The travel adventures of two togetherfriends members
I have just spent a very pleasant morning chatting to two togetherfriends members who have recently returned from a cruise, having met via the togetherfriends travel shout out. They told me about their experiences and the benefits of meeting a travel companion in this way.
Morraine and Lin met last September, in response to MorraineÂs travel shout out on the website. Morraine is an experienced traveller, having been to many parts of the world and she has experienced travel alone, as part of a group and with a companion. So she is well placed to offer her expertise on the different travel options.
Morraine and Lin, both single and in their 60s, live about 20 miles apart. They were not matched with each other on the website, but via the travel shout out were able to use togetherfriends as an intermediary and get in touch with each other.
They were both looking for the same thing a travel companion to share experiences with and to dine with on an evening.
Living relatively close to each other, they were able to meet up and get to know each other before committing to a holiday together, something that they strongly recommend before agreeing to a joint trip.
They chose a cruise around Dubai, offered by holiday company, Cruise Nation. They had a single room each, giving them their own space, but met up for excursions, cocktails and meals on the boat. Both women are independent, but welcomed the chance to share the adventures and to have a companion in the evenings to dine with.
The cruise began in Dubai, so they flew independently (booking with Expedia and Travelbag) to the city for a couple of days of sightseeing before beginning the voyage. They had an amazing time, enjoyed each other's company and never felt threatened or uncomfortable, as can happen when on your own.
Both Morraine and Lin have been on a variety of holidays. They have both independently been on group holidays in the past with organisations such as Saga, Solos Holidays, Just You and HF holidays, all of whom offer great trips for single people. They have loved these adventures and met some great people, but organised trips tend to be more expensive and not everyone wants a group holiday, so for some, an independent trip with one or two other people can be more appealing. Travelling alone as a single woman can also be difficult. Some women relish the adventure of 'doing their own thing', while others are concerned about safety when travelling alone and are looking for the enjoyment of a shared experience.
Morraine and Lin have now become firm friends and are already planning their next adventure together. In their words, 'The beauty of going on a cruise with a friend is you can do your own thing if you wish, but can meet up in the evenings for cocktails and dinner. There is always a companion there if you need it, and you never worry about having to sit on your own and feel uncomfortable'
They already have memories to share and with all their plans, will soon have a whole lot more.
In the words of Morraine and Lin, 'We enjoyed each other's company and would recommend using the travel shout out to meet a companion to travel with.' And if you want to find out more about the travel shout out or are looking for advice/ tips on travel as a single person, Morraine and Lin are happy to help!
Tips on finding a travel companion
- Meet a few times before the trip and get to know each other to make sure you are compatible.
- Talk about what you want out of a holiday to ensure you pick the right trip to suit you both.
- Agree a budget before you start.
- Agree who is doing what in preparation for the trip. You both need to be in agreement about what needs to be done and you don't want to duplicate work.
- Set the ground rules before you go on your trip. Would you both prefer to go on day trips together or do your own thing in the day and meet up in the evening? Setting the rules early prevents misunderstanding and disappointment.
- Talk to others on the trip as well as each other. You will learn a lot from the locals and if you sometimes hang out with others on the trip it will make it more enjoyable.
- Give each other some space on the trip. A twin room may save money but you may prefer the privacy of a single room.
- Go off and enjoy!
If you would like to find a travel companion, register with us today and 'shout out' on the togetherfriends website.
