Singles holidays

As we are now swapping travel stories.
I have mentioned how women are adventurous, here’s a tale.
I fancied a Wildlife Safari so booked 14 days camping in Botswana when I booked I was told there were only 3 others on the trip. I travelled a day early because the connecting flights were very close, no problems I got to the start hotel fine and settled in.
Next lunchtime I met my travel companions - 3 ladies all older than myself, NO CASES. They had been left at Joburg airport, so we had lunch together, very quickly the conversation came round to what had I got to spare, T shirts and boxers were chosen. Next day we visited the local market where they bought a sari each and toiletries an off we went with the guide.

This was camping in the bush, there were 2 camp boys to erect tents etc and do the cooking, as expected the wildlife was amazing, cool overnight, 40C plus midday, pretty oppressive.
Six days later we reached Victoria Falls, a lovely cool pool to chill out in and a proper bed. 2 nights there, back camping for the next 5 days.
It was quite a tough adventure trip, I could not have had better traveling companions. They never did see their cases again.

I would love to go on a singles holiday [ been single for over 10 years ], but the cost of them for me is far too expensive.
A lot of them cost what you could take a family of four away.

I know that there are costs to pay for the tour guide etc, but the prices seem far over the top. I haven't found one yet that isn't over the top in price. Being on very low income with very limited budget they are out of my reach.

Ohmother, I loved campervan holidays with my husband, but this wouldn't suit me now. I hate driving large vehicles, and would feel lonely much of the time. But you're right, a holiday doesn't have to be abroad. Most of the singles companies mentioned also do UK holidays. The trouble (for some of us) is that you usually have to make your own way there, which can be just as arduous as going overseas. Perhaps coach trips from the nearest town are a better choice in the UK, although I would prefer to do this with a friend than go on my own.

I have a campervan and can tootle around the UK in that. I have never felt scared as people on campsites are generally friendly and helpful. I take the dogs with me for company.

It seems when some people think of ‘holiday’ it has to be abroad. It doesn’t. You could hire a campervan and tootle of on an adventure with a singles group or on your own.

Aged 68 I retired and had only had two foreign holidays during the past 47 years of marriage and divorce. The following year I booked a coach holiday visiting Eastern European Capitals. The next year I took another coach holiday to Belarus, Moscow and St Petersburgh. My next coach holiday was a long journey to the North Cape. My last holiday was a tour of Italian cities with a stay in Venice for three days. These holidays are well organised and I enjoyed every one but there were "free times" when I lacked confidence and a travel companion to share exploration.
I was picked up from and driven back to my home each holiday and didn't need to handle my luggage except into and out of my rooms.

www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/malta-holidays/singles. They offer some single holidays with no supplements.

OH had set up a new business based in our home when I needed to recuperate from surgery. I took myself off to Malta and had a very relaxing two weeks doing exactly what I wanted when I wanted - bliss! I chose Malta because I knew that English was widely spoken if any health problems cropped up and had found it very friendly on previous holidays.

It was quite an eye opener! There were two younger women travelling from Gatwick so I tended to eat with them in the evenings but didn’t get involved with their other activities. They were there to pick up men so they could boast of their conquests when they got back home. They made no secret of this. It was pre Facebook etc. They ended up with a chubby middle aged barman who had obviously been sampling the stock. I doubt this was how he was described to their colleagues.

The two younger girls had been put in tiny single rooms looking over the car park. I had a twin room with an amazing sea view and watched the filming of a pirate film from my balcony.

After a week these ladies went home and I noticed an older woman eating alone so I asked her if she was happier alone or if she would mind if I joined her. She was very relieved to have company. Her OH had died about ten years previously. It was the first time she had gone back to a hotel that she
had stayed in with him and she was overwhelmed and quite tearful initially.

OH is retired now but goes deaf when I suggest separate holidays.

