Older single travel

I went to Italy with One Traveller. They were very good and did things like shuffle everyone around each evening at dinner so that no cliques formed. It was quite expensive but everything was included as all meals taken together. There were a lot of outings to see places (maybe a few too many!) but the Czech travel rep could have been on the comedy circuit - she was hilarious. I am thinking of going to India with them next

Many holidays on my own. There are still some awkward moments, but I have found that by doing a lot of research beforehand (transport, history, culture) and by being open to new experiences, I would rather have gone on my own than not go at all. I download a tourist guide (with maps) to my phone, I don’t take jewellery and I use the hotel safe so I don’t carry a lot of cash on me. I have only felt nervous once, when I was leaving my bag in the baggage storage in the train station in Sydney, Australia, and an obviously drunk or drugged man became belligerent with me. I kept to where there were people around me until I caught the City Tour Bus. I always take a few paperbacks with me (leave them behind when I’m done reading them), and I read when I’m eating alone if I’m not people watching. I walk a lot during the day, so I'm pretty tired at night, and just want to sleep so I don't miss not going to night clubs! (also I write up my journal before I go to bed). My advice, do your research, don't choose obviously unsafe places to holiday in, ask the hotel receptionist about an area before you leave in the morning, and enjoy! Life is too short for regrets!

I've been on several single holidays ​and I would recommend going on small cruise ships like Fred Olsen. You will be seated at a table with other diners and straight away you will be included in the general chat.
I always sit down at a large table in the theater and as it fills up for the evening profomance you are joined by other people and before long will be included in the general chat.
I like Fred Olsen because of it's not so big as other liners. It's hard to get lost and small enough that you see the other passengers more than once and can strike up a friendship, unlike larger ships.
They even have themed cruises, I once went on a garden cruise, I had a great time.
Be brave, get on your computer and get a holiday of a life time.
Good sailing.⚓⛵

Been on lots of holidays on my own and met some lovely people. I do sometimes enjoy just mooching around on my own but have always found someone to chat to if I needed . In Madeira I did a day trip in a mini bus, saw a lot of the island met some lovely people and had a recommendation for a new holiday place in Portugal (Tavira). In Italy I used Monastery stays in Venice, breakfast was at communal tables so a chance to chat to French, American and Italians. I usually find that having spent a busy day I am sometimes quite happy with a quiet meal in the evening (but have found people to enjoy dinner and drinks with as well).

Do you have any hobbies or interests that have conventions? I have been to sci fi ones and rock music but there are wrestling, literary, gardening, cooking, tv programmes, the Archers... all have conventions from time to time and you would be spending two or three days in the company of assorted like minded people and singletons are welcomed and included. I personally am going to six this year in uk, holland, germany, ireland and us. Have made friends all over.

When I was in Italy I went for dinner in a small family restaurant. They were so appalled that I was eating on my own that they went and got Grandad to come and sit with me. He had no English and I had BBC Italian course up to page 12! Mia familia non e qui - or something like that..........

Two options - a cruise because you will be allocated dinner seating and get to know people. Otherwise an organised tour. Doesn't have to be for singles as people will always talk to you.

Although married I have more leave than my husband so I've had several holidays on my own. I've tried a coach tour with Shearings, HF walking holidays and One Traveller. The coach tour was a little lonely in the evenings. HF and One Traveller were more social as they always eat together in the evening.My advice will be to open up conversations with the woman in a partnership first as it was made obvious that I was considered a "poacher" if I spoke to the man first. That made my husband laugh!Change seats frequently so you don't feel a burden on any couple. Accept any invitations to join others and you will soon fit in.I now love my solo holidays as it is a real chance to be me and to do what I like to do. I would really recommend the 2 companies above.

Cruises, activity holidays such as painting holidays abroad, walking holidays etc - you never have to eat alone and the days are full.

I have been holidaying on my own for several ears. I've only picked places I feel really safe in to go totally on my own but regularly go with groups and it works out well. I haven't tried the one that are set up for loan travellers but that will come soon. I know you pay extra for a room on your own but often that's sometimes better than sharing. I've been to Iceland twice on my own and New Zealand. Been lots of places with Riviera, Travel Editions and Archets. Hope that helps.

