I am a bit gutted because I have just had to cancel my two week holiday for later this month with friends due to work.
I DESPERATELY need a break so I was thinking of going off somewhere hot on my own for a couple of weeks in Oct or Nov. I have never been abroad on my own before so I would like to go on a trip where I am well looked after. I don't want anything where there are loads of drunks and nightclubs, and the thought of sitting on a beach all day or by a pool fills me with dread. I was thinking perhaps a cruise.
Only problem is, you pay through the nose to travel alone - does anyone know of any agencies that specialise in holidays for single ladies?
However, your proximity to Stansted would seem to offer plenty of opportunities for putting your own package together. There are plenty of hotels that don't charge a single supplement outside of the summer months. Perhaps a city break to somewhere like Barcelona? It's not only a fantastic city but it would make a great base for touring the area.
Chris, I'd place VJV more at the middle of the market. They're owned by Kuoni, which is a bit more expensive. I went to Jordan with VJV in October a couple of years ago, and Lebanon/Syria another year - both very interesting and well handled.
To be hot at the end of October you'd need to be around the Mediterranean - preferably the south side (Morocco? Tunisia? Egypt?), or the Canaries, or the Caribbean (this is hurricane season, though your chances of hitting one are small).
A lot depends on your budget, but we've just come back from Hong Kong which was fantastic. The city is very clean and very safe, I would have no problem wandering about by myself. The public transport is very efficient, easy to use, and cheap. And there are beaches. We were there 10 nights, and certainly didn't get to see or do everything. We rented an apartment rather than stay in a hotel, which we found was great.
Thank you all for your answers. Certainly lots to think about. Still planning on a "treat" abroad somewhere, although in the short term things don't look quite so grim for Scotland after today, so I may get 10 days touring "ooop North" - just me, my car, my fishing rod, my paints and my tent. Heaven!!!!
I have travelled all over the world on my own some places like india thailand would be better with someone if you just planning a couple of weeks break Egypt was fine - i wouldnt recommend tunisia or morrocco as hasle with local men as with gambia - Egypt a bit like that but if you stay in sharm in reasonable hotel you will be safe but that would be sunbathing holiday - Luxor has lots of trips you could do and use as a base or you could do boat trip in croatia my house mate did it for 300 pounds this year for one week she is mid twenties but said age varied think company was called sail croatia something like that and you are on boat sailing to different islands but you wouldnt be lonely on it