Solo travel advice & recommendations

[jawidjanqndn]

Im considering booking a solo holiday, I’m in my early 20’s and all my friends are in long term relationships so it’s not great for me when trying to go away I’m single and am just dying to get away! Im only thinking somewhere in Spain for 3-4 nights at first (just to see if I like it) and then perhaps book another if I do enjoy it.

does anyone reccomend anywhere in Spain? Ideally somewhere friendly with lots of Brits as I think I’ll find it easier to chat to people and make friends

 

[Zulkraa]

Im considering booking a solo holiday, I’m in my early 20’s and all my friends are in long term relationships so it’s not great for me when trying to go away I’m single and am just dying to get away! Im only thinking somewhere in Spain for 3-4 nights at first (just to see if I like it) and then perhaps book another if I do enjoy it.

does anyone reccomend anywhere in Spain? Ideally somewhere friendly with lots of Brits as I think I’ll find it easier to chat to people and make friends

Before Jess got into a relationship she used to post solo trips here is one of her videos:

 

[MaryJones1]

Ahh I'm so happy to find this thread! I have my first solo trip to Italy booked in July and I'm really considering cancelling it tbh- worried about the stress of finding my way around, being bored alone as well as just being too hot! Plus my mum keeps saying she wishes I wasn't going and that she's really worried

But I know it would be really good for my confidence and I don't know when I'll get another chance to go to Italy since trying to arrange holidays with other people has proven to be impossible! I've gone for self-catering since I don't want the pressure of having to eat out in restaurants- I've done this at lunch time before but in the evening it seems a bit scarier for some reason haha but the option's there if I want it. And the apartment's air-conditioned so I can go back and rest if I get too hot without worrying about what anyone else wants to do.

I don't know the closer it gets the more nervous I feel but this thread has made me feel better!
Has anyone used the app nomadher? I've downloaded it to maybe see if there are any other female travellers where I'm going that I could meet up with but don't know if it's actually any good or if that's even what it's really used for

Hi, I did my first solo trip in Feb. Long weekend, booked on a whim and like you was sick with nerves before hand but can honestly say it was fab! The freedom of planning my days to suit myself, only paying for 1 and doing lots of walking and reading was fab. I got such a sense of accomplishment and was so proud of myself. I used to always rely on my husband for directions etc, it was so good to figure everything out myself Couple of things I did to make it more safe / enjoyable - booked a hotel as felt it would be safer than air b n b (security on site etc), hotel was quite luxurious, brought lots of books and my ipad to amuse myself. Honestly it was fab. I came home and booked my next solo trip for June Just do it, what's the worst that could happen

 

[jawidjanqndn]

Before Jess got into a relationship she used to post solo trips here is one of her videos:

Oh amazing! I’ll give her a watch

 

[SaintLeo]

If anyone’s nervous about travelling alone but still wants to get away I’d definitely suggest looking at group holidays with people like Intrepid or WeRoad. Takes away the stress of having to organise everything yourself and also great way to meet new people. I did an Intrepid trip last year as a solo traveller and it was a fantastic experience. Was a bit wary about sharing a room with a stranger but glad I did as it gave us both someone to connect with straight away. I’m just gutted I didn’t do it sooner but have a list of places I will be ticking off my to visit list as soon as I work out how I’m going to pay for it all!

 

[Sprezza]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement everyone! Especially to the person who suggested cooking classes/ walking tours- I don't know why I hadn't thought of that! I've actually combined the two and just reserved a place on a food tour of the city I'm going to! Feeling freshly excited!!

 

[emm]

I don't know where you're going exactly but most big cities have free walking tours that are good to meet other people if you want. I would also say if you go for coffee/drinks etc always sit at the bar, you can get chatting to other people there, the bartenders etc. It is aasy to meet people if you don't want to just spend time alone

 

[Former_Antelopee]

If anyone’s nervous about travelling alone but still wants to get away I’d definitely suggest looking at group holidays with people like Intrepid or WeRoad. Takes away the stress of having to organise everything yourself and also great way to meet new people. I did an Intrepid trip last year as a solo traveller and it was a fantastic experience. Was a bit wary about sharing a room with a stranger but glad I did as it gave us both someone to connect with straight away. I’m just gutted I didn’t do it sooner but have a list of places I will be ticking off my to visit list as soon as I work out how I’m going to pay for it all!

