The I'm Going on Holiday!! Thread

[Dogg Thang]

I'd love to go to Disney in Florida... to pick up all the exclusive Tron merch.

I'm finding myself in a weird position this year of having time to take off and yet no idea what to do with that time. Going on holiday was always something I did with my family and now I'm on my own I don't know how this works. My friends have families of their own so it's not like I can gather a few for a joint holiday. What does a single person do for holidays?

[Neon Ignition]

I used to work with someone who was... challenging to be around and as a result of that he was perpetually single. Despite how frustrating he could be one thing I did give him cred for was that he took the stance of 'why should being single mean he should miss out on going places?'

Before meeting the missus I was gearing up to get into the same mindset, just to go to the places I wanted to go on my own. There was a time that I felt weird going to the cinema on my own and quickly came to think nothing of it, I figure it's a little bit similar. Maybe try a short jaunt somewhere you can relax in to ease into the experience first.

[QualityChimp]

Neon, when you say you've not been on holiday for 12 years, you mean like a big holiday abroad or something, right?
You've taken the kids to the seaside and stuff, right? RIGHT?!

[wakka]

I'd love to go to Disney in Florida... to pick up all the exclusive Tron merch.

I'm finding myself in a weird position this year of having time to take off and yet no idea what to do with that time. Going on holiday was always something I did with my family and now I'm on my own I don't know how this works. My friends have families of their own so it's not like I can gather a few for a joint holiday. What does a single person do for holidays?

I am newly single in the past two months (after ten years in a relationship) so I am in a similar position.

I have been away for a short trip after my breakup to visit a friend and his husband in San Francisco which was great, and I plan to do that again before too long. I do have a friend in Shanghai I'm planning to visit too, maybe in the first half of next year.

So I guess one answer is visiting friends who live elsewhere, if you have them.

Other than that, though, I'm actually looking forward to some solo trips. Getting out and exploring a place solo can be a very liberating experience. I've done it in Thailand in my mid twenties and although you might look slightly like one of the many gruesome white sexpats, you can have a great time jetting around on a moped, looking at the beautiful scenery, going to the beach and eating lots of delicious and cheap Thai food.

I'm currently considering Colombia for a similar trip at some point in the nearish future. I would have a think about destinations that are a little more adventurous that you will be able to explore as a single adult in a way that you wouldn't (at least easily) with a family.

Traditional holiday resorts could feel quite lonely as you will be surrounded by families, I think, but more backpackery destinations will be loaded with solo travellers and loose groups of individuals and couples that are easy to hang with when you want and ignore when you don't. You might be surprised by the range of ages you encounter, too. When I was about 21 I spent time travelling around Southeast Asia and I remember in Saigon and Kuala Lumpur hanging out mostly with fellow travellers I met who were a lot older than me at the time, at least 35-40+.

I would try and think of it as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.

[QualityChimp]

I think we're all in agreement that Wakka and Dogg need to do a rrrroad trip together.

[CMcK]

What does a single person do for holidays?

I went to Japan. It would have been nice to have shared the experience with someone but it's an opportunity to do something you would like to do in the manner you would like to do it.

[Neon Ignition]

Neon, when you say you've not been on holiday for 12 years, you mean like a big holiday abroad or something, right?
You've taken the kids to the seaside and stuff, right? RIGHT?!

We've driven to Blackpool or Southport for the morning as neither are too far away, that's pretty much all though. Nothing at all that classes as a holiday

[wakka]

Dude, you should sort out some shorter/cheaper trips. You could probably do 10 for the price of a Disney World trip.

One thing I would say on California vs Florida is that the California Disney and Universal resorts don't even compare to the Florida ones. They are tiny. If your main thing is visiting the parks, it's not even a debate - Florida every time. Epic Universe is opening in Florida next Spring, too.

[Soundwave]

We're off to Bulgaria in 2 weeks
Couldn't decide on a family holiday that wasn't bloody Spain & our HR girl at work is from Bulgaria so just took a punt.
Got 7 days all inclusive with joining access to a waterpark for a little over £2k with Chloe as a free child place

Then it's saving time for Vegas next March for our 15th Wedding anniversary (should be April but prices are dearer & the wife is due to start a new degree course with work that begins in April so going early) & then Florida again for Halloween in 2026

For wakka & Dogg Thang just go for it.
I've done 2 holidays on my own & loved both of them...well one wasn't really on my own but ended up that way
First one I did was 2006 when I booked a 2 week Club 18-30 holiday with my mate.
We got there & everything was going really good but then towards the end of the 1st week my mate decided he wasn't having fun & booked flights home...I stayed on for the 2nd week & had a much better time on my own without him

The 2nd one I did was a year later when I went to Washington in December to go to the NFL to see the Redskins play as a treat for my 30th birthday
no one else was into NFL at the time & I'd always wanted to go, made some friends on the Redskins forum who hooked me up with game tickets & met them for the game, had a blast but then spent the rest of the week on my own just sightseeing.
Absolutely my favourite holiday of all time, saw the White House, went to Arlingotn Cemetary, Lincoln Memorial, Pentagon, loads of shopping, spent nights in sports bars chatting to anyone & everyone
Literally the best thing ever...would love to be on my own to be able to do it all again

Neil

[wakka]

Nice one man those sound like great solo trips.

