Holidays alone

My husband can't/won't go abroad and we usually holiday in the UK together. I always wanted to travel in older age and my hubby had no objections to my trying to go away abroad on my own. After much searching and deliberating, in 2018 I flew to La Palma, Canary Islands with Thomson Holidays staying in a hotel BB&Evening meal. There was entertainment but I opted to read/watch tv in a quiet area away from the noise. In the day I signed up to all the excusions to keep busy and the guides were very friendly and I actually got to speak to others staying at my hotel. The room overlooked the sea, had a nice balcony and a lift. Meals were all catered for and I noticed I was not the only solo traveller. I really enjoyed the walks or there was a local bus which seemed to go along the coast road. Try a short holiday first, then venture further afield is my advice. I found actually taking the plunge and booking was the most difficult thing to overcome and once I had done that it all fell into place. Now after Covid settles down, I will be booking another holiday abroad. I hope you manage to find somewhere nice to stay and would encourage you to try it.

I am happily married but I enjoy going away for two weeks at the time with a widow single friend, my husband goes away at the same time on fishing trips or golf. My girlfriend and I like cruises normally from Dover or Southampton. We have not been away since the pandemic but we are booked for two weeks in September. The great thing about cruising is once you are on the ship you are immediately on holiday the destinations change but your accommodation remains the same. We normally go with the Fred Olsen line fantastic ships and lovely crews. They have single meet up groups where we meet other singles for social drinks and chats onboard. Good luck.

Sane thing here, going single often means paying nearly as much for a room as a couple. I've done various different things. Air bnb, have been to some nice ones where I was able to get a single room and use the kitchen. One I stayed in in oxford was very close to a regular bus service which went into the centre of Oxford, free range of the kitchen and a lovely breakfast. Price varies and sometimes you can get quite reasonably cheap prices if you are off season, or during the week.
Likewise with some of the chain hotels, and back in the old days sometimes Travelodge had sales so you could get a reasonably cheap room and I've bough breakfast things from a local shop. Not glamorous but if you are just using it for a warm clean nights sleep that doesn't matter. If you don't mind sharing some places have hostels, and youth hostels are not just for the young. You don't need to go into a dormitory, but again if you are out of season it may not be full up. You do need to bring a towel and a padlock but they are clean and you can either self carer or buy a meal . A place I want to go to one day is the women's holiday centre in Horton in Riddlesdale www.hortonwhc.org.uk/
There is a station although trains are only every couple of hours. It is a lovely area
I've done some day trips too
Although I've gone abroad there are a lot of places in Britain that is like to visit, depends on your interests

Another Airbnb fan here. I prefer to rent entire flat, so I have a kitchen, bedroom and a lounge with TV and internet. There are plenty of small ground-floor granny flats at very reasonable prices, UK and abroad. You grade them, (and they grade you!) so I've never found one (and I've used 20+) that wasn't spotlessly clean as they don't want to lose their rating.

I'm on my own and needed to be more independent I started going on coach trips. I went with shearings who were very good I never felt forced to be with others but there were plenty of of other single travellers I went all over the Uk the hotels were great most had lifts if not you could request first floor there were all ranges of fitness so I never felt too bad! Food was good trips were arranged and evening entertainment, neither which you were forced to do. I met some lovely people (and a couple of ar@eholes) but on the whole I made some fantastic memories and felt the money I spent( not very expensive) was well worth it!?

I have done a couple of weekend trips with Just go Holidays they are brilliant. Ideal for a taster of what coach trips are like. Picked up from a your local area, looked after by the driver, reasonable hotels, buffet type meals, day trips in the area you are going to and plenty of other people alone who are happy to share a table at meal times. Worth a try just to see if it suits you or not.

I see you would like to travel within the UK. This may not be quite what you have thought about but have you looked at the One Traveller website. They do some UK holidays. I have been abroad with them 4 times and they are really excellent. It is for people travelling on their own (over 50 I think) and they are very supportive. If you didn't want to go on some trips or take part in the entertainment that is fine too. However I met some lovely people and enjoyed their company on the various outings organised. Maybe you don't feel like this is the sort of holiday for you at the present but it maybe something you would like in the future. Hope you have a lovely time on your break.

I've loved my solo holidays! I've travelled at Christmas's with Leger (OK, I'd give it a C+), Shearings (horrid driver, mainly couples, just 3 single women, wouldn't do a couples one again). Just You have been great - met some really lovely people.

