Solo Travel

I've never done this but when my friend and myself used to go away we used to watch those who were travelling alone and really, unless you're with a good crowd of people things can be a bit tricky from what we saw.

Because friend and myself usually ate at a table for two, it had been changed to 4 on a couple of occasions, 2 single people and one was a pain in the neck-----never stopped moaning and complaining so I would say you really have to be aware of whoever might latch on to you. To meet a " like with like " would make for an ideal holiday.

I hope you can continue with your ventures so don't be put off until you've given it a try, only you can decide if it's for you. I wish you well.

There is another thread entitled solo travel on this Travel forum which may be helpful.

Oh dear EllanVannin your post fills me with dread. On Saturday I set off to Germany on my own albeit in a group. Your comments raise the fears I have been trying to suppress, but what the heck if the worst comes to the worst I can retreat to my room with my Kindle. At best I may meet some nice people and enjoy a week of lovely scenery, good food and German coffee/wine/beer!
I know Bluesapphire has also ventured off on holiday on her own and thoroughly enjoyed herself!
What is the alternative? Sit in my widow's weeds at home?
Give it a go OP!

MawB, both my late friend and myself had brilliant holidays and were thankful that we never had to share all our time with those who can/do put a dampener on some part of the holiday. Miserable git.!
How would you have fared if you weren't allowed to laugh ?? When made to listen to someone's 1,001 ailments.

I really have no idea what your latest point is EllanVannin
I was responding to your comment about observing “those travelling who were alone and really unless you are on with a good crowd, things cane be a bit tricky from what we saw”
What not being able to have a laugh or whatever seems to have nothing to do with advice or encouragement for someone who has lost her DH to risk a first holiday on her own.
People can be a pain in the neck whether they are travelling alone or in a couple or with a friend, so why you have to be so negative and discouraging is beyond me.
I am going to take a deep breath and pin a smile on my face and hope to meet some congenial people on my forthcoming holiday, but get this straight, for those of us recently widowed this is a big deal it is not easy and I hope Butweam has not been put off by your bleak description of solo travellers.

Thanks for the comments. I am not put off. I’ve looked at the other threads and they do sound quite positive. Have fun in Germany MawB and I look forward to hearing all about your adventure! I’m hoping that if the holiday is only for solo travellers then with everybody in the same boat, people will mix more. I think I will definitely give it a go and I will take my trusty Kindle with me just in case ?!

Good luck to you Butweam, I'm sure you'll find it an enjoyable experience. Most people are all right, you're bound to meet the odd one who is a pain in the neck now and again but they'll be very much in the minority.

As you'll be a group of singles I'm sure you'll be encouraged to mingle. You may have the time of your life and meet people with whom you forge long friendships. I have neither the courage or the money to go on these holidays but for those who have - go for it. I'm sure you'll have a great time if you approach it in the right frame of mind.

A married friend of mine with a stressful job and three children ,one with special needs, went on holiday alone for a week as she needed a rest and some 'me time'. Sho loved it. Have a great time Maw. I think you are quite brave to go fairly soon after losing Paw but I admire you for it very much. I am sure you will meet all sorts of people and I am sure the whole experience will be life enriching and give you a confidence boost that you can do things alone successfully.

i have done lots of holidays on may own within a group. This has been because DH wasn’t interested in those particular destinations, or that kind of special interest holiday. I never once met anyone who was a “pain in the neck”. I’m sure, Maw, you will have a lovely holiday although you might be acting as interpreter for the group some of the time! Butweam, good luck with planning your holiday. If it’s a solo type holiday you will always sit with someone else. I usually actively attempted to sit on my own for breakfast but someone often joined me. Enjoy the Harz mountains Maw and whatever you choose, Butweam.

For those of you who are quick to judge, I'd not long lost my H at the time after nursing him for nearly 6 years and working at the same time so I was pointing out that the last thing I wanted to hear was someone who never once let up about their ailments !
It was how I was feeling at the time, naturally, so you're not the only ones who are widowed !! Sheesh.

I didn't say that I hadn't enjoyed the holiday either.
My friend and myself got along with everyone wherever we went, home and abroad and our presence was recognised everywhere because we were always happy to introduce ourselves as opposed to sitting in a huddle ignoring people.

The last thing we wanted was some miserable so-and-so coming along and moaning as we sat through a meal, just sayin' !

