traveller2007

I have just done some exams from work (and passed!) so to treat myself I thought Id take a week off work. My boss (somewhat reluctantly...!) agreed to a week off in the middle of November. But I dont know where to go!!
The fact:-
i) My budget is about UK £1000-£1500 (incl flights)thats US$2000-2750
ii) Id love to go on a walking holiday with nice scenery, but in Europe most walking tours stop from October-February due to the colder weather, even the Greek Islands.I dont mind if its not hot, but I dont want to ski.
iii) Long Haul to Asia doesnt seem to make sense for just 8 days.
iv) Female friendly rating needs to be high! Eg, Morocco/Libya sound exciting, but as a solo female, I have heard that even if travelling with a group you can feel a bit intimidated walking around the old cities on your own when you have free time.
v) I dont mind the idea of lying on a beach but not for longer than a couple of days as part of the trip. But no honeymoon resorts (Im single...)
vi) I wouldnt mind going somewhere where US $$$s are used, due to the good exchange rates.
vii) I dont really like camping, so walking would be good if there are hotels along the way or a hotel base. I dont mind going as part of an organised tour - if anyone can recommend a good company.
viii) Im not planning on shopping - this is just a trip to unwind and forget about the past crazy months. I do like art galleries, historical sites, cafe culture - but am not desperate to go to a big city.

I know those US readers of this forum might not know know flights costs from the UK - but at the moment Im less concerned about cost and more concerned about WHERE!
Any ideas would be great - thanks!

Sarvowinner

Perhaps a Caribbean cruise leaving from Cape Canaveral (fly into Orlando) or Miami?

beachdreams3

I'm female (live in the US) and have done a number of solo trips in the US and the Caribbean. I have absolutely no idea about flight costs or logistics from the UK, but here are some thoughts on destinations.

I love the Caribbean, but I am very content just spending most of my time on the beach and do not bother with cultural, type sightseeing, so even for the islands I have visited, I'm not sure about how much is available. One option might be Barbados, which I believe has good air service from the UK. If you decide on Barbados, consider the South Coast for lower price accomodation options. In terms of other Caribbean islands, I have heard that Puerto Rico offers more cultural and history type things than a lot of islands, and PR is an easy flight from Miami. If you are not a beach person, you may want to split your time between a US city and the Caribbean. US cities that have the most nonstop flights to the Caribbean are Charlotte, NC; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL, which are US hubs for USAirways, Delta, and American Airlines, respectively. San Juan, PR also is an American Airlines Hub to many Caribbean islands, especially smaller islands.

I also like to travel to the US west coast in the fall, since the Atlantic hurricane season officially goes until 11/30. I like California in October, but I am not sure about temperatues by mid-November. My favorite cities and surrounding areas are San Franciso and San Diego. San Francisco offers more in terms of culture, but San Diego has nicer weather and good beaches. The California coast also is really nice and scenic, and I also enjoy trips to wine country (primarily north of San Franciso in Napa or Sonoma with some options in the central coast area. I have done one trip where I flew into San Franciso, stayed there a few days, and then drove south along the coast, staying overnight in San Luis Obispo, and then continued on to San Diego. If I did this trip again, I would have spent at least another night in route, because driving along the coast is slower, and there are lots of places to stop and explore. As I write this, I realized that you may not be comfortable driving in the US (I wouldn't want to drive in the UK). Some of the driving that I mentioned on the route from SF and on the coastal highway (Route 1, I think) is a little challenging even if you are used to driving on the left) because the road is two lanes with curves and goes through some mountainous areas.

An option I was considering for early November was a trip to Arizona (flying into Phoenix)and staying nearby in Scottsdale with day trips or overnight visits to Sedona (about 2 hours away) and the Grand Canyon (about 4 hours from Scottsdale or 2 hours from Sedona).
This trip would offer fairly warm weather (at least in Scottsdale) and there is lots of beautiful scenery for walks/hiking along with art (Scottsdale/Phoenix and Sedona), spas, and some new age stuff in Sedona. There are some tour options there too, although I don't have any personal experience to recommend.

suze

I meet lots of people from the UK on holiday in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. The weather is spectacular in mid November. It is a very friendly safe destination as far as traveling solo female. There's a beach but also a vibrant Mexican city with plenty to see and do.

