Nobody to go on holiday with

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!!

I am also in the same situation. I go on short breaks with my daughter but would love to go on a holiday abroad. I got lots of brochures from the travel agents but just feel nervous about booking something. Good luck and let us know when you do it. It will help me to do the same.

I am in a similar situation as I am widowed.
I have in the past holidayed very happily with one of the DDs but last time I could see that my heart issues understandably caused them worry. When they asked me again last year I declined as they work so hard I want their holidays to be a real chill out time for them. For similar reasons I would not approach any friends.

Last time I went away (a friend was also holidaying there and we would meet up) I had a heart attack, so that has put me off a bit!

Just now I do not feel fit enough but if I did I would be off on some sort of trip like a shot!!

(Names trouble)
*WalkingWomen.com is the correct name

Women-only travel is very popular right now. There are loads of organisations to choose from. Go on holiday with WomenWalkers.com You can meet your travel companions beforehand and non-shared hotel rooms are standard.

My neighbour has done many holidays with a local coach company. Over the years she has got to know many of the regulars. The trips usually last about 5/6 days. When she tells me about them, there always seems to be a nice sense of camaraderie. If you have a local company that does these sort of holidays you could perhaps have a chat with them about who makes up usually the group - people on their own, couples etc. Anotved friend who’s on her own has done special interest holidays which is good if you have a special interest. One she did was on gardens

It’s good you have joined u3A. I did the same snd have met some nice people. Some groups organise holidays. Ours doesn’t.
Organised Coach tours can be an easy way of meeting others on their own and cruise lines like Fred Olsen often organise an opportunity for people who are travelling alone to meet others if they wish.
There are plenty of singles holidays advertised too.
I hope you find something which suits you.
As for age gaps the friends I have made recently are often a decade or more younger than I am. I call them my young friends and they love it.

I didn’t get on with my U3A group and it wasn’t just an age thing. I have thought of joining another one in another town as they do seem to vary. I know what you mean about holidaying on your own. When I was still married with older children when on holiday abroad I often used to happily take myself off on a day trip somewhere. But when I was actually on my own after my divorce it felt totally different being on my own and everybody else seemed to be with other people; same situation but different dynamics. It’s worth trying one of the holidays for solo people. I’ve thought of doing that myself as my partner doesn’t want to go abroad. My children don’t want me to go with them, either.

My friend is in a very similar position and has been on coach holidays on her own. She always has a good time.

My DB holidays with Saga or Great Rail Journeys and finds people to chat with and company
Some U3A groups organise weeks away, likewise the National Trust. With all these groups someone has to be at the younger end and somebody at the older end, try not to worry too much about age