Holidaying alone?

LegacyUser

this year for various reasons i dont have anyone to go on holidays with so i'm left with the option of not going or going on holidays on my own.

i'm a male in my late 20's. i can only afford to go for about a week and would be confined to a european destination. the thing is, that i'm not very outgoing and find it hard meeting new people, plus, i'd be embarrased to tell anyone that i went on holidays on my own. Does anyone actually go on holidays on their own. i mean ive heard of people travelling on their own, like backpacking and stuff but never on a weeks holiday to a european destination. Any advice appreciated?

humanji

It depends on what you're doing. I went off on my own a few years ago, to South America. All my mates had travelled around the world, but because of a severe lack of funds, I never got a chance to go. So I saved what I could, booked my trip and had an amazing time.

You could arrange a tour with somewhere like Trailfinders. They set up tours and place in you a groups depending on what you want to do. Some of them will be on their own too, but it doesn't really matter as you do most things as a group. It's a great way of meeting new people and getting away form home for a little while.

Don't worry about what other people will think as no one will care at all. Just think of something you'd really like to do/see and do it. And have fun.

prinz

Go for it man. Get out for a break while you still can. I went abroad on my own plenty of times, holidays, summers working. Who the hell cares. Tend to have a better time on my own anyway - i.e. meeting locals, getting chatting to new people etc. Better than 24/7 with someone getting stressed after day 2 and ruining the holiday.

MadgeBadge

Hey OP, there's a thread on this in the ladies lounge. Anyone who has been away alone appeared to have enjoyed it. Especially if you usually enjoy your own company, or you are a good reader, or both.

I'd be quite out-going, but even so, I found it really easy to meet people. You have something in common with all the other tourists there, so there's your opener. You might find it builds you confidence in this respect.

I also have another friend who's been away by herself and she also had a very positive experience.

Good luck.

Davie_m

personally i was quiet enough person and i went and did the j1 to new york for 3 months on my own 5 years ago and it was one of the best things i ever did for myself.

you do get a bit anxious and worried feeling about traveling by yourself but it is a great experience.. the people you will meet on tours and hostels are great craic.. its alot easier to get talking to people as you automatically have a common interest.. that your traveling

cant see how others might look down on it.. if anything it shows independence and that you dont need a group to do something you want to do

Nitxteha

I travelled a lot on my own in Europe in my early twenties and always met a lot of people and had a great time. If you go to youth hostels, there are many people travelling on their own too, and they tend to get together to go to places. You just have to be a bit extra-careful with people because they are all strangers after all and you are traveling alone and are more vulnerable (so, no drinking with strangers!). But appart from that, go for it!

Why don't you go to Italy? Florence or Rome, for instance. People are very friendly, and there are lots of places to visit, so your agenda would be full all the time

Dudess

My flatmate always holidays alone - she loves doing so.

lisajane

I go shopping on my own. There is nothing as worse as shopping in a group and others wanting to go into all kinds of shops and dragging you with them when you have no interest. You get nothing done for yourself. I suppose there is no difference.

I would love to go on a holiday on my own. After reading this and the post in the ladies lounge, i think i will go somewhere in the summer. Waiting around for someone to go with me, it will never happen. Though, i know people that will have a problem with it.

What about going to concerts on your own? Does anyone have a problem with that? I have always wanted to see some bands before and no one wanted to. Is it ok to go on your own? Waiting around for someone to go with me, it will never happen. Why do some people have a problem with people doing things on their own. Surely you don't need someone holding your hand?

prinz

lisajane wrote: »

What about going to concerts on your own? Does anyone have a problem with that? I have always wanted to see some bands before and no one wanted to. Is it ok to go on your own? Waiting around for someone to go with me, it will never happen. Why do some people have a problem with people doing things on their own. Surely you don't need someone holding your hand?

Having a rather eclectic taste in music for my gender and age, I have frequently attended concerts on my own .Never a second thought about it. I find you learn a lot more about yourself enjoying some alone tbh. I've always been as happy in my own company as with others.

Dudess

lisajane wrote: »

I go shopping on my own. There is nothing as worse as shopping in a group and others wanting to go into all kinds of shops and dragging you with them when you have no interest. You get nothing done for yourself. I suppose there is no difference.

Ah to be fair, there's a huge difference between going shopping on your own (surely nobody needs someone to accompany them when shopping?) and holidaying on your own. For starters, one requires far more effort and planning than the other. And obviously one takes place over a much longer period than the other.

