Holidaying abroad on my own,very nervous,please help.

[jardy]

After what feels a lifetime of caring and working I have a week to fulfil my dream of going abroad for a week.I am excited but very nervous.I would like to visit Greece,maybe Spain.I want to book it via the
Internet.Thompson looks good,and Last minute.
Any tips for safety?I am scared the door will rattle in the night,frighening me to death.Or maybe I will be stalked.I have a budget of £500.Do you think the best thing would be to call in a Thomas Cook and explain my worries,rather than use the Internet?Then maybe they could reassure me perhaps because they know certain areas and Hotels would be safe.The clock is ticking away,and I am scared I will miss this opportunity of a Lifetime.Any ideas please or recommendation,particularly if you have done this yourself,I would love to know your experiences.I have read all the information about womens holidays safety,and for me it`s more about lounging on a white beach,hot sun,sand and relaxation than Shirley Valentine!

I have travelled alone before to Turkey and to Cyprus. I had been to Turkey before so it wasn't like I didn't know where I was going but when I went to Cyprus I had never been there before, my friend broke her leg just before we were due to go and I thought I would just go anyway rather than miss out.

Greece is lovely to visit too, I have traveled to Greece before alone and met people out there.

I think if you are unsure of where to go then do go into a travel agents to get an idea of the kind of resorts that may be suitable. You could always then go on the internet to look for some good deals if you wanted to.

I went to Bitez in Turkey and that is lovely, I felt perfectly safe there. I think you just need to be aware of safety the same as you would at home, ie don;t wander around late at night alone, never go off with someone you don't know etc. That would be the same advice for anywhere really. You may feel happier in a smaller hotel as they tend to be friendlier than huge great complexes where you could feel a bit lost.

Hi jardy
I know I do bang on about it all the time but Tripadvisor website is the holidaymakers online bible. If you haven't already been there look at the forums for the country or area that you might like to visit and read previous posts or post one of your own. Sorry if you have done that already. Have you considered buying a rough guide or Frommers type book for Greece or Spain - or just spend an hour browsing in the Travel section of a large book shop. Have you thought about an organised coach tour or even a (cheap) Med cruise. Just some ideas

Jardy - if you act like your unsure and worried, you will attrackt trouble.

Look confedent, if unsure stare hard and look grumpy - really.

Go for france, Italy or Portugal

I would avoid greece or Spain hot tourist spots to be honest.

Have you thought about doing an activity holiday where there will be other people and you will not be on your own?

Gentle Cycle in France or somewhere or painting in italy?

I go on trip advisor and they are very good on there, so good advice from copycat, do go on and ask some questions there too.

There is no reason for you to avoid Spain or Greece if that is what you fancy, you can find small, uncommercialised places everywhere and you are more likely to find somewere within your budget there too.

Buy a Lonely Planet. I've always travelled with them and they are good.
They also list the cheaper places which often avoid the tourist traps as they are geared for a budget, rather than a two week blowout.

Always walk tall and look like you know where you are going. If you need the map and are unsure if the area is safe, duck into a shop or cafe to look at it, not in the street where you will be seen.

That said I doubt anything bad will happen and you'll have a fab time.

Also, ask the locals where they eat/drin/shop. You'll find more authentic places that way and I find locals in most places are desperate to show off their country.

Asking Big Ted from Wigan will probably just get you the best fry up in the area!