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Solo Travel

soniareznick011933
soniareznick011933 over 3 years ago

I have been on many trips as a solo traveler without a roommate and have had mixed experiences.  On a recent trip as the only one without a partner I was frequently asked to change my place at the table so couples could sit together, and I would get moved down to the far end of the table.   With other groups though, if I offered to move I was reassured it wasn't necessary as they didn't need to sit together all the time.  Groups have different temperaments.  Another time several of the hotels had tables set up for exactly four people and I was pretty much excluded from this set up. Or the  dinner on your own would occur after a free afternoon or siesta time so I was alone because couples, (including) roommates made their plans when I wasn't around so I had no way to ask or be asked to join anyone.  One time we were so many single women that a consensus  was never reached and we just had pizza in the hotel.

I want to emphasize that uncomfortable situations have been the exception, but I always know  that they may arise, and I certainly won't let such occurrences spoil my trip. But also, before choosing a trip, I check how many dinners are not included, and this is part of my decision. Occasionally I  travel with all women, not with Road Scholar, and there the group leader usually suggests a place, and most people including the leader go together. But in my experience Road Scholar leaders generally are not around when plans are being made and are not involved in the process.  

Other than meals, almost everything is done as a group, and the group is usually together just before the free times, so plans can be made with  others.  So I may set out with others, but often prefer to go at my own pace and follow my own interests. Still I never hesitate to travel with Road Scholar as the problems I mentioned are definitely the exception.

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  • zen021519
    zen021519 over 2 years ago
    When I travel, I like to find neighborhood restaurants that are not in guide books but I go with a couple of recommendations from websites and guidebooks, just in case. I generally ask the reservation desk people what restaurants in the neighborhood serve fresh local food (then check out their websites) and have gotten some outstanding recommendations. In Dublin, for example, I got the recommendation to such a restaurant. It was so good that I went back the next night, our last on-your-own meal. People heard me talk about this and half of the group turned up that second night, practically taking over the whole restaurant. My meals there were my most memorable meals on that trip. RS now also tends to use hotels that often have restaurants so if you find yourself alone, eat in the hotel restaurant.
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  • whgwood052654
    whgwood052654 over 2 years ago in reply to zen021519
    What's the name of the restaurant in Dublin? We'll be there with RS in May/June. Any other suggestions since we are staying in Dublin an extra two days after the tour? Thank you.
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  • TravelHound
    TravelHound over 2 years ago in reply to whgwood052654
    Haven't been since I was a teenager. This site rarely disappoints and I have found some interesting things to do using frommers.com. www.frommers.com/.../attractions
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  • zen021519
    zen021519 over 2 years ago in reply to whgwood052654
    I moved after my trip to Ireland with RS and I suspect my notes are in one of my boxes of books that are waiting to be unpacked. Sorry about that. However, I am happy to share with you what I remember. I am quite sure the restaurant near our hotel (Camden Court in Dublin) is called Green Nineteen. I think they serve organic food only. Their (non-alcoholic) ginger beer, made on the premises, is the best I have ever had and others from my group agreed. Other good choices: tapas, fish-and-chip (superior to what you find in other restaurants), and salads. When I find my notes, I will send you more recommendations. Once we ate at a fabulous buffet upstairs in a department store (totally unexpected) and our group leader sent some of us to her favorite dessert place. Both are not far from St Stephen's Green.

    Which trip will you be on? I went on the one called Best of Ireland. I also went in May. The Killarney National Park and Sligo stand out in my memory. As to Dublin, I took the Hop-on-hop-off bus one afternoon to figure out where I wanted to spend more time the following day. The ticket is good for two days. What I remember enjoying most are St Paul's Cathedral, with interesting needlepoint kneelers, and the Hugh Lane Gallery (aka Dublin City Gallery), where you will see art by many Irish artists, including William Butler Yeats' brother and father. Our tour took us to St Stephen's Green, which is a beautiful park, with many interesting statues. Several of us went off to see the Book of Kells but I was more impressed by the Long Room in the Old Library. We also discovered a really unique area called the Iconic Walk. You will see interesting and entertaining graffiti on the walls of several alleys.

    We were told at the beginning of the trip that it is typical for one to experience all four seasons in one day, often several times a day. Well, we never had snow but we did have gale winds, huge downpours, followed by brilliant sunshine, then back to the others in different orders. It was most exciting! So, plan accordingly. Layer and make sure that you have a longish waterproof coat. Umbrellas won't do you much good when the wind is strong but take one anyway. It was cold when the sun disappeared and the wind kicked up in May but it s a good excuse to buy a beautiful Irish sweater. I loved my trip and have my beautiful Irish sweater to remind me of the dramatic weather. The Irish people are wonderful and our leader, a published poet, was great. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask.
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  • zen021519
    zen021519 over 2 years ago in reply to whgwood052654
    I moved after my trip to Ireland with RS and I suspect my notes are in one of my boxes of books that are waiting to be unpacked. Sorry about that. However, I am happy to share with you what I remember. I am quite sure the restaurant near our hotel (Camden Court in Dublin) is called Green Nineteen. I think they serve organic food only. Their (non-alcoholic) ginger beer, made on the premises, is the best I have ever had and others from my group agreed. Other good choices: tapas, fish-and-chip (superior to what you find in other restaurants), and salads. When I find my notes, I will send you more recommendations. Once we ate at a fabulous buffet upstairs in a department store (totally unexpected) and our group leader sent some of us to her favorite dessert place. Both are not far from St Stephen's Green.

    Which trip will you be on? I went on the one called Best of Ireland. I also went in May. The Killarney National Park and Sligo stand out in my memory. As to Dublin, I took the Hop-on-hop-off bus one afternoon to figure out where I wanted to spend more time the following day. The ticket is good for two days. What I remember enjoying most are St Paul's Cathedral, with interesting needlepoint kneelers, and the Hugh Lane Gallery (aka Dublin City Gallery), where you will see art by many Irish artists, including William Butler Yeats' brother and father. Our tour took us to St Stephen's Green, which is a beautiful park, with many interesting statues. Several of us went off to see the Book of Kells but I was more impressed by the Long Room in the Old Library. We also discovered a really unique area called the Iconic Walk. You will see interesting and entertaining graffiti on the walls of several alleys.

    We were told at the beginning of the trip that it is typical for one to experience all four seasons in one day, often several times a day. Well, we never had snow but we did have gale winds, huge downpours, followed by brilliant sunshine, then back to the others in different orders. It was most exciting! So, plan accordingly. Layer and make sure that you have a longish waterproof coat. Umbrellas won't do you much good when the wind is strong but take one anyway. It was cold when the sun disappeared and the wind kicked up in May but it s a good excuse to buy a beautiful Irish sweater. I loved my trip and have my beautiful Irish sweater to remind me of the dramatic weather. The Irish people are wonderful and our leader, a published poet, was great. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask.
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  • whgwood052654
    whgwood052654 over 2 years ago in reply to zen021519
    This is a wonderful response. Thank you for taking time to detail your experiences. We will make great use of your suggestions and welcome any others that come to mind.
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