Going on vacation alone, and doing things alone?

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Thanks for all the replies. I've made up my mind, I'm going to America! Don't know when yet, or where in America exactly, but I'm going to put some cash aside while I muse over the idea of going to the place I see every day on TV.

I almost always go on holiday alone. I'm currently on holiday in British Columbia for a few days. I really like New Zealand and have gone down there three times in the last two years.

The only good thing I can say about visiting America is that the US dollar isn't worth much anymore so it should be pretty cheap for a brit.

You sound just like me. I would like to go to the movies or vacations with people but only if they're close family members or really close friends. Just today, I went to the movies by myself and enjoyed it. I went to New York City a few years ago without even telling anyone I was going. (Don't do that. Always tell at least one person where you're going just in case.) I just went on a whim because I was bored and went to all the sites I wanted without having to adhere to someone else's artinuary.

I'd say do whatever the heck you want. You don't need anyone's permission to go off by yourself and have fun.

Congrats! Remember, the USA is very big and not all of it is even connected (Alaska and Hawaii) so depending on where you go you will get a completely different experience. New York and Florida are different enough to feel like completely different countries--- both are wonderful in their own ways. We have 50 states, each with things to see and hear and do.
There are museums ( many in NY) and aquariums ( Atlanta, Georgia and Connecticut have big ones) and theater/Broadway shows and National Parks (Yellowstone and Yosemite are famous ones) and beaches ( California and Hawaii's are world renowned). There are also quirky strange things if you want something different ( like Salem Sue, a 38 feet high and 50 feet long cow in North Dakota. Or the giant dinosaur-shaped auto service station in Springhill, Fl.). Wherever you decide to go, take your time and enjoy yourself.
As you should in any place local or foreign, stay safe as well. There are some nasty folks here--- but don't let a couple of bad apples ruin your trip or give you a negative impression of us all. Most gas (petrol) stations have maps in them and most people will offer directions if asked. In most areas the number to call in case of a dire emergency ( car accident with injuries, severe acute illness, etc......) is 911. They will send the police/ambulance/firefighters to help.
Have fun, and don't forget to tell of your holiday.

No, you should bother. I had once planned to go on holiday on my own but then at the last minute, a guy who lived in the same house as me (it was a house split into bedsits) decided to come with too. My plan was just to go to the airport and see what was cheap and sounded interesting and we ended up going to Prague where there was a fair amount to see.

You could do anything really, it depends what you want e.g. beach holiday, sight-seeing trip etc.

I really think that you wouldn't stand out too much on your own at all, I don't think that anyone will notice or care too much.
I am pretty sure that many people go travelling in places like Eastern Europe on their own; you may even meet fellow travellers whilst you are there; youth hostels are generally pretty friendly places.

The other option you could consider is one of those places that does organised trips in groups. Many of them are designed for people going alone so you will be on your own but still in a big group so it may make you feel more comfortable...you may even get friendly with the other people I suppose.



I think it is ok to do that, I used to go to the cinema alone quite a lot. I mean once you are in the cinema nobody will notice anyway. When you buy the ticket, they may even assume that you are waiting for someone else to turn up or are going with someone else in the line but are just buying your tickets seperately. I don't think there is anything wrong with going to the cinema alone anyway - I mean you are in the dark and it is too loud to talk...hardly the most social experience anyway.

I think the thing that is harder to pull off is going to a restaurant alone; I think you need more confidence for this as many people will just assume that you have been stood up on a date or something.

I was just reminded of somthing that I read recently that would be relevant to remember here.

There is a difference between being lonely/alone and being independent.

Being lonely/alone is often viewed as some social disease where people will just feel sorry for you or treat you like a leper whereas being independent is urbane, decisive and shows that you are confident and want to get out there and have a good time without bothering about having to have people with you.

So don't go alone, go independently

I've done both of these things more than once, and I was perfectly fine with them (nobody ever gave me any hassle about it, after all). There's absolutely nothing wrong with dining and/or watching a film alone.