Where have you been on a solo holiday?

[hellocats]

I haven't been on holiday in 8 years and feel o deserve a break. The reason I haven't is due to a lack of people to go with which is sad.

I am thinking about going alone but unsure about destination. I am not interested in clubbing holidays and I'm early 30s.

Where would be good to go, any recommendations?

I’ve done New York and Munich solo. In Munich stayed with German couple via Airbnb. Worked v well.

Doing some places in Northern Germany this year including Hamburg Airbnb in a host’s house.

Never stay in Airbnb. I live alone already. Like being in someone else's home but you have to pay. And you have to clean it before leaving! Fuck that. I do enough of that at home. Also, AirBnB means it's harder for locals to find a place to live.

I've never cleaned an AirB&B, just left it tidy as I found it. I choose AirB&Bs that are linked but separate to the host's home (eg, an annex) so im aiding their income rather than displacing locals.

I also stay in B&Bs but only stay in hotels for work. I prefer smaller venues.

Iberostar Costa del Sol in Estepona. It may be a 4 star looking at Google just now

Myself and my husband along with several other couples previously unknown to us did an organised tour of Vietnam and Cambodia. There was a woman in her 30’s travelling alone and she said it really suited her as everything was arranged but she could also do her own thing at times. There was an older gentleman also travelling alone and he said the same thing that it was easy to assimilate into the group but could also spend time alone when he wanted. Something like that might be good

Turkey - beach and sightseeing
Paris - sights
Geneva - got “hijacked” by work colleagues living there but fun anyway
Australia - outback horse riding with an organised group of couples/other singles
Mallorca - beach
Cornwall - hiking/cycling/trying out surfing
Scotland - hiking/sightseeing
Somerset - cycling around the county

I loved all of them and felt safe although I’m definitely very careful on my own. All done when single in my 20/30s except for Mallorca, went for a break without partner as had leave to use up. I’m quite happy in my own company and take a book with me everywhere. It’s a great way to clear your head and completely relax - go for it!

I've been solo to Paris, Oslo, Porto, Dublin, Malta, Marrakesh, NYC, Miami, L.A., Denver, Washington DC, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, Dominican Republic, Doha, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Bali, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Auckland.

The only ones from that list that I'd rather not return to alone are Marrakesh (lots of hassle as a blonde solo female - unless with a local guide), Shenzhen (just lots of hassle from people trying to sell me stuff constantly) and Dominican Republic (I didn't feel entirely safe when I was out and about - I didn't stay in a resort as I don't like them).

The world's your oyster. Just go!

I've travelled half the world alone. I joined an overland truck tour through Africa, which had other single people, but Australia, NZ, Malaysia, Singapore I've done alone, and various bits of Europe - France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands. Also lots of the UK. Would do more if I had endlessly money.

Depends on your budget and what interests you. Yoga retreat, hiking, beach, diving, city break, art, museums, birdwatching... Not everything will appeal, but you can do almost anything you want.

I went on longer business trips with plenty of time to visit and found New York and Singapore easy to do and never had issues.

New York - you have to be a bit careful in the evenings but during the day I never had trouble.

I am off to Florence in September for 4 days on my own.

Cities mostly, Rome, Venice, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen, all for short breaks of 2,3,4 days. Plenty of things to do and see, and in a city, there are always lots of "single" people around, being residents, workers, etc., so you don't stand out and shops/cafes etc don't even notice you're on your own.

Most difficult "singles" holidays are attractions, theme parks, beach resorts, etc., where you're literally surrounded by couples, groups, families, etc., and stand out as being on your own and where you are more likely to get hit on by local sleezy staff etc.

As for a cruise, being single on a cruise is my idea of hell as there's going to be an assumption that you're "on the pull" and being allocated a seat in a dining room, at a particular time, with other random singles is simply not going to happen. I'd eat all my meals in the buffet instead so I could go at a time of my choice and sit on my own.

I suppose it's all down to whether you want to meet and do things with other people. If you're looking for a partner, or want to do things with other people in small groups, then, you're looking for a very different experience to someone who's happy doing things on their own.

I went to Rethymno last year on my own, I felt very safe. I speak Greek but English is widely spoken in Crete. I'm going to Rhodes solo in September, feel confident about the trip.

I went to Denmark and Slovenia on my own and had a great time. I stayed in (nice) hostels so it was completely normal to be travelling alone - it’s not so jarring compared to a resort full of families for example. I’d recommend that sort of thing or a hotel in a place that gets a lot of business travel (ie a city break) if you’re a bit self conscious. Or do a small group tour (G Adventures type/Intrepid type thing)? I’ve done those with DP and there have always been singles in the group.

As for a cruise, being single on a cruise is my idea of hell as there's going to be an assumption that you're "on the pull" and being allocated a seat in a dining room, at a particular time, with other random singles is simply not going to happen. I'd eat all my meals in the buffet instead so I could go at a time of my choice and sit on my own
You don’t have to choose the buffet or sit with strangers, I always ask for a table for one and enjoy some lovely meals with stunning scenery watching the world go by.

