Holiday on my own

[Sarconia]

Being pretty much a permanent singleton with little family I can understand the general "oh crap, what will I do!?" feeling when it comes to thinking about going on holiday alone. Last year, I decided against a holiday for that very reason but I found myself just sitting in my room doing bugger all for an entire week. Whilst it felt good that I was still getting paid, I didn't actually do anything at all other than play my PS3/go to the gym which is what I generally do in the evenings anyway.

 

This year I decided "bugger that, I'm going to do something at least" so I'll be going to a 3 day convention up north which will have plenty of events (and alcohol) to keep my mind off the fact that I'm on my own and I know no-one. The main thing which I've found is to try and keep busy, you don't necessarily have to interact with others if you don't want to, it's just that you need to keep busy so pick a holiday that ensures you'll be doing something on each day and you'll be fine

 

EduMatchMaking

 

Where can I sign up for this? lol

Edited July 23, 2010 by Sarconia
Added quote

[RSoP_Robbers]

ITs what you get when you work for a decent place, unlike secondary schools lol

 

Yeah tell me about it! I've partially adopted a site manager roll this summer on top of everything else... *slaps head* so my holiday is on hold.

 

But saying that, I'm certainly getting away!

 

Similar boat here but I've decided to go camping around Cornwall, go diving and the like.

It's relaxing and gets me out of the way of IT. Phones still work IF you want them to so you've always got access to FaceEduGeekBook. But I suppose it also gets you used to exploring, finding stuff to do at your own pace, more importantly RELAX but depending where you stay, some camp sites or resorts can be quite "community based" so you can have a natter with the people around you and do stuff together.

 

....Or you can just get absolutely drunk in your tent and scare people! LOL

 

Its a good way to get started. (Not the scaring people - you tend to get booted off of the site).

[Andrew_C]

Thanks everyone i am also interested in history so have been thinking of some toors of ww2 sites and omaha beach and places like that.

Prepare yourself mentally for that one. The war finished 16 years before I was born, and none of my family were in the services (one grandfather in the Merchant Navy), but it still ripped me up.

 

Where can I sign up for this? lol

And me too!

[powdarrmonkey]

EduMatchMaking

 

Where can I sign up for this? lol

 

And me too!

 

EduDate - Connecting Lonely EduStaff the World Over

 

(bit of a laugh, but seriously it'd be interesting to see who does sign up and what happens after that... )

[sidewinder]

I went to Southeast Asia for 2 months last summer, and despite not being the most confident person (and being terrified about not meeting people) I made loads of friends and had the absolute time of my life

 

This year I'm going to Morocco on my own (only 10 days as I think another sabbatical would be pushing it) and again I'm terrified but I know I will meet people and more than likely it will be a bloody amazing holiday

 

Obviously if you have a like minded friend/partner then yeah it is usually (but not always) better/easier to go with them, but there are hundreds of thousands of people travelling solo all the time. The idea still provokes raised eyebrows from some people but its far from unusual

[witch]

I think you might be better off with the organised 'group' holidays that have been mentioned as there will be people there who are on their own too, before you leap and go away on your own.

[joe90bass]

A few years back I was in the same boat, I went on my own for 5 days to Sweden travelling around in my car and enjoyed it. I also went to North Cyprus with Solo's holidays and had a great time. Somehow we all worked out who was in the group whilst on the plane and started talking to each other. You can do as much or as little as you want in the group, it was nice not to eat alone! Edited July 25, 2010 by joe90bass
not used to n900 keyboard yet!

[steve]

I've travelled a lot on my own over the last 10 years, recently having been to the world cup on my own.

 

What might make it a bit easier is doing something that you have an interest in - sports / cooking / art / etc. Then you know on your holiday you will meet some like minded people, which will give you something in common to talk about.

[tomscaper]

A few years back I was in the same boat, I went on my own for 5 days to Sweden travelling around in my car and enjoyed it. I also went to North Cyprus with Solo's holidays and had a great time. Somehow we all worked out who was in the group whilst on the plane and started talking to each other. You can do as much or as little as you want in the group, it was nice not to eat alone!

 

Thats part of my worry i go away on one of these group holidays and dont fit in with anyone. Last thing i want is a holiday alone.

