What do you do when you are on your own for holiday?

Tuesday_Tenor

I enjoy all sorts of holidays, on my own and with friends.

Another idea not yet mentioned:
Rent a two-bedroomed cottage somewhere and invite different friends to come and spend different periods with you. Two years ago I rented a two-bedroomed self-catering cottage for a fortnight in north Dorset, which was easily accessible from all directions. I invited different friends, from London (by train) and Bristol (by car), to spend long weekends with me, and a friend from Exeter came over for the day (by train). That way I had a nice combination of time on my own mid-week, and time with friends at the weekends.

I realised it was the first holiday I'd had for ages staying in one place for the whole two weeks; I'm more usually travelling around. (I LOVE organising the travelling, though!).
Staying in one place was really relaxing and restful. It was quite an 'active' holiday, though - lots of walks; concerts at the Sherborne music festival; etc, etc.

Depends
what you like doing
where you want to go (UK or abroad),
whether you want to spend a lot of time with others, or just a little
whether you have local friends to accompany you, or distant friends to meet up with
whether you drive

As someone else said, as you don't know just how you'll feel, perhaps you need to try a short break first, or something like the combination of solo/friends time as I suggested. I'd second the possibility of hotels being potentially lonely. You COULD strike lucky and make some great friends but unless there's an activity focus you probably won't.

Tuesday_Tenor

Two different single friends regularly go on Holiday Fellowship holidays (the walking ones, though they do a range of others too). They both rate HF very highly:

http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/

It's something I'd consider if I wanted company and/or arrangements made for me. (Much of the pleasure of my holidays comes from researching and sorting out all my own arrangements, though!)

blossomhill_2

I have enjoyed working holidays on my own - conservation work, volunteering on kids' holidays and going as a paid carer for disabled holidaymaker - depends on your age but as being on your own is quite new to you at the moment, this may be a good way of easing in to different types of holiday
I also had a good Med villa hol on my own when between partners - I just made sure I chose a busy resort - teatimes were a bit wierd when everyone disappeared from the pool to get ready for their nights out, as obviously I didn't have to make too much effort but I got used to it and used to swim til the sun went down - I choose to self cater so I didn't have to eat alone in tavernas every night, but did some nights by choosing ones with entertainment and film nights and didn't feel I stuck out like a sore thumb
Hardest part was during 5hour delay at the airport - if I had gone to the loo or to get a coffee there was no-one to keep my seat for me and I couldn't leave my bags - luckily I struck up a friendship with a family and we shared 5 seats between 7 of us

VfM4meplse

I'm sorry to hear about your husband OP (((Hugs))).

PennyForThem wrote: »

I don't mind my own company - it is the travelling arrangements I am going to find scary as he took care of that (he was really good at planning holidays).

I like the idea of the train - will look into that one!

In that case, I would highly recommend that you do Sorrento and the Amalfi coast on your own (fly to Naples and then take the airport bus to Sorrento), it's easy to navigate your way around by public transport and will give you confidence for future travels. Great weather, food and people too but avoid Naples.

If you want a recommendation for accomodation, plse PM me.

Biggles

VfM4meplse wrote: »

fly to Naples

Better still, as you are interested in using the train, get the sleeper to Naples. Great fun!

The Man in Seat 61 is the top site for international rail travel advice http://www.seat61.com/Italy.htm

Ilona

I have always holidayed (is that a word) by myself. Hiring a cottage in the Lake district was a bit of a disaster though, spoke to no one all week. I went to Moscow, and Germany, by myself. I went to Bahrain to stay with my brother. Now I have walking holidays and stay in Youth Hostels. You can always find someone to talk to in a hostel, much better than a hotel.

I have had two holidays with a travel company who organises holidays for blind people. It's called Traveleyes.co.uk They have equal amounts of sighted and blind people, those who can see act as the eyes for those who can't. It's all very friendly. All you have to do is get yourself to the airport and meet them, or to the hotel if in this country. Someone mentioned Sorrento, I went there with them, a lovely place. I also went to Yorkshire with them. Something worth looking at maybe.
Ilona

carefullycautious

scotsbob wrote: »

Some people have a thing about not holidaying on their own. Personally it doesn't bother me if I am on my own or have company.

One of the better holidays I had was making the train journey from London to Budapest. I met so many interesting people. Pick somewhere in Europe you have always wanted to visit and instead of flying go by train.

Another suggestion would be to go on some kind of activity holiday based on something you enjoy doing, or would like to learn.

Worst thing you can do is go and stay on your own in a hotel. People don't mix in hotels and your sense of isolation will be heightened.

Hi where do you find out about the above sounds just what me and hubby would like

Biggles

carefullycautious wrote: »

Hi where do you find out about the above sounds just what me and hubby would like

See post #16

carefullycautious

Thankyou :beer:

scotsbob

Biggles is incorrect that is not where I found out about rail travel abroad. I found out about it here,

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en?ld=212.18&OK#focus

In my opinion this is the TOP site for European rail travel.

I have used it for many years now. It is a German site but even for rail travel within the UK it is quicker, easier and more efficient than UK sites.