Going on holiday alone?
Going on holiday alone?
Ok, here's the thing. I'm in my early 30s, single and love going on holiday. Until last year, I have always gone on holiday with friends but this year, they are all having babies or moving house and so not up for going away.
I hate the thought of a year without a holiday but I'm a bit wary of going on my own. I'm quite happy in my own company and would take loads of books to read but I'm worried about sitting on my own at night, in a restaurant or bar. I also know my mum will be really worried about me - she is of the generation where women don't travel alone!
Has anyone been on holiday alone? Not so much travelling but maybe just a week in the sun.
Any recommendations for somewhere hot, not tacky and safe for a single female?
The other thing that worries me a bit is people's reactions. Not just when I'd be on holiday although I do keep thinking about the Shirley Valentine film and the couple who keep trying to adpot her! I'm probably more worried about the reaction of friends and people in work who can be a bit "smug married". I really don't want their pity!
Any advice welcome!!
Answers:
I went on holiday last year by myself. I was desperate to get away and I'd never been on holiday before.
Anyway, I went Greek island hoping with a tour for two weeks.
It was good, but the tour turned into a bit of a Club 18-30 affair with people in my tour group drinking more than they could handle and many were sleeping around - I had one bad experience where I could hear the guy in my roomshare having sex with a girl outside. :o
I'm not sure how I'd have managed if I wasn't with an organised tour as the nature of the holiday meant that we needed to keep a tight schedule for ferries and transport between the islands and in the islands themselves.
I have to say it would have been better if I was with a friend, but that wasn't an option for me.
I say you should go for it. I know many girls go travelling solo so a holiday at a resort shouldn't be an issue in terms of safety.
I've heard this company recommended quite a lot for tours.
Solo Holidays
The tour company I used was Contiki, though I get the feeling the tours they specialise won't suit your taste.
www.contiki.com
Good luck. :)
Answers:
If I was single I would do it in a minute!
I love spending time with me and used to go to the pictures or out for a glass of wine alone (pre kids). My mates all thought I was bonkers and would ask why I hadnt called etc. But that was the whole point!
If you do decide to, obviously steer clear of the big tourist resorts where it wouldn't be safe for a single female. But I hear great stories of island hopping in Greece. Apparently the locals can be very welcoming. Or what about a city break, where you could explore and shop by day and have a few drinks and a meal by night. Or is it a beach holiday you are after?
I do think you will always have people wanting to adopt you if you are alone, but who knows, you may make some good friends out of it.
Again, I've also heard of compaies catering for solo travellers, but I cant say I've heard great reports. What little knowledge I do have is that you were "buddied up" with another girl when you arrive and share a room etc. But I would think that defeated the purpose?
Answers:
Thanks for your replies! I will definitely look into the sites you recommended Firefox. I like city breaks but I would really like somewhere that I can just chill out for a week. I do think I'm a bit old for wild hoildays but I'm quite happy to travel as part of a group. Spent some of a holiday in Oz on my own and met some nice people so I wouldn't be against an organised tour.
Ta x
Answers:
I had a brilliant time in India with Dragoman - I went on my own. It does two types of trips: the backpacker style with lots of camping and budget accommodation (Encounter, which I did) and a bit more upmarket (Dragoman) but the concept is the same. You on a truck with a driver and possibly a cook overlanding.
Completely brilliant because you're part of a smallish group and so don't have the issues of lonely evenings, which I hate (used to do a lot of business travel) and everyone is fairly independent-minded and doesn't mind if you potter off by yourself for an afternoon. A bit rough and ready but I loved it and highly recommend it. In fact I want to do it again.
Ok, here's the thing. I'm in my early 30s, single and love going on holiday. Until last year, I have always gone on holiday with friends but this year, they are all having babies or moving house and so not up for going away.
I hate the thought of a year without a holiday but I'm a bit wary of going on my own. I'm quite happy in my own company and would take loads of books to read but I'm worried about sitting on my own at night, in a restaurant or bar. I also know my mum will be really worried about me - she is of the generation where women don't travel alone!
Has anyone been on holiday alone? Not so much travelling but maybe just a week in the sun.
Any recommendations for somewhere hot, not tacky and safe for a single female?
The other thing that worries me a bit is people's reactions. Not just when I'd be on holiday although I do keep thinking about the Shirley Valentine film and the couple who keep trying to adpot her! I'm probably more worried about the reaction of friends and people in work who can be a bit "smug married". I really don't want their pity!
Any advice welcome!!
Answers:
I went on holiday last year by myself. I was desperate to get away and I'd never been on holiday before.
Anyway, I went Greek island hoping with a tour for two weeks.
It was good, but the tour turned into a bit of a Club 18-30 affair with people in my tour group drinking more than they could handle and many were sleeping around - I had one bad experience where I could hear the guy in my roomshare having sex with a girl outside. :o
I'm not sure how I'd have managed if I wasn't with an organised tour as the nature of the holiday meant that we needed to keep a tight schedule for ferries and transport between the islands and in the islands themselves.
I have to say it would have been better if I was with a friend, but that wasn't an option for me.
I say you should go for it. I know many girls go travelling solo so a holiday at a resort shouldn't be an issue in terms of safety.
I've heard this company recommended quite a lot for tours.
Solo Holidays
The tour company I used was Contiki, though I get the feeling the tours they specialise won't suit your taste.
www.contiki.com
Good luck. :)
Answers:
If I was single I would do it in a minute!
I love spending time with me and used to go to the pictures or out for a glass of wine alone (pre kids). My mates all thought I was bonkers and would ask why I hadnt called etc. But that was the whole point!
If you do decide to, obviously steer clear of the big tourist resorts where it wouldn't be safe for a single female. But I hear great stories of island hopping in Greece. Apparently the locals can be very welcoming. Or what about a city break, where you could explore and shop by day and have a few drinks and a meal by night. Or is it a beach holiday you are after?
I do think you will always have people wanting to adopt you if you are alone, but who knows, you may make some good friends out of it.
Again, I've also heard of compaies catering for solo travellers, but I cant say I've heard great reports. What little knowledge I do have is that you were "buddied up" with another girl when you arrive and share a room etc. But I would think that defeated the purpose?
Answers:
Thanks for your replies! I will definitely look into the sites you recommended Firefox. I like city breaks but I would really like somewhere that I can just chill out for a week. I do think I'm a bit old for wild hoildays but I'm quite happy to travel as part of a group. Spent some of a holiday in Oz on my own and met some nice people so I wouldn't be against an organised tour.
Ta x
Answers:
I had a brilliant time in India with Dragoman - I went on my own. It does two types of trips: the backpacker style with lots of camping and budget accommodation (Encounter, which I did) and a bit more upmarket (Dragoman) but the concept is the same. You on a truck with a driver and possibly a cook overlanding.
Completely brilliant because you're part of a smallish group and so don't have the issues of lonely evenings, which I hate (used to do a lot of business travel) and everyone is fairly independent-minded and doesn't mind if you potter off by yourself for an afternoon. A bit rough and ready but I loved it and highly recommend it. In fact I want to do it again.