Spending significant birthday alone- ideas?

My 35 year old single son regularly takes himself off for a few days away by himself! I admire him for not feeling he can't go as he has no-one to go with.
My 89 year old widower Dad told us he has three holidays booked for the new year: a cruise to the Baltics, a trip to Scotland and a river cruise to the Danube. These are all through a company called Johnsons.
We reminded him he was also coming to Lanzarote with us but he said that doesn't really count lol!

would it look strange if I was alone? ..... ^ as I do feel shame at travelling alone.^ !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Why?

I started eating out alone in my mid teens and travelling by myself, including international journeys, when I was in my late teens and have done it ever since. Even though I am married and mainly travel with DH I still go off on short breaks at times, following interests he does not share. My sister and husband sometimes holiday apart for weeks at a time, because he prefers winter sun and she prefers snow.

You say your funds are limited, depending on your interests, and the date of your birthday, why not a weekend break in a historic town? Most historic towns have hundreds of little B&Bs, many in the town centre and you will see lots of other single people about, restaurants will be busy so that you can melt into the crowd and there will be much for you to do during the day - and theatres, and other entertainments in the evening.

If your funds can stretch beyond that, why not a city break in Europe. You can travel by train or car and there are a lot of agencies running short break trips, with travel and accommodation booked and transport between hotel and airport/railway station. Brussels, Ghent, Brugges, Paris, Amsterdam are all just a short journey away.

I remember an acquaintance saying he doesn't like single people being on cruises as his wife feels obliged to speak to them and spend the holiday with them!!

Have look at HF holidays. They are often in nice places and have organised activities, walks etc. I think they cater for single people.

Happy Birthday ineedamum!!
I'm like you....hate going anywhere on my own. Since my divorce, I have been on a couple of holidays with my widowed friend. But to be honest, I wish I was brace enough to go away on my own.

My OH hates being reminded that it's his birthday and he often doesn't remember it until it's passed. He prefers me not to remember it. We rarely buy each other presents these days but sometimes one of us might see something the other would really like - but that could be any other time of the year.

I think that going on holiday with a group would be better because whilst you can do stuff on your own during the day it's nice to be able to talk to people over dinner or in the hotel bar, before or after dinner.

A few years ago we went to Sicily with Brightwater and there were some single people in the group. Everybody was friendly and nobody was left out. I can recommend them as they cover different interests but I've recently thought they were a bit expensive.

Have you thought about joining U3A? Friends in different parts of the country are members and enjoy the activities that they participate in.

If you can run to a foreign holiday, why not consider a cruise? They are full of single people, and if you choose one where you sit at the same table each evening, and go a few days before the birthday, you will know people and the cruise staff will give you a wonderful celebration cake you can all share. We have stayed in touch with people we have met that way many years ago.

Who knows, if the cruise company know it is a significant birthday, you might even get an upgrade!

Thanks everyone. There are lots of holidays to choose from! I'm tempted to be irresponsible for once and book a holiday abroad. If I was sensible I'd book a coach break in the UK.

Marmight, there are lots of companies which do solo travel- which was was it?

I have been on short city breaks alone which were fine.

I'm sad that I'm spending a significant birthday alone, every year I hope I won't be but I always am. So birthdays are a reminder I'm single, don't get me wrong I'd rather be single than in a bad relationship- but I hope to meet a soul mate and my birthday is a reminder it isn't happening!

Marketing says birthdays are a special day, unique to you etc whereas I am barely acknowledged I exist on my special day!!

On Monday 30th I celebrated my 70th with DM. No one else.

Having moved 5 years ago (300 miles) I left my few friends behind. I plan to visit them in the summer and will celebrate my birthday then.

Having a birthday between the two big days for families (Christmas and New Year) is a difficult one to celebrate.

Celebrate it how you want ineedamum. Have a great time.

I want to know if you would prefer to have company?
Our single friend , male, often holidays alone though he sometimes joins an organised trip where there will be a mix of solo and couples travelling.
Another idea is to choose an activity holiday, something you've never done before.
My Merry widow friend takes herself to Italy whenever she can afford to go. She stays at a favourite hotel, enjoys the shops and the food.

I moved the date of my significant bd last year so that I could have a garden party in June. I've always wanted a June birthday. It was wonderful.

