Solo traveler, Christmas holidays, tour ideas?

Caroline;

I don't know of any tour companies, but if you think you might Budapest, I will help you with all of the planning, shows, events, and accommodations. Its quite a bit late so you will have move quickly.

Caroline, I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what you must be dealing with.

I wonder whether you necessarily have to find a tour. Perhaps choosing a large city with a lot to offer and heavy tourist traffic even in December could work, because there would be a wealth of local walking tours and day-trips you could book on-site. Do you think that might provide enough human contact for you? If so, I would consider London (weather a negative, English-language theatre a positive) and two cities I've visited in the last 18 months: Barcelona (a variety of sights, and Enric assures us that there is no low season there) and Berlin (weather would be rather cold, but nearly unending historical sites--especially WW II and Cold War, most of them indoors). I trust James, and others here, on Budapest's charms, I just haven't been there recently.

Another possibility might be a last-minute spot on a river cruise.

This might be a good time of year for a package tour to Morocco. Heaven knows most of the country was super-hot when I visited in June. Morocco's a destination which--though perfectly safe--might be more comfortable for a single woman to visit as part of a group, anyway.

Three pages of choices:
https://www.travelsphere.co.uk/en-gb/search/?searchTerm=&selectedHolidayTypes=Festive&selectedFromDate=&selectedToDate=&selectedMinPrice=&selectedMaxPrice=

You may want to explore this website, Just You, trips just for single travelers:
https://www.justyou.co.uk

I signed up for information/newsletters to my email inbox from both of these companies about a year ago. In the time I've been getting email offers from these two companies, all of their trips have looked very good.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. If you do your trip on your own; no tour company or group tour;
I would choose London, as there are so many great museums and sights. Easy to get around.
I would stay in a B&B or small family-run hotel, to avoid the impersonal feeling of a large hotel.
Many owners of B&B's and family-run hotels in London are very helpful to single travelers, and provide good advice for getting around to all the tourist sights.

We've been on many cruises in Europe and the Caribbean, and we always run into a bunch of fun loving singles.
For December, the weather closer to the equator is superior.

I find getting close to nature to be very healing.

Might you be interested in a week at a country house in the U.K., with guided walking? This company, HF Holidays, has these houses all over England, Scotland, and Wales, in particularly scenic places. They also offer one-week walking holidays in Portugal, Malta, and the Canary Islands over Christmas.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/activities/christmas-new-year/

We did a long weekend holiday with HF Holidays in the Lake District, and it was very well organized, with nice rooms, good food, and good company. There were a number of solo travelers in our group, including a couple of younger women (one from France). They mixed well with the couples---everyone was quite social. The company is a member-owned cooperative but one need not be a member to stay at their country houses or join a tour.

David, I do not think she is looking to be with a bunch of "fun-loving singles" just now.

I agree with Lola - doing something physical and being close to nature are a very good combination. I would suggest looking into REI trips in the southwestern US (https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/southwest-us) that involve hiking and/or backpacking, typically in national parks. Having a daily goal (to reach some destination or milestone), being surrounded by beautiful scenery, being around other people (more likely in your age range - or at least like-minded - if you're someone who likes to be outdoors), and simply being exposed to lots of sunshine can be ideal for someone going through a difficult time. Another idea would be to go to a quiet yoga retreat somewhere to just relax, although I'm not sure if you're looking more for distraction or contemplation. As far as the timing of the trip, I think Mexico, Central or South America may be much better than most of Europe...mostly due to the sun, warmth, and availability of activities. In the US, I would concentrate on the Southwest or West (UT, AZ, CA, or NM). Or maybe even a ski trip through some outfitter where you go with a group of people...the point is to do something physical (it will help you sleep well, as well as being satisfying).

A better idea perhaps is to consider something less temporary (like a trip) and more long-lasting in terms of its effect on the healing process. Maybe that involves a trip, but one that is more spiritual, meaningful, or even transformative in nature (like a pilgrimage or retreat or something to that effect). Or maybe it's altogether something else. Also (whether a trip pans out or not), consider doing things that directly help other people (there are countless volunteer efforts out there that would make a difference in someone's life). Besides being intrinsically rewarding and taking the focus away from you, I think they could have more far-reaching effects than a temporary trip. Just thinking outside the box here. Wishing you the best, no matter what you decide.

