Daisy50

I have decided to take a trip through parts of Europe within the next 2 years.Will probably have about 3 months. I do not want to do it just to say been there done that, I want time to look, learn and absorb. I have never travelled overseas and I am thinking about doing it on my own. Budget will be reasonably tight. Is this a reasonable idea and if it is how does one make a start. Way out of my comfort zone. Love any tips or advice. Was thinking train maybe a good way to go.

cynthia_booker

Just do it. Plan, research, but don't get all OCD about it. Once you have a plan and know what you are doing, enjoy the serendipity of it all. By the way, lots of people think going it alone is the best. Much less frustration and waste of time that way. (But there are plenty of opionions about this.)

pookymimi

Daisy,

At 46 I'm doing this with 2 of my 3 kids next June. I think 2 months will be my top as they have to be back to School before August 20th.

I can give you insight of my trip. Take a look at my profile so you can see where I am going.

Maria-Paz

suze

I love traveling solo. In most parts of Europe, yes train is the way to go. But sometimes for long distance the budget airlines or a bus work better.

3 months is a very long time to be on the road alone though, especially for someone who's never done it before. Since you say the budget is tight, I might suggest to shorten the trip, and theyby up your budget. Having a little more money makes things easier (and safer).

suze

I meant to say for long distances a flight may be better OR for getting to more out-of-the way places sometimes a bus.

(NOT to take a bus for long distances -oops & sorry!)

Daisy50

Thankyou for your replies. Yes 3 months would be a long time but as i am coming from other side of world and may never be in a position to do it again just wondered if 2 months be too short. Especially as I no longer want to rush.

Daisy50

Maria - Paz I would be very interested in looking at your holiday plans. It would be lovely to share the trip with my chidren but not a possibility. So that is why I thought i should just get on with it and go on my own even though it is rather terrifying.

suze

It depends where you want to go, what you want to see in the 2-3 months. Since you mentioned the money being tight, I personally would shorten the trip and not feel so strapped financially.

I think you just need to continue to plan, and narrow down your own priorities... where you want to go exactly, how long you'd like to stay. Do you want to get an apartment and stay in one place for a week? A month? Or take the train from city to city staying a few days in a place? Specifically what countries, cities, regions are of the most interest to you.

I can only enourage you that there's nothing inherently "terrifying" to be a woman in her 50's traveling alone in Europe. Plenty of people do it.

lavandula

Go for it, I think you will have a great time. Map out where you want to go to and then drop about half your destinations. Don't reject tours out of hand - they sometimes take you places you wouldn't be able to reach as easily with the train. Hard to say whether they are more economical or not, it depends on what you have in mind. I think they are great for getting you a taste of what's out there and then you can go back on your own to places you want to explore more. If you are really travelling on a shoestring the Let's Go guides and Lonely Planet are more for budget / hostelling travellers. Most libraries have these - perhaps you can borrow copies and try to define what it is you want to see in the time you have.

Lavandula

julia_t

Daisy, I too am in my 50s, and have travelled mostly alone for the past few years. I love it!

I was interested to read that you plan on visiting Bosnia Hercegovina - I've already been to Mostar, and am driving to Sarajevo in May from Split. My proposed route is up through the mountains with an overnight stay in Travnik. I also am on a tight budget, but my room in Travnik is only the equivalent of 15 euros.

I'll be posting a trip report in due course, but am really looking forward to this trip.

Someone once said to me, "Better to travel alone than to wish you were" and I so agree.

adrienne

I'm curious about why you chose these countries for your first trip. I too often travel solo but never yet for 3 months. I'm considering a couple of months next year.

joode

Good on you Daisy50, once you take the first step you will love it! Just experiencing different cultures, hearing the language, seeing all those places you just have read about - it's fascinating.
Stay in B&B's, zimmers, pensions or whatever where you can mix with the locals plus other like-minded travellers rather than hotels which can be rather sterile. I envy you taking 3 months where you can stay for a reasonable length of time and get to know a location rather than just passing through it.
We are heading off the Europe next week (if the flights from Australia are back in the air) and a lot of our travelling will be done by train. Have a look at http://europetrainsguide.com/forum/index.php for lots of great info on train travel throughout Europe. I have used them to plan my forthcoming trip and found the information great plus lots of tips on saving money and planning a workable itinerary.
Just make sure you take normal precautions and don't wear expensive jewellery and be aware that there are many scammers and touts that sound very convincing but are really just out to fleece you at every opportunity especially in the major cities. Do not carry lots of cash in your handbag, only enough for your immediate needs and carry the rest in a concealed money belt under your clothes. I'm not trying to sound superior as I've been travelling overseas for years and STILL have been taken in by fast talkers who sound legitimate. Have also been mugged in Spain by not keeping a sharp eye out as to who was behind or beside me.
But, these things can happen anywhere in the world so go and enjoy!

