First European Trip, traveling solo,about 12-14 days from US.

London and Paris is a very good start. The two capitals are only a 2 1/2 hour Eurostar train ride across the English channel. lots of nonstop flights to both as well

Afraid I did a very poor job of expressing my interests. After lots of reading, I can't decide whether to go London, and try to include the Cornwall area, due to books I've read I would love to visit. I also would love to be able to visit Highclere Castle, where Downton Abby is filmed. The thing is I'm female, traveling alone and I would rather not rent a car. Not sure if this is a realistic trip. Keep reading about Bath, need to read more about what's there. Or...there's Paris, where I'm sure I would love but don't know where to explore from there. I would rather spend quality time in just a couple of places than try to do too much. I would also prefer hotel for convenience and company of people around in lobby and bar. Sorry for confusion and lack of communicating desires.

for trains I always spotlight these fantastic IMO sites - www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. You are probably not traveling enough for any railpass as you may want to spend the bulk of your time in London and Paris and perhaps do a day trip or two from each - ditto with Edinburgh.

Try open-jaw flight - say into Paris, take the Chunnel train to London and train to Scotland and fly home from there.

Thanks for the thoughts. I've been thinking maybe I'd be ready for some beach/relaxation after 2 big cities. Has anyone been to Nice or other beach suggestions. Just thinking it would be easy to take train from Paris to Nice, avoiding airport. (I have always thought about Greece/Santorini etc. but it would be so much easier to stay in France. I would love a luxurious hotel, without too many crowds. I've given some thought to just doing Paris and not including London, but it seems silly to not do both since i've never been to either. Thanks for any advice.

I also travel mostly solo. I am a senior woman and have had no problems exploring by myself. I only rely on public transportation and travel yearly to Paris and then to Nice
Nice is really not a good beach town, it has a great boardwalk for strolling and people watching, good restaurants and very easy and inexpensive access to other cities on the Riviera. The beach is very rocky so is not good for sitting. I have become addicted to the city and use it as a base to explore other areas.
I always rent apartments both for the convenience and to lower the cost of my trips.However I understand your reason for wanting to stay at a hotel.
I like to return to my apartment and chill out with a glass or two of wine after a day of walking and exploring.
Whatever you decide have a great trip

Thank you tdk. I been looking at other threads and I'm curious about Provance (read lots of good things about Luberon area) vs. Nice. It sounds like you're very familiar with the area. For a first timer, also solo traveler, what is your, or anyone else's opinion. Do you think being a single traveler, Nice would be more appealing, given activity...people watching, as you mentioned.

Remember that if you are talking about a 14 day trip 2 days are for travel to and from Europe,So in reality you are talking 12 days.
London.Paris and Nice is doable however I would eliminate one My ideal trip woud be 7 or 8 days Paris and the balance Nice. Fly into Paris then either train or plane to Nice and fly back to the States from Nice.
Depending on when you are going Delta has direct flights to Paris and returns from Nice and British AIR has flights to Paris and Nice with connections in London.

I am not too familar with public transportation in other area of Provence, since my travels there were with my DH before his passing.and we always drove. I always loved exploring the towns there but it was by car.
You could easily spend the entire trip in Paris and not see and experience it to the fullest.
I do undersand wanting to see more and the combination of Paris and Nice is great.
Buses and the Metro in Paris are superb and cheap.
Buses in Nice are wonderful and also cheap Ditto the trains. For 1 euro by bus you can go to St.Paul de Vence, Eze Monaco,etc.
A short train trip will take you to Antibes,Cannes etc.

My husband was a runner and a biker and he enjoyed both sports in Paris.

I find both cities very easy to be in as a solo traveler. There is so much to see and do that I never get lonely and just sitting in a cafe with a coffee or a glass of wine is the best people watching possible.
Also wandering up and down streets aimlessly to see what else is beyond the next corner there is fascinating.
Forgive the rambling , I hope this helps.

