The first-timer
'I've never been away on my own'
Dave Monk, 23, lives in Headcorn, Kent, and works as a furniture maker
The brief
'My dream holiday is to spend two or three months in South America. I'm hoping to save up and go sometime next year, by myself. I've never been away on my own before and I'm pretty nervous about going alone. I spent a few days by myself in Barcelona last summer to break up a tour of Spain with some mates. I enjoyed the freedom and met lots of new people and it was really fun. Apart from that, the only trips I've done without my family were with the Scouts when I was a teenager, to Holland, Ireland and Scotland, and I've never been anywhere as far away as South America. I want the guarantee that I'm going to meet people, but I don't want to be stuck with a group the whole time. I'd like to work my way up from the south, doing some hiking in the Andes and seeing Brazil. I'm currently single and wouldn't mind meeting a girl while travelling.'
The budget
£5,000-6,000.
The solution
Giampiero Ambrosi from VirtualTourist, with advice from VirtualTourist community members who are veteran South America travellers, says: 'Dave should start his trip with a two-week Spanish language course in Buenos Aires. The best time to visit is November to February, and from London he can get there for about £600. Starting with the language course would give him some basic knowledge of Spanish, a chance to get his feet wet in a safe environment, and the opportunity to meet friends and travel companions who are in the same boat. Additionally, many schools offer the opportunity to stay with a local family so that he can get to know the place much better than if he stayed in a hotel. He may also wish to check out The English Group of Buenos Aires (www.theenglishgroup.com.ar) a group of local young people who meet visiting foreigners for conversation and friendship, or Cicerones, a non-profit group of locals who act as informal ambassadors to Buenos Aires (www.cicerones.org.ar). We recommend that he stay in as many hostels as possible - a sure-fire way to find travel companions (and perhaps companions for 'other activities'). For convenience, he could buy an airpass that allows travel within several countries at discounted prices. From Buenos Aires he could go to Bariloche or San Martin, both of which have excellent hiking, then take a boat over to Chile to its lake district which is a sensational trip, then on to Santiago. From there, the Atacama desert and San Pedro de Atacama and on to Puno in Peru and Lake Titicaca. He can then catch the train 'over the roof of the world' from Puno to Cusco, then take the Lares trek (rather than the Inca trail) to Machu Picchu. Next, Brazil, staying at Iquitos (a jungle lodge), Brasilia, Salvador, Rio, the Iguacu Falls, then back to Buenos Aires to marvel at what an old South America hand he's become.'
Emma Sciesinska of Companions 2 Travel says: 'I can understand you feeling nervous, so why not start with a group then head off on your own once you have confidence? Gecko's (www.geckosadventures.com/) Grassroots Adventures Gran Aventura trip is a 47-day-long adventure which takes in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. A few of the highlights are Machu Picchu, the Iguacu Falls and the Inca Trail. It starts in Quito, where he can do an eight-day Spanish course, staying with a local family, and there is an option to add on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. The trip is £2,195, plus £270 for the Spanish course, £112 for a local flight and around £200 for a local payment. When he heads off alone, he could met people through our website.'
The active traveller
'I want a challenge, but with the safety of a group'
Jennifer Hartshorn, 57, lives in a cottage near Burnley, Lancashire and works as an administrator at a college
The brief
'I'm newly single after over 30 years of marriage and am successfully developing a new and independent life. I'm definitely not a grumpy old woman! Since my divorce I have been on two walking holidays, with Headwater in Andalucia and Waymark in the Auvergne, which were excellent. Now I'd like to go somewhere a bit more challenging and adventurous, perhaps Morocco, but I'd still like the safety and security of travelling in a group, preferably with people younger than myself. I'm interested in arts and culture, landscapes, interesting accommodation and good food and wine. I like exercise and I'm pretty fit and healthy for my 57 years and don't mind a bit of an adventure, as long as it's not too challenging. I'd like to go away for a week, out of term-time.'
The budget
£1,000
The solution
Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'We would recommend The Hill that Breathes (www.thehillthatbreathes.com) in Urbino, Italy, a stylish eco-friendly retreat in a renovated farmhouse in the mountains. It typically attracts younger clients or those young at heart. There are various themed weeks running throughout the year that include qigong, yoga and walking, and Jennifer could pamper herself with some massages. A day out in the local Renaissance town of Urbino will offer her a fix of arts and culture. The food is healthy and tasty and they bake their own bread. A week full-board with activities, flights and transfers starts at £700.'