I went on a week’s holiday with Solo Travel. It took some deep breaths but it was amazing. They do short breaks as well in the UK and abroad. Give it a Google

A birthday is what.....24 hours? Spare a thought for us who don't like Christmas/ New Year and have to endure week after week of it!!

I suggest you dip your toe in the water by trying something fairly short where you know there will be company. How about a break where you are " doing something, walking or painting in a country house?

I was apprehensive about going away on my own but had a wonderful time. I just stayed for two nights in a hotel. The days I spent visiting historic places and shopping in unfamiliar places. I took a book into the restaurant so I wouldn't feel awkward while waiting to be served. I enjoyed every minute and it was good to not have to consider the needs of others and just please myself. Go for it Ineedamum and have a wonderful time!

Champneys Spa resorts are a wonderful way,and a real treat, to spend a few days in a glorious hotel with beautiful grounds, with great food and spa treatments. Choice of dining alone or at a special table of single guests, if you want company. I always go alone, mostly female clientele with the occasional couple. As friendly as you wish it to be.
Otherwise a cruise or coach trip. Have a very happy birthday.

Dont be ashamed, relish the freedom to do what you want when you want. Indulge by doing exactly what you like to do

Warner Hotels are good for singles.
Some are in beautiful settings, good choice of food, free entertainment.

Hello indeedamum, further to doramarr’s suggestion- last year we had a long weekend in a very nice hotel in Norfolk. I was chatting to one of the managers, who told me that they often had single women guests. If my partner can’t get away from work and I need a break, I would seriously consider going alone.

I have stayed in hotels alone and travelled alone a number of times relating to my work and have always felt fine. Often I would eat in the dining room and sometimes just order room service.

I hope you will reconsider your thoughts about it being shameful to travel alone. If you saw another woman travelling alone on a train, plane or driving, I don’t think you would equate that with behaviour that felt shameful.
Women do all sorts of things today that our mothers wouldn’t have dreamt of doing ... my mother didn’t even have a passport, own a car or have her own bank account... things we can’t now imagine life without.

Maybe a short break with a shortish journey is a way to challenge yourself gently.
This could be a wonderful birthday adventure.
Do post again and let us know what you decide. We’re all rooting for you. ?

If you like Scotland:
www.pool-house.co.uk/
And I’ve stayed here:
www.glenmoristontownhouse.com/
The latter has a lovely walk along the river to the town centre, a great restaurant and bar, and you could take trips out to other places.
I’m not a fan of organised holidays, because I prefer to make my own travel and hotel arrangements, but I have friends who enjoy them.

Thanks, I have looked at the Shearings website and there are so many options at a reasonable price too. I've put my name down for the mailing list too until I decide, but I do love the countryside and Scotland in particular.

I feel shame at being alone because I'm too independent if that makes sense. I always hope things change every year, maybe this year it will.

Apart from taking yourself off for a special break why not also draw up a list of little pleasures to enjoy throughout this special year?

ineedamum
i do feel shame at travelling alone
When you have been on a plane/train/boat/bus and you see people travelling alone do you have any untoward feelings about them, probably not, 'these' people will have no negative feelings about you.
Personally, I love traveling alone. Except for the day the ash cloud came down and I was flying home from Germany. I had to get 2 trains to France to try and get on the Eurostar.
Not too bad you might think: but the only German I know is good morning/evening ?

I m going to do that next Christmas a 2 day break at a spa or something similar I might save up for centre parcs
Don’t be ashamed of being alone there are many reason a woman or a man are on their own and it’s no one business but yours
Enjoy yourself x

I did an organised short break by coach as suggested by Canalboatgranma. There was a mix of people and there were four men travelling solo and three women. It was to an area I hadn't visited before and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I was with a friend it opened my eyes to how easy it would have been if I had been on my own. No pressure to mix but everyone was very sociable. I am now planning to do a solo trip much to the family's surprise - probably a 3day/2nights one once the weather gets a bit warmer!!

Well said dorramarr! Wish I could get away on my own!

Don’t be ashamed of being alone- you are a strong, independent woman! So many women of our age don’t seem to be able to do anything without their husbands, you can do just what you like because you are confident. I have stayed in hotels on my own and it’s fine. Just think of yourself as that interesting woman with the fascinating story!