Bulgaria sounds great.

Which resort are you going to stay at in Vegas?

I was there recently for a couple of days when I visited SF - wanted to do downtown as I had only visited the strip before, and stayed in one of the smaller ones, the Downtown Grand. It was fine but the hotel itself didn't have the mad energy of the big resorts. But the time before that I was in the Mirage (RIP) which was superb.

[Soundwave]

Nice one man those sound like great solo trips.

Bulgaria sounds great.

Which resort are you going to stay at in Vegas?

I was there recently for a couple of days when I visited SF - wanted to do downtown as I had only visited the strip before, and stayed in one of the smaller ones, the Downtown Grand. It was fine but the hotel itself didn't have the mad energy of the big resorts. But the time before that I was in the Mirage (RIP) which was superb.

Thanks buddy.
Yeah the Solo stuff was really great, I do recommend just putting yourself out there & go for it...obviously trips with sightseeing opportunities are the best as you'll definitley have something to do & even on your own you won't really feel like it.
Beach/lazy holidays don't really work so well lol

Yeah looking forward it, going to be in the low to mid 30's by the sounds of it...which is too hot for me but Katie & Chloe will love it, I'll just camp under the canopy on the sun loungers lol

There are actually some great deals on Bulgaria if anyone is looking for options -

TUI Holidays Search Results | Discover Your Smile

Sub £1k per person all inclusive in some cases!

Not too sure yet, we've been to the Luxor twice but might try New York New York or Paris this time, we were supposed to do this for our 10 year anniversary back in 2020, I'd booked everything but obviously Covid put pay to that so definitely making up for it this time round

I visited the mirage & it was a nice hotel, such a shame it's gone now.
I just love the hustle & bustle of it all, the atmosphere is just so good

Neil

[wakka]

Yeah there's nowhere quite like Vegas. We had a mad night out cavorting through the Cosmo, Bellagio and Aria when I was there last month. You feel like such a boss speeding down the Strip in a cab at night.

Between New York, New York and Paris I'd go Paris, I just like that centre Strip location better than South Strip.

[Soundwave]

Yeah there's nowhere quite like Vegas. We had a mad night out cavorting through the Cosmo, Bellagio and Aria when I was there last month. You feel like such a boss speeding down the Strip in a cab at night.

Between New York, New York and Paris I'd go Paris, I just like that centre Strip location better than South Strip.

Oh it's just so good isn't it?
I was almost tempted to do a Dark Knight Joker when we were getting a cab back last time we where there

Yeah we've only ever been down the Luxor end so being mid strip will be nicer I think.
Might look at the Venetian as well as that always sucks me when I'm there, those Canal boat trips are just great
Only thing I like about New York New York is the roller coasters at the top.
I might try getting up to Stratosphere this time & see if I'm brave enough for their rides at the top of the tower (Spoiler Alert...I doubt I will be lol)
Also fancy doing that Zip line along Fremantle street as well...that looked crazy

Neil

[wakka]

The Venetian has a great location too but it's ridiculously huge. If you're looking at that one I'd look at Palazzo. The rooms are bigger too. A friend stayed there before and really rated it. Better quality of lodgings than Paris I'd wager, as well.

The rollercoaster at New York New York isn't bad, if jerky, but having done the Stratosphere rides I would say don't get too hyped for them. They're a little underwhelming honestly. If they were on the ground they'd just be low-end fairground rides.

I saw a ton of people do the zip line a couple of weeks ago but didn't try it myself. Looks really fun though!

[Neon Ignition]

I've stayed at Harrah's a couple of times but it's hard to recommend, it's incredibly standard so is essentially over charging because of its location. Flamingo is a little better (at least the pool is), same with whatever Imperial Palace is called now. Most of the time though I've stayed at Circus Circus. I've always been the type that I spend very little time in the hotel so the savings from staying at Circus Circus make it the main choice most of the time, especially since hotel rooms don't vary much hotel to hotel most of the time. The large savings have usually gone toward other things like hiring a convertible Mustang for the duration - you can keep your Taxi's

We'll probably do a short trip or two at some point but doing them always feels like a reset button on saving for a proper holiday and we always feel like you need 10 days at least, there are places I would like to see where a short trip would be the right fit but I hate the feel of going somewhere and you're immediately on countdown to the flight home.