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Original poster

Tours for solo travellers...

29 replies

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 30/08/2023 12:29

... where you don't have to spend all your time with other people in the group! I don't want to sound like a huge misanthrope, but I have been looking into tour groups specifically for solo travellers, and they all seem to place a lot of emphasis on making friends with your fellow group members and going out for drinks with them during your free time. I have no issue with spending time with the group during sightseeing tours and meals etc, but if there's any free time I prefer to go off and do my own thing. Anyone else?

OP posts:
Georgyporky · 30/08/2023 18:07

But you don't HAVE to spend free time with others.

I've had a number of solo holidays; sometimes I mingle, but it depends on my mood & also the company.

Just an idea, but holidays exclusively for solos are designed to help people to mix & mingle. Also, they tend to be available on a limited number of dates.
Would you be better off on a general tour & paying the single supplement ?

saraclara · 30/08/2023 18:20

I've only done one group trip, and it was out of complete necessity (a country where Brits aren't allowed to travel independently). I'm really not a 'group' person so I spent ages trying to find a small group thing with loads of free time.

Oddly enough it was with one of the bigger companies (Intrepid) and it was fine - nothing too groupified at all. I made the most of the free time on my own and got along fine with everyone, but no-one seemed to be determined to make a big social thing of it. Maybe I was lucky, or maybe the destination wasn't the sort of place that doesn't particularly attract the kind of people who want to be super-social all the time.

The things was though, that it wasn't aimed at solo travellers. I think that might be why your coming across all this social stuff. Only two of us were there alone. The others were couples or mum and daughter type combos. So they didn't need to pal up with others beyond simply being friendly.
Solo travel comapanies tend to assume that people travelling alone are lonely and want to make friends with everyone!

donkra · 30/08/2023 18:26

You... don't have to do the group drinks? Just do your own thing outside of the specific "tour" elements. Nobody can make you spend all your time with the group members.

"Thanks, but I thought I'd go shopping/have a wander by myself/get an early night."

Original poster
ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 30/08/2023 21:27

@Georgyporky I've done tours before where I've paid the single supplement and you're right, it was much less low-pressure. Sometimes it comes up at an extra £1000 or more, though, and that puts it out of my price range.

@saraclara was that Bhutan? I see what you're saying and I would probably prefer to make my own arrangements as I have in the past, but I have some places on my to-do list that I probably wouldn't want to travel to alone, so would do groups for those.

@donkra I know, I'm just not very assertive as well as being antisocial. It's a very unfortunate combination !

OP posts:
saraclara · 30/08/2023 21:40

@saraclara was that Bhutan?

No, Iran.

Screamingabdabz · 30/08/2023 21:44

Some years ago I went on holiday on my own with with Explore Worldwide (don’t know if they still exist) and the group was helpful. So if you did want a companion for safety in a particular area or cafe someone would offer. And it was amazing how the group would split up (even the couples) and do their own thing - sometimes solo, sometimes in twos or threes.

That is the beauty of being a solo traveller in an organised group - especially a lone woman - safety in numbers.

People shared meals, tips and medicines occasionally but there was never a pressure to socialise or a hi-di-hi attitude. Everyone was tolerant of the self contained and aloof group members and totally respected that. It was very freeing actually. You are alone but have the safety net of others on the same journey. And because they all have a similar mutually respectful attitude, you do end up enjoying their company and drift into sharing a glass of wine on the occasional evening.

continentallentil · 30/08/2023 21:46

Is there a particular reason you join singles groups rather than just go it alone? I do think they are mostly designed for those who want active travelling companions

Original poster
ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 30/08/2023 21:59

continentallentil · 30/08/2023 21:46

Is there a particular reason you join singles groups rather than just go it alone? I do think they are mostly designed for those who want active travelling companions

For some destinations, simply because it would be a bit iffy for me to go it alone as a single woman. I'd happily do it in most parts of Europe but not Morocco or anywhere in Central America other than maybe Costa Rica.

OP posts:
Original poster
ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 30/08/2023 22:03

@Screamingabdabz that sounds cool, I'll check them out. They're definitely still operating because I came across them while I was browsing earlier.

I'd love to go to Iran but I don't think I'd do that one by myself even if it was possible to.

OP posts:
saffronsoup · 30/08/2023 22:04

Central America was amazing to travel on my own. I spent 12 weeks with no issues at all and had a great time. I did meet up along the way with a couple other solo travellers so I wasn't completely alone most of the time but it wasn't a hard place to travel solo.

I hate group tours. I will do group one day tours to see local things but I would never do a full group tour trip.

There are many tours in Morocco that you can do once there if you want when in the big cities. You could still go on your own. One thing I found is that every tour group in Morocco works with the local vendors so they are always taking you to carpet shops or to specific restaurants etc to try to get you to buy their wares. I have no idea what they best way is to see Morocco.

