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?

Kos. It was heaven. Lay on the beach reading and swimming all day. The sunbeds were part of a taverna so got lovely fresh salads and juices and fabulous Greek food all day long. Did loads of walking too & a bus across the island to see the old town. I looked about 10 years younger after that holiday!

I took three weeks travelling around Australia alone in my late 20s. It was great and I met a lot of people (most younger admittedly).
Japan is very safe for solo female travellers.
What kind of holidays do you like?
Lots of all inclusive type places are super relaxing if you're on your own.
Or you could join a group trip like those run by Intrepid.

Also agree a yoga retreat would be good if you're into that

Anyone extremely nervous about dining alone (which is honestly amazing depends where you are) take a laptop and everyone will just assume you are doing important work :)

Some of the places I've been solo in the last 5 years. I've been to others when I was younger such as Tunisia.

Turkey
Spain loads of times
Austria
Germany loads of tomes
Poland
Norway
Sweden
Ireland
Moldova
Lithuania
Switzerland
Croatia
Albania
Slovenia
Montenegro.
Denmark Copenhagen a few times but also Fynn.
Portugal.
Morocco. I wouldn't recommend Marakesh as a female solo travel. Others may disagree.

Where would I recommend?
Berlin, Barcelona and Tirana and Lisbon
Barcelona is so easy to travel around. Berlin has everything. Busy city, different neighbourhoods, lakes, good transport system, quirky events, Mauerpark on Sundays.
Tirana , compact, cosmopolitan.and a short bus ride and 10 min walk gets you to the cable car that takes you on good hiking trails.
Lisbon is brilliant. If your happy to drive there are some fabulous lesser known towns within an hours drove.

How do solo travellers cope with dining rooms/restaurants for their evening meal? I'm shy so would find that bit difficult.
I go and sit down and eat my food. I'm not embarrassed about myself and have a right to have a meal. Why would I care what anyone thinks.my presence is important as anyone else's.

Things that pisses me off are:
What about your husband?
He's a grown adult, he's fine.

People saying 'arent you brave'
no, bit necessarily, I'm not going to look back on life washing I'd done stuff.
When the kids were young ' what about your kids?
What about them? Sometimes I only went away for four days. Their dad ( my husband) is perfectly capable of knowing how to look after children and know where they need to be and what they like.
I'm 58 and will continue to travel solo for as long as I can. I also travel with my husband twice a year and different friends.
If any woman is unsure, I implore you to give it ago. It may or may not be for you but at least try it once!

@notacooldad

Oh my yes the "aren't you brave" comments I've had loads of that on my travels.
Brave is risking your life to defend your country or in emergency situations, brave is battling disability and disease. Not getting a Ryanair 3 hours across the med to spend a week in a clean, safe hotel and sightsee and sunbathe.

I'd also recommend Malta and Croatia for solo travellers.

spain
tenerife
cyprus
egypt
italy
USA
Canada
Mexico
Australia
germany

Israel, but possibly not what you are looking for. It does have a lot to offer.

Oh yes I’ve had the aren’t you brave comments too. On Friday I’m also flying three hours, going on one big trip, one small trip and spending a couple of hours in the spa most afternoons having treatments. It’s not the bravest thing I’ve ever done.

• Amsterdam for a few days then I joined some friends who live in the Dutch countryside.

• Scotland: I went on a horse riding holiday.

• Kent seaside towns (Folkestone, Margate, Deal) as I wanted to move to the area and spent a couple of weeks looking at potential town to settle in

• Cambridge. Had a work meeting there then stayed two days on my own to discover the town.

I also travelled to the USA on my own on two occasions.

I want to go to Ireland next (another riding holiday maybe) and also back to Scotland (Glasgow).

I am single so holidays on my own are common for me and I really enjoy it.

I get the brave thing for going to a gig, or out for a meal on my own!
It's nice that people care, and they do seem to ask for that reason, but it baffles me that they won't go anywhere on their own.

People saying 'arent you brave'
no, bit necessarily, I'm not going to look back on life washing I'd done stuff.
Oops that paragraph went a bit crazy. Combo of autocorrect and typos!!!

I get the brave thing for going to a gig, or out for a meal on my own!
Me too!
I go to the cinema by myself sometimes, I go mountain walking in Scotland alone, I prefer going to the gym solo.
I have close and trusted friends and the most lovely of husbands but our schedule doesn't always match.

I'm not going to miss out on anything if I can help it.I have had enough set backs with low mood from time to time, I'll be dammed of a lack of someone to go where I want is going to stop me when I'm on an up mood!

A bloke at work is absolutely in awe of me because I go on holiday on my own. I pointed out I would have been almost nowhere had 8 not gone alone.

And these are the men who get into management...

I travel for work. If I did it eat alone I wouldn’t eat!

*didn’t

Depends what you want –beach? country? culture? activities? but city-wise Madrid is great; loads to see and do, friendly, no one bats an eye at you eating alone. Ditto Berlin.
I've been to Croatia a few times and always see a lot of people of all ages on the beach and swimming on their own. Croatia is also great for a mix of beach, beautiful inland country and culture/architecture.

I go to Roda, Corfu on my own. So friendly and welcoming. You can have company if you want or avoid if you don't want. Great wee place!

I’ve been away several times solo and always absolutely loved it.

I’ve been on package beach holidays to quieter resorts in Cyprus and various Greek islands (Rhodes, Kos, Crete). Book, headphones, pool/sea and nice food. Bliss.

I’ve also gone on some great city breaks. New York was my favourite (Manhattan is very walkable).