Lone female

Jasmine81

Thanks Tuesday Ten for your post. I'm tied to Malaga or the surrounding area for this trip as my three night activity holiday is in the countryside near Malaga and it is already booked. I did some research on Malaga last night and it is very tempting to book there. I spotted a Vegetarian restaurant so that has practically sold Malaga It looks like there is a good mix of things to do there as well as lay on the beach, I like to get out and about as well as sunbathe.

Tuesday_Tenor

What are the dates of the activity holiday you already have booked?

pandora205

I've done quite a few activity holidays either with an unknown group or on my own (but met like minded people while away). I've also stayed on my own in hotels overseas, though only for one night at the beginning or end of the holidays. I find that carrying a book or tablet with me while eating in restaurants makes me feel more relaxed, even if I'm not reading!

Tuesday_Tenor

University accommodation is also ideal for solo travellers as you don't have to pay for double rooms.

I've used universityrooms.com for some great visits to Oxford, but not yet used them abroad. I have my eye on historic Salamanca University ...

In case you're looking at peak time and hotels in Malaga are full: There is availability in the student accommodation in Malaga over the summer. Is fairly central: says a 10 min bus/drive to the centre, but knowing the city a little it looks very walkable to me.

The dates I looked at in July have rooms for 30euros/night. Self catering but with cafe on site, open for breakfast.

Maybe you want a conventional hotel and pool for this first solo trip, but if it's the conventional hotel where you'd feel uncomfortable, consider alternatives like student accommodation.

http://www.universityrooms.com/en/city/malaga/home

Jasmine81

I've booked for during the first week of October I never thought on Uni accommodation but yes I remember when I was at Uni they rented some of it out during the summer.

Doshwaster

Tuesday_Tenor wrote: »

University accommodation is also ideal for solo travellers as you don't have to pay for double rooms.

<<shudder>> I spent 3 years in University accommodation as a student and I've got no desire to do it again. I recently found myself having to use one at a conference and it was like being in a prison cell.

One of my most basic requirements as a solo traveller is a double bed.

glider3560

Doshwaster wrote: »

<<shudder>> I spent 3 years in University accommodation as a student and I've got no desire to do it again. I recently found myself having to use one at a conference and it was like being in a prison cell.

One of my most basic requirements as a solo traveller is a double bed.

I stayed at UCLA in California last year for a conference. The room was clean and modern. Unfortunately it had two single beds (but my employer paid extra for sole usage of the room). The price (about $130 per night) included all you can eat meals and soft drinks in any of the university canteens three times each day. The food wasn't gourmet, but you could easily have a healthy, filling and varied meal at each serving. The room was just as comparable to the Hilton (yes, really) I stayed in at my most recent work trip to LA.

Back to the OP, I am also a regular solo traveller (four or five times a year) plus various work trips. It's really liberating as you can do whatever you want, eat whatever you want and not feel tied to your partner/friends.

I used to book hotels, but wanted to start reducing costs, so in the most cases now book apartments or a room in an aparthotel. I et out at lunchtime, but eat at "home" in the evening. Things like breakfast are much easier to make and eat in bed! Buy half a litre of milk and small boxes of cereals then you're sorted. I often take a few items for the microwave from home in my hand luggage as you can't always get them at a reasonable price in Europe: ready cooked rice, cous cous, noodles etc.

The apartments also have full-sized fridges, so you can keep things like big bottles of drinks, beers, wines, yogurts, etc etc without having to worry about those awful little minibar things.

Visiting foreign supermarkets is always a great experience, especially when you can't speak the local language. You end up coming out with all sorts of odd stuff you wouldn't normally buy with no idea how to cook it, or even whether it's already cooked or raw (because you can't understand the packet)! All part of the fun.

melanzana

Just to mention, for anyone staying in an apartment in European mainland. France/Spain/Italy specifically....

They don't ALWAYS have a corkscrew with the utensils. And unlike at home screwtop wine bottle are very rare. Corks are everywhere. Yikes!

So my biggest tip is to translate the word for corkscrew from Google translate and put it into your notes on your phone.... in case you need to buy one. They are not allowed in hand luggage.

You will thank me yet!

Tuesday_Tenor

Doshwaster wrote: »

<<shudder>> I spent 3 years in University accommodation as a student and I've got no desire to do it again. I recently found myself having to use one at a conference and it was like being in a prison cell.

One of my most basic requirements as a solo traveller is a double bed.

Each to their own!

Actually, in most universities there is a variety of accommodation. Single, twin and double rooms. B&B or self-catering. Some have 'guest apartments' which are for the guests of lecturers during term time but for anyone in the holidays.

I've had 2 great stays in Oxford. In the most amazing one I stayed at historic Christchurch College and had TWO rooms: a double bed,with en suite, plus a study with 2 easy chairs, desk and fridge. At £57/ night in otherwise eye-wateringly expensive Central Oxford this was amazing value. Access to the college (usually £12) was included, and I got to have breakfast in the Harry Potter dining room (as in the films) which has greatly impressed various young people I know!

You do need to read the details to be sure what you're booking, but it's possible to find things that are delightful, and delightfully cheap, with no shudder-factor at all!

melanzana

@ Tuesday Tenor.

You helped me such a lot WRT my recent trip to Brum and Oxford.

Unfortunately College rooms were not an option then due to exam time.

But thank you again anyway for the time you took to help me out.

I did update my thread for anyone else who may be thinking of Oxford.