 

I think you might be better off with the organised 'group' holidays that have been mentioned as there will be people there who are on their own too, before you leap and go away on your own.

 

Yeah i think your right, group holiday is probably the best for me.

[tomscaper]

Prepare yourself mentally for that one. The war finished 16 years before I was born, and none of my family were in the services (one grandfather in the Merchant Navy), but it still ripped me up.

 

And me too!

 

I think it would be sad but still something i am intersted in and i think most people there would be thinking the same things.

 

I did just that a few years ago. I drove to France and navigated using a map of Little Chef- type eateries which was printed on a restaurant tray liner I collected soon after fuelling up in France. I soon got totally lost and had to buy a proper map. This was before the days of cheap car GPS systems, I should add. Things would be easier now.

 

Anyway, I camped at Etretat (with its fantastic alabaster arches), Luc sur Mer, etc. I saw the Normandy landing beaches including the Mulberry harbours at Aromanche (the beach did pong a bit) and the huge gun batteries at Longiness (sp?)

 

I then nipped along the coast and camped at the municipal campsite near Mont St Michel. The whole trip was totally random and completely without plan.

 

I went to Honfleur, Dreaville, Touvillle (excuse my spelling, this is from memory) and saw the Bayeux tapestry.

 

I also saw the real Pegasus bridge (they made an exact replica which they use as a real bridge). The real one has special significance as its capture was key to the allied invasion. There's a monument nearby to the commandos who captured it.

 

I only had trouble finding a place to stay on one occasion. French camp sites are usually excellent, and the municipal sites are very cheap.

 

Have you got a friend to go with? I know you hinted at going alone, but a friend is good to have around.

 

Just a suggestion, but I found random camping in France good fun. Oh, be careful - the petrol stations are not 24 hour! I very nearly came unstuck.

 

Nope no one to go with, the company i was looking at was Battlefields | Themed Tours | Battlefields, seems pretty interesting.

[Sarconia]

EduDate - Connecting Lonely EduStaff the World Over

 

(bit of a laugh, but seriously it'd be interesting to see who does sign up and what happens after that... )

 

Lol, nice one. I'll sign up later after I'm done disguising my photo!

[joe90bass]

Thats part of my worry i go away on one of these group holidays and dont fit in with anyone. Last thing i want is a holiday alone.

 

That was my worry to, but everyone's in the same boat - you want or need a holiday but don't want to be alone but don't know how you'll get on with strangers - I wouldn't let that put you off, but if you are worried about it, if you were to pick a holiday around an activity then I'm sure you'd find like minded people

[tb2571989]

I turned 21 yesterday and have the new-found freedom of my first car (although I'm not that confident driving it) but getting better. The world, as they say, is your oyster (apart from I've got august off and a very limited budget :/)

[tomscaper]

I have been thinking and I am gonna save up and go to one of the scifi conventions in america, I have always fancied it but was afraid of the flight, but its something i have wanted to do for a long time so I will do it, plus there will be many people who are interested in the same things.

[RSoP_Robbers]

EduDate - Connecting Lonely EduStaff the World Over

 

(bit of a laugh, but seriously it'd be interesting to see who does sign up and what happens after that... )

 

LMAO!

That is ace! :-D

It looked a little like Friendface from IT Crowd as it was loading lol

 

I have been thinking and I am gonna save up and go to one of the scifi conventions in america, I have always fancied it but was afraid of the flight, but its something i have wanted to do for a long time so I will do it, plus there will be many people who are interested in the same things.

 

I've never been to any abroad but I've been to some of the gaming shows at Excel in London and the MCM Expo in May (VERY good). I met quite a few cool people there but sadly missed Leslie Neilson! DOH! That would have made my day! :-D

 

Yeah they are great for meeting people with similar interests. You just have to watch for extreme views and different levels of interest as I discovered with the group of people near me arguing lol

[HMCTech]

Think I will be booking an Exodus holiday for next summer to Kenya or Japan. I cant do fly out and sit in a hotel or a beach holidays so its perfect. They have a good forum for questions if your nervous or interested in how it will work and they are great to email.

[srochford]

Just seen this in today's Guardian - some ideas for solo travel Travel solo, never alone | Travel | The Guardian

[aerospacemango]

With breaking up recently i am a little nervous to be honest about going away on my own, and have lost alot of my confidence, so not very social at the moment.