Just You are part of the Travelsphere group and specialise in singles holidays. They are the best travel company, I find, for single travellers. All tours are accompanied by a guide who stays at the same hotel and is with you throughout the duration of the holiday. You can join excursions, pal up with other single travellers in the group or do your own thing. Restaurant tables are reserved for the group so you never sit alone. I'm quite independent so usually do my own thing in the day - I do join the organised excursions but prefer to go around the sites by myself rather than be committed to go to cafes etc. when others want to. In the evening I do socialise in the bar or there's sometimes extra cultural shows put on. I wouldn't travel with anyone else and have been all over the world with them for almost the last twenty years I've been on my own. Not the cheapest company but definitely the best. I've never been with Saga but I know some holiday dates are reserved for singles and I think Jules Verne does the same. Don't let being by yourself stop you going on holiday.

What a great thread, thank you all. Wonderful advice I am grateful for.

I Love Just You quiz queen. They've got some great new places to go this year and next. It might look more expensive in the brochure but you definitely get more for your money. Will never forget ziplining over the Costa Rican rainforest!

So much useful info and advice here - thanks. I'm being brave and taking my first holiday alone this year having always gone with friends/family. Not a 'singles' holiday company but it is organised so I hope it goes well. It's only a short city break which I thought was a good place to start. I do rather resent the huge single supplement one is obliged to pay however and I'm pretty sure this is built into the price of so called singles/solo traveller hols which is why they always seem so expensive to me.

Hi luckylegs9. Travelling alone can be great fun. Try special interest holidays where you will meet like minded people. Also, I think there is a website called GoLearnTo which is full of suggestions. I wish I could join you but my partner is really only interested in beautiful scenery, train travel and good food. Good luck and have fun.

www.womenwelcomewomen.uk/media-assets/Application-Donation-Form.pdf

This is the link to the 5W org mentioned above - it stands for Women Welcome Women World Wide

I have been on holiday alone a few times, I go on yoga holidays, there are usually other activities such as walking, horse riding, cycling, sight seeing opportunities & plenty of company in the evenings. I'm sure you could find a break with something that interests you. When I've been alone I usually eat out early and retire early,

We have just been on our first cruise; with Noble Caledonia. There were many single travellers on a small ship, 80+ passengers and very relaxed atmosphere with no dress code and free seating at dinner. Most people made an effort to sit with some one different every night. There's no evening entertainment but the itinerary was so busy that most people were happy to retire to bed straight after dinner!
It was expensive, but everything was included including tips. We just had to pay for aperitifs and souvenirs when ashore.
It might not be the type of cruise everyone would enjoy, not luxury but very convivial company and very interesting excursions

DH takes a lot of holidays by himself (as I have to stay at home to look after my teenage DD). He uses SAGA, Just You and Solo and has had good trips with all of them. ON his first "Saga solo" holiday a few years ago - a few (single) older ladies asked him when his wife had died. He explained I was at home looking after our daughter! The Saga holidays he goes on are for single independent travellers and they even do a taxi pick up from home. He loves them!

I have not had reason as yet to holiday alone, but I would agree with Galen. A cruise would be fantastic. You can join in as much as you like without feeling conspicuous. I think I am right in saying that they have a get together on the first day for any dingle travellers to meet each other. I am pretty sure I saw something like that in the newsletter.
\i hope that you find something to suit you.

Hi there if you can afford it go on a cruise there they set up single folk meets & dining so people get together as soon as they set sailfish!

A friend of mine tells an amusing story of going on a single ladies walking holiday and discovering it was a lesbian holiday company. She was quite shocked as that wasn't her intention at all and she's actually quite a prim and proper retired teacher. She managed to have a nice time and said everyone was very friendly even after they they realised her surprise!

I love the most walking holidays becouse I like to move. I'm usually choosing active holidays. And this summer I'm planning to have trekking holidays in Latvia trekking holidays in Latvia

I am 62 and have travelled alone since my divorce 10 years ago. It can have its plus side.
Able to do what I like.
Meet new people.
I tend to cruise as you don't feel odd going to entertainment in evenings etc.
You must try and make an effort to talk to people, if they don't respond it's their loss. Most people are very friendly and helpful.
Had one of my best hols ever last year with P&O . On a dining table with 7 other singles age range 44- 84 we had a whale of a time in the evenings but I was free to do my own thing during day .
Don't give up