I'm in a London Meetup group who do some amazing holiday/breaks, both UK and Europe, and further afield. I've loved travelling with them. I've got my eye on a Somerset break they've done before to come around again. Small groups - the biggest I've been on was 12 people, the smallest was 4 people. Do you have a local Meetup group? (if anyone is interested, the London Meetup group is 45+ And Not Grumpy (very important to be Not Grumpy)!).

I was looking into HF Holidays before lockdown - not just walking, but the activities looked very interesting. Link -
www.hfholidays.co.uk/special-interest/all-special-interest-breaks
Someone I met on a singles trip travelled widely with a Golf group. Someone I met at an airport was off on an Opera weekend.

I'm on a Facebook "singles travel" page too, although that does seem to be people looking for sea, sand and Sangria.

The HF Holidays (just looked) Gardens of the UK looks very interesting. I haven't used them before so I can't recommend personally, but it's something you might want to consider to "dip your toe in the waters".

Eastbourne is fairly flat with quite few interesting places to visit close by. I enjoyed sitting with a coffee whilst watching the world go by in the Sovereign Harbour area.

Worthing is flatter than Brighton. Hastings is very hilly once you leave the seafront. Bexhill is a bit flatter and you can get to the station on fairly level ground. Some interesting places to visit by train. Lots going on in Margate nowadays, with arty things, if that’s what you enjoy.

I went on holiday to Malta on my own. Quite enjoyed not having to factor in others wishes. I only got lost once in the hotel. I plucked up the courage to ask people on their own in the dining room if they would like some company or preferred to be on their own. Met some really interesting people but mostly avoided meeting up in the day so I could maintain my selfish time.

Did meet one lady who had been widowed some years before and had avoided holidaying in places that she had been to with her husband, until the holiday in Malta. She was a bit wobbly and tearful at first but started to relax and enjoy herself.

I was happy eating breakfast and lunch on my own but welcomed company during dinner when there was a lot more lively chatter around me. If anything it was a case of tactfully fending off people who wanted me to join their groups.

I booked through mercury direct with no single supplement. I had a double room with a balcony and sea views. Two other women were in very small single rooms with a blank wall to look at. They didn’t know each other but appeared to be on a mission to s* as many men as possible so they could return to work and boast about their “conquests”. Mainly pot-bellied, middle aged balding men working behind the bar or as waiters. Quite an education for me!

Looking at going to Antarctica in January .....BUT have to count how many days out of the UK as now you are only allowed 90 days now we are no longer in the EU.

ALANaV what do you mean by this?

My mum was widowed in her 30’s, so once we children had flown the nest she decided to go it alone on holiday. She was intrepid, went off to a 5* hotel in Majorca for her first solo trip. Loved it. Met some wonderful people with whom she remained friendly until well into her 80’s. She went off to Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA.
She also had many holidays with friends here and abroad. I think it might be a little too soon for Luckygirl to venture too far afield. I like the idea of an Airbnb for a few days, perhaps within an hours drive from home in case she has a ‘wobble’.

Have you looked at ‘lochs and glens’? They do great coach holidays and cater for singles. I’ve had three lovely holidays with them around Scotland.

I was in a similar position 9yrs ago when I lost my husband, so I understand how daunting this could be. I’d go with a company that specialises in single person holidays, as you’ll always have a rep to help you with any issues or concerns. Also you’re likely to meet others on your situation and make some good acquaintances, holidays can be lonely on your own. Try solo holidays, I used them a couple of times and can’t recommend them enough. Good luck. Xx

Don't give your exact location, but main larger town- so we can advise with a regard to geography and public transport too.

My Mum who lives by herself since my Dad died 9 years ago always says she just needs to get away. Her holiday of choice is river cruising ( finds cruise ships too big and therefore feels more alone than ever! - even though with my Dad they did loads. )
She finds Saga holidays her company of choice. They some times look dearer but include travel insurance and transportation. When going to Europe she is picked up by car (sometimes shared) and taken to the port or train station where she joins the Saga rep. All their trips tell you how difficult it is ( or isn't) and tell you about any hills and how many steps you many encounter etc.
Obviously Covid has intervened and she is now not going until October - fingers crossed.

