Go Solo: Trips That Fly In The Face Of A Soppy Valentine’s Day
Single this Valentine’s Day? Then go against the romantic grain and set off on a solo adventure.
Travelling alone gives you the opportunity to see the world on your own terms, indulge a special interest, and make lasting friendships.
In fact, it’s now more popular than ever to set off on your tod, and there’s an ever-increasing number of tour operators specialising in it.
Solos Holidays has seen the number of people taking a solo holiday increase by almost 60% since 2008, with an estimated 3.5million British adults now taking a solo holiday every year.
Cathy Winston, editor of 101 Singles Holidays, says this growth is partly due to the fact there’s no longer a stigma attached to single travel, which a decade ago was considered to be “a bit sad”.
She said: “One reason it’s becoming much more common is because women are far more independent than before, both financially and with the confidence to head off and go where they want, when they want.
“Travel companies are also starting to offer far more solo-friendly trips too as the demand increases, often getting rid of single supplements, with holidays tailored to solo travellers or even singles-only group trips.
“Once people have travelled alone for the first time and overcome their nerves, they almost invariably catch the single travel bug and head back for more.”
Travel writer and photographer Abigail King - who blogs at the award-winning Inside The Travel Lab - spends three months of the year travelling solo and has picked up some tips along the way.
Here are her top five:
1 - Safety first: Keep a backup of your important travel documents on your phone, in your hand luggage, main luggage and with someone at home. Have a “spare” credit card hidden in your suitcase in case your handbag gets stolen. Always know where you plan to sleep before going for a late night out and have a sensible plan for getting back there.
2 - Take a cooking course/adventure course/whatever tickles your fancy course: That way you’re bound to meet people but you’re not stuck with them for your whole trip in the same way as you might be on a group holiday.
3 - Ask about single rooms: Cheaper deals are available.
4 - If single rooms aren’t available, relish the luxury of a double one all to yourself: Spread out in that bed, use the fresh towels if “your” one is still damp - and the dressing gown and slippers too!
5 - Invest in a decent suitcase and learn to pack light as you’ll be the one getting your luggage in and out of planes, trains and automobiles: I’d recommend one sturdy hard-shell case that wheels easily and can act as a “shelf” for your hand luggage to rest on. As a tip for travelling light, pick one colour scheme for your trip and stick to it. That automatically cuts down on shoes, jumpers, jackets and so on.
