Does anyone here holiday alone?

walkingshadow · 10-05-2015 7:39pm #1

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

Sir Osis of Liver. · 10-05-2015 7:40pm

Billy no mates.

seamusk84 · 10-05-2015 7:41pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

Going clubbing in general in your late twenties would be weird in my opinion lol

However no, nothing wrong with holidaying alone. Having time away to yourself is nice.

Cee-Jay-Cee · 10-05-2015 7:41pm

I usually go on holidays alone along with my wife. I have a great time.

AlphaRed · 10-05-2015 7:41pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

Don't let the lack of company stop you. Be a social mother****3r and chat to everyone.

Insect Overlord · 10-05-2015 7:43pm

Yeah, most days of the week, in front of my laptop...

syklops · 10-05-2015 7:43pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

If you are out going you are sure to hook up with a few others once you are over there.

If you feel self conscious just tell anyone who asks that your friend was due to come but there mother/father/goldfish became sick at the last minute and opted not to go.

The Backwards Man · 10-05-2015 7:47pm

Normally go on holidays on my own, a holiday for me is a break away from the cnuts you see every other day.

Aongus Von Bismarck · 10-05-2015 7:48pm

Yes, only recently in fact.

I was starting to let work get on top of me, and was having a few relationship difficulties with my partner. Decided to pack my suitcase and head back to Ireland for a week. Spent a few days travelling around Kerry - hiking, sea swimming, cycling, eating seafood.

Then headed over to West Cork for a 3 day mindfulness retreat. Deep meditation, no Internet or phone, no talking, and most importantly, no incessant nagging.

walkingshadow · 10-05-2015 7:48pm

I guess I could always join a group holiday like Contiki or GAdventures

Dr. Zaius Dr. Zaius! · 10-05-2015 7:52pm

I've never holidayed alone, but would like to. I love being alone so its something that appeals to me. Going to a new place, exploring it at my own leisure, nobody to annoy me? Why not!

AlphaRed · 10-05-2015 7:54pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

Why do you call yourself walking shadow?

anncoates · 10-05-2015 7:57pm

Did once and it was great. I'd love to do it again but wouldn't get the time these days.

Rhys Essien · 10-05-2015 8:02pm

OP,live your own life and fcuk what anyone else thinks.

Markdwire · 10-05-2015 8:06pm

I want go too Sweden to boogie with some blondes.

Egginacup · 10-05-2015 8:13pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

Anyone here holiday alone? I'm in my late 20s and anxious to take a sun holiday this summer to Greece, but for one reason or another friends, etc. cannot go. Do people here ever go on holidays alone? Does it get lonely? Would a guy alone be weird going clubbing etc?!

Holiday? Is that an activity?

10-05-2015 8:15pm

Have a few friends who holiday alone, a woman who recently travelled around India alone, another who goes to Eastern Europe a lot by himself and will just stroll into bars in the middle of nowhere and make friends with locals and stay in touch with them, another who goes backpacking in exotic places alone but wil usually hook up with other backpackers when there. They all swear by it.

Eutow · 10-05-2015 8:15pm

Yes, I have done and still go on holidays on my own. If you wait for other people all the time you may never get to see or do anything. Some people wouldn't even go to a pub on their own because they are afraid of what other people will think. I say fcuk that, do what you want.

Cold War Kid · 10-05-2015 8:21pm

It depends on the holiday. I'd quite like a night or weekend away on my own in a spa resort in the middle of nowhere, but something like a beach holiday in Greece, minimum a week, would be more requiring of company I think. You could make friends with people while there, but you don't know how easy that would be either. Whatever about just a couple of beers by the pool, heading out at night alone to late bars/clubs wouldn't be much fun IMO.

Aren't there companies that do dealies with a few disparate folks travelling as a group, and a coach organised for them and whatnot?

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy · 10-05-2015 8:25pm

Cold War Kid wrote: »

Aren't there companies that do dealies with a few disparate folks travelling as a group, and a coach organised for them and whatnot?

Read that as desperate first, and was just about to comment 'twas a bit harsh :pac:

Anyway, my dad holidays alone. Usually hires a mountain bike and heads off for the day. Has his dinner then chills in the bar for a bit before bed. He'd be a woeful conversationalist as well but he always manages to enjoy himself.

harry Bailey esq · 10-05-2015 8:25pm

I've been on several trips to Amsterdam alone as I'm a bit of a history buff (with a penchant for good hash,south east Asian hookers and good beer) and I thoroughly enjoyed myself every time.I don't know if I could do a sun holiday on my lonesome though.

