You're single & you want a holiday....
Discussion
Agoogy said:
So what have you done?
Where? How? Why?
Newly single, actually enjoying having my own space for longer than a day at a time, but would like to start thinking about a holiday...anything and everything considered...so looking for ideas from those that've already done it....
ta
Done the single holiday many times in the past, always on my motorbike, including a five-weeker to America including Sturgis. My favoruite was just after I'd split up with a gf of four years, took four days to get to Oxford (from Nottingham), almost like "the diceman", except I did alternate left and right at T-junctions.Where? How? Why?
Newly single, actually enjoying having my own space for longer than a day at a time, but would like to start thinking about a holiday...anything and everything considered...so looking for ideas from those that've already done it....
ta
In fact, given time, I'd do a "Diceman". Take a dice, ask strangers for 6 different places to go, roll the dice, go with the result. When you get there, 6 more strangers for things to do, etc.
Spent 2 months in Europe "on my own" last summer.
I went from Paris - Berlin - Krakow - Tatran Mountains (Slovakia) - Budapest - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Trieste - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples - Rome - Rimini - Bologna - Milan - Paris - London
All done on trains and staying in hostels, first time I had ever:
a)been on holiday alone
b)staying in anything but a 4* plus
I spent very little time alone (only when I wanted a break) the rest of the time I spent with other travellers of all ages.
Europe makes a change from Thailand/America and you really do appreciate Europe when you spend months with Aussies and Americans who are in awe of how much we have so close to home.
HTH.
Edited to add: It was a liberating experience and certainly something I will remember till the day I croak. I have friends yes, I spent 2 weeks in Miami/LA/Vegas with them over New Year but to do it alone was amazing and I made some life long friends.
I went from Paris - Berlin - Krakow - Tatran Mountains (Slovakia) - Budapest - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Trieste - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples - Rome - Rimini - Bologna - Milan - Paris - London
All done on trains and staying in hostels, first time I had ever:
a)been on holiday alone
b)staying in anything but a 4* plus
I spent very little time alone (only when I wanted a break) the rest of the time I spent with other travellers of all ages.
Europe makes a change from Thailand/America and you really do appreciate Europe when you spend months with Aussies and Americans who are in awe of how much we have so close to home.
HTH.
Edited to add: It was a liberating experience and certainly something I will remember till the day I croak. I have friends yes, I spent 2 weeks in Miami/LA/Vegas with them over New Year but to do it alone was amazing and I made some life long friends.
Edited by JDMc on Wednesday 9th February 16:08
How about a real trip of a life time.
16 week overland Cape Town to Cairo, in one of their fully fitted out camper trucks.
£2000
http://www.oasisoverland.co.uk/trips/Ultimate-Expe...
'vette
16 week overland Cape Town to Cairo, in one of their fully fitted out camper trucks.
£2000
http://www.oasisoverland.co.uk/trips/Ultimate-Expe...
'vette
JDMc said:
I went from Paris - Berlin - Krakow - Tatran Mountains (Slovakia) - Budapest - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Trieste - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples - Rome - Rimini - Bologna - Milan - Paris - London
That sounds excellent!I've only done a single holiday once - between jobs at short notice so had to go on my todd.
I really enjoyed it, just remember to take a good book or something to the restaurant otherwise you get people taking pity on you thinking youve been 'stood up'.
Also something I noticed, people that are on holiday in groups or with other friends will latch onto you in a bid to escape their current company! (no bad thing sometimes!)
Here's a short piece I wrote a few years ago when I was single and recently returned from a cheap holiday by myself;
It's with a heavy heart that I look around me and see that all my friends have grown up. My best mate got engaged earlier this year, two couples of close friends have dropped little darlings, another close friend of many years has moved to Manchester and shacked-up with his long-term girlfriend. The list goes on. Through all of this I've unintentionally kept my blinkers on and let it all pass me by. It's not like they all set a date and decided from then on they were all going to be adults. I should have seen the warning signs from the first time I received a dinner invitation addressed to "Adam & Guest." Prior to this the only dinner invites I used to get were text messages along the lines of "Hello Brew you tosser, fancy bringing the guitars over for a jam, watching Top Gear and ordering an Indian?"
