Traveling alone? Learn how to get singles travel discounts
and the best deal.

Choosing the right holiday can be a difficult process at the best of times; for people on their own it can be even more of a problem.

Almost one in three adult Americans is single, one in four of us has taken a vacation alone during the last three years, and, on average, the typical American will spend more of their life between 15-85 single than with a partner.  But few of us enjoy traveling alone, or welcome the dreaded 'single supplement' that is often imposed when we're traveling alone.

Top Picks:

Vacations for Single Travelers at Travelocity. You can plan your trip on your own or get help and advice from one of their travel experts.

Orbitz Travel - Leading online travel company offering single travelers a wide selection of low airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals, cruises, vacation packages and other travel options.

Lately, many travel companies and resorts have come to understand the solo traveler.  They have, or are working on, tours and accommodations for singles who want to travel.  Yet it can be difficult, in a holiday resort dominated by couples and families, to meet like-minded people interested in becoming friends.  Anyone who has traveled alone knows how difficult it can be to get a good table in a restaurant or have a relaxed drink at the bar without feeling self conscious.

This is a feeling shared by men and women alike.  For women, the prospect of solo travel can be daunting; worries over personal security in the anonymous surroundings of a large holiday resort can make it hard for them to relax and strike up new friendships.  Conversely, men traveling alone can also feel constrained to keep to themselves, for fear that friendly overtures may be misinterpreted.

There are ways in which single travelers of both sexes can travel widely while relaxing in a secure environment and enjoying as much or as little social activity as they want.  The good news is that these days, single travelers have plenty of options to make single travel as pleasant and affordable as possible.  With the growing number of single adults, specialized travel companies are now catering to this important market.

Some hotels and some cruise lines have special 'single' rooms at rates substantially below twin room rates. These rooms are sometimes much smaller than a twin room, with only one single bed in them, but sometimes the 'single room' is purely a marketing concept, and single people will get exactly the same room, for much less money, than a couple would get if traveling together.

If you're traveling alone, you should turn the 'single supplement' issue around on its head and ask for a 'single discount' off hotel rates. These seem to be more prevalent in Europe than in North America, but it never hurts to ask, wherever you are, and it might encourage the hotel to give you some type of discount, even if it isn't officially a 'single' discount.

Some of the singles tour operators concentrate on the travel experience alone. But some of them add the possibility of a romantic element, by pitching their travel more clearly to single people that are looking for partners, not just for a short vacation, but for their future life as a whole!

Singles Travel News and Advice

Aardvark Travel Forums

Travelling to Oz 2006

[quote:6f09a4aed6="Penny at TakeABreak.com.a"]Must see's in Australia in my books: NSW - the Beaches. Sydney (mainly the harbour) and Blue Mountains Queensland - the great barrier reef - at least one full day out on the reef Northern Territory - Ayers Rock, the Olgas, Katherine Gorge Western Australia - Bungle Bungles National Park, the Gibb River Road South Australia - Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills Victoria - The Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tasmania - Cradle Mountain, Wineglass Bay, Hobart, Port Arthur[/quote:6f09a4aed6] I agree with your choices Penny. The real Australia can be found in the outback pubs as well so don;t be scared to head "bush" and mix with the locals. If you can find a guide, head for the Kimberly region and check out the Aboriginal rock art sites and wonderful gorges along the Gibb River Road. It is rough country, but a life changing experience.Australia trip

Grab a fourwheel drive and head west. See the real outback- near Cairns, Ravenshoe, Mt Garnet, Mt Suprise, Forsyth etc etc Or head for the Corner Country (very remote travel so don't go alone). You can charter operators such as myself to take you and possibly a friend, into the real outback, to Birdsville, Innmincka, even across the Simpsn desert if you so desire..Tips to visit Australia

What sort of things interest you? Australia is a very big place and there are a multitude of things to see and do. Tell us a little about what makes you tick, and we may be able to make some more suggestions.