Hi Pegontheroad. I don't have trouble going into a restaurant alone, but I also do a lot of solo dining at home. I tend to choose casual or nice restaurants, but not elegant ones which I prefer to enjoy with my husband. I make an advance reservation, where possible, and have always been treated well...sometimes even special!

A funny story...once, in Paris, I ended up at a wonderful, but snooty place on my own for lunch. I'll admit, their attitude had me a bit flustered, but I was determined not to let it get to me. Well, long story short, I'm sure they all got a good chuckle out of seeing me use the ASHTRAY as my bread plate!!! Though mortified, I did my best to pretend it was no big deal!

Just go, head held high, and enjoy!

Oh boy, I have a mystery leak in my roof, too. Not fun.

The tip about returning to a restaurant is a good one. I did that on the last trip to Italy. I was with friends for most of the trip, then back in Rome by myself at the end for several days. It was fun to return to my favorite neighborhood trattoria and be remembered and welcomed by the staff!

I also liked that the hotel had a casual but pretty little rooftop bar, so I could peacefully enjoy a prosecco, write a few postcards, and enjoy the view of Rome...

I've dined alone a lot (for business or vacation travel) and don't feel strange about it. While, admittedly, I'm not really an observant person, I have never looked around at a fancy restaurant to find solo diners and say "how sad - that person is all alone!" I just don't care who others are dining with, and I just feel the same way about myself. I don't notice other solo diners as being out of place, and I assume diners and employees don't care about me eating alone either.

It's all in your frame of mind...remember that you will never see these people again, so if by some small chance they are snickering at you (they're not), who cares. Dining solo is no different than shopping solo, going to the bank solo, or riding the subway solo...unless you think it is.

I hope you have a wonderful time. Spain is glorius!

Thanks, everyone! I am bouyed up by your moral support and will most certainly sashay right into those elegant restaurants alone!