Nobody to go on holiday with

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 .

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

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

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.

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 year my family were driving me to breaking point. I took myself off to a University for a one week summer study course which offered accommodation plus excursions and evening events. The other participants varied widely in age (18-80), the tuition was of a high standard and I had company when I wanted it. There was no need to submit written work.

If you google UK University summer courses for mature students something interesting might come up. I see Oxford and Cambridge participate. (I went to Edinburgh to learn about architecture but I think that has been discontinued).

Re: I would definitely speak face to face with a wise Travel Agent.

You would require knowledge of length of trip; your budget; do you wish to travel within England or are you considering The French Coast ( Marseilles to Nice ) or Portugal or Northern Spain or Italy or Greece ..

CIRCUIT Trips suit people who are either travelling with a dear friend or a relative and all is included as well ( 3 meals a day). Trips for 5 days 4 nights or 6 days 5 nights or 4 days 3 nights ..

Wishing you a lovely summer season.

With a travel agent you shall be able to obtain information and see what fits your budget and interest.

(Sorry, I crossposted KeepCalm.)

Snoopy57, maybe you should try u3A and meet others your age.

I would chat about outings and holidays with those 'quite a few older ladies' at U3A , I don't think you need to holiday with the same age group and some of them probably have experienced this sort of travel or you may hopefully find some kindred spirits!

I am 59, single man, living at home. I would gladly go on holiday with women of any age. My last holiday was 2000 when i went to Cornwall, i took my parents. I guess it is a summer at home for me rather than a cottage with someone nice.

If you are quite confident and sociable, I would recommend one of the organised solo holidays, which a friend of mine thoroughly enjoys. Everyone will be on their own, and possibly feeling a little apprehensive. Maybe, start small with somewhere in the UK for a short break. Don’t put it off. Good luck.

My solo trips have always been my preferred way to travel - independent with no tour guide and only myself to please. I travelled all over the middle east and to places you cannot go now - Afghanistan, Syria and Iran.

For your first solo trip I would suggest one where you have your own room but travel with a group. I would not advise sharing a room with a stranger as you can get someone who snores or has other annoying habits. You can then "pick and mix" your company according to what you want to do. Coach trips are ideal. When you want to be solo you dont have to stay with the group and you still have someone to eat dinner with. When you travel solo evening meals in a restaurant or hotel are often the most challenging. In the past I felt conspicuous and often took a book or magazine with me. Nowadays with smartphones you always have something to do.

I have had some brilliant solo holidays in the UK and abroad.

I have never been on a cruise but I have done riding (horses), caravan, coach and rail holidays. I like being able to go off and explore and visit museums and art galleries etc. on my own.

I had one holiday ruined by an old man who clearly thought I must be lonely and in need of constant male companionship.

I would love to go on holiday with DH but he isn't keen, and I have very limited mobility, so I can't see it happening.
I have thought about hiring a mobility scooter to enable me to go on short holidays.

I'm a widow and don't usually have holidays as such. I usually visit family or friends and find that's enough.

I went to the Isle of Skye to a summer course for learning Gaelic, twice. Most people were single, all ages & many nationalities. They cater for all abilities. Evenings were ceilidhs, concerts or chatting in the bar. All accommodation included. Good fun.

One year I tried a porcelain course in the South of France!

There will be other activity holidays for singles.

A friend who has been on her own a long time, does cruises around the Fjords or around the UK with a company who use smaller vessels. (Fred Olsen) She makes friends and seems to enjoy them. This year it includes the Channel Islands.

I do many things with U3A but no holidays yet.😁

The biggest thing I have done on my own was flying to NZ to visit my DS and family, 2 years ago. I came across several women who travel by themselves.

My daughter is in her mid40s and single. Sometimes she goes on holiday with her friends, other times on her own. She was in Malaga last week on her own and is going to Rome next month on her own. After that trip she is flying to Sicily to meet friends.

I have done a few solo coach trips with a local company. Mostly couples but by no means all. Everyone is very friendly. Meals together but you can go off on your own on the outings. One time I found I was seated next to someone on the coach and we got on really well so we stuck together and enjoyed the same sort of things. On the last one I wanted to get away from the woman I was next to but it was difficult. So there are pros and cons, but I enjoy seeing new places and not having to drive there or eat on my own at night.

If you go on your own you don't have to worry about fitting in with what other people want to do. There are positives in everything! I would suggest that you try a short break with a local coach firm first , not necessarily a specific solos holiday. There are always people on their own and if you are friendly and approachable you'll be fine. These worked for me and I eventually went abroad too. I always found others will ask you to join them at mealtimes. I was in a similar situation to you with my husband in care and friends having husbands and I can appreciate your daughter wanting her own family holiday as I would have felt the same at that stage of life too. Give the coach holiday a go and tell us how you went on!!

Have you thought about a cruise, rail holiday or coach trip?

My friend does most of her hols solo, meets lots of people and goes to some amazing places.

Get your lovely dog looked after, pick a place you’d love to visit and do it!!