The opportunity to travel alone seems a very appealing prospect. You get to choose everything yourself – travel, hotel, activities, eating: the whole lot. And if you're reading this and nodding in agreement then you have my sympathies, but bear in mind the other man's grass and all that. Speaking as a veteran globetrotter who has travelled extensively in all manner and methods, whether for business or leisure, accompanied or alone, I can proclaim that holidaying alone is the toughest category of all.

The choice for a single traveller is either a dedicated singles holiday for people seeking new partners (which then excludes 'normal' couples and families) or the standard package where couples and families are the norm and are therefore given priority. Where does that leave the single traveller?

We are often penalized with outrageous single supplements, and then further insulted by being allocated inferior rooms; the sort of airless cupboard you would think twice about keeping your brooms in. But supplements and room quality are not the only pitfalls for singletons; these are mere practicalities.

Now in most single-holiday situations there will be occasional moments of loneliness, especially when staying in a hotel that caters for families and couples. During the day, one can melt into the crowd of sunbathers, but when everyone heads to the bar, isolation sets in. Those who brave it are scrutinised and kept at a distance, becoming the subject of many a guessing game as to why they're holidaying alone.

I'm also convinced that every waiter in the Northern Hemisphere has seen the movie Shirley Valentine and thinks any woman travelling on her own must be deprived of sex and looking for another kind of 'service'. If I only had a pound for the offers of inter-course courses. On one occasion I was telephoned by the waiter who had just served me at dinner, offering me a massage. Free, mind you!

Two years ago I chose a well-known club-style holiday in the Indian Ocean. I liked the fact that it offered sport and entertainment, as well as socialising - which was important as I was taking my 16-year-old son. My son quickly made many friends and I hardly saw him all week. The holiday started well, I relaxed by the beach, read, took archery lessons, scuba dived, played tennis and joined in many of the organised entertainments. I also made new friends and soon felt at home wherever I went. The management team were extremely witty and hospitable.

One evening though, I became aware that I was the focus of attention and many people were laughing. I then realised the Club's Director was singing a bawdy French love song and making lewd gesticulations towards me. I was then approached by a young local lad (all of 20-years old) whom I vaguely recognised as staff. Without any form of introduction he invited me to dinner. Well, I felt it would be churlish to decline in the spirit of the club, so I accepted and was whisked off to a beachside restaurant amid cheers.

My heart then sank, but it was too late to back-pedal. He soon offered me more than just dinner and after I enquired about his hospitality he told me of his two-week trial with the company and that this was one way he could prove his ability to satisfy customers. He begged me not to let anyone know that he was unsuccessful in his mission. Like a fool I complied. Nevertheless, for the rest of my holiday I was subjected to all manner of suggestive comments and knowing winks. This holiday had been the most expensive I'd ever had, and yet I boarded the plane home with feelings of utter relief to be leaving, sheer outrage at the presumptions I'd encountered, and sadness at the waste of my precious money.

Admittedly, there are those that go travelling alone for the express purpose of enjoying uncomplicated encounters. But many other single travellers simply want to relax, meet like-minded people and try new experiences...just like 'normal' people. Single people have subtly different needs to those who travel in numbers, and despite the fact that we are a growing audience, our needs are largely neglected. However, there is hope...

Special interest holidays are an excellent option. I've attended both cultural and sporting holidays and found that focussed activity with like-minded people encourages friendship and kills any awkward-moment-syndrome. When researching smaller or special interest companies it's important to ask if they charge single supplements and if so, how they are calculated. And finally, don't be afraid to ask what kind of clients select their holidays, and then decide whether they share your own criteria in terms of objectives, activities and age etc.

Because of my experiences I have set-up Singular Travel which searches for, and works with a variety of holiday operators who are now being persuaded to be more open minded to different needs. Through Singular Travel, you can go on holidays with friends, or by yourself and not experience a raw deal. Please visit the website if you’d like further information.

Happy holidays and do send me a postcard...

- Suzy Cooper