Blog: 5 Great Solo Holiday Ideas

You may have thought about going on a solo holiday before, but the thought of it made you too nervous? You may be worried about how you would manage as a solo holidaymaker, would you get lonely? What if you ran into a problem? For every reason not to go on a solo holiday, there are plenty of great reasons to go. We have compiled 5 great solo holiday ideas for you to have a look through to start your planning.

What is a solo holiday?

Let’s start with the basics, what makes a holiday a solo holiday? A solo holiday means that you are travelling either alone or alone as part of an organised guided tour group. This means you can travel alone, but be part of a group of other people who are interested in the same things as you are.  Or, you can strike out on your own and decide where and when you do things.

Benefits of a solo holiday

Going on a solo holiday comes with plenty of benefits. You may want to go somewhere or do something that your friends or partner aren’t as interested in as you. Your friendship group may be at a different stage of their life, have a young family, be caring for elderly relatives, unable to get the time off, and therefore can’t come with you on the trip. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Some of the benefits of solo holidaying are:

• You get the chance to challenge yourself, to move out of your comfort zone and do something new,
• You set your own itinerary, you decide where you are going and when,
• You get to choose what to do when you are there, what sights to see, shows to watch or experiences to book,
• You don’t have to worry about anybody else not enjoying themselves, you are free to indulge in what you want to do, no compromising!
• You meet lots of new and interesting people and forge new friendships
• You create memories that will last a lifetime.

With so many great reasons to go, let’s share some great solo holiday ideas!

Great solo holiday ideas

Ireland

Ireland is a great choice for a solo holiday, it’s familiar enough to make you feel at ease, there is no language barrier, but different enough for you to experience new things. Ireland is great for a whole range of different holiday types, walking is popular and the Wild Atlantic Way attracts people from around the globe every year to walk and see the dramatic scenery like the Cliffs of Moher and the stunning scenery of Connemara. As well as walking holidays there is a huge amount of history in Ireland, there are plenty of castles, museums , monastic sites and ancient history to discover. There is a vibrant pub and music scene and even if you walk into one alone, you won’t be alone for long, the craic is legendary!

You can set your own itinerary of travel as part of a guided tour. There are tours that are flexible and you can do as little or as much as you like.

Yoga retreats

If you want to reconnect with your mind, body and soul, then a yoga retreat is a perfect choice for a solo holiday. If you are feeling burnt out by the pace of life and the stresses of work, then going somewhere to completely relax and reconnect is a great idea. There are yoga retreats run right across the world, so the only problem you may have is picking your destination! Thailand and Bali offer a wealth of choice for those travellers who want to experience the lush surroundings of the east. Closer to home, the Balearics and mainland Spain also offer sunshine and relaxation as do most other European countries. You can choose what kind of yoga retreat you go on and mix it up with wellness and spa treatments as well as cultural tours.

Sports retreats

For the more sporty person, a holiday that involves different sports may be an ideal choice. Cycling holidays are very popular and offer the solo traveller the chance to meet up with a group of fellow cyclists to ride with. There are plenty of locations around Europe that offer a range of cycling holidays with varying levels of difficulty and a range of abilities catered to. Skiing, tennis camps, golf, surfing, water sports, whatever you are into, there is a holiday waiting for you. Travelling alone to this type of holiday is a great way to meet people with the same interests as you and make new friends for future adventures.

Wildlife conservation holidays

The locations for wildlife conservation holidays are as varied as the type of work you can do in them. From tropical Belize to the stunning surrounds of Sri Lanka, the vibrancy of Thailand to the rainforests of Borneo, there is something for everyone. Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can just go and cuddle cute baby animals, that’s not what they are for. Although you will have the opportunity to see some fantastic wildlife up close and you could help with tree planting, animal rescue, helping out on an animal sanctuary supporting local education and much much more. . While the idea of a working holiday may feel strange, you won’t be working non-stop, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have given something back and you will also meet and spend time with like-minded people.

Small group tours

Travelling solo can feel daunting, and if you don’t like the idea of travelling with a large group then small group tours are a great solo holiday idea. In a small group tour you will have the added value of experts who will look after the details for you. You will be travelling with a small group making it much easier to make connections with other people, you won’t be overwhelmed by the numbers. Small group tours take place all over the world and offer a wide range of different experiences, whether you want a painting holiday, a sailing holiday, a walking holiday an anything holiday really – the choice is yours!

Getting organised

Before you go on your solo holiday make sure you get organised. If you are travelling alone rather than part of a group, make sure you have shared your itinerary with others. Check that your insurance covers you for any sports and sporting equipment, especially if it a sport that could be classed as dangerous such as some water sports or skiing. Make sure that you have all necessary vaccinations if you are travelling to places that require them. Check that you have long enough on your passport, some countries require that you have a minimum of 6 months left from your return date.

Finally, organise your transport to and from the airport. By booking your airport transfer in advance, you can relax safe in the knowledge that the trip to the airport will be stress-free and comfortable and that after your trip, a friendly driver will be there to pick you up and get you home, why leave it to chance. Start your holiday the right way with R Travel! All we ask is a minimum of 24 hours advance notice for airport transfers so that we can be sure of allocating the right size vehicle for you. All of our drivers are friendly, professional and fully insured. Get in touch today to book you airport transfer: Book Now