solo travel

On our last safari holiday there were 13 of us and only two couples. It was with Naturetrek and there was an option to share rooms - albeit with a stranger - or pay for sole occupancy. We’ve been with them many times and notice it’s popular with singles (and some who leave partners behind for one reason or another). We’ve been on several safari type holidays with them as I couldn’t walk much prior to my knee op and sitting in a jeep is an easy option. Having a common interest, in this case animals, helps break the ice and give something to talk about. Everyone mixes and gets on. Saga/Titan do similar holidays but you have to book a couple of years ahead to get the single no supplement room on the popular trips. Try cooking, art or wine holidays if you don’t like animals!

Sounds interesting I'll look into that, I've never considered a safari holiday, I like to explore and hear about local history & culture but this could be a nice change for me, thanks

If you like adventure holidays look at " Explore" I've been on several, about 2/3 are women some have a travel buddy but there are always singles. You will probably have to pay a single supplement and that will depend on the destination. India is cheap, or you can share with another single lady at no supplement, in that case you may get a single room by default.

Riviera now offer a lot of their escorted tours for singles

HF are good for singles. Lots of different interest holidays mixed with sightseeing. Lot of walking ones. Home and abroad. Good luck!

This company offered a GN competition prize a while ago. They sound ideal for mature solo travellers so I made a note of them but not been on any of the holidays.

I used to travel alone and not being spoken to was exactly what I wanted. My main fear was a bore latching on to me so I self catered except on HF holidays, as recommended above, which were great!
www.onetraveller.co.uk/

Shysal,
Just drove past that company in Swaffham on our way to Waitrose.
Based in Norfolk, must be good!

I’ve enjoyed travel with
Explore (if you’re prepared to be a bit adventurous),

HF (if you like walking and a communal atmosphere)

Just You (for a bit more comfort and being looked after)

Solos ( haven’t done this myself but a friend rates them highly)

All very good. Singles holidays are so much fun!

Since my husband died in 2016, I have had five holidays, all escorted tours for solo travellers, mostly aged 50-80. I've been with:
One Traveller: not cheap, but very well organised with great attention to detail and almost everything is included. (Thailand, Morocco)
Just You: a bigger selection of holidays, also very good. (Spain, Cyprus)
Riviera Solos: Also good. (Montenegro)
And I am shortly off to S Africa with Saga, on their solos version of their World in One Country.

These are all solos holidays which might cost a bit more than a standard package but you vet a double room to yourself - no need to share, and no singles supplements.

It's been wonderful to know I can still have exciting holidays on my own. Sometimes it has entailed getting to Heathrow and spending the night in a hotel there, but I am getting better at this now. On a singles holiday, almost everyone has come on their own and is happy to mix and socialise. Most of the travellers are women,but that's OK. If you are sociable and like having company, and can afford it, then go for it!

If I was fit I think I'd opt for the river cruises that are advertised. Some of them look stunning. I've never done solo holidays, only flying alone to Oz which most people do when visiting family.
The taster of sailing along the river Rance while holidaying in France gave me the idea of river cruising. Scenery and visits to places along the way was relaxing.

I’ve only done one holiday with a solo holiday firm (Just You) and it wasn’t a great success really. Yes, there was plenty of company and I still keep in touch with one lady but it I wasn’t happy with the standard of the hotel or food (ate out most nights) or with the tour rep. Hadn’t not been for the beauty of the Amalfi Coast and the good company it would have been a disaster.

But I’ve been travelling alone now for more than 10 years and have had lots of good holidays. Cruising is very safe and comfortable and some of the cruise lines cater well for single travellers. Fred Olsen for instance make a point of seating solos together at dinner and there’s a breakfast solo table to join if you wish. Voyages to Antiquity have a lot of solo passengers too. The worst holiday (in terms of travelling solo) was a Titan tour and cruise of Canada and Alaska where I was dismayed to find I was the only solo with 17 couples few of whom ever bothered to speak to me. Fabulous holiday though in all other respects.

This year I’ve booked two no single supplement holidays, one my first river cruise down the Danube and the other a cultural tour of Umbria. It’s rare that I’m lucky enough not to pay for two.

I quite like travelling alone andnit having to compromise on what I do or when I do it. I’m quite an independent soul though and as long as I can have a bit of social interaction from time to time, I’m fine.

Take a look at Thelmaandlouise.com its for women travelling alone, don't need to be single.
You organise it yourselves, great fun.

