A single dad who has fallen in love with travelling following his divorce has shared the two things he always packs with him when on the road.

David Mason has travelled solo to 20 countries since his divorce, but he is not your typical ‘digital nomad’ - he’s been married, has a child, and started travelling alone later in life after a major life change.

Having found himself with time on his hands post-divorce, David decided he wanted to see the world. “After my divorce, I suddenly had space in my life. Travel felt like a positive way to use that time, but I quickly realised that being alone in a new place can feel very different to being alone at home," the writer, who runs Three Week Traveller, explained.

At least a third of solo travellers admit to feeling lonely while travelling alone, highlighting a lesser-discussed challenge of independent travel. This concern is particularly relevant, as solo travel is no longer dominated by younger travellers, with recent figures showing that 86% of solo travellers are aged 35 or older.

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According to David, central to a successful solo trip is keeping up with your hobbies and exercising.

“I always take two things: Gym gear, which includes a pair of trainers I said I was going to bin two years ago, but still use as my gym shoes. I like to work off the previous night's buffet and make room for more later that day without feeling guilty," he said. "And a book. I don't actually read this book until take-off. For all the travel I do, I'm not a great flyer so I distract myself by reading a few lines. Then I put the book away and forget I brought it. I think I've read about 50 pages in three years.”

David says loneliness is one of the most common concerns people raise when they contact him about solo travel. He believes this fear is especially common among older solo travellers, many of whom don’t see themselves reflected in traditional solo travel narratives.

“A lot of people tell me they’re excited about the idea of travelling alone, but nervous about how it will feel day to day. Things like eating alone, evenings on your own, or not having someone to share experiences with," the dad continued.

“There’s still this idea that solo travellers are people who won’t settle down. But I’ve been married. I have a kid. For many people, solo travel isn’t about running away from life – it’s about adapting to a new chapter.”

While looking after a child might seem like a complicating factor when it comes to globetrotting, David loves to bring his son along. "My 8-year-old is the best travel companion, and travelling with children encourages you to drink less and go to bed earlier. Plus, now I can go to waterslide parks without anyone judging me," he said.

"I lost both my parents quite young, so I don't have the usual support network that others can rely on (i.e., grandparents being free babysitters!). I do, however, have a really supportive ex-partner, and we work together to enable each other's travel opportunities. We actually met while travelling, and we want our son to experience that same love for discovery that we had, so we hope he is inspired by his parents going on lots of adventures, which makes things a lot easier."

Through his own experiences on the road, David has developed a set of practical strategies to help solo travellers avoid loneliness without forcing constant social interaction.

“I don’t think the answer is being busy every second or trying to meet people all the time. It’s about creating small moments of connection that fit naturally into your journey.”

Below, David shares his five top tips to avoid loneliness when travelling solo.

Keep up with your hobbies

David recommends continuing familiar hobbies while travelling as a way to meet like-minded people without stepping too far outside your comfort zone.

“If you’re a runner, find a local park run or running group. If you enjoy yoga, book into a class. You already have something in common with the people around you, so it’s much easier to start a conversation and make connections!”

“You don’t have to suddenly become ultra-social. You’re just putting yourself in a space where other people already share your interests, which makes it feel natural rather than forced.”

Get involved in cultural activities

Cultural activities offer built-in opportunities for connection without pressure. Walking tours are one of David’s favourites because conversation happens organically.

“You’re all standing there looking at the same building or listening to the same story. That shared experience gives you something to react to together, which makes chatting feel easy. You don’t have to lead the conversation. You can join in, or just listen. Either way, you feel part of something rather than completely on your own.”

Volunteer for a sense of purpose

For longer solo trips, David says volunteering can be especially powerful because it adds structure and meaning to your days.

“When you volunteer, you’re not just filling time. You’ve got a role, even if it’s small, and that creates a sense of belonging very quickly. Loneliness often creeps in when you’ve got nothing anchoring your day. So, having a purpose, even for a few hours, really helps to steady things.”

Take a class

Classes are one of the fastest ways to connect with others because everyone starts on equal footing. David says cooking classes are particularly effective. Language classes, craft workshops, coffee tastings and photography sessions can offer the same benefits.

“You’re all learning together, making mistakes together, and usually laughing about it. Then you sit down and eat at the end, which naturally brings people together. It’s not about becoming an expert. It’s about sharing a moment with people you didn’t know an hour ago - and potentially creating new friendships that last outside the dumpling-making class or Spanish 101!”

Reports show that 88% of solo travellers want to go off the beaten path - but for those worried about loneliness, David says there’s real value in sticking to popular routes.

“When you stay on well-trodden paths, you start seeing the same faces. The same people at breakfast, at the same café, at the same viewpoint. It creates a kind of mini community. You might never exchange names, but recognising people makes you feel less alone, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.”

According to David, the industry for single-parent group travel is growing and there are now a lot of single-parent group travel operators in the UK market.

"These enable single parents to go away with other single parents and their kids, which, as a father of an only child, is brilliant. To be able to meet and socialise with others like you, in the same boat, is an incredible option. It's a growing industry, and I think we'll see more of it in the future," he said.

Perhaps surprisingly, his favourite destination to visit as a single dad is an island most famous for revelry and dance music.

“My favourite destination is Ibiza, but for the parts of the island that most people don't see. I’ve lived and worked there over the years and got to enjoy life outside of the holiday periods. I like the community feel that you get in small Mediterranean towns; meaning it's safe for kids - the hiking is great, the views are lovely, and if you go out of the main season, you get to stay in some fantastic hotels at a fraction of the price," the dad said.

“Another of my all-time favourite destinations is Sri Lanka. I raced around the island on a tuk-tuk in aid of a cancer charity a few years back. You've got everything here. Affordable luxury accommodation, slow pace of life, tropical beaches, elephants everywhere, brilliant safaris, and you’re guaranteed to capture some incredible photos for your Instagram! When my son hits the big 1-0, I'll definitely take him."

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