Singles Holidays

Catbells

veggieblob wrote: »

Thanks for the reinforcement James. I'm single and used to travelling alone but I thought this sounds a great idea - lots of new friends to meet and possibly a new slant at looking at places. I also liked the fact that people from all over the world go on the different holidays.

I'm impressed and a bit envious at your intrepid attitude - which I thought I was. Don't you get a bit isolated on your own? Please give me some insight into your strategies veggieblob.

Catbells

There seem to be enough single travellers to create some sort of communication system whilst on the hoof - meeting up at organised rendezvous with each other and the likes. There's an idea for an aspiring web site millionaire.

margaretclare

The singles holidays/weekends I used to go on were not particularly happy experiences, but perhaps I haven't been on enough of them to really comment.

The best ones were the ones with a 'common interest' theme rather than the ones based purely on singles/older people.

I remember a Saga singles weekend I went on some years ago to Torquay. I pretty soon realised that I was the wrong generation! On the coach trips out, a lot of the jokes etc from the coach driver were World War Two references to radio shows of that era which I wasn't familiar with. One of the trips was to Slapton Sands and I found a bird hide overlooking a wetland site where I met a nice man who lent me his binoculars. While everyone else was re-living the disaster at Slapton Sands in 1944 I wanted to talk about birds. Another day, I wanted to visit Kents Cavern nearby and I went there alone by taxi.

The problem with me going on any organised trip is that usually I don't want to do the things that were organised and I end up doing other things instead. Which, maybe, defeats the object.

patdocker

A single friend raves over a website with the word meetup in it (as a new member not allowed to add link!)and intends to try and join some of overseas group meetings when on holiday in the future. If you can't find it PM me and i'll pass it on
My 85 year old mum been on several coach holidays-often does her own thing in day but likes the social side in the evening when she can have her meal with others ( as far as she is concerned eating by yourself in evening horrible on holiday)
When she was in her late 60s 70s she joined a tour of Australia and then one of US . She was absolutely terrified before she went but made some good friends and has some wonderful memories
Key seems to be to go on holiday somewhere you really want to go, arrange to do the things you really want to do while there and hope you are lucky enough to make some friends while you are there- I always imagine others as feeling shyer than me and that helps me go up to people and make conversation- the worst that can happen is you feel a bit foolish and I haven't died from that yet!
Good luck

veggieblob

Catbells wrote: »

I'm impressed and a bit envious at your intrepid attitude - which I thought I was. Don't you get a bit isolated on your own? Please give me some insight into your strategies veggieblob.

Hi - I'm probably not that intrepid! I will travel on my own within a group or to visit people I know. I've travelled to California a couple of times alone and to Goa, then across by train to Kerual in India with a female friend. If I have been somewhere I find a really like with a group then I am happy to go back alone, once I sort of know my way around. However in this country I will try anywhere either by car or train - not that keen on coaches though. I think the main thing is that I really love people and will strike up a conversation with anyone. Strangers seem to find it easy to talk to me too. I am not nervous of strangers and assume everyone is "nice" till proven wrong so I probably give off vibes that attract like mindeds. My holidays are adventures and I don't worry too much ahead about will this be ok will that be ok. I would suggest starting with a holiday company geared for single travellers and build confidence that way. Travelsphere Just You is very good. Or try volunteering or a themed holiday built around an interest you have or would like to have?
Good luck and happy travelling! Sue

Errata

Completely agree with Patdocker. I've holidayed on my own on and off for years and have always found other holidaymakers to be friendly and sociable. I've always paid the single supplement as well - ouch - because I'd rather eat my own knees than go on a holiday specifically designed for 'singles'.

Catbells

veggieblob wrote: »

Hi - I'm probably not that intrepid! I will travel on my own within a group or to visit people I know. I've travelled to California a couple of times alone and to Goa, then across by train to Kerual in India with a female friend. Or try volunteering or a themed holiday built around an interest you have or would like to have?
Good luck and happy travelling! Sue

Hi Sue All sounds intrepid to me. :j

Regards the volunteering idea I just got a brochure from a company Gap Years for Grown Ups which sounds fantastic. They do anything from 2 weeks to 2 years. Cheers.

hethmar

Hi, my sister went on a Solos holiday snow mobiling in Canada 6 years ago about 2 years after she became a widow. She remarried 2 years back in Barbados to a man she met on that holiday


http://www.solosholidays.co.uk/

Just had a quick look. They have lots of walking holidays and oh, tennis in Turkey, Corfu or Lake Garda

cazza106

I've been on 3 holidays with solos holidays over the last couple of years. I had a great time on each of them, meeting some great people. There are holidays for specific age groups, or all ages. Personally I prefer the all ages ones, even when I have been one of the youngest on each of them (I'm 36). Everyone is there for the same reason, to have a great holiday!!

I'm going on an independant holiday this year, only because solos aren't going to the location I wanted to go to. The holidays with solos are quite pricey though, but I think they are similar prices to other singles companies.

Marsh_Samphire

I went on an Exodus holiday last October, had a great time, the group was mixed ages ranging from retired to 20-somethings and everyone got on brilliantly. I think you're more likely to have a good time going on a trip with people with shared interests than just a trip because it's for singles.

I travelled with a friend and we shared a twin room but if you go alone Exodus can put you in a twin room with another person of the same sex, or a single room if one is available. They also do solo only departures where the whole group are single travellers.