Singles holidays

Some brilliant ideas here! I have never been on holiday on my own but think the time is coming as don't have a partner any more and although I go on holiday with the grown children and their families it is not always where or what I would choose.

Not for me as I m an old gal but my friend wants to try one she’s just over 50 but doesn’t want to go with people of 70 plus understandable are there any say 40-60 companies ?

I was widowed suddenly at the age of 54. Start by going somewhere an hour's drive away that has good reviews and does evening meals. Make a list on the computer of what to take, and enjoy this bit. What will you do when you get there? I love dressmaking so always list and visit fabric shops! I take a book or magazine to the dining room. We are so lucky in the UK to have beautiful places to visit. With so many people working or with school aged kids, hotels have much lower prices mid week!
Accept that to start with you will forget things. Just add them to your list for next time. I like self catering so I can do as I please,and it's usually quieter. Worried about breakdowns, that's what the AA is for. It's only you holding yourself back. I've lost count of how many times I've been to Crete now, also Cyprus, Minorca Majorca, Malta and Lanzarote. Take a deep breath step outside your comfort zone and enjoy!

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Not a single’s specialist holiday firm, but, if you like wildlife, I can recommend Naturetrek holidays. The last group one we went on had eleven people - two couples and the rest for one reason or another all singles. (One chap had left his wife behind because she didn’t like birds and wildlife and another lady’s husband had gone on a golfing holiday with his mates.)

They do charge single supplement though unless you’re prepared to share with another single person.

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.

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.

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)

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

HF holidays are good for singles

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.

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.

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.