Holiday for one at Christmas?

Starbrite

That time of year looms, Christmas!

This year I want to get away no make that NEED to get away! I'm flexible on dates. I have 18 Hol days left to use before Christmas, work closed for the christmas period no holiday days required! :eek:

I'm thinking Bail, alas I can't find a TO with a good deal.

Anyone got any suggestions who to use as a single traveller? I'm a female so rather have it all planned out before hand rather than catching a flight and backpacking where/when I feel like it

Or does anyone have other suggestions? Fed up with Europe, Sun would be nice but I don't mind snow, Been to Florida and Turkey.

Other than that the world is my oyster, until my bank manger see's the costs! Like to keep it cheap as possible say 1,000 to 1,500 but at a push 2k max

Thanks

sarah69696pink

My friend did Thailand last year on an organised tour with quite a few stops, she was single female too. Not sure how much she paid or who she booked with though I'm afraid. She did however love it!

totallybored

I'm almost at the end of my month long trip to SE Asia. I booked everything and planned it all myself. I've been to Vietnam, CAmbodia and Thailand and done it on a similar budget (I've stayed at really cheap £20 a night places to 5 star luxury!)

It was really easy to plan it all, I didn't want to just arrive and do it as I went along so I booked all hotels in advance and train tickets. I recommend doing it yourself as its loads cheaper than an organised tour. I've never done anything like this before and was a bit nervous of doing it as a female on my own but it's been fine.

duchy

May be worth checking out Solos holidays-friend of mine used to use them on a regular basis.

Otherwise how about a cruise-possibly out of one of the Florida ports ?

bcl999

How adventurous are you? Shoestring.co.uk does ecpeditions to lots of countries. Their sole occupancy supp is usually reasonable. Ina ddition, some of their trips are especially for solo travellers.

I've not used them myself but have been thinking about booking one of their and have ggogled to find reviews. Not a lot was returned but they seemt o be a division of Kuoni which is a reputable company.

I think you need to organise your own flights but other than that you'd be in a group with everything arranged for you.

Like previous poster, I also thought about a cruise but Xmas prices are usually high and then there is the sole supp to factor in.

Starbrite

totallybored wrote: »

I'm almost at the end of my month long trip to SE Asia. I booked everything and planned it all myself. I've been to Vietnam, CAmbodia and Thailand and done it on a similar budget (I've stayed at really cheap £20 a night places to 5 star luxury!)

It was really easy to plan it all, I didn't want to just arrive and do it as I went along so I booked all hotels in advance and train tickets. I recommend doing it yourself as its loads cheaper than an organised tour. I've never done anything like this before and was a bit nervous of doing it as a female on my own but it's been fine.

How do you go about planning a trip like that? Daft question I know! was it easy to book everything? train tickets etc?

duchy wrote: »

May be worth checking out Solos holidays-friend of mine used to use them on a regular basis.

Otherwise how about a cruise-possibly out of one of the Florida ports ?

I think I'd get bored stuck on a cruise ship, thanks though. Will Check out Solos

Thanks everyone some really inspiring posts. I think I'm an adventurous person, but this can alway be proved otherwise!

lovesgshp

Cambodia is great. Get a cheap flight to Bangkok, then Air Asia or another budget airline to Siem Reap. Hotels are cheap, unless you want 5Star. We use Asia Rooms and never had a problem.

totallybored

Starbrite wrote: »

How do you go about planning a trip like that? Daft question I know! was it easy to book everything? train tickets etc?

I did most things online. I booked all my hotels before I went, most direct with the hotels as they ended up being the same price on agoda etc.

The first hotel I stayed at in Vietnam I emailed the hotel in advance and asked them to book me 3 train tickets. I did one overnight and 2 day trains. It was an experience! I travelled the length of Vietnam by train. No trains in Cambodia so I took the bus. Very cheap and I got my hotels to buy my tickets a couple of days in advance. In Thailand I took the government bus, just turn up and buy a ticket then get on! Cheap and so easy.

Cambodia was my favourite and I'd definately recommend it. It's safe for a woman on her own and is an amazing country.

I flew out via Hong Kong as I was staying with a friend there but I'd go with geotherms suggestion of getting a flight to Bangkok then either getting a cheap Air Asia flight or travelling overland (I did that from Cambodia to BKK).

I have to admit I was terrified when I got on the plane to Hanoi but everything has been easy, I've had a fan time and met some great people along the way. I fly home at the end of the week and can't wait to start planning my next trip.

I do have to say I couldn't have done it without my iPhone though. Absolutely Everywhere has wifi and it's meant I could message hubby all the time. It also makes sitting in bars and restaurants on your own so much easier. I had a thread asking for advice before I went so when I get back I'll update with where exactly I went etc.

Starbrite

totallybored wrote: »

I did most things online. I booked all my hotels before I went, most direct with the hotels as they ended up being the same price on agoda etc.

The first hotel I stayed at in Vietnam I emailed the hotel in advance and asked them to book me 3 train tickets. I did one overnight and 2 day trains. It was an experience! I travelled the length of Vietnam by train. No trains in Cambodia so I took the bus. Very cheap and I got my hotels to buy my tickets a couple of days in advance. In Thailand I took the government bus, just turn up and buy a ticket then get on! Cheap and so easy.

Cambodia was my favourite and I'd definately recommend it. It's safe for a woman on her own and is an amazing country.

I flew out via Hong Kong as I was staying with a friend there but I'd go with geotherms suggestion of getting a flight to Bangkok then either getting a cheap Air Asia flight or travelling overland (I did that from Cambodia to BKK).

I have to admit I was terrified when I got on the plane to Hanoi but everything has been easy, I've had a fan time and met some great people along the way. I fly home at the end of the week and can't wait to start planning my next trip.

I do have to say I couldn't have done it without my iPhone though. Absolutely Everywhere has wifi and it's meant I could message hubby all the time. It also makes sitting in bars and restaurants on your own so much easier. I had a thread asking for advice before I went so when I get back I'll update with where exactly I went etc.

You have really inspired me, I've always wanted to visit Thailand Loa and Vietnam,. Thank you if you can do it I can do it

Off to get planning, If I don't I won't go and be 100 saying if only I went! Looking forward to seeing your thread updated

getmore4less

The above far east looks great and a no brainer just do it.

But if that does not pan out,

Shared chalet Skiing, The week before Xmas should be cheap so overall should fit into budget. I did Mayrhofen 15 years on the trot Xmas and NY often on my own but then I am a bloke and liked the apre/night life made a few friend over the years but moved on.

last year a few cruises came up cheap. not looked for this year yet with the right itinerary and choice of ship there is loads to do but the far east adventure will blow that away.

Starbrite

getmore4less wrote: »

The above far east looks great and a no brainer just do it.

But if that does not pan out,

Shared chalet Skiing, The week before Xmas should be cheap so overall should fit into budget. I did Mayrhofen 15 years on the trot Xmas and NY often on my own but then I am a bloke and liked the apre/night life made a few friend over the years but moved on.

last year a few cruises came up cheap. not looked for this year yet with the right itinerary and choice of ship there is loads to do but the far east adventure will blow that away.

Oh I've done the shared chalet in Verbier back in er 08ish was a good week, not sure I'd do it again though.

If anyone can suggest places to stay in Bang kok etc that would be a great help Just found a flight with Qantas 9th Dec to 8th Jan for £869.29 return to Bang Kok will need to save a bit before I book the flight but gives me a price idea.

It's all a bit daunting knowing what hotels to stay in! I'd like to go down to Koh Samui in Thailand. I think I need to get a map tour book and work out a route and what I want to see along the way!