Long Summer Vacation

I'm going to be taking a long overseas vacation this summer.  I'll be gone about two and a half weeks.  I'm excited, but also worried about my cat.  She is an only cat, and this point getting a second cat is not an option.

I've taken trips of about eight days before, and she's been fine with having a sitter come in once a day.  I'm going to keep my sitter, but maybe ask some friends to come in every other day on top of that to give her some extra attention.  I don't want to board her, and all the people I know who I'd be comfortable using as apartment sitters have pets of their own!

Has anyone else had experience with long vacations and only cats?  Was everything all right?

I can't say about 2-1/2 weeks.  The longest I've left an only kitty was around 10 days.  Like you, we had a regular sitter and then a couple of friends checking in on her as well.  We also left on a TV for company for her.  It worked out fine.  

She should be fine with twice a day visits. If you like, there are even professional house sitters who can take care of your house for you. Some of these people are world travelers -- they visit places around the world, and they housesit for you in exchange for free "hotel". Obviously make sure they have references, police background checks, etc. Although with 2.5 weeks there may not be a need to. On the other hand, I'm likely to use a house sitter when I have to leave for 3 months in the future.