Holidaying alone…

[SurreySideEye]

I’m happily single and I’m looking to go away abroad on a simple pool/beach holiday just for some change and rest, I don’t want to be involved with the ‘singles scene’ so I’m not looking to meet a prospective partner or even have a ‘holiday fling’ nor do I want to stay in a hotel where I’ll be seated with strangers at mealtimes…basically I’d just like to holiday alone. Are there any ‘Mumsnetters’ out there who’ve done this and could offer some suggestions ?

Why on earth not?

Helpful.

I also have my main meal at lunchtime, mostly because I prefer to eat that way so leisurely hotel breakfast at around 9.30/10 am, go out for a walk/sightseeing, have a restaurant/cafe lunch at about 2-3 pm, which is lunchtime anyway in a lot of the places I go, then read/a snooze on the beach or by the pool followed by a late afternoon swim. Back to the hotel for a shower and sit on the balcony with something light and a drink or two.

Holidaying alone is great because you don't have to be sociable or fit in with other people's preferences about food and what to do and when to do it.

I love solo trips as there’s nobody to please apart from yourself. I go camping on my own quite a few times throughout the year and try and get at least one trip abroad as well. Self catering is my preference, then I can choose whether to eat in the apartment or go out. A nice lunch with a glass or two of wine overlooking the sea is bliss.

It’s freedom, I love solo trips. Yeah it’s all about the daytime for me. I don’t make plans as such, I just do what I want when I want. Will think I fancy swimming in the sea now so go. No thinking about what somebody else wants to do.
And yes I don’t eat out at night, would rather be exploring.
I speak to people more being by myself and honestly I have met so many friendly and helpful people.
Writing this is making me think of my where to go on my next trip…

I do this frequently. I stay in a normal hotel and eat at normal restaurants, I simply ask for a table for one, it's that easy.

@Statingtheobvious Why did you add this comment to the thread out of interest? What was the point or benefit?

Hopefully by now @Statingtheobvious has realised that it's not weird, lonely, dangerous, unpleasant or whatever has been putting her off to holiday alone and in fact, it can be quite lovely, especially if you're the typical middle aged woman who's had a lifetime of accommodating other people's wishes so can see the benefit of pleasing just yourself for once?

Perhaps start by going to a pub on a sunny afternoon and having a drink outside while you read your book? Then perhaps eat in a restaurant alone? Then book a short break? Once you've done all that and had a great time, you'll want to continue?

Choose a holiday with a theme. Art, hiking, museums, cycling. Will keep you occupied during the day and you can join in with groups if you want some company. Then recover for the evening!

I went on a solo holiday last year for the first time and loved it.

I went AI and got a swim up pool. Had so much fun chatting to my pool neighbors!

I went to Sharm el Sheikh and on reflection I wouldn't go alone again. I just found it a bit daunting at times but that is strictly my opinion and feelings.

This year I went to Lanzarote and had a fantastic time. I ventured out more and felt more confident.

Give it a go, I doubt you'll regret it.

That was the one and only post made by that poster on MN, which probably tells you everything you need to know.

I have been to Jamaica a few times on my own, and I loved it. Marching to the beat of my own drum, no one else to consider, it was great. I had wanted to go for a long time and decided that as I will probably be single forever (happily single) if I didn't take the plunge and go for it, I would never do anything like it again. Just do your research, make sure youre going to a safe place and go for it.

And to the poster who said they can't even go to a pub or restaurant on their own - that's actually quite tragic and it's nothing to be proud of!

Go for it OP.

I do get it. Going on your own has disadvantages, whatever anyone says.

However I've been away lots of my own. I really like not having to consider anyone else.

Recommend Gran Canaria for single travellers. Nice beaches, lots of walks and places to see, great hotels and apartments ,cheap supermarkets (self catering is much better as a solo). There's loads of single travellers as well as groups and couples, so being on your own doesn't make people uncomfortable.

I expect there’s a controlling man around who won’t let her.

I love solo holidays & also prefer having main meal at lunch - in Italy, I ask for a glass of wine somewhere in early evening & it always comes with snacks (aperitivi) which do nicely. You do need to mention if you don’t eat meat, fish etc when ordering though.

What are the disadvantages?

Many have said they prefer being alone. On balance I do too and can't think of any disadvantage other than the cost per person might be higher but if you can afford a solo holiday, that's not an issue.

Plus when I go with DP he wants three proper meals a day and makes expensive choices like steak whereas I generally only have 2 meals and less food/drink so this probably balances out.

Sounds like someone from the dark ages, I’d definitely rather travel alone than with him 😂

There are loads of disadvantages to travelling alone, it’s not a bad thing to acknowledge that.

The only disadvantage I can think of is that it's usually more expensive. You have to hunt around to avoid paying near or the same as 2 people for your holiday. I honestly can't think of anything else.

Solo holidays are great!

I went to an AI (my first) in Malta in the spring and it was perfect for a solo trip of the type OP is looking for. I've been to Venice, also great solo, but not really pools/beaches for you OP. Ive also done an adventure holiday in Turkey for solo people (and no, it wasn't a hookup/shag fest group).

One of the main disadvantages would be the single supplement I imagine. My mum is widowed and has travelled with a couple on a cruise. She initially had a single room but it was a broom cupboard and she hated it. Another single friend tried to join a cycling trip in Italy but it was £700 extra on top of the price for two people sharing. ( I have told her about holiday companies for singles with no such supplement but she doesn’t really want that). A little Airbnb would be good and would obviously avoid that pitfall. ( imagine one on a canal in Venice 😍) although not so good for cycling 😂

Look, I like being on my own and I have enjoyed solo trips. I’m confident and capable.

But this thread has shown up many posters targeting someone who said they struggle to even go to a restaurant alone. Not trying to help them, simply ridiculing them. Then there are others, like yourself and the poster I initially replied to, with the faux “oh, other than the costs there are NO downsides”. Just another way to dismiss the worries of a solo woman feeling she can’t travel.

How about we acknowledge that there are loads of reasons you might feel concerned about solo travel and then they can be dealt with, instead of just insisting they don’t exist?

Oh. And you edited your post to add info @Redflagsaboundednot sure that’s allowed

Of course it's allowed @Wenttoaweddingonamonday! The only thing that's not allowed is when people use editing to take out offensive stuff, to hide the fact that they might be trolling or troll hunting. Editing to add more information is perfectly fine.

And while I don't disagree that it's perfectly valid to accept that some people may have an issue with travelling/going on holiday solo, I strongly suspect that the poster you're referring to was not here posting with genuine intent, given that they have only made one post in that name, and gave no reasoning for their post after it was challenged.

Right. It’s not only disallowed because of that. The poster I mentioned completely changed the tone of her post to add in “helpful” comments. Before the edit it was a full on dig 😂

And lots of people name change. The pile on was pathetic regardless, anyone lacking confidence and reading these comments will no doubt feel even worse.

I would love to see the actual people behind half of the comments I read on MN today versus 20 years ago.

Yes, this.

I live on my own, holiday on my own. It's great!

Have a lovely time!

I’ve just come back from Turkey and there were several women doing the same , seemed very content with their own company , there was also several women who were clearly trying to get off with younger
Turkish men, but the difference was glaringly obvious !
Nobody batted an eyelid at them, well maybe a little bit at the latter 😉

What are the disadvantages?