Nobody to go on holiday with

I am in a similar situation and have travelled with Titan Holidays, They do UK and foreign trips. A driver picks you up from your house and at the end of the trip takes you home and I loved that. I went to Crete last year, lovely rep invited all us singles to have dinner with her and I met up with some interesting people, mostly women but not all and no men who were on the prowl. You have your own room, which I very much enjoyed. Excursions were included but not obligatory but I did them because they went to interesting places. Over lunch there’s chat and at all meals if you want to mix. I didn’t always so I had dinner by the pool and enjoyed where I was. I’m doing a trip with them next year, I have had the house redecorated this year and funds are limited. Go for it, they look out for you if you need it and I preferred it to a cruise, much preferred it.

One of my closest friends has now holidayed three times alone - since her husband passed away.
She said she was scared and the first time I know she was quite panicky.

She had done one cruise round the UK and Ireland, one small sailing boat round the Greek islands with a group of, I think, 12 or 13 others and her other trip was an "all inclusive" type off-season to somewhere warm.

I know she is feeling braver trip by trip. She said "if I don't go alone I probably won't travel".
None were for solo travellers.

Bite the bullet.
She says she likes that she can please herself if she's alone.

The little Greek boat trip was the first and she really enjoyed it as they went to lots of small coves, tiny towns and cooked fresh fish on the beach.

I haven't holidayed alone but have been abroad alone for work reasons- trade shows and exhibitions.
I found having a book to read was useful if I felt awkward and had friendly chats with the restaurant staff. The first time I actually told them I was unused to dining alone and wasn't sure I'd enjoy it. That waiter was extremely friendly and helpful. Popping back and making suggestions and bringing little "tastes" of things...
Basically the first time is bound to be the hardest.
Book an ordinary double room rather than a single as the single rooms tended to be less "comfortable".

My mother-in-law went regularly to London for shows/exhibitions and would stay a few days there into her late 80s/ early 90s.
She also took a few art and garden type tours in Europe. She booked with a company that had lecturers (or specialists) with them. I think the groups were about 20 people.
She really enjoyed these - but chose the trips with not too much walking. I will try to remember the company as they had some really interesting options. Not all art/gardens.

- the difference being, I suppose that she was a widdow for many years.

I do hope you pluck up the courage to go.

My mother-in-law's tours wete fly-tours. She didn't want to go to (say) the South of France by coach.

Not spaghetti
Thank you for the advice
What’s the name of the company please?

Well , I asked for words of encouragement and I certainly got them !
Thank you so much everyone, you have given me a lot to read and think about
I am full of admiration for some of the people you describe and what they managed to do .
I hope I can follow their example, although I would still prefer to go with a friend of family
But if that can’t happen, then I will have to take some of your ideas on board and hope for the best .

Notjustaprettyface

Not spaghetti
Thank you for the advice
What’s the name of the company please?

I still can't remember but will see if I can find it over the next few days.

I'm sure there are a number of companies that do this but some expect you to be fitter than others as some require a fair amount of walking.

NotSpaghetti I hope you find a holiday to suit your needs and you have a lovely time.

A have a friend who has done three solo holidays, to city destinations so she can browse galleries and soak up a bit of culture rather than sun. She always has a book in her bag and says she isn’t wanting it but on every trip a single man has hit on her and been a nuisance.Mind you, she is attractive.I think it could be a problem and would put me off a holiday on my own.

You wouldn’t get that sort of nuisance if you went somewhere on your own, not an organised trip.

To begin with, do you live near an interesting town? Or city? Why not book yourself into a luxury hotel for a few nights and find out what is on offer in that town or city? It is a start and you can see how you feel about it. I love staying in luxury hotels that offer all sorts even if it is only for a few nights. You get to have that change of scene while still being in a 'safe' spot without having to face all the travel disruptions.

Friendship Travel are good. Group trips for single people. Very friendly.
Also Riviera Travel.
Just You holidays are okay and Voyages Jules Verne.