lollylo25

If I had just 8 days, I would limit my air flight time. How about the east coast of Spain, Tarragona? I have friends there, and have not gotten to visit yet,but from what hear, it is amazing. Fly into Barcelona for 2 days, then 6 days in Tarragona.

jt7dreamz

I had 7 days off work last year and went to surf camp in costa rica... not sure if this is something you would be interested in... BUT i did www.puravidaadventures.com and loved it. i went alone and it was totally fine and there were others there.... i also thad never surfed before or anything of the sort and really enjoyed myself.

traveller2007

Those are great ideas - funnily enough california, arizona and costa rica were both places Id thought of as well. Admittedly not for surfing, but yes, what you all mention is the sort of thing Id like to do. I just check the flight times from the UK to Costa Rica and it seems that with flight changes in Miami or Houston, its about 18-19 hrs travelling time each way to San Jose! A shame, as Costa Rica looks lovely, esp the national parks.
Im also looking into Mexico - as in the USA, I think it tends to be more of a package destination, but Im like the idea of the Maya ruins. The only thing is that I think Mexico is less safe than Costa Rica for a solo female - and tours i come up against the same problem: most tend to be 2 weeks.
Thanks for your info! I'm going to do a bit more homework and also see if anyone more people respond to these threads! - and then make decision by the weekend.

suze

Well I've been to Mexico 20 times now and I have never done a package (there or anywhere else).

It's only a "package destination" if you choose for it to be so.

suze

I can't speak for an entire country, but Puerto Vallarta Mexico is safer than your own home town for a solo female.

SAnParis2

Probably not someplace you've heard of unless you spend a lot of time on the US board but Asheville, NC may fit the bill. Asheville is a small city in the Mts. with lots of 'artsy' things to do as well as having some great resorts, B & B's & hiking. In addition, you can likely fly directly into CLT which is about 1.5 hours away. http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx, http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/, http://www.asheville.com/, http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/, http://www.visitnc.com/

fitznj

I second Asheville. It is lovely. You can have fun touring the Biltmore Estate where they have a great winery. Lots of fabulous restaurants.

What about Quebec City/Montreal. Both beautiful and lots to do. I know you said a city isn't top on your list but you might like it there.

How about Boston. Fun fun fun, you'll feel perfectly safe and it is a great city with loads to do.

Have fun!

SallyCanuck

I love travelling alone but the only bad time I had was on a cruise. It was all couples.

traveller2007

Thanks again! Interestingly, my two solo trips last year were to Boston (in winter! still great fun, and I had friends there who I met up with) and then in summer I was in NYC staying with friends, but went up to Montreal and Quebec (took the Amtrak though - big mistake! It was 8 hrs late and did an average speed of 10 mph for the last 20 miles into Montreal....)
I did love both trips and felt toally safe. I think the USA and Canada are great destinations for a woman on her own. So I will think about Asheville - it looks lovely!
As I said, one of the big problems is the weather...mid November is starting to get cold in many N Hemisphere places!
I was hoping for some sunshine, but unless I go to Madeira or Canary Islands, it will need to be a bit further. Thanks SO much again.

frogoutofwater

You could travel with a group in Morocco - e.g. a walking/hiking trip. My husband and I did a trip with Sherpa (a UK-based company) a couple of years ago and were happy with the experience. I've also done walking trips with Exodus, another UK-based company.

teach2travel

I loved Dubai as a solo female traveller. It's a short flight from London (I flew via London). There is great shopping, beaches, interesting culture and it's extremely safe.

bratsandbeer

Las Vegas - there is so much to do there besides gambling - shows, restaurants, just walking and enjoying all the activity. And the penny and nickel slots are fun if you want to gamble but don't want to lose a lot of money. You may be a winner, but not me.

misterfuss

I haven't been back to New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, but it is one of the destinations I would recommend. I believe hurricane season has passed, and I remember New Orleans as a fun, relaxed, warm, and safe place to be.

lollylo25

I would not recommend Las Vegas for a solo female.

suze

lolly~ You say that because you think it's dangerous somehow? Or just now very fun?

lollylo25

No I don't think Las Vegas would be dangerous, but I think a solo female may get "hit on" in Vegas more than other destinations. But again, that may be just my experience.
And as far as fun goes, I think Las Vegas would be much more fun with a friend/pal.
It just doesn't top my "solo female" list as much as other places.