Anyway, I digress. This year has been pretty tough on me and my family. Mum has breast cancer and is still battling (and winning by all accounts), her mother, my most beloved grandmother and matriarch of my whole family, passed away, plus a few other tribulations which I won't labour you with. With all this going on I didn't really notice that a boys holiday hadn't been planned, and what's more, even if it had I would have had to have turned them down during the summer anyway due to family and work commitments.
Come October it was becoming apparent that whilst mum is still suffering, things were starting to go her way. She's responding well to the treatment and having discussed it with her she would be fine for me to disappear for a bit. I desperately needed a break. I was depressed, tetchy, run-down and as pale as a full milk bottle so I booked a week off work in November and proceeded to call around all my friends to see how many I could rally into a debauched boys break away. In years gone by this would be like asking a kid if he wanted a free bag of sweets. They'll all be clambering over each other to the travel agent, I thought. So the phone calls began. "Mate, I'd love to, but Jess and I are going skiing in January. You're more than welcome to come along if you want." Skiing? A week of going somewhere colder than the UK, to deliberately exert yourself and pretty much guarantee yourself at least some bruises, if not worse. I'd rather spend a week, trapped in a wood hut in the Scottish highlands, freezing my knackers off, using a hole in the ground for a toilet, which funnily enough is what my next call suggested I did with them! Honestly, why is it that when people settle with a partner they suddenly think masochism is a great basis for a holiday? I get the feeling that to add a bit of reassurance to a relationship they go somewhere, or do something, utterly banal, or even dangerous just to remind them that being with each other every night at home actually isn't that bad.
Things were becoming a little desperate. My two "bankers" on joining me for sun and frollicks suddenly turned out to be self-harming weirdoes that had already planned holidays away, with their partners and without *me*. Whyever would this be? Were they not my friends anymore? I mean, we'd all been like brothers since we were knee high to a grasshopper's grandson. I frantically rang a few others. Some jumped at the offer only to ring back a day later not able to get time off work. Some didn't have passports, or the money to blow. So there I was, a week off from work, a bunch of spending money in pocket and nobody to go with. What should I do?
I'm a pretty gregarious chap as most people who meet me will testify. I enjoy being sociable, and often holding court in a group, but I had never just packed my bags and disappeared off by myself. It's not that I'm afraid of my own company or travelling alone, it's just something I'd never done, so I approached the idea with a little trepidation. I considered my options, thinking about visiting the US of States, or maybe going east instead, but I'd only booked off 10 days, and if I stayed in Europe it left me with some cash for new wheels for the Alfa. So it was decided. Somewhere cheap, sunny and with the possibility of nightlife if I decided to go out. At this time of year it had to be the Canaries. Tickets were booked, arrangements made and I was on my way.
I'd arrived at the airport early, checked in and meandered my way through security into the shops. I was checking out some new RayBans (which lightened my pocket by £90) when I happened to notice two chaps stood hand in hand. Now, I'm a pretty open-minded bloke when it comes to these matters. I think there are far worse evils in the world than two adults enjoying each other's company, but living in rural Lincolnshire we're pretty sheltered from, well, everything really. Never mind, the sunnies were cool so off I went to pay and heard my call for the gate. Sitting in my cramped plane seat I couldn't help but notice as more people filtered on they were nearly all of the "pink" persuasion. Again, whilst buggery isn't at the top of my list of favourite passtimes, as I've said, they are welcome to it if it floats their boat. It did however start to worry me about my destination and what I might find to do there. As the doors were prepared for take-off I'd have been forgiven for thinking I was on my way to a Liberace convention, were it not for there also being a brace of spiky haired, facially tattooed lesbians.
I checked into my hotel, wondering what I'd let myself in for. I'd been to the Canaries before, but that was a different resort and I didn't really fancy spending all of my holiday in the company of gentlemen who prefer their Diamonté studded thongs with the Diamontés on the inside. I needn't have worried, stepping onto my balcony I looked down at the pool to see a good variety of sunbathers who didn't exude any indication of wanting to wear pink handcuffs in public. I ventured out that night for a bite to eat and a few drinks and all was good, with a variety of languages being spoken and generally friendly faces all around. It'd been a long day so I headed back and got an early night.
