Holiday alone

FBaby

No need for cruises and naff all inclusives.

For someone who claims to have done so much travelling, talk about extreme narrow mindness! Not surprised you are not convincing Piglet if it is to believe that people she would meet going backpacking are as unpleasant as you are coming across here.

For info, I had the best time going solo on a all inclusive trip to Spain. I went there for nothing more than a rest and although I was close minded to meeting people, I didn't want to make it a goal as didn't want to feel let down by my holiday if I didn't. As it happened, without trying, I met up with a group of lads who just took me on and look after me the whole holiday. They were complete gentlemen and really made me laugh.

As for your views of cruise, it certainly made me laugh! Have you been on one of those new ones? Not many 70 year old doing taking on surfing, sky diving, car bumping or trapeze!

duchy

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Oh my goodness! How old are you? A cruise? That's for the oldies. Pull yourself together!

The OP has already said how old they are - but clearly you don't have any personal experience of the cruise market as the demographic is very broad. Certain cruise companies do cater to the elderly but most are a mix of families, singles and couples.

Criuses with UK departures tend to attract an older age group as well as the more traditional names- fly cruises- especially those serving the US markets cruising to the Caribbean are full of people the OP's age and younger (and there's very little difference in cost between a European cruise and a Caribbean one).

Coach tours tend to attract an older demographic -a friend has just come back from a coach tour of Italy over Christmas and at fifty something was the baby of the group but still had a good time.

I personally wouldn't do an all inclusive beach holiday as it tends to be mainly families - but I've had fantastic restful breach breaks solo on the Greek Islands .

I've also travelled extensively in the US solo -no problems there although as the OP is a little nervous I'd suggest somewhere in Europe for a city break first to gain confidence.

Overall if I was the OP I'd pick a cruise for her first adventure.

I suspect Nifty is a retired male of a certain age - looking for different things from a holiday than the OP.
Travelling solo as a female is different - and whilst some people love backpacking - others think it's best left to students and wouldn't want "basic: but require a comfortable room to themselves and guaranteed hot water after a day spent out and about whether that day is spent relaxing on a beach or exploring the area . I wouldn't personally take any sort of organized holiday - but even as a single female I see no pleasure in slumming it when I can afford not to. Local colour is all very well but if I wouldn't sleep in a shed at home -one on a beach in Asia wouldn't be my choice either !!

piglet74

Thank you,

Can i ask what part you went to, and I there was a large single supplement?

Like you, its a rest, peace to be alone, I'm not afraid of being lonely, and I don't want to HAVE to talk to anyone, or sit with them at meals, but if it happens, so be it.

I don't want to feel like I have to dress up to eat, hence my questions on meal times on a cruise.

Its just a relaxing week in the sun I want. I'm not bothered about sight seeing or exploring, not on this trip. So if I went AI I would be happy to stay in the resort, and if I went on a cruise, I would be happy not to have to leave the ship,

Thanks again

piglet74

duchy wrote: »

The OP has already said how old they are - but clearly you don't have any personal experience of the cruise market as the demographic is very broad. Certain cruise companies do cater to the elderly but most are a mix of families, singles and couples.

Criuses with UK departures tend to attract an older age group as well as the more traditional names- fly cruises- especially those serving the US markets cruising to the Caribbean are full of people the OP's age and younger (and there's very little difference in cost between a European cruise and a Caribbean one).

Coach tours tend to attract an older demographic -a friend has just come back from a coach tour of Italy over Christmas and at fifty something was the baby of the group but still had a good time.

I personally wouldn't do an all inclusive beach holiday as it tends to be mainly families - but I've had fantastic restful breach breaks solo on the Greek Islands .

I've also travelled extensively in the US solo -no problems there although as the OP is a little nervous I'd suggest somewhere in Europe for a city break first to gain confidence.

Overall if I was the OP I'd pick a cruise.

Thank you

Did you island hop, did you get peace from other people to be alone,
Thanks for your input

piglet74

Thanks everyone for the support,

I actually thought I was being really brave going away alone full stop. I don't think that there is anything wimp about wanting to know if you would feel safe and get peace and be left alone.

Each to their own I suppose.

I certainly cant be away for three months due to work and having a daughter, as well as not even being able to afford it being a single mum, but fair play to anyone who can, and far be it from me to criticise them for taking a three month break!

duchy

piglet74 wrote: »

Thank you

Did you island hop, did you get peace from other people to be alone,
Thanks for your input

I found people were friendly but respectful in that they would say hello and ask me to join them but if I made my excuses they were comfortable with that too. I have always found the smaller resorts in Greece to be like that- even the smaller resorts on the bigger islands. I think it's to do with the relaxed Greek vibe.

piglet74

Thanks, I will do some research on Greece too.

melanzana

A wheelie backpack is the business!

And travelling alone is so liberating. I have done it with a bit of trepidation, but research is the key. Knowing how to get from the airport and all that to your lodgings. Where you are situated WRT seeing what you want to see. How to get Public Transport, how it works, tickets and so on will help enormously.

It is an adventure, one that is exciting and at the same time a bit worrying, but with the right attitude and knowing your surroundings by looking it all up, it's great fun! You actually meet so many more people (if that's your thing) by being on your own really.

Best of luck OP, try somewhere like Nice, Seville or somewhere like that. Great cities and really doable on your own.

zagfles

piglet74 wrote: »

Thank you,

Can i ask what part you went to, and I there was a large single supplement?

Like you, its a rest, peace to be alone, I'm not afraid of being lonely, and I don't want to HAVE to talk to anyone, or sit with them at meals, but if it happens, so be it.

I don't want to feel like I have to dress up to eat, hence my questions on meal times on a cruise.

Its just a relaxing week in the sun I want. I'm not bothered about sight seeing or exploring, not on this trip. So if I went AI I would be happy to stay in the resort, and if I went on a cruise, I would be happy not to have to leave the ship,

Thanks again

If that's all you want then destination isn't really important - presumably it just has to be somewhere hot - so just have a look on the usual big tour operators' sites for a good AI deal to anywhere and go with best value option. You can get some bargain package deals if you're travelling outside the school holidays and aren't fussed where you go.

You also have the advantage of an on-site rep and you can book with transfers, so even a 'wimp' has nothing to worry about

NiftyDigits

piglet74 wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the support,

I actually thought I was being really brave going away alone full stop. I don't think that there is anything wimp about wanting to know if you would feel safe and get peace and be left alone.

Each to their own I suppose.

I certainly cant be away for three months due to work and having a daughter, as well as not even being able to afford it being a single mum, but fair play to anyone who can, and far be it from me to criticise them for taking a three month break!

Does that mean you cannot accept my invitation? Also, have you mentioned the date range? Of course if it is soon, Greece won't be suitable.
As to a three month break....I'm already retired, did so in my mid twenties, but to keep my brain active I help out on varied forum, mainly to do with financial, technical and sometimes travel issues for fun.
So, my offer was serious. If you were thinking of travelling soon, you;ll need a place with a warm climate. It is possibly cheaper than you might imagine.

As to the moron above with the poor language, I'll leave that to Admin.