Has anyone ever been on holiday alone? [Archive]

Pauly

23-02-2006, 14:11

After college in '98 I took a 7 month trip to Toronto and enjoyed the experience of doing it alone. When I've told people about it they've said 'Oooh, I couldn't go to a foreign country on my own. Weren't you scared?', but the truth is no I wasn't. I'd arranged my first few weeks accomodation so that was sorted and I was looking forward to it too much to worry about being scared.

Toronto was fun. Very friendly people, loads to see and do and everything was so much cheaper you could afford to eat out for breakfast almost every morning. :) I loved the lifestyle and if I had the cash to emigrate I'd live there permanently. :thumbsup:

taxman

23-02-2006, 14:12

Has anyone ever been on holiday alone? What were your experiences?

Depends what you class as "alone"

I don't go with people but if its an organised trip then technically you're not alone.

I went to Leningrad for Xmas and New Year on my own when I was just 17. But because it was an organised trip I soon met people on the coach / train that I could tag along with for the rest of the trip. Had a great time, got a huge Soviet Flag for my wall, the likeness of which is my atavar.

Since then I've been hosteling in Ireland and Scotland on my own. Spend the day wandering the wilds then the evening in the bar or hostel, reading and chatting to like minded people. That is about as "alone" as I get. I've been on organised trips on my own to Antarctica and India but these have been group trips so as as soon as you spot someone at the airport with the same luggage tag you make friends with them.
I'm off to Africa in November. Again I'll be on my own but I know that at Heathrow there will be at least 10 other people with rucksacks and "Exodus" luggage tags and we'll all gather together and make friends.

samc

23-02-2006, 14:30

Not strictly a holiday but I once had to work in Rome for a month and had a 10 day holiday on my own there after the work had been done.

I was pretty nervous but I made sure I had something planned everyday so I didn't feel lonely and enjoyed doing things at my pace and made sure I had a good book to read on the evenings I daren't go to a restaurant on my own.

I did meet a few people to meet for a drink at the hotel bar so I always knew if I wanted company there was always someone to talk to whilst sipping my glass of wine.

merlin_7799

23-02-2006, 14:36

I went to south korea alone, also went travelling SE Asia alone - fantastic!!!!! :thumbsup:

*Turbo*

23-02-2006, 14:37

I haven't *yet*

It would appear that if i want to go away this year it will have to be on my own since I'm single and all my mates idea's of a holiday is leaving the village for the day:huh:

*Twinkle*

23-02-2006, 14:50

I'd love to go away alone :P It'd be pretty cool cos I'd only have myself to answer to (which I like) and I'm pretty friendly so I wouldn't be alone for long hehe :P

I was thinking about doing club 18-30 this summer which'd involve me leaving England for a few months and working in Spain/Greece and living with similar people who'd gone-it-alone too... Don't quite think I've got the balls though, but I think I'd love it if I went :D

Pauly

23-02-2006, 14:53

*Twinkle*

23-02-2006, 14:55

Definately do that (18-30s) while you're young. You'd have a right laugh and if it's something you want to do then just go for it and don't think too much. ;) That's what I did when I went abroad. :thumbsup:

Oh is it now?! I didn't know that... I'll have to pick your brains later matey(moo) hehe :P :hihi: :)

sheffchick

23-02-2006, 14:59

*Twinkle*

23-02-2006, 15:02

Im thinking of a beachy relaxing holiday really, not travelling. I would not really fancy 18 - 30's on my own, would be fun with friends tho. Going to book something for end of June. My friends are going away with bf's this year, would love a girly holiday but maybe next year.

Wish me luck

I meant "doing" 18-30, as in working as a club rep, making sure everyone has a good time on holiday...
I'm actually going on a girly holiday with my best mate this summer which is an 18-30 holiday, incidentally... :P

sheffchick

23-02-2006, 15:06

Nice one

Well have fun.:hihi:

redrobbo

23-02-2006, 15:12

I've spent a week on holiday on my own in a remote cottage in Snowdonia. No disagreements about what time to get out of bed, who was doing the cooking, and where to spend the day.

I also once went on holiday to Marjorca on my own. Hired a motorbike and spent 3 days touring the island, and climbed a mountain alone.

There are some things that you can only do if you go on holiday on your own. However, I do actually prefer to go on holiday with other people.

Just checked the calendar - only 4 weeks to go before I'm off to Snowdonia on holiday again, but won't be going on my own this time.

Pauly

23-02-2006, 15:15

Oh is it now?! I didn't know that... I'll have to pick your brains later matey(moo) hehe :P :hihi: :)

I meant I didn't 'think too much' about the scary side and just went with it. :hihi: A girl I used to know had a favourite saying. 'Feel the fear and do it anyway!' It's a great rule to live by I think. :thumbsup:

I've never been to or worked on 18-30s by the way. :lol:

rad

23-02-2006, 15:37

Several times but only in the UK and only for a few days.