Emma Sciesinska of Companions 2 Travel says: 'There's a walking trip next Easter with Wild Frontiers (www.wildfrontiers.co.uk) that combines everything Jennifer is looking for. She would travel with a mixed group of around 12 people, giving her the security she's looking for. The first night is spent in Marrakesh, a vibrant and exciting city, then she will be driven through the High Atlas Mountains to La Roseraie, a small boutique hotel, for the next five days. From here she can explore the region on foot, bike or horse, or can chill out by the pool or try a yoga or cookery lesson. On the last day she'll return to Marrakesh to visit architectural attractions such as the Saadian Tombs and the Koutoubia Minaret. From £995 full-board.'
Gill Harvey of Solo's Holidays says: 'Jennifer may enjoy Slovenia. It's close to home, but still not too touristy. Our exhilarating multi-activity week includes hiking, biking, canoeing, climbing and rafting. But our emphasis is on fun, making it ideal even for complete beginners. To really get the adrenaline pumping, optional excursions include canyoning, at Lake Bohinj National Park, and paragliding. We stay at Hotel Jelovica, Bled, which offers an excellent range of health and leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre so Jennifer can still enjoy her creature comforts. Group size will normally be around 20 people of a variety of ages and the week-long trip costs £749 including flights, departing 23 July.'
Suzy Cooper from Singulartravel.co.uk says: 'Friendship Travel (www.friendshiptravel.com) is offering a seven-night cruise on the Nile, with excursions to many ancient sites, such as the Valley of the Kings, where Jennifer can study the origins of so much western art and architecture. There will be time to relax on board and I'm sure she'll meet some kindred spirits. Around £875 in February or April, including flights.'
The free spirit
'I'm sick of group holidays'
Judith Linder, 37, lives in north London and is a lecturer at an adult education college, teaching English as a foreign language
The brief
'As a teacher, I get 10 weeks of holiday, but most of my friends have families, or don't have the time or the money to come with me. I've done several organised group holidays with companies such as Explore and Exodus to far-flung destinations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and Egypt. They are perfect for busy people because everything is arranged for you and you always meet interesting people, but I find them a bit regimented. I feel ready to do something more independent that allows me to pursue my own interests, go off to explore and do my own thing. I recently started Italian classes and I'm really interested in the language, the food and the culture. I'd be interested in doing a painting, cooking or language course but I want something that's suitable for people my age. I've also been on a couple of holistic-style holidays which I enjoyed. I'm attracted to remote and beautiful locations, but I worry about safety. In London I belong to a motorcycle club and I would consider some kind of bike touring holiday with like-minded people. I'm particularly keen to see the West Coast of America, Arizona and the Grand Canyon. I'm looking for ideas for next summer.'
The budget
£1,500
The solution
Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'Quality wellbeing holidays in America would be beyond her budget, but we have a great option on Kenya's south coast. Shaanti (www.shaantihhr.com) is an idyllic eight-room beachfront property beside azure water and white sands. You get assigned a "peace guide" to help you plan what to do each day. For Judith, we recommend one of the special weeks featuring workshops with a professional writer, poet, and artist. There are daily yoga classes, cooking demonstrations, fabulous treatments and baths sunken into the coral where you can sip champagne and gaze at the stars. So that she doesn't miss her motorbike too much, she can ride a quad bike along the beach. A week full-board, including treatments, flights and transfers costs from £1,400.'
Emma Sciesinska of Companions 2 Travel says: 'Bike touring is a great way to see America. HC Travel (www.hctravel.com) specialises in motorcycle tours, including bike rental. It offers self-guided tours so you can be independent, but if you're looking for like-minded people to share your experience then a guided tour would be ideal. Finding a tour within your budget during school holidays is tricky, but possible if you are willing to travel as a pillion passenger. The eight-day Wild West tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, through California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada, via the Grand Canyon and Death Valley costs £595 in July and August instead of £1,645 if you are riding. The rest of your budget could go on flights.'
Gill Harvey of Solo's Holidays says: 'While it's still a group holiday, Judith could indulge her love of Italian culture on our Music, Festivals and Painting Holiday, which includes three hours of painting each morning and trips to art exhibitions, 'The festival of the Piazette' which features live music and events, and the Puccini festival with an optional performance of La Boheme. The rest of the time is free. We stay in the medieval walled city of Barga in the mountainous north-west corner of Tuscany. A week costs £965 in July, excluding flights.'