I won't bore you with all of the details of the rest of the holiday, but during the week I met a crazy Northern Irishman who's opening gambit was "D'ya know if there's an English church around here?" He went on to graphically explain, with photos of why he felt the need for a regrounding of his ethics, and having listened to him I could see why. I met a family from Surrey who were a good laugh apart from one of them seemed quite prejudiced against "Dem facking Germans" and didn't mind voicing his opinion. A lot. Loudly. Near Germans. I met two girls from Norway who were a real hoot and could drink more individually than any two women I've ever met put together. I met a couple from Wolverhampton who, after getting over the insult of being accused of being Brummies, turned out to be two of the friendliest and most funny people I've ever come across. I played volleyball on the nudist beach with some German girls (and boys unfortunately). The list goes on and on, but amongst all of these I met two Dutch girls. They were possibly the warmest people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. In fact I ended up spending a lot of time with one in particular. If I'm honest, I'm smitten. We've got each other's contact details, have spent a lot of time texting and chatting, and we've already made plans to see each other again very soon. I'm not a teenager and I know holiday romances generally end up being just that, but for the first time in some time I think a little faith is justified.
So the point of this inane ramble? I'm not sure really and if I were a journalist I'd be keeping an editor very busy, but I suppose I should find some words to sum it all up.
Growing up? You can keep it if it means I have more holidays like the last ten days. That said, if everything goes how I'd like it to maybe I'll be visiting the most boring place on earth with a very special Dutch girl.
Belgium, here I come.
It's with a heavy heart that I look around me and see that all my friends have grown up. My best mate got engaged earlier this year, two couples of close friends have dropped little darlings, another close friend of many years has moved to Manchester and shacked-up with his long-term girlfriend. The list goes on. Through all of this I've unintentionally kept my blinkers on and let it all pass me by. It's not like they all set a date and decided from then on they were all going to be adults. I should have seen the warning signs from the first time I received a dinner invitation addressed to "Adam & Guest." Prior to this the only dinner invites I used to get were text messages along the lines of "Hello Brew you tosser, fancy bringing the guitars over for a jam, watching Top Gear and ordering an Indian?"
Anyway, I digress. This year has been pretty tough on me and my family. Mum has breast cancer and is still battling (and winning by all accounts), her mother, my most beloved grandmother and matriarch of my whole family, passed away, plus a few other tribulations which I won't labour you with. With all this going on I didn't really notice that a boys holiday hadn't been planned, and what's more, even if it had I would have had to have turned them down during the summer anyway due to family and work commitments.
Come October it was becoming apparent that whilst mum is still suffering, things were starting to go her way. She's responding well to the treatment and having discussed it with her she would be fine for me to disappear for a bit. I desperately needed a break. I was depressed, tetchy, run-down and as pale as a full milk bottle so I booked a week off work in November and proceeded to call around all my friends to see how many I could rally into a debauched boys break away. In years gone by this would be like asking a kid if he wanted a free bag of sweets. They'll all be clambering over each other to the travel agent, I thought. So the phone calls began. "Mate, I'd love to, but Jess and I are going skiing in January. You're more than welcome to come along if you want." Skiing? A week of going somewhere colder than the UK, to deliberately exert yourself and pretty much guarantee yourself at least some bruises, if not worse. I'd rather spend a week, trapped in a wood hut in the Scottish highlands, freezing my knackers off, using a hole in the ground for a toilet, which funnily enough is what my next call suggested I did with them! Honestly, why is it that when people settle with a partner they suddenly think masochism is a great basis for a holiday? I get the feeling that to add a bit of reassurance to a relationship they go somewhere, or do something, utterly banal, or even dangerous just to remind them that being with each other every night at home actually isn't that bad.
Things were becoming a little desperate. My two "bankers" on joining me for sun and frollicks suddenly turned out to be self-harming weirdoes that had already planned holidays away, with their partners and without *me*. Whyever would this be? Were they not my friends anymore? I mean, we'd all been like brothers since we were knee high to a grasshopper's grandson. I frantically rang a few others. Some jumped at the offer only to ring back a day later not able to get time off work. Some didn't have passports, or the money to blow. So there I was, a week off from work, a bunch of spending money in pocket and nobody to go with. What should I do?
I'm a pretty gregarious chap as most people who meet me will testify. I enjoy being sociable, and often holding court in a group, but I had never just packed my bags and disappeared off by myself. It's not that I'm afraid of my own company or travelling alone, it's just something I'd never done, so I approached the idea with a little trepidation. I considered my options, thinking about visiting the US of States, or maybe going east instead, but I'd only booked off 10 days, and if I stayed in Europe it left me with some cash for new wheels for the Alfa. So it was decided. Somewhere cheap, sunny and with the possibility of nightlife if I decided to go out. At this time of year it had to be the Canaries. Tickets were booked, arrangements made and I was on my way.
