Doing a 180 on solo travel

 I've just returned from a week away. Even though I was on a group tour I have never experienced 'solo travel' quite so much. While the people were nice, we had different priorities: they wanted to drink, I wanted to sight-see. At first I felt a bit rude keeping myself to myself and going off but by the end of the week I had no problem with it; they were doing what they wanted, why shouldn't I? 

As well as this, there were other aspects of solo travel I was apprehensive about, yet as usual the situations I'd conjured up in my head were completely over exaggerated. 

At the airport:

I hate the airport: saying goodbye to whoever is dropping me off, the queues, security, worrying my flight might be cancelled, finding the correct date... But mostly I was worried about being alone. However, wondering around the (still out of my price range) shops, updating my mum and grabbing some food passed the time quite quickly.

Table for one 

It always feels as though people are looking at the 'sad, lonely diner' but if I take a book, I can ignore them. I don't think I'd like to eat on my own for a whole week though.

Transport to/from the airport

I always envisage getting a rogue taxi driver who takes me in completely the wrong direction from where I'm going. Highly unlikely but it makes me keep my wits about me.

Then there's the tour itself. I'm always anxious meeting new people, however last year my worries were eliminated after 5 minutes. This year, I was still not sure after 5 days. After being woken up every night when most came back raging drunk at 2am, hearing them vomit over the side of the boat the following morning and then moaning about feeling shite, I'd had enough. I started to relish time on the boat alone. I would come back for 10pm and spend a few blissful, peaceful hours until the mob came back. One night I sort of lost my rag and decided to go for dinner on my own and it was actually lovely. For once I didn't care whether they thought I was antisocial; they were more interested in getting off their faces, I wanted some food and to see where we'd docked up.

I'm considering a solo package trip (even if I have to pay a £300 single supplement) but I am worried about getting lonely. But I have music, books, a phone to chat to people and local people to interact with. Maybe in a years time I'll be doing another 180...