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Original poster

Do I just go home?

446 replies

DoIgohome · 15/07/2026 20:18

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.

OP posts:
NoCommentingFromNowOn · 17/07/2026 02:22

GimmieABreakOr3 · 16/07/2026 20:52

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…

Didn’t you read OPs post where she said she’s going to a different town tomorrow? (Friday).

Wadsworthy · 17/07/2026 03:22

I'm used to cities with homelessness, drug problems etc but I'm not used to having to literally get through a huge group of homeless people to get to the door.

That was my experience of staying in a tourist hotel in central Rome about 3 decades ago - aggressive beggars, with all the tricks. I found that "Fuck off" or a very loud "No!" works in any language. Ditto travelling in post-Soviet Russia, and of course, India. You have to be far far more assertive and apparently cruel than yoou ever would be normally.

I hope you're finding a nicer town today @DoIgohome

Empress13 · 17/07/2026 06:02

DoIgohome · 16/07/2026 11:01

Thank you to those who have replied with understanding.
For the record, I am not a 'Millennium Snowflake' (horrible term btw). I live alone in a disadvantaged area, have travelled alone to around 20 countries and I'm very self sufficient. However, having around 40 homeless people directly outside my hotel who were acting incredibly erratically has not been something I'm comfortable with. I'm used to cities with homelessness, drug problems etc but I'm not used to having to literally get through a huge group of homeless people to get to the door.

Also for the record, yes I did plan this trip well and there was absolutely nothing to suggest this would be the case so I'm guessing the situation has got much worse over recent months.

To the poster who basically said no wonder you travel alone, that post says more about you than me. I'm guessing some people really enjoy kicking someone when they're down.

Well I'm still here and I'm out and about today. Still don't like the city at all even though I've come to different parts. I'm travelling to a town that is supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Thanks for the kindness some have shown. I'm pretty sure the rest of you would think differently about things if it was your daughter, sister or mother.

That may be the case but you being secretive with no good reason about where you were was bizarre! People were trying to help you which was made all the more difficult by you not disclosing where you were. Did you not think that you could have saved some other poor person from visiting there? Anyway I hope the rest of your stay is better. Safe travels OP

Saltysweetspicy · 17/07/2026 10:27

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/07/2026 15:50

@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.

This isn't about MY experience or YOUR experience, as much as you are trying to make it about you. It JUST IS dangerous. It's a fact. I don't know what else to say. You just keep banging on about yourself!

NautilusLionfish · 17/07/2026 14:45

DoIgohome · 16/07/2026 11:01

Thank you to those who have replied with understanding.
For the record, I am not a 'Millennium Snowflake' (horrible term btw). I live alone in a disadvantaged area, have travelled alone to around 20 countries and I'm very self sufficient. However, having around 40 homeless people directly outside my hotel who were acting incredibly erratically has not been something I'm comfortable with. I'm used to cities with homelessness, drug problems etc but I'm not used to having to literally get through a huge group of homeless people to get to the door.

Also for the record, yes I did plan this trip well and there was absolutely nothing to suggest this would be the case so I'm guessing the situation has got much worse over recent months.

To the poster who basically said no wonder you travel alone, that post says more about you than me. I'm guessing some people really enjoy kicking someone when they're down.

Well I'm still here and I'm out and about today. Still don't like the city at all even though I've come to different parts. I'm travelling to a town that is supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Thanks for the kindness some have shown. I'm pretty sure the rest of you would think differently about things if it was your daughter, sister or mother.

Hugs op. Ignore poster who says no wonder you travel alone. There are many reasons people travel alone whether by choice or not. And under the right circumstances it can be amazing. Can you order food in and binge watch tv? Do you have a bath tub and books. Going home you will just start working, cleaning up etc. How many daysnofnyour holiday left?

pls give that company a really horrible review. No one wants to wade through druggie addicted persons to get home. I have sympathy for them but that doesn't discount the fact that for most women its scary.

Hugs again and good luck

Ginmonkeyagain · 17/07/2026 14:53

@Saltysweetspicy You are quite a strange person. I am not "banging on about myself" just noting I have a lot of experience of using Brussels Midi and it is not dangerous. FFS it is a main line train station in a major European capital city not a war zone.

Who should I trust on this issue - my own extensive experience or a random (and very rude) stranger on the internet making unsubstantiated claims? What do you want me to say - yeah actually I used Brussels Midi every week for at least two years and many times since and have never had any issues, but no you are absolutely right it is dangerous!

Newmeagain · 17/07/2026 15:12

I think it’s a pity that the OP felt unable to share where she is as I am sure she could have been given plenty of tips about where to go and what to do.

i have travelled to lots of places around the world and my experience is that most places have “nice areas” and ones less so! I know that sinking feeling when you arrive at your destination and the area and/or accommodation itself is a bit of a dive. In fact, I get really stressed about that whenever I am travelling somewhere new!

bittertwisted · 17/07/2026 15:16

bafta16 · 16/07/2026 12:57

Are there sandy beaches in Athens? Who knew?

yep down the coast, lots of lovely beach clubs too. And an amazing lake with those little nibbly fish, https://lakevouliagmeni.gr/
its stunning

bittertwisted · 17/07/2026 15:18

Anyways I think OP is in Palermo, hence the fear of outing her negative review

Miyagi99 · 17/07/2026 15:19

Bolt/Uber to somewhere a bit nicer in the city in the mornings and evenings if you don’t want to walk round the hotel area, they’re reasonable and you can pick the cheapest on the app?

bittertwisted · 17/07/2026 15:19

SavBlancinRecovery · 16/07/2026 20:44

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.

