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 ?

@ThisMellowCat

Yes, very true. Reminds you of Shirley Valentine....

We're not sad and lonely, we're exercising our basic right to spread our wings. Two years ago, got talking to BA Customer Service Manager in same hotel. That was interesting.

Thankfully gone are the days when ladies are frightened to let go of their husbands hands, fearing we'll grab them. I'll leave that topic there....

I foresee an influx of single ladies to Skiathos ...

I personally don't mind barfly chatter (as long as that's all it is). It can be very fun. One night in Venice a few years ago me, an Irishman (there's always an Irishman at any given hotel bar, even in Venice off season) and an American during our spate of putting the world to rights inadvertently came up with a business idea for my skillset which I in the sober light of day put to good use and which has subsequently served me well. When the barmaid joined our conversation I discovered that even 220 years down the line, the Venetians hate the French and will give copious shots to all who agree with them.

If you ever have spare time before about 2 pm at Malaga or Lanzarote airports (good options for a solo holiday) they both have small museums in the original terminal buildings.

I was more interested in the 'history of tourism' and airport security aspect but obviously they had 'plane stuff' including some old planes outside. Well worth a visit if you have chance.

Although a plane museum is somewhere you're noticed as a lone woman .

@Bjorkdidit

Thanks for suggestions, didn't know about museums there.

Yes, we do get noticed and sometimes not in a good way. Stared at, argued with. Plenty of positives to the hobby though....

@HauntedBungalow

Sounds a wonderful idea!

Ah, those chats can be very entertaining and a lot learned. Glad that something positive came from it.

Yes, there's a long history of hatred in Europe and Scandinavia!

I've done a lot of city breaks by myself, and I also often go on small group holidays by myself and add a few extra days on to do something else. I've never done a beach holiday alone, but that's mainly because I don't find them that interesting - I'd rather be looking at art galleries & museums or walking up a hill! I personally don't mind eating out in the evening, but I have started researching in advance and then booking nicer places online - as that way I'm guaranteed a table. I was getting suspicious that I was being turned away because I'd be taking up a table which two people could occupy!

I've eaten in a couple of restaurants because I was on my own, and they were turning away couples.

The only one I can think of is single supplements.

@Nothungrycat

I'll go and look around churches, markets and maybe do an organised trip if something appeals. Never had that problem with restaurants but appreciate it can happen.

@countrygirl99

Ah, the dreaded single supplements!

Companies differ in how they're shown. Jet2 just quote a price. If I want a better room than what they're allocated then I contact hotel direct. It's often cheaper (Madeira hotel last year charged £105 vs Jet2's £139). Mercury Holidays do advertise many without single supplements but often at off peak times. Don't know about TUI as never done them alone.

Yes, obvious in quoted price that it's been added on. The worst offenders have been cruise companies who've sometimes charged +50% for single occupancy. Although they're now waking up to growing trend and have more single cabins available on upper decks....

I holiday on my own all the time. I'm a late 40s solo traveller.

Think about whether you will be bored on your own without activities, or if that's exactly what you want, and plan accordingly. Sometimes I like a city break and sometimes I want sunbathing. I'm great on my own, but I'd be bored and lonely on a week long pool holiday surrounded by couples and families. I also love camping but reckon I'd hate it solo.

Think wider about what constitutes a "holiday". It doesn't need to be in a tourist hotel, and doesn't need to be for seven days. But can be if you want!

Book flights with budget airlines and independent hotels through online research (I look up solo traveller review/blog posts for inspiration). Then single supplements aren't a thing.

Some of my particular favourite have been three nights on a Greek island, in a small hotel with a pool (with restaurants nearby), and easy bus access to a lovely city to explore.

And five nights split between mainland Greece and a nearby island accessible by public ferry.

There are so many options once you start thinking about it ☺️

It’s one of my favourite things to do and I have other female friends who do the same. I try to do one or two solo trips a year. Is it a relaxing beach / pool holiday you want or a city break sightseeing?

Could!
Im sure it would be heaven to be somewhere hot and sunny on my own 🤣

Ha Ha
unfortunitly I don’t drive so he’s my taxi driver!
To be honest once we’re away I do do a lot on my own

How is that comment in any way relevant or helpful to this thread?

I have a house in Alicante so I regularly holiday on my own. I personally would chose an apartment/house over a hotel. Its more of a home from home and more options for meals etc.

I think there are only three disadvantages to holidaying alone

main one is the cost. in some places single supplements are abusive and cost prohibitive. It surprises me that there isn't more of a Last Minute Dot Com style market for things like cruises and overnight train trips for singles for unsold cabins as once it departs that's dead space and single travellers are usually very flexible as they only have themselves to consider.

second one (& this depends on how you feel about it) dining alone at the end of the day can be less fun that sharing a meal with someone whose company you enjoy. I say 'can be less fun' because it's better to be on your own than with a partner sulking or having a bad day.

third one is that there are some things that you can't do alone. There aren't many but there are some foods that are for 2 people sharing that you would never order alone or some waterpark rides where two people share a tube and you can't go on it alone for weight reasons or tandem pedal boats or bike rides.

That’s such a good idea, a kind of “one space available” service that single travellers could use to find last minute getaways.

I take a bag with nothing in it, and a book or magazine and that does the trick.

Skiathos solo boomers FB group.

I've just come back. You never have to eat alone if you don't want to. Activities that you can join like beach trips, sailing trip, walks etc. Perfect solo holiday IMO

I think it’s less about how others see you but more about what you think a holiday is?

I grew up very rurally.So isolated but also the limited people I met were never “my people”. So I have always been entirely confident on my own but equally my idea of good time involves “connections”.
However I remember my solo holidays better than all the family ones that blend into one.

They will book you onto a singles table in main dining room, but buffer / other restaurants you can sit alone.

Not on cruise lines that have anytime dining such as RC, NCL, Celebrity, MSC, Scenic etc.

I'd forgotten the food items which only two can have! Sometimes you can get the restaurant to make up a smaller portion for one, but not always. I'm still pissed off about a paella which could only be provided for two - why, when it was basically a big scoop of fish stew on some rice???

I think its because it takes quite a long time to cook from fresh so they're not going to all that effort for one portion.

Also it shows it is cooked from fresh and most places that do single portions of paella are microwaved ready meals. Unless its somewhere thats doing it as a special in a huge pan.