Well clearly EllanVannin when I am away next week I must guard against introducing myself to or sitting down with any pairs of women in case my presence prevents them from “having a laugh” or whatever. And as a I am hardly the type to go on about “my ailments” to complete strangers you and your friend, should you be among my fellow travellers, need have no need to worry.
Somehow I don’t think that will be my experience on this trip
But I think your cliquey ”my friend and myself” attitude epitomises one of the worst dangers of solo travel , nothing so off-putting as two friends clearly not prepared to be friendly to or welcome a newcomer.
Like school, really.

In other words I will avoid like the plague any old biddies sitting together watching those travelling alone as you put it.

Says you !!
No need to worry, my lovely friend died just under 2 years ago at the age of 98 ! There'd been more life in her at the times on our holidays than many who were younger.
What other way would I speak of my friend ?

Maybe in future for your sake I'll refer to" my friend and I/me ?"

We weren't of a " cliquey " nature and certainly not pompous such as yourself !

I've been travelling mainly solo for over 10 years and have had many very enjoyable holidays on my own. I've come to appreciate the freedom of being able to do exactly as I please. I think a holiday designed for solo travellers would be a good start and then see how you feel.

I'm off again very soon with Jules Verne, this time to Umbria, on a genuinely no single supplement holiday. It's a small group and the no supplement offer makes it almost certain that there'll be other people travelling alone.

I'd encourage anyone to get out there and enjoy.

I suspect special interest holidays where the travellers have something in common work best. I've been on a number of riding breaks without DH and always found the others good company. A creative weekend break also went very well. A friend of mine who is going through a divorce in his 70's wen way on an "Ourtime" Christmas break which he found totally grim, I think if the other people have nothing in common with you except being on their own then things may go less well. Maybe art, walking or yoga might be a way forward?

I tried a couple of long weekends as DH doesnt want to go on holiday. It was fine.It was a coach trip with organised excursions and we all ate together in the morning and met up in the bar in the evening before dinner. When we got to the venue i just went off on my own and returned to the coach in good time and had a lovely conversation with the lady next to me who was also travelling alone. I think you have to be fairly confident and im not sure how i would have been for a week or more. It was lovely going back to my room after dinner and i enjoyed the me time. Maybe the OP could try a short 4/5 day break in the uk before venturing overseas just to see how she gets on. With mobile phones etc you can still mantain contact with loved ones which i found helpful.

Please, please do not be put off by negative comments. My late husband made me promise to travel, to do what he had wanted to do in retirment with ne. I was a widow at 60 and unwilling to sit at home. I went on my first two holidays as a single, yes it is different, you have been part of a couple for so long, it's bound to be. I would say look up the place you are visiting and make a changeable plan, be prepared. I would bide my time before joining up with someone, see how it goes. I am going on a cruise soon. I have had many holidays, most with people, but I can honestly say I have enjoyed the ones as a single as much and in some cases more. You won't regret it. There are negative people everywhere, you just avoid, there are more just like you and me living our lives and seeing a bit of the world.

I have not been on any 'solo' holidays as such, but have done two cruises and have had a fantastic time. I prefer to travel on my own, have the company of others as I choose or not. I socialise at mealtimes, and the cruises I go on have open seating so you have the company of different people at every meal, a mixture of singles and couples and have never been made to feel less than welcome.

Hope that you have a wonderful holiday MawB as I am sure you will. I shall enjoy thinking of you with all that lovely German wine, food and scenery! Excuse me while I just cast around and look for a holiday around my birthday next spring. I have already got another cruise booked for July!

Try One Traveller (a bit expensive, but almost everything is included except travel insurance). Also Saga's singles holidays are very good, and travel insurance is included. I have been on many singles holidays with these companies and have always had a good time. I have always found the other travellers to be friendly and welcoming and eager to include everyone - after all we are all in the same boat (or coach !) Sometimes the Saga groups are rather too large - it can be as many as 40 people, but the One Traveller groups are smaller. The groups are always predominantly female. The last trip I did with Saga (to Italy), there were 28 women and 1 man, but he seemed quite happy !

MawB Judging by your previous posts on GN, I simply can't imagine you ever being stuck with anyone you don't like even for a minute.

If someone sat at your table and started with their 1001 ailments, they'd soon get slapped round the lug short shrift! . Doubt if they'd get to #10, let alone 1001....especially if you've had a few of those beers or wines.

I've travelled in the past, not in a group but absolutely alone. It's not always easy but then neither is the alternative: sitting at home feeling sad.

Ellan You must miss her dreadfully, she sounds a gem.

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