With much trepidation, I bit the bullet last year and went on a Solos holiday. I had an amazing time. They do all sorts of holidays all round the world. Although there were a couple of odd bods, I met some lovely people and am travelling to London on saturday for a reunion with 4 of them. 2 of them want me to join them on a trip to Costa Rica this year!
Have a look at their website www.solosholidays.co.uk

I’ve been with Just You several times now and been so well looked after. Of course you get the odd trip that does not come up to scratch but you get that with whoever you travel with. One Traveller is meant to be really good too. Some people are not good mixers, but the beauty of singles holidays is you travel with like minded others but can also go off and do your own thing when/if you want to. I like the idea of not knowing who I’m going to meet up with on my travels.

For over 10 years I used to travel with Inghams Lakes and Mountains mainly, to Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
They were excellent and looked after me well.
I’ve always paid the extra supplement for sole use of
a double room. It was always worth it, because you would often get a lovely large room with a stunning lakeside view,
instead of a single overlooking the dustbins or carpark.?

Hi Jax62
I took my first solo holiday in Autumn 2017 and it has been on the whole a fantastic experience. I suppose it all comes down to where you are going and what you want from a holiday.
My first experience was with Just You a tour of Italian Cities and I was almost sick with nerves. I had a fantastic time. About 75% of group were female and ages from late 30s to 80. We laughed until we cried and saw some amazing things. All of the hotels were good some excellent. Our tour guide was excellent and really worked hard to ensure everyone got whatever they wanted from the trip. The only element of caution I would add is look very closely at the itinery.especially if a tour as it can be physically demanding. On average we were walking about 6miles a day which wasn't made clear and a challenge if not very fit. By the end of the week even some of the fitter ladies were flagging a little. On plus side I met challenge and actually lost a little weight.
In 2018 I went on a singles coach holiday with Leger. Not a company I would personally recommend. We went to Holland/Germany. Hotel was fine but rooms had 3 levels from basic to really rather nice. These were allocated randomly which rather unfair if all paying the same price. There was no guide and drivers indifferent to travellers until last day when expecting tips! Despite this we had a lovely time and gelled as a group despite the company!
In the summer I booked a holiday with a local company called Highcliffe. It wasn't for singles. It was based in the Italian Riviera staying in one hotel for the week with two day excursions. I was a little wary as imagined a lot of married couples who would just want to do there own thing but by now felt comfortable enough in my own company if that was the case. What a revelation! A quarter of the group were single and many of the others were regular customers who had also done the holiday before. The hotel was on the beach and minutes away from a lovely little town,lots of places to chill and people watch.Day trips had excellent guide and our drivers were brilliant! I also made a lovely new friend whom I see regularly!
My final holiday of 2018 was a life time dream, Canada and New England in the Fall plus New York. I had looked at so many American holidays but so many had itineries stating you had a day to explore a city at your leisure. Unfortunately I wasn't sure I had the confidence or the sense of direction to do that! I booked with Just You and it wasn't cheap but 3 months on I'm still pinching myself and going WOW. The company really do go out of their way to make sure you get the most from your holiday.! The only thing that was slightly annoying was that couples/friends had also booked on what was supposed to be a solo holiday. I can understand why, as a solo holiday it was a better holiday and better value than their other company Travelspheres trip! Fortunately there were a higher percentage of solo travellers and so it didn't impact on group dynamic!
There are so many solo traveller holidays out there it's difficult sometimes to choose. Personally if it's a short Europe break I now feel more confident to pick a holiday that suits me whether solo based or not and go for it. With something long haul I know I can expect a wonderful time with Just You. Next year I'm hoping to go to India which I think due to heat etc is a whole different experience. Lots of different view points such as train being preferable to coach. Many saying fly independently and organise own tour, thousands cheaper and better,not sure I'm that brave! Either way I'm very lucky! Last year I inherited some money and so I had a choice, I could travel which I have always wanted to do but not been able to or have a new kitchen. I think I made the right choice!

Hi Jax62
Ive used OneTraveller for a holiday to Prague, Barcelona,Lake Garda, Rome. They are quite expensive but I cannot fault them. Decided to try JustYou for my last holiday and booked the Italian/French Riviera holiday - hotel* was not good standard but everything else was superb. *Its worth mentioning that people in the group that had used JustYou for other holidays all commented that they had never been disappointed on previous JY holidays.
I've made two friends through my travels who are now travel buddies (currently planning next holiday )
Good luck!

Solo, One Traveller, Just You - all good firms.

I haven’t tried spending the holidays alone, I’m either with a friend or a close relative. Actually, my friends and I recently rented a villa from this Algarve villa rentals provider, and it was so much fun. Anyway, as for your concern, I think you’re just in the wrong place, talking to wrong people? I mean if you approached me or my friends we’ll definitely have some chit-chat with you. Still, spending holidays or travelling is always more fun if you’re with someone. Try doing it with a friend or relative next time!

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