As a UK based independent travel consultant, I’ve been asked for holiday advice by many single female clients. I understand that it may be a daunting thought to travel alone, particularly if you’re recently single. I’ve travelled alone a lot for business & I still feel uncomfortable sitting eating alone in the evening. You may not wish to travel alone. Perhaps friends have other commitments & you do not want to tag along with family members. So what should you do?

Whilst obvious solution may be to go on a singles holiday, where virtually everyone will be in the same situation & there should be plenty company for you, I would not recommend this. I think the problem with singles holidays is all that you have in common with other participants is that you’re single. My advice is to go for some type of themed or activity holiday. If you go on a holiday where the focus is on a topic or hobby, whether that is walking, painting, cycling, yoga or learning a language, then a least you’ll not have to think about how to fill your days, you’ll be doing something that is of interest to you… You’ll have this common bond with the other participants which will facilitate natural conversation rather than topics such as the length of time for which you have been single or why you broke up with your last partner. There may be some single people on this type of holiday but it will feel less like a cattle market as you have come on this holiday to pursue an interest or hobby rather than as a single, with the agenda (perceived or real) of meeting a partner.

Think of an interest or hobby that you would like to attempt or develop further. You can not lose, you will spend time doing something you enjoy & you’ll be in the relaxed company of like minded people.

Karen Bryan is a UK based independent travel consultant & writer. Her website European Cultural & Activity Tours, http://www.europe-culture-activity-tours.com, features a great selection of cultural & activity holiday all over Europe.

Karen’s other site, Europe a la Carte http://www.europealacarte.co.uk features destinations guides, accommodation guides, blog & travel advice for seeing more of the real Europe by getting off the beaten track in Europe. Karen believes that if you venture even slightly off the beaten tourist track that you’ll see more of the real Europe.