Solo travel

I'm getting ideas now! I'd love to go somewhere with a lot of history/museums etc as the only appeal for "sunshine holidays" is the tan. How daft is that?

Let's all go together!

Not daft at all. There are lots of holiday tours that visit several cities with masses of history and culture (e.g. Prague, Vienna, Budapest to name just one example) I know (but haven't any personal experience) that at the higher end of the tour range there are companies that do special interest tours and cruises that include published authors and academics who lead the museum and gallery visits, rather than the local tour guides that most companies use.

I'd love to go to Budapest as my father worked there before the war.

For the past three years my best friend and I have been on tours with Riviera Travel - the latest in November to India which was fantastic, highly recommended.

In general the group, usually all over 50s, is made up of husband & wife couples, two friends, mother & daughter, and a number of single men & women - it all works very well.

During meals, tours, lectures, visits, etc everyone just falls in line with whoever is around - I've never seen anyone left out or ill at ease.

That sounds wonderful Riverwalk

Im not on my own but we go on hf holidays quite a bit - usually walking holidays (you can choose your level of walk!) or thay also do other special interest holidays eg music, bridge, yoga, painting etc. These are group holidays where meals ard included and everyone eats together so you can sit with different people each meal if you wish. Usually there are lots of 'singles' for whatever reason and most people are of a 'mature' age. Everyone is very friendly and i think if i was wver on my own i would continue with this type of holiday. You are walking/ eating in groups and there are optional activities in the evenings eg quizzes, talks, country dancing, games etc. i dont walk with mynhusband as he chooses harder walks than me so you woudnt feel you are playing gooseberry to couples!

I've been all over the place on my own and would say it depends on where you are going and what you want from a holiday. If there are cultural things you want to do research them beforehand. I find it useful to decide on some activity days. Also do book one or two tours from your hotel. Don't have to be the ones your tour rep is selling-mini bus ones are good, small numbers of people and they usually are very chatty. Half board is good if you want to make friends in the hotel. I wouldn't recommend self-catering for a first solo holiday it can be a bit isolating. I did Venice staying in a convent-not as awful as you might think very reasonable cost, good accommodation and breakfast was at a communal table so very sociable www.monasterystays.com/

There are several travel companies that specialise in holidays for solo travellers, with no surcharge for single rooms. Try www.onetraveller.co.uk which specialises for 'the single mature traveller'.

Wow! The one traveller to Morrocco looks good! Can't quite justify spending at such from my savings though.

Luckylegs - had another thought re going abroad solo. A very caring friend of mine asked me to email her now and again so she would know I was ok.

I was widowed 12 years ago and have been on quite a few holidays on my own. Be prepared to spend time alone but I have found that there are often other people in the same position and have never felt lonely.
Go for it - I tried it once and haven't looked back!

I have had 2 holidays with 'Solos' which were good, but am now retired and can't afford their prices now

I agree with Blondehedgehog. Much prefer travelling on my own; you can decide what to do, where to go, what to eat and drink without having to defer to other holidaymakers and personally I hate being told what to do by some tour guide, so never go on package tours. I love finding out about new environments, meeting the locals and have never felt threatened, although obviously you have to be a little careful, not taking all your worldly goods with you when you go out. Use the hotel safe and enjoy your holiday!

I hope I'm allowed to link this site.

www.womenwelcomewomen.uk/info-page/home.aspx

Well worth a look, and if I didn't now have some mobility problems I would go for it.

I think I first heard of it on Woman's Hour years ago, but don't quote me.

Wot my good friend used to work for HF Holidays, leading city breaks and garden holidays.
I know how much work she put in, in terms of researching the history of the places, museums, galleries and so on.
I think you can be as sociable or not, as you like.
www.hfholidays.co.uk

I have now done quite a few holidays on my own as my husband has a lot less leave than me. I love it! Itis a chance to enjoy what you really want to do. I have always chosen activity holidays- 2 HF walking holidays, a sailing trip,a spa trip and a coach tour of Ireland. All of these had communal eating in the evenings which prevented that awkward eating on your own.Most people are lovely and welcoming as I think the secret is not to "latch" on to any particular person or couple but talk to everyone.I think if you are open and friendly you will have a brilliant time. I'm off to Iceland this year- bring it on!

Gransnet Solo Holidays? How about it GN?

I went to Venice solo last year for 5 days and planning my next trip to Venice in a couple of years. I went for the carnival and got dressed up saving money by making my own dress. I've since sold that dress to pay for another one - fabric for another dress. Balance enjoying yourself and safety which means you can't go far wrong. I had to do some reading due to study which I did do while travelling and in my hotel room on an evening but it didn't stop me from enjoying events booked up or taking photos. Most people were really nice and I got talking to people at events too. You meet all kinds of characters. What is good there is a facebook community for Venice Carnival which means you can link up with people to go for coffee when out there. I think because I did dress it did break the ice, even to the point they wanted a photo with regular me.
Maybe there is a facebook group to link up with like minded people for coffee and a chat while there.
Book some events - I say that because I fell into the trap of booking too many events and didn't go on all of them. Just think of how you feel and how much time you have - get yourself out there.
Go for that coffee and people watch.
Go shopping - have lunch/dinner.

Thanks trisher for the link to the monastry site. They all look so peaceful and are in great locations. Hope to make use of one of those in Rome.

What great advice. When you are worrying about something like this what you need is positive and uplifting advice. Just like that which Lizzypopbottle has given you. Have a great holiday.

Please forgive me but I meant Nannaandgramps in my last post, not Lizzypopbottle. However I do love lizzy's username!

I am sorry I can not help I have never travelled solo I wont even go in a cafe on my own. I think you are very brave and I think it is fantastic that you are doing it.

if any of you are thinking about a lone trip, check out Solos, never done it myself, YET!!

Some years ago I had booked a trip for myself and a friend to Russia with Saga. She dropped out at the last minute so I went alone. It was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it, there were actually a couple of other lone women there but we all mixed with the couples without any problems. I'm not sure if they still do it, but Saga used to have a certain number of single places on some trips.