Singles holidays are proving more popular than ever with older people, so unleash your inner explorer and try the magic of solo travel.
So, you’ve made the decision to fly solo on your next holiday? You’re not alone.
A fifth of Saga customers travel on their own, and it seems the trend is rising. These days more and more of us are realising that our best travel buddy might actually be ourselves.
Saga's solo travel survey revealed that women are significantly more likely to travel on their own than men, but regardless of gender, those choosing to explore on solo holidays are mostly doing so as they don't want to wait for others before they go and expand their horizons.
If you’ve yet to take the plunge, here are five great reasons why a singles holiday could be for you.
Deciding to travel by yourself for the first time when you’re in your 60s, 70s or even 80s, might raise a few eyebrows - maybe even yours.
But its shown that travelling gives you confidence and helps you feel more motivated and independent. It encourages you to look forward and it presents all sorts of possibilities at a time when it can feel like life is slowing down.
Saga's survey found those who had been on a solo holiday returned home feeling proud of themselves.
Clare Gallagher, a project manager, has been a convert to solo holidays for some time. She says take that first leap and you won't regret it.
"While I was apprehensive about travelling solo for the first time, it was certainly no more daunting than starting a new job or moving to a new city," she says.
"My biggest fear was of being lonely but this worry was unfounded."
What will your children or grandchildren think when you tell them you’re off to travel along the Silk Road on a singles group tour?
Or you’re pressing pause on babysitting while you enjoy a solo spa break on the Canary Islands?
Saga's survey looked at the reasons for solo travel and 48% of females and 30% of men said they’d rather travel now, than wait for someone to come with them - many of them felt ‘if not now, then when?’.
So if your spouse, friend or partner doesn’t want to go to the same place you do, why worry? It will be a different experience on your own.
This is one of the reasons Gallagher loves a solo holiday.
"While I do still enjoy travelling with friends, I find the freedom to decide what you want to do each day without having to consider others is liberating," she says.
"A big frustration for me when travelling with others is the time spent waiting for them to be ready! I'm an up and out sort when travelling as I really want to make the most of the time and see as much as possible."
You can choose from tours and hotel stays organised exclusively for solos, regular holiday departures with low or no single supplements.
It’s a bit counter-intuitive but travelling solo can actually be more sociable than going away with a partner or friend. You’re far more likely to meet new people, and from all walks of life.
Saga's survey found that 47% of solos travelling in a group make long-term friends and 11% form a romantic relationship.
"In some ways travelling solo makes you more approachable to others and opportunities opened up to me that may not have been so apparent if I was travelling with others," says Gallagher.
When you choose a singles holiday you’re all there for the same reason: to see the world and have new adventures. Themed holidays take this to another level: birdwatching, wildlife, walking, dancing - when you share the same interest you’ve got a head start.
Gallagher says that fellow solo travellers often have a similar mindset to you, which makes it so much easier to make new friends.
"It may feel daunting to travel with people you don't know, but trips do tend to attract open-minded people with a sense of adventure of all ages," she says.
"I've taken trips to China, Cuba, Costa Rica, Jordan and Vietnam using various companies and can honestly say I haven't had a bad experience."
Solo cruises were very popular in the Saga survey, especially with women over 70. The reasons were both social and practical, with many respondents saying they wanted to have someone to chat to or have lunch with.
"A good way to meet people if you are travelling solo and do want company is to join a city walking tour or organised group day trip in the locality," advises Gallagher.
"This way you get to learn more about the area you are visiting and have the opportunity to share the experience with others. By picking a tour or trip that is of interest to you or includes an activity you enjoy you are pretty much guaranteed to find people you will get on with."
With a solo holiday you can be totally selfish: do what you want, go where you please.
You may want to tick something off your bucket list, learn to dance, walk in the mountains or lie on the beach.
Before you book ask yourself these questions to work out the sort of holiday you want.
"For anyone, considering travelling solo but not quite ready to completely go it alone, I'd highly recommend joining a small group travel to a country of interest," says Gallagher.
Saga runs escorted group tours, which include a door-to-door travel service, tour managers and included excursions.
Or if a cruise is more up your street Saga has great solo cruise experiences with single cabins, 'singles mingles' and a host of activities.
Maybe you’ve retired early, or you work part time. Or perhaps you’re settled into retirement and feel ready for something new or you are enjoying an active retirement - and want to work nomadically while travelling?
Age gives you the freedom and opportunity to reconnect with your old self without so many responsibilities.
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