While on holiday with my daughter a few years ago there was a Saga group in same hotel. I was very impressed and told myself I’d go on a Saga holiday if on my own. Lovely rep. sounded a hard working nice genuine person and a happy group of guests. She organised quizzes and excursions etc or just a focal point if anyone wanted to sit with others in the evening.

fancyflowers, I have just purchased a mobility scooter for myself as a birthday present. I have turned 70 today and feel life will pass me by if I don't get out and about by myself. My partner passed away 18 months ago and I felt I couldn't go on holiday due to my limitations of walking. Now that I have my scooter, the "world in my oyster" as they say. I am going to plan a week abroad by myself (and my scooter) and see where my fancy takes me. I have never gone abroad before, but I am sure it can't be that difficult. You should be brave and give it a try!

It’s quite a jump isn’t it to take a holiday alone and especially abroad. I think I’d go on the sort of holiday that we’ve never done…where it’s all arranged for you. Maybe a European excursion where each day, some trips are organised. There will be couples in that, but also some people on their own I’m sure. I’d treat it as an experiment, just do a week, and if I didn’t like it, chalk it up to experience. There would be a tour manager or similar, so it would provide the kind of more secure experience that you may be wanting.

Recently returned from a Saga tour of Tuscany. There were several (5?) unaccompanied women on the trip, 2 unaccompanied men, and several couples. Everyone seemed to get on well and have a good time - all friendly and sociable. About 20 on the tour altogether. I think I would choose a tour rather than a 'flop on the beach' holiday so that you get a chance to chat to others. Also, choose one which has some group meals which are always sociable - no one gets left out. If you choose a tour company which caters for mature clientele, I'm sure you'll be able to find others with a similar outlook on life.

Quite a few of tge women who are in tge groups I attend go on holidays aimed at single people. One in particular who isn't yet retirement age but widowed goes on loads of cruises. She says she usually meets other singles or couples who include her for trips, meals etc. No-one I know has commented not enjoying some company on holiday.

I’ve been holidaying on my own for years on and off. Since my husbands stroke I go 2-3 times a year as a bit of a respite break from looking after him, I’ve learnt to enjoy my own company. The best advice I can give is think about what you want from a holiday? I go to Barbados for a rest in January, then usually a walking holiday either totally on my own or with a group. I find the key thing is to have a holiday doing things I enjoy, I avoid places full of couple, so stay in small apartment blocks or hotels rather than large all inclusive full of couples and families. Make me feel sorry for myself. If I have things to do that I enjoy then being on my own doesn’t matter. Maybe a hobby? Or something you’d like to learn is a good place to start.enjoy!

I'm cruising next year but myself. It's somewhere I want to go and a short trip. I've self catered this year with my dog and it was a good break. I have also been looking at Titan holidays, big plus is that they pick you up from home.

if youre rich

I took my mother on a Jules Verne holiday some years ago and we had a great time. There were many single women on the trip and we stayed in some of the same hotels as a Saga group which seemed very similar.
I agree with SpinDriftCoastal, you could try a good hotel in a city you'd like the visit in the UK first, or try an organised UK touring holiday with a good company, just to see how you get on.

The problem for me is the sort of holiday that I like does not involve seeing the sights. I like to go to places of great natural beauty, especially near the sea, and bed down in one place and soak it all up.

Individual hire of a suitable property is very hard to find with walk-in shower, few steps, ability to get luggage from car to property (I can't lift much), and places to see also accessible.

My neighbour was in a similar situation. She walked into her church group and announced she was looking for someone to go on holiday with. A widow jumped at the chance and they went to Madeira together. It all worked out well.

I was thinking of you today notjustaprettyface . I was on a walk with my U3A group who were discussing holidays, as they often do.
One woman had just returned from an excellent coach trip to Ireland with Glenton.
It wasn't for solo travellers but she was. They had a guide. It was good value. Excellent hotel s and meals included and although she's like to go back to explore further, it was a good taste of Dublin and Galway, where she hadn't been before.

It was mostly women, some solo, a few husbands and some with friends or mother's and daughters or sisters.

‘Limitless travel’ might be just what you are looking for. Phone them and they will send you a brochure

I have been going on holiday on my own for ten years now. Usually in a group on Ramble Worldwide or HF holidays. Both companies have a nice mix of singles and couples and normally around 10 to 18 in the group. They do hiking, gentle walking holidays and ones themed around hobbies with no walking. HF also own hotels in the UK which are really friendly. I went to the one in Shropshire last year. At breakfast and dinner you are directed to fill up the tables as you enter so that people dont form cliques. Most people then immediately introduce themselves to their neighbours. A single friend always goes to HF houses for New Year on her own and really loves it.