I agree with Danon about big cities. As a solo traveler and woman alone I'm always much more comfortable there, find the ease of public transportation valuable, and there are just more options for things to do. I don't mind evenings on my own. Sometimes I can find things near the hotel, but also I don't mind a dinner picnic and watching TV shows in the local language.

I've travelled alone quite a bit, more before I was married but also shorter trips since I was married. (I also had to move to Paris immediately after our honeymoon for a job and my husband couldn't join me for 3 months.)

One of my favourite ways to take a solo vacation is to take a fun "study" holiday of some kind. In particular, I like language holidays. Morning classes provide structure to my day (i.e., getting me out of bed at a decent hour) while leaving me with time in the afternoon to sightsee. My classmates are potential sightseeing or restaurant partners, and the school usually organizes some social, sightseeing activities - especially orientation tours, chat nights, etc. You can do a homestay if you're brave, rent an apartment or stay in a hotel (I do the latter).

If you're not keen on studying languages, you could take cooking classes, art classes, winetasting or something else that interests you.

My fantasy, actually, is to do a round-the-world trip where I would take cooking lessons and go diving in different countries (e.g., Italy, Turkey, Thailand, Australia).

If you have 6-8 weeks, you could pick two countries you're interested in visiting and do something study-oriented in each one. For example,

- France: 1 week of morning language classes in Paris, 1 week of morning language classes on the Cote d'Azur, and one week just relaxing with more freedom to travel around a bit overnight.

- Italy: 3 cities (e.g., Rome, Florence and Venice) with a plan to take a one or two-day class in something (e.g., cooking or wine) in each city.

Do it! I have done a lot of solo travel and after years of it, I do like to have an apartment so that I can cook my own meals at night sometimes. Not to mention you will save a lot of money.

6-8 weeks will fly by. But you'll feel like it didn't fly by TOO FAST.

There are times when you will get lonely but just remember how lucky you are to be doing what you are doing. That always snaps me out of it. That and a glass of wine at a cafe somewhere. :)

My phone allows free incoming calls while I am in France and Italy, so my husband calls EVERY day at least twice and usually more. Too much!

Loving this input! Let's go ladies!

Yes, I am happily married but have traveled extensively in Europe alone. If your spouse is okay with it, go for it. Mine would get lonely after 3 weeks I think even though he would tell me to go...

If you click on my name you can read about my 10 days alone in Paris in November...

gruezi

I'll meet you in Rome for a week! DH doesn't like it there, but there is so much I would like to see.

Never traveled solo in Europe before, although I've never heard someone who disliked the trip solo.

6-8 weeks alone (or as you mentioned, 2 weeks w/ daughter + 4-6 weeks 'alone') will be fine, I've met some people who have gone for 4 months by themselves.

Alsace is a great base for traveling around France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and even Switzerland.

If you need a Italian base for a month, I'd advise Tuscany. You can get just about anywhere from Tuscany (Venice, Rome, Naples, Bari, Bologna, Milan, Trent, Turin, etc)

Might be cheaper in Siena, although I'd base in Florence. :)

Oh and, sorry for ruining the 'girl power' feel of the last couple comments. I'm a man *wink*

Kraines, agree that Tuscany would be the best part in Italy to base yourself(however given the length of time you are considering, you could base yourself 2-3 weeks in Tuscany and the rest in Rome or even Venice) For a period of more than a week I would consider being based in a city rather than in the countryside. Look into Lucca. I spent 2 weeks there while attending Italian language school and loved it. It seems to offer many apartments for rental right within the city walls.

I do love the base city strategy where I stay in one place some days and do day trips from it - just go to the train station luggage-less, hop on a train - tour my day trip and return home to a familiar city and hotel - not wasting time packing up each day and relocating.

I know some husbands who would love for their spouses to take a 6-8 week tour abroad...

"If you need a Italian base for a month, I'd advise Tuscany. You can get just about anywhere from Tuscany (Venice, Rome, Naples, Bari, Bologna, Milan, Trent, Turin, etc)"
I would base my self in a big city so there is a lot to do during the day : attend language classes, visit museum and galleries, take day trips, go shopping... and in the evening : concerts , the opera , people watching in cafes etc.
Without speaking the language ,I would find it deadly to spend days and nights in some small town ( even if not alone).

What a great post !!! and I can't believe there are so many of us who travel alone.
Most times I travel, it is without the husband, but I've always gone directly to stay with friends overseas, so it isn't really being alone.
My recent trip to Germany was my first proper 'do it yourself' one (in process of writing trip report for those who may be interested).
Only been home 2.5 weeks and want to take off again :)

PS If I ever win the lottery, then my dream is to study in Vienna for six months learning German! In the menatime I am planning to go back to Europe Christmas 2012 (4 weeks) with my daughter who will then be 18 - so if anyone wants to join us........ please let me know. :)

nz, I certainly empathize with wanting to take off again as soon as I get back. I'm in Chiang Mai as I write and already starting to dream of my next trip! I think some of us are born with restless feet. Since visiting Iran two years ago, my dream is to study Persian at the university in Isfahan for 3 months. I'm saving my pennies now!

A single friend said when she was planning her first visit to a new country, for her first stop she'd make reservations at a popular resort or spa away from the capital. She looked for the kind of homespun place that's under the tourist radar. She sort of eased into the country and new language that way, but the main advantage was she found it easy to make new friends in a relaxed way, and they'd invite her to visit them in their home city. That gave her something to look forward to and a feeling of security in a new city.

What a great post !!! and I can't believe there are so many of us who travel alone.>

I always travel alone and would have it no other way - when traveling with others it just ain't the same adventure - facing the travails that travel inevitably at times includes - by myself is the way I want it.

Summer before last I traveled for six weeks in Europe and was with one of our sons for one of those weeks, the rest of the time I was on my own. It was lovely, I was not lonely and would do it again in a heartbeat. My husband did miss me and I missed him but we stayed in touch.

I don't think you need to worry much about your luggage on the train. . . no one else really wants to schlep yours around as well as their own.

One of the great joys of traveling alone is that you don't have to watch out for: the children, your husband, the friend who's never been, or the friend who doesn't eat or sleep! Freedom takes many guises. I'm off for 6 weeks of heaven