Advice needed for first holiday abroad

[Hushallovertheworld]

I want to go on my first holiday abroad by for a week or 2, hopefully later this year to Tunisia - I would prefer to self cater but could stay at a big all inclusive hotel and eat out if that is easier. I need a quiet place to rest and recharge preferably by the sea. I think my max budget is 2k including flights but I don't know if that is unrealistic. I really don't want planning for the holiday to be too stressful as then what is the point.
The problems are; I have a rescue dog who does not like anyone except me, what am I supposed to do? I don't know of anyone that would do it. Am I supposed to try and take her with me?
I don't really know about things like what you can take on the plane or what the hidden costs are at the airport or how much I should save. I don't mind going shopping at the other end to buy any toiletries.
I know that costs are variable and the prices in Tunisia are supposed to be less than the UK so I'm not sure if anyone can advise.
Can someone help me out with some advice

Congratulations on planning your first trip - sounds like you need a nice break! I don’t think there’s any way you can take your dog with you so that’s the first issue. I’m sure other posters will help with advice on that (we had a lovely cat sitter but then my cats are low maintenance).

My advice would be to make sure your flight includes a checked in bag, or pay for it, so you can take nice clothes and toiletries with you. I know some people try and survive on a small cabin bag but it’s stressful. If you get a package then checked baggage should be included.

Why Tunisia?
As its your first time, I would get a package deal with transfers and luggage included just to be easy.
You cant take your dog. You will need to book him into a kennel or find a dog sitter.

Start getting him used to a kennel or sitter- visit them first then next time leave him for even a few hours then build up. Our dog found two kennels he loved, and one he didn’t eat in and was miserable after, it seems to be the people for him as much as anything else

You can't take your dog I'm afraid. Definitely get a package holiday. I've never been to Tunisia but not sure it would be my choice for a first holiday abroad. Were you you thinking of there because you are going in winter?

I wouldn’t necessarily call it relaxing to be by the sea in Tunisia (as opposed to by the private hotel pool) … I think you’ll get hassled. Much nicer places you could go.

You can’t take your dog on the plane. By ferry, possibly, if vaccinated, for eg going to France.

Are you going on your own OP ?
I wouldn't go to Tunisia as a solo female.

For a first holiday abroad please don’t chose Tunisia! It’s regularly voted worst holiday destination.

Why not Spain or Portugal?

Can you use a dog sitter for the dog?

You could have a look at package holidays eg Tui, Jet2 and that will show you what £2k will get you. Money Saving Expert for avoiding airport rip offs and insurance quotes. And it's not normal to take pets on a plane.

I think would pick a package tour somewhere "easier" than Tunisia for my first trip abroad. Majorca perhaps, or a Greek island? Although it does depend when in the year you want to go; have a look at average temperatures.
As you seem to know so little about travelling abroad, perhaps visiting a traditional high street travel agent might be a good idea, for some face to face advice?

I agree with people saying not Tunisia. Wondering if you'd chosen it for lower costs, weather or wanted a different culture?
I'd suggest looking at Agadir in Morocco. It has lots of nice Western owned hotels, same weather and culture but safer for a solo woman. You'd still get a bit of chat from the sellers on the beach or at the souck but if your firm they back off.
Also it's easy enough to get a taxi from airport to the town and there are taxis/ ubers you can use while there if you wanted or needed to.
If you wanted a smaller resort feel place you could also look at the resort of Tassasok sp? Which is about 30 minutes up the coast. It was a surfer's resort but grown slightly more recently.

Ok I'll look into dog sitting. And I don't think there are any travel agents locally (I could be wrong) but I'll definitely speak to someone about where to go as I know that they travel often although I think they go wherever. Yes I picked it for low costs/sun/nice weather etc as I want to actually afford to go and know costs can stack.

Tunisia? No, don’t do it. Unless you plan on making your first holiday abroad your last 🤣

Mate, do yourself a favour and go somewhere nice! And no, you can’t take the dog. Look at trusted housesitters and book someone to come and stay with her.

Can you explain what Tunisia did to draw you in and maybe we can suggest other places you might like? Assuming this isn’t a wind up 🤣

Oh ok, not a wind up.

What is your budget? Food costs can be low in lots of places across Europe.

For your first trip I recommend a package tour, go into a branch of TUI for instance, ai means all your food (and drinks) are included so you don’t need to worry about costs there and they will have trips you can sign up to which may be a good idea if it’s your first time doing this sort of holiday. As for your dog, unless it’s a driving holiday to eg France I do not think your dog would like to accompany you as they travel in the hold and it’s far too hot when you get there even if the hotel allows them (unlikely in Tunisia), you need to find a pet sitter or home boarding if you don’t want to use kennels though I found professionally run smaller kennels just fine for my dog

Not Tunisia stick to Europe. And wherever you book check trip advisor first

Tunisia can be quite dodgy. Why not pick someone nice and safe like Majorca?

you don’t need a travel agent. Just pick a holiday online TUI or British airways or jet2

unless you need to travel in school holidays your budget is adequate for many locations, how many people is it for? Assuming 2 you can travel to a decent hotel ai in most European countries and with it being ai you won’t need to worry about costs adding up, everything including the transfer is included, you just need spending money for any trips or ice creams. How about a smaller Spanish resort, it will be easier to navigate the culture than Africa.

