The Great 'Single MoneySaving' Hunt Revisited

ceecee1

leeparsons wrote: »

The problem with these companys, they know your on your own. If you actually see the prices of what they are quoting a single person, its not really any cheaper as if there where a couple. So personally, it defeats the whole object of it all.

Maybe, but I know that I wouldn't be happy going somewhere on my own and taking pot luck that there would be someone to talk to.

I spend enough time on my own already and I am happy to pay extra for the company.

I can happily keep myself amused during the day but wouldn't want to eat on my own and I definitely couldn't go in a bar alone. So for me its worth the extra.

leeparsons

ceecee1 wrote: »

Maybe, but I know that I wouldn't be happy going somewhere on my own and taking pot luck that there would be someone to talk to.

I spend enough time on my own already and I am happy to pay extra for the company.

I can happily keep myself amused during the day but wouldn't want to eat on my own and I definitely couldn't go in a bar alone. So for me its worth the extra.

Mate, by having my medical problem and everyone moving on with differant things in life. Means you got to get on with things, and try to grasp life by the balls.
If I never did, i wouldnt ever get out, thats how bad things could be for me. I want to push that more. Lifes to short and you got to sometimes go out of your comfort zone, to get a little more.

vpeake

with the single holidays what kind of age ranges are there? I dont want to book something and discover there are no people my age there (i'm only 24) as id still like to go on holiday and have fun. Only problem i have is that my friends only go on holidays with their bfs so i miss out on the experience (i haven't been on holiday in 9 years!!!!! )

jontcrawford

vpeake wrote: »

with the single holidays what kind of age ranges are there? I dont want to book something and discover there are no people my age there (i'm only 24) as id still like to go on holiday and have fun. Only problem i have is that my friends only go on holidays with their bfs so i miss out on the experience (i haven't been on holiday in 9 years!!!!! )

I'm in the same boat (if you'll pardon the pun) as you. Now I'm 24 all my former travelling buddies are in (rather bizarre) relationships that mean holidaying together is no more.

I checked out one company, and its age ban started at 25-45. Prices were rather a little more than I'd think good value. But then I used to be famous for some phenomenaly cheap holidays that mse users would be proud of.

Mr_Toad

vpeake wrote: »

with the single holidays what kind of age ranges are there? I dont want to book something and discover there are no people my age there (i'm only 24) as id still like to go on holiday and have fun. Only problem i have is that my friends only go on holidays with their bfs so i miss out on the experience (i haven't been on holiday in 9 years!!!!! )

Two years ago 15 of us went to the south of France together, we rented a huge farmhouse with pool etc. overlooking the Med. I was the only single, the others were made up of couples and families.

Would your friends consider doing something like that?

jencmk

I've been going on holiday on my own for several years - if I didn't I'd never go anywhere!!! Being of a certain age, I tend to go with Saga (I can hear the groans from here ... !) but they do singles only holidays as well as the usual, and I've been on both. Found it quite difficult the first few times, and even now it can be difficult at times, but I've always managed to make friends and have only been alone when I've chosen to be. The main thing for me is that I always feel safe, I know that I'm not going to have to struggle with getting luggage up to my room etc. I did go on a weekend with Solos, which was lovely - a large group, a mix of ages, the leader made sure we all mixed well together - and I'll probably try them again. I've also discovered that Grand UK Holidays do coach holidays for singles, so may give them a go at some stage.

ANS112

Hey, I'm new to this MSE forum but it's been really interesting reading this.

In the last few months I've started a new job, spilt up from a 3 year relationship and brought a house. So all change. The best bits of being single is only having to worry about myself as it's exhausting doing the thinking for 2 all the time (I was on the verge of making myself very ill) and having my own space.

Worse bits is having no one there for you. I've had to have 2 operations recently to on my arm and ultimately I had no one but my parents to look after me. Although my arm is on the mend I can't drive long distances and just had to decorate left handed as I don't have anyone to help me or the funds to hire a decorator. Living in a small rural community it's hard to meet people anyway, let alone when I can't join clubs (e.g. I normally run but have to wait for my arm to heal first before I can start again and join the running club) and meet people. My friends from uni mostly live in the south east in the towns where they grew up, are married and struggle with the fact I can't drive 4 hours to see them for dinner. I don't think they know where I live or even what my job title is. I've got 2 weddings to go to this summer and apart from the brides I'm not going to know anyone there and tbh I'm quite dreading it.

