Single Women on group tours
Jan 21st, 2012, 03:21 PM
#23
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We organized a tour a few years ago that was based on food and wine and there was a large mix of couples, single, boyfriend etc. We laughted until we cried and even though I worried non stop before everyone got there.....what a great time.
Jan 21st, 2012, 03:44 PM
#24
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The tours I'm looking at are from Globus and Brendan. I'm planning to concentrate on Rome, Florence, and Venice. Most of the tours go from city to city via motorcoach but some go by train. I was thinking the train might get me to the next city faster but the motorcoach trips stop somewhere along the way which is also appealing. Also, each trip gives me 3 nights in each city and one full day left to my own devices.
Jan 21st, 2012, 05:03 PM
#25
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I have been traveling abroad as a single for years - both independently and with groups. I always get my own room and I always have a wonderful time.
I have traveled with Tauck, Uniworld, Road Scholar, often taking advantage of the late fall "no single supplement" fares. The groups are all different but I always find fun, interesting, well-traveled people to be with when I want company. I like being on my own too. So, MarthaTX, go and have a wonderful time.
I have traveled with Tauck, Uniworld, Road Scholar, often taking advantage of the late fall "no single supplement" fares. The groups are all different but I always find fun, interesting, well-traveled people to be with when I want company. I like being on my own too. So, MarthaTX, go and have a wonderful time.
Jan 21st, 2012, 06:05 PM
#26
>>>" And what happens if she snores?!"
There are these amazing things -- called ear plugs<<<
I traveled with a friend this past fall (not on a tour) and discovered she snored. I had ear plugs, but they were no help. She also wanted to be in bed at 8 pm. Spring for the single supplement.
I think OAT is supposed to have some free singles, but not sure they do your itinerary.
http://www.oattravel.com/Ways-to-Sav...-Traveler.aspx
There are these amazing things -- called ear plugs<<<
I traveled with a friend this past fall (not on a tour) and discovered she snored. I had ear plugs, but they were no help. She also wanted to be in bed at 8 pm. Spring for the single supplement.
I think OAT is supposed to have some free singles, but not sure they do your itinerary.
http://www.oattravel.com/Ways-to-Sav...-Traveler.aspx
Jan 22nd, 2012, 01:24 AM
#28
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I've toured Italy twice as a single (or as I prefer independant) traveller. First time was a classical tour from Naples through Rome to Florence and the second was a tour of the Lakes. I opted to pay the single supplement as I didn't want to share with someone I don't know. I'm from the UK and it is very unusual to be offered the opportunity to share and only seems to come with tour operators who also offer tours from outside Europe.
I'm quite happy travelling alone and I didn't want to be paired up with someone else. On one tour I was given a double coach seat to myself but on the second with Globus, they asked all of the singles to pair up.
I did find that the single bedrooms varied considerably - from a 4 bedded apartment in Guarda to a tiny childs room in Stresa, Maggiore, where the bed was so small I ended up sleeping on the floor. Overall the single rooms were very small and nearly always didn't have a view. A bit annoying that you pay extra for a room that will only sleep one person anyway.
I found that the evening meals were usually around group tables - it did mean that you met and got to know your fellow travellers. The meals were often a set menu so do list any dislikes on your form at the start of the holiday and not just allergies. I also found it interesting to mix with people from different countries - my tour of the Lakes with Archers (Globus) was in a group of Americans, Australians and British travellers. We all appeared to have very different approaches to touring and this was reflected in the itinerary set by the tour operators.
There are nearly always optional excursions on the day you're not touring - some of these were the best of the entire holiday, but it can be exhausting to go on all of them.
If you want to go off on your own during your free time you need to just go - you will bump into familiar faces as you walk around the different cities, but you see so much more if you head out on your own. At the end of the day you are paying for your holiday and you need to do what you want to do and not compromise to accomodate someone else.
Most of the non-European travellers were combining several tours into their holidays (several had been to Sicily and were following up with Venice) whilst the Brits tended to spend a second week in one place - in my case Lake Como where I spent the week visiting all of the little villages around the lake using the local ferries.
I certainly enjoyed touring Italy and I never felt uncomfortable being on my own. I did do a lot of research before I went but I would recommend it to any single traveller.
I'm quite happy travelling alone and I didn't want to be paired up with someone else. On one tour I was given a double coach seat to myself but on the second with Globus, they asked all of the singles to pair up.
I did find that the single bedrooms varied considerably - from a 4 bedded apartment in Guarda to a tiny childs room in Stresa, Maggiore, where the bed was so small I ended up sleeping on the floor. Overall the single rooms were very small and nearly always didn't have a view. A bit annoying that you pay extra for a room that will only sleep one person anyway.
