Oh tops, it's very easy to let the preparations for a holiday turn into stress and make you wish you weren't going! I think I have a moment of this every time I prepare to go away ..... today it's been BA with all their online forms and extra hassle with paying by credit card and the bank wanting several codes to check you are who you say you are!!!

Try to accept that this is NORMAL and that you probably won't sleep for very long tonight or have a good quality of sleep. That's to do with the adrenalin - a fight or flight hormone that your body produces regardless of the quantity or suitability to the given situation, and which you can't control very accurately except for making deliberate efforts to breathe slowly and evenly and make special efforts to relax yourself.

Once you get to the airport you will go into automatic mode as the airline industry guides you on a well-worn path.

If you've forgotten anything, Faliraki is NOT the ends of the earth. There are shops and ATMs and banks. There are plenty of English speakers and local hospitals and docs also speak English.

I haven't been to Faliraki personally but know that Greeks often do things more slowly and differently than we do in Northern Europe. Just try to accept that things may not go as you are used to having them and remember that's a benefit of being ON HOLIDAY.

I hope you DO decide to go, and will tell us when you get back how you found things! I am sure that other members who know the area will be able to help you, but if not, why not start by looking up Faliraki on Trip Advisor.

Good luck and enjoy yourself.

Need some time away from UK life

--so please don't cancel. I haven't been to Rhodes ( yet), but have been to many other Greek Islands. The people are just sooo! friendly, and just take life as it comes. Take a couple of days yo find your way around and ease yourself in. I'm sure when you get home, you will be so glad you went. It's your holiday & you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If I had to holiday alone the Greek Islands would be one of the first places I'd opt for - remember Shirley Valentine. Relax and enjoy

I have replied in the Rhodes forum

yasus
wizard

Tops, I have travelled alone a few times.

Last year I went to Paphos alone, I couldn't find anyone to go with as all hols had been used up and I was in desperate need of a break in October. I rented a private apartment on a lovely complex and headed out there for a week.

I had a good time, I rented a moped and shot around all over on my own. I quickly made friends with the couple in the apartment next door who lived there, I got to know all the local bar owners and nobody hardly gave me a second glance after day 2 once the novelty factor had worn off I had a very relaxing time, I ate out alone in the evening or ate as soon as I came off the beach when it was less busy and then stayed in and watched some DVD's or read my many books.

I would definitly do it again.....once you get over the initial unease you'll have a great relaxing time with nobody to please but yourself

Have a fab holiday

My mums friend always goes on her own. She heads out to Mauritius next week for a fortnight and was away to Maldives last year. And she always has a fab time.

Have a fab hol.

I haven't been to Faliraki personally but know that Greeks often do things more slowly and differently than we do in Northern Europe.

..and let's face it...ANYONE who knows anything about Faliraki would know there's going to be PLENTY of nightlife plus Brits! ..and I VERY much doubt it will be done 'slowly'!

Fair point, but I was not referring to bars, or nightclubs where the British tend to congregate because that aspect of life was not mentioned by the initial poster.

The 'real' Greece has a totally different way of life partly because of the climate and because of its religious traditions. The aspects you mention have been 'imported' by and for holidaymakers and I know that resorts like Faliraki are full of life after dark.

However, shopping and business hours outside tourist resorts can seem less efficient to those people in the UK who are used to 24 hour shopping and online rapidity, and public transport can be somewhat erratic in comparison with city or big town life.

I hope that the OP is having a wonderful holiday and is enjoying the difference in the way of life there compared to the UK life she is hoping to have some time away from. It will be interesting to discover how she found it if she posts on her return.

Fair point, but I was not referring to bars, or nightclubs where the British tend to congregate because that aspect of life was not mentioned by the initial poster.

The 'real' Greece has a totally different way of life partly because of the climate and because of its religious traditions. The aspects you mention have been 'imported' by and for holidaymakers and I know that resorts like Faliraki are full of life after dark.

However, shopping and business hours outside tourist resorts can seem less efficient to those people in the UK who are used to 24 hour shopping and online rapidity, and public transport can be somewhat erratic in comparison with city or big town life.

For a start, if you want the 'real Greece' you DON'T go to Faliraki. Full stop. I've passed through this AREA ..not just Faliraki where it has now overspilled..a number of times. Agreed, there MIGHT be a 'slot' during the day when it IS quiet - when MOST people are sleeping it off for an hour or two (thats all) before they 'start' again! I've travelled through there at 5-6 in the morning and it is still buzzing with holidaymakers. You can get ANYTHING ..ANYTIME of the day or night there. However, as the OP is in his mid 20's I'm positive he WILL have a wonderful time, knows how to enjoy himself and will quickly meet up with like minded people - not a rarity in Faliraki as that's why they go there in the first place but unless he taxis out of the area - he won't be seeing the 'real Greece'. IMO of course - having been there!

I dont actually think thats what the poor poster was after - two members having a spat over what is real greece do you?

Have a great time tops3y, I think it will be a good place for travelling on your own

Well anyway the OP left our shores today so we will have to wait until they get back to see how they got on, thats if they come back on and tell us how everything went.

To be fair Nikkihols, the original poster was also asking if we thought it was the RIGHT hoilday destination for him to travel to.

I was pointing out that it is NOT like Alsacienne was saying it would be like at this resort Far better that he is PREPARED for the type of holiday it will be rather than give him a false sense of security surely?

Faliraki is only a bus ride from either culture, solitude or debauchery. It's up to the OP.

I'm up for it!

Anyone else?

Don't cancel, it's just last minute nerves I have holidayed on my own many times and still get last minute nerves, mainly until I get there and see that the hotel is fine and the pool is great etc, Just do as you would in this country, stay sensible and safe, don't go down dark streets alone and if very late at night get a taxi - just like you would in the UK probably.

Have a great time.

Faliraki is only a bus ride from either culture, solitude or debauchery. It's up to the OP.

I'm up for it!

Anyone else?

Parky so which of those suggestions are you up for??

At my age luv, ANY!
Faliraki is a great place as far as location goes, and handy for anywhere on the island.
Debauchery can be found on the beach, near the slingshot.
Solitude can be found round the corner on the nuddy beach or down near Prassonisi or over on one of the secluded bays on Symi.
Culture -

that can be found wherever I am!

Parky you are a cheeky boy