I would love to go on a holiday on my own. After reading this and the post in the ladies lounge, i think i will go somewhere in the summer. Waiting around for someone to go with me, it will never happen. Though, i know people that will have a problem with it.

People who have a problem with other people doing stuff that doesn't affect them are not worth even thinking about, let alone taking notice of. People who actually make comments to others who make choices like these are definitely not worth even acknowledging.

What about going to concerts on your own? Does anyone have a problem with that?

Why would you care if someone on an anonymous message board has a problem with it? Deciding not to go to a concert alone, which you'd really like to go to, because of the opinions of Boards.ie users... being unfair on yourself, no?

Is it ok to go on your own?

Why wouldn't it be ok? I mean, it's one thing to wonder whether people would pass judgement, but to be concerned whether it's ok by them...? You don't need their permission.

Why do some people have a problem with people doing things on their own.

Because they wouldn't do so, hence they're arrogant enough to assume everyone else should be like them. They might not do certain stuff alone for good reason - e.g. I wouldn't go on holiday alone simply because I'm very gregarious, I'd need company. Others are very happy in their own company though and there's nowt wrong with that.
Then there are people who simply wouldn't do stuff alone because they're afraid of what others think (e.g. going to the cinema - one of the most anti social activities there is, yet somehow there is this unwritten rule that one should be accompanied) and they sneer at people who do go to the cinema alone - probably because the lone cinema-goers are more confident than they are.

Surely you don't need someone holding your hand?

Well exactly.

petethebrick

Going on holiday alone for a week can be great -I've had a deadly time going alone to places like Paris, Madrid , Berlin etc.
It depends what you want out of a holiday - personally I enjoy sightseeing but also partying it up. Often going out drinking alone while abroad means that you end up meeting and talking to a lot more people than if you were with a group. It's easier to score when out alone also imo
By the end of a week abroad alone I'm generally sightseeing with people from all over the place who I've met.

An d don't be embarrased to tell people you're travelling alone - just be straight up and say something like you just fancied getting away for a bit and enjoy your own company - people tend to respect that. Have fun^^^

Cianos

OP, check out this site; www.couchsurfing.com . It's great for getting in touch with people from all over the world, people who are based in the city that you are going to... so they have lived there for a while and know all the best places. You could set up a profile and send a few messages to some of the members based in whatever city you are going to and ask to meet up for a coffee etc. This is a very normal thing to do on the site, in fact it's pretty much the whole point of the site. And sometimes they have group nights out (in Berlin they have one pretty much every week).

Any questions feel free to PM!

Magicmatilda

Hi City Breaker, I am 28 female and I have been away on my own several times. Paris, Amsterda,. London, Krakow, Berlin, Australia, LA lost of places. As a rule if I am going alone I will always stay in a hostel as you will meet people there, everyone talks to everone. Hostels can be very nice www.hostelworld.com is a great website as it has reviews and ratings for each hostel. You end up meeting a great mix of people on your own that you would never meet if you went away in a group because by being alone you are forced to talk to others. Anytime I have been away I have come accross lots of other people travelling alone. I would definitely recommend it. Plus you get to suit yourself totally. Best of Luck i hope you enjoy it.

Valmont

There is a BIG difference between traveling on your own and going to a resort for a week on your own. I enjoy traveling around Europe and did my J1 on my own but I wouldn't consider going to a resort or something by myself, it would be too weird, especially with the party party types you'll get there.

EDIT: Read the post above and I definitely agree, hostels are the place to be for solo people.

biko

Go to a big city with loads to see/do. Sit in bars and read. Go to museums.

uoluol

A few years ago myself and a soon to be ex, had a massive row at the airport, and I ended up heading off on our package holiday on my own. The whole flight I was bricking it, thinking what the hell have I done... But you know what, I really enjoyed the break, granted it was just for a week, but I found the "me" time bliss. During the day, I would potter about, lie on the beach or head off on trips. The night times were slightly harder, but I would bring a book into a restaurant and never felt awkward dining alone. I went to a few quiet bars in the night time, and would invariably hook up with a few people. It wasn't a mad holiday, but I really did enjoy the time.

So, I say go for it. Bring a few books, games and your music with you - and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised. A few of the big tour operators don't have single supplements for the early part of the summer season. Go on - book it - think about - it's only a week out of your life. You have absolutely nothing to lose.

