Singles holidays

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

I'm not afraid to go alone, my only issues is money. I have very little and still work full time. I'm afraid when I do retire I'll be even worse off. I'm sure I'll figure something out.

cas58 go on an airline website and check for cheapest flight prices then look at Trivago for accommodation in your chosen area, you can choose something within your budget, Also use Travel Republic and check cheapest flights and accommodation. I also look at the reviews of hotels etc. I've stayed in some cheap small hotels where I was well looked after.

HF holidays are good for singles

I use Exodus and Explore who both cater extremely well for solo travellers. Most groups are mixed with couples and solo travellers. Many solo travellers, like myself, are married but still go on holiday on their own for many reasons. I always pay a bit extra for a single room. Travelling in a group gives you security, you dont have to worry about organising anything! In the six solo holidays I've done in the last few years, I've kept in touch with, and met up with, at least two people from each group. I always check the group dynamics before i book, age range and how many solo travellers. I find the people very like minded and friendly. I would advise anyone to take the plunge, it's a great way to make new friends as well as travel.

I have found Just You to be very good. Been on about 6 holidays with them and never had a bad experience.

Explore are not specifically singles holidays but usually have a good proportion of singles in the mix. They are quite adventurous and use local facilities rather than touristy ones. Those are my most vivid memories.

HF are very good, especially the walking holidays. You eat together and there’s always some kind of fun evening stuff going on.

Just You are always good. I’ve been to lots of places with them. They’re probably one of the best for that first holiday on your own.

To those who are nervous I would say book a week, first of all. I went to the Greek Islands with Just You, thinking even if I hated it I could put up with it for a week! And never looked back?

I am staggered by the cost of these holidays, which are so far out of my price range that only a lottery win could make them affordable. (And as I've never bought myself a lottery ticket that's never going to happen. )

I have been to Cyprus with TUI (last minute deal) on my own and I also took a last minute Leger holiday about five years ago, but now having looked at all the recommended sites there isn't a one that I can afford.

I'd like to explore Scotland and Ireland, but will be getting there by (Mega)bus and staying in B&Bs.

I can recommend Explore if you want an adventure holiday they use a big variety of places to stay from camping to 5 star on the same trip. They are very accurate in the itinerary promised so you know exactly what to expect, every group I’ve been with has been at least 2/3 women and the guide looks after you from start to finish. One of the less expensive trips is India and single room is affordable or free.

Just booked my next trip - no 7.

Hello! Sometimes in order to be happy you just need to change at least sometimes the situation, travel. This is so for me. When no one can or does not want to go on a trip with me, I am not afraid to go alone. The best thing that happened to me was this trip to India alone, it was amazing, so bewitching country. Have a nice day!

I went on a coach tour of Scotland, the accommodation was clean and comfortable and only a small supplement for singles, but it was hard to fill the time at the stopping places and we could not get on the coach again until the appointed time. I also went on a coach trip to the Cotswolds with a family coach company based in Yorkshire - collected from home, based in a comfortable hotel, interesting days out, coach always open when we stopped and not only did you not have to get off, the driver and the coach guide made hot drinks and sandwiches, at a small cost, from a bar at the back of the coach for those who didn’t want to go exploring! I would go again with them like a shot but don’t live in the area any more.

I would love something similar for Europe as I have never been! but am afraid to take the plunge without a recommendation. Also I can only just live on my income so would be using part of my not very big nest egg for a one off trip. I wouldn’t mind train travel in Europe as it seems to be reasonable but would like a companion ( single rooms) for the travelling - maybe I could find someone from an advert (Third Age Matters?) or I might have to settle for out of season Wales or Ireland where I would not mind going alone.

Starbird and anyone else for whom this may be relevant: it may have been mentioned already, but if you are a widow and over 50, look up WayUp, an organisation for widows in their 50s and 60s. It's based around an online forum, but they also organise meets, walks, lunches etc in many areas, as well as singles holidays. It would be a good way of meeting someone from your area who might become a travel companion.

Starbird - why don't you ask a local travel agent for a recommendation?

I have been on holidays I've found in the local paper before now. Always good value although I admit they are not necessarily specifically for single people. There would probably be a single person supplement.

I am used to travelling by rail in Europe, and have just booked a trip to Barcelona, travelling by Eurostar to Lille, and then to Nimes for two nights, then on to Barcelona. I’m having a long weekend in Barcelona with my daughter and her husband and the two grandchildren. I will travel back via Paris. I can’t comment on package or organised trips, but my tips for independent rail travel are: 1. Use the website seat61.com to research the best routes and for lots of information about transfers, hotels and lots of other things. 2. Travel light: I use a cabin bag and a tote bag even for two week trips 3. booking.com is consistently good, but I always check prices with the hotels’ own websites. 3. Book the cheapest room you’d be happy with at your hotel, then enquire about an upgrade when you get there. 4. RailEurope and thetrainline are the easiest sites to use. 5.first class is often only a little more than standard class. 6. Book a solo seat on TGVs, upstairs for the best views. 7. Buy a picnic at the station before you board rather than buy food on the train. 8. Book a cabin rather than a reclining seat on ferries and sleeper trains for greater comfort and security.

Apologies if someone has mentioned them already but I had two excellent and genuinely ‘no single supplement’ holidays with Jules Verne. One a themed Danube river cruise and the other a small group cultural type tour of Umbria based in lovely Assisi. I certainly intend to travel with them again.

I’ve also found cruising to be a very comfortable and safe environment for a solo although the single supplement can be eye watering. I just tell myself that if my husband was with me, we’d be paying that price anyway for the two of us.

I've done a few escorted holidays abroad as a single person and it's been ok if not a bit more expensive (some people have turned up with a friend which defeated the object). Always been a bit nerve racking just before but the thing to remember is that there are loads of other people out there travelling within these groups and the braver ones doing on their own . I've travelled with Solo Holidays and Just You - there has always been a tour guide and you get to have your own room (unless otherwise stated)

As a seasoned solo traveller (and in the true sense) I can provide a whole range of advice. By the way I've never been away with a company that specifically caters to Solos. They are too expensive and restrictive. So for UK based breaks coach companies such as Alfa and Shearings are good. You can choose anything from a 3 to 7 night break. The hotels are reasonable and low season there is little or no supplement. The breaks are half board and include excursions so there is always something to keep you entertained. It's up to you who you want to mingle with whilst away. If you are looking to go abroad there are companies that cater for solid specifically but many others also have options for the single traveller. I have travelled to many locations in Italy on a budget and by making my own plans. TUI are a good company for solo travel to Italy and Spain. You have the security of travelling with a renowned company and access to a rep at your hotel. Travelling to the Channel Islands is a good first for a solo traveller. The language and money is English. It is so easy to get around and there's a wealth of history. I'm off on a jaunt to Guernsey this year. I have also booked through online and independent agents no have arranged all travel. I visited Prague, Vienna and Budapest on one such jaunt. It was great. There's so much to see and do and on your own you don't have to compromise. Find somewhere you want to go but avoid places that are too alien or off the beaten track if you're a first time solo. Learn a bit of the language. My Italian got so good that the proprietor at my hotel in Rimini would only talk to me in Italian, which built my confidence and benefited me enormously. Life is too short to put off travel because you're afraid to be alone. I wish I could travel more.

if you want to explore Scotland why not look at the breaks on offer with Shearings and Alfa travel. I'm sure they would be within your budget and the coach will pick up from a local point. The cost includes travel, half board and excursions and your sure to find someone to chat with at some point during your trip.