MrsHamlet · 30/08/2023 22:07

I've just come back from a group tour - 1 couple and three single travellers. We all ate lunch together each day, out of necessity, but split up in the evenings. It was perfectly fine.

saraclara · 30/08/2023 22:33

ICriedAllTheWayToTheChipShop · 30/08/2023 22:03

@Screamingabdabz that sounds cool, I'll check them out. They're definitely still operating because I came across them while I was browsing earlier.

I'd love to go to Iran but I don't think I'd do that one by myself even if it was possible to.

I was really upset NOT to be able to do Iran on my own! I've travelled solo independently a lot, and to many cultures, but Iran is out on its own when it comes to the kindness and hospitality of its people. Friends from other countries who are able to travel there independently have come back absolutely bowled over by the hospitality they received from complete strangers.

I received it too, simply by walking around alone. SO many locals stopped me to chat. A baker thrust a loaf into my hands when I was watching him take some from the oven, and wouldn't let me pay for it. Women picnicking in the park called me over and asked me to sit and eat with them....I could list so many such experiences. This is normal everyday stuff over there, and it's wonderful.

LightDrizzle · 30/08/2023 22:40

@saraclara - that’s so lovely to hear. I taught ESOL and every Iranian I taught was utterly charming and so kind. I would love to visit in the future.

saraclara · 30/08/2023 22:44

LightDrizzle · 30/08/2023 22:40

@saraclara - that’s so lovely to hear. I taught ESOL and every Iranian I taught was utterly charming and so kind. I would love to visit in the future.

I hope you get the chance to. I haven't met any Iranians here in the UK, but I can totally imagine that they'd be a joy to teach and just generally interact with.

And it's a stunningly beautiful country, of course. It's sad that so many people hear "Iran" and can only think of its government.

MrsHamlet · 30/08/2023 22:48

Iran is next on my list!

TizerorFizz · 31/08/2023 00:33

Are we allowed into Iran? We had booked and then all flights were stopped. Difficult for insurance probably.

I think Exodus, Cox and Kings and any group tour provider will accommodate singles. Others definitely do on interest holidays. Eg Wildlife Worldwide. You don’t have to go expecting to make life long friends. We’ve met single people on loads of holidays. We do like wildlife ones though.

Calling · 31/08/2023 11:10

That's so interesting about the Iranians and travelling there. My interest is piqued!

Calling · 31/08/2023 11:12

Martin Randall offers cultural tours. I have long wanted to go on one because of where they go and the people who would share my interest, but its never cheap.

Calling · 31/08/2023 11:13

Iraq is very interesting culturally.

saraclara · 31/08/2023 11:20

TizerorFizz · 31/08/2023 00:33

Are we allowed into Iran? We had booked and then all flights were stopped. Difficult for insurance probably.

I think Exodus, Cox and Kings and any group tour provider will accommodate singles. Others definitely do on interest holidays. Eg Wildlife Worldwide. You don’t have to go expecting to make life long friends. We’ve met single people on loads of holidays. We do like wildlife ones though.

I've just checked and yes, tours are operating. But I'm gutted to find that now I wouldn't be allowed to wander around on my own. Brits, Americans and Canadians have to be accompanied by a guide at all times.

That's so disappointing. I'm sorry, those of you who would like to go. I wish I had the option of a different passport.

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2023 11:21

I can travel on my Irish passport :)

My issue is that I can only travel in August. Most companies don't do August.

saraclara · 31/08/2023 12:42

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2023 11:21

I can travel on my Irish passport :)

My issue is that I can only travel in August. Most companies don't do August.

I am SO envious of that passport!

saraclara · 31/08/2023 12:46

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2023 11:21

I can travel on my Irish passport :)

My issue is that I can only travel in August. Most companies don't do August.

Oh you don't need to book with a UK/Irish tour company. Just get a flight and book your tour (if its a tour that you're after) with an Iranian travel agent. I looked into that before my trip, and there were loads of options, from small groups to just buddying up with someone else that the agent was taking. The agents were really helpful, and I very nearly went for that option.

BarrelOfOtters · 31/08/2023 14:01

I've done a fair few Explore type tours, always with a friend or 2. And the groups would split up, people would do things on their own, with a few people, or do nothing at all. There would usually be a meal at the start and the end where pretty much everyone would meet up but no obligation. And a group briefing.

Then usually someone would say of an evening, if you fancied going out for dinner/drink then meet at a certain time. But no pressure to do so. And you could happily wander off on your own if you hadn't chosen to do something organised in the day.

MrsHamlet · 31/08/2023 15:29

I've been in touch with a tour operator based in Tehran this morning - I'm looking at August 24 very seriously now :)