Lone Holidays abroad

My advice is- go for it! I was very nervous about going to Canada on my own but had a great time and met lots of like minded travellers!

How does one get the U3A magazine?

My DH cannot go away as he has dialysis every other day. I was worried at first about going away on my own and I went on a coach holiday with Shearings. By the time you get to your destination you will have made 40 new friends. I niw go with them at least once a year. Fabulous! !

I've been considering this company:-

www.singlesholiday.co.uk/chatroom.html

Have fun!

I hope Caramac that you will get that holiday booked soon. Prove you can do it alone, then he'll go with you? No thanks! You've discovered a new way to enjoy yourself, and you might just allow him to go with you at some point in the future. You are not proving anything. You are going on a holiday that you are sure to enjoy, unencumbered by negativity and anxiety on DHs part. Regarding meals, you share different tables at HF so that nobody is alone. If you don't like the idea of HF I'm sure you can manage it alone or someone might join you. Don't worry too much about that. Let us know when you've booked.

I went to my niece's wedding in the UK earlier this year, then went to Rome for a week. I really enjoyed doing it on my own - though in the past the DH and I have done loads of backpacking and unorganised trips. Funny though, on the plane from Manchester to Rome, there 3 real "Lancashire lasses" all ready to party. Very loud, already a little primed-up, wearing lots of sparkles and leopard skin. We were waiting for the Rome bus at Ciampino airport - they needed help, as they had never been to Rome before, and I know the city well. They very sweetly "helped" me onto the bus, chatted with me, and when we got off in Rome, asked me if I would like to share their taxi. I declined, saying I would walk to my pensione near the Termini. They were terribly solicitous, and obviously worried about the old duck on her own. As we parted, they called out that they hoped I would be ok, stood watching me to ensure I got across the road safely, then I heard one say "Oh, bless!" When did I become an old duck?? I'm only 65! They were so lovely, though.

I have twice gone abroad on my own as DH does not do flying.
I booked with companies which had itinerairies which appealed to me but not specialist solo holidays. On both occasions I was by far the youngest person there but had an amazing time.
Don't mind eating on my own either.

When I was first widowed I was nervous about travelling alone so I booked with Saga. They really take care of you and the reps are on the whole very good. Try somewhere fairly touristy to start (I went to Tenerife). I have been on several holidays alone since then and I always find someone to talk to - as someone else said the worse thing is eating alone in the evening but after the first couple of nights you will usually find someone you can share a table with. Do go and enjoy yourself!

Yes go for it anyway! You might find you enjoy better on your own than you would have done with him there. Food will be fine, as Niobe says there is usually a good choice available.

Personally, when my ex husband told me I had to prove I could take care of his mother's cast off oven before I deserved a new one, it was a great stimulus to earn enough to buy my own. But that's just me!

Just book and go! Most tours have a good range of food available so catering for your preferences/ needs should be no bother. I can't say the food has been spicy when we have been away on holiday.

It'll be more fun without him anyway! A group of single travellers is generally up for anything and encourage each other. In a couple, if one of them doesn't want to do something the other one will hold back - in my experience anyway. In the ten years since my husband died I have been places he would never have gone and done things that he would have hated.

Well the truth will out! I am furious! I told not so DH I had booked - to see what his reaction was. After some digging (me) and squirming (him) it transpires I am too much of a burden to take abroad!!!! Because he would have to organise it (not true) plus driving on the wrong side of the road (different not wrong, I would drive but he would insist he drive). When I said a tour operator would negate those issues he said it's because I am unadventurous with food ( True. I cannot abide spicy food partly due to having no sense of taste and only get the burn, no nuance of flavour). I pointed out most European hotels cater for Brits like me and serve steak, fish etc. Also food issues likely to get worse as my diabetes progresses. Still does not want to go abroad with me until I've proven I can do it on my own!!!! I'm flabbergasted and very very hurt

We went to Russia with Saga too and ,as Lynylou says , there were a fair number of single travellers with the group. The great thing with Saga is that they cater for us older travellers so well.

I'm thinking of going abroad next year too and it will most likey be alone. I'm scared but will probably go, I will ask my friend first, but I wont miss out on a holiday if she doesn't want to go. Not been away for over 10 years

I went to Russia with Saga on my own after a friend let me down at the last minute. There were a couple of other lone women on the trip with loads of couples and everyone made me feel very welcome. Go for it, any organised company like Saga will take good care of you.

Charleygirl, I tend to eat out mid day or late afternoon and snack on my balcony with a glass of wine in the evening. Early night with a good book and I'm a happy camper.

I do not mind holidaying on my own, the only thing I do not like is dining on my own each evening.

I have done loads of holidays alone. I've looked at the singles holiday companies but have usually avoided them because they are expensive and I don't particularly want to have to follow a group around. If you want to look further I would suggest looking at companies which offer 'No single supplements' as many others will take advantage of this. Choose a smallish hotel with some entertainment, don't do self-catering. It's easy to book excursions and trips with your rep or the hotel. If you choose small. mini bus tours you will have more people to chat to. Personally I enjoy some quiet time alone to read and relax for part of the holiday. One of the great things about holidaying alone is that you can have days doing exactly what you feel like doing. Do a short break or a week at first, you can take longer later on. Good luck!!!

The Bodach and I began going to Zakynthos three years ago, as friends of ours lived there. It's a great place for a solo traveller, everyone is so friendly and welcoming.

I went with Solos on a couple of holidays but that was many years ago when I was first divorced. I did not enjoy them- they were not cheap and I expect better entertainment than to play table tennis. I would think and hope that they have improved since then.

Start off with a three day city break and see how you go on. I've been to Bruges with a friend and there were various people on their own. We generally asked them if they would like to join us if we were going out for a meal. I think you will find your feet quite easily once you take the plunge. The company we went with advertises in the times and the telegraph and others I suspect.

Ladies you have all helped enormously and I intend to be my usual self and act now, worry later! I have had a quick look at a couple of websites and shall look more closely but want to book asap before anyone pours cold water on the idea

I had many wonderful holidays with Ramblers Holidays. I haven't been on one for some years because my hip 'went' and had to be replaced, but I have plenty of great memories. I went mostly on my own, a couple of times with a friend. I loved seeing the out-of-the-way places rarely visited by tourists. The groups were mixed singles and couples but singles were never made to feel out of it as we all had a lot in common.

I agree about choosing a holiday which is packed with activities or excusions. It gives you the opportunity to converse with others in the group about the trip, (and not about everyone's boring/troubled lives!)
You could first choose your destination, then look in the small ads in travel magazines if you want a more personal touch.
We used to run painting and cookery courses when we lived in France and had some lovely single, more mature guests who I believe became friends for life. Try the back pages of The Lady magazine to see what's on offer.

The back pages of the U3A magazine seems full of holiday companies specialising in singles. They always look tempting to me. Good luck. I bet you'll have a wonderful time and it will be the first of many.