Best Vacations for Single Women

As a single woman, your idea of a vacation may differ considerably from that of your friends who are coupled. Can you feel comfortable taking a vacation by yourself? I was never able to do it myself, unless I was on my way to visit family. I dreamed about it, but just didn't feel comfortable planning anything more than a staycation on the beach where I lived.

Guided Tour

If being totally alone while vacationing isn't something you'd be interested in doing, either, consider a guided tour. Guided tours are a great way to travel comfortably and securely while getting to meet new people.

Guided tours simply mean that someone organizes a tour for a specific type of group. There are guided tours for seniors, couples and for singles. Guided tours for singles are specifically meant to show the participants a good time in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere.

Finding Singles Guided Tours

Travel agent - You may want to use a tarvel agent. Many groups being put together for singles use the services of travel agents for simplicity. You'll find everything from historical trips to art experiences to simply visiting a new city. The group starts out together and follows an itinerary for the entire trip.

Church groups - Churches often arrange religious tours for various interest groups in their congregation. They can be overseas trips to the Holy Land, Europe or any number of interesting destinations. Everyone travels together for the whole tour so no one needs to feel alone.

Outside agencies - Some dating services organize singles tours so that those who are looking for a companion might possibly make a connection on their vacation. Not only do you sightsee but also different activities are set up for people to mingle and get to know each other.

Size of the Group Matters

The size of the group can range from ten or twenty people to a hundred. It all depends on the destination and the interest.

If you are looking for an intimate group then choose activities that limit the number of participants. One thing about traveling with a smaller group is that you are more likely to get to know some of the people you are with and make new friends.

Things To Remember

Plan on staying with your group. This is especially important in foreign countries where you might not speak the language. Things can get dangerous fast if you are alone in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Relax. You are on this trip to have fun. Pack as lightly as you can, especially if it is a bus tour or a tour that involves a lot of stopping and changing hotels. Think minimal wardrobe that you can re-wear many times. In fact, a small mix-and-match wardrobe using two or three colors where everything can go together and doesn't wrinkle easily will make the "what to wear" decision much easier!

Bring along a friend or two. If you have a group of single friends, plan your vacations together so you can share the fun. Expanding your circle of friends will come naturally when everyone on the group gets together to talk about what they've seen and done.

If you are single and looking for a new way to spend your vacation time, consider a guided tour that caters to singles. Take your vacation with your own circle of single friends, or branch out all by yourself and make new friends.

Speaking of finding groups or guided tours, if you are an athletic single person who wants to enjoy the great outdoors with other like-minded people, you might enjoy taking an adventure vacation.

Adventure vacations are for active people who want to spend some time outdoors. The excursions are usually challenging to the body and the soul. You'll meet people with similar interests and have a great time putting your strength and your wits to the test.

Types of Adventure Vacations

River rafting - Careening down a raging river is not for the faint of heart. It would never appeal to me, but if you like to river raft or want to learn, join an adventure vacation down the Colorado River or other white water destination.

Rock climbing - If you've had your fill of the rock wall and want to try your skill outdoors, there are climbing excursions which will have you scaling rugged terrain with other singles. Check with the group arranging the vacation to see if they accept beginners and what gear is required.

Safari trips - Discover Africa by taking a safari trip. See wild animals you have only viewed on television or in magazines. Maybe you will ride elephants across the plains and visit wildlife preserves. But you can find wildlife adventure in the United States, too! You can try Alaska's national parks or head for Yosemite to see nature up close and personal.

Dude Ranch - Dude ranches are usually working ranches that allow others to experience what they do. You'll learn to ride a horse, rope cattle and perform other activities that take place on a ranch.

Adventure vacations can take place over a long weekend or become a week-long adventure. You're almost guaranteed to meet other adventurous singles!

Have you ever wanted to take a cruise on your very own "love boat" but didn't want to be there alone? Well, you don't have to go it alone on a singles cruise. There are many singles cruises where you'll enjoy the company of other people who are unattached.

There are cruises now for every group - seniors, young people, married couples and singles. Cruise ships are catering to people from all walks of life with their cruise packages, destinations and amenities on board.

Destinations for Singles

You can go just about anywhere on a cruise ship. Maybe you dream of going to Alaska to watch the whales. Or maybe your dream is to see Hawaii and enjoy the local cuisine and even get in a little surfing. All of this becomes available when you book a cruise.

Finding a Singles Cruise that's Right for You

A singles cruise is not just a boat filled with unattached people. When a cruise ship plays host to a singles tour, normally a percentage of the boat is reserved for singles, including the cabins, meeting rooms, and entertainment areas. The group sponsoring the trip plans an itinerary that makes a singles cruise more than just milling around hoping to meet someone.

Activities often include on-board mixers, group activities, dancing, and sometimes even guest speakers. If the purpose of the cruise is to be a kind of matchmaker, then they are likely to schedule activities that help the singles begin to get to know each other.

The beach is a great place to hang out in the summertime even if you're single. Single vacationers love the beach for lots of reasons. The important thing is to find the best place to go.

Hotels or Resorts

Where you stay is almost as important as what you do. There are many hotel chains on beaches all over the world. A hotel is a good idea if you want a quick, simple solution to a little getaway destination. If you are familiar with the area where you are vacationing, you will no doubt be familiar with the hotel chain.

If you're vacationing alone you may be able to lower the cost of the room by getting the smallest room available. If you plan on spending most of your time on the sand anyway, you are just looking for a place to accommodate your basic needs. There may be happy hours in the hotel bar that will cut the cost even further as well as give the single person a place to mingle with other singles.

You also can choose a resort that is primarily rented by singles. If you choose a "singles resort" you increase your social agenda with beach parties, dances, music, and other activities, planned and unplanned.

Something to Remember

You are not the only ones who love the beach. If you want to have a beach vacation alone or with a group of single friends, avoid the family beach areas. These family resorts will have a lot of kids in the middle of summer when they are out of school. If you are vacationing at a resort that is not singles only, choose the school year to vacation.

A singles beach vacation doesn't necessarily mean you have to be alone. Decide what kind of vacation you want to have and plan accordingly. If you want a vacation that is guaranteed to put you infront of other singles, you can have it.

Everyone wants to be pampered, but singles often forget to take care of themselves because no one is around to remind them. What would be better for a single than to have some special pampering? You can have that if you decide to take a spa vacation.

Spa vacations are not only good for the mind but the body as well. Some fitness spas offer guest activities like morning runs, fitness activities, horseback riding, hiking and the like to invigorate the body. Instead of the more heavy-duty sweating, you might instead want to participate in classes: Yoga, t'ai chi, stretching, meditation, listening to new age music and more appeals to many young singles.

A spa vacation will offer some, if not all of these kinds of services:

~Facials
~Body wraps
~Mud baths
~Hot stone massage
~Aromatherapy
~Steam room
~Sauna
~Skin treatments

After all of that luscious pampering, you can enjoy healthy cuisine. Some spas even offer cooking or nutrition classes and counseling to help you to choose the right foods and exercise for your body.

Finding your Spa Vacation

There are spa resorts all over the world. Spa Finder is just one of many resources available. You can use websites like Spa Finder to locate a spa in your area or elsewhere abroad. Most of the information is online, but you'll want to call to get more intimate details. If you are choosing a singles spa in particular, be sure you know what programs the spa offers and ask about the itinerary.

If you are interested in being pampered, you may want to choose a resort spa. Decide which type of spa vacation suits your budget and offers the services that appeal to you and head for the pampering of your life!