DISCLAIMER: CSTN searches the world for singles tours, singles cruises, singles travel clubs, hospitality organizations, any and all single-friendly holiday ideas. We pass the word but have no control over times, dates, prices, or itineraries, which are subject to change and must be verified directly through contacts given below.
Atlanta, GA. "Travel is the ultimate education," says Suzy Davis whose passion for travel runs strong and deep. With 180 countries under her belt, she still feels that "Every journey provides revelations vital to her intellectual and spiritual growth, as well as opportunities to make new friends along the way." And she is sure anyone who joins her Adventures for Singles will feel that way too.
Now entering their 18th year, AFS continues to focus on upscale tours and personal service at very affordable prices. 2009 is expected to be the company's biggest year yet with more diverse and intriguing destinations than ever before. Here is a list of her plans through 2009.
Details: Adventures for Singles. Tel. 1-877-813-9421, 1-770-432-8225; E-mail Suzy@adventuresforsingles.com
Atlanta, GA. In 2008 All Singles Travel (Trave Services Worldwide) celebrates its 13th year of arranging holidays just for singles. Erik Kravitz, who coordinates all of the trips and leads many of them, reports that 2009 is shaping up to be another banner year for All Singles Travel. Here's what he has lined up for coming months:
Details: Visit their website at www.allsinglestravel.com for prices and itineraries; or telephone 1-800-717-3231, 1-770-664-7437.
Ft Lauderdale, FL. SinglesCruise.com is part of ProQuest Travel Group, a division of Minneapolis-based Travel Acquisitions Group. Such hefty backing is only one reason why this specialist agency ranks among the largest and most successful singles cruise operators in the United States. Just as importantly, SinglesCruise.com has been booking singles cruises featuring exclusive events hosted by a dedicated staff of cruise directors since 1991. SinglesCruise.com guests may expect private meet-and-greet singles events, cocktail mixers, lectures, theme parties, and a separate "singles mingle" dining area that allows new dinner companions each night. This activity-filled schedule adds up to a memorable vacation experience for singles looking for fun and adventure with new travel companions. Look for details of the following upcoming cruises: on the SinglesCruise.com website:
Details: SinglesCruise.com. Tel 1-800-393-5000, 1-954-489-3200.
Cheap:
Whether it's London or Laos, Barcelona or Benin, no matter where you go in the world, HostelBookers' hostels offer the cheapest accommodation on the web! And there's not a single supplement in sight!
Communal facilities:
Lounge areas and well-stocked kitchens make hostels the logical choice for solo travelers on a budget.
Companionship:
Unlike impersonal (and frequently lonely) hotels, a genuine sense of community is fostered in hostels. Most places are set up to allow travelers to meet, chat, and exchange tips and stories from the road.
Security:
And with solidarity comes security. Meeting lots of other travelers in a hostel is the safest way to get out about in a city after dark.
Choice:
With over 10,000 properties in 2,500 destinations worldwide, HostelBookers are the key ingredient in solo traveling on a budget.
Details: To check out a full listing of hostels and budget accommodation around the world, check out: Youth Hostels.
Langley, BC. When Gloria Watson started organizing and leading groups of single travelers in 1991, she didn't know what she was in for, so she kept her accounting "day job." These days, with singles and solos from all over North America joining Gloria's trips, travel arranging has pretty much become her full-time vocation. Nowadays, she's looking for Travel Buddies worldwide. Here are the trips she has lined up for coming months:
Details: Travel Buddies Worldwide; www.travelbuddiessingles.com. Tel. 1-800-998-9099. Or, register for her regular e-mail news and updates.
Vancouver, BC. BikeHike Adventures specializes in small group, multi-sport, worldwide adventures. Company Director Trish Sares says "We are single-friendly, with no extra fees for solo travelers. We match single travelers of the same sex, and if we can't find a partner, individuals get their own room at no additional cost."
Three-quarters of BikeHike Adventures travelers join on their own. They come from all over the world anticipating an unforgettable, soul enriching and empowering active vacation using their own muscle-power. Mountain Biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and caving are just a few examples of the high adventure activities that await. Destinations include countries in North, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Trip levels are graded into four categories: easy, moderate, and challenging – something to suit everyone.
Here's a selection of upcoming trips:
Details: For the complete schedule of trips visit BikeHike Adventures. Tel. 1-888-805-0061 (toll free, Canada and US), 1-604-731-2442.
Looking for an exciting vacation, but don't want to go alone? Singles in Paradise are experts in vacations for active singles with a 21-year track record. As the owner of the California-based Athletic Singles Adventures, Ed Reder took his many years of singles travel expertise and opened up the already well-attended trips to non-members and calls this group Singles in Paradise. These trips are geared toward the under 60 crowd.