I went to Rome for a week when I was 18. It was marvellous

I’ve been on mosaics holidays to Morocco and Ravenna, yoga holiday to a Croatian island, a spa break then island hopping in Thailand (Koh Samui then others), spa break wellness holiday in Portugal and also holidayed in Crete (Chania).

One thing I’d never do again was 2 weeks singles holiday in Crete - the singles wouldn’t leave you alone and kept trying to set people up, I’d wished I’d booked alone but air b n b wasn’t around then!

Other singles I’ve known have done Mediterranean cruises by themselves, friend of SIL went to South America (and got married, lived and then divorced there!) and last year to Japan staying in a monastery by herself (late 30s).

Barcelona is great for a solo trip ! There's so much to see and doo

Train ride away from the mountains, Beach, shops , art galleries, museums & great food !

Passion for Cruises specialise in solo cruises and occasionally host them. No intentions of setting people up. Look them up on their facebook group.

I'm really interested in a solo cruise, perhaps next year, I did the SE Asia/Australia thing when I was young, but at 45 want to stay a bit closer to home, for now anyway.
I'm spending a week in London in a hostel this summer and can't wait, I've a gig/play/musical sorted for each evening and there's so much to do during the day that I'll be constantly busy anyway.

A single friend of ours goes on a solo cruise every year. He prefers to holiday alone rather than with mates. He said the first time he was really nervous beforehand but as soon as he boarded he relaxed instantly. He's very sociable and was happy to find lots of people to talk to when he wanted to.
In my early 20's I travelled around Scandinavia on my own, but I have relatives there and did a few overnights with them in between my solo trip. It was great because although I can speak a few words of mainly Danish, everyone speaks perfect English. It's very safe and friendly.
Most city breaks I would be fine doing solo, especially in Europe would be fine solo tbh.
I would be extremely happy to go to the Gilpin spa in one of their spa lodges on my own.

A single man I know (sort of internet dated last year), said he went on cricket tours by himself or with friends and also to a Devon holiday home he owned. He did also say he’d been to stay with people eg in Nigeria and South Africa but travelled alone.

Ex SO who now lives in Romania said not long after he arrived there he found an activities holiday for singles etc.

Male friend of mine who’s a banker (now early retired) used to do cruise/boating holidays, one to Cuba etc.

In some ways it’s easier for men to travel alone as less chance of bother from females.

Agreed with @pinksavannah, never been to Barcelona solo but stayed in hotels twice there solo whilst with family/business and other times with boyfriends/friends and it’s incredibly easy to get around, walking, public transport and lots to do a d see. People are friendly but also leave you alone.

As another PP said, only ever been to Copenhagen and never solo but get feeling it’d be easy to do solo as easy to walk around or get public transport, friendly people and all speak English.

I wouldn’t say Prague is that easy only as when I was there in 2000s hardly anyone spoke English and to be honest I found some of the locals to be a bit unfriendly. Got a fine easily on the metro which we couldn’t understand, as their system is not easy to work out! Also found that apart from castle, King Charles bridge etc not a huge amount to do.

I wouldn’t say Prague is that easy only as when I was there in 2000s hardly anyone spoke English and to be honest I found some of the locals to be a bit unfriendly. Got a fine easily on the metro which we couldn’t understand, as their system is not easy to work out! Also found that apart from castle, King Charles bridge etc not a huge amount to do
I think Prague is a really good trip to do on your own, it’s so easy to walk to places and the trams are easy to use for example if you want to go to the monastery. Lots of hotels have spa so that’s a nice way to sound an afternoon. Everything is in English and it’s very geared up for tourists. I’ve been twice and the first time I booked a Viator trip for a medieval village an hour away and that was good if you have an extra day there. The second time I booked a wonderful concert.
I was last there this New Year and found the prices slightly cheaper than the UK.
The walk along the river is lovely and there are many museums to visit.

How do solo travellers cope with dining rooms/restaurants for their evening meal? I'm shy so would find that bit difficult.

If you don’t fancy a restaurant etc on your own you could order room service, have a bed picnic in your room with shop bought snacks and eat your main meal at lunchtime or book self catering accommodation.
Another option is to book an evening activity such as watch a show and grab a quick bite to eat or go to the spa for the evening.

I take a book.
Never really had an issue. I prefer it to taking a take away to the room (not keen on smell of food in the room I sleep) but may grab a sandwich or similar if I had a larger lunch.

@GonnaGetGoingReturns We just went to Prague over Easter. Absolutely no issue with English. It's very geared up to tourist. We went in 2002 and I found it now very different.

We spent 3 days wandering around, seeing the castle area, the communist museum, the clock tower, various churches. We thought about a trip to Theresienstadt, the concentration camp but it was too far out for the time we were there. I think we could have done even more.

It is cheaper than the UK, we spend 2/3 on food incl. wine and beer than we spend for just a main course and a soft drink here.