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.
Looking for an exciting vacation but don't want to go alone? Singles in Paradise are experts in vacations for active singles with a 25-year track record. As the owner of the California-based Active Singles Adventures, Ed Reder took his many years of singles travel expertise and in 2000 opened up the already well-attended trips to non-members. He calls this group "Singles in Paradise." These trips are geared toward the under 65 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: Fiji, Thailand, New Zealand, Tahiti, Belize, Greece, Croatia, Vietnam, Galapagos, Kenya, Egypt, and Bali.
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. Here's what you may expect from Singles Travel Service, says Braunstein:
No need for single supplement fees: "We offer guaranteed roommate matching on all our tours," and any single who prefers a little more space may opt to upgrade."
Hosted exclusively for singles: "Our tours are always hosted by professionals knowledgeable in the adventure."
Variety and choice: "Even though we specialize in sports vacations, we also offer a large selection of international explorers, cultural tours, and fun cruises."
Coming up on the Singles Travel Service agenda:
Details: Singles Travel Service. Tel. 1-212-752-2429.
Vancouver, British Columbia. Len Macht's TGIF Travel Club has been providing trips for single travellers for over 20 years. From Mount Baker to China and from Vancouver Island to the Isles of Greece, the mission of the travel club is to give solo travellers the opportunity to share the fun, experience and expense (no single supplement) of exploring the world in small groups.
Upcoming trips for 2010/2011:
Details: TGIF Travel Club, c/o Charlie and Susan Pitchford, Travel Agents. Tel. 1-888-404-2617 (toll free, Canada and US), 1-604-438-1104; or E-mail: pitchford@telus.net.
Atlanta, GA. "Travel is the ultimate education and the world is our playground," says Suzy Davis, a former flight attendant and president of AFS. With 180 different countries stamped in her passport, she feels that "Every journey provides revelations vital to ones intellectual and spiritual growth, as well as opportunities to make friends along the way." And she is sure anyone who joins her will feel the same way.
Now entering their 19th year, Adventures For Singles continues to focus on personal service and upscale tours with affordable prices. Before each trip, time is spent on meticulous roommate matching; however, those who prefer the privacy of their own room can always inquire about the single supplement price. If a trip is unbalanced or if AFS is unable to match roommates, the company will cover this cost. Davis says, "Even in this tough economic climate we have a solid number of dedicated adventurers who refuse to give up their vacations."
Adventures for Singles expects 2010 to be its banner year with new destinations and unusual itineraries. Here is a partial list of trips to come:
Details: Adventures for Singles. Tel. 1-877-813-9421, 1-770-432-8225; E-mail Suzy@adventuresforsingles.com.
Meet Market Adventures is the most active singles sports, social, and travel company in North America. With offices in New York, Chicago, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Orlando, Meet Market Adventures provides an excellent avenue for busy single professionals to meet while enjoying a broad range of local events and vacations abroad. Over 100,000 single women and men have already found friendship and more through the activities, holidays, cruises, online dating, and chat opportunities offered by Meet Market Adventures.
Here is a sample of the many trips offered:
Details: Meet Market Adventures. Tel. 1-800-239-0542.
What would you rather do? See the world alone or enjoy the action in the company of fun loving singles with the same interests? Cruise, tour, hike, bike, shop, sightsee, make history, see history, immerse in different cultures, taste exotic cuisines, learn to dance, climb, zip-line, meet people from foreign places or your own back yard!
It’s all possible once you decide to take the first step. Thousands just like you are sitting in front of the computer thinking about it. Many have joined the community and are talking online, BUT, there is nothing better than meeting in person and taking in the spectacular sights with your own eyes.
NO RISK: Meet single travelers online with the easy to use community and select your own roommate. Or, Singles Travel will match you with a roommate when requested and make the introduction well before you depart, giving you plenty of time to get to know each other, as well as the other members of the group, before you go.
The following trip plans are in place for upcoming months:
Details: Singles Cruises by Singles Travel International. Tel. 1-877-765-6874 toll-free from the US and Canada, or 1-815-715-6998.
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 deluxe wing includes 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 throughout the season.
Details: For more information and brochures visit the website www.singlesincrete.com, or contact the Mistral Hotel at Tel. +30-2821062062.
Atlanta, GA. In 2010 All Singles Travel (Travel Services Worldwide) celebrates its 15th year of arranging holidays just for singles. Erik Kravitz, who coordinates all of the trips and leads many of them, reports that 2010 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.
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." In time, singles and solos from all over North America began joining Gloria's trips, and travel arranging pretty much became her full-time vocation. Nowadays, she looks worldwide for her Travel Buddies, and recently she welcomed an addition to her team – Gay Carter, who will assist in the office and act as hostess on some trips.
Also, Gloria has been working on fulfilling a long-held dream: a World Cruise that gives others a chance to share her dream, either in entirety or in part. Gloria's dream is about to come true in January 2111 – see dates below, along with other 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.
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:
Details: Seven Wonders Solos or Seven Wonders Club. Tel. 1-408-856-6130.
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.