Does anyone here regularly travel for fun without their spouse?

[Anonymous]

I'm in my 50s and my husband is in his early 60s. We've been married just about 30 years and our kids are grown and independent.

To me, this is the perfect time to travel but my husband has some anxiety about travelling, plus as a hoarder he packs very heavily. Not an adventurous person. He claims he'll go anywhere with me but he is perfectly happy not travelling at all and certainly won't toss around ideas for trips or do any planning.

Do single supplements still exist? Which solo travel companies are good for older travelers? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Yes, quite regularly.

I'm mid 50s and DH is mid 60s. It's harder for him to get time off work and he does at least one guy's trip per year with friends he has had since childhood. I often want to go somewhere he isn't that interested in. We do big trips together (the last one was a safari and this year it is London and environs), but I'll often do a smaller trip on my own (last year a spa resort in St Lucia for a few days, the year before that a workshop at Esalen).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, quite regularly.

I'm mid 50s and DH is mid 60s. It's harder for him to get time off work and he does at least one guy's trip per year with friends he has had since childhood. I often want to go somewhere he isn't that interested in. We do big trips together (the last one was a safari and this year it is London and environs), but I'll often do a smaller trip on my own (last year a spa resort in St Lucia for a few days, the year before that a workshop at Esalen).

PP ^^ again.

I don't really use any travel advisors for this kind of stuff. As far as single supplements go, I am not usually doing formal tour group tours so that hasn't really come up for me (well except at the Esalen trip I mentioned -- you do pay more for a single room there, but group housing is kind of part of it there).

[Anonymous]

I don’t (DH loves travelling) but I know many that do! If you’re on fb, check out the girls love travel group. So many solo women travellers of all ages. You might find some major inspo!

[Anonymous]

Hmmm. I’m the reluctant, control-freak DW with an anxiety disorder and DH loves to travel. We’re new empty nesters.

I see this situation from a different perspective; I’m going to miss out on so many fun times and adventures if I allow my anxiety to run my life.

I’m on medication/SSRI and will be for likely the rest of my life but most importantly I’m in weekly therapy to address and confront some of my root causes of my issues (and I have issues). I’m doing the work and I’m really trying to do everything I possibly can to make sure the last half of my life is better than the first half. Sad, but true.

We’re on vacation together right now. Always takes me on day to unwind and re settle then a bump in anxiety before leaving but I have to power through to have these experiences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hmmm. I’m the reluctant, control-freak DW with an anxiety disorder and DH loves to travel. We’re new empty nesters.

I see this situation from a different perspective; I’m going to miss out on so many fun times and adventures if I allow my anxiety to run my life.

I’m on medication/SSRI and will be for likely the rest of my life but most importantly I’m in weekly therapy to address and confront some of my root causes of my issues (and I have issues). I’m doing the work and I’m really trying to do everything I possibly can to make sure the last half of my life is better than the first half. Sad, but true.

We’re on vacation together right now. Always takes me on day to unwind and re settle then a bump in anxiety before leaving but I have to power through to have these experiences.

So back to say, why don’t you see if your DH might want to takes steps to become your frequent travel partner?

[Anonymous]

I’m a SAHM and I travel without spouse all the time. I have 3 kids with different breaks. I take turns traveling with the kids. We take 1-2 big whole family vacations with DH. Other times I visit my family without DH. I go on trips with my friends often as well.

[Anonymous]

Yes Op! We've even lived apart for 4 weeks. I did a month long AirBnb to be in the same town as my elderly Mother. So glad I did. Btw, DH packed more for this 1 week stay than I did for my 4 week stay!

[Anonymous]

Travel alone. Travel when you can. Now is the time. At some point one of you will need to take care of the other. Travel while you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a SAHM and I travel without spouse all the time. I have 3 kids with different breaks. I take turns traveling with the kids. We take 1-2 big whole family vacations with DH. Other times I visit my family without DH. I go on trips with my friends often as well.

Same - I also do the travel sports trips since DH is over the Holiday Inn Express.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I would in your case. But I also can’t imagine being married to someone so different from me. Travel is our joint hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a SAHM and I travel without spouse all the time. I have 3 kids with different breaks. I take turns traveling with the kids. We take 1-2 big whole family vacations with DH. Other times I visit my family without DH. I go on trips with my friends often as well.

Same - I also do the travel sports trips since DH is over the Holiday Inn Express.

Hate travel sports with a fiery passion. Praying we can ditch them once HS sports start. (Our HS isn’t that competitive sports-wise.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t (DH loves travelling) but I know many that do! If you’re on fb, check out the girls love travel group. So many solo women travellers of all ages. You might find some major inspo!

Yes!!! I have been a part of Girls Love Travel for years.

I in in my 30s but I have traveled a little solo and with my kids when my husband cannot come. It’s much more common than you’d think.

[Anonymous]

My mom travels without my dad a lot. She visits her sisters or old friends, and does trips he wouldn't be interested in, like going to an artists retreat.

They also travel together.

I think my dad sometimes gets lonely when she's gone but he used to travel a lot without her, too. His friend he used to travel with passed, though, and he is less comfortable traveling alone. He's done a couple trips with my older brother but he has kids and work obligations and can't travel the same way. It is what it is.

[Anonymous]

I don’t travel alone but I’ve traveled with 1 of our 3 kids a few times. Like a PP, I’m a SAHM of 3 with a husband who works long hours and kids with different school breaks.