I agree I did some with introtravel although with a friend but there was many solo travellers on our tours. I’d do them alone and I’d definitely recommend them as a company. I also did a solo one with traveltalktours which was good but I do with introtravel were the better company. I never shared a room on the solo one I went as it was just after covid so wanted to try and avoid getting covid (still caught it though).
For the intro ones with a friend we shared a room in one place with 2 girls and another with one girl. It was fine as tbh we were barley in the room.

 

[littlepup]

if you want to meet people staying in Hostels (even In a private room) will almost guarantee it, they often do mixers/free pub crawls/walking tours etc.
But equally I used to quite like just having alone chill time, a nice room with a good shower and decent wi-fi to just relax. That’s really valuable too. It depends how long you’re away for, you can mix it up.

Super easy way to get talking is to look a bit lost. Obviously not vulnerable, just checking a map before you leave the hotel/cafe (people approach to help), hearing people talking English and asking for directions/recommendations etc. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but hear you’re speaking English, do you happen to know…?”.
My ex often wore football shirts and people would strike up a conversation about it or even just “oh you’re English….” And get chatting. Doesn’t have to be football but the principle of wearing a band t-shirt, uni sweatshirt, even a bright colour, anything that people might identify with or comment on.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

if you want to meet people staying in Hostels (even In a private room) will almost guarantee it, they often do mixers/free pub crawls/walking tours etc.
But equally I used to quite like just having alone chill time, a nice room with a good shower and decent wi-fi to just relax. That’s really valuable too. It depends how long you’re away for, you can mix it up.

Super easy way to get talking is to look a bit lost. Obviously not vulnerable, just checking a map before you leave the hotel/cafe (people approach to help), hearing people talking English and asking for directions/recommendations etc. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but hear you’re speaking English, do you happen to know…?”.
My ex often wore football shirts and people would strike up a conversation about it or even just “oh you’re English….” And get chatting. Doesn’t have to be football but the principle of wearing a band t-shirt, uni sweatshirt, even a bright colour, anything that people might identify with or comment on.

I agree I like a mix. I stayed in hostels for the first time this year. But I didn’t socialise as much as I wanted as I was sick for 4 days. I don’t think I could stay in more than probably an 8 bed dorm, definitely not a 20 bed one.
I went on a 3d2n boat trip it was mostly full of couples I think there was maybe 3 solo people. Everyone but me and 4 others spoke French or German. I didn’t want to make people speak English as they were having a good time socialising between themselves so I mostly just relaxed alone. I did speak to them a little but didn’t want to make them feel uncomfortable by making them speak English especially as I knew a few of them weren’t comfortable speaking it.
Maybe I should’ve just been more bold but this was my first solo trip like that.
I did wear a football shirt specifically on this boat trip on one of the nights hoping someone would say something which a few did as I’d heard two of them speaking about football the night before.
I wish I’d done more on this holiday but the first day I did an activity whichI hurt my legs doing and then I could barely walk for about 3 days and then after they finally started to feel better I got sick for 4 days

 

[SpindleWhorl]

I do solo holidays sometimes. Being on my own doesn't phase me the only worry I have is if i somehow lose my phone/cards and I'm left on my own with no money. But I'm sensible and cautious when I travel on my own nothing has happened so far. I'm off to Italy solo in June and I'd like to do a solo city break later in the year, maybe Madrid x

 

[Former_Antelopee]

Has anyone been to lapland solo? Or Iceland?

 

[Notworthy]

Has anyone been to lapland solo? Or Iceland?

My friend went to Iceland on her own. She rented a camper van and pootled about. Said it was the best holiday she ever had.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

So my plan is travel solo once a year. I’ve asked for advice on lapland/Iceland but doesn’t anyone have advice of Venice and Cappadocia?

As I’m thinking of possibly doing one of them in June next year. And then a holiday with a friend at the end of the year. Maybe then solo Iceland/lapland early 2025. Although I keep seeing safaris in south Africa for 2025 so I’m tempted by them. Or a safari trip via a company, I’ve used introtravel before and can book open dates with them. So I could do that sometime in 2025z

 

[petitspois]

I've always wanted to go to Borneo and I've decided that once my kids are old enough I'm off to cuddle some orangutans.

 

[SaintLeo]

So my plan is travel solo once a year. I’ve asked for advice on lapland/Iceland but doesn’t anyone have advice of Venice and Cappadocia?