Talib Fiasco · 10-05-2015 8:27pm

Yeah I go to magaluf on my own every summer to ride loads of scruffy young ones to make up for the lack of company in my non-holiday life.

harry Bailey esq · 10-05-2015 8:32pm

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

Yeah I go to magaluf on my own every summer to ride loads of scruffy young ones to make up for the lack of company in my non-holiday life.

Is it any good?

doolox · 10-05-2015 8:33pm

.....I only had one real genuine foreign holiday, a bus tour around Europe taking in Berlin, Copenhagen Amsterdam Munich etc. I had a great time.

I find 2 weeks on a beach very boring and not fun enough if you are on your own. So i did not go on holidays for 14 yrs after that.

When I got married I have been on holidays every year since then and find it enjoyable enough as we spend some time together and some time alone.

We went to Austria last year and I found it the best holiday of the lot, Alpine meadows, Stunning scenery, nice people etc...also Southern Germany.

Worst was Portugal, the Algarve my daughter got sick and that did not help but the people are very honest helpful and upfront about everything and that helped. Parts of that holiday were fine but the others were so good that it did not stack up as a place to revisit.

xhoundx · 10-05-2015 8:34pm

Look on the positives, what happens on holiday stays on holiday, unless you tell on yourself

Talib Fiasco · 10-05-2015 8:35pm

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

Is it any good?

I was just messing but yeah Magaluf is great...you get what you pay for (which is f*ck all)...sh*tty accommodation but access to great sessions, great clubs full of women and other party people...perfect lads holiday...would be a haunting experience for a regular person to go there on their own though.

eternal · 10-05-2015 8:37pm

I've been abroad a lot on my own. PM me if you need advice, I couldn't be bothered writing about it.

suicide_circus · 10-05-2015 9:01pm

You could invent a whole new persona for yourself.

"Hi I'm Fabio, I can fit a live duck in my mouth"

Call it a vacation from YOURSELF. Just don't choose the Mars special agent program...

10-05-2015 9:04pm

I do yeah, do what you want when you want no debates or negotiations

Dj Stiggie · 10-05-2015 9:12pm

I traveled around the Balkans for 6 weeks by myself a couple of years ago. I completely loved it. I've done a couple of other short trips as well.

I work in hospitality so I often like to just go to a bar in peace when I'm off, because I spend so much time being made to make small talk.

I went on an all-inclusive to Morocco last year by myself, that was a bit hard going. I had some things to deal with at the time and the resort was ****, but generally, if you want to do it, you should be fine.

imitation · 10-05-2015 9:12pm

Depends, I have done a small bit on my own, I have seen people do it and have a blast, but I don't think I would enjoy it too much myself, its fine if your happy to go out and meet random strangers. I would definitely suggest hostels though, its a good way to meet other solo travellers and to do things. I have the fortune to have friends who like the odd good holiday and it makes it a lot more fun to travel with easy going people. I would say try a weekend break solo to test the waters, if that appeals then go for it !

TheBeardedLady · 10-05-2015 9:38pm

I've done it a fair bit including a year in South America and the Camino De Santiago for a month last year. There's places I've wanted to go to and for whatever reason, people haven't been able to come, didn't have the cash or didn't want to come so I'd rather go alone than not at all. I'm happy in my own company but I made sure I stayed in busy hostels, met couch surfing groups etc. so I always had the option of nattering to someone if I wanted.

Only kinda bad experience I had was in Rome: I was travelling for 3 weeks alone in Italy a few years ago (though met up with friends for the first few days) and generally had a great time and had no problem meeting people but ended up in a very quiet hostel in Rome and visited all the spectacular sights alone, which wasn't great. I would've preferred to have been with someone to share the experience and I felt quite lonely and bored.

My advice would be to stay in a hostel (you can get a private room) with a bar where you can socialise - that's generally how I've got talking to people. The couch surfing website organises meet ups in cities for travellers as well. I personally couldn't stick not talking to absolutely anybody for 10 days -2 weeks so it'd be essential I had that option.

