A Singularly Lonely Christmas

spirit

I'm glad you mentioned holidays and the dreaded SS trifles.

I've not been on holiday for a few years due to the hens/moving house etc. I last went in 2006. I found a company that did (and still does) some no SS. I went to Jordan with them -vjv.com There was a nice bunch of people on the day trips there, a real mixture of couples and singles. The nice thing was that everyone spoke to and walked with everyone else. The following year I went to Greece on a Mark warner holiday. It's really for those into sailing and/or tennis, but I just wanted a fly and flop holiday that year (with no SS) A big bonus was just sitting on the vast beach and watching the college boys fiddling about with the boats all day

I know there are specialist tour operators for singles, I don't know about anyone else, but am not really into people thinking I'm going on one to find someone - as I believe sometimes happens there.

trifles

I can relate to the 'alarm bells', Calico:D While I like the idea of a settled relationship,like yourself I would have to feel he was very special to me-maybe there's a sewing/knitting pattern somewhere!I'm too used to pleasing myself in my own home
.One thing that I do find a bit difficult is going away for breaks or holidays-I go with the expectation of finding my own entertainment of an evening which involves carting various craft supplies and books. I find that more time consuming than what-will-I-wear packing!
If I find good company,then great, but if not it's really no different to being at home with some pampering treats and a good book. If I feel a bit self-conscious going into the hotel dining room, I imagine myself as sometimes the Dowager in Downton Abbey or maybe Elizabeth Bennet meeting Mr.Darcy which always makes me relax and grin like the madwoman I think i may be:D

Cheeses me off having to pay single person supplements if travelling alone,and lucky that I am to have close friends,usually they have to have their holidays with family-understandably. Rather than not go away at all,I find some shared-interest/activity holidays can work out cheaper and more congenial sometimes.Better than the Shirley Valentine' scenario of being adopted by a couple in a hotel:rotfl:

BookWorm

Interesting you mention holidays as I was browsing online last night to see what options there are for 'singlies'. Like some of you have mentioned - although I have a couple of friends who might be up for it - there isn't the option to go on hols with them

I saw some of those companies that are supposed to be geared up for it but I thought they were on the expensive side. Wondered if the usual supplement was hidden in the up front cost? Of course I could also be looking at the wrong ones :rotfl:

I thought perhaps I might consider a night or two away in a B&B somewhere in the UK to see how I would cope before considering something further afield. I seem to be very brave sat here on my sofa but not so much when it comes to getting out the front door and doing it! I also thought perhaps a B&B might be a bit friendlier than a hotel?

LavenderBees

I suspect the SS is simply hidden but really it doesn't matter too much to me. If the holiday is affordable and looks good value for money then I'll gladly pay it to know I'm able to get away, and hopefully meet a few people, enjoy their company/whatever activities/sightseeing etc. Most groups have had their share of lovely people and ones you learn to avoid a little. But it's always been fine.

I've never felt alone on any of these holidays that cater well for singlies as well as friends/partnered people.

Interestingly, the hotel that really made me feel alone was in the Lake District...every time I turned up at the restaurant for breakfast or dinner, they gazed over my shoulder and then patronisingly and with some surprise said "no one joining you, Madam?". Just rub it in why don't you...:rotfl: Then they tried to give me a tiny table in the corner of the room. I amazed myself by standing my ground and insisting on a central table with a lovely window view. But each day we went through the same routine...by the 3rd day, they'd got the hang of it and led me straight to MY window table. Of all the people in that restaurant, I needed the view as had no one to talk to.

By the 3rd day, I'd lost heart and went home early...it's the only break I've not enjoyed. I really felt out of place amongst the couplies, none of whom spoke, though a few did smile hello in the morning.

An activity or sight seeing holiday is different though as everyone, whether partnered, with a friend or single, are there to get out and about and see the world. So you already have much in common.

Be brave! It does take some guts to do, and each time I wonder if I'm mad, but it's always worked out just fine. You'll be fine, and so proud of yourself for taking control of your destiny.

Byatt

I've not been abroad on my own in umpteen years, but in more recent years I've had short breaks, a couple of times to cities and one in Cornwall. Loved being on my own, other than one small incident when I went on my own to a castle banquet and the other guests were 2 coachloads of people! The guide "helpfully" singled me out, to the mass of people as I tried to hide in a corner :eek::o with my Welsh mead...got tagged onto the end of a table, and in my own way enjoyed it, but on leaving heard the two women I was sitting closest too, say, "I really felt sorry for that girl on her own" (me? girl?? :rotfl:). It just flattened my mood completely, and I wasn't brave enough to tell them I was not to be felt sorry for!

I prefer hotels because they usually have all the facilities if you don't want to go outside, and I noticed in Cornwall there were other singlies, we all clutched books when we went to dinner! I had a fab time, did what I wanted, when I wanted, napped, read, mooched about. If people felt sorry for me I wasn't aware, and as I enjoyed it, then I don;t even care. The city breaks are more anonymous which suits me, I'm not the kind of person who chats to everyone, so never make friends on these trips, but then that was not my intention.

spirit

[QUOTE=LavenderBees;6435

Be brave! It does take some guts to do, and each time I wonder if I'm mad, but it's always worked out just fine. You'll be fine, and so proud of yourself for taking control of your destiny.[/QUOTE]

100% agree with ^^

when I went to Jordan, I found a nice B&B near gatwick airport. they didn't charge me SS either. I left my car there and they take you to/from the airport. when I've been there, they are just lovely and remember me from year to year. I find it makes a nice start to the holiday going to the B&b the night before and not worrying about getting stuck on the M25 and missing my flight.

It wasn't until I was in the departure lounge that I had a :eek: what am I doing here moment. I remember sitting next to a couple on the flight who argued all the way there. Evidently she wanted to do a soduku and her husband was just 'doing it' instead of showing her how to.

LavenderBees

This was my first ever holiday on my own...had a fab time, laughed so much I nearly wet myself kind of fun :rotfl:. But of course it does depend who is there at the same time as you.

The hotel owner/staff did everything they could to make everyone feel very welcome. I still have two good friends from my hols there.

But this is the kind of thing I go for if I want a more relaxing holiday...you can chill or do stuff to your hearts content

http://singlesincrete.com/

Byatt

Ohhhhh, it's lovely LB.

LavenderBees

Byatt wrote: »

Ohhhhh, it's lovely LB.

I'll meet you there :j

Oh, such good memories, and I'd go back for a chill out week tomorrow if I had the casherooni spare. But I haven't, so will stop dreaming for this year...

MummyBobble

Just been catching up. Holidays alone aren't really an issue for me at the moment as, 1. I can't afford to go anywhere, and 2. If I could I'd have DD and DS with me (though we do enjoy plenty of cheap days out together). I guess it may become something to think about when they're older, but I do have a natural tendency to smile at people I don't know. Blimey, over the years I haven't half had some strange looks (and collected stalkers who thought a smile meant I was up for something :eek: :rotfl:)
LB - not sure if I'll sleep well tonight or have nightmares about cat sick squidging between my toes...