I guess a majority of single people either go somewhere with their friends or relatives. Problem is, you don't always get to go where you want to. Which do you prefer - solo, where you want to go, your own itinerary or with friends, but compromise?

A lot of it depends on the purpose of the trip for me. For the most part, I am a social creature so I like to travel with friends. Fortunately, I have plenty of single ones like me (I'm in my early 30s). Two of us are planning a September jaunt to Vancouver, BC.

If I'm wanting some down time, I might do a weekend alone. I went to Santa Rosa Beach last October by myself and that was nice. The beach was almost empty. The place I ate at catered to the locals and I enjoyed listening to them. But after a few days of walking the beach and being alone, I was ready to go home.

In 2000, a friend and I did a Contiki tour to Scotland that lasted a week and that was all singles. We had a blast and met people from all over the world. The only complaint I have about that trip is that there wasn't much time to explore on your own as it was quite planned out. Otherwise, it was very good.

Last spring break (my roommate teaches), a group of us went to Hilton Head and rented a condo. We all got to do what we wanted when we wanted. People came and went and stayed as long or as little as they wanted.

Next week a group of us are meeting in Williamsburg, Va. and sharing a condo. We'll probably have the same set up, do what we want to do. I find that's a great way to handle it so those that want to be busy can do so and those that want to sleep in every day can, too. Nobody's feelings get hurt.

The main pain about being a single traveler (for me) is when I consider going on a tour alone, that single supplement usually stops me in my tracks. Paying an extra $500 is not worth it. So I try to find a friend to go with me.

One -

You seem to think single people have to compromise more than a couple would. Why is that? Are you suggesting that if they travel with coupled friends or relatives that they have no say in anything, but just pathetically tag along, unless they go alone?

One - I was thinking the same thing as Kidding - why is compromise any more of an issue for singles than couples?

I think xxx has it exactly right. IMHO, singles have more options. They can choose to travel alone, or seek out a travel companion whose interests (and sleeping habits and hotel budget!) are compatible with their particular goals for that trip. It seems to me that "one" is lacking in trip-planning initiative.

When I was single I went to Club Med ALONE! I had the best time ever. I met new people and I wasn't obligated to spend time with them if I did not want to - I also did not have a travel companion to annoy me! I also found traveling as a woman (not sure if you are male or female) very empowering.

My sister (36 yrs old) went on a Globus tour of Italy by herself because her boyfriend couldn't go. She was very nervous because she didn't know what to expect, but ended up having a great time - - a great mix of meeting people and spending time exploring cities by herself.

I don't think I would just go somewhere to wander around. I think I would be bored and lonely so I think an all inclusive Club Med/Breezes type of vacation or a tour would be great.

BTW - Club Med (and I assume other singles resorts) is not the bed of iniquity that one might think. I am not a huge partier or wild in any way, shape or form - but I had a great time trying new sports and meeting tons of people.

Hope this helps.

JB

Some of my most enjoyable trips have been solo, though it's nice to share with a companion, too. Paris is a great place to explore on your own; especially if you can muster a few words of French to indicate your willingess to try the Parisians are most gracious. Switzerland was also pleasant. In Italy there were so many tourists it was hard to not meet folks with whom to share at least part of a day. In a new place, I've found it a good idea to take one of those half-day city overview tours that I used to revile - provides a quick snapshot of the place, often lets one avoid waiting lines at popular places, and provides an opportunity to meet other travelers.
All these were self-arranged. Group tours do charge additional amounts for singles, and I've found that the added cost mitigates any savings over self-planning. One can often avoid that by volunteering to share with an assigned room mate. It's something of a crapshoot, but if one is clear about non-negotiable requirements (smoking or not, gender, etc.) and the extra cost is the deciding factor between traveling or not, I'd go for it.

My favorite vacation when I was single was when I went on a Backroads hiking trip in Santa Fe/Taos. Although they offer trips exclusively for "solo" travelers, I chose a "regular" trip -- a good mix of couples and singles, about 20 ppl, all active and all ages. It was a lot of fun and offered the opportunity to be alone or to be with others.

I'm a single female traveler who takes at least 4 major trips a year. I've met some wonderful people and seen some incredible sights that I wouldn't trade for anything. It is sometimes quite difficult to find someone to travel with that has your same interests, budget and energy level. If in doubt, go! You will never regret it!

About half of my trips are solo and half with friends or relatives. I never take group tours (I do take the occassional guided day trip when I am somewhere like Italy or or Spain)

I love to travel and am fortunate to have a lot of free time. If I always waited for someone to go with me it would really limit my travels.

I travel some in the US and once or twice each year to the UK / Europe. Traveling alone has benefits and traveling with a good friend has other benefits. So don't let being solo cramp your style. If you want to go somewhere - go - and if you can find a traveling companion, fine but if not you will have a fine time.

don't let being single restrict me but do find some locations almost cater to singles. Love Europe for this reason always meet people here. Hawaii is depressing on this score but still go back every year. Go figure you become fixed on being single so will those around you. I don't really go on vacation to have affairs so it is not such a big problem that I am surrounded by honeymooners and families in Hawaii. Ok I do want to pick up the odd rock on some of the bridal beach shoots but I never do. Isn't that great?

I sometimes go alone, and sometimes go with a friend or my mother (the latter is limited in her physical abilities, so she goes only on the sedentary trips). What usually happens is that I pick a trip and mention to a few people that I'm doing it. Sometimes someone will ask to come along, sometimes no one does. This way, I control the plans. I'm just as happy alone, so it's fine either way (tho' cheaper if someone else comes). Best trip I ever had was alone--to Istanbul--because the people there were so wonderful and I got to see and do things I probably would not have had a chance to do if I was with someone else. People tend to take a woman alone under their wings.

I've been taking trips with my college friend once or twice a year for the past 5 years. It's great to find someone who wants to do the same things as you! We've gone to beaches (US and Mexican) lots of times together, but when our budgets allow, we like to go overseas and wander around towns, see beautiful scenery, and experience the nightlife. To choose a trip, we each made a list of the countries we wanted to visit. We only consider ones that are on both of our lists. We've traveled to Ireland, England/Wales, Greece/Crete/Santorini, and Portugal, and still want to visit Scandinavia and Australia. Sure, there are other places I'd like to visit that she is not interested in, but luckily I have a boyfriend who hasn't traveled a lot - yet.

Go alone? Nah, I don't think it's for me. I'd much rather "share" experiences with someone. Then I'd have someone to reminisce with.