Welcome to the forums Mantraman

It is good to hear that you have found your trips to Tunisia pleasant and indeed both the culture and people are very pleasant and easy going.

Although ones own company is often all that is required it is nice to have a bit of like minded companionship for a period should you so wish it, I am sure you will have noticed that apart from the peak periods when it is families and a younger clientele it is generally a slightly more mature traveler going as couples that you will find in Tunisia.

PEK is a very laid back resort that you can certainly relax in but again finding like minded single travelers might prove more elusive.

importantly, my solo status is not predatory in any way at all

Not being offensive in anyway it is just that a single traveler is often mistakenly viewed in a slightly different way to couples which makes it a bit harder to meet like minded people especially as couples often tend to stick to a small group with other couples.
I wonder what the best option is, a small and friendly hotel where guests get to know each other or a bigger hotel where guests are encouraged to enter in to activities of some kind and getting to meet and interact that way?

This website which is run for and by expats in Tunisia has a discussion forum and perhaps somebody on there can guide you in the right direction? there must be some resorts / hotels that are more suited to the single traveler than others http://www.nomarmiteintunisia.co.uk/apps/forums/

Can anybody recommend a hotel or resort or give other advice for Mantraman?

Hello Kiltman

What you say isn't at all offensive. Thanks a lot for your thoughtful reply and the link you included.

I guess the un-asked question that many a singleton recognises when reception-staffs' smiles glaze over is "Why aren't you with someone ?" Many holiday makers' expressions equally register the same worry about your respectability as you pass by their tables or among them, looking for a seat. Guess it's human nature, and guess it's world-wide.

I'm sure you're right that there must be hotels here and there in Tunisia that welcome single visitors, and I guess there are many solo travellers, men and women, who'd head to them if they knew how.

It would be good to hear from anyone else who's interested in this subject, and if ever I come across the sort of place I have in mind I'll tell you first, so that you can pass it along.

Kind regards. Mantraman

I know of one single traveller who goes regularly and could possibly help out and be a great source of info but she is off again to Tunisia
She will be back soon so watch this space.

Solos holidays use the Kanta in PEK, so you could try there. Even if you don't want to book through them as a singles travel company (and you'll probably get a better price if you don't) you could check to see when they'll be staying there. That way you can be sure there'll be other singles in the hotel. Even if you don't coincide your stay the hotel will be used to single travellers.

I've not travelled to Tunisia with Solos before, but on one occasion the travel company I used, used the same transfer company for the 2 hour(ish) trip from Tunis airport to PEK, and I found the Solos group to be more than happy to involve me in their conversations even though I wasn't part of their group. I'm sure this would have been the same had I been staying in the same hotel as them.

To Sunstruck -

Thank you very much for your suggestion about the Kanta in Pek. I'm just going to look for them online to see what I can find out. Kiltman also suggested Pek as a likely place for singles, and you have confirmed his bet.

First-hand experience passed on by other travellers such as yourself is very encouraging and I'm really obliged for your helpfulness.

Mantraman

I know of one single traveller who goes regularly and could possibly help out and be a great source of info but she is off again to Tunisia

She will be back soon so watch this space.

You called Graham? Yes, I have been going out to Tunisia, usually twice a year, for over ten years now and have never had problems as a single traveller. I normally stay in Sousse and book flights and hotels independently rather than through a TO and have never considered booking with a company which specialises in single holidays. I like to mix with people of all ages and nationalities and have made many friends over the years, some of whom I'm still in touch with. I find that other guests are very friendly and more than happy to include you in their group in the evening, and they sometimes suggest you join them for trips during the day but, and it's a big but, you are not obliged to do so, as you would feel you were if you travelled with a friend. I also make it a point never to 'attach' myself to people - couples go on holiday to enjoy each other's company and don't want someone else tagging along all the time and other singles may be fine or may be a pain in the a***! My last two holidays have been at the Marhaba Royal Salem in Sousse which have been excellent. I do think the slightly larger hotels are best as there are bound to be plenty of other guests, some of whom you will undoubtedly 'click' with.

I confess I have never felt uncomfortable in a hotel on my own, large or small. These days I think most people realise that there are plenty of people who, for a variety of reasons, travel alone, and there is no reason for us to feel uncomfortable or like a spare part, if we are in this category.

To Aslemma

No; I'm not Graham. Thanks for your advice to Mantraman regarding singles in Tunisia, posted on 13th May. I'm glad you've always been comfortable during your many singleton trips in Tunisia. Perhaps it's a matter of personality that enables you to fit in so readily, and perhaps being a woman is an advantage. As you suggest, "we're all in the same boat", but we're separate individuals, aren't we now ? Still; I'm sure your little homily was meant to be kind. Shukrun Honey. Mantraman.

