Solo holiday end of December.. anywhere in the world.

[Redtartanshoes]

Where would you go?

Had thought I was set on Costa Rica, but now looking at Thailand. And Other places. All the places

Want a mix of activities, sunshine, wine, chilling, nice stuff. Want to feel safe and not like the only single in the resort sure buses by families/couples

Open to anywhere really

You know you’re right.

It’s been a shitty few years, but I’ve worked so hard and landed my dream job.

Ds will be in Aus, my mum will be in Dubai visiting my sister and I’ll be sat in front of the tv drinking red wine, watching shit tv, and it’s my birthday and everything.

Wish I had someone to go with but maybe doing this myself will reset things and give me a fresh look at things. (((And stop relying on other people ~men~))))

Exactly!! I know a few women who did solo holidays after divorces and my god, they were different women when they came back. It will be scary at times but the satisfaction will be amazing.

New woman you say?? Yassssss that’s exactly what I want to be!

ShinyBrandNewRedtartanshoes 👍😉

Argentina, Mendoza would be perfect, it's famous for wine and is surrounded by mountains if you want to go hiking or paragliding etc.

It's also very safe for women, I felt really comfortable there.

New Zealand definitely! Hire a car and go exploring.

I'd recommend Vietnam. The beaches are on a par with Thailand (if you choose the right one!) but it's much less busy and less expensive. A bit like Thailand 20 years ago. Also so many fascinating places to visit and a very safe welcoming country.

OP

Be warned, solo travel is addictive, I've been to Australia, Uruguay, with stop overs in Singapore, and Chile.

Many years ago I didn't go away but spent a week learning to ride a motorbike.

I really can’t recommend solo travel enough. I have met some amazing people, seen spectacular places and had so much fun. I am spending £4.5k on the Mexico trip. I had a bit of a wobble about it but then just thought fuck it!

You lot are ace. Thank you

RL friends don’t get it. They dint even go to the pub themselves though

Friend of mine went on an organised trip to China over Christmas one year, it was an escorted tour so the group were taken everywhere (so didn't have to organise anything herself). She loved it!

Don’t fancy China for some reason although Argentina has been added to the list for the wine and steak alone 👍🏽

Argentina is fabulous
We went earlier this year have details of a couple of guides who were great if you wanted some company?
We spent time in Buenos Aires then flew to salts and drive down to Mendoza wouldn't fancy the drive alone as quite remote but the food and wine and fun was great.
It's so cheap when you get there I doubt you'd spend anywhere near that amount tbh
Happy to give any details
You'll have a fabulous time whatever you do as long as you don't end up doing routine chores at home. Congrats on the dream job as well xxx

@FrannySalinger can you tell me more about Vietnam please? It’s def in the running

Cape Town in Dec is horrendous .... the whole of the country is on holiday and beaches are rammed and accommodation £££

Absolutely! If it were me - I would fly into Hanoi which is a brilliant city, very French influenced - lots of wide tree lined boulevards (and about five million motorbikes!). From there I would spend a couple of days in Halong Bay before heading south - internal flights are super cheap but you could also take the train; it takes longer but is a real experience. I would stop off in Hue and Hoi An before some r & r on a beach. Mui Ne is lovely but windy, Nha Trang is a bit grim - so if you don't mind a bit more travel then I'd recommend Phu Quoc which is just off the Cambodian coast in the Gulf of Thailand and absolutely gorgeous. Then fly home from Saigon. Or you could trek in Sapa or explore Dalat... Vietnam is wonderful and safe for women travellers (far more so than Thailand), also has some of the best food on the planet.

DM me if you'd like any recommendations

@FrannySalinger Do you find accommodation whilst travelling or book before you go? How much would it cost approx for a holiday like this?

Personally, travelling alone, I would book my first few nights and then see what happens - you may fall head over heels with a place and want to stay longer. I'm not sure what December flight prices are like (higher than at any other point!) but if you budget for £200 per day for travel, trips, accommodation and food whilst there you wiould be living like a queen!!

I’m really swaying between booking a trip with someone like flashpackers and doing myself. Organised trip is about £3k plus flights.... any thoughts?

Be ace if I went on a trip and met lovely folk, but I don’t want to be bearded about and like the idea of just meeting people.

I’m such a nightmare ☹️

Could you do a bit of both? I’ve done organised trips where I’ve done a few days on my own at the beginning.

I’ve found the intrepid and g adventure trips really enjoyable because everything is organised for you, you don’t have to think, just enjoy yourself.

I like the look of flashpack as I’m a bit older now and want a nicer hotel experience and lots is included. I’m doing the Yucatán tour one and I can’t bloody wait.

@FrannySalinger I’ve dm’d you:

Was looking at hotels last night... ridiculously cheap. I am gonna live like a queen!!!

Thinking about this as a treat though!

Hi OP, I cant seem to access your pm so please do send it again. Vietnam is a wonderful country - you'll have a great time!

@FrannySalingerit was just saying any recommendations/ideas for itinerary would be most welcome.

Any thoughts on this itinary, then adding 4 days onto end to do beach/island?

Just remember it will be cooler up north (Hanoi, Halong Bay) than it will be in the south ie Saigon.