That's so much help, yes. I know, deep down, that I should only do either Paris or London given time restraint. People seem to advise Paris. I believe that's what i'll do, and London for another trip. I'd rather savor the cities than spend time scrambling from one place to another. Thank you for you time.

There sre lots of Paris enthusiasts on this site. I'm not one of them. There are lots of London enthusiasts also. Since your first thought was of London and England, I'd stick to that. It's an easier introduction to foreign travel if you speak the same language -- sort of.

And I'd make a point of going to at least one other location not the big city. Just to see the beautiful English countryside and get used to doing some independent travel. Bath by train would be perfect. Lots to see there and around there. But there are other options. Like Cornwall.

What time of year will you be traveling?

Back in London, lots of good parks for running in. Also look at London Walks (www.walks.com). They have a large number of guided walking tours in London and also longer explorer days outside London to places like Stonehenge and Salisbury or Oxford and the Cotswolds. This is a great resource for solo travelers.

Beacsue there is an easy link betwen Paris and London (Eurostar), they make for a good combo. You could even do London-Amsterdam.

Startgin in London makes a first time European adventure easier, since the stress of landing in a country with a different language goes away. You land, you get over jetlag, lots to see.

You have choices after that. With train system, you can do many day trips, based out of London. These can be DIY, or you can link up with many companies that offer day trips.

Or...you have two bases there, London...then ?

Renting a car is not as bad as you think. I'd suggest not driving in London, and go for a standard, if possible.

In Paris, could do same. Visit city, day trip(s).

You would want an Open jaw ticket, fly into one city, home from another.

Beaches in South, ones I've been too, are a bit 'stony'. If you are in Paris in summertime, they 'create' a beach along the Seine, good times.

www.eurostar.com is the official site for the Chunnel trains London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord or Brussels - and the early bird does indeed get the worm as tickets are sold at deep discounts weeks in advance but only so many per train and perhaps none of some trains - try to pick a Tue, Wed or Thur when train demand in lower and easier to get cheap tickets - in U S I noticed in www.seat61.com's line to Rail Europe that RE pretty much matched what was available on www.eurostar.com so if you are unconfortable booking online try www.seat61.com's commercial link to RailEurope US and see what is available there as well (or for personal info and search via phone call the folks at www.budgeteuropetravel.com, whom I have bought railpasses from for years and attest to great service sans pressure - but in any case if taking Chunnel trains book as early as possible - www.eurostar.com seems pretty straightforward to use by many comments here so that may be the easiest vehicle though I always advice checking both that and RailEurope.

I didn't see any dates mentioned... don't go anywhere near London when the Olympics and Special Olympics are on...

Paris and Nice would make a great trip - as long as you understand that most of the beaches on the riviera are not very pleasant - pebbles or rocks versus sand, no tides/waves, very crowded, and you have to rent chairs, umbrellas etc at very high prices.

There are a few smaller towns along the coast that have decent beaches (by us standards) and you might stay in one of those and explore by train or bus. Nice is a great city - just not a great beach.

As for Provence - yuo really need a car to get around. (We did the riviera by car a couple of times, but if you stay in one central spot it's reasonable to travel to several others for the day by train or bus.)

As for language - if this is the way you are going and you have no French I would sign up for a basic conversation course. Yuo don;t have to be fluent by any means, but a little basic knowledge is very helpful, esp in restaurants (you don;t want to each in places with menus in 14 languages - usually very high prices and poor food).

Good practical advice. Mimar, are you familiar with the castle in Downton Abby, Highclere? I'm so interested in trying to visit if I go the London route. Would it be a day trip, and how about getting there from the city. I've always felt like Cornwall would be beautiful, could you give opinions about trip out of London for 2/3 nights. Would Bath offer more than Cornwall. If I had a 14 day trip, how would it best be spent. London 4nights, Bath/Cornwall 3, what about the rest? Would Amsterdam (my daughter loved Amsterdam) or Scotland be good options? Sorry, I failed to mention I'm trying to put together for last part of May beginning of June. I know...I need to get things going and firmed up. (I've about given up on Nice, and maybe even Paris due to language barrier. May not be best first attempt for successful European trip, you people are smart...)

