Ideas for first solo break

[yawnanotherone]

I am going through a rotten time with divorce and GCSEs colliding. I am thinking the week after GCSEs (soo mid-late June) I am going to take off somewhere for a few days totally alone. I want to look at beautiful things, eat great food and sleep whenever I want. Blissful! Any thoughts on where? I'm 50, hate strong heat, shortish flight time best.

Lyon; Budapest; Porto; Seville (may be hot in June)

Copenhagen

After a bereavement and before starting a new job, I went to Florence by myself. It was perfect. Loads of beautiful things to see, plenty of places to eat, short flight.

I had the best solo break at lake Eibsee in September last year. It was mid heatwave but a whole lot cooler there than the rest of Germany, especially up on the peak of Zugspitze. The lake was so extremely beautiful and warm enough to swim in, with a nice hike around. I haven't really travelled anywhere else to speak of so not much to compare it to, but I thought it was wonderful.

Absolutely agree that it would be blissful

Almost anywhere would do, but thinking a bit about what you actually want to do would help refine some really suitable options.

Spa for lounging round in dressing gown or something like a gallery or landscape for the beautiful things will all make a significant difference.

How important is the overall weather rather than temperature to you?

Another thing I enjoy is some connection with the place I choose, even if it's as tenuous as have read a book set there or to see the original of a particular work of art.

For some reason, my first thought was Venice which really is blissful alone. Or the coast of Croatia or Slovenia which is not far away but caters for a very different level of budget.

Whatever you choose, I hope it goes well. I like to have lots of things to online up none of which I have to do as one of the joys of solo travel is pleading yourself snd no one but yourself.

I recently went to Valencia, not solo, but I would feel very safe there alone. It felt a very friendly welcoming city. Streets and beaches are clean and everything is well maintained, metro very easy from airport and getting around, people were friendly, so much history and beautiful buildings and parks, not too expensive to eat, loads and loads of galleries, museums etc if that's your thing. Absolutely beautiful place!

Rome, more beautiful things than you can shake a stick at. Best pizza in the world

Oh goodness thank you all! I'll look at each and every one of your suggestions now. I love the idea of connection with a place before I go, I can see that that would help a solo traveller find her bearings. Maybe all those hours watching Danish noir will finally pay off! Tak!

Another factor I guess is not going back to somewhere I went with ex, I don't want to be reminded, so that's Seville, Rome, Florence out

I think beautiful landscape, but for just a few days, a city perhaps more doable? Unless there's somewhere with both.....

I really fancy Poland. Gdansk looks beautiful. Or maybe Slovakia.

Stockholm is worth considering. A great city with lots of lovely cafes, but also boat trips (even just to get around) and museums if that's your thing. Easy to get out into countryside by public transport. I always find Scandinavia very relaxing and easy to travel in (safe, great transport, nearly everyone speaks English).

Bordeaux. It's very pretty, and it's small enough to get around easily while still having plenty see and do. The trams run every few minutes and are cheap, but the city is very walkable.

Felt very safe there and the people were friendly.

Lubeck, Munich or Cologne are very beautiful cities. I don't think they will be sweltering hot in June.
Also Stockholm, a friend went recently and loved it!
I would definitely avoid southern Europe! another heat hater here

Solo I think I would go back to Dubrovnik or Cadiz. Maybe Venice.

Stcokholm in the lead at the minute. I have friends in Copenhagen who would expect me to meet up but I am determined to know nobody! Would love Southern Europe - so easy to while away a day in a Spanish square - but the heat would finish me off!

@Sinuhe Did your friend travel there solo?