Solo Holiday Experiences

Chlorine7

I’m posting here instead of the Overseas Holiday forum since that seems to be more about planning and costs.

I was wondering what experience people have on solo holidaying? I love going to different countries, particularly Asia but I have always been over there with my ex. He was always pretty much in control and had the confidence to say and do things.

Since all of my friends are coupled up or can’t afford to do what I want to do, I’m thinking of going away on my own. Personality wise, I am not the most confident person in the world so I'm working on ways to build that up e.g. day trip to Paris, or maybe just to a city in the UK.

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Fluff15

I went to Barcelona in September on my own, first solo holiday, young female. I speak a little Spanish, but can mostly read it. I wanted somewhere sunny but also where I spoke the language or they would have many english speakers and this fitted the bill. I thoroughly recommend Barcelona to anybody, it's a lovely city.

I went for five days, which for me was a little too long, but of my own doing. I don't like making friends off the hat, so despite staying in a hostel for five days I didn't speak to anybody! I would have felt more comfortable in a hotel room alone. If you are good at talking to strangers, then a hostel, or a single room within a hostel type establishment might work well. If you're like me, I'd recommend three days for a first time solo traveller.

I researched everywhere before hand thoroughly, including maps and google streetview so I knew what I was looking for from the airport to hostel. I also made sure I stayed somewhere with wifi so I could look things up that day. I studied the tube maps, trawled trip advisor for people's hints and tips and by the end of the trip I knew my way around splendidly!

One of the best things I did was go on a free walking tour, which took me through all the back alleys, so I was familiar with those as well.

miss_independent

I was going to put up a very similar post today! I am looking into booking my first ever solo trip - 3 nights in Paris. I can get a cheap deal on Eurostar and I am looking at Airbnb. I am hesitating because I am a little anxious about it all. I've been away alone in the UK but never abroad. I'm not particularly fluent in French. I do have friends who live just outside of Paris who I could spend a day with.

I noticed that some of the people advertising on AirBnB say "ladies only" and the reviews say they would recommend staying with certain owners if you are a single female travelling alone so I find that quite reassuring.

I will be watching this thread for hints and tips, thanks for starting it!

Hoopylass

I feel the same would love to see more of the world but too scared and nervous to go all me plus I actually want to share the experience with someone.

Yet at the same time I don't have anyone to go with since my friends are either coupled up or have travel plans with others.

Hope you find the courage to go!

balletshoes

Do it ladies - it will be the making of you .
I think its a great idea to go a few days first on your own, in a city you're unfamiliar with but where you can get by in the language.

skint_chick

I have a partner but still take holidays on my own as I started before I met him and have always enjoyed it. You get to do exactly what you want without compromising - no football stadium tours or days lying beside the pool unless you want to! I usually stay in hostels in a dorm bed or my own room depending on the budget, sometimes hotels. I've been to lots of cities in Europe and also to North America. I'm not that outgoing but have made a few friends and after the initial fear I've been fine with eating in restaurants on my own - I bring a book or magazine and sit by the window to people watch.

If you go start with a city in Europe where most people speak English - Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin etc - for your first trip and choose a hostel with single rooms or a cheap hotel chain like Ibis then you'll be fine. I always do a free walking tour, I've met a few other people on their own on them. Once you've done it you'll get braver, I've even managed with getting totally lost in rural Latvia where no-one spoke any language I can speak!

bluenoseam

First off, this is from a male perspective - wholy admitting right now I have it significantly easier as we're nowhere near the same sort of target, but well, some of it translates!

I've done two solo holidays now in two different settings, one recently to Majorca & the other to New York several years ago, and to be totally honest neither one bothered me. My way of thinking is probably unique in that I don't see any difference between New York and Glasgow other than the accent & the fact I don't know my way around. The way I look at it the rules to a good, safe time are the same in New York as they are in any place - don't take dumb risks, when in doubt keep your mouth shut & carry yourself with confidence.

My other thought process as to planning a trip is will I be comfortable with the distance outside my comfort zone. So for example when I went to Majorca, I know my Spanish isn't great (in all honesty, it's non-existent but for a few select things) but I was fine with that. Granted that's probably a little blas! but ultimately there's always an element of calculated risk in life, it's about your ability to overcome the fear of it.

Take a deep breath & figure out your "tipping point", it's a big ol world out there & the only person who can limit your discovery of it is you. There's places I wouldn't go solo, but there are others where I'd be willing to take the plunge - it's all about understanding my limit.

BarryBlue

An option for solo travellers is a cruise. There are events and facilities for lone passengers, such as specific tables for afternoon tea where people get to know each other. Although we are a couple, it is actually very easy to get to know people on ships, and you do meet singles. For some reason the usual British reservation disappears. We still meet up with several people we have met on cruises too.

spirit

Another vote for do it!

After being married for years and having family holidays, I divorced about 10 years ago and now holiday alone. Not always mind you, I have taken DD (adult) to Egypt since.

The first time I went away was nerve wracking - the thinking before I went, not the holiday once I got there. I went to Jordan. I think it was easier for me doing a holiday where I was doing something every day. I met lots of new people, some were also singlies, but there were also couples. Everyone spoke to everyone. I went with Voyages Jules Verne by the way.

There are specialist solo holdays, like Just you, Solos etc, but I'm not keen on being paired up with someone, so prefer to be in a mixed group. Mercury direct also have no single supplement holidays, I'm currently looking at a break in Malta in a nice spa hotel.

I usually book a b&b near Gatwick and stay the night before the holiday, leave my car there, and they drop you at the terminal. It makes a nice start to the holiday, with no worrying about being stuck on the M25 and missing my flight.

BigAunty

I have had long weekend trips to Alicante, Athens and Nice all solo over the last few years.

I didn't build up to them with short trips to increase my confidence - this came from doing a lot of research on the cities, devising a rough itinery, buying a guide book, sourcing maps, so that I know I won't get flustered in how to get from the airport to the accommodation, worry about inadvertently walking through dodgy areas, etc.

Nice was the only place where I stayed in a youth hostel as the accommodation is fairly expensive unlike many places in Europe where it's possible to bag a more conventional hotel and get change out of £50 a night.

Really enjoyed myself, didn't feel lonely at all, lots to see and do. I really recommend it.

Had a great time pottering around Nice and taking train trips to stops along the coast like Antibes and Cannes. Other youth hostellers had day trips to Monaco and so forth because the train links are so good.

I stayed in a mixed shared dorm (as I wanted to save money) and expected to detest it but actually got on well with the other travellers who were very friendly and considerate (tidy, quiet). Everyday I was invited to join a trip or evening out, either by my roomies or pub crawls organised by the hostel staff. I declined but hostels do look a good way to hook up with others for social and sightseeing activities.

alwaysskint96

You say that you like Asia- well TBH i have found that about the easiest most sociable place to travel alone ( 43 year old female) Thailand in particular is easy to get about and has lots more solo travellers that anywhere in Europe I have been In fact Ive found most of Europe far more "unfriendly" to solo travellers ( with the exception of Bulgaria) than Asia or North America