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've been on holiday lots of time on my own. I'd recommend you go to a place where there is a holiday complex then you won't worry so much. The door is very unlikely to rattle in the night! I don't think it matters where you go really if you're not interested in much more than a beach, warm sea and a good book

I had a client recently who was taking a month off on her own, after being made redundant. I requested an upper floor room for her (rather than ground floor) and she came back having had a fantastic holiday. She said she felt very safe at night, just with that little precaution. You can request it of whomever you book with.

As for being on holiday on your own - I've done it too, and it's fab! Please yourself, read an entire paragraph or even a page, without interruption, eat - or not - when you like. Go for it, take plenty to read,and relax!

Maybe choose somewhere near a city so you can have inteesting days out if you want. venetian Lido? Greek islands? I would steer very far fro tne Birish lage ,lout resorts abroad!! Good luck - you will love it!

Thank you so much,this has given my flagging spirits a boost!

Directskiandsun,do you operate via the internet,is a client able to make a telephone call and discuss their requirements personally such as upper floor room?I think I found your web page but is it just skiing you do,or can you do beach too for the likes of me.Could you send me the web of your firm and hopefully your name as it would be nice to speak to you personally if possible.I am still mulling over the options but you sound experienced and helpful! Many thanks.To others out there reading this,any suggestions ,experiences or just encouragement much appreciated.I will let you know how I get on.

I went to Paris for a week on my own back when I was single and childless, and had absolutely no hassle or problems at all - there's no reason why being in a foreign country is any more reason for being scared than if you were out and about in a UK town.

I do think speaking to the travel agent to suggest a hotel is a good idea - I ended up in one just near the Moulin Rouge, which made me a little nervous when I first realised, but in fact there was absolutely no hassle even when I was out in the evenings, as it's really quite a touristy area despite the reputation.

You'll be able to get a feel for areas you visit - if you're going to somewhere with lots of tourists and beaches etc, then you'll probably only be going to areas which are full of other tourists and not strange backstreets. But if you're wandering a little off the beaten track, you'll very soon get a feel for an area - if it makes you feel uncomfortable, then head back to the main street!

Jardy - if you would like to send me an email to here I'll reply with my phone number etc and happy to help. I don't do 'beach' as such but can certainly give you some pointers

Sorry Jardy - that doesn't seem to have worked but if you email me via the webpage you found, I'll get back to you quickly.

Thank you for these replies and I have emailed Directskiandsun.I will also call into some Travel Agents on Saturday and explain my situation.
I was very interested to hear about AmumInScotlands experiences.Could you tell me if you went into a Travel Agents first to discuss it with them? I had rather a bad experience with a Travel Agent when I first tried this two years ago and it put me off.
It was quite cliquey,a small Independent Travel Agency.When I asked if I could book a holiday for 3 in Spain (August)for one week for £2000 for all of us I was made to feel very small,and it was big sighs and a Youl l be lucky attitude.I wasnt after 5* or anything,an apartment would have been OK,for myself DH and 16 year old daughter.Fortunatly Mumsnetters came to the rescue and we had a brilliant holiday in Majorca for much less than this,about £1000 in a basic apartment but in a beautiful area.

Just to add,I booked an apartment privately and then the fares with Easyjet.I think the total cost came to about £700,and we had the most brilliant holiday.I think if I try Thompsons,Thomas Cook and other well known and more family friendly Travel Agents I would get the advice and maybe not the snooty service from the smaller more independent one,altho I went there first for the personal service!

Hi Jardy - just to let you know that if you have sent me an email, I haven't received (wouldn't like you to think I was ignoring you )

No, I didn't discuss it with the travel agent at all - just picked up a "city breaks" brochure, decided I fancied Paris, and booked it! It never even occurred to me to ask, or worry. The joys of youth! It was only when I was walking from the Metro to the hotel that I started to wonder about the area I was in, but as I say there was no trouble at all because it was so touristy.

Hi Direct,I think you must be based in Ireland.Your webpage is impressive,wish I could ski!Yes I did e-mail you.Thank you for that.Amuminscotland,like you say a touristy area is best but I don`t think I am as brave as you!.I did stay in Paris on my own at 18,in a Hotel.I thought I could get a waitressing job.I was well scared and came home after a couple of days,never again.
I am calling in at a Travel Agents or two on saturday.Hope to book something.Thanks again.

Hello Directskiandsun
Could you try again please?I am not a technphobe and it said something about pop up(????)If not,maybe you could send me some ideas on here cos I am going into some Travel Agents tomorrow.Flying from a North West airport.Many thanks.

Errr - no,not in Ireland.Still not had your email, sorry. Good luck at the weekend - if you find something and need any more advice on it, come back here and happy to tell you what I know (if anything....)

Hi - Morning! Try emailing me on bookings at directskiers dot com

If you have clicked on the email form on the site, and got a 'pop up blocked' message, it's just your computer's security protecting you from getting stuff you don't want. If you DO want it, just click on the pop up box, and then 'allowed' - good luck! This will be the same for anything like this that you DO want to see.

Hi Directskiandsun.Sorry about that,I will check it out again.Thank you for being so helpful.

Anybody recommend a Travel Agent and why?