Have you ever vacationed alone?
- Thread starter RoJoHen
- Start date
Yes, I have. I've been to conventions by myself, or amusement parks---usually after skipping out after some business or club meeting.
For my 30th birthday (way back when), I wanted to go to Disneyworld, but no one would go with me, so I went by myself. I was a bit embarrassed to go on some of the rides by myself, but I really had a good time. I got to explore the park on my own and see the things that I really wanted to see. I was only there for three or four days, but I had a great time.
If you really want to go somewhere, just go, whether you have a companion or not. You'll be glad you did.
For my 30th birthday (way back when), I wanted to go to Disneyworld, but no one would go with me, so I went by myself. I was a bit embarrassed to go on some of the rides by myself, but I really had a good time. I got to explore the park on my own and see the things that I really wanted to see. I was only there for three or four days, but I had a great time.
If you really want to go somewhere, just go, whether you have a companion or not. You'll be glad you did.
Yes, I traveled alone. In my childhood I’ve spent time at holiday camps where I knew no one. I'm not sure if that really counts... In my adult life I've spent four days in London by myself and it wasn't weird or something like that. On the contrary: There were plenty of things to see and nobody bothered me 
. So, if you want to take a short trip for yourself you shouldn't hesitate. But go somewhere where you can experience things on your own. Four days lying alone at a beach somewhere might be boring. On the other hand ... nay.
. So, if you want to take a short trip for yourself you shouldn't hesitate. But go somewhere where you can experience things on your own. Four days lying alone at a beach somewhere might be boring. On the other hand ... nay.
Sort of. My wife got quite sick for 2 days on our honeymoon, so I spent both those days wandering Rome by myself. I would have stayed with her, but she insisted that I go out alone and not waste the days, in facted she practically pushed me out the door.
It was the most fun I had in Rome
. I enjoy my wife's company, but it was lots of fun to just be able to wander wherever I wanted all day long. It was about 45C at the time, and she just couldn't take the heat for long even when healthy. Having done a minor in Greek and Roman studies you can't imagine how cool it was to just randomly run across things I'd read about for years, Tiber Island for instance.
I was so enthusiatic about some of the places I visited that I ended up dragging her to them once she felt better.
It was the most fun I had in Rome
. I enjoy my wife's company, but it was lots of fun to just be able to wander wherever I wanted all day long. It was about 45C at the time, and she just couldn't take the heat for long even when healthy. Having done a minor in Greek and Roman studies you can't imagine how cool it was to just randomly run across things I'd read about for years, Tiber Island for instance.I was so enthusiatic about some of the places I visited that I ended up dragging her to them once she felt better.
I guess I've kinda sorta vacationed alone in a way...
I did a study abroad in Japan. None of my family or anyone I knew was there but I was with a group from my university so it wasn't alone per se. We did get single rooms part of the time and I did wander alone in Tokyo at times, but usually I was with the group up until we made it through customs at Seattle on our way back.
In a similar situation I traveled to Ireland while studying abroad in England. I traveled alone to Dublin and found my way to the hotel late at night, but met up with a tour group the next day and was with them up until they dropped us back near downtown where there was a bus to take us to the airport.
The one time I can honestly say I HAVE traveled alone, really, outside of driving from Seattle to my parent's house tons of times, was one time when I got a free stay in Vancouver through my work. So I drove up Friday after work and got to stay at the Hotel Vancouver downtown. I guess since I live alone it wasn't quite as 'awesome' as it could have been or such a relief to be alone. It was more like being in the same situation I am in here but in Vancouver. Nice town and it was a lot of fun wandering around and seeing things (it was still 2 years off until the Olympics and they had this gigantic countdown clock downtown, I was trying to save money too by not doing much that actually cost money).
Over all, though, I have to admit I've had more fun traveling with my family on our various adventures than I did on that trip. I went back to Vancouver two months later with my sister and we had a lot more fun seeing things than I did when I was alone.
I did a study abroad in Japan. None of my family or anyone I knew was there but I was with a group from my university so it wasn't alone per se. We did get single rooms part of the time and I did wander alone in Tokyo at times, but usually I was with the group up until we made it through customs at Seattle on our way back.
