Christmas and New Year breaks for solo travellers, with a host

The best Christmas and New Year breaks for solo travellers give you company without asking you to arrange it. Spice Escapes runs hosted small group breaks over the festive season for people travelling on their own: the Christmas markets in Prague, and New Year in Puglia with a private gala dinner. A host is with the group throughout, most people book on their own, and the evenings are shared if you want them to be. Here is each one, with what it includes and what it costs today.

Why the festive season is easier with a group

For many people the hardest days of the year to spend on their own are the ones everybody else spends with family. A hosted break changes the shape of them. You have somewhere to be, a table booked and people to talk to, and you can still slip away for a walk or an early night. Nobody asks why you came on your own, because most of the others did too.

It also takes the planning off your hands at the one time of year when everything is busy. Flights, transfers, the hotel and the big meals are arranged before you leave, and the host deals with anything that goes wrong.

Christmas markets in Prague

Prague Christmas Magic is 3 nights at a central four-star hotel (local rating), minutes from the Old Town Square Christmas market, one of the best known in Europe. One day takes in Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral in the morning and the old streets of Malá Strana in the afternoon. The rest is yours for the wooden stalls, the mulled wine and the carols in the squares. Breakfasts, airport transfers in Prague and the city tax are included, and a Spice Escapes host is with the group throughout. It runs 4 Dec 2026 – 7 Dec 2026, hosted by Sally Wiltshire, from £675. Availability today: 7 places left. Our Czech Republic page has the details.

New Year in Puglia

New Year in Puglia with WingsItaly takes the group to Salento, in the heel of Italy, where Claire and Andrea of WingsItaly meet you at the airport and stay with you. The group has the rooms of the Hotel Tesoretto to itself. New Year's Eve starts with an aperitivo and goes on to a private five-course gala with a bottle of wine each, while a local celebration runs next door and guests drift between the two. On New Year's Day there is a traditional Italian lunch. The days take in Lecce, Specchia and Galatina, with a Puglia wine tasting along the way. It is 5 nights, 28 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan 2027, hosted by Claire Dymond, from £1,139. Availability today: 17 places left.

Earlier in the winter: Venice and Iceland

If you would rather go away earlier in the winter and be home for the festive days, two short breaks run before them.

All Inclusive Treasures of Venice is 4 nights on MS Michelangelo, a small ship moored close to St Mark's Square, with all meals and drinks at the bar included and an afternoon across the lagoon to Burano. It runs 19 Nov 2026 – 23 Nov 2026, hosted by Samantha Pike, from £929. Availability today: Waitlist only.

Iceland Discovery is 4 nights at the Centerhotel Plaza in central Reykjavik, with a city tour, a full day on the Golden Circle to Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, and entrance to the Blue Lagoon in the price. It runs 12 Nov 2026 – 16 Nov 2026, hosted by Jackie Whyte, from £1,414. Our short breaks page has the rest.

Rooms and what they cost

Every holiday on sale charges a single supplement for a room of your own, and the figure is different on each one. We publish them all on our single rooms and supplements page, so you can see the cost before you choose. On some departures, two people sharing a twin or double room avoid it, which helps if a friend or a sister is coming with you.

What the host does

Your host travels with the group from the first day to the last. They book the table for the first evening and make the introductions, sort out problems, and know how each day runs. Over the festive days that matters more than usual, because restaurants are full and plans change. Time on your own is fine. Tell the host your plans so nobody waits for you.

Questions people ask

Where can I go for Christmas on my own?

A hosted group break is the easiest way to spend Christmas away on your own, because the company and the plans are already arranged. Spice Escapes runs a hosted Christmas market break in Prague, with a central hotel and a host with the group throughout.

Are there New Year breaks for solo travellers?

Yes. Spice Escapes runs a hosted New Year break in Puglia, in the south of Italy, with a private gala dinner on New Year's Eve and a traditional lunch on New Year's Day. Most people book on their own, and the WingsItaly hosts meet the group at the airport.

What is included on a Christmas market break in Prague?

Spice Escapes' Prague Christmas break includes a central four-star hotel, breakfasts, airport transfers in Prague, the city tax and a host with the group. Flights from the UK can be added when you book.

Is it a good idea to go away alone at Christmas?

For many people it is, especially with a group, because the festive days are spent in company rather than at home on your own. On a Spice Escapes break a host makes the introductions and the meals are shared, and you can still take time to yourself.

How big are the groups?

Most Spice Escapes groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty, with a host travelling with them. That is small enough to know everyone by the second day, and big enough to choose your company.

Ask us before you book

Places on a small group break are limited, so if one of these appeals, ask soon. Ring or write to the office from our contact page, and choose a phone call back if you would rather talk. You can also ask Rosie, our automated assistant, in the chat on this page about dates and prices, and one of the team can pick the conversation up. Nothing is booked by asking. If this would be your first holiday with a group, our first-timers' page answers the questions people ask before they book, and our page on solo holidays for the over 50s, 60s and 70s sets out how much each kind of holiday asks of you.