I found that the evening meals were usually around group tables - it did mean that you met and got to know your fellow travellers. The meals were often a set menu so do list any dislikes on your form at the start of the holiday and not just allergies. I also found it interesting to mix with people from different countries - my tour of the Lakes with Archers (Globus) was in a group of Americans, Australians and British travellers. We all appeared to have very different approaches to touring and this was reflected in the itinerary set by the tour operators.
There are nearly always optional excursions on the day you're not touring - some of these were the best of the entire holiday, but it can be exhausting to go on all of them.
If you want to go off on your own during your free time you need to just go - you will bump into familiar faces as you walk around the different cities, but you see so much more if you head out on your own. At the end of the day you are paying for your holiday and you need to do what you want to do and not compromise to accomodate someone else.
Most of the non-European travellers were combining several tours into their holidays (several had been to Sicily and were following up with Venice) whilst the Brits tended to spend a second week in one place - in my case Lake Como where I spent the week visiting all of the little villages around the lake using the local ferries.
I certainly enjoyed touring Italy and I never felt uncomfortable being on my own. I did do a lot of research before I went but I would recommend it to any single traveller.
Jan 22nd, 2012, 01:33 AM
#29
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I usually travel independently but have taken 2 tours so far.
One was a Women's group tour & other a reg tour w/a mix of singles, married & mother/daughter combos.
Be outgoing, spring for the single supplement & you will enjoy yoru trip so much more. The one main advantage of a group tour is having folks to dine with in the evening.
Howwever, that can backfire if you have timid folks who really don't want to explore the local cuisine.
Most of all, do not depend on the tour for all your info. Do some R&D before you go which will make the trip more satisfying.
One was a Women's group tour & other a reg tour w/a mix of singles, married & mother/daughter combos.
Be outgoing, spring for the single supplement & you will enjoy yoru trip so much more. The one main advantage of a group tour is having folks to dine with in the evening.
Howwever, that can backfire if you have timid folks who really don't want to explore the local cuisine.
Most of all, do not depend on the tour for all your info. Do some R&D before you go which will make the trip more satisfying.
Jan 22nd, 2012, 06:34 AM
#30
>>>They don't have my Italy itinerary but I'm going to keep the link for future reference.<<<
Sorry, I didn't look first to see if they did. One of our longtime poster's took an Oat tour a year or so ago and did a trip report. He is an independent traveler (often traveling for months at a time) so this was a first tour experience I think. Here's his review.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-adventure.cfm
If you haven't traveled to Europe before, a tour may be a good idea for a first time. It's also very easy to visit Italy on your own.
Sorry, I didn't look first to see if they did. One of our longtime poster's took an Oat tour a year or so ago and did a trip report. He is an independent traveler (often traveling for months at a time) so this was a first tour experience I think. Here's his review.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-adventure.cfm
If you haven't traveled to Europe before, a tour may be a good idea for a first time. It's also very easy to visit Italy on your own.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 09:23 AM
#31
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I took a tour with Tauck last fall that included several nights in Venice and a 7 night cruise of Croatia and Montenegro on a small ship (approx. 200 passengers). While my boyfriend was able to be with me in Venice, he couldn't be away longer so I paid the single supplement and had a cabin to myself on the cruise.
I didn't feel odd or lonely at all. I would usually stick with the group when touring for a while then go out on my own and explore what I wanted. Each day there was afternoon tea, cocktail hour before dinner and dinner aboard ship. I never had to eat/drink/dine alone. Everyone was very friendly, and on some nights I would have to decline an invitation because I had already accepted a previous one. I am a friendly,outgoing person and I had a great time.
I too would advise paying the single supplement. You might want to check Tauck, www.Tauck.com. I know that they have 2 tours to Italy which visit Venice, Florence and Rome. One is slightly longer and goes to additional areas. I have done both of them and recommend them both.
I didn't feel odd or lonely at all. I would usually stick with the group when touring for a while then go out on my own and explore what I wanted. Each day there was afternoon tea, cocktail hour before dinner and dinner aboard ship. I never had to eat/drink/dine alone. Everyone was very friendly, and on some nights I would have to decline an invitation because I had already accepted a previous one. I am a friendly,outgoing person and I had a great time.
I too would advise paying the single supplement. You might want to check Tauck, www.Tauck.com. I know that they have 2 tours to Italy which visit Venice, Florence and Rome. One is slightly longer and goes to additional areas. I have done both of them and recommend them both.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 09:48 AM
#32
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Just a slight correction to Christina's comment above...Rick Steves' tours DO offer the option to pay for a single supplement. If you opt not to pay it, and there are no other singles on the tour, you get a single room anyway.
Jan 23rd, 2012, 02:43 PM
#33
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From the reviews of several of my friends there are always singles on tours. I went on one this year and there were almost half singles - and some shared rooms, and some paid the single supplement. One tip: one woman told me that she never pays for the single supplement, but because she is often the odd person she will end up with a single room more fairly often - at no additional cost. The thing about travelers is that they are usually so open and friendly if they are in a group. I mean, what's the point otherwise? It will be fine!
