Solo Holiday Experiences

lynsayjane

I'm also going to vote gor fot it!

Four years ago I had a breakdown at the thought of turning 30 and my birthday being of no consequence as my 29th had been (could barely even get a few friends on a night out!) so I booked myself flights to Italy. I'd never been on holiday alone before so this was a really big deal for me. I flew to Venice where I stayed in a lovely canal side hotel (on the Lido island) for five nights, then I took a train to Rome where I stayed centrally for 9 nights. My birthday was spent in a Irish bar dancing to a Bon Jovi tribute band with a bottle of Prosecco and a straw!
I wouldn't class myself as a confident traveller, I took an evening class in Italian beforehand so I had a bit of a grasp of the basics. I took a guide book for each city which included a map so I couldn't get too lost.
I won't say that every single thing of the trip was rosy, the transition from peaceful Venice to hectic Rome was a bit of a stumble, also there was a panic at the train station as I'm the girl who's on the platform ten minutes before the train and checking where I should be repeatedly during that time! But there were no incidents that made me regret going alone.
My memories are all very happy, I had an amazing trip, no issues with eating by myself or negative attitude from anyone I encountered. Both hotel rooms were singles but perfect for just me, both places were very friendly and reasonably priced.

I'm now thinking about a trip this year if finances allow, perhaps Paris as I think that's the next highest on my bucket list!

Best of luck with whatever you decide x

brianben

I'm not a big holiday fan and can take or leave them. I have a diet problem and never fancied staying on my own in a hotel.
I then saw an ad for a cruise to Iceland. It looked very good so I booked.
On the way to Harwich to board the ship I was thinking what have I done.
It was absolutely brilliant, it was a small ship with 540 passengers, there was a solo coordinator who arranged things like meeting for lunch, the food was excellent, plenty to do and a great atmosphere.
This was in 2010 and since then I have done another five cruises. They have all been on small ships and I have enjoyed everyone. The company I recommend is Voyages of Discovery. The small ships can get into harbours the large monsters can't.
Cruises for solo passengers are very expensive as there is a supplement which is nearly double the price.
However, for me they are worth every penny. Can't wait till the next one. :j

stardust09

I totally recommend Amsterdam. I went there for a week last Spring and it was my first solo holiday to a non-native-English speaking country. However, the Dutch people speak excellent English and 99% of things (signs, menus) are billingual or only written in English.

I also timed it so I could see the tulip fields in full bloom (which, by the way, are an incredible experience if you like flowers). This involved catching a train to the airport then a coach from the airport to the gardens. It was really easy! I booked some stuff online before I went so I didn't need to worry about buying tickets and I read a great tip online that said to have some Euro coins ready at the airport to buy a train ticket to the city (saves queuing, etc, and takes the stress out of arriving). I think it was around 5 euros, but don't quote me on that! I begged some from my aunt who goes abroad a lot.

I would definitely say go to Amsterdam for your first solo European trip. I also went to Iceland later in the year and, again, they speak better English than most of us... Again, a top destination if you worry about your language skills.

I've also been to Canada and Australia - both fabulous countries to travel around and obviously no language barriers!

Have fun! There's a whole world out there waiting to be explored - and you can do it.

lucyhen

I'm married and have been for over 20 years but we still happily take holidays separately. I like more adventurous stuff than him. I usually go on tours or cruises - that way one meets lots of others and doesn't eat alone. The guides are always good at getting everyone to mix. Last year I went with Mercury to Kerala (small single supplement) I've also been with VJV to Sri Lanka and Costa Rica. Went on a cruise to the Antarctic with Hurtigruten and in the 90s did the Amazon Jungle, the Nile and a Kenyan safari. They've been some of my best experiences and when one closes the door at night the room's your own and you're not fighting over the bathroom!