Suzy Cooper of Singulartravel.co.uk says: 'Holidayonthemenu.com has a six-night cookery course in Vietnam in the heritage town of Hoi An. It boasts wonderful markets, handicraft shops and restaurants, and is close to tropical beaches. There are three hands-on cookery lessons, each focusing on different areas of Vietnam, plus trips to the markets and restaurants and there is plenty of free time. She would stay in the Life Resort on the riverfront in the French colonial quarter. She could go at Easter to catch the best local weather. It costs £898, based on sole occupancy, excluding flights.'
The adventure seeker
'I'd like to meet an adventurous woman in my month off'
Nick Bishop, 41, lives in Bakewell, Derbyshire and recently packed in his job as an aerospace engineer to follow his dream and retrain as a doctor
The brief
'Next June I get a month off before my final year of studying, and want to spend it having fun. I've had a few girlfriends since my divorce five years ago, but I'm currently single. I spend most weekends sailing and have been on lots of sailing holidays with family and friends to the Caribbean and delivering yachts to the Baltic and Greece. I've done a few beach club activity holidays with Sunsail, travelling alone, which I enjoy because you meet people and always have something to talk about. My philosophy is "Life's too short to sail with boys", and although I've met some nice girls through sailing, I haven't found the right person yet. I'm definitely open to meeting someone adventurous on holiday who could lead me astray. Apart from sailing, I like having a nice meal and a few drinks in the evening. I have a motorbike which I'd happily spend my holiday riding. I'd like to do something linked to medicine or my interest in engineering. I'd be willing to splurge if the trip was worth it.'
The budget
£500-£2,000
The solution
Emma Sciesinska of Companions 2 Travel says: 'I suggest Nick become a Mad Medic for four weeks. Madventurer (www.madventurer.com) is currently running a project in Jinja, Uganda, where he will gain valuable experience while making a real difference to the lives of people who need his skills. He would assist nurses and medics in the local clinic and could also help the Mad Builders with their community development projects, so he could put his engineering skills to use too. Just 10km away there's kayaking, rafting down the Nile and quad biking. Approximately £880 for four weeks, excluding flights.'
Stella Photi of Wellbeing Escapes says: 'Kamalaya on Koh Samui in Thailand would tick many of Nick's boxes. It's situated on the southern tip so you're not surrounded by McDonald's , but not so far away from the bars. The resort has 60 villas, bungalows and hillside rooms and is very chic and luxurious. There is a daily activity schedule that includes tai chi on the beach, hikes and fitness training and we can organise sailing trips. He would meet guests then, and at the restaurant's "sharing table" in the evenings. Nick might be interested in talking to Kamalaya's founding partner, who is a qualified traditional Chinese medicine doctor and an expert in complementary medicine. A week including treatments, meals and activities, starts at £1,200.'
Suzy Cooper from Singular travel.co.uk says: 'The Belle Mare Plage hotel in Mauritius is on one of the best beaches on the island. Nick would not only be sailing and diving in glorious waters, but his chances of meeting an adventurous girl are possibly doubled by the fitness, spa and beauty facilities attached to the hotel. This scenic island begs to be explored, and vehicle hire is easy and cheap, so Nick would also be able to indulge his love of hitting the open road. We have a seven-night, half-board deal, including flights, for £1,335.'
Our panel of experts
Giampiero Ambrosi is the general manager of VirtualTourist (www.virtualtourist.com) with an online community of travellers who exchange advice and information. It has 800,000 registered members in 220 countries, some of whom have provided the advice offered here.
Emma Sciesinska is the travel partner manager of Companions 2 Travel (www.companions2travel.co.uk), a community of 12,000 members where people can find travelling companions and holidays. It also holds conventions and adventure weekends. Membership costs £5.
Stella Photi is the co-founder of tour operator Wellbeing Escapes (0845 602 6202; www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk).
Gill Harvey is managing director of the tour operator Solo's Holidays (0870 072 0700; www.solosholidays.co.uk), which specialises in group holidays for single people.
Suzy Cooper is the founder of Singular Travel (0870 850 7665; www.singulartravel.co.uk), a new website that offers holidays for single travellers with various tour operators with the aim of getting them a better deal.
· The experts spoke to Gemma Bowes