As I’m thinking of possibly doing one of them in June next year. And then a holiday with a friend at the end of the year. Maybe then solo Iceland/lapland early 2025. Although I keep seeing safaris in south Africa for 2025 so I’m tempted by them. Or a safari trip via a company, I’ve used introtravel before and can book open dates with them. So I could do that sometime in 2025z

I went to Venice last year as part of a longer group tour round Italy with Intrepid and loved it. It’s definitely somewhere I’d like to go back to as we only had a couple of days and it is really beautiful.

One of the things I didn’t realise (although I guess it’s obvious really!) is there are no vehicles in the city. You arrive either by water or into the train/coach terminal. Not a problem necessarily but we had one of our group who had to catch a really early flight and had to trek though the streets with all her luggage to get to her taxi. No pick up possible directly from the hotel! If you’re travelling alone it’s maybe something worth knowing so you can plan to arrive /leave during daytime.

Water buses are great for getting around and to get out to some of the other smaller islands like Murano and Burano. You can also use them to go over to San Giorgio and climb the church tower there for great views back over Venice and St Marks.

As with trips to other city it’s probably worth booking on some tours to learn more about the famous tourist spots.

The other thing about Venice is chances are you will get lost! The streets are small and winding and there are so many bridges and canals that it’s hard to keep track! Embrace it! Thats the beauty of it I think, just being able to wander and not worry about going anywhere quickly!

 

[Former_Antelopee]

I went to Venice last year as part of a longer group tour round Italy with Intrepid and loved it. It’s definitely somewhere I’d like to go back to as we only had a couple of days and it is really beautiful.

One of the things I didn’t realise (although I guess it’s obvious really!) is there are no vehicles in the city. You arrive either by water or into the train/coach terminal. Not a problem necessarily but we had one of our group who had to catch a really early flight and had to trek though the streets with all her luggage to get to her taxi. No pick up possible directly from the hotel! If you’re travelling alone it’s maybe something worth knowing so you can plan to arrive /leave during daytime.

Water buses are great for getting around and to get out to some of the other smaller islands like Murano and Burano. You can also use them to go over to San Giorgio and climb the church tower there for great views back over Venice and St Marks.

As with trips to other city it’s probably worth booking on some tours to learn more about the famous tourist spots.

The other thing about Venice is chances are you will get lost! The streets are small and winding and there are so many bridges and canals that it’s hard to keep track! Embrace it! Thats the beauty of it I think, just being able to wander and not worry about going anywhere quickly!

Thank you! I’m glad someone replied about Venice in particular as I think that’ll probably be the place I end up going to next year

 

[Chocolategoggler]

Ideally a city break, or a resort break with choices to go on trips. I can't just lay by a pool all day, I'd get bored. I like museums, sightseeing, hiking, and eating! Been thinking about a walking holiday in Italy or a similar thing in Portugal. Somewhere I can take amazing photographs (not of myself!) of scenery or architecture. Could I be any more vague

I watch a girl on You Tube who does solo holidays and gives you tips on where she goes. I remember her doing a trip with a guide, I think it was somewhere dangerous so you needed a good guide. . The thing is she's only 4 foot 11 and used to like wearing dainty dresses. Now she's massively into gardening. Here's a link

Might give you some inspo. I don't really know of anyone else who solo travels that I can recommend.
Click on the playlist logo next to the title to get the list of places and Q and A's.

 

[Notworthy]

My (Male) Osteo travels a lot on his own. He just came back from S. Africa and from what he said, it's not a place for tourists right now let alone single female tourists so anyone contemplating it, probably better to consider Namibia or Botswana. He's travelled all through S. America with no qualms but he said S. Africa was a whole different ballgame, he couldn't even stand outside the Hotel to wait for his cab in case he was kidnapped.

 

[Former_Antelopee]

My (Male) Osteo travels a lot on his own. He just came back from S. Africa and from what he said, it's not a place for tourists right now let alone single female tourists so anyone contemplating it, probably better to consider Namibia or Botswana. He's travelled all through S. America with no qualms but he said S. Africa was a whole different ballgame, he couldn't even stand outside the Hotel to wait for his cab in case he was kidnapped.

I have heard the same so put me off. Someone told me they don’t stop at traffic lights at night they just carry on as people will kidnap you from cars, and they have a gun under the car seat.
They lock you in the rooms at night to prevent break ins.
Even just coming out the airport at one airport you come out in a cage and there are people there at the cage shouting and spitting at you.
I’ve been told to look at Kenya apparently felt safer and better wildlife