Where to go solo?
 

I have taken a month off between jobs and planned to do two small trips with girlfriends. Both have now fallen through and I am SAD!
I don't want to let this month go by without doing something for myself.
I have thought about an outdoor/paddling/hiking trip with a tour (OARS, REI etc.) but can't seem to find dates that work. I need to go between the 15th and 23rd of this month.
I am also interested in a spa vacation- somewhere that I can enjoy my solitude and not feel out of place.
I am willing to spend up to $2000, am based in the DC area and am sure one of you has the perfect idea for me! I am posting on the Europe board as well (a girl can dream, can't she?)
Thanks for your input!

Have you been to the beautiful Canadian Rockies? You might find a spa in Banff with outdoor options you can book at the last minute.

Go anywhere you want - I did a lot of traveling when single when friends opted out for one reason or another - there is also something wonderful about having your own time and doing just what you want - at night, instead of always eating 'alone' I would look in the newspapers for gallery openings, exhibition type openings which often have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and found that a safe and interesting place to also chat with others while looking at the exhibitions.

Aside from eating at tables alone, which didn't bother me as I was used to traveling for business, I would sometimes eat at the bar, where I'd get a wealth of info from the bartender who would also watch over me if need be b/c of any unwanted
yakkers bothering me.

That being said, Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires is a great spa where you would absolutely not feel strange being alone - my husband and I go every year and often meet many single woman at different seminars, dinners, etc and they have an optional 'singles table' for dinner where you can chat it up with otheres who are there solo.

I'm sure this is likely the same at many other spas, of which there are a few in the beautiful Berkshire area of Mass.

How about an adult Outward Bound type trip ? Or the ones out of New Hampshire in North Conway (maybe the EMS store up there still offers some, I think they used to) - there was an article recently about a women's trip for 'fun and survival in the outdoors' in the Boston Globe - I ican't remember the name of it, maybe you can play around googling that and find it ?

Go and have fun. My best singles trip was 2 weeks in hawaii when my girlfriend got sick and had to cancel.

A few years ago I had planned to do a solo heli-hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies. It looks so much fun- hikes based on your abilities and you would actually be part of a group so not entirely alone.
And for the grand finale- you could do a spa day at the Banff Springs Hotel-
a spectacular spot.
I ended up not doing it because I had a couple of girlfriends joined me and we just did some local hikes in the Rockies instead- but its still on my list of things to do

http://www.cmhski.com/

I go everywhere solo, so just go where you want and enjoy. Here is a link for a nice little spa within driving distance of D.C.
http://www.deerfieldspa.com/index.html

I think the heli-hiking trip sounds fantastic!

Banff would be good. So much outdoor stuff to do up there! We always did it on our own, so I can't help with details about groups.

The Red Mountain Spa in St. George, Utah would fit your needs perfectly. It is an adventure spa, so all sorts of activities going on. Guided hiking trips daily, biking trips, fitness classes, fantastic spa, and quite a few people go solo there to sort of regroup. You would not feel out of place at all. For dinner there is a captains table as well, where many solo travelers like to be seated.

The dates on this "America by Bicycle" tour looks like it was made for your schedule:

Thu., June 15 to Fri. June 23, 2006:
Rocky Mountain Bicycle Tour - Salt Lake City to Pueblo, CO
http://www.abbike.com/stage2.shtml

This is one "leg" of a cross-continent bicycle ride. I have been on rides organized by the owner of this company while he was at a not-for-profit organization. Everything was great; and I've met groups riding with "ABBike" and they felt it was an excellent experience. Tell "Doug T" that the guy in Schenectady referred you and I'm sure he'll charge you extra.

These long distance bike rides spend nights in hotels/motels, and eat breakfast & dinner in restaurants. No campfires & folding wet tents on these tours; and with roving mechanics and a sag-wagon, assistance is there for your bike or your body.