Chardy

Another Airbnb fan here. I prefer to rent entire flat, so I have a kitchen, bedroom and a lounge with TV and internet. There are plenty of small ground-floor granny flats at very reasonable prices, UK and abroad. You grade them, (and they grade you!) so I've never found one (and I've used 20+) that wasn't spotlessly clean as they don't want to lose their rating.

We’ve stayed in self contained Airbnb’s recently. One in Leeds was previously the servants quarters in a regency terrace. Like a large sprawling bed sit with own bathroom and kitchen.

One in southeast London with bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen. Detached and in an area in front of the owners house.

Had mixed experiences staying in shared Airbnb accommodation. Some really interesting, others obviously needed them money but didn’t especially want the guests! All part of the learning curve! They’ve tightened up the booking now to avoid people booking and holding big parties. It took a little longer to join than on past occasions.

I took the bull by the horns and went on my first coach holiday to Weston Super mare before Covid kicked in and I had a lovely time. There are so many people who chat to you and include you in trips, outings, which does not really happen when you go as a couple. They make you feel very welcome, you are sat amongst them for meals and in the hotel bar where the entertainment is. I had another one booked for the Isle of Wight, and Great Yarmouth turkey and tinsel. But they were cancelled with lockdown. I hope to take them this year maybe . I will definitely go again and can recommend them. Never did coach trips when my husband was alive.

I’ve holidayed with Leger Holidays and in general they are very good. However, you need to watch where the hotel is. In my experience they’re not centrally located.
I’ve also travelled with Riviera. They are excellent ( not cheap though) and you can join trips or spend time alone if you prefer.

Anyone else had difficulty booking Airbnb? Tried ,but would not accept who I am, using driving license or passport! Gave up!

My Dad (90) was widowed three years ago and moved to the Midlands to be near us. He and Mum holidayed a lot so it was something he really missed.

He's done lots of coach day trips with Johnsons, through our local garden centre.
He then booked a week long coach trip with Johnsons to Scotland, with excursions each day if he wanted.
This year he has a Saga round-Britain cruise booked for a week in July. The ship spends one day sailing across to Norway, up one of the fjords and back. He'll be picked up at home and driven to Tilbury Docks, then brought home again afterwards.

Lots of ideas from everybody on here for you Luckygirl.
I think having a courier or some sort of backup is reassuring, especially when you first start to travel alone.
Happy planning ?

How about if GN creates a way for people on it to connect and see if they'd enjoy going on holiday together?
But if you want a cottage, I do recommend www.guardianhomeexchange.co.uk/
I've done several home swaps and you get a whole house or cottage - and sometimes a cat to feed! Its always worked out well for us and people who've swapped up to 40 times say its never been a problem for them. A single friend does regular coach holidays and enjoys them, and goes on residential courses in lovely places, so those options might be worth considering. I hope you find something you will enjoy and I think its great that you are going to venture out somewhere, in some way or another. I hope it will be lovely and that each time you go it will be easier.

Saga do lots of different type of holidays including single U.K. holidays or have you ever thought about a river cruise?

A lot of "cottage" agencies have one bedroomed properties that just sleep 2. Most will let you do a search based on numbet of rooms. You might need to consider that it could be an annexe to the owners home and that there may be compromises like the bed being in the livkng area. Then put google to good use to see if the owners do direct bookings themselves which may be cheaper than using an agency.

Probably not near the sea but universities sometimes let rooms in their halls of residence out in the holidays which are kdeal for single travellers

I don't live in the U.K. so I can't help with your holiday plans, but I wanted to say, I really admire your spirit.

So sorry to hear of your husband's death, but you seem so full of courage in a difficult situation. I hope you have a marvellous holiday on your own.

Not only have B&B changed over the years, but camp-sites and youth hostels have too. Camp-sites have small cottages you can rent, and youth hostels cater for all ages and have private rooms.

Surely, hotels, inns etc are obliged to tell you whether they have handicap access? Otherwise, if you find a place you like the look of, phone or e-mail and ask about stairs, lifts, etc.

I was widowed (How I hate that word) in November. I have booked a holiday cottage in Sheringham for 4 nights.
Its midway between the sea and the station (I dont drive) and tucked just behind the main shopping street.
I am a little shaky about going on my own as it was the last place the love of my life holidayed.
One bonus is that my youngest DD lives in Norwich and can pop over for a few hours.
I have travelled in UK a lot on my own over the last 30 plus years. Always by public transport. Im used to it but always had my love to come home to.
Thats the difficult part.