About Friendship Travel

Friendship Travel: it’s all in the name.  Friendly holidays for like-minded people who happen to be single, or would otherwise be holidaying alone.

I founded Friendship Travel in 1999, so in 2018 we are celebrating our 20th year in buisness and we decided we should do it in style! A superb black-tie ball at The Donnington Valley Hotel was organised and enjoyed by both staff and customers with many dancing all night and through to the wee small hours!

The first Friendship Travel season featured just one property in Turkey: it was a hectic summer!  Since then we have arranged holidays for tens of thousands of single travellers and believe, thanks to listening to our guests, that we have the balance just about right.

Our philosophy is simple – We package beautiful destinations with comfortable surroundings and great people: our Friendship Travel Hosts and the good company of our single travellers. The resulting holidays are relaxing, fun and friendly.

Friendship Travel was the first singles holidays company to offer double rooms for sole occupancy – as standard.  We were the first to launch a Chat Room on our website, and the first to Video real single travellers talking about their holiday experiences. We also developed the first ‘holidays for single travellers’ smart phone app.

But for all the innovation and techy stuff, Friendship Travel remains focused on personal service and experience.  Our small team is on the other end of the phone, happy to share their experiences with you; between us, we’ve sampled all our holidays and hotels.

Every year, more than half our guests are ‘old friends’, or have booked on the basis of a personal recommendation. If you’ve not yet chosen Friendship Travel, why not give us a try? We truly believe we offer the best all-round singles holidays experience and we strive to ensure your holiday is the best it can be.

How long have you worked for Friendship Travel?
From day 1 – it’s been great seeing the business grow and meeting lots of happy customers.

Which Friendship Travel destinations have you visited?
I have visited 75% of the destinations we offer in our current brochures. I try and visit every long haul hotel at least once every 3 years, whilst our properties in Europe I visit at least once every 2 years. By doing the hotel contracts myself and meeting with the owners and managers regularly I can ensure our guests are always well looked after. The owners appreciate my visit and catch up over dinner.

What is your favourite destination of Friendship Travel?
Turkey would be my favourite. I started working here years ago for Sovereign Smallworld and fell in love with the country. It’s hard to beat for great food, friendly people and beautiful beaches.

Favourite holiday read?
I am not big into books, but a newspaper is always a must for me.

Hobbies/Interests?
Skiing, swimming, gym, walking and the movies … when I have time!

What could you not travel without?
I could not travel without my mobile phone and laptop.

Sun or Snow?
Can’t pick .. I love skiing in winter and sun in summer.

Best thing about working for Friendship Travel?
The staff, the customers and variety of work. There is never a dull day!

How long have you worked for Friendship Travel?
20 years and boy have they flown!

Which Friendship Travel destinations have you visited?
I have been to Rhodes (Lindos Memories), OluDeniz (Forever Hotel & Gulet Cruises), Lanzarote (Lanzarote Princess), Croatia, St Lucia (The Body Holiday – many times but not enough!), Fuerteventura, Zante (Apollon Hotel) and Kenya.

What is your favourite Friendship Travel destination?
I would be torn in half between The BodyHoliday in St Lucia and our Kenyan Safari. I really could not choose. They are both truly amazing in their own unique way

Favourite holiday read?
I love a good thriller or six on holiday so definitely something by Mark Billingham or James Patterson.

Your Hobbies/Interests?
Having a 16 year old I don’t have much time for hobbies so most of my spare time is spent ferrying Lewis to his various squash matches and activities. I do try to get to the gym 3 times a week though and I love reading.

What could you not travel without?
I don’t even have to think about this one – my hair straighteners!

Sun or Snow?
Definitely sun.

Best thing about working for Friendship Travel?
The staff. Although I work from home so spend little time with the other members of our team I love it when we get together as we all get on so well. We just don’t do it often enough.