I went on a singles holiday ages ago with " friendship travel ", there was a choice of destinations at various times of year. I only had a weeks holiday left and it was short notice so opted for a week in Lanzarote. I'm quite confident and independent and it suited me. Tbh I would have been happy on my own but we met up together for breakfast and evening meal. The team leaders as they were called would have something organised for the evening and it was up to us whether we went or not. The ages were very varied from say 28 - 70 and pretty equal males to females. A lot of the older ones seemed to drink a lot, and were quite tipsy most of the time and I don't drink. There were trips available throughout the week and I booked a few. I teamed up with a couple of others and hired a car so we could see most of the island. I had a good week.

I have done several solo holidays ...some I just book my own flight and accommodation and car hire ...others I go with a tour ...and have to pay a lot in single supplements ...that is the ONLY thing I really object to ! Cruise to the Arctic, tour of Russia and Scandinavia, the Silk Route to Uzbekistan ...plus tame holidays back where I used to live in Menorca or France ..also the UK usually by coach ...but never again ! got pressure sores from the last one ...a coach tour to Germany for New Year ...left home at 04.00 arrived hotel at 18.30 ;;;;next time I make my own arrangements as usual ...fly to Dusseldorf, train to destination !!! do find sometimes there are mostly couples which I don't like, although they say Good Morning etc I am left to dine alone and not many people talk to a single person !! that is the only thing I am not keen on ! Go for it ...start slowly with, say a UK tour (but not tooooooooo long on a coach ) or by train at least you can move about ! visit somewhere you have always wanted to see ….but above all, Enjoy !

SaraW, LOL, you misquote me. I said “ Older”, generally, kids off her hands and wanting to do things, husband who is only interested golf or football or fishing.
An example I will use is Annabel a dentists wife from the West Country. Describes her husband a as lazy and unadventurous only interested in Golf and Work, I have a part time job to pay for my travels and when I get home we start on a new kitchen extension.
Quite typical of a lady traveling with a friend/Travel-buddy

I never share a room...

I've been on a few holidays on my own - always tied with an activity.
HF bridge, bridge and walking. Both UK. They do lots of activity hols, including learning a pastime. At dinner, the tables are usually round and large so you take the next seat.
Arena Travel do a variety of activity holidays - Stitchtopia, Elvis, Train journeys, Remembrance, Bridge and more.
I think an activity helps as I'd not ne keen to potter about on my own away for long

I really missed going on holiday following the death of DH 2 years ago and didn’t really want to depend on friends so on the spur of the moment I booked a solo holiday with Riviera last year and had a wonderful time. Ages ranged from 50s to 80 in the group of 28. Majority were women and everyone mixed well. Part of the tour was half board, second half in Rome was B&B but by that time we had all made friends and it was easy to split into smaller groups for meals out. I haven’t booked yet for this year but I’m planning to and would definitely recommend it

Bluedaisy
The Newquay / LHR are, after less than a year in operation, to be discontinued.It is advisable to check before making plans when flying to and from Newquay for other options.

Davidhs
Quote'old ladies on holiday leaving boring husbands at home?'Are you sure these 'boring' husbands don't relish the thought of their wives going on holiday without them?
I once came home from a 'girls' only holiday to find a note from 'boring husband' informing me 'when you read this I will be with ???? in Paris for the weekend 'see you later'.
????being four of his work mates.

For any widows and widowers I would say consider joining WAYUP - an online support group, who also do the most wonderful holiday options - usually great deals with all single rooms and without supplements.

I don't like organised group things. It's perfectly fine, these days, to just book your travel and accommodation and go wherever you like. You can follow your own moods and interests, go off exploring, have a doze, eat when you're hungry - without keeping to somebody else's timetable!

I have done two holidays with One Traveller and their organisation is excellent and everything is included. One thing they do which is a good idea is give everyone a number and then shuffle everyone at the evening meals so no one gets left out and you get a chance to talk to lots of different people.

I have been on two holidays on my own since DH died and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Neither of them were singles holidays, but both with Saga, a river cruise and an ocean cruise and had a fantastic time. People are very friendly and chatty and I was never alone unless I wanted to be.
This year I have booked my first singles holiday (with Titan), and also another ocean cruise with Saga. I do not wish to share a cabin/room, would just feel uncomfortable. But I don't mind sharing a table at mealtimes.
The singles holiday has a varied programme of events and excursions, and it is all organised for you. Plus a tour manager on hand.
All the holidays I have booked pick me up at home and take me to the airport/seaport, and if there is an early flight they will book a hotel the night before, and then provide transport from the hotel to the airport.
Can thoroughly recommend it!