Going to book a few days away soon on my own as me fella hates the heat and I want to see more of the south of Spain. It's great being able to organise your own time and not having to compromise, having a nice meal alone somewhere with a good book or having a drink in a bar and getting chatting to locals/other tourists and just wandering about wherever the mood takes you is great.

I'd recommend it.

Mr_Muffin · 10-05-2015 9:40pm

I have no friends so going alone is my only option. I have never had a friends at all in my life - i often wonder what it would like to have a friend to do stuff with.

Reiver · 10-05-2015 9:59pm

Backpacked on a few occasions on my own, hostels are a great way to meet people.

Just be warned, you might meet fantastic people, have a great time, maybe fall in love, anything could happen.

You might also run into absolute nutters and be stuck with them. My top three are the recovering alcoholic who always carried a knife, the Nigerian missionary and Mr "I'll cockblock you since I think she's a werewolf".

It can be great, keep active, see lots of stuff, in the evenings you'll usually just be fit for a beer, food and bed. I hope it goes well for you.

wp_rathead · 10-05-2015 10:02pm

Went to the Ed Fringe festival on my own two years ago for 4 days
Was brilliant

Talib Fiasco · 10-05-2015 11:10pm

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

I have no friends so going alone is my only option. I have never had a friends at all in my life - i often wonder what it would like to have a friend to do stuff with.

Jaysis

Filmer Paradise · 10-05-2015 11:21pm

Never did.

I'm now in my '40s, married with kids & all that.

I'd love to go back 20 years & do something like that. Go where you please when you please. No timetable places you should be or anything.......

*kneels down*

God. Can you give me my youth back RIGHT NOW OR ELSE!!!!!!!!

Specialun · 10-05-2015 11:21pm

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

I have no friends so going alone is my only option. I have never had a friends at all in my life - i often wonder what it would like to have a friend to do stuff with.

Il be your friend

the evasion_kid · 10-05-2015 11:39pm

I was a road kid traveling through america and Canada,was times when I had travel companions but nearly always preferred to travel solitary.

Nucular Arms · 11-05-2015 12:40am

Mr_Muffin wrote: »

I have no friends so going alone is my only option. I have never had a friends at all in my life - i often wonder what it would like to have a friend to do stuff with.

Overrated in my experience.

I began pruning away my friends about ten years ago and have probably never been happier.

Do you have any family at least that you're close to?

Family is far more important than friendships/ romantic relationships in my opinion.

DoYouEvenLift · 11-05-2015 12:46am

You won't be on your own, at least not if you stay in a nice popular hostel. You'll end up meeting people and making friends. I honestly think there are more travellers on their own around Europe than groups. I'd recommend going to Croatia on your own rather than Greece though. Croatia would be a great place to go on your own because it's so popular with other solo travellers from Australia and America.

Oh, and you have to be outgoing. You're fuked if you're not. But I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt because you're Irish. Other tourists seriously love Irish as well, it's great. I lost count of how many free drinks I got from people during holidays just because I said I was Irish and was friendly.

Edit: actually, if you don't choose to go to Croatia, go to Budapest. I can't give enough praise for this city. Stay in one of the party hostels, which are amongst the best in the entire world, and just go with the flow. They'll look after everything and everyone is there for a laugh. They'll bring you on insane pub crawls where you get unlimited shots, boat parties where everyone gets a complimentary bottle of champagne, insane pool parties where you'll meet the hottest women you've ever seen in your life (not exaggerating here), cheap jagerbomb trains where you get to drink as many as you can and pubs and clubs with alcohol cheaper than you've probably ever seen.

Lau2976 · 11-05-2015 1:24am

Traveling alone is the best. No other people to consider, no fights or tantrums, you can do whatever you want and if your staying in a hotel and not a hostel you have the entire room to yourself. No holding in hangover farts for you my friend!

I went Italy in college with a large group and ended up leaving and staying in a different hotel. I probably met up with a few of then twice. Maybe 3 times. They acted like tourists, drank too much, fought too loudly abs the girl I was in a room with tried to bring a lad back while I was on the shower. It was one if the best decisions. I got to do what I wanted, when I wanted.

Plus it saved me money as I didn't have to do their stuff too. So instead of heading to multiple tourist attractions in a day I got to do all the ones I wanted to see over many days.

