Unexpected solo holiday - ideas and advice!

[sunnylizard]

For reasons I won't go into I have been unexpectedly given some extra paid holiday from work in August and as my son is with my ex on holiday too it means I can go and do whatever I like. This is obviously amazing but not something I've done for at least 15 years so I am completely stumped and suffering a bit of failure of imagination about it! Would really love some ideas and advice....

I have done lots of solo travelling in the past, but would rather be around people now I think. I love the outdoors, nature, hot weather, the sea, swimming in the sea. Years ago I did a Swimtrek holiday and loved it but they're all sold out at this point. Are there similar/alternatives I should look at? Not sure I want a yoga holiday but persuade me otherwise if you like.....anything else I'm missing? Any good holiday companies or places to go / stay I should consider?

I travel a bit for work so Europe would be ideal. I will have a week or 10 days....

Thanks in advance for any recommendations and inspiration!

I’ve always thought a Turkish gullet trip would be amazing. Great food, stars at night, lots of swimming.

Learn to scuba dive?
Hiking in Scandinavia or the alps?
A week at a language school in Spain?
Painting school in Italy?
Edinburgh festival comedy?
Boot camp exercises

If you’re 40 or under UCPA.

How hot do you want it? The Med in August will be very hot.

If this doesn't appeal somewhere like San Sebastian and Bilbao might work, or Lake Garda.

Or I remember reading about there being a load of spa hotels on the spit of land north of Gdansk in Poland. Would that appeal?

How old are you?

We've done ramblers worldwide holidays that have been a good mix of couple and singles but the demographic is a bit older than us - average has been 60s. Doesn't bother us but if you're only 30's it might be a bit of a generation gap!

Exodus do similar but it's whether there's any last minute availability.

Sailing holidays in Croatia?

www.rambleworldwide.co.uk/europe/austria/maria-alm

There are swimtrek dupes and/or see if you can get a last minute cancellation?

I loved my swimtrek holiday, so that would be my first choice.

I did this in similar circumstances and it was amazing. I paid a bit extra for a solo tent and met a lovely group of people and had some unforgettable experiences.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/kenya/kenya-wildlife-safari-151276#Dates-&-availabilities

Email swimtrek. They often have last minute drop outs trying to sell places!

I did this as a single woman and it was utterly wonderful.

I've been in a similar situation before and just called round all the adventure holiday places Explore, exodus, intrepid to ask availability and places then made a decision- ended up sea kayaking on the turquoise coast and on another occasion hiking in Cyprus. Both lovely, and had other people.

Ooo thanks everyone and apologies for the late reply. There are some fab ideas here and great to get links of companies to take a look at. I didn't think of calling round to ask for cancellations but that is definitely worth a go.

I've always wanted to go scuba diving again which is obviously difficult with kids but not sure if August is the best time given scuba locations but worth looking into!

And yes some kind of boat /swim would be ideal. Or hiking with lakes....

I feel much more inspired- thank you 😀

Gutsy Girls sometimes have late availability

Look at Much Better Adventures too.

I recently read an article about beach destinations in northern European countries - think Poland, Denmark, Sweden, the Baltic countries, etc. It was a travel article, so of course the photos looked lovely, but it really did make me want to jet off and visit them (am not a fan of hot hot weather).