StormWarrior

I had to go on holiday on my own once. I had a holiday booked with my boyfriend but we broke up. I didn't want to go with him as an ex, so I went alone. I was going to a music festival in Sweden, so I first went on the music festival's website and met two other girls who also wanted to go alone, one from Spain and one from America. Online, we spoke for a couple of months and arranged to rent a house together in Sweden near the festival. I met up with them, got on great with them and had an awesome time. In fact we got on so well that I went to Spain the following year to stay with the Spanish girl. That was 4 years ago and we've been friends ever since. You should really either try and meet some people online to go on holiday with, or how about something like couchsurfing.com, or a singles package holiday?
Sorry if these have been suggested already but haven't read the previous posts.

shotgun mike

Camino de Santiago - lots people of all ages doing it on their own and really really cheap - even a fountain of free wine along the way! Ya might even do a spot of bull running if ya hit the right village.

Micky Dolenz

Nitxteha wrote: »

I travelled a lot on my own in Europe in my early twenties and always met a lot of people and had a great time. If you go to youth hostels, there are many people travelling on their own too, and they tend to get together to go to places. You just have to be a bit extra-careful with people because they are all strangers after all and you are traveling alone and are more vulnerable (so, no drinking with strangers!). But appart from that, go for it!

Would agree with almost everything except the drinking with no strangers. You will be on your own so everybody will be a stranger.

I spent three years travelling around and a good year travelling "alone", the truth is I was rarely travelling or staying anywhere alone.

you will have the best craic ever, you can see what you want at your own pace and meet really interesting people.

If you have never been, Holland is a beautiful place to visit and the people are mighty.

SheRa

The hostels tip is a great idea for meeting people. I found that when travelling with my ex. However Im the stage now where I just dont like staying in hostels anymore. So when I decided to go off on holidays on my own to somewhere in Europe last year I was a bit stumped. I ended up going skiing in France (actually think it was this week a year ago, happy days:D) with this crowd http://www.markwarner.co.uk.

They deal with families, couples and solo travellers as well. The single supplement wasn't too bad with them either.

They only do flights from the UK AFAIK, but I just flew to Birmingham the night before, which was a mad funny experience in itself. Anyways..

I was concerned that going on holidays on my own, that people would think that I was completely on the pull or desperate or some sort of mad loner:P. Well I had a ball of a time and met some lovely people, some of whom were travelling without their OH or were single.

The best thing I found was that all inclusive meals (you could do B&B, lunch and dinner or a combination). The rep knew that I was travelling on my own and sat me with others that were too.

Whether you go with that company or by tourself, you'll have a brilliant time. Enjoy:).

joejoem

I go surfing on my own all the time! Seriously! Gives me time alone, I do talk to people but I enjoy the time by myself every so often!

rainbowtrout

i've been travelling on my own for the last couple of years for a couple of reasons (female, 30). A lot of my friends are now in relationships so they go on holidays with their boyfriends instead or they are not into the same holidays as me, i like to see cities and see the sights and they prefer sun holidays. So a couple of years ago I decided if I didn't go on my own I was never going to see any of these places. So I've been to Berlin, New York, Stockholm and Oslo and it was great.

If your friends are real friends they shouldn't make you feel embarrassed about travelling alone, if they're anything like mine, you'll get the 'fair play to you, I'd never be able to do that' type reaction.

I stayed in hostels and like lots of other people said you get chatting to people there, and you can choose to do stuff with them or not.

There's lots of advantages to travelling on your own, you choose everything and don't have to make compromises. Many of my friends would not entertain the thoughts of backpacks and hostels, visiting museums etc. That's not a bad thing, it's just not what they're into, but I don't have to compromise on my holiday.


I'm not a particularly outgoing person either, so while I go out a fair bit at home, I'm not overly bothered if I don't get to go out abroad. I went to the cinema one or two nights, a broadway show another night etc, by myself and it was grand. it's not like you're going to be talking to anyone during the show/film anyway. You could always check out the gigs that are on in the city you visit while you're there, I've done this but dates/bands have never fallen right for me, otherwise I'd do that too.

On all of those trips i got to do everything I wanted, I met some interesting people along the way. Sure, it would be nice to have someone to share the experience with, which is the fun of going on holidays with friends, but it's not the be all and end all.


