Solo holidays

Ay_Nik

Hey there, has anyone got any good tips for holidaying solo? I fancy a week of warmth a bit later in the year but would prefer to avoid/minimise single supplements etc where possible.
Cheers all.

single_male

hi like you I would like to get some sun to my bones? and am single/widowed, and there must be thousands of like minded people thinking the same who do not have to go in peak times I would love to avoid paying the 70%+ mark up for single persons, it must be a good thing for some company to trade in if any one knows of a site? please?

Doshwaster

I always go on holiday myself (I have no friends ) but always book flights and hotels directly which avoids the single person supplement from the package holiday companies whose business model is based entirely on selling to couples and families.

Have a look a flight+hotel deals through sites such as Expedia, Alpharooms and Ebookers - all of which I have used recently - as well as with airlines such as Easyjet (http://holidays.easyjet.com/) and BA. Otherwise just take a budget flight to somewhere warm (Malaga is always a good bet for cheap flights) and book accommodation separately.

InsideInsurance

Single person supplements only exist in package holidays and that is just because they divide the hotel room cost by two to give a per person cost. Its to undo this all in pricing that the supplement is added.

Book a flight, hotel, transfer etc yourself separately and there are no supplements to pay but the £100 room costs you £100 where as if you had a friend/ partner coming with you then presumably they'd give you £50 towards it.

fizzygirl

I've been holidaying alone since 1972. It's not that I don't have anyone to go with it's just that I like to do my own thing. I'm always looking for new experiences and no matter where I go, I always embrace the culture of the country.

Doshwaster

fizzygirl wrote: »

I've been holidaying alone since 1972. It's not that I don't have anyone to go with it's just that I like to do my own thing. I'm always looking for new experiences and no matter where I go, I always embrace the culture of the country.

Same here. I just don't understand those who sit at home thinking that they would like to go travelling but don't because they have nobody to go with. There's a big world out there to explore and I don't want to miss out on things I want to see and do just because I can't find someone to come with me.

Some people I know tell me that it must be really boring and lonely going on holiday alone when nothing could be further from the truth. You get do exactly what you want, when you want and where you want and it's amazing the people you meet along the way.

InsideInsurance

Doshwaster wrote: »

Same here. I just don't understand those who sit at home thinking that they would like to go travelling but don't because they have nobody to go with

A lot depends on your personality etc.

Went to India with a work colleague for another colleagues wedding. She wanted to get some bangles to go with her outfit so a quick chat to the concierge and they gave directions to the monorail/ tram thing and said which stop to get off of with directions to a shopping centre on one side or a market on the other.

So did what they said, had fun wandering round the market, bartering for a few things etc and then back to the hotel etc. Was all fairly normal for me but she said that there was no chance that she'd have gone had I not been with her. Similarly on our last day there I hire a taxi for the day and went to the main areas, got on a rickshaw thing for the old city where cars cant go and had a great time. She was admittedly sleeping off a hangover so hadnt felt fit to come but again said she wouldnt have "risked" it.

Doshwaster

InsideInsurance wrote: »

So did what they said, had fun wandering round the market, bartering for a few things etc and then back to the hotel etc. Was all fairly normal for me but she said that there was no chance that she'd have gone had I not been with her. Similarly on our last day there I hire a taxi for the day and went to the main areas, got on a rickshaw thing for the old city where cars cant go and had a great time. She was admittedly sleeping off a hangover so hadnt felt fit to come but again said she wouldnt have "risked" it.

To be honest I used to be the same. It was only when I started travelling internationally on my own for work that I developed the confidence to go away on holiday by myself.

I remember about 15 years ago being dispatched by my boss to visit a supplier in Bangalore. At the time I had never been outside Europe or the east coast of the US before so it was a massive culture shock but now something like that wouldn't phase me at all.

MasterPoo

Ay_Nik wrote: »

Hey there, has anyone got any good tips for holidaying solo? I fancy a week of warmth a bit later in the year but would prefer to avoid/minimise single supplements etc where possible.
Cheers all.

A single lady I worked with years ago went on a Saga holiday to Malta, it was a dance holiday (she danced weekly, ballroom I think). She raved about it and booked another one soon after her return. If you are in that age bracket and enjoy that type of thing.

I guess with arranged tours the added benefit is that you'd be with like minded people, personally I'd find that too restrictive.

I'm considering going on a solo holiday, currently I still travel with my 20 year old and 14 year old sons, but I'm actually excited about solo travelling.

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

I guess with arranged tours the added benefit is that you'd be with like minded people, personally I'd find that too restrictive.

And the danger is that you find yourself stuck with a bunch of people who you don't like for 2 weeks.

I'd find it too restrictive too. I like to be able to decide what I do each day and act on the spur of the moment not be led by the hand by a tour guide on pre-defined schedule. It may mean that I miss out on some sights but there is more to experiencing a place than ticking off temples and monuments in your guide book.

FizzledOut

I went on my first solo holiday over Christmas with Leger Coaches, Christmas in Tuscany for Singles (therefore no single supplements). I loved it! I filled my kindle with reading matter so if I wanted to escape I could, but met some lovely people, didn't touch my books. There are lots out there that cater to singles, or have set single holidays - Solitaire, Solo, Crusader, - the majority seem to be aimed at the retired set, with optional guided tours, and truthfully I found the pace very slow for me (55 and still buzzing). One of the ladies I met on my trip raved about Turkish Gulet's - Meridian Travels or Travel One (her recommendation). It's not dating (as I kept having to tell my friends), it is affordable single travel. As I say, I've only been on the one but, having confirmed I can do it and make myself understood, I've booked for Florence for next month on my own, flights, hotel, will visit galleries and churches at my own whim. Good luck.