I'd arrived at the airport early, checked in and meandered my way through security into the shops. I was checking out some new RayBans (which lightened my pocket by £90) when I happened to notice two chaps stood hand in hand. Now, I'm a pretty open-minded bloke when it comes to these matters. I think there are far worse evils in the world than two adults enjoying each other's company, but living in rural Lincolnshire we're pretty sheltered from, well, everything really. Never mind, the sunnies were cool so off I went to pay and heard my call for the gate. Sitting in my cramped plane seat I couldn't help but notice as more people filtered on they were nearly all of the "pink" persuasion. Again, whilst buggery isn't at the top of my list of favourite passtimes, as I've said, they are welcome to it if it floats their boat. It did however start to worry me about my destination and what I might find to do there. As the doors were prepared for take-off I'd have been forgiven for thinking I was on my way to a Liberace convention, were it not for there also being a brace of spiky haired, facially tattooed lesbians.
I checked into my hotel, wondering what I'd let myself in for. I'd been to the Canaries before, but that was a different resort and I didn't really fancy spending all of my holiday in the company of gentlemen who prefer their Diamonté studded thongs with the Diamontés on the inside. I needn't have worried, stepping onto my balcony I looked down at the pool to see a good variety of sunbathers who didn't exude any indication of wanting to wear pink handcuffs in public. I ventured out that night for a bite to eat and a few drinks and all was good, with a variety of languages being spoken and generally friendly faces all around. It'd been a long day so I headed back and got an early night.
I won't bore you with all of the details of the rest of the holiday, but during the week I met a crazy Northern Irishman who's opening gambit was "D'ya know if there's an English church around here?" He went on to graphically explain, with photos of why he felt the need for a regrounding of his ethics, and having listened to him I could see why. I met a family from Surrey who were a good laugh apart from one of them seemed quite prejudiced against "Dem facking Germans" and didn't mind voicing his opinion. A lot. Loudly. Near Germans. I met two girls from Norway who were a real hoot and could drink more individually than any two women I've ever met put together. I met a couple from Wolverhampton who, after getting over the insult of being accused of being Brummies, turned out to be two of the friendliest and most funny people I've ever come across. I played volleyball on the nudist beach with some German girls (and boys unfortunately). The list goes on and on, but amongst all of these I met two Dutch girls. They were possibly the warmest people I've ever had the pleasure of spending time with. In fact I ended up spending a lot of time with one in particular. If I'm honest, I'm smitten. We've got each other's contact details, have spent a lot of time texting and chatting, and we've already made plans to see each other again very soon. I'm not a teenager and I know holiday romances generally end up being just that, but for the first time in some time I think a little faith is justified.
So the point of this inane ramble? I'm not sure really and if I were a journalist I'd be keeping an editor very busy, but I suppose I should find some words to sum it all up.
Growing up? You can keep it if it means I have more holidays like the last ten days. That said, if everything goes how I'd like it to maybe I'll be visiting the most boring place on earth with a very special Dutch girl.
Belgium, here I come.
Agoogy said:
So what have you done?
Where? How? Why?
Newly single, actually enjoying having my own space for longer than a day at a time, but would like to start thinking about a holiday...anything and everything considered...so looking for ideas from those that've already done it....
ta
I've been to Portugal on my own where I spent a week reading and lounging by the pool. Last year I went to Thailand alone and am going again (alone) in a few weeks time. It kind of depends what you want to do on holiday, the ones I've done alone were fine because I was planning relaxation and in the case of Thailand, there were lots of other people travelling alone so we'd hang out together if we wanted company.Where? How? Why?
Newly single, actually enjoying having my own space for longer than a day at a time, but would like to start thinking about a holiday...anything and everything considered...so looking for ideas from those that've already done it....
ta
For Portugal and the first Thailand holiday I went alone because I was single, but this time I'm going alone because the OH is more into skiing and I'm not so he's going with his mates instead which is fine because it means I get to lie on a beach instead.
JDMc said:
Spent 2 months in Europe "on my own" last summer.
