Autumn holiday destinations for people travelling on their own

The best autumn holiday destinations for someone going on their own are the places that are still warm and still lively once the summer crowds have gone home: Lake Como, Malta, Venice and Crete, with Reykjavik and the Ganges for something further afield. Spice Escapes runs small hosted group holidays to all of them for people in their 40s, 50s and 60s who travel on their own, with a host who goes with you and a group of around fifteen people, and some reach twenty.

Autumn is when a lot of people realise they want to get away and have nobody to go with. The summer has gone by in other people's plans, friends are back to work and grandchildren, and the evenings at home are drawing in. This page sets out where we go in the autumn and what each trip is like for someone arriving without a companion.

Why the autumn suits a first trip on your own

The places on this page are quieter than in the summer. Ferries have seats, cafés have tables, and for someone travelling alone it means the group becomes the centre of the holiday rather than one more crowd to get through. If you have never done this before, our page for first-time solo travellers explains how it works from the airport to the first evening, and our beginner's guide to a first group holiday covers the practical side.

An easy start by the lake: Lake Como

Lake Como Discovery is the gentlest autumn trip we run. It lasts 5 nights, departing 14 Oct 2026 – 19 Oct 2026, from £999, and Steve Dell hosts. Places: Waitlist only.

You stay at the four-star Hotel Como, ten minutes' walk from the historic centre, with a rooftop pool terrace looking over the city and the green hills. The ferries run to Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio, so each day you can join a few others for a lake town or take the funicular up to Brunate for the view. The host gathers everyone over breakfast to talk about plans, and in the evening the group meets in the hotel bar to swap stories before dinner. See more of Italy or every culture and discovery holiday.

Late sun with dinners already sorted: Malta

Maltese Chillout runs for 7 nights, departing 17 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026, from £1,288, hosted by Jackie Whyte. Places: Waitlist only.

Eating alone is the worry we hear most, and Malta answers it neatly: four evening meals are included, so most nights are already arranged. The group stays at Number 11 in St Julian's, an adults-only hotel with a rooftop pool terrace, close to the seafront and cafés. There is a suggested plan for each day, from Valletta and the Grand Harbour to the old walled city of Mdina, the Blue Grotto boats (weather permitting) and a ferry day across to Gozo. One day is set aside to do nothing at all. More on the islands at Malta.

Venice once the summer queues have gone

All Inclusive Treasures of Venice is a short break of 4 nights, departing 19 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026, from £929, hosted by Samantha Pike. Places: Waitlist only.

The ship is your hotel, moored close to St Mark's Square, and all meals, drinks at the bar and a gala dinner are included on board. That takes away two things people on their own fret about: finding somewhere to eat and working out the bill. The group arrives together by water taxi and meets the crew at a welcome drink. There is an afternoon across the lagoon to Burano and its rainbow-coloured houses, a day in Chioggia, and optional trips to the Doge's Palace, Murano and Padua. Our earlier article on all-inclusive Venice holidays goes into more detail, and there are more sailings among our cruises.

Warm sea and two good bases: Crete

Crete Discovery runs for 7 nights, departing 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, from £1,499, hosted by Lauren Fawkes. Places: 13 places left.

Early autumn is one of the best times to visit Crete. The heat has eased and the sea is still warm enough to swim in. The trip uses two bases only, three nights in Aghios Nikolaos and four in Rethymno, so you are not packing every morning, and both hotels have two pools and a spa, with half board throughout. Along the way there is a home-cooked lunch at a family taverna on the Lasithi Plateau, Knossos for anyone who wants it, and a day in Chania. See more of Greece.

Late autumn further north: Reykjavik

Iceland Discovery is 4 nights, departing 12 Nov 2026 – 16 Nov 2026, from £1,414, hosted by Jackie Whyte. Places: 2 places left.

This one suits anyone who prefers crisp air to a sun lounger. Entrance to the Blue Lagoon is in the price, there is a full day on the Golden Circle to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, and a panoramic tour of Reykjavik. The group stays at the Centerhotel Plaza, which is central and has a bar to sit in afterwards, so the evenings sort themselves out.

The big autumn journey: Kolkata and the Ganges

India: Kolkata and The Lower Ganges River Cruise is 10 nights, departing 10 Oct 2026 – 20 Oct 2026, from £3,485, hosted by Claire Dymond. Places: Waitlist only.

This is the one for someone who has wanted to see India for years but would not go on their own. There are just eighteen staterooms aboard, a rickshaw ride at Kalna to a Shiva temple ringed by 108 shrines, and a private visit to Raj Bhavan arranged for Spice Escapes guests only.

What going alone costs

Every one of these holidays carries a single supplement or a cost for having a room to yourself, and we would rather you knew that up front. Our page on the single supplement explains how it is worked out and what it buys you. For the wider picture of how we run trips for people on their own, see our over 50s solo holidays page, or read what makes a Spice Escape different.

Questions people ask

Where is still warm enough for a holiday in the autumn?

Crete and Malta both stay warm well into the autumn, with sunny days and a sea that is still pleasant for swimming early in the season. Lake Como is milder but lovely for walking and boat trips, and further afield the Maldives move into their dry season late in the autumn.

Will I be the only one there on my own?

Most people on our holidays book on their own, so you are very unlikely to be the odd one out. The host makes a point of introducing everyone on the first day and keeps the group together at mealtimes.

Do I have to do everything with the group?

No, you can join in as much or as little as you like. The host makes sure you know where everyone will be if you want company.

Which autumn trip is best if I have never travelled alone before?

A short trip with a central hotel is the easiest start, which is why Lake Como and Venice suit first-timers well. Both keep the group close together and give you plenty of chances to chat without a long commitment.

How far ahead should I book an autumn holiday?

Autumn departures fill up because the weather is kind and the groups are small. Some of our trips already have waiting lists, so it is worth asking us early and we will tell you where places are left.

Ask Jackie what the group is like

If one of these has caught your eye, the next step is a conversation. Jackie Whyte hosts both the Malta week and the Iceland trip, so she can tell you what a typical day looks like, how the evenings run and which autumn holiday would suit you best if you are going on your own for the first time. Tell us when you can get away and what has held you back so far. Get in touch with the team and ask for Jackie, and we will come back to you with dates and places.