I bloody LOVE Marseille, and Rome, Athens,Naples. This post is making me realise I’m clearly attracted to shit holes 😂😂

KeepPumping · 17/07/2026 15:25

NautilusLionfish · 17/07/2026 14:45

Hugs op. Ignore poster who says no wonder you travel alone. There are many reasons people travel alone whether by choice or not. And under the right circumstances it can be amazing. Can you order food in and binge watch tv? Do you have a bath tub and books. Going home you will just start working, cleaning up etc. How many daysnofnyour holiday left?

pls give that company a really horrible review. No one wants to wade through druggie addicted persons to get home. I have sympathy for them but that doesn't discount the fact that for most women its scary.

Hugs again and good luck

Show quote history

Booking/Hotel companies have no control over the street (especially night) life in the cities where they operate, you can only find out by experience and doing some internet research beforehand. Most places have groups of rough sleepers gathering together to sleep at night, they are in large groups for their own safety, not to intimidate nervous hotel guests for the most part IMO, some are aggressive beggars for sure, just don"t engage with them.

Saltysweetspicy · 17/07/2026 15:46

Ginmonkeyagain · 17/07/2026 14:53

@Saltysweetspicy You are quite a strange person. I am not "banging on about myself" just noting I have a lot of experience of using Brussels Midi and it is not dangerous. FFS it is a main line train station in a major European capital city not a war zone.

Who should I trust on this issue - my own extensive experience or a random (and very rude) stranger on the internet making unsubstantiated claims? What do you want me to say - yeah actually I used Brussels Midi every week for at least two years and many times since and have never had any issues, but no you are absolutely right it is dangerous!

no you are the strange one.

What you are doing is the equivalent of someone saying 'Spain is a hot country' and you saying, 'well when I was there it wasn't hot'

Amazonjaunt · 17/07/2026 17:09

DoIgohome · 16/07/2026 11:01

Thank you to those who have replied with understanding.
For the record, I am not a 'Millennium Snowflake' (horrible term btw). I live alone in a disadvantaged area, have travelled alone to around 20 countries and I'm very self sufficient. However, having around 40 homeless people directly outside my hotel who were acting incredibly erratically has not been something I'm comfortable with. I'm used to cities with homelessness, drug problems etc but I'm not used to having to literally get through a huge group of homeless people to get to the door.

Also for the record, yes I did plan this trip well and there was absolutely nothing to suggest this would be the case so I'm guessing the situation has got much worse over recent months.

To the poster who basically said no wonder you travel alone, that post says more about you than me. I'm guessing some people really enjoy kicking someone when they're down.

Well I'm still here and I'm out and about today. Still don't like the city at all even though I've come to different parts. I'm travelling to a town that is supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Thanks for the kindness some have shown. I'm pretty sure the rest of you would think differently about things if it was your daughter, sister or mother.

My daughter, sister and mother would tell people where they were so they could get good advice about places to go and things to do. It’s as if you don’t want to have a good holiday.

missipop · 18/07/2026 09:06

DoIgohome · 16/07/2026 11:01

Thank you to those who have replied with understanding.
For the record, I am not a 'Millennium Snowflake' (horrible term btw). I live alone in a disadvantaged area, have travelled alone to around 20 countries and I'm very self sufficient. However, having around 40 homeless people directly outside my hotel who were acting incredibly erratically has not been something I'm comfortable with. I'm used to cities with homelessness, drug problems etc but I'm not used to having to literally get through a huge group of homeless people to get to the door.

Also for the record, yes I did plan this trip well and there was absolutely nothing to suggest this would be the case so I'm guessing the situation has got much worse over recent months.

To the poster who basically said no wonder you travel alone, that post says more about you than me. I'm guessing some people really enjoy kicking someone when they're down.

Well I'm still here and I'm out and about today. Still don't like the city at all even though I've come to different parts. I'm travelling to a town that is supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Thanks for the kindness some have shown. I'm pretty sure the rest of you would think differently about things if it was your daughter, sister or mother.

I’m late to the party but have been following with interest.

I think you’re very courageous OP, I wouldn’t have what it takes to travel alone and face the daunting situation in which you have found yourself on this occasion. I understand you not wanting to tell people where you are, I wouldn’t either in case I was identified by friends or colleagues who use Mumsnet.

i hope you stay safe and manage to enjoy the rest of your holiday!

Findyourdomain · 18/07/2026 09:24

If you are still there OP, AI is a brilliant resource for travelling - have a chat with it - it won't shout at you or insult you, you can share your fears and wats list and ask it where you should go, of course it makes mistakes but it's a good place to start figuring out a way to make your trip more enjoyable.

Isabella777 · 20/07/2026 09:18

OP, I respect your desire for privacy while on the holiday, but would you feel comfortable disclosing the location once you return home? It sounds like you did a lot of research but we’re still caught off guard by the situation in the ground, so this could be helpful for future travelers to be aware. Just some food for thought.

KeepPumping · 21/07/2026 16:51

Isabella777 · 20/07/2026 09:18

OP, I respect your desire for privacy while on the holiday, but would you feel comfortable disclosing the location once you return home? It sounds like you did a lot of research but we’re still caught off guard by the situation in the ground, so this could be helpful for future travelers to be aware. Just some food for thought.

Good point.

Empress13 · 21/07/2026 17:10

Isabella777 · 20/07/2026 09:18

OP, I respect your desire for privacy while on the holiday, but would you feel comfortable disclosing the location once you return home? It sounds like you did a lot of research but we’re still caught off guard by the situation in the ground, so this could be helpful for future travelers to be aware. Just some food for thought.

I doubt she will as she thinks it will be outing as to who she is IRL

KeepPumping · 21/07/2026 18:26

Empress13 · 21/07/2026 17:10

I doubt she will as she thinks it will be outing as to who she is IRL

Show quote history

Thousands of tourists will be in the same city though, hundreds in the same area maybe?

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