Do I just go home?

[DoIgohome]

I've been on holiday for 2 days. I hate where I am (European city).

A lot of issues.
I can't find any good places to eat in a walkable distance.
My hotel is pretty grotty (not dirty, just old).
Hotel in a dodgy area and I don't feel safe going outside early morn or into the evening.
Weather is temperamental.
The city is grotty and definitely not one I like.

I've talked to holiday provider about at least moving hotels but they've refused. I've spoken to 2 different people.

Do I just give this up as a bad job, lose about £1500 and get a flight home? I can't afford another holiday anytime soon.

I'm not much of a crier but I cried tonight. I've travelled alone before so I'm usually a very confident traveller.

"but it is not a dangerous station"

................................. yes it is

OK then - I'll leave you to that belief. There is of course crimes and issues around the station, like a lot of major transport hubs, but for the average traveler it is ok - i was there twice last year changing trains on my own and I used to use it at least once a week to come in from London on the first train and I am still alive to tell the tale.

There are a hundred and one other things that could contribute to OP's experience, but your thoughts go straight to race and immigration. Why??

I think it’s awful that the holiday provider has refused to help and at least try to move you to a different location. Your reason is not trivial. Whatever happened to quality and customer care (no matter if the terms say no changes etc needed). Presumably the company will rely on part on customer reviews. I’d be furious in your shoes. (Sorry haven’t RTFT)

My thoughts were also Brussels. If you can make the best of it good if not just come home. Easy to say but it’s only money x

Well done for staying. If the area around the station is sketchy aim to go there around commuter times. Taxi/uber to and from the hotel would be worth it. You don't even have to make a full journey just go as far as a safer area in town and walk on from there. Looking into walking/history/food tours. You will meet others who maybe able to suggest other places to visit. Other than that I would eat out early and visit the supermarket and stock up on treats and then watch a movie/read etc.

It sounds like you’re not far from Gare du Nord, Paris.

I don't really know what to say. YOU haven't had an issue, so it's NOT dodgy. Ok, I guess. Are you just quite self centred or something?

Stayed in antwerp.
Station was dodgy as fuck.
Groups of unsavoury males leering.
Had a bloody fabulous weekend though.

OP, I hope you are able to make the most of it! Echoing the suggestion to be sure to be candid in your hotel review, to help future travellers.

We always do walking tours when we go away. Last time it was a food walking tour for about 5 hours and we went to various different places and tried local food. Get Your Guide is your friend.

That sounds awful. Especially on your own. I hope you put in a huge complaint

@Saltysweetspicy Ok what is YOUR experience to say it is dangerous. I acknowledged the area around it is rough but it is not a dangerous no go area (like a lot of major city rail terminus areas it is a bit unsavoury - I remember working on Edgeware Road and my office issued warnings to staff walking back to Paddington station about local kerb crawlers) . Many many people use Brussels Midi regularly and emerged unscathed - me being one of them.

Anyway i'll leave it there I think.

I stayed near Gare du Nord when I went to Paris, there were lots of large groups of men hanging around. In all honesty they did not bother me, didn’t even look at me, but that doesn’t stop you feeling intimidated.

I went to Paris at the end of a interrailing trip, it was my last stop after 7 other city breaks across Europe and then Paris.

I came away with a really bad impression of Paris but loved every other place I went to. I have told myself it might just be how exhausted I was after the trip, so I’m going back in October to give it another chance.

I won’t be staying there again

Has the hotel got a trusted driver who can get you out of the hotel to other areas?
Is there a local rail network with connections that avoid the main station?
Find some great takeaways to pick up something for dinner so you don't have to go out again.
Good luck salvaging something with finding some better spots.

I stay at 25hour hotel at Gare Du Nord all the time. It doesn't seem like a bad area to me at all. Mind you I used to live in Tottenham, which is the same for guys hanging around.

You aren’t in Athens by any chance are you? We had a similar experience and then I had my phone stolen. I would get myself out to a Greek island if I were you.

This also applies wherever you are, move somewhere else that’s not too far so you can still fly back on the same flight.

Oxford Parkway would like a word

Carlisle

It's hardly people asking where (so they can help in terms of finding things to do or a better area to stay) that are the whingers here!

Okay, sorry all. I can think of a load of Italian and Spanish cities with only one station and my only excuse is that when someone talks of holidaying in a "city" I tend to think of capitals rather than the "less important" but generally lovelier ones.

I have had a word with myself and (probably, or at least possibly) won't do it again.

Bizarre to ask for help and not say what city you’re in. What do you think’s going to happen if Mumsnet knows you’re in Turin?

Water Eaton still doesn't count.

It’s horrible when a place doesn’t live up to expectations.

i know you don’t want to say what city you are in but it really could make the difference between you getting good advice or not as there could be people on here with deeper knowledge of the place.

for example, if you’re in Paris then a quick change to a cheap motel or different district away from the main train stations makes a huge difference

if Marseille it’s a shithole and I’d just say get the next Ryanair or easyJet flight out of there! Or go somewhere along the coast to get away from the city itself.

things you could do tonight yourself - look for an English speaking group online that maybe do hidden tours or galleries? Look for the main library or the most historical place of interest?

unless you are somewhere that is generally unsafe for women maybe you can turn your trip around. Good luck.

OP, why won’t you leave if you’re that unhappy? I’m really sorry, but it gets to a point where you are really acting like a bit of a victim.

You won’t tell us where you are - god knows why. It’s an anonymous forum. So we can’t help you out specifically with the place you are in.

You aren’t really responding to people’s suggestions - you continue to moan about the erratic homeless on your hotel’s doorstep. If they’re bothering you that much and effecting your stay that much, leave. No one has a gun to your head. You’re clearly not enjoying it and feel physically and emotionally uncomfortable. I’m at a loss now really as to what to otherwise suggest…