TheChosenOne_ · 11-05-2015 1:39am

I wouldn't go on a sun holiday for a week on my own, but I would certainly go to a city for a few days on my own as there would be much more things to do to keep yourself occupied

endacl · 11-05-2015 1:49am

silverfeather · 11-05-2015 2:04am

Can't afford it but if I could...but i guess maybe if it was a safe place not too far but for a weekend only. I would much prefer with friends or better family though.

I would be wary of being a girl on my own. I can't drive either so it would be awkward.

I remember reading a story about a girl who for her eighteenth birthday just asked for a few days in Paris on her own. I would prefer with people.

I like being on my own but in a place i don't know I might be nervy.

Crumpets · 11-05-2015 8:41am

I'd love to holiday alone!! Eat where I want, drink what I want, do what I want. It'd be a good cleanse from all the day to day shÃ႒Âte we have to deal with at home.

Wacker The Attacker · 11-05-2015 8:49am

The last thing you need on the aul holliers is someone annoying you

whatismyname · 11-05-2015 8:53am

Crumpets wrote: »

I'd love to holiday alone!! Eat where I want, drink what I want, do what I want. It'd be a good cleanse from all the day to day shÃ႒Âte we have to deal with at home.

Currently abroad on holiday alone... for those exact type of reasons... Currently have a lie-in get up at about 9 Irish time, and the day is my own, to do exactly what I want with it... just the way I like it. But met several people in the bar last night, and we're meeting up again today... just joining the jacuzzi for a while each day I got talking to people... there's always ways...

OP if you want to do it, just go for it and make your own judgement on it. First time I went on holidays by myself, I had friends who would be interested in joining me, but it was for practicalities as I wanted to book something NOW, and I didn't want the hassle of 'where will we go? when can you take annual leave that suits when I can? potential disagreements about where to go, what to do etc', so I just went and booked myself, thinking I may not like it, but that I may as well at least try.

When I went on that trip, I discovered that on the whole I loved being away on my own. Yes it has its disadvantages at times obviously, but overall I figured that if I want to get away and escape everyday life, why take somebody with me? I'm now on my fourth solo trip, and I would definitely recommend at least trying it and seeing if it's for you

DoYouEvenLift · 11-05-2015 9:15am

whatismyname wrote: »

Currently abroad on holiday alone... for those exact type of reasons... Currently have a lie-in get up at about 9 Irish time, and the day is my own, to do exactly what I want with it... just the way I like it. But met several people in the bar last night, and we're meeting up again today... just joining the jacuzzi for a while each day I got talking to people... there's always ways...

OP if you want to do it, just go for it and make your own judgement on it. First time I went on holidays by myself, I had friends who would be interested in joining me, but it was for practicalities as I wanted to book something NOW, and I didn't want the hassle of 'where will we go? when can you take annual leave that suits when I can? potential disagreements about where to go, what to do etc', so I just went and booked myself, thinking I may not like it, but that I may as well at least try.

When I went on that trip, I discovered that on the whole I loved being away on my own. Yes it has its disadvantages at times obviously, but overall I figured that if I want to get away and escape everyday life, why take somebody with me? I'm now on my fourth solo trip, and I would definitely recommend at least trying it and seeing if it's for you

Where abouts are you now? And what was the longest trip you had on your own

kylith · 11-05-2015 9:18am

I went away alone for a few days last year and I loved it, got to do what I wanted when I wanted, eat where I wanted, drink when I wanted. The only person I had to please was myself and it was mega.

whatismyname · 11-05-2015 9:21am

kylith wrote: »

I went away alone for a few days last year and I loved it, got to do what I wanted when I wanted, eat where I wanted, drink when I wanted. The only person I had to please was myself and it was mega.

Yep, I personally think we'll start to see it become a bit more accepted.

First time I did it, I thought people would think it was odd, like I'd no friends, etc... but those who knew me know I do, and that I'm the type of the person to have the confidence to do what I want.

But what surprised me is I've had a lot of people say that they would love to do the same. I haven't met a whole lot of solo travellers when I've been travelling, but yesterday met a lovely lady who is with her partner, but they're definitely there, and in speaking to people at the resort yesterday, people generally seemed to think that they've seen more and more of it over the years...

Does anyone here holiday alone?

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