Ever had a holiday with friend/s which ended in a row?
A work friend and I decided to go to Paris. When I warned her I would be going off on my own some (her first trip to Paris) Workfriend proposed bringing another friend, who also wanted to bring a friend. All good, two couples and two rooms booked. Well as the only one who spoke French and having visited the city multiple times I found myself doing all the translating, organizing and so on. The three of them followed me around like little pet lambs. I was beginning to feel like an unpaid tour guide. And they couldn’t even agree on which restaurant to eat in. One was a veggie and wanted every menu translating. Eventually I went into a restaurant alone and told them to make their own arrangements. On day 3 I announced I was going off on my own into the flea market and they could make their own way to Notre Dame and all the other tourist attractions they wanted to see. Surely 3 adults can manage in Paris. Its not Outer Mongolia.
Unfortunately friend of friend left a bag with her passport, cash and travel cheques (1970s) on the floor under the table and it was gone when they returned. Long frustrating trip to local police for report (We could have done with your help we don’t speak French) and by the time the translator arrived it was too late to go to the British Embassy for a replacement passport. When I got back to the hotel late evening I was confronted by three hostile companions who made out how it was my fault for “abandoning” them. Next morning there was more bickering because I would not accompany them to the British Embassy to apply for the replacement passport. “We don’t speak French” “Well be prepared for lots of waiting around, form filling and queuing. But Ive got some good news for you. They speak English in the British Embassy so you don’t need me to babysit you”
We sat on separate seats on the train back to Calais.
That was when I decided to begin travelling alone.
That was a nightmare trip for you - and also the triplets. Well, you warned them you’d venture out on your own - they didn’t listen.
I thought it was fine that your friend wanted to bring another as a pal when you said you’d strike out on your own… but I believe it was the Needy friend of the friend of making for bad dynamics. Too many people for me as a personal traveling group - then sign up for tour group travel!
I'm similar to you, I like to go off alone & tell people that's what I do. I suppose I've been lucky that most folk understand. My one trip to Paris was on a uni trip with a friend, we ended up in a room of 4 of us ( pre mobile phones). I only spoke school French but managed getting us about easy enough, following maps & metro. I organised where we were going to go & on two occasions a couple of us wanted to go to a different place so we split into two groups and met up later for Dinner. On one occasion my friend said she didn't feel well & was going back to the hotel. The 3 of us went to dinner & got back pretty late in the evening. My friend moaned that we'd been too long & didn't think of her being on her own. I told her straight that she had decided to come back to the hotel & we were fine to carry on. At the time I had 3 small children at home with their Dad & was like a free bird. Nothing was going to stop me doing what I wanted to do. We didn't fall out and are still in touch occasionally. The other girls said if it wasn't for me they wouldn't have done half the stuff we did and that they had a fantastic time. To be fair they were great company and appreciated everything.
So I suppose it just depends on the company.
Personally I think you did exactly the right thing. I applaud anyone who has their own mind and doesn't suffer fools easily. Stuff em I say! Well done 👏
Think if you holiday with friends discuss before you go away we have worked it out a few times by saying if you want to do things on your own no problem can meet up later or tomorrow whatever😩
I didn't want to mention this before as I am careful about security. But now that I'm back I can mention it. - I've just returned from eleven days holiday in Menorca, - alone.
It was fine. I chatted to lots of people from all over the place.
I went out on buses to nearby places.
It's so nice to choose and not have to fit in with anyone doing daft things, like buying red shoes, as I mentioned !
I had Airport Assistance which is brilliant.
Since I went to Florence with a friend (at the time I would have preferred Barcelona) never again. She hadn’t read up on the city, therefore didn’t know what she was looking at, had left her glasses at home and didn’t want to be out of the hotel before ….. well 9h was an unearthly hour. I said I really didn’t mind going out by myself and she could sit around all day, she swore at me.
I have since been to Barcelona, Lisbon, Seville etc. on my own, the only problem is being given the worst room in the hotel for the single person.
henetha
I didn't want to mention this before as I am careful about security. But now that I'm back I can mention it. - I've just returned from eleven days holiday in Menorca, - alone.
It was fine. I chatted to lots of people from all over the place.
I went out on buses to nearby places.
It's so nice to choose and not have to fit in with anyone doing daft things, like buying red shoes, as I mentioned !
I had Airport Assistance which is brilliant.
Good for you! That's great
Thanks Z. I'm longing to go again but have to pay for this holiday first. 
Well done H! I like your style.
Went to Florida and my friend brought her friend as we had 3 bedrooms. She was epileptic but didn't tell us and after a few days of not eating properly and behaving strangely she passed out on the flight home.She was taken to hospital and I went with her as she was not allowed to get our connecting flight until she got checked.
We then had to get a £30 taxi to the airport and get wheelchair assistance which I arranged.
When I asked her for her share of the cost she refused to give me anything or thank me for looking after her. Her reasoning was that her ticket had included all transfers and she didn't think she owed me anything.
Bit of a nightmare going to Beirut with my son. He wanted to bring his girlfriend and even though I had paid for her she was dying to get rid of me and spend time with him. I was not confident enough to venture out alone and they didn't surface before lunchtime. She didn't like the beach and on our bus trip she got drunk and danced with a strange Arab. My son was embarrassed but didn't stop her in case of trouble.Thank goodness he didn't marry that one!
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