In a similar situation I traveled to Ireland while studying abroad in England. I traveled alone to Dublin and found my way to the hotel late at night, but met up with a tour group the next day and was with them up until they dropped us back near downtown where there was a bus to take us to the airport.
The one time I can honestly say I HAVE traveled alone, really, outside of driving from Seattle to my parent's house tons of times, was one time when I got a free stay in Vancouver through my work. So I drove up Friday after work and got to stay at the Hotel Vancouver downtown. I guess since I live alone it wasn't quite as 'awesome' as it could have been or such a relief to be alone. It was more like being in the same situation I am in here but in Vancouver. Nice town and it was a lot of fun wandering around and seeing things (it was still 2 years off until the Olympics and they had this gigantic countdown clock downtown, I was trying to save money too by not doing much that actually cost money).
Over all, though, I have to admit I've had more fun traveling with my family on our various adventures than I did on that trip. I went back to Vancouver two months later with my sister and we had a lot more fun seeing things than I did when I was alone.
before meeting the other half I used to pop down to London for a week or so on my own.
it was lovely, no one to bother me and i could drift around at my own pace in my own thoughts
it was lovely, no one to bother me and i could drift around at my own pace in my own thoughts
Yes, nearly every year I take a long weekend for myself around my birthday and go to this lovely little town at the tip of Cape Cod called Provincetown. During the tourist season, it's party central, but in the off season it's very quiet and peaceful and relaxing and inspiring in a way that's difficult to explain. My birthday is in March, so when I go down it's very, very quiet. My husband is wonderfully understanding, and doesn't have a problem with me going alone to recharge my batteries a bit. It's usually just me, a good book or two, and maybe a good movie or two (that the hubby has no interest in.) I highly recommend it. 
I did that last fall. I was so stressed out preparing for a big event at work, that I rented a condo on the beach and took a long weekend after it was over to just veg. It was very nice and restful, though I wouldn't go back to that specific place again (beach with gnats and no waves =
).When I came home, I had an email from my boss that ruined the entire vacation. I decided it was time to look for a new job.
Yes and I highly recommend it.
I've done it a fair few times, and to be honest, I've had more fun on them than many holidays I've had with others because I don't need to compromise with anyone else. I'm naturally a fairly selfish person, and having to play nice with others about what time to get up in the morning, what we're doing, where we're going, what time we're eating, etc, etc, etc, etc, is a nuisance I can do without.
Even when I holiday with others, I pick friends who I know will not feel the need to constantly hang out with each other all the time day after day.
Holidays on your own are best if you pick a really, really swanky hotel and totally live it up for a few days or so.
Holidays on your own are best if you pick a really, really swanky hotel and totally live it up for a few days or so.
That does sound kind of awesome. My biggest problem is that I am really bad at introducing myself to new people. I suck at small talk, so I never know how to talk to strangers without sounding completely boring and awkward.
Holidays on your own are best if you pick a really, really swanky hotel and totally live it up for a few days or so.
That does sound kind of awesome. My biggest problem is that I am really bad at introducing myself to new people. I suck at small talk, so I never know how to talk to strangers without sounding completely boring and awkward.
I actually don't want lots of random chit-chat during the day, preferring to relax and chill out. But come the evening, I agree it's fun to meet some people and shoot the breeze.
Any hotel bar is a rich and varied seam of psychopathology. Everyone staying at a hotel comes through it at one time or another. Come the evening, plant yourself at the bar with a book, a drink and some snacks and chit-chat with anyone coming up to order drinks.
You've worked bar; you already know how to do it: start up a conversation about anything and then let them run their mouths off. People are generally like those toys with the string-pull in their backs; pull the string and watch them go! They love talking about themselves and will quickly tell you their life stories if you smile, nod, chuckle and keep the drinks flowing. It all usually starts to seem really funny by the time you get to the second or third mojito.
(they'll start crying at the hollow emptiness of their existence by the time you get to the fourth, but that's when you move onto the next target
)