I went from Paris - Berlin - Krakow - Tatran Mountains (Slovakia) - Budapest - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Trieste - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples - Rome - Rimini - Bologna - Milan - Paris - London
All done on trains and staying in hostels, first time I had ever:
a)been on holiday alone
b)staying in anything but a 4* plus
I spent very little time alone (only when I wanted a break) the rest of the time I spent with other travellers of all ages.
Europe makes a change from Thailand/America and you really do appreciate Europe when you spend months with Aussies and Americans who are in awe of how much we have so close to home.
HTH.
Edited to add: It was a liberating experience and certainly something I will remember till the day I croak. I have friends yes, I spent 2 weeks in Miami/LA/Vegas with them over New Year but to do it alone was amazing and I made some life long friends.
I would love to do this but after watching Hostel I'm not to sure now.I went from Paris - Berlin - Krakow - Tatran Mountains (Slovakia) - Budapest - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Trieste - Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples - Rome - Rimini - Bologna - Milan - Paris - London
All done on trains and staying in hostels, first time I had ever:
a)been on holiday alone
b)staying in anything but a 4* plus
I spent very little time alone (only when I wanted a break) the rest of the time I spent with other travellers of all ages.
Europe makes a change from Thailand/America and you really do appreciate Europe when you spend months with Aussies and Americans who are in awe of how much we have so close to home.
HTH.
Edited to add: It was a liberating experience and certainly something I will remember till the day I croak. I have friends yes, I spent 2 weeks in Miami/LA/Vegas with them over New Year but to do it alone was amazing and I made some life long friends.
Edited by JDMc on Wednesday 9th February 16:08
I have been to HongKong and Thialand with friends but after going there once I would now go on my own, its funny how the unknown frightens us.
I went to NYC on my own back in 2004 - met some really cool people who I'm still in touch with now. Excellent nights out in the east village with 2 Irish guys, got invited out to a BBQ on Long Island, went to a few gigs, . We're planning on getting lunch at Katz diner next time I'm over.
In summary - the first time I went alone was FAR better than when I went back with a girlfriend a couple of years later.
In summary - the first time I went alone was FAR better than when I went back with a girlfriend a couple of years later.
I've done numerous skiing and diving holidays on my own.Brilliant fun.
If you want to go skiing on your own but ski with others try http://www.markwarner.co.uk/ski
Numerous dive companies like this one http://www.regal-diving.co.uk/home/?m=destinations...
General adventure holidays http://www.exodus.co.uk/
If you want to go skiing on your own but ski with others try http://www.markwarner.co.uk/ski
Numerous dive companies like this one http://www.regal-diving.co.uk/home/?m=destinations...
General adventure holidays http://www.exodus.co.uk/
Steamer said:
That sounds excellent!
I've only done a single holiday once - between jobs at short notice so had to go on my todd.
I really enjoyed it, just remember to take a good book or something to the restaurant otherwise you get people taking pity on you thinking youve been 'stood up'.
Also something I noticed, people that are on holiday in groups or with other friends will latch onto you in a bid to escape their current company! (no bad thing sometimes!)
It was and I will be doing a shorted version this year (due to work commitments). Staying in hostels meant I ate most days with others but I have no issue sitting in a restaurant alone with a book.I've only done a single holiday once - between jobs at short notice so had to go on my todd.
I really enjoyed it, just remember to take a good book or something to the restaurant otherwise you get people taking pity on you thinking youve been 'stood up'.
Also something I noticed, people that are on holiday in groups or with other friends will latch onto you in a bid to escape their current company! (no bad thing sometimes!)
You are right in what you say others in groups latch onto you as they see you as an escape. You are often doing more interesting things also as you look to entertain yourself.
PAULJ5555 said:
I would love to do this but after watching Hostel I'm not to sure now.
I have been to HongKong and Thialand with friends but after going there once I would now go on my own, its funny how the unknown frightens us.
"There is nothing to fear but fear itself"I have been to HongKong and Thialand with friends but after going there once I would now go on my own, its funny how the unknown frightens us.
Eastern Europe is truly special, and I am happy for people to be afraid of it because it means I can spend more time there with the locals.
I think the greatest part of travelling alone and if you are happy to "slum" it is you don't need £££'s. In 2 months I spent £2k and travelled solely by rail, conversely I spent 10x that in a 5 day period I Vegas over new years and did I have as much fun? No.
My trip really opened my eyes to destinations that are rarely frequented by the British.
Next stop, Romania.
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