Planning 2-3 week 1st time travel to Europe Summer 2009 Solo

Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful trip, and there are lots of people over on the Europe board who will be a big help with planning the details. However, I would suggest you start by doing some reading - for first-timers I recommend Rick Steves' "Europe through the Back Door", Ed Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad", and the Lonely Planet or Rough Guide "First Time" books.

Also, head to your local library and/or bookstore (buy coffee and browse, don't buy yet) to look through some guidebooks to get a better idea of where you want to go. We don't know what you like - cities or country, mountains or beaches, castles or churches, etc. - only you can decide that. Look at some of guides with lots of pictures - you wouldn't use them for logistics or to take on a trip, but they're great at this stage.

You might read some of the previous threads here on solo travel - some of us prefer it! I'm just wrapping up a month in France on my own, and I had a great time.

Boston, What speaks to you? Are there places that you have always wanted to see? Your profile mentions Eastern Europe. You can certainly get more from your money from some of the Eastern Europe destinations than you will in London, Paris, or Rome. But even that isn't completely true.

Why not start by reading some of the trip reports here and see if there's something that resonates with you. Trip reports can be found on the Europe Forum at the bottom of the page with the little orange book flag at the corner.

You shouldn't feel that travelling solo is a 'downside' its more of an adventure. If your plans can include Nice and Monaco on the South of France you won't be disappointed, and there is a good train service there. If you manage Eastern Europe then Croatia is beautiful with lovely friendly people. When I was 40 I travelled solo and stayed in some very nice hostels, you can get some great travel tips from the other residents there.

I love to travel alone and Europe for 2-3 weeks would be great and easy to plan.

I am not big on detailed planning. I would simply pick 3 cities (read some travel magazines and guidebooks and here on the internet look at photos). Then buy a plane ticket open-jaw (into the first city, out of the last one), and make a hotel reservation in each of the 3 place (I like 2/3-star budget hotels but very centrally located). You can get between major cities on the train, no advanced planning needed. That's really all you need to do in advance.

Once you arrive each city it's very easy to pick up local guides and entertainment listings, street maps, etc. to figure out what you'll do.

I've done Paris/Venice/Switzerland-Vevey/Montreux on a three week trip. Amsterdam is another city that was very easy solo and quite interesting. Barcelona is getting great comments lately.

Hardest part is deciding where you want to go. The actually logistics (buy plane ticket, make hotel reservation, take train) are extremly simple.

Congrats! How fun. I second Europe Through the Back Door by Rick Steves. He has ideas on where you should go for two/three weeks.
I think I'd head for the big three: London, Paris, and Rome. Amsterdam and Prague are also excellent. Maybe some time in the Swiss Alps if you're into nature. At London, I'd stay at the London School of Economics, assuming that they are not in session.

As you study, you'll find lots of places you want to go. Tell yourself that you'll go back (and keep that promise!)

I've done a lot of solo travelling where I've taken language study holidays. These are a great way to provide a little structure to your day, introduce you to an eclectic group of people with some common interests, deliver some sightseeing opportunities (usually through the school) and, of course, enable you to learn something (language and culture) at the same time. I think they're particularly good for semi-outgoing types. (Really extroverted people don't need any help meeting people on a solo trip, and really introverted people might feel uncomfortable trying to connect in the social setting of the school/classroom. The rest of us can benefit from the opportunities to socialize presented by language study.) Language study holidays work best if you're willing to spend at least 5 weekdays in one place. (Some schools have a two week minimum, but others have only a one week minimum.) You could spend your entire vacation in one place, or study one language in two cities, or study different languages in different cities. If you do stay in one place for a while, the school usually organizes sightseeing excursions over the weekend.

Spanish, Italian and French probably offer the most opportunities in interesting cities, and probably are the languages that are easiest to get something out of in as little as a week. But there are a lot of other options. You can sometimes take as few as 2 hours a day of class, but more typically, lessons would run for 3.5-4 hours per day, either in the morning or afternoon.

If I could spare three weeks in summer to take a holiday in Europe, I'd spend a week in Barcelona, a week in Berlin and a week somewhere in Italy.

Oops - I forgot to mention that many language schools can help arrange relatively low cost accommodation, either in a dorm, through a home stay (a good way to meet people), in an apartment or in a hotel where they've negotiated rates.

Congratulations on taking the time to make travel a priority in your life! 2-3 weeks is a good length for a first time trip to Europe. As other posters have suggested, spend some time familiarizing yourself with travel guides and sites. But, start with who you are and what you enjoy doing. Is there a place you have always seen yourself visiting in your daydreams? A country whose language, history, art or food you long to explore? Are you a hiker, cyclist,
reader, photographer, artist or museum enthusiast? Do you love cities or the countryside? These interests will guide you in your choices. When you think you have narrowed it down and have specific questions, the Europe forum will be there for you and give you great responses!

What are you interested in? Art? Architecture? Culture? Cuisine? Are you a museum person or an outdoor enthusiest? What sports do you enjoy? That will significantly affect where you want to go. If you like hiking and outdoor sports you'll find the French Alps wonderful, Chamonix comes to mind. If you prefer the museums, than cities might be your first preference.

Please don't feel that you have to limit yourself to "cities". There are wonderful smaller villages in Provence, that would be very good to visit. The people in smaller villages seem to take the time to make visitors feel welcome, that is often missed in the larger cities. I've often seen people eating dinner alone at outdoor restaurants in small villages in France and they look at home, unlike eating alone in a city restaurant, which can make some people uncomfortable.

