The Great 'Singles holidays... revisited' Hunt

I travel quite a bit on my own and I'm fed up of the major travel companies either adding huge supplements for a "Single Room" - yes you got who else are they going to let it to - or not prepared to do what is known as an "under sell" on a double or twin. After all they can resell the extra airline seat (using flying as an example but would equally apply for coach travel) and will have some rooms that are over capacity to bridge some of the "profit" gap. The thing that annoys me most is because I'm quite independent I'm low maintenance when I'm in resort, but equally reps don't make a right lot of commission out of me either.

I have a preference for a sole use of double or twin and to a point I'm willing to pay extra for it. Easyjet holidays will usuallly allow you to have the room type you want since they put the package together, but I have found that you often get better service if you book direct with the hotel or at least do it so you pay on arrival at the hotel as some sites agree lower rates to pass on savings but this compromises basic services such a bedding and towel changes.

Having just come back from my 2nd break this year where I put the package together myself - buy the flights when first releases, spend time studying and choosing accommodation (I use booking.com for the ability to pay in resort) to meet your needs and then arrange transfers from the airport, I'll be doing this more often. Granted this isn't everyone's idea of a "Solo Holiday" as you may go for the organised tours and to meet new people but it works for me. The other advantage is no need to pay the balance 8 to 14 weeks in advance of your departure date.

I know from talking to other people that National holidays offer low single room supplements on most of their short breaks, but again book early as late deals often want 2 people to travel. Saga for the over 50's also do the type of guided tours which would allow you to meet people often with reasonable single supplement.

Overall advise would be to assess whether you are willing to pay the "penalties" for Solo travel. Why should Solo travellers be disadvantaged - our money is a good as anyone else's!!!

I've travelled alone loads of times - never on a package, packages just aren't (generally) suited to solo travellers. Hostels are great for solo travellers as you meet loads of other solo travellers so you'll never get lonely, and most hostels offer private rooms these days if you don't want to sleep in a dorm.

Similar experience in Southern Ireland, I was refused a room at one guesthouse because the Tourist Board wouldn't like it if they overcharged a single at a double rate and they wouldn't let it at a single price.

Hi - companies like G Adventures and Intrepid Travel do not charge a Single Room Supplement. These type of holidays attract solo travellers so they put together same sex people on the same trip .... if an odd number of travellers then single rooms are often provided on a rotation basis.

True, you're travelling with 'strangers' on Day 1, but in my expereince these people tend to be 'friends that you've not yet met' .... like minded people mostly and if you're travelling or experiencing the culture as you should be then you're not in the room for much other than sleeping.