 

So not sure to be honest its all new to me. Will have a look, but can anyone point me to any particular companys.

 

Been on holiday, myself, for a week or so, so only just caught this thread..............

 

Way back in 1999, I broke up with a girlfriend and decided that I really could do with a week away. So, one night, I sat in front of the telly and called up teletext holidays. Got on the phone to a couple of the companys and booked myself a holiday.

 

I said to them " I want beach, nightlife and SUN....though not particularly in that order!!". They sent me (4 hours later!!!) to an apartment in St Antonio in Ibiza. I travelled on my own, but within a few hours of landing, I had started to meet people, most of whom couldn't believe that I had done it on my own, and began to have a cracking holiday.

 

Looking back, I was 30 at the time, and it was the best thing I could possibly have done, as it taught me about my own self-worth again. I would recommend it to anyone....but be prepared to go on excursions, and walk into bars and start chatting to others. Re-invent yourself as an outgoing, party animal, and you'll have a ball!!!

[MatthewL]

South Coast/New Forest area, nice and relaxing. I am heading that way on Thursday evening till Sunday although this time not on my own but with the Mrs, will be a good relaxing time.

[tomscaper]

Been on holiday, myself, for a week or so, so only just caught this thread..............

 

Way back in 1999, I broke up with a girlfriend and decided that I really could do with a week away. So, one night, I sat in front of the telly and called up teletext holidays. Got on the phone to a couple of the companys and booked myself a holiday.

 

I said to them " I want beach, nightlife and SUN....though not particularly in that order!!". They sent me (4 hours later!!!) to an apartment in St Antonio in Ibiza. I travelled on my own, but within a few hours of landing, I had started to meet people, most of whom couldn't believe that I had done it on my own, and began to have a cracking holiday.

 

Looking back, I was 30 at the time, and it was the best thing I could possibly have done, as it taught me about my own self-worth again. I would recommend it to anyone....but be prepared to go on excursions, and walk into bars and start chatting to others. Re-invent yourself as an outgoing, party animal, and you'll have a ball!!!

 

That sounds kinda fun, but i am not sure i have the confidence to do anything like that.

[tomscaper]

Just seen this in today's Guardian - some ideas for solo travel Travel solo, never alone | Travel | The Guardian

 

Thanks will have a look at that.

[aerospacemango]

That sounds kinda fun, but i am not sure i have the confidence to do anything like that.

 

I wasn't sure either....until I did it!

 

I went out on a cruise excursion, and there was no looking back after that.....There was always something to do, and always people to meet up with in the evening.

 

And don't forget....if you feel that you cannot do the meet and greet stuff...get into the welcome meeting....and take it from there! They may be as corny as life comes, but the welcome meeting lets you size up the place, and your fellow holidaymakers.

 

Knowing what I know now.....I would advise anyone to do it....if only the once! Travelling alone means you never have to justify anything that you do.....and what happens in Ibiza/Majorca/Benidorm/etc etc, stays there!!! You are never at anyone's beck and call....you go where you want, drink and eat what you want, and spend your days' how YOU want!

 

Be prepared to take a couple of books for poolside reading....but know that you won't get the chance to finish them

[john]

Im heading off on my own again this summer to London for some R,R,S,T & F (Rest, Relaxation, Sight-seeing, Theatre and Food) I rent an apartment and stay in that and its all fine and I haven't sercumb to owt bad yet (Touches wood!) you meet people in the theatre, streets, etc and it all is good

[Dos_Box]

Im heading off on my own again this summer to London for some R,R,S,T & F (Rest, Relaxation, Sight-seeing, Theatre and Food) I rent an apartment and stay in that and its all fine and I haven't sercumb to owt bad yet (Touches wood!) you meet people in the theatre, streets, etc and it all is good

 

You're not there on Thursday\Friday are you John?

[john]

You're not there on Thursday\Friday are you John?

 

Yup I am Chris Are you in London as well as it seems that a lot of edugeek members are heading to London this next week or so!

 

The only thing fixed in stone in my schedule (apart from train times) is going to the theatre on Thursday night (Whoopi Goldberg is staring in Sister Act the musical as Mother Superior so I must see that) and I am hoping to catch up with GD at WWRY at some point whilst I am down if we co-ordinate