Europe Tour. Information of any kind.
 

I have just joined this group in the hopes that I might receive help with a holiday I am planning.
I am a senior lady and will be traveling alone. I have been looking at all the travel tours available for Europe but I have to say they don't seem to cater for the people who would like to take it leisurely.
I am looking for a tour that will stay maybe 3 nights in designated places. While Im not hard to please I do have one or two specific places I would like to see.
If any of you could give me a few pointers or direct me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

In general if you want 3 or 4 nights in different cities it is better to travel on your own . . . You can always take short local tours from each city.

What three place are on your wish list? And yes group tours tout how many places they will see (will rather look at at times rather than 'see' or experience in a short time because that sells.

There are slower tours but most are face-paced - like janisj says abouve i fyou want to pick out three or four bases it is easy to take the train between cities - no no problems with language getting tickets ahead of time online so everything is buttoned down, etc.

and yes once you get to a place you will find umpteen city tours - from the typical open-top doubledecker buses tours that give commentary in English and other tongues to more intimate ones guided by a single person - if you ask here specifically about a place and such tours - in a separate thread to get coverage - many will recommend tried and trusted ones.

How about London

Train to Amsterdam - about 4-5 hours

Train to Paris - 3.5 hours

Overnight train or fly to Venice

Train to Florence and Rome - all short enough train trips except Paris to Italy - again you can buy discounted tickets easily online so all you have to do is show up at the station.

Anyways consider taking the train - first-class for a novice with luggage would be more relaxed - check these sites for oodles of great depictions of what to expect on the rail in Europe: www.seat61.com - great into on discounted tickets; www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com. For tours you may want to take a look at Rick Steves tours as they are kind of more intimate and relaxed as opposed to the biggie tour companies.

I don't have a specific tour recommendation for you but you might try searching (Google) using the phrase "slow travel". There is a specific tour company called Slow Travel Tours, and there also are other tour companies that put together what they call "slow travel itineraries".

Thank you so much for your quick reply janisj!

I was thinking about doing this although I have to say being a senior is a little daunting and different!
In my younger days I certainly had travelled quite a bit on my own, I was quite adventurous, not quite the same now.

I was planning to go in April 2016.

Would like to go to Venice, how long would anyone consider is a good length of time to stay?
Another city is Budapest!

I guess the first thing I should be doing is make a list of where I would like to go.

Hope Im not wasting anyone's time.

I still think you should go on your own. If you did it when you were younger, no reason you can't do it now. Go at your own pace, see the places you want to see, keep it simple.

I've been to Venice twice and stayed 5 days each time. I would have loved to stay longer.

You're not wasting our time, we all love trip planning, that's why we are here.

Definitely make a list of any place you are interested in (you can narrow it down later) and pin a map on the wall so you can see the relation of places, one to another.

What you describe is easy and fun to put together. Then you can have exactly the trip you want, not someone else's idea of what's good.

If you do want a tour group, I agree to look at what Rick Steves has to offer.

Look also at www.untours.com
for individual travel within a framework of support. I believe they serve both of your fantasy destinations.

Sounds like you haven't been to Europe. Our first venture was with Globus through Europe and yes were kept on the move but saw many major sites. A good many Fodorites are independent travelers but a few are more group travelers. You are a "senior lady" but not as old as myself or DW! I really don't know your age.(-:

We have enjoyed many trips with Grand Circle Travel and Road Scholar and a few other companies plus time before and after. Rick Steves, another good choice, and Slow Travel Tours. You can enjoy planning your own itinerary which means advance scheduling and reservations. Up to you.

Have you looked at road scholar (formerly elderhostel)? They tend to have a more relaxed pace than some. My mom, who is also a senior who travels alone, has done several tours with them and has enjoyed them.

+1 for Road Scholar tours.

http://www.roadscholar.org

If going on your own keep your basees to a minimum - relocating takes time and can be a pain - moving around everyday is a hassle but use a base like say Rome and do day trips if you want to see some of the Italy outside Rome or Venice or Florence.

Again the train system is so so fantastic and easy to use.

Thank you all so much!!!!! I am so glad I decided to join this Forum...it is exactly what I was looking for. Information and ideas from others who have done Europe.

I have not touched on Europe too much on my travels. I have been to Paris, Crete, and used to live in Spain for a while close to Marbella,also lived in Gibraltar and in the Caribbean. This was all so long ago however.

Although from the UK I have lived in Australia since 1963, now live in NC.

Well Ozarksbill, Im not sure about who is the oldest! Think I may give you a run for your money. I was really just trying to establish what and how much I can do!!!

You have all been so much help and I will now use most of your suggestions to plan my trip.

Once again...thank you all so much.

If you decide to travel on your own, pack light. You'll have to shift and lift your own suitcase. If that is daunting, maybe a tour would be better. They'll handle your suitcase for you.

Rick Steves runs tours called 'My Way' that might help you - haven't looked into them so really can't give advice.

Shirley, Welcome to the forum. You'll fit in great around here. As you get a little further in your planning and ideas, just run them by us, everyone's happy to help. And everyone has a bit different perspective and experience to share. Suze

Don't you know some friend or relative you could go with - two is always better than one when traveling first time on your own?

Though this forum is the den of on your own travelers like me who urge you to go on your own too - the perils you may be pondering just are a snap but there is no shames for doing a group tour - like the vast majority of Americans traveling to Europe indeed do. Pick a less structured tour with plenty of free time that takes care of transportation and hotels but leave you free to explore on your own. Eschew the mega bus tour groups that are on the move all the time and get a really ephemeral experience in Europe.

Hi Shirley - I'm also a senior Brit living in NC. I travel a fair amount, and almost always solo, although I have done a few Rick Steves tours. Venice and Budapest are great choices, although you might add Vienna in between.

For info on taking trains in Europe see seat61.com and for schedules see bahn.de

For inspiration for traveling solo see http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

For my 2007 Budapest to Venice trip see http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ria-venice.cfm

@PQ - two is NOT necessarily better than one. And this is not someone with no travel experience at all.

Hi, Shirley --

I was just about to post the very same traveling-solo thread that thursdaysd linked in for you!

There are quite a few of us here on Fodor's who are independent, solo, female travelers, and I think you will find us happy to help.

FWIW, I find solo travel an absolutely delightful self-indulgence: I NEVER have to compromise for anyone! I can go where I want, when I want, and I can collapse at will. ;-)

And I agree that two is NOT necessarily better than one, even on a first trip abroad! Just one simple example: The ONLY time I ever felt threatened was one of the VERY few times I was with someone else while traveling abroad (and I am very fortunate to have traveled rather extensively) -- I was focused on what my friend was saying, and almost failed to notice the pickpocket who nearly got away with my purse. As a solo traveler, my focus is on my surroundings -- a good thing, when it comes to safety!

Hope that helps!