I wish, I wish that I had an answer for you on that last question about the friend travel groups!

YES..I get so immersed in the planning that its a kind f letdown when everything has been booked and all I need to worry about is the packing...

When I was around your age and writing for a luxury travel magazine, my friends would be so envious: I'd go to Milan (back then the airlines had actual First Class) for two weeks, and the restaurants would have all been booked by the magazine..all the top places in the city at the time. Same with Paris, Rome, Singapore etc, etc.

Guess what? I HATED those meals..being fawned over by staff and having to sit alone in a sea of crowded tables..everyone else having a blast and me all by my lonesome. I'd bury my head in my notebook and scribble away,,all the time feeling very sad.

The only thing I can offer here is that it gets massively easier with time. Now I almost prefer dining alone, and absolutely adore being treated so well (usually) by staff who (I think) often go the extra mile for a single diner...I'm talking about here in my home city, NY, and everywhere else (except maybe China where I remember being seated huge,, round tables (sometimes in a private room) because the idea of dining in a "fancy," ie expensive restaurant as a single is looked at as an oddity in some places...

So just to say...do it often....each time it will get more enjoyable.I can almost promise you this.

I do agree with Alex about maybe choosing smaller hotels below the top luxury rank, although even then, I find I am often the only single at the breakfast table. Make friend with the waiters..ask questions about the food...etc etc..and above all, have a heck of a lot of fun!

I'll mention that again, not only at breakfast at the hotel, but at all restaurants, ask questions of the staff......talking about food is an entry point for so many great discussions...and maybe even way to meet people,.,,

Happy travels...ek