's not that I specifically want to go alone, it's just nobody seems up for this particular place. I'm mid 50s and everyone I know has partners so I have the odd beach holiday with my daughter. She has a serious partner too now so I need to consider this.

What you've said about groups is very interesting I'm going to have a look I didn't know they were there. Beach holidays are nice but I also like to see places.

@Unforgettablefire I'm in my 60’s and do it. I also travel through Europe by train any chance I get even when I can fly from place to place. Honestly, doing it puts such a spring in your step.

Thanks again for the replies.
@NanaNelly the bear sanctuary is in Zarnesti and it looks absolutely beautiful. So two birds one stone, gorgeous surroundings and bears. As much as I love animals I wouldn't go to a zoo. Whale watching sounds lovely, even when I'm abroad I like to get in the sea with bread and feed the fish.

@RunningFromInsanity this is exactly what I want to do!
These replies are all great thank you.
My minds made up I'm going!!

I go on holiday by myself all the time! I'm 40. Started off because my friends are married, babies, can't afford it etc and I'm single/childless but it's now my preferred way to travel. I love just wandering about, people watching, suiting myself. I have a low social battery these days. Love it.

I would go on a spa /wellness type break alone, but I am useless on my own, I’d get lost and all sorts.
If you are confident and won’t get lost (like me😂), then I see no issue with travelling alone.

While i dont holiday alone. Im long hail cabin crew & often have several days in foreign & far flung countries & a lot of the time there isnt anyone who wants to do the same thing as myself.
I recently spent 2 days at a horse farm ranch about 4 hours north of santiago on my own. Efc

Its very empowering. Go for it OP x

I have been going on solo holidays for the past two years. I started with a UK holiday at the seaside for a week which was lovely, then went to Amsterdam and recently to Scotland.

I think next time I will do Belgium or France.

I have done activity-based holidays (horse riding in Scotland and museum/galley visits in Amsterdam) though so I was not completely on my own all the time. I was part of a group for the activities but doing solo stuff as well and I travelled on my own.

Sleeper trains can be reasonably priced if you book well in advance and share a couchette with 3 other women.
There's one from Paris to Nice that looks good.

I've gone solo on holidays since my boys grew up

Places like Cyprus where I could do a mix of touristy things or just chilling at the coast with a walk/swim etc.

I've also gone on cruises (Passion for Cruises specialise in finding cabins for solo travellers where you don't get hit by the solo supplement) and I like those because you can choose to do things with other solo travellers or just do your own thing

Definitely don't find it sad to be on my own. In fact I feel slightly anxious at the thought of going with someone who might not have the same interests in what to do/see/eat etc.

Meant to say that I had booked a river cruise down the Danube which got cancelled, and I ended up using my flights anyway (booked separately) and took the sleeper train from Budapest to Munich which cost €70 for 4 people sharing a cabin. Didn't get much sleep, but enjoyed the experience

You say that you love bears ... on that front many years ago I thoroughly enjoyed a trip up Grouse Mountain in Vancouver to the bear sanctuary there. However you'd encounter bears in lots of different places in Canada. Canada's a good choice for a single woman traveller.

Thanks for the replies they're all very interesting.
@EvelynBeatrice I love all animals, especially wolves and tigers but I have this thing for bears I just love them. My friend sent me photos when he was in Canada of beautiful mountains, all I saw was a handsome bear he didn't even know it was there. Canada is lovely from what I see in the photos it's out of my price range though.

@Bumply, I was looking at ways to get to Romania last night. I could get the ferry or fly to Amsterdam and get the sleeper train there, I'd change at Munich then again at Budapest but each change is spread out so you get a chance to sleep and the prices are reasonable aren't they, I think it's cheaper than flights and more interesting. And the places to stay are so cheap! Why didn't you get much sleep did the other travellers keep you awake?

Hi OP, you may already know this but, if you're considering rail travel do check out www.seat61.com - invaluable when planning. If you're anywhere near London, you could potentially do the whole thing by train by starting with the Eurostar to Amsterdam. Interrail pass may also be an option? However you get there, it sounds like it's sure to be an amazing experience. Love solo holidays myself - recently back from a break in the Netherlands 🙂

@Unforgettablefire my fellow passengers were quiet enough.
There was just something about the rocking motion that kept me awake. I slept a bit when the train stopped for a couple of hours in Salzburg.

@TreesAtSea thank you so much for that link it's a massive help! My heads been spinning looking at all different travel places this has everything in one place!

Thanks. I'll be prepared for that I bet it's great for babies though!

Glad you're finding it useful. He's a real mine of information, isn't he? No detail is too small for him, which is what I like, as I find many sources gloss over things and seem to assume it's all obvious when it often isn't...

@TreesAtSea you're right he's thought of everything! I like how he's even put photos up. I was starting to think hmmm I'm in the north east so getting to London then through the tunnel is a distance, but he's even included train journeys from Amsterdam, so I could get on the dfds close to my house over to Amsterdam.
Thanks again for the link it's brilliant!

@Unforgettablefire The ferry sounds a great way to start the adventure! I've never been on one across the North Sea. I'm just glad I replied to your post yesterday. I saw your original message but didn't do so then as I'd only have echoed what everyone else was saying, "Go for it!" Yes, detail is that man's middle name... Having such a wealth of information is amazing. I remember when I first went on Eurostar a few years back, watching his video on how to check in for the train (I'm a worrier🙂) and using his seating plan to make sure I booked a good window seat, as at that time the one on the Eurostar site was inaccurate. Let us know how your trip goes, won't you.