LadyInRed

23-02-2006, 17:43

not intentionally, my mate was an odd ball, she flipped her lid in 2002, and left me in Greece alone, my first holiday abroad EVER, she told the rep her Dad had died and she needed to get home asap.

Id known her about 6 years and we had arrange to go away for a week, just before we were due to go, her boyf (who she lived with) finished with her (long story to go into he was asian with her on side and a wife in his country) we had hoped the holiday would do us good, we had been there 2 days and one night she said she had had enough and wanted to go home, iv never felt anything like it, she lied and lied to get home, it was awfull, i felt sorry for her one way, but another i hated her. Fortunatley i had the sense to tell the rep (so it didn't effect my insurance) the truth, he still helped her get home but it cost her loads of money, after she had gone i was alone, i cried a bit, but the people in the apartments near me where so lovely, and took me out and stuff, i went on day trips and had a great time.

I had a great time, even tho the rep must have been glad to see the back off me after the week, i made sure someone knew where i was most off the time and always called home in the evening at the same time.

42fta

23-02-2006, 17:47

Has anyone ever been on holiday alone? What were your experiences?Yes, I went solo to Corfu about 20years ago (bf let me down, grr).
It was my first time abroad, too, and it was totally brill. So much so that I went solo again the next year, despite being involved with another fella (now husband :) ).

Are you considering it this year sheffchick? Just be prepared to make eye contact with people and you'll be amazed how easy it is to find pals to meet up with for the evening.

Ally68

23-02-2006, 17:56

I went on my own to Menorca when I was 20. Just got a flight out and sorted accommodation out when I got there. I got talking to a girl on the flight who told me about the hotel she was staying in. I went there just for a quiet holiday but met so many people it was great. The best thing is that you can do what you want to do and not think about anybody else. I'd recommend it to everyone! :thumbsup:

parcher

23-02-2006, 20:55

I've been on my own several times, once to Morocco, once to Corfu and several times to Belgium, although that is for an exhibition I take part in. I had a great time, did some sightseeing when I wanted to and generally relaxed. Actually, I prefer it to going with other people. I could do whatever I wanted, eat where I wanted and socialise if and when I wanted.

mistyraven

23-02-2006, 22:47

Never but I would go on my own if I had chance. All that peace bliss:cool:

angle20

23-02-2006, 23:11

I meant "doing" 18-30, as in working as a club rep, making sure everyone has a good time on holiday...
I'm actually going on a girly holiday with my best mate this summer which is an 18-30 holiday, incidentally... :P
I think you have to have a lot of stamina to be a rep, especially a Club 18-30 one. You get about 4 hours sleep per week - if you're not on a night time airport run you have to be the life and soul of the evening bar crawl. The holiday should be fun though. :cool:

SHsheff

23-02-2006, 23:35

Maybe we could do with a Forum Holiday/Weekend Break-Companion section!

So we could pair up with people who like similar things......

Flights are so cheap these days, it seems a shame to spend weekends in the UK.

Personally, I don't like doing stuff on my own. Tried it, I can do it, but it's not as good as having someone to share it with. In the last few months I've been with friends to Rome, Oslo, Barcelona and have Prague booked. There are other places I'd like to nip over to but friends aren't always available.

:)

Titian

24-02-2006, 00:15

I did a few times in my younger days. I eventually moved to France on my own when I was 19.

*Twinkle*

24-02-2006, 16:28

I think you have to have a lot of stamina to be a rep, especially a Club 18-30 one. You get about 4 hours sleep per week - if you're not on a night time airport run you have to be the life and soul of the evening bar crawl. The holiday should be fun though. :cool:

I love going out and have lots of energy so I reckon I'd be good at it :D Once I get going, theres no stopping me :D :hihi:

I've probably missed the boat for this summer, but fear planning for next year incase something crops up... argh!

mega_monty

25-02-2006, 01:22

I love going out and have lots of energy so I reckon I'd be good at it :D Once I get going, theres no stopping me :D :hihi:

Did you ever watch that club rep's series on t.v, they got up to some pretty wacky stuff, shaving peoples hair off with hair remover cream etc :hihi: ooh and did'nt they do some kind of strip show ? would you do that then Caprice ?

crawley

25-02-2006, 03:26

I did once...drove to the East coast of the States form home (about 7.5 hours) in a giant rental car....had no hotel lined up so I slept in the car for a few nights...

had a blast. It is quite peaceful to be alone and just listen to the waves but it feels a bit akward being alone sometimes...it was well worth it though...love the beach!