Holidays are another problem. I've done travelling by myself and it's not something I want to repeat as being very fair and blonde, people stare and follow you etc it's really disconcerting (and not because I was in the wrong place or travelling unsafely!).

Cooking is another thing. I love cooking and baking but cooking for one is depressing, my freezer is already full from batch cooking and if I bake I'd end up being the size of a house!

I'm not unhappy, I like my life and I'm not lonely. It's just a bit sad being alone. Hopefully another 6 weeks and my arm will be much better and I can put myself out there a bit more. It's just a bit frustrating atm. Thanks for the holiday tips, it's inspired me to have a look

lincsliz

Tend to agree with comments re. Just You I have tried their hols and found it mainly single people travelling with friends or very regular singles. Actually heard people saying is **** not on this trip?
There are other companies try Googling 'single holidays'.I have sucessfully used Solo Holidays on several occassions also made private travel trips which have mainly been highly enjoyable. Wish waiters would not repeat 'table for one' in that quizing/insulting tone.

Sarasimpson

I have spent more time alone than in relationships so have had to go on holiday by myself. I would highly recommend Mark Warner holidays. They have adult only weeks throughout the year, no kids, no single supplements and have been some of the best holidays I have ever had. All your watersports are thrown in, whether you want to have a go or not. Theya re expensive but I think they are worth every penny! Im still on the lookout for new places to go though!

MineralsMan

I travel alone all the time.

I'm 24 and have been away on my own since I was 21. Due to work and play I have spent 10 out of the last 18 months overseas.

There are two amazing ways to travel alone; Hostels and Couchsurfing.

Hostels (they also to private rooms) have an eclectic mix of travelling gap year students, holiday makers, money savers and worldly people. I stay in dorms, not because I can't afford a hotel, but because as soon as you walk in people in the room will introduce themselves (well, you are sleeping next to them!). In a hostel you are never alone, because there is always other people in the same boat. Sit in the lounge/bar and people will invite you to join them, it is normal to walk in and see a multinational group (you know they didn't come together) and ask if you can join them. This inevitably leads to a few drinks and planning the next few days! Word of mouth means you know where to go, where to eat and where they guidebook doesn't mention. You find the hidden gems and where the locals go!

As a typical example last year I had 2 weeks in Malaysia whilst returning from working in Oz (I broke my flights up so I didn't have to pay to fly away on holiday, my company paid) - no-one was in the bar when I arrived and a German girl walked in and sat alone. This doesn't happen in Hostels! I asked if I could join and it turned out it was her first day of her first trip alone and she was nervous - we spent to next 2 weeks moving around 4 different towns/islands and had and incredible time meeting many interesting people along the way! There was nothing romantic/smutty about our stay together, we just got on like a house on fire and could keep each other entertained for hours whilst exploring places.

I have countless friends on facebook who I've met this way, we share photos of places we've been and many of them I keep in contact with and have an open invitation to visit them in their home country.

Couchsurfing is a website initially founded to promote the sharing of spare beds and sofas. Hosts are usually expats or locals who love to show off their hometown. People offer a place to sleep for however many nights, in return many people with either cook, take them for a meal, help them improve language skills, teach them something/tutor them for school/uni, or help them out with something (I've built Ikea furniture before!). Nothing is asked for, but it's good etiquette.

For those who would prefer a hotel their are forums for towns/cities where people arrange weekly meets or just post asking for company to do something or go somewhere, I've been given free spare tickets to sports event, been invited to dinner parties and found people to go to events with this way! Locals want to show off the 'local' restaurants that aren't in the guidebooks (better and cheaper). I've been to a concert with people from couchsurfers where I'd normally not have gone as I didn't fancy it alone and had a scream!

You may think these are reserved for gap-year kiddies, hippies and skint people, but you'd be mistaken. There are of course many 20-somethings, but there are people of all ages and backgrounds. I've had an amazing day out with a 65 year old widow who decided life's to short to be a sit-at-home pensioner and travelled the world alone staying in hostels - she said she's never felt so young! We took a walk to a museum, grabbed and coffee and exchanged stories, she later joined me and some other 20-somethings in a bar and proceeded to drink us all under the table!

Next time you fancy a city break, give it a go - you gave save a load of money and have a far better time! Even if you still would prefer a hotel, check out a hostel bar or couchsurfers.org and you'll not be alone for long!

On a side note, when you enter a restaurant and see someone dining alone, there is a high chance they are away on business and are bored out of their skull. Say hi, what's the worst that could happen?