I'm not saying don't visit Paris, just don't limit yourself to Paris if you want to see France. The same for Switzerland and Italy, The big cities are more impersonal. I've spent far more time in the smaller villages than in the cities of Europe and always find people wonderful, friendly and welcoming. I think that might be more important if one is traveling alone.

Have a great time.

There are the "must sees" and then there are the places that make your vacation your own. As others have mentioned, it's important to know what your vision of going to Europe might be and your interests. You might be a fan of classic cars or antique toys.

I usually divide my time between the old and new. After a while I feel like if I'd seen one old church, I've seen them all but then after a break the differences in architectural styles become interesting again. I never tire of Modern art, so I often choose the places I visit by the art.

How much of the language are you willing to learn? That might limit your time in small villages.

If I were to travel solo, I'd take trains. It's fairly cheap, relaxing and it's a nice way to meet people for a little conversation.

You've found already, a wealth of information here on Fodor's with generous people who are willing to share their knowledge. If you use the search button here you'll find lots of info from coffee houses in Amsterdam to the best way to buy train tickets and Euros but don't be shy about asking for up to date info also.

And you lucky dog! Since you're in Boston you can hop on an overnight flight.

BTW, you may want to post questions about your travels on the Europe forum, it gets more traffic.

As others have said, we really need to know your interests before pointing you in one direction or another. But generally, if you are going to be in one area for a week or so, I recommend an apartment over a hotel. You can get a small efficiency/studio, with plenty of room for a single person, for usually less than a hotel room, and that gives you the ability to prepare many meals there, rather than having to buy all meals at restaurants, another big cost savings. As far as where to go.....my personal favorites are definitely Paris, London, Florence, and Amsterdam! But there are so many others that are wonderful as well! Am so glad you have decided to "take the plunge"! You won't regret it! And it's never too late! I was almost 50 when I went to Europe for the first time, and just like you I went alone. Caught the travel bug, and have been returning as often as possible ever since, sometimes with companions, and often still by myself. Good luck, and have a wonderful time!

My friend from Boston got special offer tickets from http://www.britrail.com/ and we both enjoyed some hectic travelling by rail even did London - Edinburgh sleeper both ways - saw Kyle of Loch ashle next to Isle of Skye Penzance canterbury etc etc in one week we saw lots - could do same in Europe too - browse the site

Just Fly to Paris and look up the train timetables before you leave. Spend at least 2 days + nights in Paris. Then take the train you can buy a hop on hop off train ticket for 2/3 or 4 weeks which is good for most of Europe. Just have fun and don't make too many plans remember it is a holiday not a I must see everything.

Hi folks,
having lived many years in the USA and now in Europe I feel to have some experience in 'first time visits'. Unless you know a language already quite well dont't take courses. Its expensive and the results are at best minimal.
Go first to the UK to familiarize yourself with a 'foreign' country and then go on to a few select places. London, Paris, Switzerland. To see 'Europe' you need a lifetime. Travelling alone and renting an apartment ? You will be alone again and have better things to do than preparing meals. Join a group and travel with them and go alone on a later trip. it is cheaper and you won't miss the hilites.

Naturally, there are many great cities in Europe and the UK with wonderful countrysides too. Trying a coach bus tour or group travel may work for you or using train travel alone. You may need to start by making a list of specifics that interest you so the choices are not overwhelming. Use sites such as tripadvisor.com to evaluate places, hotels and hostels. London has great public transportation with UK sites such as easyjet.com which includes hotels appealing to people on a tighter budget. London has many free museums such as the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert, History and Science Museums,Tate Modern etc. along with beautiful parks. Ryanair.com helps to get to some locations. Best of luck.

I travel in Europe on my own every year, I'm English and a little older than you. Try to visit Lisbon. One of the nicest cities in Europe and also one of the cheapest in Western Europe. Lovely people, lots to see, interesting food, although the fish is expensive. Easyjet is probably the best budget airline. Try to avoid Ryanair. Lots of extra's and a non-existant customer service. Get in touch if you need any help/advise. I've always found Americans so helpful when I've been travelling in the United States

I second frogoutof water with their suggestion of language schools, if you have an aptitude for languages. I had a week at a spanish language centre - classes in the morning, free in the afternoon and homestay, and it was fantastic. OK so I didn't become fluent, but int he rest of my month travelling around Spain I knew enough to read signs, ask directions and be polite to locals. That last one is the most crucial - Americans and indeed english speakers generally have a reputation in much of Europe as being rude and ignorant, I think largely because most of us don't make the effort. You'd be amazed how much people are willing to help you out with smiles and pointing and "sign language" if you start the conversation in their language, however bad your accent and grammar.
I've also had a great experience of travelling alone, though somewhat younger than you, I wasn't an 18yr old looking to pick up and get drunk every night, but hostels were still great. Some are better than others, but almost all will give you the chance to meet people and also get the scoop on the best places in the next town in your itinerary (there is usually someone who's just come from where you're going).
Personnaly, I adored Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, Segovia were all highlights) and Germany. Both were very easy to get around both between and within cities.

Boston...what a wonderful opportunity for you! I personally love to travel solo. I do a lot of traveling for business, and always try to tack on a few days for personal travel, so I don't usually get to have 3 weeks off at once!! You can really do/see a lot in 3 weeks. Just give some thought to what you enjoy doing, and go from there. If museums are your thing....well, London has dozens. Many are free. Most large European cities have great museums.
It would be tough to choose where to go (for me) having never been to Europe before. That being said, any place you go will be a new experience for you. There are also (I believe there is a section on Fodor's for this) sites that cater to single/solo travel. You might want to check them out, if only for the information. No matter where you go, travel in the UK, and the rest of Europe is very easy. The public transportation is top notch.
Have a wonderful time, and be sure to post your trip report.