Been to Norway and Singapore for work alone, got a chance to look around quite a bot too, but not quite a real holiday.

livestrong

25-02-2006, 04:39

yeh, i'm currently in vermont alone having visited boston earlier in the week. although does it count if i am visiting friends?

i have a mate i visited in boston and now staying with another mate in vermont. i'm also off to oz next month for a 5 month holiday and once again i'll be going alone.

to be honest i quite enjoy the chance to meet new people and explore new places... nothing intimidates me anymore.

*Twinkle*

25-02-2006, 10:42

Did you ever watch that club rep's series on t.v, they got up to some pretty wacky stuff, shaving peoples hair off with hair remover cream etc :hihi: ooh and did'nt they do some kind of strip show ? would you do that then Caprice ?

I'm pretty crazy when I'm drunk so as long as I'd had a few, I'd keep the party going :hihi:

I'd love to do it, it'd be fab :D I've got the balls to go for it this summer, it'd be so exciting, but I'm pretty sure they'll have filled all their positions by now... I'll have to ring by a few places and find out... It'd be soooo cool :D

hacker

31-03-2006, 13:03

I've just come back from a holiday to Austria alone. It was fab. I met lots of nice people out there, mostly Germans, who dispelled entirely my previous view of Germans as rather serious and reserved. They were mental!
I learnt how to ski and my time was all my own for a whole week. Bliss.

the_rudeboy

31-03-2006, 13:11

My mate at work went on holiday alone and came back home with a girlfriend......they're still together 4 years later.

To Majorca BTW not Thailand. :D

Bago

31-03-2006, 17:43

I always said that I'd go on the next hol on my own.
I've always organised holiday with friends, and it always end up with people bickering or me being the tour guide herding them as sheeps, which is no fun at all.

I've yet to backpack on my own round the world, but I kept saying that I would. But then again, I once went to Eindhoven to meet an old uni friend there who was on business. It was not fun at all during the day for me. :( Felt a bit homesick, so I caught a plane home early.

davyboy

31-03-2006, 19:04

I went to Bologna for a week on my own...............my wife was going away later with a friend.
In some ways we have different interests and I have to say that not having to worry about whether she was happy doing the things I wanted to do was a plus. However it's no joy going to a restaurant on your own when the place is full of couples.
We did go to Bologna together last year and we both enjoyed it.
I also spent a week walking in the Yorkshire Dales some years ago whilst she was in Italy with a friend (she is not a walker.)
Again it was a truly relaxing time staying in a farmhouse B and B where I was treated as one of the family

JayneRay

31-03-2006, 19:44

Has anyone ever been on holiday alone? What were your experiences?
A friend of ours once booked himself a holiday on his own to Portugal.
My husband duly got up at 3.00am to take him to Manchester airport.
I got home from work that day to find a message on the answering machine "it's only me ring me " followed by another straight afterwards "I am at home "

My friend had tried to catch a plane 24 hrs too early so took a train home.
Next morning my husband duly got up again and took him back across the pennies not before slippng a book into his hand luggage about the 20 worst plane crashes in history.

Moral of story check flight times

ashmorel

31-03-2006, 21:14

Has anyone ever been on holiday alone? What were your experiences?
Yep, went to New York in 1999 and Brazil 4 weeks ago alone and had a great time both times. I was meeting friends over in both places but they were working in the daytimes so I was alone most of the daytime and had a really relaxing time.

I'd heartily recommend it!

upinwath

31-03-2006, 22:47

Backpacking in Malaysia last year for 4 weeks.
FANTASTIC
Off again soon and hope to stay up to 7 weeks.

pattricia

31-03-2006, 23:03

Yep, went to New York in 1999 and Brazil 4 weeks ago alone and had a great time both times. I was meeting friends over in both places but they were working in the daytimes so I was alone most of the daytime and had a really relaxing time.

I'd heartily recommend it!
Yes, I also went to The States on my own,but didnt realise I had until people remarked"Oh, did you go on your own ?" I called it "being free".I love my hubby but you need your own space sometimes.Its lovely to sit on a plane,be served a meal,and just be on your own.Mind you Im not long before Im chatting to someone.:hihi:

muddycoffee

31-03-2006, 23:46

, got a huge Soviet Flag for my wall, the likeness of which is my atavar.

hmmm,
I had no idea the soviet flag looked like a dog's face.

Travelling away on your own is an interesting way of travelling but it depends on how you are in your life. If you are quite independant you may enjoy it, I know several people who have been to India alone and would never go with anyone else as you are accepted and included as a lone traveler but as a pair or a group you are left alone.
I have only ever been abroad with my brother and girlfriends, although I have travelled the UK extensively on my own and stayed away in hotels, being quite content on my own for a few days. I would probaly enjoy travelling alone abroad, but it's a leap I haven't made.