I joined group of solo travellers on holiday and immediately stood out | Travel News | Travel

At 29, I wasn’t expecting to spend a week in the Algarve with 24 pensioners. But somewhere between the coastal walks, copious glasses of wine and surprisingly candid dinner conversations, I discovered the joy of travelling with people I’d never normally cross paths with.

When I signed up for a walking holiday with Involved Holidays in Portugal’s Algarve, I hadn’t given much thought to who I’d be sharing it with. I pictured coastal trails, a bit of sunshine and perhaps a few fellow travellers around my age. What I hadn’t pictured was arriving at the airport to discover I was about to spend the next seven days with 24 pensioners.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

I wondered whether I’d spend the week feeling like an interloper, a misplaced twenty-something among a sea of sensible walking shoes and well-earned retirement. Would we have anything to talk about? Would I find myself desperately scrolling through my phone while everyone else swapped stories about their grandchildren?

As it turned out, I needn’t have worried. And, as I quickly discovered, I wasn’t the only person who had arrived feeling a little apprehensive.

Many of my fellow travellers had come alone, some embarking on their first solo holiday. Others were divorcees or widowers, looking for a change of scenery, a little companionship and the pleasure of having somewhere to be each morning. Involved Holidays doesn’t charge a single supplement for solo travellers, which makes its trips particularly appealing to those who want the freedom of travelling alone without necessarily spending their holiday alone.

There was something quietly lovely about this. People had arrived from different corners of the country, carrying their own stories, and yet there was a shared willingness to put themselves out there. Nobody seemed particularly interested in making an impression. They were simply there to enjoy themselves, see somewhere beautiful and, perhaps, find a little company along the way.

Of course, a few glasses of wine helped. With long, communal dinner tables and no pressure to sit with the same people every evening, conversations soon moved beyond the usual holiday small talk. Before long, I was sharing stories about my life with people I’d met just days earlier, and hearing some wonderfully candid stories in return. By the end of the week, there were very few details of one another’s lives left unexplored.

Even those who had arrived with partners or groups of friends seemed keen to embrace the opportunity to meet someone new. There was no sense of people retreating into their own little circles. Instead, everyone was happy to pull up a chair and make room for another conversation.

Our home for the week was the Vila Galé Náutico in Armação de Pêra, a seaside town where the Atlantic seems to stretch endlessly beyond its long golden beach. A pretty promenade runs alongside the shore, offering the perfect excuse for an evening wander, while the hotel itself provided a welcome retreat after a day on the trails. There were two swimming pools, one indoor and one outdoor, and plenty of opportunities to do very little at all.

Breakfast and dinner were included in the Involved Holidays package, and the hotel went to considerable lengths to keep things interesting. Portuguese, Mexican and seafood-themed evenings punctuated the week, with the Portuguese night even receiving a timely Halloween-inspired makeover. There was always something to look forward to, and rarely a reason to leave the dinner table in a hurry.

But the real draw was getting out and exploring the Western Algarve. Across three guided walks, we covered some of the region’s most beautiful landscapes, from the dramatic coastal cliffs between Praia da Marinha and Carvoeiro to the quieter countryside around Ilha do Rosário. There were fishing villages, winding paths, impressive rock formations and plenty of opportunities to stop and take in the views. We also had time to explore Lagos and the historic town of Silves, with free days in between to enjoy the hotel or venture further afield. The walking itself was rewarding without being overly demanding, with routes of around five to five-and-a-half miles and knowledgeable local guides bringing the scenery to life.

I arrived expecting a week of awkward introductions and an inevitable generation gap. Instead, I left with a collection of new friends, several stories I probably shouldn’t repeat and a newfound appreciation for the art of travelling with strangers.

Book it

This seven-night, half board, ‘Walking in the Western Algarve’ holiday starts from £1,449 per person when departing on 13 February 2027 and staying at the four-star Vila Galé Náutico Algarve. This price also includes return economy flights from London Gatwick, in resort transfers and luggage as standard.