FedUpWithHikes

I've been travelling alone for years, and there's a few things that I do to make it easier.
1. visit a site like interpals.net, and search for people in the places you're visiting; I have met at least a dozen, and several are now also friends on facebook. Some of my friends have driven me to places I didn't know about..
2. I take my Android tablet with me, and have offline maps and dictionaries in various languages in case I get stuck. With GPS, you never get lost! It also helps me to keep in touch with my online friends and sometimes arrange meetings.
3. I mostly use booking.com to find accommodation - it's often the cheapest, and you only pay when you get there (and can cancel up to 48 hours before at no cost).
4. I've been travelling around Slovakia and the Czech Republic for the last 4 years (they were "Czechoslovakia" until they split in 1993, but now they are both in the EU, and Slovakia uses the Euro). Older people are unlikely to understand English, because teaching it was banned under the Communists, but schools have been teaching it for about 20 years, so many now understand it (although they are often unsure about pronunciation - but keen to practise!). The buses and trains are cheap and almost always on time, and there are good websites where you can find connection details and prices. (and the price is the same, even if you buy it at the station at the last minute - not like in the UK!!)
Larger towns and cities usually have a McDonald's (nearly always with free wifi), if you want something 'familiar' - and many cafes and restaurants have multi-lingual menus, or ones in English (on request) - and most of their food isn't that different..
The people tend to keep themselves to themselves, but are friendly.
Flights to Prague, Bratislave and Poprad (for the mountains) are available from several UK airports, and are often cheaper than just over the channel (or just Eurostar). Vienna is also only 45 minutes from Bratislava, and The train Prague - Bratislava continues to Budapest.
Most tourists either stay in the capitals (for the cheap beer), or head for the mountains (for skiing or hiking) but there are lots of interesting places to see, and quite a lot of castles!

feralkitten

I've been holidaying on my own for many years. Mostly through the firm Solos who have quite a varied choice, but are a bit dearer than some companies. They always have a group leader who can assist with anything that crops up and often organizes an outing to somewhere off the beaten track or a meal out, but there is no obligation to do what everyone else is doing and many went off on their own adventures, just returning in the evening, usually to join up at the evening meal. I've also been on several cricket watching holidays, as I'm a fan, and these have been on my own, booking through Gullivers Travels or Thomson Sport. As the people going on these tours are all there for the same reason, there is always a handy topic of conversation that makes it easy to chat. (Next one is Barbados in May). I also enjoyed a river cruise as a solo traveller, which was on a french boat down the Rhone.
I'd recommend going on a "themed" holiday, not necessarily a sporty one, perhaps castles, or gardens, as that guarantees a few trips out and a common interest. Age means nothing - I'm a 70+ female.

mauvejellybaby

I travel by myself all the time, but frequently use small group tour companies such as intrepid travel, gadventures, tucan travel, exodus etc. you get to meet other people who want to see the same area, people to go out for dinner drinks etc with, the travel arrangements, hotel booking, etc are made for you and I have made some great friends through this type of holiday.

telynores

We can all only give you our own experiences, most of the replies which I had time to read I would agree with. I'm 56, a very courageous traveller now travel in a powered wheelchair which was daunting when going to Colombia last year as I didn't know how I could get from the airport with the chair. As it happened I couldn't (8pm landing, no accessible transport anytime) but I was couchsurfing and was helped by my initial host. I've hosteled and airbnb as well as CS in many developing countries.
One reply re solo travelling in Thailand was spot on as the Thai's have seen solo travellers since the '60's and their being at ease puts you at ease.
Do it but if you're unsure the short trips in Europe will help you find your travel legs :-)

Wandering_granny

My advice is always have where you are staying written down in the local language and then if you get lost, jump in a taxi. I've only
had to do this once but it gives me the confidence I need to explore places. There are travel companies that have no single supplement out of season, in fact I go away for three weeks in a few weeks time. I was quite 'miffed' when friends who are a couple thought they might join me. Once you have walked into a restaurant by yourself once, it is easier the second time. Enjoy your travels!

Mike10

I got divorced a couple of years ago and decided to take a break alone. I decided on Rome and went for 3 nights. I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done.
I have since had short breaks (3 - 5 days) in Reykjavik, Berlin, Venice, and a longer 11 day holiday in Mexico, all traveling solo.

Nothing quite beats wandering around a new city, taking in new sites and experiences.

Since that first solo trip, I've created and ticked off so many things off my 'bucket list', that I seem to spend the majority of my free time planning future adventures.

I'll add my favorite quote here too, which always seems to help me make a decision when I'm undecided...

“One day you will wake up & there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.”

:beer: