Post-Divorce Travel: Navigating Solo Trips for Restoration and Adventure

The end of a significant relationship or marriage, often a traumatic experience akin to bereavement, can leave individuals feeling exhausted and in need of recuperation. For many, a holiday offers a pathway to recovery and a fresh start.

Solo travel and group tours are experiencing a surge in popularity, with statistics indicating that 42 percent of marriages end in divorce. While not everyone seeks a global, soul-searching odyssey like Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir 'Eat, Pray, Love,' numerous less radical options exist for those embarking on a new chapter.

Tracey Davies, co-author of 'Wayward Women: Sex, Friendship And The Midlife Reset,' notes that divorce can act as a catalyst for change. She highlights that for women, the absence of needing to accommodate a partner's desires can be liberating, opening doors to activities like Pilates courses in Morocco, painting holidays, or cooking classes in Italy. Davies also points out that many group activity holidays cater to individuals who wish to travel alone but still maintain a social connection.

For those whose children have left home, the prospect of more extensive travel opens up. Davies suggests that women often exhibit greater adventurousness than men in later life, viewing divorce as an opportunity to explore new experiences. Intrepid Travel reports that since 2021, approximately 43 percent of their UK solo traveler bookings have been made by women in midlife. Bridget Chadwick of Intrepid states that these customers often cite major life turning points, such as divorce, children leaving home, retirement, or widowhood, as reasons for their solo adventures. The common thread, she adds, is reaching a stage where personal dreams and ambitions, often including travel, can become a priority. These travelers typically seek fulfilling, adventurous, and challenging experiences rather than simply relaxing on a beach.

Intrepid has seen a 30 percent increase in female bookings for active trips this year, with walking and trekking tours up by 43 percent. The sense of camaraderie experienced on such tours is a significant draw.

Types of Post-Divorce Travel

Annabel Lane, a divorce coach, advises choosing new destinations to create fresh memories, emphasizing that there is no single 'right' kind of trip. She explains that a shift in identity during a divorce naturally alters holiday requirements. For single parents, travel can initially seem daunting, especially if a former partner previously managed holiday arrangements. However, some tour operators specialize in family breaks for single parents. Acorn Family Holidays offers adventure trips across Europe, while Camp Mates provides all-inclusive camping holidays in the UK and abroad. High Adventure Holidays runs activity-based breaks in the Yorkshire Dales.

For child-free travelers, the options are extensive. Experiences range from combining safari with yoga in Kenya, at lodges offering game drives and guided bush walks, to more focused retreats. Therapists are often available at such locations for pampering treatments.

Stefan Walters of Harley Therapy explains that travel promotes a growth mindset, helping individuals break free from established thinking and behavioral patterns. New environments can foster a sense of possibility and encourage the discovery of new aspects of oneself. While travel may not resolve all challenges, a temporary escape can be incredibly restorative.