Thinking of first solo holiday ... any tips, advice or suggestions please

[OhMyGiddyAunt]

DP has recently been on a sports related holiday with friends, which is something he does every couple of years. We've also had family holidays abroad those years so I've not gone without a holiday.

However, this year, I like the idea of a solo holiday - kids are grown-up, friends either don't have time or money. I've never done this before so wondering where to start.

As a family we always book our flights and accommodation independently and go self-catering in apartments/houses and mix eating out and self-catering. Hotels don't appeal as a family but I'm wondering if it would be a better option as a solo traveller, especially as my language skills/confidence with trying to speak a different language are zero!

Would I be better opting for a package deal so no worry over transfers etc and there's a rep to sort out any problems?? My last package deal experience was nearly 30 years ago!

I'd ideally like a beach but places to explore/walk/shop nearby, not a busy/party resort, somewhere chilled and safe. Would I be better going to a place we've been as family so it, at least, feels familiar?

So... any suggestions? Destination ideas? Tips?

Thank you

There's a Facebook group called "solo in style: women one 50 teaching solo". It's s great resource.

I've been solo many places. From the top of my head: Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Vietnam, Germany. As you want a beach holiday, I guess Spain or Canary Islands would be good for you. What month were you thinking?

A package would not really work "solo". Rooms are priced for double occupancy

I really enjoy all inclusive holidays on my own, I can make meals last as long or as short as I like. I love to swim/read/chill/visit the spa. I always enjoy booking excursions and being picked up from the hotel. I normally take something to read in the bar before dinner and don’t tend to watch any evening entertainment but instead sit in my balcony with a drink.
I also went on a great solo trip to Lausanne in Switzerland and went on a ferry to Evian one evening for dinner. I enjoyed the hotel spa, went on a lunch boat trip, went on an excursion to a cheese and a chocolate factory before going on a beautiful train journey. Walking around was also really enjoyable.

I"ve done this a few times now - in a variety of combinations. I would take the comment above about package holidays not working solo due to double-occupancy, and turn it around slightly .... think about it more that you'll have your budget / price range, and as ever some options will work financially, others less so. I wouldn't focus on the double-occupancy, as technically other things are more expensive too then - taxi for one is more expensive than as a couple??

Beyond that, the world is your proverbial oyster. I have done long weekends with direct flights from my local regional airport - deliberately picking location based on where I could fly from locally. Booked hotel separately. No issues.

I've done several 7 / 10 day package holidays in Europe; and a few BA long-haul holidays.

For each, I've organised transfers myself if I have a contact for a local driver; taken the package transfer, and booked transfers via booking.com etc.

I'll PM you some of my recent trips.

The key is to think about what you mean by 'solo' holiday. How much interaction do you want with people? So you might want to go on your own but with a group in which case something like an Explore holiday would be good. If you want to essentially be alone all week and not really talk to anyone (my favourite) then book it for yourself in a quiet place. If you want a mixture a package holiday might be your thing where you are alone but there are excursions. Or what about a cruise where you can dip in and dip out of 'people'

This. Choose the level of interaction wisely. If you just want to spend time alone, do that. If you are very social, a group is better.

My mum travels everywhere solo and with anyone who will go! She always says that the evenings are the difficult bit. If you're fine with solo evenings, it's easier.

Thank you for your replies.

I'm fine with being solo but love people watching (I just don't want them to talk to me too much! ). I don't think it would bother me dining alone and I'm happy retiring to my my balcony for a drink, a book and a relatively early night.

On the other hand I wouldn't want to feel too solitary or isolated (as it's my first solo trip) hence the idea of being in a hotel/complex might be better.

I'm not fussed with spas or excursions but would like a town to wander round.
A cruise would be my worst nightmare (sorry to whoever suggested it!)

Spain is familiar as we've been lots (mainland, Canaries and Mallorca) so feels like a "safe" option

Exodus group hol pay single room if you want organised

Somewhere where you speak a bit of the local language, at least enough to be fed, find your way, get entry to a museum or attraction.

Would I be better opting for a package deal so no worry over transfers etc and there's a rep to sort out any problems?? My last package deal experience was nearly 30 years ago

Packages have changed beyond all recognition in that time. Now the main benefit is having protection if something goes wrong with your flight - booked separately you'd still be expected to pay for the accommodation. Either option could be cheaper, there is no rule, I've seen packages far cheaper than all the elements booked separately.

It depends on where you're going whether you need a special transfer. A lot of the time, especially in Spain, there is a public bus from the airport to the main coastal towns so you can just get on that for a couple of Euros. We've done this in the Canaries, Balearics and also from Malaga and Barcelona airports. In Alicante, there's a tram that goes from the airport along the coast to lots of places (Benidorm, Calpe, Denia etc).

Yes, this group is great.

I practise by going on trips myself not too far from home, and have also done a few nights in Malaga. I’d recommend that as the old town is beautiful, lots to wander about.

I love solo travel during the day. Not so much in the evenings. I enjoyed going to the theatre in London, so might go to an English speaking country so I could do that.

South Beach Miami could suit. Beach, hotels with pools, lots to see and do, walking tours of Art Deco buildings, great museums, easy public transport from airport, to Miami, shopping malls.

My DS has enjoyed Porto and Prague on his own, he usually has a really big day out with a brunch and earlish dinner. Then he mainly chills in his room with his tablet. He loves to walk around and try different ice creams, mocktails, look at the sights and visit museums etc. Both trips were booked with EasyJet holidays and my solo trip to Tunisia was also booked with them. We priced up transfers, suitcases, accommodation and couldn’t beat the price.
I have recently booked flights to Morocco for a couple’s holiday and am now in the process of booking accommodation. Annoyingly the packages are coming out less than hotel only and I’ve found this before for other destinations.
OP how about mainland Spain or the Balearics near a harbour and then you have somewhere nice to mooch around? There are usually cafes and benches for some people watching.

Barcelona? You have a beach and a city to explore. Lots of English speakers.

Have you considered a beginner's language course? You would only need to do a couple of hours and you may find people you get on with,