Research And Booking A Singles Vacation
Where can I get information about singles destinations?
I think there are a couple of places where you can get really good information on singles destinations. First of all, if you're not working with a travel agent, I would suggest that you should, for a couple of reasons. Travel agents often have knowledge of places that are good for singles, and they may also have knowledge of other singles who may be willing to double up with you on your vacation. The other place of course is the internet. There are some pretty good singles sites out there. As a starting point, I might suggest johnnyjet.com, which has a whole listing for singles travellers.
What services can help me find singles destinations?
The services that can help you find singles destinations include travel agents who again often have very broad and deep knowledge of destinations and there are a number of places online that are geared just for the solo traveller that can help you either buddy up with somebody or find destinations where you'll feel comfortable or there is no stigma, so to speak, to being a solo traveller and also can help you save money.
Should I use an agent to book a singles vacation?
I think its always a good idea to use a travel agent to book a singles vacation, or really any vacation. A travel agent can act as your advocate and especially when you're travelling alone, you really do need somebody in your court. If something goes wrong on your trip, a travel agent is there and is somebody to turn to. They are a resource and can be extremely helpful. So I think using a travel agent, especially when you're a single traveller is very helpful.
How far in advance should I book a singles vacation?
Booking your singles vacation depends a little bit on your destination. If you're doing, for example, a spring break destination, you need to book that fairly far in advance - I would suggest at least six months. But sometimes as a solo traveller, you can find better bargains closer to the time of your departure. That's because travel companies sometimes have inventory they are trying to get rid of, and you may not run into the dreaded double occupancy problem that many single travellers have. That is for example, a room that ordinarily might cost one twenty-five for one person would be two-fifty for two, and you certainly don't need to pay that and sometimes the company will reduce the price because it is trying to move inventory. So it may be to your benefit to wait a bit and book closer to the time of your departure as a single traveller.
What's the best way to book airfare to my singles destination?
Booking airfare to your singles destination is pretty easily accomplished nowadays online and through a travel agent. If you're looking online, you should consider the third party travel agencies such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. Some of those sites do have sites for solo travellers and they may be able to give you some good ideas and tips on travelling solo. You should also look at what we call aggregator sites, which go out and gather information from the airlines, form the hotels, and so forth, and bring it back to the site. Those sites include Sidestep, Mobissimo, and Kayak. And then, of course, the third avenue is booking through a travel agent as a single traveller.
What's the best way to book a rental car for my singles vacation?
There are several places online where you can book rental cars. Certainly you can book a rental car as a single, or as a couple, or as a family at any of the third party online travel agencies such as Travelocity, Expedia, or Orbitz. You can also look through the aggregator sites. You can look at Cayak, Mobisimo, and Sidestep, and those go out and look for information from all sites and then bring it back to the site. You can look at the car rental agencies own online site, or you can do it through a travel agent. One of the things that I have found particularly useful in booking a car rental is looking at opaque sites such as Hotwire or Priceline. That is, places that don't necessarily tell you what brand you're buying, they just guarantee that you'll be renting a car and often times you can get a car by naming your own price, for significantly less. But it does pay to shop around as a single traveller.
What are the pitfalls to watch for when booking a singles vacation?
Some of the pitfalls of booking a singles vacation have to do with the fact that you are solo and people generally are considered to travel in pairs. In the United States, it not unusual to find a hotel room where the price is the same for one person as for two people. But in Europe, it's often the case that prices are quoted per person, so that if you book a room that you think is $125 a night, it may ending costing $250. I think that probably the biggest pitfall when booking a single's vacation is financial considerations, because oftentimes you're charged for what two people would be receiving, because, again, that's generally how people travel.
Are there any fees associated with booking a singles vacation online?
There are fees associated with booking singles vacations, and really any vacation online if you use a third party travel agency such as Expedia, Orbits, Travelocity or one of the many others. Oftentimes there's a fee associated with booking an airline ticket. It'll be a nominal charge, maybe five or ten dollars. You'd pay the same or similar charge when using a travel agent but these online are specific to the third party sites. If you go directly to the airline site you probably will not pay the ticket fee. So those are some of the fees that you should watch out for when booking a singles vacation.
What is a vacation 'off-peak season'?
The vacation off-peak season means that generally, when the rest of the world is staying home, you're out and travelling. And for the single traveller, that often means avoiding school vacation times, travelling in the fall and travelling in the winter when parents with kids sometimes cant get away. You can find great bargains in the off-peak season as a single traveller.
Can I save money by booking a singles vacation in the off-peak season?
You can save money by booking a singles vacation in the off-peak season, simply because there is not the business there that there is during the rest of the year, and whoever is providing the travel product often is eager to have you there. They are even more welcoming than they would be in the high season. So inventory is greater, so prices come down, and you really can save a bundle by booking a singles vacation in the off peak season.
What are the drawbacks of a singles vacation in the off-peak season?
As a single traveller in the off-peak season, you may encounter businesses that are closed. For example, if there are seasonal businesses and they're open only during the high season, and you're travelling in February, you may not be able to take advantage of that. You may not be able to find all of the museums, for example, open especially in smaller areas. You may not have access too all the services as a single traveller. For example, some of the spa amenities may not be available in the off-season if you're going to a resort destination that is specific to singles. So, you really need to check ahead time and make sure that the things you really want to do are available in the off-season when booking your singles vacation.
