Does anyone here holiday alone?

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...

DoYouEvenLift · 11-05-2015 9:45am

whatismyname wrote: »

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...

Doesn't really matter if it's accepted or not to be honest. If someone is too close minded to realise how beneficial solo travelling can be then they're really people to be avoided. It's the same as people who only think of the negatives about certain places when you tell them you're interested in going there, like Amsterdam and how some idiots don't have the capacity to consider how much more there is to the city besides the drugs and red light district. People like this are just really sheltered.

magicmushroom · 11-05-2015 11:04am

I'm actually in the process of planning a trip to Rome by myself in September.

Had no one to go with, dying to see Italy so I said F it, I'll do it by myself!

I wouldn't want to go on a sun holiday alone though, I can imagine I'd get very bored and I most definitely wouldn't go near a club by myself!!

Agricola · 11-05-2015 11:17am

Haven't tried it myself yet as I prefer the company of at least one friend to people I've just met on a trip. I'm a bit of a shy Seamus and wouldnt be naturally looking to meet people while abroad on hols. I think solo travel works well for those that want no human contact for a time, to relax, read, chill out and just be on their own or those who are looking to put themselves out there, strike up conversations with strangers etc. If you've always travelled with OH's / friends and mainly kept to yourselves, thats a bit of a learning curve I'd say.

You should give it a blast OP. Worst that can happen is you find it doesnt suit you, you're bored etc and you may not bother with it again. But you'll still have gotten a week in the sun seeing some amazing sights.

whatismyname · 11-05-2015 11:18am

magicmushroom wrote: »

I'm actually in the process of planning a trip to Rome by myself in September.

Had no one to go with, dying to see Italy so I said F it, I'll do it by myself!

I wouldn't want to go on a sun holiday alone though, I can imagine I'd get very bored and I most definitely wouldn't go near a club by myself!!

Hope the trip to Rome goes well!

Re sun holiday, I have brought lots of books, music etc... but feel like I've chatted to way more people than I probably would have done if I'd come on my own. Last night was up singing and dancing and doing karaoke with two groups of Irish people I met, and we're meeting in the pub tonight to do the same again. Can't wait!

A club I think is different, especially as a single girl, I'd half expect to just stand out way too much, and be seen as a potentially vulnerable target, but at the hotel bar there is a nice feeling, and when people are on holiday themselves they seem very willing generally to join up and socialise with other people also on holiday, so it's been grand really.

Only difficulty I had was when I went to a country that has a very different culture... and not just the different culture, but there was very few english people around, and as a single traveller I found that so very isolating, so in a way this sun holiday where everyone speaks english is so much easier.

whatismyname · 11-05-2015 11:19am

Agricola wrote: »

I think solo travel works well for those that want no human contact for a time, to relax, read, chill out and just be on their own or those who are looking to put themselves out there, strike up conversations with strangers etc.

Yep I agree with this. I think I'm a bit of both. During the day on holiday alone I really want just to be on my own and just switch off and chill... but at nighttime in the bar etc, good to interact with others.

Mister Vain · 11-05-2015 12:30pm

I've always traveled alone, not because I prefer to, but because I like to travel. When I was younger my mates would have been more into the Santa Ponsa and Costa del sol, in other words sun and binge drinking. Not my cup of tea. I'm more into cities; culture, sight seeing and the like. So I started traveling alone, going to the places I wanted to see and doing the things I wanted to do.

My family thought I was crazy at first, but I've done it so often now it has just become the norm. However people in work never believe me when I say I'm traveling alone. They just look at me as if I've 10 heads. I often just lie and say I'm going with a friend.

magicmushroom · 11-05-2015 2:16pm

Mister Vain wrote: »

I've always traveled alone, not because I prefer to, but because I like to travel. When I was younger my mates would have been more into the Santa Ponsa and Costa del sol, in other words sun and binge drinking. Not my cup of tea. I'm more into cities; culture, sight seeing and the like. So I started traveling alone, going to the places I wanted to see and doing the things I wanted to do.

My family thought I was crazy at first, but I've done it so often now it has just become the norm. However people in work never believe me when I say I'm traveling alone. They just look at me as if I've 10 heads. I often just lie and say I'm going with a friend.

Haha, when I told the people in my office I was going to Rome by myself and thinking of staying in someone's house (air bnb) they nearly passed out with the shock! Then I got a lecture about safety, travelling alone, being mugged etc...
I'm not saying more anything about it to them, keeping my plans to myself because I don't really want or need the negativity.

walkingshadow · 11-05-2015 2:22pm

If I say I'm going abroad on a holiday alone, why is it that parents/relations are always expecting me to come home in a body bag?

scdublin · 11-05-2015 2:29pm

seamusk84 wrote: »

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

Why? There's loads of people in their 30's who still go clubbing in Ibiza and the likes. Never really understood why it's considered weird at a certain age. Maybe it's because a lot of people that age are settling down having kids, getting married etc but that's not for everyone either.

Agricola · 11-05-2015 2:37pm

walkingshadow wrote: »

If I say I'm going abroad on a holiday alone, why is it that parents/relations are always expecting me to come home in a body bag?

Usually the case with cautious protective parents that arent well travelled themselves, from my experience anyway.

To be fair to them, there is as added risk solo travelling which is especially relevant for women. But if you have your head screwed on, its no problem.

Does anyone here holiday alone?

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