The number of people choosing to travel alone has increased phenomenally in the last ten years, leading to an explosion of companies offering ‘Singles Holidays’.
Why? The thrill of the unknown, the independence, and the freedom of being able to see whatever you want, whenever you want.
Don’t be daunted by the idea of going it alone. There are hundreds of options for single travellers and with one of these top spots, you’re guaranteed to have a great time and make new friends.
1. Foodies Retreat– Tuscany, Italy
This holiday offers a fantastic opportunity not only to see beautiful Italy but to learn how to cook the country’s exquisite cuisine. Join a group of like-minded people for a wonderful week at Casa Ombuto, a recently restored Tuscan villa set in a stunning and tranquil location in the hills of the Casentino valley, some 50km south of Florence.
Three rivers flow through the property making it an ideal location for walks, picnics or swimming in the rivers. Guests can spend their free time around the estate or pool or take in some of the world famous historical sites in the area. The heated swimming pool with Jacuzzi, is a perfect way to relax after a hard days cooking.
Unlike many singles holidays, you will meet new people effortlessly as you immediately become part of a mixed group of up to 14 students from many different countries and walks of life. You will spend an unforgettable week together immersed in the culture and lifestyle of Tuscany and learn to cook authentic Italian dishes in an informal, friendly environment.
Learn the passion of the Italian kitchen, while at the same time making new friends and having fun along the way.
Cost: £1,500 incl. 8 nights accommodation, cookery course and meals
Find flights to Pisa
ItalianCookeryCourse.com
2. Spirit of Adventure – Split, Croatia
For those who love adventure, the setting of the Dalmatia coast provides the perfect backdrop to a thrilling week of activities. With very little travelling, your week is designed to encompass as many different exciting activities as possible in the beautiful Croatian countryside.
You will stay in a family-run hotel with your group of other lone adventure travellers, on the banks of the River Cetina, from where you can canoe, mountain bike, walk, canyon, rock climb and go white water rafting.
For a real taste of the outdoors you also get to camp overnight on the riverbank for a night while dining on freshly caught trout. The price includes all accommodation, a full week’s worth of activities, all meals, equipment and airport transfers from Split.
Cost: £819 incl. 8 nights accommodation, activities, meals and equipment
Find flights to Split
3. Learning the Lingo – Lyon, France
Want to combine travel with learning a new language? Now you can! Set in glorious Lyon in the Rhone-Alpes region of France you can combine learning French with a week-long French cookery course.
You will receive 15 French lessons lasting 45 minutes each from Monday to Friday. All materials and books are provided, as well as two cookery lessons lasting two hours each and a fantastic treasure hunt through Lyon’s famous food market.
There will are numerous dinners in quintessential French restaurants, and various social and cultural outings that will give you a chance to get to know the other single travellers in the group. Located in a beautiful art deco building in the heart of France’s second biggest city, this friendly language school will have you saying ‘C’est La vie’ in no time!
Cost: £170 incl. 7 nights accommodation, all food, language course and materials, cookery course
Find flights to Lyon
GoLearnTo.com
4. Magical History Tour – Cairo, Egypt
Love history and architecture? Then this solo traveller tour around Egypt should be right up your street. The tour includes visits to see the Pyramids of Giza and the mighty Sphinx. You then take the overnight train south to the colourful town of Aswan to the famous rock-cut temple of Abu Simbel which is 3000 years old and dedicated to the Pharaoh Ramses II.
After this you will spend 3 days on an Egyptian sailboat (a Felucca), the traditional method of transport on the Nile. The boat stops at rural villages along the way, so you can explore at a leisurely pace.
After this it’s on to ancient Thebes, the ‘city of a thousand gates’ where you will have a donkey trek to Hatshepsut Temple and a visit to the Valley of the Kings which was made famous in 1922 by the discovery of the ‘cursed’ tomb of Tutankhamun.
This incredible holiday is sure to give you plenty to talk about with your fellow travellers.
Cost: £450 incl. 9 nights accommodation, boat trip, food and airport transfers
Find flights to Cairo
5. Over 50s Fun – Barcelona, Spain
This laid back and friendly break, especially created for the over 50s, gives you a guided tour of beautiful Barcelona and a crash course in Spanish. There is an optional excursion to Sagrada Familia in the afternoon and in the evenings, dinner and dancing is arranged in one of the city’s Latin lounge clubs, so you can dance the night away after dinner or amble back at your leisure to a local cantina!
The next day is a low-energy bicycle tour of the city which is good fun and a great way to bond with your group. There will also be time for lunch, shopping and sightseeing with advice offered as to where to go for evening dinner.
Cost: £449 incl. 4 nights accommodation, bike tour, breakfasts, Spanish course and airport transfers
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6. From Russia with Love – St Petersburg, Russia
If your favourite novels are War and Peace and Dr Zhivago, then this is the singles break for you where you’re bound to meet new friends with the same interests. Stay at the Park Inn on Nevsky Street in glittering St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city. Formerly Leningrad, St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia until the October Revolution in 1917. Today it is a city of ornate baroque palaces, elaborate cathedrals and picturesque canals.
A welcome drink and dinner are included on your first evening and day two involves seeing the Winter Palace and the famous Hermitage Museum to see great works of art from the likes of Rubens, Rembrandt and Da Vinci.
Day three includes fortresses, islands, rivers and cathedrals, not to mention some authentic Russian cuisine. The final day is yours to do as you wish; perhaps a visit to the stunning Alexander Palace?
Cost: £959 incl. 6 nights accommodation, airport transfers, breakfast and entry to attractions
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