Each trip is escorted and offers adventurous excursions along the way to fully discover the beauty of each country. Some examples of recent destinations visited by Singles in Paradise include: New Zealand, Tahiti, Costa Rica, Belize, Panama, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Rio, and Maui.
Next up for Singles in Paradise:
Contact: Singles In Paradise. Tel. 1-800-954-5453, 1-808-662-1212.
New York, NY. "Give us a week, and we will give you back new friends, great adventure and a vacation you won't forget." That is a big aim, but Singles Travel Service is up to the task because Mark Braunstein, the company director, has established working relationships with travel agencies, dating networks, and singles event planners. By extending its reach in this way, Singles Travel Service brings together vacationers from sources far and wide.
Some Singles Travel Service cruises attract as many as 300 singles while other trips are more intimate and might have as few as 10 or 20 participants. It's all about providing numerous vacation choices and a relaxed, casual way to meet and make new friends, perhaps during group activities and parties, possibly while learning or progressing in a favorite sport, or maybe while enjoying quiet time at a beach resort.
"When you sign up for one of our vacations," says Braunstein, "you'll be in the company of singles from all over the country with similar hobbies and interests. The days of 'going it alone' are over."
Coming up on the Singles Travel Service agenda:
Details: Singles Travel Service. Tel. 1-212-752-2429.
Seven Wonders Solos is the single/solo arm of Seven Wonders Club and specializes in cruise and tour packages for single travelers over forty. Seven Wonders Solos provides unusual, customized itineraries for serious travelers who want to experience new destinations nicely blended with activity and relaxation and in the company of likeminded travelers. With Seven Wonders Solos you can expect:
Guaranteed share program: Same sex roommate matches if you are willing to share. If no match is found, you'll have a room to yourself, and Seven Wonders Solos will pick up the single supplement charge.
Small group size: Most packages are for smaller groups, enabling more flexibility within the group and reducing the likelihood of overwhelming a destination.
Escort: Every solo group is escorted by a Seven Wonders Club representative for a smooth travel experience.
40+ age group: There are no age restrictions, but the majority of your group mates will be in their forties, fifties, and sixties.
Community: Hosted private parties, activities and events are included with every package, so it's easy to mix, mingle and get acquainted with your new friends.
Upcoming expeditions:
Details: Seven Wonders Solos or Seven Wonders Club. Tel. 1-408-856-6130, 1-866-280-3995.
Crete, Greece. The Mistral is a travel company offering holidays in western Crete exclusively for the independent single traveller. There is no single supplement charged, and prices represent single room occupancy.
The Mistral is a family-owned and run hotel that provides a friendly, intimate atmosphere for single people – a perfect, children-free zone where single guests can meet, mix, and make new friends with like-minded people. There is no matchmaking touch to the holiday and no pressure to join the activities. Guests have the freedom to do their own thing, join others, or just relax.
A new deluxe wing has recently been added to the Mistral, and facilities include two swimming pools, a bar, and a restaurant serving homemade food. The beach is only 200 yards away. The weekly program of entertainment features wine tasting, Greek dancing night, cooking classes, and exclusive local trips. The Mistral also offers beauty treatments as well as a wide range of local trips and activities to choose from.
The hotel is open from April to October with some special interest weeks arranged in throughout the season.
Details: For more information and brochures visit the website www.singlesincrete.com, or contact the Mistral Hotel at Tel. +30-2821062062.
With over 20 years of experience in travel consulting, Singles Travel International (S.T.I.) has long been committed to providing worry-free travel that meets the unique needs of solo travelers. S.T.I. specializes in offering vacations packages such as cruises, tours, and holiday trips for singles looking to go on vacation with other singles. Every group is accompanied by at least one Singles Travel International escort who is available 24 hours a day to provide assistance or answer questions. Although a Singles Travel International vacation or trip is a terrific way to meet people, travelers can be as involved as they'd like in the tour activities, spending their time with the group, or relaxing and exploring on their own.
Singles Travel International guarantees solo travelers a roommate when requested, providing the traveler signs up and pays in full by the final payment date for each program. The following trip plans are in place for 2008:
Details: Singles Cruises by Singles Travel International. Tel. 1-877-765-6874 toll-free from the US and Canada, 1-815-836-9970.
The regularly updated Single-Friendly Travel Directory currently lists over 250 travel suppliers that have been found to be sensitive to the needs of people who travel alone. The Directory comes included with membership in Connecting: Solo Travel Network.
Details: Single-Friendly Travel Directory.
The travel-quest directory of singles holidays and singles vacations provides links to travel operators offering dedicated singles trips or those who specifically accommodate single people in their standard tours.
Details: travel-quest.co.uk.