Roxanne66

Hello,

I'm traveling solo & would therefore rather travel with a small group instead of by myself. I'd like to go to Turkey in March for about 2 weeks and have some time in Cappadocia to hike, if possible.

Would prefer a group with mixed ages or at least older than 20's... with decent accommodation (doesn't have to be big hotels, just clean and with local character, if possible).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Michel_Paris

I've seen this site recommended a few times, and I consulted it myself before going. I went with family, so can only commment from that perspective.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/

NeoPatrick

We ended up doing Turkey on our own, but originally was very serious about the OAT (Overseas Adventure Tours) there, which included a couple night by boat. I've since traveled to Vietnam with them going solo in a group of 14 and I can't speak highly enough about the experience.

Roxanne66

Thanks. I've consulted them also and couldn't locate a tour that was in March for a solo traveler, reasonably priced (forgot to mention that part). It doesn't have to be cheap (I know you get what you pay for) but comfort level/accommodations somewhat affordable.

Roxanne66

OAT is sold out for March.

adrienne

You can try this group. I used them for Turkey a few years ago and the guide was great. The group size is not specifically small but in March there should not be very many people on a tour. When I went there were 19 people in my group.

Roxanne66

Hi Adrienne,

Which group is that? There wasn't a link attached. Thanks.

adrienne

Sorry!!

http://pachatours.com/

Roxanne66

Thank you! Did you go there solo? Was there a single supplement? Were there many other solo travelers? Thanks again!

adrienne

I was with a friend - you'll have to check the web site for single supplements. It's been my experience on tours that most people are either with a spouse or a friend; few people travel solo on tours. You'll also find that there are few single supplements offered on tours and this keeps down the number of singles.

This tour was all inclusive so everyone ate together and we all became friendly very quickly because of the dining arrangements and the small group plus lots of bus times since Turkey is a large country.

BigRuss

Run a search on google or Yahoo Australia or N Zealand. Turkey is a pilgrimage destination for Aussies and Kiwis who visit ANZAC Beach to honor the dead at Gallipoli.

NeoPatrick

adrienne, that isn't completely accurate. One of the main reasons I chose OAT for my Vietnam tour was that the price for a solo traveler was exactly the same as for one of a couple! There was NO single supplement and I had my own room with bath everywhere I went (usually a double room just like the couples had). That may be unusual in the world of tours -- but OAT offers quite a few like that.

adrienne

NeoPatrick - I think we're talking about 2 different things. A single supplement is 1 person traveling by her/his self. It has nothing to do with whether or not you have to pay extra to travel solo.

Many tours do not offer a lot of availability for singles (single supplements). On your OAT tour how many single supplements were offered (whether or not there was an additional fee for the SS)?

Last year GCT (sister company to OAT) was not offering any single supplements on their Russia River cruise. That meant that if I wanted to take that cruise solo I would have to be paired up with another person to share a cabin.

Use this link (hope it works) and scroll down to the middle of the page where it states:
"Single Supplement is FREE on all 2012 departures"

http://www.gct.com/Trips/2012/Sicily-2012.aspx

I know that Rick Steves did not used to offer any single supplements - you had to share a room (I think that rules has changed/relaxed now).

You can check other tour companies but I believe you will find SS restrictions on all tours except those designed for singles/solo travel.

Fidel

"few people travel solo on tours. You'll also find that there are few single supplements offered on tours and this keeps down the number of singles."

There's a translation problem here. A "single supplement" is an extra charge for solo travellers, and many tour companies offer SS on most of their products.

"You can check other tour companies but I believe you will find SS restrictions on all tours except those designed for singles/solo travel"

This is definitely not true.

walkabout

<i>"A single supplement is 1 person traveling by her/his self. It has nothing to do with whether or not you have to pay extra to travel solo.</i>"

Sorry, but that's incorrect. Tour prices are usually quoted in terms of double occupancy. If you are traveling solo, you pay extra, i.e., a "single supplement".

Back in the day when I used to travel on tours, I always paid a single supplement. Sometimes it was only a few hundred dollars more, other times it was as much as 60% more than the double occupancy price. Some companies will pair up single travelers so they can avoid the single supplement, but I never took that option --didn't want to bunk with a stranger.

Look at this pricing chart for Cosmos. Immediately below it is info re single supplements. This is typically how single supplements are listed.
http://www.cosmos.com/product.aspx?c...ice&trip=25080

There are even clubs for single travelers, one of the goals of which is for singles to meet other singles to travel with to avoid the dreaded single supplement. Take a look at this one:http://www.travelbuddiesworldwide.com/

Note the second line:

<i>We provide free of charge a room-mate matching service to save you the cost of the single supplement, which can run as high as 200%.</i>

Cruises don't usually offer single occupancy prices. If you want to travel solo, you pay twice the quoted rate.

NeoPatrick

adrienne, I agree with the others. I have no idea what you mean by the two of us talking about two different things. We are both talking about a charge for a single supplement which is an extra charge for traveling solo. And OAT is just one tour company which is not designed for singles, but often offers just two places on each tour for solo travelers and charges no single supplement for doing so, does not require those travelers to travel or bunk with someone, and therefore allows a single to travel for the same cost as half of a couple.

latedaytraveler

“It's been my experience on tours that most people are either with a spouse or a friend; few people travel solo on tours.”

Roxanne, I have enjoyed many tours “flying solo” in Europe. The last one I took – Globus to Cornwall and Devon – was large and included four men and six women traveling alone including "moi." My hunch is that you will feel very comfortable on any excursion going “solo.” Personally, I gladly pay the “single supplement” and would never consider sharing a room with a stranger to save costs.

Go and enjoy!

dreamon

Check www.intrepidtravel.com. They have a pretty good reputation. I did their Italy tour 5 years ago and had a great time.

Cosmia

I've never been on their Turkey tour so can't comment on its quality, but my first 2 overseas trips were solo with Rick Steves tours. Both had a mix of ages. One tour had many solo travelers, while on the second one I was the only solo person. RS is pricy, but I would recommend them to anyone who wants a tour and doesn't mind getting up early every day.

giantsgal34

I have traveled solo with a tour group a few times for just the reasons you mention. I can recommend gadventures (gadventures.com), formerly gapadventures, as a great company with small group tours that don't charge extra for solo travelers unless you choose the "my own room" option. I have used them several times. There have been at least 3-5 solo travelers in each group I have been in, and the groups have all been friendly and inclusive. I have just signed up for a tour of Turkey with them in May, but expect it to be the same high quality as my other experiences with them.