MissGronky86

So I want to fly out of Aberdeen roughly the first week in November.

I am still overwhelmed with things I need to do before I go and made even worse in the fact I have not yet picked my first destination to fly to.

As in previous topics I have stated I very much want to go to the flow, I do not want to stick to an Itineary but I also don't want to waste time looking places up when I am over there. I am at the stage I think where I wan't to do too much.

I have £5,000 and a few months in my life spare and have dreamt of this since I was a school leaver I am now 26.

My main concerns are not meeting people and not doing things right which will perhaps end me thinking I have failed and coming back earlier than planned.

Main countries I would like to visit are

Czech Republic - Prague and Olomouc.
Poland - Warsaw and Krakow.
Hungary - Budapest,
Croatia - Zagreb
Italy - Venice, Pisa, Florence, Bologna,
Germany - Munich, Heidelberg, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin.
Holland - Amsterdam
Belgium - Bruges, Brussels

that sort of route is what am thinking. Maybe biting off more than I can chew??? As I said I have around 3 months and £5,000 in total. Willing to stay in once place longer to stretch funds with work.

I would love to start in a City where it will have like minded people like myself at this time of year, that won't be daunting for a first time solo traveller on her own. I am into culture,history,churches and all the ususal things. I am not into going clubbing but do wish to meet people that I can have a social beer(s) with.

Where would be a good place to start?

So far I have considered....Pisa, Amsterdam and Prague. But basically I have an open ticket to anywhere I just need to book it...

Plesae help if you can

Kathryn

kelsey22

Hi Kathryn,

You will love travelling solo. I thought I would hate it but it was great - back in the good ole days of my twenties and now in my forties. My advice, that I am sure you have read on other threads, is to take some walking tours. You are sure to meet up with like-minded people as you have all chosen that particular tour. It is easy to go for a drink or a coffee after a two hour walking tour. It is easy to suggest and people often haven't planned for something right after a tour.

I noticed you are thinking about Pisa - imho - a day trip. It is fun to see but I wouldn't want to spen much time there.

You will have a great time no matter what you choose. What an awesome experience...I am kind of jealous. Have a great trip!

mariha2912

So 5000GBP for 90 days... this budget is around 55 GBP per day. More or less 18 destinations in 90 days, average 5 day on each including traveling days... Not extremely bad, but not as easy as you may think... Traveling around will add significantly on the costs, and if you subtract say 1 and a half to 2 traveling days, you are left with 3 full days per destination that may or may not be enough on some areas. You can save on some areas especially in eastern Europe, while you may go above your daily budget on western Europe counties. I do not know what your interests and everything are but I would think that as far as you make the effort to go on a place, visiting some major sites and museums, maybe taking a couple of excursions, going out with your newly-found friends etc are a must-do/see activity. You would not want to miss out on those things due to time or money constrains. If it was me, I would slow down a bit, maybe picking less destinations,or built a core itinerary and keep flexible... by having in mind some additional destinations as a possibility rather than a must...
Personally I would try to start by visiting northern countries that are known for their very cold winter - such as Poland- on November and save places with milder winter for late December/January. Of course advice depends on your specific interests too, for example you may decide you want to be in a specific area for Christmas, or would love to snow ski a bit or whatever...

bilboburgler

Start north, work your way south. Some of these towns have more expensive accomodation than others, so watch out for Hamburg rooms, Venice rooms (stay in Mestre and take the bus), Warsaw (try B&Bs).

Amsterdam is a good place to start. It will be more friendly to solos than others.

Good luck, and watch the cash.

kja

Hi, MissGronky86 -

You should be able to have a wonderful trip!

I love traveling solo and would not do it any other way - it is such a wonderful self-indulgence to be able to do exactly what you want to do when you want to do it! For some solo travel reports, see:

http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

(and please write a report and add a link to that thread!)

If I understand correctly, you have a rough plan in mind and are willing to adjust it as you go - sounds like a great idea to me! That should let you stay a bit longer in some places and forge on from others. As mariha notes, each time you change locations you'll lose more time than you think and those moments can be disorienting, as you adjust to a new language and new conditions and orient yourself to a new city. But just be prepared for that and give yourself time to get over a few rough moments now and again.

I see that you tagged your post for Poland only. You might want to ask Fodor's editors to add tags for the other countries you hope to visit. I suspect you'll get many more responses that way.

Hope that helps!