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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think holidays/travel are ruled out to me?

177 replies

palmtreeparrot · 13/08/2018 13:04

Please do not think this is an adverse inference on anyone who does holiday alone but it is not for me.

At the same time an organised group is my idea of hell.

So - going away seems out? Which is a shame.

OP posts:
MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 19:33

I'm not the op though I'm just hijacking the thread if thats ok with op?

goose1964 · 13/08/2018 19:43

Do you have any hobbies? My dad goes on his own on birdwatching trips and most people are on their own so no-one stands out. Similar holidays exist for painting or photography or archaeology etc

SoyDora · 13/08/2018 19:53

As a single person, the only thing that’s actually ruled out for you is holidaying with a partner. Everything else you’re choosing to rule out for yourself.

ShinyMe · 13/08/2018 19:53

@MarthaArthur -I like to check out the place I'm going on google maps first, have a bit of a walk about on street view. And I like paper maps. And then I like to think that well, unless you're out hillwalking on high ground or in bad weather or on dangerous terrain, then why does it matter if you get lost? If you're in a town or a resort or a populated place, then there will always be someone to ask, and if you're in the countryside then a map and some common sense should be fine.

I love just wandering round cities though, being a bit aimless and not knowing where I am. That's how you find interesting things!

SilverySurfer · 13/08/2018 19:55

If you won't even try I guess you are right, holidays and travel are ruled out for you.

Personally I have been on some amazing holidays on my own, met some super people and enjoyed myself enormously.

Shame, you're missing out, but that's obviously your choice.

Frogscotch7 · 13/08/2018 19:56

@MarthaArthur if I’m on holiday alone I always try and get an unlimited travel pass if there’s one available. Even if I don’t get “my money’s worth” it makes me feel secure to know if I get lost I can jump on any bus or tram and take it to a central location so I can find my bearings again. Don’t let one bad experience put you off!

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:00

Thanks shiny and frogs I actually love going places alone and exploring but im so scared of being lost in a foreign country. I will totally look up maps and getting a bus pass before I go. I just looked and i think maybe i can buy data on my phone to use abroad so google maps might work too!

Im afraid of getting lost at the airport to hotel or hostel but once there should be ok. I have so many things i want to see across the world so need to stop being a baby and do it.

ShinyMe · 13/08/2018 20:06

@Martha my thinking is always that if it's a tourist place, then hundreds of thousands of other people have done whatever journey before me, so if they can do it there's no reason I can't. And if it's a standard journey like airport to hotel then there will be straightforward ways to do it with signs in multiple languages and a variety of methods such as taxi, bus, train or whatever.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:09

Thats true. My issue is i have ocd and high anxiety so i am only just letting go of the concept of walking around with a medical kit with me and knowing how far the nearest hospital is. I dont ever want to become someone who cant leave the country due to fear. I have a list of 40 countries i want to see before i settle down Grin maybe the op should come with me lol

ErrolTheDragon · 13/08/2018 20:09

If I didn't have DH I'd absolutely be going to Nielsen beach clubs alone ... funny how often they've been mentioned already! Grinnot so expensive, and quieter outside school hols.

SnuggyBuggy · 13/08/2018 20:12

Martha, I'd start with a city walking tour

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:15

Are they the tours you pre book online? Because i want to go on them and see as much as possible. I will start with city breaks and build up confidence.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:16

I hope op come back. Theres loads of awesome suggestions on here so far.

MissusGeneHunt · 13/08/2018 20:18

A single friend of mine did a 'Fuck It' holiday, he was really worried about going alone but says it was the best time ever.... Have no idea what your budget is OP and this may be exorbitant but it's worth a look just for ideas... eff-it-helps.com

Good luck, wherever you go have a good time, and be brave, experience new things....

Ted27 · 13/08/2018 20:26

Martha - look at companies like explore and exodus - all sorts of interesting holidays with guides.

I've gone on holiday abroad many times on my own and in groups. If I'm on my own, I just book a pick up from the airport in advance, particulary if arriving late at night.

You just need a bit of confidence building, a few trips and you will be fine.

SnuggyBuggy · 13/08/2018 20:29

You can book online. You meet in a reasonably easy to find central location. It can help you get your bearings and give you a chance to see the more obscure places.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:30

Thanks Ted I will look into those and pre arranged pick up sounds perfect.

Sorry again to hijack op.

SerenDippitty · 13/08/2018 20:31

What about a cruise? You can meet up with other solo travellers without being forced to spend time with them.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:31

Thanks snuggy thats exactly what i need. I went to austria once and we sadly missed the tour so went alone we missed loads. Sadly that friend moved to america so i cant invite her along.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:33

Op is there anywhere in particular you wanted to go or to see? Or is it like me and just want to see loads?

spottybetty · 13/08/2018 20:34

Jesus. I’m on holiday with dh and kids and honestly? I’d love to be on my own. I wanted to visit a medieval village in Spain today and you’d have thought I’d tortured my ds. He whinged and moaned all the fucking way around. I told him, right, no pool time for you tomorrow if you can’t spend an hour doing what I want to do. Gah.

Don’t waste your life, op. If you had a dh and family, who’s to say they’d want the holidays you want??

Think about what you want and step out of your comfort zone and book something. The world is your fucking lobster.

SnuggyBuggy · 13/08/2018 20:35

Tours are awesome. I'm also quite partial to an evening ghost walk.

ThisIsntMeHonestGuv · 13/08/2018 20:37

Google maps is what you need Martha, as has been mentioned. It has made travel so easy. It even tells you what bus to get, what time to expect it, and it tracks your route as you travel so you can see where you need to get off.

I love it.

MarthaArthur · 13/08/2018 20:41

I love ghost walks too! I listened to one from my hotel in grassmarket edinburgh as i was too chicken to go and join it.

thisisntme did you buy a data package to use it abroad? Thats what i need. I would feel loads better if i had google maps with me.

sillyswimmer · 13/08/2018 20:45

When a friend told me she'd booked to go on holiday recently I asked if she'd mind if I went along with her and her family. She didn't mind in the slightest. I've booked my own accommodation on the same resort. I can spend time with them or on my own, it's totally up to me.

Do you have a friend who wouldn't mind you tagging along?