Older single travel

Sorry that no-ones responded to you LuckyLegs

It's only because it's a miserable wet afternoon that I have been browsing through the Travel thread and came across your question. Afraid I can't help but suggest you put your post on Ask A Gran - I think it's a popular thread. Good luck.

I am sorry I cannot help either as I have not as yet been away on my own. I am not confident either so will be interested in the replies from those who have been away on their own.

Sorry, too many eithers, too many owns and now too many sorries.

I have had a number of holidays alone and it can be difficult. You do have to make the effort to talk to people (hard for me as I am quite shy), but most people, even couples, are happy to chat. I do find Saga very good because they make an effort to introduce people, especially those travelling alone.

If you can afford it, go on a cruise. You get all the entertainment thrown in, and other activities and can get to talk to people as they don't always stay in couples, even if they actually are.

Cruises are great! Lots of things to do and see and entertainment on every evening

I have single friends who've enjoyed holidays with a company called Solo (s?)

Just You, Single Traveller, Solos, Explore if you're feeling adventurous. HF holidays if you like walking/special interest. I've been all over the world with these single traveller holidays and met some great people. When you're all single travellers nobody is on their own. Enjoy!

I find it's better to sit in the lounge near reception if I'm alone, not as intimidating as the bar and you can always take a drink with! Take a guide book, map etc. and you'll find people will start to chat about where they've been or are going. A good way to approach folk is to ask about buses / taxis / trains or shops. People are always happy to share knowledge - makes them feel important! Try to learn a bit of the language too, then you will feel confident to go into a local restaurant, bar etc. even if it's only for a coffee. It's very empowering and you can then be the one giving recommendations to others ? .

I have a friend who travels on her own and prefers her own company . She takes a Kindle for solo moments.

Coincidentally I was browsing through a magazine this morning and came across this, it may be worth a look.

www.onetraveller.co.uk

I ve holiday' d on my own Luckylegs and like you the only bit I didn't like was eating the evening meal alone The single type holidays Solo etc look very expensive to me and I rather like wandering around where ever I want to and not be restricted on going where the group wants but like stansgrans friend I used a book and ate in casual places and it was manageable I love to go with one of my friends but like you they either have husbands or go with their families

Hello lucklegs9, I'm very pleased to have stumbled across this thread. Didn't know it existed. Was looking for something else. Fact is I travel alone regularly. I start by finding cheap flights to somewhere obscure. Once booked I move into the accommodation stakes (e.g.Trivago) and often end up in self catering. I never feel self conscious about being alone but I do often arm myself with a newspaper when eating but I'm usually to taken up with people watching and lazing in sunshine between pottering between nearby villages via local buses. I perchanced upon an airport called Beziers which I had never heard of and is serviced by Ryanair. Great surrounding area. I took local buses (1 euro per trip) to their terminuses and pottered. Wonderful. So good, in fact, that I'm returning this weekend. Would really like to hear from anyone with suggestions of little and remote airports that I could investigate 'with a view'. Travel is king but budget is second! Hope I haven't arrived too late with this........

I echo Galen's view-a cruise can be the answer for single travellers. FIL, aged 89, is currently en route to the Canaries by himself and has emailed to let us know he's having a wonderful time!

DIL's mother is on her own and goes away every year on single person's group holidays. She's currently on a cycling holiday in the Broads and is planning a trip to Madagascar next year. She says there's always someone to talk to as everyone is on their own.

It depends on your personality, health etc, but I spent 6 weeks travelling around America & Canada - on my own- and had the most amazing time. I joined a remarkable not for profit organisation called 5W, which madw the whole 'solo' thing very different. And one day soon, when I get round to it, I am going to write a blog about this once in a lifetime experience! In the meantime, look it up on the web if you want to find out more...it's just wonderful.

Im not single but dH and I go on a lot of hf holidays and there are usually lots of singles. Everyone eats together in the evening and there is often some sort of entertainment. Ive met singles (unmarried, divorced, widowed - of both sexes) who've made friends (ladies with other ladies i mean) and who have met up again for other holidays together from time to time. The holidays we've been on with hf have been guided walking holidays but there are others too - eg sightseeing (group led) , music, bridge, yoga, cookery and lots more. Or you can just do your own thing but still meet up with others in the evenings. I recommend it. Try looking at their website.

Hi Luckylegs9

I am getting used to traveling on my own since husband died. I am determined to get out there and see the world or just go to places/events nearer home.

The more I do it the less self conscious I am becoming.
I am going off on Friday to Jordan with a group, yes I am anxious but excited too.

Evenings can be difficult as can eating on ones own. I load my tablet with downloads from i-player or films. Take Kindle with lots of books. Magazines and newspapers. Take stuff I don't have time to do at home.

I have got more confident eating out and can concentrate on the food more when not chatting to a companion. Also can get into conversations with others.

I am beginning to love the independence I feel and perhaps have the sort of freedoms that men take for granted. So much better than spending too much time doing the familiar and I really appreciate time at home after being away.

Do let me know how you get on.

Lots of holidays advertised in the Saturday Telegraph.
Have you thought of coach touring holidays? They can be great fun.

Hi Luckylegs9, I travel on organised group holidays on my own and I have never had a problem. Usually with Ramblers (not all their holidays are walking), HF Holidays (ditto), Explore or Exodus. I dont book specifically singles holidays, just anything I fancy really. There have usually been several people on their own in whatever group I join and you very soon get to know everyone whether alone or in couples. Evening meals are generally taken as a group.

You could Warner Holidays. Lots to do and entertainment in the evenings. Always very helpful only problem you won't get the sun as our weather is so unpredictable!

Try a cruise. I go on several and there are "single" people on many of them and plenty of entertainment too. The most recent cruise I went on is introducing studio cabins so that single people do not have to pay a single person supplement when occupying a double room and also a single only persons lounge if they so wish to use it along with all the other facilities open to everybody. I met 3 single people on my recent cruise who were enjoying themselves. At risk of advertising the company was Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), they go all over the world, my recent one was the USA and Mexico. MSC is also a friendly cruise company, they mainly do Europe. Hope this gives you some ideas. If I found myself on my own I would cruise, it feels safe to me and I wouldn't be stuck in one place with no entertainment.

When working as a holiday rep I met lots of single travellers, the most important thing is to make the effort to talk to someone, I found that they often started with me, usually with a question regarding some aspect of their holiday. We soon got to chatting about anything and everything, and of course I knew all the other single travellers staying in my hotels at the same time so could make introductions where appropriate. I am proud to say I even got two guests from opposite ends of the UK who ended up getting married!

Hi Luckylegs9, I've not actually holidayed anywhere on my own yet but I'm sure the time will come when I will venture down that route so understand your predicament. Many have mentioned the likes of solos, cruises, activity type holiday,s which I quite agree with. Also I was thinking maybe bus companies like shearings etc which do holidays all over. You could even do a few short breaks, the meals and entertainment are usually included and I doubt you would feel on your own. In fact you will probably be so busy and chat to so many you will be glad to go to your room for some peace and quiet, lol.

I have been to Madeira before, twice, and although it is lovely it is not the best place for a single holiday for exactly the reason you said about the evening and lack of entertainment etc.

I'm sure there is lots for you out there and do keep us updated.

I have been on several holidays with Shearings. By the time you have arrived at your destination you have usually made several new friends.I reccommend taking a kindle in the bar or reception area as well, as people stop and chat.