In relation to appropriate and inexpensive holidays for single individuals, I detect the tide is beginning to flip. Through the years, I’ve written numerous occasions concerning the plight of solo holidaymakers, notably how they’re stung by punitive dietary supplements and the way few holidays truly cater to their wants.
Issues nonetheless exist, however a rising variety of firms now realise that the demand for holidays from single individuals is gigantic – and rising. In line with the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics, almost a 3rd of UK households at the moment are occupied by only one individual – that determine has doubled for the reason that early Sixties.
As a consequence, at a time when many vacation corporations are struggling, these specialising in breaks for singles say they’re seeing a major progress in curiosity. For instance, Simply You’s bookings have been up 12 per cent final 12 months. And extra mainstream escorted vacation firms are making particular efforts to tailor a few of their breaks to solo travellers.
Under, I’ve highlighted that are the most effective corporations to show to for those who’re single, relying on the kind of vacation you might be planning.
Take a break alone: Extra selection for single travellers
Cruises
Cruise ships are convivial locations, and it’s simple to make buddies at mealtimes and through onboard actions – however there may be hardly ever any enforced socialising. And the most important downside for singles is the associated fee – few ships have single cabins so solo cruisers usually should pay hefty single-occupancy prices for double cabins.
It’s little marvel, then, that the Norwegian Epic, a brand new ship within the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, has brought about such a stir. It has 128 moderately priced but interesting single cabins (or studio staterooms, as they’re known as) and the occupants have entry to their very own communal lounge.
Should you’re over 50, Saga can also be an excellent wager. On its two ships, a few quarter of cabins are for single occupancy – they nearly at all times promote out, so ebook them nicely forward. Dance hosts are additionally available within the night.
Seaside holidays
Solo’s Holidays has in all probability the most important number of sun-and-sand breaks for singles. This 12 months, it has added Sardinia and the Greek resorts of Parga and Evia to its listing of locations.
All journeys are escorted by a tour chief, who arranges issues similar to eating collectively within the night.
Additionally value contemplating is Journey One, which specialises in inexpensive seashore holidays for singles, most of whom are aged between 40 and 60. Turkey and Cuba are its high sellers.
A 3rd choice is a ‘home occasion’ organised by Friendship Journey. The corporate utterly takes over a couple of small motels in Greece and Turkey for sure weeks in the summertime.
Touring holidays
Main specialist Simply You provides a variety of unique choices for touring holidays, with the ten-day Marvel Of China being one in every of its hottest.
Alternatively, you may ebook an everyday tour, however one on which single travellers don’t incur a penalty on sure departure dates. For instance, Voyages Jules Verne has a selection of excursions which, on sure dates, haven’t any single complement. Locations embrace Iceland and Cyprus.
Escorted rail journeys are additionally booming. Nice Rail Journeys, the main tour operator for these sorts of breaks, says a few quarter of shoppers on its upmarket holidays journey on their very own. And the corporate provides 5 excursions solely for solo travellers, with no single dietary supplements to pay. The most affordable is a five-day journey to the Black Forest.
Journey holidays
Shared bodily challenges and hardships are a good way to bond.
As much as half of all clients with the primary escorted journey vacation firms are single.
Throughout these journeys, solo travellers can often share lodging with members of the identical intercourse and so keep away from single dietary supplements. This 12 months, Discover is introducing journeys to international locations together with Cuba, Thailand and Morocco particularly for individuals travelling on their very own. The Journey Firm provides breaks solely for single travellers on two dozen excursions, together with a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro and an thrilling exploration of Jordan.
Exodus additionally has departure dates on well-liked excursions geared toward travelling on their very own.
One of many gang: Journey holidays for single travellers to locations just like the Grand Canyon are booming and supply a good way to make new buddies
Metropolis breaks
In my expertise, sightseeing by yourself can truly be preferable as a result of that approach you are able to do precisely as you please. However being in a metropolis with out firm is commonly not a lot enjoyable within the evenings. Friendship Journey, which provides breaks for singles to Barcelona, Istanbul, Marrakech, Dublin and Dubrovnik, understands this. Friends select what they wish to do and the way sociable they wish to be, however on the identical time there’s a visit host available to have dinner with if required.
Solitair has extra totally escorted breaks for singles to Barcelona, Istanbul and Marrakech, and later this month Simply You is launching a metropolis breaks brochure.
Exercise breaks
Top-of-the-line locations I do know for sporty and spa-loving singles is the (awfully named) BodyHoliday LeSPORT. This elegant resort in St Lucia has 29 high-quality single rooms, and wonder remedies and watersports with tuition are coated in its all-inclusive charges – ebook by means of Friendship Journey.
Solo’s Holidays has a rising programme of golf holidays for singles, with recommendation clinics for newcomers and choices for gamers of all talents. It provides breaks to programs within the UK, southern Spain, the Algarve and Turkey.
Should you’re a reliable skier and wish to head off to the slopes, Crimson Level has numerous ‘solo ski’ weeks. The breaks embrace guided snowboarding on most days. Single rooms and communal meals can be found in a resort within the Austrian resort of Fugen. For a selection of different ski holidays for singles, Solo’s Holidays and Ski Friends are each value trying out.
Single guardian breaks
A single mom or father travelling with kids is often hit by an under-occupancy complement, as resort costs are usually primarily based on two adults sharing a room. Furthermore, it may be lonely for single dad and mom, notably within the night if their youngsters are out having fun with themselves.
Small Households provides some tempting escorted group holidays for single-parent households – one spotlight this 12 months is a Kenyan safari in April.
Friendship Journey just lately began a brand new model known as Single Dad or mum Holidays – its journey aboard a gulet in Turkey in August sounds enjoyable.
Contacts
Exodus (0845 287 7518, www.exodus.co.uk)
Discover (0844 499 0901, www.discover.co.uk)
Friendship Journey (0871 200 2035, www.friendshiptravel.com)
Nice Rail Journeys (01904 734 154, www.greatrail.com)
Simply You (0844 567 8831, www.justyou.co.uk)
Norwegian Cruise Line (0845 201 8900, www.ncl.co.uk)
Crimson Level (0845 680 1214, www.redpoint.co.uk)
Saga Holidays (0800 096 0079, www.sagaholidays.co.uk)
Single Dad or mum Holidays (0871 200 2228, www.holidaysforsingleparents.com)
Ski Friends (www.skipals.co.uk)
Small Households (0845 900 0895, www.smallfamilies.co.uk)
Solitair (0845 123 5515, www.solitairhols.com)
Solo’s Holidays (0844 815 0005, www.solosholidays.co.uk)
The Journey Firm (0845 287 5480, www.adventurecompany.co.uk)
Journey One (020 7392 8988, www.travelone.co.uk)
Voyages Jules Verne (0845 166 7035, www.vjv.com)