No; I'm not Graham.

But I think you'll find that Kiltman is

I'm sorry if you thought Aslemma was being patronising - as I'm sure that she will be when she reads your post. I wouldn't have thought that she intended to give you a homily but was simply speaking about her own experiences as a lone traveller in Tunisia. It is some years since I've visited Tunisia but my own experiences of visiting on my own were very similar to hers. I never felt uncomfortable either in the hotels or whilst out and about and unlike yourself did come across others travelling on their own too. As a consequence, it never occurred to me - as I'm sure it probably hasn't to Aslemma either - nor have I felt the need to consciously seek out a hotel where there would be other others on their own too. But then I am also a woman and perhaps lone men are perceived differently - I can't comment on that. Or perhaps Alsemma and I in our innocence have not really understood what you were asking about - or haven't been looking for the sort of holiday that you are?

SM

Hello SM !

Neat re-joinder. Wrist well and truly slapped. My post of 23rd March still clearly explains my enquiry. Now let's drop it. Mantraman.

Mantraman wrote:

Hello SM !

Neat re-joinder. Wrist well and truly slapped. My post of 23rd March still clearly explains my enquiry. Now let's drop it. Mantraman.

OK, keep it friendly. There is no need for that tone, especially from a new member.

You only need to look at previous posts to see that members here are more than willing to help with information and advice. However you will find that a pleasant tone will get you far more advice and help than an aggressive tone.

luci

I have been away in Denmark for the past few days and only got back in the early hours this morning so have only just seen this. Indeed I certainly had no intention of being patronising and am sorry if Mantraman saw it that way. I hope he finds the holiday he wants and I will still continue to answer any queries on here to the best of my ability.

Hi

I am thinking of going away by myself at the end of August for 1 week (to see if I like it).

Can anyone advise of there are any hotels to avoid as a single traveller. I know Aslemma stays in the Marhaba's which are obviously good for the single traveller.

Not sure how I will get on as I am not very good at initiating conversation as I am quite shy.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Paula x

Hi again Paula, Having checked your previous posts it seems you are not a stranger to Tunisia so it is only the idea of going solo which you find a little disconcerting. I also see that the Tej Marhaba has been recommended to you and I would think this a good choice, particularly as it has good facilities and is within reasonable walking distance of the Medina and Sousse centre. If you want to be nearer the beach, any of the Marhaba hotels would probably suit, though the Salem and Royal Salem are a little further out. I would probably not recommend the Sousse Palace or the Kaiser, both for different reasons, though I have spent good holidays in both. The larger hotels are perhaps better as you get a good mix of people, most of whom are friendly. The El Hana complex is very well situated though I haven't stayed at those recently. Check up the reviews for all these hotels as standards change over the years

Hi Aslemma

You are correct I am now been to Tunisia twice and yes it is the thought of going alone that is my concern.

I will look up the hotels that you have recommended. I also have to try and persuade my son that I will be ok going on my own as he is adamant that I am not going alone (he is 17 - bless him). The reason for this is because we went about 2 years ago to the Abou Sofiane there was a lady there on her own and he said she looked like a loner.

Thank you for your continued help - keep up the good work

First of all tell your son that traveling alone does not make you look like a loner, but like someone who is strong and confident and quite capable of taking care of herself (or himself for that matter). If you think you may feel uncomfortable sitting on your own in the hotel lounge a book can be a useful accessory - you can always put it down if people want to talk. Speaking of which, keep your ears open for English speakers and when you find a spare seat near them simply ask if you can join them. You will usually find yourself drawn into their conversation and after the first night you will have built up quite a few friendly acquaintances. Soon you will find people calling "Over here, we've saved you a seat".

Hi Paula, I've had a number of great holidays on my own in Tunisia, but it is a little while since I've been back so don't feel able to make any hotel recommendations to you. However, I would endorse every one of Aslemma's comments. I never found it a problem making acquaintances and I think that you might be agreeably surprised about just how many people do go on holiday by themselves of all ages.

It's nice that he's concerned but do tell your son that the best thing about going on your own is that you can entirely please yourself as to what you do and when you do it and that you are looking forward to being a little bit selfish Seriously, the trouble with being 17 is that it's so hard to imagine how anybody can possibly have a good time without their mates to share it with. It might even be worth thinking about going to one of the hotels that offers spa treatments and then you can present this a pampering treat just for you! In my experience, the treatments are usually much more reasonably priced than they are here and what's more, there's also a good chance that you'll meet up with other women there for exactly the same reason.

SM

Thank you both for some very reassuring comments. As a friend said you wont know until you try it.