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Travel

Solo travel with a tour group

(16 Posts)
jessieros Sat 03-Oct-15 16:53:58

I've been on my own for 15 years now, since my DH died and have done a lot of travelling - generally with groups. Maybe I've been very lucky, but I've always found that many if not all the other group members are happy to socialise and I have always had a great time.
I've been with Cox & Kings, Saga and Great Train Journeys and have had very good experiences with them all. My Australian trip was with GTJ - excellent
Good luck with your plans!

Meersbrook123 Sat 03-Oct-15 12:49:44

I always travelled with Saga and found them super. Sometimes they had their own pools, lounges and of course the private, open all day, free bar.
My favourite holiday ever was a Nile cruise. Fantastic!

kinjil Sat 03-Oct-15 12:15:44

My friend travels a lot on her own with Just You and has a great time. I have holidayed on my own and always enjoy as people seem more friendly.

Magicmaggie Sat 03-Oct-15 11:07:28

For many years for I travelled abroad whilst my DH for various reasons stayed at home.
I found Inghams Lakes and Mountains the best travel company for me as they specialised in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and especially Italy which was my favourite country.
The place I loved staying in the most was The Grand Hotel Gardone Rivera in Lake Garda.
For an extra £15 per night I used to have a big twin-bedded room with a balcony overlooking the lake. It was magical and I spent many happy hours watching the ferries and fishing boats.
Unfortunately the single supplement started to get too expensive so I stopped going.
That's the problem with travelling on your own, if you don't want a tiny, stuffy single room at the back overlooking the dustbins.
You will have to pay extra for the sole occupancy of a double or twin bedded room and it can be extortionate. So please be wary.

choicestchard Sat 03-Oct-15 10:25:44

My partner does not enjoy travelling and he gets so stressed with airports etc. it detracts from the enjoyment, so I much prefer travelling alone. However, it does mean paying that bit extra for a single room unless one chooses to go totally solo and not with a group. I did try - for economy reasons - sharing a room with a friend one year, but felt we were less friendly at the end of the holiday than at the beginning! I went to Vietnam with Ramblers last year and there were several single people in the group, although it was just as easy mixing with the couples in the group too, and all were very friendly. (Incidentally there was next to no walking involved).
Good luck Alima, by Day Two you will probably find it much easier than you feared, enjoy it more than you anticipated, and be racing back to choose your next solo holiday.
ps: You might even get the window seat on the flight!

Alima Sat 03-Oct-15 10:08:55

Thank you Mimotron1, a really positive view. I have just picked up some brochures. I loved Poland, especially Kraków. There was a Greek wedding in the next hotel and they made a right racket. All added to the ambience!

Mimotron1 Sat 03-Oct-15 09:49:15

A few years ago I was invited to a christening - 40k from the Russian border in Poland. Decided to take a touralone, with Exodus for 2 weeks. It was amazing. Everyone v nice. We all ate together in the evenings - some of the couples chose to go alone elsewhere. There was only one time in Krakow that I got a bit lost and alone but that was one afternoon in 2 weeks. I feel that people talk to you if you are alone moreso than in couples! Go for it.

LyndaW Fri 02-Oct-15 17:07:01

Is there a friend who might like to go with you? Not only would it be more sociable but I imagine a lot cheaper too?

tanith Fri 02-Oct-15 16:18:26

Alima click on the 'blued' section of LaraGransnet's post.

Alima Fri 02-Oct-15 16:06:30

Where do I find a we chat?

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 02-Oct-15 15:36:20

We did a webchat on solo travel a while ago. Might be helpful?

kittylester Fri 02-Oct-15 15:34:40

We mostly use Riviera Travel and there are usually one or two people on their own in the group and they seem to be fine and the guides always make sure they are included. Out next door neighbour, who is a widower recently went to Italy with the same company and said it didn't matter at all that he was on his own. Go for it and enjoy.

Maggiemaybe Fri 02-Oct-15 15:29:29

I forgot to say. Archers are the online arm of the Cosmos group - you can book the same holidays with Cosmos, but their prices are usually a little higher.

Maggiemaybe Fri 02-Oct-15 15:25:31

We've been with Archers Direct on several tours, and always enjoyed them. They're very reliable, with extremely knowledgeable local guides, just enough input with the group and never intrusive, eg there's usually a guided orientation tour at a new location, then you're left to enjoy it as you like, there are optional excursions, but no pressure to go on them. There are usually two or three single travellers with the group.

We did go with them to Australia (the Highlights of Australia option), but in this case they organised transfers, internal flights, etc, but didn't supply a guide. So you're travelling with a group but can have as little or as much interaction with them as you, and they, want. We really enjoyed it, and it was a great trip.

www.archersdirect.co.uk/australasia/australia

tanith Fri 02-Oct-15 15:19:42

I'll be interested in the answers to your question Alima its somewhere I've always wanted to go but similarly to you DH doesn't fly so I would have to go alone...

Alima Fri 02-Oct-15 15:12:59

I am thinking of going to Australia with a tour group. I would be travelling on my own, my husband no longer likes flying and has been there anyway, years ago when he was in the Navy. Now it would be possible for me to go, to see Alice Springs etc, (all those Nevil Shute books I love) .I would use a reputable tour company and know I would be able to trust them. Have any of you travelled that way, do you have any hints and tips etc. Probably being a wus but to date I have never been on holiday on my own, DH is all for me to go, probably looking forward to a bit of peace!