INDEX travel A few tips…
It can be daunting embarking on your first solo travel experience but it can also be highly rewarding. Here are a few useful pointers: • Check out operators that specialise in singles holidays and those that do not impose single room supplements.
• Always wanted to learn Italian cooking or indulge a passion for yoga in an exotic destination? Then source the numerous trips that enable you to combine rest and relaxation while pursuing an interest – see below for a few starter ideas.
• Opt for stays in guesthouses, B&Bs or smaller properties rather than the large, faceless multinational hotel chains.
• Book a small group tour or start off with a short city break to test the water.
• Safety can be a concern. Make sure someone knows where you’re going and keep multiple copies of travel documents.
• Dining alone can be the most isolating part of travelling as a singleton, so always head out to dinner with a book or your Kindle so you’ve got something to do.
had a tough day it can be therapeutic to have someone to offload on. Also, mealtimes are little fun on your own. But, ultimately, travelling solo can be uplifting, eye-opening, occasionally lonely, sometimes tough but never, ever dull.” The definition of ‘single’ traveller It once referred only
has also changed.
to the romantically unattached but today it could equally apply to a couple where each partner has different interests, travel needs or conflicting career demands.
David Pattison is head of product and marketing at Voyages Jules Verne, a company that has been particularly active in trying to dispense with the dreaded single-room supplement. “Single people fit well into the
group dynamics of our tours, as they feel safer and happier travelling in company and sharing experiences, especially to some of our more distant and adventurous destinations,” says Pattison.
“Their numbers have shown an encouraging increase over the last year and this has certainly been helped by our successes in offering ‘no single supplement’ on many of our trips”.
Just an idea…
The single traveller is now well catered for, with everything from activity holidays to cookery courses and spa pampering to special interest. Here’s our guide to a just few of the trips available.
Taking the Plunge Solo’s Holidays (
www.solosholidays.co.uk) specialises in trips for singles. This year you can explore the glaciers, icebergs and waterfalls of Alaska on a nine-day cruise departing May 25 (from £2,135) or discover Kenya on a seven-day trip combining safari and beach (departing September 17 and costing from £1,859).
Body Balance
“Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind” is the mantra of St Lucia’s The Body Holiday – an all- inclusive spa and fitness resort with lovely rooms specially designed for the single traveller. Expressions Holidays (www.
expressionsholidays.co.uk) offers a seven-night package from £2,195 (including flights). The price includes a discount of £65 per night, but must be booked by March 1 (for stays between May 18 and October 31, 2012).
No Single Supplement Voyages Jules Verne (
www.vjv.com) has been at the forefront in developing a programme of worldwide tours without single room supplements. These are not ‘singles’ holidays – you will be travelling with a mixture of couples and singles.
Follow a Passion Flavours (
www.flavoursholidays.co.uk) offers small group cooking, painting and Pilates holidays in Italy. Prices start from £899 per person and includes £100 towards flights, accommodation in a private Tuscan villa, en-suite rooms, tuition, all meals and sightseeing.
Kick Start
What better way to combine an idyllic Thai island and a passion for fitness than by joining a Muay Thai training camp? SuperPro Samui* (
www.superprosamui.com) is a centre of excellence for Thai kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and offers daily group training sessions as well as week-long packages and one-to-one training. The resort on Koh Samui has comfortable accommodation with a pool. * SuperPro Samui is offering Index readers 15% off its published room rates including training. Quote ‘Index’ when making your reservation.
Photos courtesy of Voyages Jules Verne, Flavours, Expressions Holidays/ The Body Holiday, Solo’s Holidays.
www.indexmagazine.co.uk 37
The INDEX magazine February 2012
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