Take your trip to wherever you want to go, but by all means don't dismiss Paris and Nice because of a misconceived "language barrier." They are huge international cities used to hosting hundreds of thousands of English speakers. There isn't going to be a language barrier. Period. Out in a small village in the country, maybe, but not in Paris and Nice.

Nice, by the way, is IN Provence. It's a great city. The Lubéron really can't be seen without a car; neither can the rest of Provence with out some fairly complicated advance planning. You can get along the coast by train, and there are some inland buses (but they are geared to locals' needs, not tourists").

I'll jump in on the "avid runner" portion of your description of yourself. I LOVE running while on vacation. I see places and people that I wouldn't otherwise see, primarily because I run early(ish) in the day, before the usual tourist time. In some places, I arrange my route to stop at some pastry shop at the end of my run!

I have run in all the places you mention except for Provence, which I've visited but didn't run while there (health reasons). I don't usually run IN parks, because I'm usually not familiar with them and not confident enough re safety - I'm a small female. I also have a horrible sense of direction, so always print out (before I travel) a little map of the area around my hotel, just in case. I've found that running by rivers is easier for me, as you can't really get lost if you follow the river. In Paris, we stay in the 6th Arr., just a few blocks from the Seine, so I usually run to the Seine, and often around Ile St. Louis and Ile de la Citie. Notre Dame early in the morning is wonderful.

On our next trip (late May - early June), I kind of steered our London hotel choice to a location that allows me to run in some of the parks there, or at least along the edges if I don't feel comfortable running through.

Lexma90, have you been to London before?? What area of London did you choose, if you don't mind sharing. I'd love nothing better than a good run, and end with a great cup of coffee and pastry. Glad I'm not the only one out there! Are you familiar with Bath? Just curious, friends tonight said it wasn't to be missed... Thank you all so much...every little bit helps. (Ditto on the sense of direction, thank goodness for I phone and map my run!!)

You seem to be going back and forth between deciding on wanting to go to London, Paris, and other places. You don't want to try to cram in too many places but with about two weeks you could easily do a week each in London and Paris with either some day trips or an overnight or two. From London Bath is commonly done as a day trip but so are lots of other places e.g. Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury, Stratford, etc. With keeping London as your base (only need one hotel)you are more flexible as to which days you decide to do day trips, how many,etc. This will give you enough time to get to know London a little plus a taste of some of the English countryside. All very easily done by train (Oxford is an easy day trip by a bus called the "oxford Tube' - not to be confused with "the tube" which is the metro/subway in London).

Then take Eurostar to Paris for the second week. You can do day trips from there, especially if you are willing to do long days there are plenty of places that are about a two hour train ride. Given that you are going in late May/June the coast areas will probably be crowded and since you can't do everything that's probably the area I'd skip. But a week each in Paris and London with a couple of day trips from each to sample small towns would be a great trip.

Such good advice. Thanks everyone. I've promised myself to have it booked and done by this time next week. Lots of research.

Just to see the beautiful English countryside and get used to doing some independent travel. Bath by train would be perfect. Lots to see there and around there. But there are other options. Like Cornwall.>>

Hi, LHarbar,

honestly, i love Cornwall [after all i live here] but i don't think that it's a good match for a first time solo traveller in europe without their own transport.

Me, i'd do a week in Paris and a week in Nice. Hard to do better, in May/June, IMHO.

Re: Highclere Castle, here's the website with instructions on how to get there: www.highclerecastle.co.uk/visiting-us/planning-your-visit.html. Sounds very doable.