Hastobe_Katt

Daisy have you thought about joining www.couchsurfing.com? If you can secure couches with locals it may reduce your travel costs condsiderably. Even if you don't want to stay with locals they have a great 50+ group, many of which are lone female travellers. It's a huge resource for information from locals and you can often just arrange to meet up for coffee / lunch. It gives you a wonderful cultural insight that you won't get from staying in hotels. The 50+ group also organise get togethers for like minded travellers which many participants incorporate into a longer trip. Last year they had European trips to Vienna and Stuttgart. Next month we are going to Istanbul - a trip I'm joining but extending to backpack around turkey for a couple of weeks afterwards. There are also trips being planned for later in the year to Israel (for the jazz festival) and then canal boating in England.

thursdaysd

I started traveling alone in my 50s, and am still going alone in my 60s - I'm getting ready to book for a six month trip, and my longest so far was 10 months. You might want to do a short trial trip at home first. (My trip reports are here (click on my name), and at wilhelmswords.com )

I'd recommend reading Rick Steves' "Europe Through the Back Door", Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad" and either Lonely Planet's "Read This First Europe" or Rough Guide's "First Time Europe".

Besides pensions and guesthouses, and sobes and zimmers, consider hostels and crashpadding.com (I haven't used it yet, but it's advertised as couchsurfing for grown-ups). You might also look for apartments if you want to take things slowly. That will allow you to save money by self-catering, but doesn't always work well for singles - hostels might be better for that, besides being better for meeting people.

Hastobe_Katt

Other resources:

www.hostels.com
www.hostelworld.com
www.airbnb.com

I would echo what thursdaysd said about hostels being great places to meet people. Always worth reading the blurb on them as young, lively or party hostels may not be your cup of tea. There's usually a quieter more 'grown up' one as well.

ncounty

Some great advice here already. I agree with generally avoiding hotels; B&Bs etc are a good place to possibly meet other travelers. I have traveled alone since my twenties and am now in my 40s and still doing it. You're getting a good start with all this research ahead of time!

MademoiselleFifi

Sounds exciting! Take a look at the solo trip reports compiled on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

NancyD9393

I spent 10 days alone in Croatia in 2007 - husband couldn't go, and I really wanted to go back. Was perfectly safe! Rented a small apartment in Trogir (on the sea) and another in Zagreb (capital city) and especially in Trogir, I was "adopted" by the locals. My cousins live in Zagreb, and I saw them each day, but didn't actually stay with them, and loved my little apt overlooking Brittanski Trg. And I did it very on-the-cheap. Paid no more than $40 U.S. per night for my accomodations, which always included a small fridge (great for picking up yogurt, juice, etc. to have in the morning, and cheese, salami for late afternoon snack.) It was fabulous !!!!!! I booked both places online well in advance and checked in with them a couple of weeks before I headed their way. My time there was great, I wandered all the streets and as long as you are sensible and stay with the crowds in the evenings, I never felt uncomfortable. Lots of people speak English in Croatia, so there was always someone to help (I always start with the native language, as I am respectful that I am in their 'hood) Have FUN !!!!!

Lynnaustin

Have you considered traveling for two months and then spending one month in the same location? You could do the long stay in the middle or at the end of the trip. Is there any city that you are really interested in? I would spend a month, or even three weeks living in Paris. You could choose a place and really get a feel for it that you don't just by passing through for a few days.
I wouldn't consider couch surfing for safety reasons. There are many hostels that cater to families and older travelers. In Italy there are convents and monasteries that are lower priced.
No matter what you decide, I hope that you go for it!

Hastobe_Katt

Couchsurfing is fine if you use basic common sense. We've had very good experiences both as guests and hosts. Nevertheless, this is why I suggested getting to know other surfers of a similar age - so you build up a rapport and trust before you travel.

Volcanoes permitting(!) we have an older American couple (60+) staying with us next week. We're taking them to the Wedgwood visitor centre, Biddulph Grange Gardens and Little Moreton Hall then for dinner and the live music night at our local (country) pub. The following day we're going to Renishaw Hall and to see the bluebell woods. After they are cooking a typical southern dinner for us. When they go we have two Dutch students staying who are doing a project at the local university. Last month we had a French couple staying with us and we took them to Liverpool, the Docks, the Beatles Museum and the ferry across the Mersey. We again did a pub dinner and live music (they even joined the band on the mike!). The following day we went walking in the Peak District and took them to our brothers farm to see the new puppies.

Likewise we have had wonderful days out, nights out, meals etc. with hosts we have stayed with. We have even had kids come stay with us - we had a 15 year old french lad stay with us last summer (a language exchange with my 16 year old son). It was the first time either of the boys had taken a flight on their own and both had a fab time). This summer we have a 15 year old German lad staying. The key was read the references, communicate and follow your gut instinct / common sense - the latter applies whereever and however you travel.