Go somewhere like portugal.
This is nice
Food is good

AP Cabanas Beach & Nature - Tavira hotels | Jet2holidays share.google/8995o2EA7Xict0O6W
Short taxi to Tavira town. (10 euros)
10 minutes walk to local small town with shops and cafes
Warm to swim in sea in september

I think Balearics is a good suggestion - Menorca is nice, you can go to an adults only hotel and on a package there will be some trips you can go on too (we did one to see the horses, and a trip to a nature walk).

In terms of costs - you can go full board which incudes lunch and is nice if you are staying round the hotel. Half board is breakfast and dinner, and lunch can be out at a cafe or from a supermarket to save money.

One other tip - check the pool is a heated one! Otherwise can be very chilly even if it’s hot. I’m getting envious thinking about your trip!

It would be better to book an adults only break in Europe. In Tunisia as a single woman you would be a target for male pests. Put luggage in hold on plane, dog in kennels, pack some Immodium tablets (untoward toilet problems). First time abroad so eat only well cooked hot food, no ice, unbottled water, cold milky drinks fruit, raw vegetables or salad. Do take UK to Continental adaptor plugs for electrical items, especially for electric toothbrush (they don't fit in the shaver sockets abroad).

Look on the airlines website for what not to take in cabin bag and checked in luggage. Don't worry too much Europe is very relaxed about most things. Look up the temperatures online before you pack. Whatever you forget or doesn't work you can buy when you get there.

You will need travel insurance, what used to be called EHIC card, current passport, bank debit/credit card. Don't worry about currency there are cash machines all over Europe, or use your card. Always opt for Euros when paying by card and keep the receipts.

Greece, Turkey, mallorca or canaries all better than Tunisia. Im afraid that having a dog sitter or nice dog care fornyour dog will be easily 35 per day if not more for your dog so please ensure you budget for that in addition unless you can find a friend to have him.

Tunisia isn't really a great place for self catering or single female travellers who want to be left alone.

Stick to France, Spain or Portugal. You can take your dog to all of these places but will need to meet certain requirements such as vaccinations and health checks and it would need to be with an airline which allows dogs so not a package. If you google airlines which allow dogs to fly to Spain for example, noy all airlines allow it and some only allow smaller dogs in the cabin.

Of course you would also then need dog friendly accommodation, Airbnb might be a good place or again just google 'dog friendly accommodation in...' where ever you are looking.

In theory, it is possible.

In terms of budget, for self catering think similar to what you would spend in the UK on food, if you are hiring a car you will be able to visit larger supermarkets, if not them smaller pricier local shops. Although, I guess you'd need a car if you are taking your dog.

Airport food and drink is very pricey. You can take your own food but need to be aware of restrictions on what food you can take into the country you are visiting. E.g. you can't take meat or dairy into Spain, but you could take a ham roll onto the plane and eat it before arriving.

As its your first trip abroad, OP, Tunisia is not a good choice, particularly for a woman on her own. Its Africa, its a different culture that does not respect women, and where you would be hassled constantly. You would be much better off choosing somewhere in Europe to start your foreign hollidays, where culture shock would be far less.
I always travel independently, booking flights, hire car, hotels etc online. But as a beginner, a package holiday would be the best bet to get you used to being in a different country. Not necessarily all inclusive, B & B in a hotel would be fine and give you more options as to where to eat, but having a rep available to ease you in is reassuring. Travel agents rarely know much actual information about places, and try and rush a decision, so you would likely be better off researching a destination and booking a package holiday yourself online.

I'd suggest Mallorca for a first trip. Its Spain and places like Pollensa are nice but Spain-lite, ie. lots of familiar things and lots of Brits. And the island has some lovely scenery. Or Menorca (quiet). In fact anywhere in Spain would be a good first abroad holiday. Depending on your tastes, there is something for everyone. Fish and chip resorts full of brashness and Brits (Costa del Sol resorts and Benidorm), or quieter more characterful places almost anywhere. Another possibility is Malta which is English speaking.
If you really want to take your dog, have you thought of France, where you could get by Eurostar or ferry? Good luck, OP wherever you choose. Have a lovely holiday.

If you really want to take your dog, the ferry is the best option. You could take your own car. If you travel to Spain, Portugal, France you possibly will not be able to take your dog on buses, although France in particular welcomes dogs in a lot of restaurants and cafes.

You could stay in a nice hotel pretty much anywhere in Europe for loads less than £2k so Tunisia is an odd choice for an inexperienced traveller.

If you want to take your dog you need to travel by car and its not great for a nervous dog to travel too far, so France, Ireland or Isle of Man would be best. If you take her abroad don't forget she needs a pet passport.