OK, maybe not Cornwall, but alternatives to Bath: Oxford, York. But I could easily spend 3 days in Bath: the Roman baths (a half day), lunch in the Pump Room, the abbey, the Crescent Museum, the Assembly Rooms, the Jane Austen Museum, walking along the river and in the park. The city offers a free walking tour, and Mad Max tours run excursions to places like Stonehenge and the Cotswolds: www.madmaxtours.co.uk. This tour company is well-recommended.

One trip we flew into Heathrow and took the bus to Bath. It was May and trees were in bloom on the surrounding hillsides. Plus Bath is a beautiful city -- with nice shops. I loved it, was ready to move there. We ended this trip in London.

I googled "London running." There were lots of hits with maps and even a "jogging tour."

mimar - i agree - Bath would be much better for the OP than Cornwall.

OMHO, Nice better still.

With regards Highclere Castle the dates it is open to the public are limited. However it is open from the 3rd to the 7th June.
http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/visiting-us/opening-times.html
It is very do-able from London; with a direct train journey of less than an hour. However you would need to get a taxi from the train station to Highclere (approx. 5 miles).

This is the week of the Queen's diamond Jubilee and there will be celebrations including a River Thames pagaent with up to a 1000 boats on Sunday 3rd June.

This is the week of the Queen's diamond Jubilee and there will be celebrations including a River Thames pagaent with up to a 1000 boats on Sunday 3rd June.>>

if you watch the pageant, do wave to my DH who will be on a boat that is sailing up from cornwall just to take part.

ok, definately fly into London, spend 4 nights. Then to bath for 3 nights. How's this sounding?? Where to end!! Thoughts?? Thanks so much for direction!

Lharbar - perhaps go straight to Bath from London, then back to London for a few days, then finish by getting eurostar to Paris? that would mean you were in the "right" place for getting the eurostar.

you could go straight to Paris from Bath of course - if so you should book your entire ticket through the eurostar website.

You are not going to know which one you like best until you go there and experience it. It sounds like an open jaw London - Paris is the way to go. You could find so much more information once you get to where you are going, either London or Paris. It is great to gather information before hand but it also helps to keep an open mind, especially if it is your first trip abroad.

Weather is likely to be a lot better in France than England in May/June.

I've never spent much time at the beach in the Cote d'Azur. But there's great scenery at places like St. Jean Cap Ferrat (if you want to see how the jet set live, beyond the walls in those estates).

You can visit the Rothschild villa though and see the Mediterranean from both sides of the promontory.

Then there are the mountains, some overlooking the ocean, like in Eze, or just the beauty up in the mountains

LHarbar, if you are going to Bath, I recommend the Bath House B and B. Stayed there on my own in May of 2009 and loved it. The room and bathroom were beautifully decorated, a lovely breakfast tray brought to the room in the morning, friendly staff.
Best of all it was within walking distance to the centre of things.
I had dinner at Jamie Oliver's Italian and enjoyed that very much.

The Fashion Museum, Jane Austen House, the Roman baths, many interesting things to see there plus the city is very pretty to look at.

I've been to London before, and previously we've stayed near Covent Garden, in Bloomsbury, which I liked very much, but not good for running. So this trip, we're (family of 4) staying at a B&B in Belgravia. I think it'll be close enough to Green Park and Hyde Park. And it will get light REALLY early when we're there, so I'm sure I'll have plenty of time for a run before the family is awake.

So great, thank you. After spending weekend studying up and talking to friends, I think I'll go from Bath to Edinburgh for last 3/4 days. Think I'll save Paris till I have traveling companion. What are yalls favorite places to stay and anything out of the ordinary (books) that's not to be misssed. Things are taking shape! Thank you.

the Lake District lies smack about half way or a tad more between Bath and Edinburgh - the fabled Lake District - railhead Windemere and a nice old village to base in as well bith buses fanning out all over the Lake District.

In case anyone is still reading, I'm overwhelmed trying to find London place to stay. Since I've never been, I want hotel to be nice part of trip. I do enjoy pretty lobby bar and people watching. My budget would hopefully be between $300-400 a night with some flexibility although hate to go much over. Location is important, would like to be as conveniently located as possible to first timer toursist spots.

