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.

I've had this experience before in the US, staying in a city whose homeless/drug user population was concentrated outside my airbnb. I'm a confident traveller and a city dweller myself who isn't easily fazed by antisocial behaviour, but this was something else.

I wanted to still enjoy my trip, so I used Uber to book myself taxis from my door to get out of the dodgy part of town and into the nicer areas. I got dropped off direct to my door on the way back home after my days out adventuring and just avoided being out too late in the evening. It wasn't ideal and I spent more on taxis than I had budgeted for, but it meant I could still enjoy my trip and feel safe.

I had to do a lot of talking to myself to stop myself wanting to go home as well after my first day - when somewhere is not what you expected, it can be such a disappointment, and it's hard when you're by yourself. But you can still enjoy your trip - focus on the things you want to do, get excited by those trips, and just book Ubers or whatever the local taxi service is to get you to and from your hotel safely.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

Why not? People could give you some good advice, they may be familiar with it. . It won't be outing - if it's a European city, millions will be there.

Is Naples that bad? Don't know much about it but saw a lot of holidays there when I was looking for this summer .

I’d go home. Staying somewhere you’re not happy because you’ve spent money on it is just sunk cost fallacy. I’d go home and spend time somewhere I feel happy and safe. You can still make it feel like a holiday by visiting local places you haven’t been to before or eating out.

(I definitely don’t mean this in a patronising way) - would you feel better after a good sleep and chatting on here a bit?

I know I get lonely and I would be hopeless alone. It's just a thought. Often teachers will be happy to polish their English and show you around a bit.

I also hated both Milan and Barcelona.

Love many other places. But on my second visit to Florence I stayed in a hotel that really freaked me out and I hated. Moved to the Mercure the next night and had a lovely time the rest of the break. Love Florence!

As a solo traveller, you must have chosen the destination yourself. Presumably for a reason? Exhibition/museum/restaurant/architecture……something made you choose it over another city.

Did you make a plan/schedule before you came of what you wanted to do each day?

If so, then stick to it but with taxis everywhere. It can’t be so unsafe you can’t get around in the day time with licensed taxis. Often, the driver will give you his card so you can just WhatsApp directly to be picked up by the same person.

If you didn’t make a plan, get started tonight and see what you can come up with for tomorrow.

Plan out a schedule, maybe for the morning, book on a walking/boat/bus tour so you are with others and can find your feet? Have a look on Tripadvisor for ratings and tips, it can be super useful.

With a plan for the morning in hand (find somewhere nice for lunch as well) you’ll start to feel a bit more positive I’m sure. Give it a good go tomorrow and then decide tomorrow night if you just want to go home. At least you’ve given it a shot. Good luck!

It really is quite depressing yes!! Run down, shuttered and entirely unwelcoming. In my view ofc - others views may differ 🍷

I do get where you are coming from but the thing is most of us (I'm presuming) are sitting in our safe comfy homes, and OP is feeling very unsettled.

You could say that about most cities though, turn a corner and you're somewhere else entirely!

I agree you'll lose money change your flight. I'm guessing £60 or £70 change fee plus fare difference, which will likely to be steep at this point.

Are you sure there aren't any mocer parts of the city?

What I did in a similar situation - we were actually talking about touring a few places in Europe so had only booked a couple of nights, so not exactly the same - was revisited the thought of ‘maybe’ going on to somewhere else and jumped on a train to a place with a historic tourist reputation, somewhere we were pretty sure we’d enjoy. We were staying in budget hostels and youth hostels at the time, they’re plenty good enough for touring. The train staff in France back then actually offered to help us find a hotel and did so - not sure if they still do that -and the next town was great. If you have freedom to travel and enough for the budget hotels I’d try that, it’s not worth feeling unsafe.

ed.- there was running up and down the corridors outside and someone tried the door, I moved all our bags and what furniture I could in front so I defo get it! Go somewhere else!

I don't understand your point.
I know most of us are at home, I know she's feeling unsettled.
Someone may be familiar with the city and be able to give some good local advice. Or recommend somewhere to go.

Lots of ppl flying to Napels atm , just over an hour to lake como and Bellagio, also easy to Switzerland. There are organised tours that are reasonable. Surely something similar wherever you are.

Yes but she's obviously just freaked out and doesn't want to say where she is (I'm not saying it's rational!!) Of course the rational thing would be to say and then people could help more, but if you're scared then you won't want to say if you're not thinking straight

Can you get by train to a different European country? Find an ok town and hotel there instead then fly home from there?

You need to see past this OP.
You will be sure to find interesting places.
There will be plenty of people about.

Well you’re being a bit silly not saying where you are. People could give you some suggestions and save your holiday. Or just go home. No point in moaning about it but not open to any feedback.

Well I live in a very beautiful part of Calvados so yes, safe to say I disagree! 😂

You just fly in and out of Naples airport and that’s it, you can’t stay there. You fly in, and as soon as you can you leave in a registered pre ordered licensed car. The roads are horrendous, the gangs are worse, and really quite scary areas. Don’t stay in Naples. You can travel out to much nicer places.

🍷🍷🌻

Exactly this!

Regardless of where you are, presumably there was something that drew you to that city, so you have two options.

Cut your losses and come home, or

Order an Ubereats or similar this evening and spend the time researching where you want to go, ask the hotel to help organise taxis, and have lunch and dinner out somewhere nice before you come back.

Why won't you reveal your location, OP? Do you think someone's going to come after you? I'm in London, can you magically tell which part I'm in?

Do you think maybe you're a little over-sensitive?

Just ho home.
People are trying to help you make the most and help you have a good time but it's on you what you want to do.

You could have day trips to nearby towns, get Ai to write you an itinerary around things you like doing
Have you actually asked locals for recommendations of where to eat?
Is there a cinema nearby. I love going and watching films, even if I dont understand the language!
If you dont want to try anything, go home.