I can't afford to go on a foreign holiday this year but I was thinking of heading off to Achill or somewhere with my tent for a few days and see how I got on

jjf212

try www.travbuddy.com - lots of people who aare travelling alone on it and post on the forum and you can meet up with people!

Couchsurfing is very good as well. The vast majority of people on CS.com are really cool and open minded.

Have + if u use CS.com you might strech your budget to 2 weeks. Also, dont stay at a resort, all those couples will make u sick!!

Enjoy

ergo

one other tip from a guy in a similar situation ie. single, 30, friends in relationships or with different weeks of holidays etc:

go visit your friends who are far and wide

maybe I'm lucky in that I know a few people in a few very different far flung places

last year, for example I went to stay with my friend in NYC, that was great and all but I took a trip from there on my own up to Montreal, stayed in a hostel, met up with some great people (hostel was sociable, had a cafe/ chilled-out bar and organised stuff during the day eg bike trips around the city where you had to meet other people) - at the same time I had time to myself to explore the city as I wanted to

last week I had 5 days off, bit sick of work and the crappy weather, booked last min flight to south of Spain, spent 2 days on my own in Malaga whch was great before going to an off the beaten track place to stay with a Spanish friend of mine that I knew from college and who had been to Ireland a couple of times but I had never been over there

(obviously he was happy for me to stay with him - need to confirm that beforehand...!) but I had a great time because I was with him and his Spanish friends, going to the local bars, eating the local tapas etc, was way better than hitting a resort...and a full week alone or 5 days is a long time, nice to have something to break it up, like meeting up with friends or an old flatmate for a few days of the holiday

Cycalogic

I prefer travelling on my own actually. I get so stressed out with other people, because im a pretty easygoing laid back kinda person ad my best friend is the opposite, shes spoiled, and used to getting her own way. When I go stay with her, or when we've taken trips together, I end up losing my temper because shes so bossy and demanding. I come home more stressed than I was going.

taking a trip by yourself is fine, and if other people think its weird... eff em! their opinion doesnt matter anyway

Sir Oxman

I've been to a few places on my own last one being Lisbon last June, grand time wandering about, street cafes, trips, beaches, bars and the fantastic restaurants.
It can be a bit daunting at the beginning but you soon get over any weird feelings.

As everyone has said, don't take any notice of anyone putting you down for being a grownup! Go for it.

PS Have never been on a pckage holiday on my own - in fact, I've only ever gone on one years ago and didn't like it!
I know someone who did that last year who had a great time though I'd prefer making my own itinerary rather than being stuck in an apt block for a week.
It all depends on what you want, keyword being YOU!

boarddotie

Hi all,

So gald i found this thread. I am going off to Seattle on my own this Summer and while part of that trip is for a conference and am am bound to meet people through that, there will also be 4 days at the start of alone time. I dont have the option of booking into a hostel as I will have so much stuff with me (and ok...im getting my hotel room paid for) so Im a bit nervous that I wont have that hostel camraderie at all. But on the plus side I love my own company and love seeing sites on my own as I only have to suit myself!! Its the night times that I am most worried about as I want to get out and have meals and enjoy the nightlife but I defo would NOT be somebody who would do that on my own.

I think the pros of travelling alone outweigh the pros of just staying at home with no holiday!!

Good luck!

adagio

Hey Op,

I've traveled all over on my own - it can be lonely sometimes and it can be amazing also.
Totally different experience to traveling w/friends - you learn so much about yourself by traveling on your own - experiences you would never have had with those who usually provide a comfort zone (friends).
It's a mixed bag though - Croatia last year on my tod for a week - some days were very lonely and others were amazing.
You really test your boundaries by traveling solo.
Time is a ticking..... and the ticking crocodile waits for no one!:D

Zaph

I think this would be better suited to the Travel & Holidays forum

Moved from PI

bleary

Activities are great for when you travel on your own for a week or two.
try a surf camp maybe -its a good set up for socialising etc
Portugal is popular as is france
see http://www.penichesurfcamp.com/ and there are loads of others

Placid_Casual

I actually think I prefer heading off places by myself than with other people. Makes it seem like more of an adventure for some reason and also you tend to meet other people more easily.
And also, I do like my own company, so if you're not so inclined, it mightn't be for you. Actually, if i'm going away with other people, i warn them beforehand that i may be inclined to want to go off and do things by myself.