LHarbar, I love the Sloane Square Hotel. Sorry I can't provide the link (not very technically inclined) but you can Google it easily enough.

I spent a week there in 2009 and just sent a friend there who has come back raving about how much she loved it and the area.

The Sloane Square tube station is right across the square, handy to get you wherever you want to go.

The hotel itself has a nice bar and restaurant which has lovely dinners. For breakfast we went next door to the Botanist which gets lively in the afternoon with people coming for drinks.
There are many great restaurants in the area and good people watching. Great shopping as well on the King's Road and if your budget allows, up Sloane Street all the way to Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

You will have no trouble getting around sight-seeing from here.

The hotel is a boutique style, lovely staff, lovely decor.

The Royal Court theatre is across the Square also should you feel like going to a play.

I can't wait for my next trip to London and I'll be staying there.

Thank you, I'll google it. This morning a friend recommended the Mayfair, which I had seen but not sure about price. I was also looking for maybe something a little trendier, this sounds like it may fit the bill. Appreciate the help!!

I loved the Sloane Square area when we stayed there last time. But the OP wants to be able to run. Mayfair in general is a convenient location for sightseeing, and it's between 2 parks, Hyde Park and Green Park. Perfect for running.

BTW, the Mayfair looks pretty trendy -- Fashion Week and all.

Yes, in that case Mimar, you are right, Mayfair might be best for running.

The Mayfair is more expensive than the Sloane Square but looks slightly more "luxe" as well, but not as cosy.

Isn't it a posh 5-star type of hotel?

So maybe silly going out in your running gear through the lobby?

They must have a gym with treadmills next to windows with great views maybe.

I think even posh people can be runners scrb11!
Don't know why she would feel silly going through the lobby in her running gear.

Yall are cracking me up. raincitygirl, you're right, I wouldn't think twice about going through a 5 star lobby to go out for a run, although I'm sure i can fit a run in in any neighborhood. So, this is how it's looking. 6 nights in London,(changed to day trip to Bath, and Highclere), train to York for 2 nights, and then train to Edinburgh for last 3/4 nights. Still havn't pinned down London hotel, leaning towards Baglioni, in Kensington area. Fodorites are the best, help has been unreal. Looking forward to walk-a-bout in Europe.

That hotel looks nice LHarbar and Kensington is a good neighbourhood too. My aunt used to live there so lots of fond memories of walking around there.

The Victoria and Albert museum is pretty fantastic and the cafe is a good spot for lunch.

Enjoy your trip!

I know it looks like I can't make a decision, but...it's final and I'm excited. Same schedule but went with St. James Sofitel, and the Missoni in Edinburgh. Only thing left to decide is whether to spend 1 or 2 nights in York. Opinions...(I'm excited about the V and A museum, sounds wonderful.) Does anyone have opinions about Kensington Palace, I saw where they are having a kitchen tour during the time I'm going to be there. Thought that may be worth checking out. Unfortunately, at Buckingham Palace the Queens Gallery and the Mews are only open. (althought Da Vinci exhibit will have opened.) Also saw where Kings Speech will be running, that should be good. Just can't figure how to fit it all in. Guess I'll just have to return.

York for 1 or 2 nights - well I'd say 2 nights considering the day you arrive will probably be half spent and there is so so much to see and do in York - the Minster - walk along the walls - the haunted Treasurer's House - the National Rail Museum - one of the world's finest transportation museums that will thrill any one - collection of royal trains, etc. Or you could take a boat out to the Bishop's Palace a few miles from town - wander the Shambles - a packed shopping street and a un-Godly number of other smaller old houses and museums. If I had time I would take the Tourist Office's walking tours, led by a local to really get a feel for the place - so check at the Tourist Information Centre about those.

