Booking first holiday - tips please

Morgyfluffy60

I would say that travelling solo is more common than you think. I have travelled alone with no problem. Do your research so that you don’t inadvertently book into the red light district. Try to stay centrally/near all the sights. Avoid flights that arrive at night/early hours. Consider hostel-type with communal areas, there will be plenty of other solos to chat to (and single /dorm rooms). Use public transport (where available) or get accom to help with taxi recommendations. I often get the number of a taxi driver who is sound in the 1st use and re-use. Keep your phone close, get insurance. Package deals are often cheaper, (Book on organised trips when you arrive for instant company). I just wish there was some way of gauging the likely clientele - I guess she could at least avoid hotels with kids clubs/water parks….i went to Tunisia (cheap TUI package) with offspring in 20s this year, very mixed age-wise and we spent an evening chatting with a solo woman.

kimwp

My boss says he uses chatgpt to plan his holidays now - just puts in what he wants, when he wants to go, who is going and what they like.

Eg we are a couple who like relaxing by the beach and exploring historic cities bla bla

Albermarle

My friend went solo to Seville this year and said she felt very safe

Even disregarding the latest heatwave, Seville is known for regular very high temperatures in Summer. It is a nice city to visit but maybe not in late July. Also being a city it is less easy/expensive to find a hotel with a decent pool.

I've done city break type holidays alone, including a solo trip to Malta last year, staying in Valletta. Malta has lots of interesting places to visit - and excellent public transport.

I think Malta has a safe reputation and everyone speaks English. Variety of types of holiday towns/resorts. Visit Valetta and bus tours of the interior. Then party boats in the evening !

 The only time when something has been stolen from me was a hall of a hotel in Barcelona. 10th floor to be precise. I wouldn't go to Spain on my own simply because I would be constantly worrying about my belongings.

Barcelona is famous for street crime, pickpockets etc. However having visited other parts of Spain many times, I have never had any problems.

tom192

Just back from a Solo trip to Canada with G Adventures, had a brilliant time, thoroughly recommended, took care of all the travel once I was there, met some amazing people and saw some amazing sights. They do trips all over the world, friend also did one in India.

RAS

Has she travelled alone before?

I'd suggest that she starts by thinking about her preferred highest temperature as some parts of Europe will be incredibly hot in late July. She may or may not like that.

I'd also suggest she avoids known party resorts as both visiting and local males will assume a single woman is fair game. She may find smaller resorts orientated to families slightly easier. Even so, I'd suggest she is very careful about drinks and sharing private space. And decide whether a pool has to be by the sea or whether she's be happy with somewhere more inland.

And thinks about maximum price as some countries are very expensive (Scandinavia for example). And whether she has family or friends who live close to regional airports which could some deals reasonable if she doesn't need a hotel one end or the other of the holiday.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82053038#Comment_82053038

Unsurprisingly different parts of Spain are different from each other in the same way the experience in London is different to Cambridge and different again to Crapstone

Wife has done a lot of independent travel, both before we were together and since. She's been across Europe, India, Middle East, South America, North America, North Africa etc with no major incidents in any of the countries. The occasional lost sunglasses, juries out if they were left or stolen. Three phones left in taxis, all of them returned by the driver.

Obviously she's an experienced traveller and wouldnt recommend that a first time traveller just turns up in Mumbai with no booked accommodation or plan but it can work out even for a sole traveller. Note that in independent travel solo travel isnt really "more expensive" but naturally you are booking the whole hotel room just for yourself. Package holidays have a sole traveller supplement, but thats because they price things per person and so the fact the room cost is split between people has to be reversed out when there is only one person.

Personally would start by mapping out what she wants rather than jumping straight into possible destinations. City breaks are interesting but you will pay a notable premium for a decent pool and hopefully there would be a desire to explore the city. Going to a resort is often cheaper but you are further away from stuff so less options of what to do if you dont feel like being by the pool.

I normally hate All Inclusive, its such a waste of being abroad to me, but she may find the not having to budget for drinks etc better… know more than one young traveller who've overspent day/night 1-2 and then been forced to an impoverished existence for the rest of the trip.

Does she speak other languages? Does she enjoy the challenge of dealing with locals and menus in other countries or is she going to refuse to eat anything that isnt "British" food? I like Malta, but find the US boring, I've enjoyed going to somewhere with totally different cultures, though by week 4 having curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner had started to get a bit tiresome in Sri Lanka (until I discovered dosa)

FreeBear

Went to Porto a few years back, well, just across the river in Vila Nova di Gaia and had a view over the wine cellars. An easy place to walk around, and plenty to do & see. Food & drink was reasonably priced.

Beaches are just a short train journey away (just make sure the train you jump on actually stops at the station you want). Senhor da Pedra beach is well worth a visit even if it is to just visit the church.

I went late in the year when temperatures were comfortable. Going this time of year, probably too hot.

Cisco001

Many years ago, I join coach trip for 18-35 solo.

It is fun to meet new people of similar age.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056143#Comment_82056143

I went to Porto in July, it was hot but not unbearably so...

FreeBear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82056242#Comment_82056242

Nice and cool underground.

You should see it down there - hundreds of miles of drains - sweet and clean now after the rain!

(Sorry, wrong plot).