Who Has Travelled Alone in Europe?
Jan 17th, 2005, 05:29 AM
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Who Has Travelled Alone in Europe?
Hi . . . I'm getting cold feet about travelling alone to Europe this February. I want to know who, especially women, has travelled by themselves anywhere in Europe and is it safe for a woman alone? All I have to do is book my airfare now but I'm dragging my feet. The tours look very hectic and that's the one reason I wanted to try it alone. I need some encouragement and advise. My friends don't travel much, so that really just leaves me. My plans at the moment are Germay, Switzerland , and possibly Austria for 14 days. HELP!!
Jan 17th, 2005, 05:44 AM
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Europe is generally a very safe place for a woman alone to travel and your itinerary are the three safest places in Europe, IMO, to travel. English is widely spoken and the train and air transport systems are excellent. I would encourage you to travel on your own. I live in Switzerland and often travel by myself throughout Europe. Never had a problem yet.
Jan 17th, 2005, 05:45 AM
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I've travelled alone on several occasions. Get some guidebooks and start planning what you want to see if you don't want to do a paid tour. Build some flexability into your plans; for example, don't be dogmatic about having to see a certain museum on a Tuesday morning--you might get there and discover it's closed for renovations.
As far as safety goes, I try to use good common sense that I'd use if I were visiting a large US city alone. This means I always have one hand over the zipper that would open my purse, I try to be very aware of my surroundings, etc. I have never had any problems and would very much recommend "going it alone".
Happy Travels,
BC
As far as safety goes, I try to use good common sense that I'd use if I were visiting a large US city alone. This means I always have one hand over the zipper that would open my purse, I try to be very aware of my surroundings, etc. I have never had any problems and would very much recommend "going it alone".
Happy Travels,
BC
Jan 17th, 2005, 05:52 AM
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I'm single, live in the UK and have frequently jumped on a plane to places all over Europe - there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I've also spent long periods driving through the States on my own - and wouldn't think twice about doing so again.
Given your name, I'm assuming that you're from the States, so I have to ask whether you'd be worried about travelling there in an area you hadn't previously visited?
Given your name, I'm assuming that you're from the States, so I have to ask whether you'd be worried about travelling there in an area you hadn't previously visited?
Jan 17th, 2005, 06:07 AM
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I've travelled alone all over the UK, (scotland, England), France, Italy, Spain, a bit in Germany and Swtizerland. If you need encouragement, here it is!
"cold Feet" is a normal part of jumping in, but don't let it stop you! Use your common sense, and make sure you do research here to provide yourself with an easy way to call home if you need a familiar voice while you're travelling, and enjoy your trip!!!
Tallulah has a point, but I understand your hesitation, because for a woman who lives in the UK, Europe is alot closer to home than the US is, but I think your itinerary is a very good one, and you'll be fine! Good luck.
"cold Feet" is a normal part of jumping in, but don't let it stop you! Use your common sense, and make sure you do research here to provide yourself with an easy way to call home if you need a familiar voice while you're travelling, and enjoy your trip!!!
Tallulah has a point, but I understand your hesitation, because for a woman who lives in the UK, Europe is alot closer to home than the US is, but I think your itinerary is a very good one, and you'll be fine! Good luck.
Jan 17th, 2005, 06:13 AM
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Hi Savannah-
Definitely go! I've been doing it since I was 19 years old. Been to England, Wales, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland by myself on many different trips.
The only concern I initially had was eating meals alone. But in the end, I just started talking to my fellow diners and had a great time most of the time.
Definitely go! I've been doing it since I was 19 years old. Been to England, Wales, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland by myself on many different trips.
The only concern I initially had was eating meals alone. But in the end, I just started talking to my fellow diners and had a great time most of the time.
Jan 17th, 2005, 06:16 AM
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MANY of us travel alone, and there are many threads here on this topic. The places I have been have been safe places, as far as I know, although any time I have been alone in larger cities (e.g., Palermo, Naples, Paris, Marseilles, Milan, Catania), or at train stations that just didn't feel right (Florence, Bergamo, believe it or not), I've been a little extra cautious. However, I have never been to the countries you are planning to visit.
Jan 17th, 2005, 06:23 AM
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Hi Everyone . . Thanks for answering so fast because I need to book my ticket soon. To Tallula(SP), I am from the US and have driven alone in the here to different places and never felt worried or had a problem. Like you and everyone else said . . . common sense prevails no matter where you are. I'm glad to hear that none of you had a problem and would do it again. My youngest daughter went backpacking around Europe by herself a while back and loved it. Well, I'm not going to over-think this and just do it. Thanks for the encouragement, it's much appreciated.
