Ferry bar & lounge area--good to socialize
Hang out in cafes
In many ways Croatia is an easy country in which to travel solo as the people are friendly and outgoing. Plus, Croatia is a relatively safe country.
One way to travel solo is to take a group tour. You'll always have someone to share your experiences with, but ugh! That expensive single supplement! JustYou, a London-based company offers a full menu of tours for singles where you have your own room and no single supplement.
Busaboutis another company catering to young singles. Take a look at their fabulous sailing trips.
Still committed to independent travel? Here are my tips for men and women travelling solo in Croatia:
Avoid large resorts and boutique hotels
Sprawling resorts with pools, activities and kiddie centres
tend to attract families who come either individually or on package
tours. While welcome, solo travellers will be conspicuous. Small,
arty boutique hotels probably will not have single rooms and tend
to be the preferred choice of couples--especially honeymooners.
It's not your scene.
Choose small pensions or dormitory-style sleeping arrangements
Hostelling is not for everybody--that's for sure--but the
convivial atmosphere can't be beat. You'll always have someone to
talk to! Otherwise, there's private
accommodation, a popular option in Croatia. Very, very little
private accommodation includes single rooms however so get ready
for the dreaded single supplement. In any event, try to stay in
accommodation that closely resembles small pensions with a number
of rooms so you can meet your neighbours. Avoid apartments as they
are too isolating.
Stay in the town centre
It leaves you open to serendipitous encounters in cafes,
bars and restaurants and makes it easy to hang around town rather
than hole up in your room.
Choose casual restaurants
Dining alone in a restaurant can be a daunting experience
if you're not used to it. But practice makes perfect. You'll get
more comfortable as you do more of it. If you really must sample
fine dining, do it at lunch when the crowd is likely to include
more solo diners. Your best bet for dinner is a casual convivial
place like a bar or cafe. Look for a young crowd. Oh, and no bringing
sandwiches back to your room!
Keep writing materials handy
Do NOT stick your nose in a book when you sit down at a
restaurant or cafe; it walls you off from the crowd. Instead, catch
up on your postcards or scribble in a travel journal. You might
even be identified as a writer/critic who merits a free drink! (It's happened to me).
Take public transport
Cars are convenient but the only person you're likely to
meet is the nice police officer who stops you for speeding. It's
easy to get around Croatia by bus
and ferry and much, much more sociable, not to mention cheaper.
Croatia is a great place for active travellers. You can take up diving, kayaking, hiking, cycling or other activities. Rather than going it alone though, join up with a small group tour. You'll get fresh air, plenty of company and may learn a new skill.
Take organised day trips
Nearly all Croatian destinations offer an array of day
trips from fish picnics to island tours. No, it's not a good way
to meet locals but it's a very good way to meet other travellers.
See all Croatia excursions.
Pay attention to safety
No one will be keeping an eye on your baggage while you
fumble with tickets so you need to keep your wits about you. Also,
if you get cleaned out, there's no travel partner with cash to tide
you over. Make sure that you have at least two credit cards and
keep them separately (one on your person and one in your room for
example). Do the same with some cash and travellers checks. See
more about money in Croatia. And, guys, watch
out for "gentlemen's clubs". You should know the score
by now: A beautiful lady cozies up for a drink and an interesting
proposition. Later, she drifts off and you are presented with a
bar bill that dwarfs your mortgage. You were warned. Ladies
may be subject to ogling and suggestive remarks by passersby
but usually not much more. Ignoring the pesterer or shouting a firm
"no" will usually do the trick.
Join the Croatia Traveller Group
©CroatiaTraveller 2005-2024 All rights reserved