Being a single traveller is difficult Lucy but you are strong and you will manage.

Sometimes this extra which you pay gives you a double room all to your self

but more often it is a noisy cubby- hole next to the lift.

I found more difficult sitting alone at the  dining table and being served 7.5 dl. bottle of wine.

Choose your destination carefully.

Who is someone posh?

NZ sounds lovely, but at the moment I don't want to be too far away from my family.  Not that they need me;  I think it's a case of me not wanting to be away from them.  Although having cooked a Christmas dinner for them today, I am now exhausted and the kitchen's a tip.  So much for me pre-planning and pre-cooking as much as possible.   I will certainly have to have a re-think on that in the future.

About those Singles Holidays, Mags.  I have had a look at them, but a lot of them seem to be singles looking for relationships, and I worry that even going on a Singles Holiday which doesn't mention relationships, that there will be those who are there purely for that reason.  That's why I've been looking at just 'normal' holidays.  As you say, there is the weather to consider and despite offering every pampering session known to man (or woman in this case) I just want to get out into some sunshine and walk, and walk, and walk.

Several people have mentioned exactly as Doreen describes.  Despite paying over the odds, singles are often fitted into a 'broom cupboard' in the corner, or given the noisiest and 'unlettable' room in the place.

Sharing with a stranger???  Do they specify which gender, as it might make for an interesting night.

The Hotel Industry is suffering because of the credit crunch and many of them here in the UK are half-empty a lot of the time.  If it was this country I was travelling in, then I would not make a booking – just turn up and inspect the room first.  Unfortunately, if travelling abroad I do rely on the 'package' holiday which means that you've paid up front for the flight/hotel accommodation.  They've got us then haven't they?  I could have a screaming hissy fit in the front lobby I suppose if things weren't to my liking, but I could end up with even more spartan accommodation in the local police station.

There is a way round it of course.  I could change my name by deed poll to 'Lady' or 'Princess' (a la Michael Jackson's offspring).  I'll bet they wouldn't shove me in a cupboard then.  The Hon Hazel has a good ring to it?

I like the sound of Rt. Hon. Hazel.  

I have been thinking of booking a cruise on the Murray River in March/April.  The Captain Cook Cruise Company have 7 day cruises on a paddle steamer leaving from Mannum in South Australia with the cruise including tours of the Barossa Valley Vineyards, aboriginal rock paintings and carvings, wildlife boat tours, wool shed Sound and Light show and a tour of an historic settlement.  The paddle steamer also has its own speedboat if you like speed.

The downside of the cruise is that if you are sharing a cabin then the cost is $1856 for an outside cabin or $1439 for an inside cabin.  If you are by yourself then the cost is $2321 outside and $1781 inside.  (Exchange rate is approx. 55 p to the Aust. $).

I tried to  drag a direct link to the website on here but it wouldn't accept it so you will have to type in http://www.captaincook.com.au and follow the link to Murray River Cruises to see what the cruise is all about.