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:13 AM
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i'm 20, and when I was 19 I travelled twice to Europe alone, for 2 weeks the first time and one week the second. Been to London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin. Don't hesitate--not once did I encounter any problems, even when walking through the red light district in Amsterdam. Keep on your toes of course and if something doesn't feel safe, go someplace else, but honestly I was treated fine and respectfully everywhere I went. Several times I was somplace and made friends with other single female travellers--we're out there, that's for sure. Anxiously awaiting a third solo trip in February.
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:17 AM
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It's funny you mention that you feel fine about travelling throughout the US alone..I actually feel the opposite way. I really haven't seen much of the US, and I've found that I don't feel as comfortable in certain places when I'm by myself. Generally, I feel more comfortable travelling alone to major cities then in smaller towns or not so major cities. (im from nyc and just moved to boston.)
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:24 AM
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Yes, to several cities in Italy and also to London.
Take the same precautions you would in any city. Travelling solo is quite wonderful in my experience. As an executive for a large firm, I travelled thoughout the US and Caribbean for 20 years on my own. So when it came time to vacation solo, it was not at all intimidating.
Take the same precautions you would in any city. Travelling solo is quite wonderful in my experience. As an executive for a large firm, I travelled thoughout the US and Caribbean for 20 years on my own. So when it came time to vacation solo, it was not at all intimidating.
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:25 AM
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Savannah--One more vote to just go and have fun! I was a bit apprehensive before I left on my first international solo adventure and planned carefully and all went well. I had a great time and none of the stuff that worried me happened. Like you said yourself, don't over think it and have fun. It's really great travelling by yourself. You wake when you want, do as much or as little as you like and people are so much more friendly and helpful when they see you're travelling on your own.
Enjoy!!
OWJ
Enjoy!!
OWJ
Jan 17th, 2005, 09:04 AM
#16
I have traveled solo/female to Amsterdam, Geneva and the Vaud region nearby, Paris, and Venice (not all on the same trip). I never encountered any problems. I book my air tickets and make hotel reservations but other than that I wing it.
My best advice is to pack light! One 22" rolling suitcase plus one medium tote or pocketbook. You will be so thankful for ease of movement, plus I figure it's an added safety feature to look and be in control of yourself and your stuff.
I would never do a tour because there's no way I'm getting up at the crack of dawn on my vacation to bus around with a bunch of strangers and eat in bad restaurants (harshly stated I realize, but that's the way I feel).
I find traveling alone to be an incredible freedom (do what you want when you want to). Carry a good paperback novel. Practice eating in a restaurant alone at home before you go, if that's a concern.
Treat with a grain of salt any negatives you hear from friends who don't travel themselves.
My best advice is to pack light! One 22" rolling suitcase plus one medium tote or pocketbook. You will be so thankful for ease of movement, plus I figure it's an added safety feature to look and be in control of yourself and your stuff.
I would never do a tour because there's no way I'm getting up at the crack of dawn on my vacation to bus around with a bunch of strangers and eat in bad restaurants (harshly stated I realize, but that's the way I feel).
I find traveling alone to be an incredible freedom (do what you want when you want to). Carry a good paperback novel. Practice eating in a restaurant alone at home before you go, if that's a concern.
Treat with a grain of salt any negatives you hear from friends who don't travel themselves.
Jan 17th, 2005, 09:26 AM
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Every few weeks - UK, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Greece. I often feel safer in Europe than I do at home.
Check out www.journeywoman.com for advice and inspiration on travelling alone.
Check out www.journeywoman.com for advice and inspiration on travelling alone.
Jan 17th, 2005, 09:34 AM
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My travel companions are dropping like flies so I am considering going over there alone too. I don't think I will be afraid but I think I might be lonely. I have been afraid in the USA many times all of my life. I live where there are race riots that don't get mentioned the the newspapers and murders every night. I don't know what Europeans can do to top that so I won't be afraid I surmise.
Look at my thread "what if I die on my vacation" if you want to be cheered up.
Look at my thread "what if I die on my vacation" if you want to be cheered up.
Jan 17th, 2005, 09:56 AM
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We just returned from our first trip to Italy. Traveled with my husband and two teenagers.
I am definitely going back. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all being on my own...in fact I might prefer it..(grin)
I am definitely going back. I wouldn't feel uncomfortable at all being on my own...in fact I might prefer it..(grin)
Jan 17th, 2005, 09:58 AM
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I've travelled to Greece, Spain, Ireland & Italy on my own. Loved it! You can be completely selfish and do what you want to do. Just use common sense, don't go out alone at night, wear money belt. Planning ahead makes for pretty stress free as well. Book hotels/B&Bs and know where they are/ how to get there. Ejoy!