I missed out on travelling when I was younger for a couple of reasons, so as I became older I made a bucket list of places I “needed” to go to. I have many friends, some with partners, some don’t want to travel, some cannot afford to. I do not want to get old and have regrets so I decided to follow my own dreams. I saw a post on Pinterest, it said “ if I wait for someone to come with me, I won’t go anywhere”, and that spurred me on to try a singles holiday. I’ve travelled 6 times now with Just You, Jazz Tour Chicago to New Orleans, the Rio Carnival, Lake Como, Puglia, Italian Riviera and Venetian River Cruise. Part of the fun for me is wondering who I was going to meet at the airport, a Rep meets you an introduces you to others, plus most put Just You labels on their hand luggage so we can recognise each other and chat instantly. You always have your own room and do not have to share. Re day trips, non are compulsory so you can dip in/out of the group as you wish, or if you think it’s too much walking etc Some meals are included, but when they aren’t, there’s always various groups going off together to eat out. I’ve met some lovely people and 2 especially who have become such good friends, we are still in touch and meet up now and again. Also, on my bucket list was a South Sea Islands Cruise, and none of the singles companies covered that. So one of my new friends said she’d love to come with me and we spent a whole month last April going to Australia, NZ, Tahiti, Bora Bora and Hawaii. It was amazing, a trip of a lifetime and we had an amazing time. My family and friends think I’m so brave and adventurous doing all this, but it’s just the perfect way for single ladies to travel safely and have the choices of time together plus your own space when you want it. You meet others from all walks of life and I love it. Am just planning my next trip to Cuba and can’t wait to get going ?‍♀️??✈️? the worlds my oyster !

I've been looking at solo holidays for a while now. My problem is knowing what level of fitness is necessary. One of them said travellers should be able to walk one mile. Well, I can on a good day, on level ground at my own pace. I'd hate to be the one holding everybody up.
I don't want to sit by a pool all day either. I like to get around and see places.
I couldn't share a room with anyone let alone a complete stranger.
I'm also quite shy and it takes me a while to get to know people.
I.ve looked at holidays for disabled people but they're more for wheelchair users.
I have to keep looking until I find the right holiday for me.

I shall be on my 13th Just You to Oberammergau in June. Love this company so much. Never had so much fun in the last 10 years with any other company.

I have a husband who isn’t that keen on travelling so I’ve been solo travelling for the past three years. I have found ‘all inclusive’ is best for me - and I always book a single room whether there’s a supplement or not. I’ve booked with Brightwater Holidays and Saga Holidays and found both to be excellent. A tip that helps ‘break the ice’ with integrating with your fellow travellers.....at breakfast never eat alone - choose a different table each morning where ever you see a spare seat and ask your fellow travellers if you could join them. No one lingers too long over breakfast and it provides an opportunity to introduce yourself and also discover why other people have chosen the same holiday as you. On my last trip (to Italy) there were over 50 fellow travellers and only 3 solo travellers including me! But by doing this I became familiar and comfortable chatting with most of the group which made the 15 day trip even more enjoyable.

If you like the Scottish Highlands, I can't recommend Lochs & Glens highly enough. They'll pick you up from your town/city and bring you back, show you the very best of western Scotland and board you in lovely hotels with fab views and nice food. All-inclusive, and very good value for money - you'll see a lot of Scotland for much less than if you tried to do it by yourself.

And can I say also, that a day trip seems much longer than a day! I’m always glad to do one and feel better for them as well as ending up having chats and seeing parts of my own country new to me.

Not holidays as such, but coach day trips on my own, which I adore. Picked up down the road, no problem.
As I’m feeling a bit anti social these days for a combination of reasons, but love gadding about and BEING with people, I put my earphones in and open a book to keep to myself.
I’m not miserable really!