Whether you're looking for a cultural city break, a week of learning or a kick-back-and-relax cruise, there's a solo holiday for everyone and every budget. Here Tracey tells us about a few of her favourite holidays for first-time solo travellers.
Walking holidays
For outdoorsy types, walking holidays can be a gentle and sociable introduction to the world of solo travel. Ramble Worldwide offers an excellent variety of guided and self-guided walking holidays across the UK and Europe, as well as further afield to Africa and the Caribbean. All of these small-group tours have single room options, while some, like these walking holidays in Bavaria, offer dedicated solo departures with no single supplement.
Similarly, HF Holidays offers more than 260 holidays across 40 countries, all suitable for solo travellers. They also own 15 country houses in and around the UK, many within a stone's throw of a National Park. These Peak District walking holidays range from three to seven days and include a choice of guided walks and sociable dinners and get togethers in the evenings.
Escorted tours
If you're worried about feeling isolated on your first solo trip, a ready-made group holiday could be the answer. With more than 40 years of experience, Solos Holidays does exactly what it says on the tin. Their itineraries range from UK weekend breaks in Bath or the Cotswolds to week-long sun-soaked escapes in the Caribbean. Solos' winter sun holidays include an all-inclusive holiday to Fuerteventura and a wellness trip to Vietnam. Most trips include the services of a friendly tour leader to keep things lively and inclusive.
Friendship Travel is another good choice for first-time solo travellers. Founded in 1999, it offers friendly and fun holidays from house parties in exclusive villas to solo skiing trips and cruise holidays, including this glorious 7-night Royal Clipper cruise sailing around the Caribbean, which has no single supplement.
Cultural escapes
Travellers looking for something a little different should consider a long-haul trip to South America or Africa. Cox & Kings offers a range of culture-focused group trips where at least 20% of travellers come on their own. They also have a clutch of small-group solo-exclusive tours, including this fantastic 14-day Panama and Costa Rica holiday, which benefits from no single supplement.
Wendy Wu Tours is another good choice for solo travellers looking for more adventure. They have a range of all-inclusive group tours in countries such as Japan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, and guests can choose either the “Happy to Share” option or pay a supplement for a guaranteed single room.
Just You is another solo travel specialist that offers escorted group tours to far-flung places like this solo tour of Uzbekistan and the Silk Road. As well as included excursions, you get your own room (with no single supplement) and welcome dinners which bring groups together.
Hobby holidays
Special interest holidays can be an easy way to dip your toe into the world of solo travel. Whether it’s learning to make pasta in Tuscany, painting landscapes in Provence or practicing Pilates in Puglia, learning new skills or enjoying hobbies is a great way to bond with like-minded souls.
Flavours Holidays offer a wide range of activity holidays for small groups, from learning Italian in Puglia or Tuscany, a photography trip to Marrakesh to this 8-day cooking holiday in Seville. Each trip includes professional tuition, beautiful accommodation and excellent food, all with no single supplement.
And if you can't decide what you want to learn, why not try it all on a Skyros holiday. Offering a wide variety of activities throughout the week, you can spend your days painting in the sun, practicing yoga or even learning standup comedy in a relaxed eco-friendly resort in Greece.
Cruises
Cruises can be a great option for first-time solo travellers as cruise ships are always sociable and safe, and have plenty of onboard activities. Riviera Travel offers several “solo exclusive” river cruises with no single supplement and sociable welcome dinners, including this 13-day Egypt cruise on the Nile.
Iglu Cruise recommends single cabins and dedicated social spaces on lines like Norwegian and Fred Olsen, making meeting others easy and without pressure. For a real treat, why not consider sailing on the Queen Mary 2 on its 35-night no-fly cruise from Southampton to the Caribbean.
If you're looking for something a little more intimate, consider a small-group themed cruise. Peter Sommer Travels specialises in expert-led archaeological and cultural yacht cruises, including this Western Lycian cruise on a traditional Turkish gulet.
For more ideas, check out 101 Singles Holidays.
