Is it odd to take a solo week on holiday to the beach?

[smokingsusan]

I have a favourite holiday destination. It’s a little island with a couple of hotels, but most people rent a villa. A few beaches and good local restaurants.

I have a busy job and DH doesn't fancy visiting the island again. Is it weird if I take myself off for a week?

I’m just imagining staying in a cottage on my own and driving to the beach for a couple of hours when I fancy. Otherwise I can cook and read my book or maybe have a glass of wine and early nights!

I think it sounds perfect!

I’ve just looked up where you’re going and I can tell you most definitely that I’d be off asap and wouldn’t look back!

No. I’ve done it, more than once. Beach holidays & city breaks. My aunt does it a few times a year, she loves Ibiza. The hotel she likes know her, she always has a great time. Her job is very intense & she needs that break.

Sounds like my literal fantasy.

Crack on! These breaks should be on prescription to keep us sane! I promise it is absolute bliss if you’re the kind of person who likes solitude.

My husband died earlier this year; we loved to travel so I'm carrying on that joy. I've been abroad 4 times since he died and have another 8 trips booked. So are just me and others are with family or friends. Life is for living!

That sounds completely amazing. Go for it!

This sounds lovely, peace and relaxation! However would be in a quandary about how to adequately get sun cream on my back if in a swimsuit etc…

I love a solo holiday.
Just do it.

Go for it. I’ve done lots of solo traveling and I like it more each time. Three times to Nepal, one to Bhutan’ twice to Bali ( the last one for a month), Poland, Waiheke Island and a very peaceful lockdown road trip around the South Island of NZ. I turned my car into a campervan for that and did some freedom camping. I love my freedom of choice.

I am thinking of doing a similar break away. Earlier this year had a four day break in Minorca. Hotel, staff, food all lovely. Am thinking of going to the same hotel etc on my own next year. I enjoy my own company, have eaten out and been to the cinema on my own

Definitely not weird. I've been on solo trips abroad a few times and love the peace. I prefer it to being with people.

It sounds like bliss actually, why would it be odd?

Go for it. I've done this once before myself and not regretted it.

This is the only downside that I've encountered. I can do my entire body except the space right in the middle of my back. I've addressed this issue by either wearing a rash top or making sure I don’t sit too long with my back to the sun.

Other Mumsnetters have talked about using a device designed to apply fake tan to parts of the body you can't reach. I believe they're available cheaply from Amazon etc.

Otherwise, like a PP says, if you're the type of person who likes solitude, it's bliss. I tend to go out for a walk or sightseeing in the morning, then lunch out followed by beach and swim. I'm not bothered anyway about eating much in the evening if I've had lunch out mid afternoon so I will read on the balcony with a drink and something like a bit of cheese, some olives and crisps and am often in bed by 8/9 pm.

Or the time I stayed in a hotel, I went HB because it was hardly anything more than BB so each evening I went and had a drink in the restaurant and just got a bit of salad etc from the buffet.

But it's strange how many people think this is an odd thing to do, especially if you're not single (I'm child free with a DP and obviously we go on holiday together but he likes to go downhill mountain biking that's well beyond my skill level so once a year he goes on a group holiday to do this and I go for my sunny reading, swimming and walking holiday).

When I've mentioned I went on holiday alone people have said things like 'aren't you brave' or 'what would you do all the time if you have no-one to talk to or do things with'?

I suppose there are people who like the company of others but there's probably also a lot of people who would be fine on their own and either it's never occurred to them they are allowed to go by themselves or they see all sorts of imaginary barriers that stop them doing it.

Sounds wonderful. I am jealous.

No, I would 100% do this, again actually because I’ve done it before.

Sounds like bliss.

No. I’d do it in a heartbeat

You’ll have a load of us there with you now mind you 🤣

do it, Im very jealous!! Love solo travel

Not odd at all in fact I’m planning the same next year

I did Japan solo and no problems at all , I loved it so much I want to go back and explore more . You’ll have a blast .

There were lots of people on their own in the small lake town we were in on lake Garda. Dh commented how sad it was for them. I totally disagreed ! Made a mental note of the hotel and might go back on my own one day.