More people are travelling alone than ever. Google data provided by Quotezone.co.uk found that searches for “solo travel” had increased by 223 percent during the last decade. And many of those holidaymakers will be leaving spouses, kids and friends behind.
But if this is your first solo rodeo, it’s natural to feel anxious. Will you opt for the right sort of break – or find yourself longing to be back home?
To avoid disaster it helps to narrow down the options: take our quiz to find out which type of solo traveller you are. Once that’s sorted, read on to find the perfect holiday recommendation – whether you want to make new friends, see new sights or embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Mostly As: The Long-Lost Life and Soul
Find your second wind and plenty of belly laughs on one of Honor Mark’s Magical Midlife Metreats. A bundle of infectious joy and wisdom, she runs them in Spain, Morocco and beyond. But it’s the ones at her lovely home near Carcassonne in the south of France that first drew a loyal bunch of women keen to make new friends, decompress by a shady pool hemmed by ancient walls and try out a new skill (retreats range from cooking to singing with a West End performer). “They are made for women in midlife (and beyond) who travel solo but don’t want to do that alone,” says Marks, who often chats to participants beforehand to ease any nerves. “Women spend their lives being responsible for everyone else. This time is for them.”
How to book it: Prices start from £1,300pp (honestlywithhonor.com). Ryanair flies to Carcassonne.
Mostly Bs: The City Sightseer
There’s no lounging by the pool for you. You prefer the sights and shops of the big city. Luckily, British ones are great for solo exploration. Walkable, friendly and full of things to do – from bookshop-hopping and cocktail-slurping to climbing Arthur’s Seat – Edinburgh is a safe bet in more ways than one. Opulent hideaway 100 Princes Street, in the grand old headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, prides itself on being especially good for solo travellers. It feels like a real treat thanks to marble bathrooms, a scattering of antiques and a cosy dining room that’s perfect for cuddling up with a good Harry Potter. Check into a dedicated single room (with queen or double bed) and be thoroughly spoilt by super-friendly staff.
How to book it: rooms cost from £270 per night, B&B (100princes-street.com).
Mostly Cs: The Soul Searcher
Fancy setting off in search of a completely different culture and finding yourself along the way? The tiny Kingdom of Bhutan might be the place. And, whether you want to reap the benefits of the country’s incredible peacefulness or explore every temple, monastery and village, Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary will help you get there. Bhutan’s only five-star inclusive resort may be just 15 minutes from the airport, but it feels like an escape to a completely different world. Rooms take in the empty green tumble of the Nephya Valley, wellness treatments are prescribed by doctors specialising in ancient Bhutanese medicine (using 100 percent herbal products) and hikes trail towards local monasteries, nunneries or farmer families, giving an unforgettable insight into Bhutan’s unique culture.
How to book it: A five-night, all-inclusive Glimpse of Bhutan journey costs from £1,630pp, excluding flights (bhutanspiritsanctuary.com). Druk Air flies from Delhi to Paro, with operators including Virgin Atlantic and Air India flying to Delhi.
Mostly Ds: The Bucket Lister
You’re craving a proper adventure – and probably hoping to make new friends along the way. Try an organised long-haul trip specifically for solo travellers. Distant Journeys runs a handful of excellent options, including its Treasures of Sri Lanka tour, which visits Colombo’s temples and street food sellers, national parkland dotted with elephants, the UNESCO-listed medieval city of Polonnaruwa, remote tea estates and many more must-sees as it traverses the country over two weeks. As the company guarantees no more than 19 guests on its tour, it’s easy to form meaningful relationships.
© Getty ImagesHow to book it: From £4,495pp for 13 nights, including flights, half-board and some lunches (distantjourneys.co.uk).
Mostly Es: The Book Club Break Out
You yearn for time to finish that novel, and maybe someone to discuss it with afterwards. Add a dose of sunshine and – voila – the perfect holiday. With a cult following, glamorous image and locations from Mykonos to Byron Bay, Ladies Who Lit’s Reading Retreats are the definition of librarian chic – if said librarian was on a luxury vacation, that is. Though days are mostly spent devouring books by pools straight from glossy magazines, there’s plenty of time for exploring. In Mykonos, for example, you might find yourself chasing a dancing sun across the water on a boat trip to Antipaxos, navigating Mykonos Town’s maze of whitewashed lanes or heading to the beach for a dose of sand and sea air.
How to book it: the four-night Mykonos retreat costs from £2,600pp, including soft drinks and meals in the villa but excluding flights (ladieswholit.co.uk).
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