I am also sorry for your loss.

Perhaps you can get wait listed on an RS tour, since you have already checked into that?

James E. will certainly be helpful if you decide on a trip that includes Hungary. I would also recommend a large city, Berlin or Vienna, both of which have lots to do and a solo woman would not be out of place.

Is there any place you have wanted to go?

The world is a big beautiful place. There are thousands of options. You might want to pick a beautiful city and just settle down and live among the locals for a week. It always recharges my battery.

Not Europe, and not sure if you are on the West Coast or East Coast of North America, but what about New Zealand or Australia? It's summer time there, so you have the warm weather and longer days. If you have 2 weeks or less, you can focus on just one part (e.g., South Island of NZ you could do something like Abel Tasman National Park, Milford Sound, Franz Josef/Fox Glaciers, Queenstown - or if Australia, maybe travel from Melbourne along Great Ocean Road, go to Kangaroo Island and fly from Adelaide to end with a few days in Sydney - or just combine Sydney and some time spent circling Tasmania. Both countries have lots of tour groups operating at that time of year, but you could also do something like get a pass on one of the hop-on/hop-off backpacker bus systems. I traveled on a pass throughout New Zealand with Stray and was around same age as you and the entire system was full of solo travelers, the majority in their 20s and 30s. I met some great people along the way, travelers and locals alike.

If you want to stick to Europe, but can't find a tour that lines up with your exact dates, I'd say pick someplace that has a great transit system and maybe give hosteling a try if you have never done that. They aren't just for college kids and it's a good way to meet other solo travelers who are generally very happy to join a fellow hosteler for a drink or an excursion around town. The couchsurfing community also provides ways for you to meet up with some locals for something as simple as a coffee if you are not interested in staying in their home.

Martin Randall have one space left for Vienna at Christmas (Art, Architecture & Music) 21-28 December
and two spaces on Munich at Christmas 20-27 December.

Look also at ACE Cultural Tours late availability page. Or for something more energetic (walking cycling or skiing) look at Headwater.com. Several options in warmer places there.

I can recommend all these companies from many years' experience as a solo traveller. The quoted prices usually include travel from the UK, but you can always also arrange your own direct travel at a lower cost.

Edited to add: Kudutravel.com - tends to have smaller groups than the others and more off-the-beaten track destinations. Strongly recommended.

Back Roads Touring, UK, looks to have a few small tours with vacancies. I have taken one tour with them in the summer. They use small bus/van type vehicles. I think ours could have fitted 9 passengers. In my tour, it was me and 4 folks from Australia. Some of the tours have reduced prices.

http://backroadstouring.com/

I would phone the tour team at Rick Steves and get info on getting yourself on the waitlist, finding out how long each waitlist is, etc. You never know, and they won't know if you don't ask.

Wishing you luck on your search and a peaceful holiday.

Hello everybody,

A belated "thank you" for all of your help! I haven't completely made up my mind, but I'm leaning toward heading to Seattle and the surrounding area this time, and planning a trip overseas for next year. I think I love the planning almost as much as the actual travel, so I'll be glad not to rush it and I'll have more time to really think about destinations. Thank you, also, for all the other tour company suggestions; some of them I will definitely consider for the future!

Caroline

Well, if you decide on Seattle, then you definitely need to make a pilgrimage to the RS Europe store in Edmonds, lol!! If you don't have a car you can take the commuter train up there. The office is not too far from the Edmonds station.

If you are thinking domestic travel, and I don't know what your tolerance is for cold weather, you could also consider Yellowstone. It opens to over the snow vehicles on Dec 15 for the interior locations of the park so it can't be accessed via car. You'd have to see if there is any availability. Feel free to message me if you want more info on this option.

Brussels, Nurnberg ( Germany), Paris, London, Rome are my best cities for Christmas time.
Start your travel with two places ( one you arrive at and one you depart from).
Brussels Main Square (Grand Place) is always a wonder at Christmas), Rome is fascinating, London has a very special English feel, Paris is Grande Classe.