Solo Christmas break

[BendyWendy80]

I can’t stand another Christmas here so I’m looking to go away this year. I’ll be travelling alone, have a budget of about £2k and need to fly from Newcastle.

I’ve been looking at AI resorts in Canaries, Egypt, UAE as I really want some sunshine.

My concern is feeling like a plum sitting on my own on Christmas Day in the restaurants surrounded by families/couples.

Has anyone been away alone at Christmas? How did you find it? Can you recommend anywhere where I won’t feel so conspicuous amongst celebrating families?

TIA

A couple of options as I generally cannot be arsed with Christmas. I have done group holidays in Europe, Costa Rica, Cuba etc which are usually an activity /tour etc which removes that whole Christmas theme.

Canaries is very much a Christmas getaway, Portugal might be better. I have looked at a city break in Seville before as an option but bear in mind things maybe shut down. An Air bnb might be the way to go.

Thanks @JammyJellyfish . I’ve looked at the activity type holiday but they’re either way over budget or flying from London/Manchester which is tricky for the dates I’m looking at going. Canaries was my initial thoughts and did look at Portugal and Spain on a self catering basis but wondered whether I’ll run into issues with places shutting down so I’d essentially be stuck in a hotel room or apartment with supermarket snacks!
Back to the drawing board I think 😊

What are your dates for travel? I would join a group tour in your position, I've done this twice over Christmas. The travel company Explore have Morocco and Jordan trips departing 21st December, I was browsing through all the options but it would seem like they are mostly Saturday departures. You can book the trip land only and fly from anywhere you choose.

I would go for an all inclusive holiday, then you can have a lot of buffets and make the meal last as long or as short as you want if you do feel awkward. Lots have shows to watch in the evening which is ideal for doing on your own. I went to one last summer on my own last year and had a lovely holiday.
Day times are easy and relaxing on your own, swim, read, spa, walk around etc and you could book a couple of excursions.

I go to Austria. Big meal is Christmas Eve and then everything is open as normal on Christmas Day. I go to a ski resort that has lots of winter walking etc but don't ski.

@TeamGeriatric The trip to Jordan was one I’d looked at but I’d have to travel to London the day before (not possible due to work) to get the flight from Gatwick. Real shame as it looks like a fabulous tour!

@YorkNew When you did AI were there many other solo holidaymakers?

Do AI resorts get lots of singles? Doubt it. Cruises do. However cannot think of anything worse. Why not join a group? At least it’s ready made company. What about a Nile cruise? Much smaller boats.

Egypt might be a good choice as a Muslim country although I don't know if the big AI hotels will put on 'Christmas' for European guests.

Instead of travelling to Gatwick you could fly Newcastle to Heathrow and then on to Amman on Dec 21st, depart 9:15am with a 4 and a bit hour layover in Heathrow. Same on the way back, have to change in Heathrow. Book the tour part land only with Explore and I am pretty sure they will provide a transfer from the airport when you give them your flight details. Flights probably put you a little over the £2000 budget though, but you won't regret it. I've been to Jordan with Exodus, this was back in 2005. It will be a fabulous trip. Ryanair do fly to Amman, might save some money on the flights, but would be more hassle.

You need a cruise where the dining is on allocated tables. That way you get to know people and they say ‘come to the show with us’ or ‘ do the trip tomorrow with us’. My cousin spends Xmas on a cruise every year and never spends any time actually alone.

@YorkNew When you did AI were there many other solo holidaymakers?

No not many others, I normally holiday with other people so went to spend time on my own and not to make friends. Although I did get do some social excursions and have company on those days.
I am going to do one solo all inclusive every year because i absolutely loved it.

Lots of group activity holidays let you book the tour only and you can arrange your own flight .

Compsnies like Exodus will sort out regional flights. It’s not necessary to diy. Small groups or small boats are better for singles.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I’ll look again at some options around a tour as I think I’d prefer something where I was actually doing something rather than potentially feeling like a spare part at an AI resort. Maybe an AI is better for the summer months rather than at Christmas to avoid feeling so ‘alone’.

Where do these cruises go as that sounds ideal?

P&O is good for allocated tables, also every cruise I’ve been on offers meet ups and tables for single people to join. Plus things like shows and seminars are great time fillers are really enjoyable on your own.

Could you get to Birmingham or Manchester, Tui have a tour of Morocco with breakfast and dinner for under your budget, £1200 ish).

I think it depends on whether you want to do stuff and be busy or happy to chill by the pool. I've done AI on my own before on Fuerteventura and loved it. I am not a group activity kind of person though and am perfectly happy with a stack of paperbacks and a sunbed. I've never been one to feel awkward eating on my own either - I just bring a book and get on with it. I've not done it at Christmas and get that eating on your own on Christmas day might feel lonely. If I was to do that, I'd probably speak to the hotel and see if they would allow me to take the food up to the room (or pay for room service) so that mealtimes would be less of a thing. Just for that one day though. The rest of the time I'd treat it as any other day, perhaps with a gift or two to myself, wrapped and packed in my suitcase. 😊

Also, city breaks might be a good option as you don't eat in the same place all the time and outside of the UK and US, things will be open on Christmas day.

A cruise is great alone lots of nice christmas ones

Alao i have done a couple of meet-up groups that organise travel abroad. Well worth a look

I have been away last 7 of 10 christmas holidays...you will always meet people..
I like all inclusive as can get christmas dinner and entertainment and somebody else puts up and takes down the decorations))

Thanks all for the suggestions and comments.
I’ve actually booked a trip to Morocco - decided against the AI hotel idea and have gone for a tour which looks to be really full on so no chance I’ll be sitting round feeling like a spare part!

Good choice, you are bound to have a fab time. Which tour company did you choose?

i am happy for you ))) im still looking