Thank you PalenQ, all excellent suggestions. I have decided on two nights in York. That'll give me one whole day and 2 half??days to explore. Sounds like more than enough to fill my days, how to make up ones mind. My friend says there is some excellent antiquing in the area as well. Changed the plan and booked the Soho Hotel in London instead of Sofitel. Looked a little more central. Need to lookup the Bishops Palace, thanks for suggestions.

http://www.bettys.co.uk/

Be sure to have tea at the world-famed Bettys tea shop right in the heart of the pedestrian shopping zone!

Already have that on the agenda. Looking for place to stay in York, I'm sure there's threads, just thought I might throw it out there. Also, in case anyone caught the mistake, the kitchen tour is at Windsor Castle, not Kinsington Palace. I stand corrected. So excited about pending trip I can hardly stand it!!

I am going to put my 2 cents in - I have done two trip to the UK solo and loved it. The country is easily navigated on your own. York is AMAZING. Be sure to take the tour at the Minster and do not - absolutely NOT miss Betty's! Lots of fun if you haven't experienced tea in that way. There are great guided walks in York as well. There is also a little garden where you can have a tea and scone - I will look it up and send you the link. Lovely! If you can get to Bath, it is magical. The Roman Baths at night are something to see. You could also get to Oxford from London. OK - now it is my turn to ramble - Have a great trip!

BtW - stayed in the Best Western across from the Minster - was perfect.

LHarbar - how are your plans coming along?
I've bought tix to visit Highclere Castle in July and am very excited. I hope you're still planning to go and that you'll let us know how it goes.

I am going to put my 2 cents in - I have done two trip to the UK solo and loved it. The country is easily navigated on your own.>>

hi kelsey - yes, we locals manage to navigate our way around pretty well! (sorry - but comments like that always make me smile. )

I'm so glad that you enjoyed your visits.

perhaps next time come to Cornwall and try not to get lost here?

OK, following up with plans. They are really coming together. Spending May 31-June 6 in London. I've booked Windsor Castle w/ kitchen tour, planning day in Bath, and have ticket to Highclere...(can't wait, I'm reading Lady Almena, the real Downton Abby to brush up on history of Highclere). Trying to decide about doing a Urban Gentry tour one afternoon in London, anyone familiar with these? Sounds like an offbeat way to see parts of the city. Going to take in Queens Gallery and Mews tour as well. Going to just wander and take it all in, would love some input on dinner ideas, I'd like to try and eat at the bar in most places, still not comfortable sitting alone. I love rawbars, pub grub, really good food but nothing so foodie...don't care for game or ox tail etc. Spending next 2 nights in York, yes planning on Betty's and 4 nights in Edinburgh, have tickets to queens palace there as well. Thought I'd do a day tour to moors and scotch whiskey. These are how things are shaping up, the input from you guys has been great. There's been a great trip report from Edinburgh that's been fun to read.

Oh, I love Betty's! It's been more than ten years since I've been there but we enjoyed it several times during our stay. Get a window seat and you can people watch as you sip your tea. You'll love York!

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for posting your plans.
Wish I could help you with dining recommendations. Hope you'll get some good tips from others...
I'm going to look into the Windsor Castle kitchen tour you mentioned. Haven't heard of that!

@annhig - didn't quite mean "navigate" navigate - being a solo traveller has its own special issues. I understand the OPs concerns - I have travelled in other countries and some are more difficult than others. I love the UK and will be back. Hope you weren't insulted by my post.

kelsey - insulted, not at all. i know what you mean by being a solo traveller - my job has taken me to some funny places in its time, and I've [almost] always been alone. it was just that you made the UK sound [to me] like some exotic and rarely visited outpost. mind you, this afternoon, you might have had a point. we were trying to get home from a garden that we had been to visit, and ended up doing 20 miles in order to travel 5.

I just went online to find the Treasurer's House in York for the OP. I love sitting in the garden there. It is lovely in the Spring and Summer.

@annig - I know what you mean now - although it is not very "exotic" for a Canadian! It surprised me that I loved my visits so much . I am working on my next trip - but first I have to get to Paris! Thanks for responding.