I am planing a solo trip this summer for 2 weeks. Potential desitnations are Barcelona, Lisbon, and Rome. I am a 30 year old and have always wanted to do this. I want to meet new people and have new experience but have no idea how to do so safely. Does anyone have any input or personal experience?

There are a number of threads here on the subject and you can search above, just above the orange line. I will say that I've been traveling the world on my own for 50 years now and if you can go about in a city in your own country without incident, you'll have no trouble in most of the rest of the world. Be aware and carry on. I have no doubt you'll have a fine time.

And trains are very safe IME too if you are going by train - you could probably do either Spain and Portugal in 2 weeks or just Italy and say France or just Italy, etc.

You would want to fly between Spain and Italy of course (though there is also a long all day and night ferry between the two - ferries are great for meeting people - kind of like a cruise ship - lots of amenities on board.

but to plan a train journey here are some neat sources: www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com - check the latter's online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of rail itineraries. Two weeks is both a long time and a short time - for cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, Rome, Paris a minimum of 3 full days if possible would be neat - more in say Rome or Paris perhaps.

An Italian rail trip could include Rome- Florence - Venice

From Venice there is an overnight train to Paris (very safe too IME) and Paris is but 2 hours from London by train!

To meet folks your age you may want to check out youth hostels which in large cities see lots of folks your age IME of being your age once. Hotels can be isolating. Trains are also a good way of meeting folks and talking to locals.

I've done a few trips on my own & greatly enjoyed them. I will say it's nice to join a local walking or food tour to have a chance to hang out with other people.

I'm a woman who is firmly committed to solo travel -- it is such a delightful self-indulgence! I get to go where I want, when I want.

Here is a link to trip reports by solo travelers; you might find some inspiration there:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

Enjoy!

Safety:

Generally, these are civilized countries and safe for women travelling alone. However, you might not feel comfortable late at night at train stations in big cities, so better take trains which arrive before 10 p.m.

meet new people_

Not too easy making contacts with natives. Europeans are generally more reserved than Americans, and there is the language barrier. Sometimes, contacts pop up when you least expect them, e.g. chatting with shop assistants or with vendors on markets. The general rule is: the less touristy you appear the more likely you get contacts with natives.

Maybe you have a hobby and go to a club?

For contacts with other tourists, cooking classes are usually great (and better than guided tours). Or something where you have to work together (lika diving or outdoor activities).

Actually, I just got home last night from two weeks in Spain! I was in Barcelona and Madrid and felt perfectly safe. I am a woman in my 40s (married with children) and this was my first solo trip.

I flew into Barcelona and then took the AVE to Madrid. Used Hailo (like Uber but uses actual taxi drivers) when I needed a car; the subway in both cities was easy to use.

I took standard precautions but felt very safe and didn't use a moneybelt or anything like that. I am looking forward to many more solo trips in the future

I love to travel solo and have done so quite a few times (but not to exactly where you want to go).

My general comments would be don't expect to "meet people" when you are going to 3 countries in 2 weeks time (and assuming you don't speak the local language, but I could be wrong about that).

I would focus more on what YOU want to do and what YOU want to get out of the trip.

Doing so "safely" is a matter of careful advance planning (don't end up in a hotel in a dodgy part of the city) and when traveling keep your wits about you (don't do anything dumb).

Lots of people do what you want to do successfully and safely.

sincerely, suze

wanderlust,
I am in the process of planning my sixth solo trip to Germany, Austria or Switzerland. I often stay in small town vacation apartments, which somewhat limits interactions with locals, as I am not by nature particularly gregarious. (I stay in small hotels when craving a little more social interaction).

That said, you have to be comfortable being ALONE for long stretches of time, without giving in to loneliness (I do. Plus the benefit of going WHERE I want, WHEN I want, without compromise appeals greatly to me!)

Of course, dining or traveling solo makes one naturally reach out to natives, which as traveler stated above, can make for pleasant or memorable interactions, but generally not deep friendships.

I am a single woman and generally return to my home base by 10 each night, which serves me well, as I like to get exploring fairly early in the mornings anyway.
Using common sense, you will be safe and have a great time....I have no regrettable/scary incidents occur in all my travels!

Anyway you'll be as safe if not safer in just about any European place than in most American cities.

Re safety: Keep your hands as free as possible by wearing a backpack purse and taking only a carry-on size roller bag. I have never used a money belt but I always use a messenger or backpack purse that has a zipper pocket on the back side where I keep money, credit cards and passport. Trying to keep track of too much stuff can lead to your being distracted, with negative consequences.

<Trying to keep track of too much stuff can lead to your being distracted, with negative consequences.>

Agree. I think it can also make you appear vulnerable. You want to look *confident* at all times, like you know what you're doing and where you're going (even if you don't -lol!)

I do not consider backpacks to be particularly safe. I use a cross-body purse with several interior zippered compartments.

Great idea to collect so many trip reports from solo travelers. I've done reports on trips to Eastern Europe, Germany, and Spain. Also parts of England and Austria.

I loved traveling with my sister, but I truly do enjoy traveling alone--doing what I want to do, when I want to do it.

P.S. I am an 80-year-old woman.

Traveling solo gives a great sense of confidence and is a total indulgence as kja stated. My first solo travel happened at age 33 when a planned month long trip to Italy with a friend went off the rails and she went home early. I was terrified for no logical reason but it was wonderful and definitely a time of personal growth for me. I've traveled many times solo since and I think I'm even a bit addicted to it. I have some crazy stories from these journeys but have never felt unsafe or in danger. I would say body language is important, knowing where you are going, being aware of surroundings etc.

I think traveling solo provides a great opportunity to meet people. It may mean getting out of your comfort zone and striking up a conversation with the person next to you at the counter or bar or engaging with other travelers on walking tours; last November I took a rooftop tour of the Duomo in Milan and spent the entire evening after the tour with a fabulous group of women from NY and Australia. That may not have happened if I was not alone.

Whichever destination you choose, enjoy!

In the "meet new people" category, it's always been much easier to meet other tourists/travelers than locals in my experience.

I think joining an "interest" tour or class (language, cooking, biking, etc.) is a good way to meet up with similar-minded folks.

People always want to "meet locals" or "live like a local" and I simply don't think that's practical where you don't speak the language and are only going to be in a city for a few days.

The greatest treat to myself is to travel alone. I don't particularly want to 'meet people'. I if I did I would go with friends, join an interest group or a guided tour. I don't need to feel responsible for someone else's happiness!

I usually try to have a few words and phrases of the local language and find out 'how to be nice' in the culture.

And I plan ahead so as not to have any unexpected drama. Make sure I stay somewhere central and get a basic idea of transportation.

Other than that it's all pure enjoyment.

I strongly recommend using an under-clothing pouch for key valuables -- one you NEVER EVER open in public. Use it for your a bit of cash, spare credit or ATM cards, your passport when not needed, and also for a list of key contact information in the unlikely event that you lose your purse or wallet.

You'll have a great time! I made plenty of solo trips in my 20s and always had fun. Rome is the only one of the three cities you mention where guys would come up and try and chat a solo woman up, but it was always good-humoured and not aggressive. If you *do* want to meet other travellers to hang around with occasionally, you can easily do so by taking bike tours, walking tours, tapas tours, cooking classes etc. Have fun!

I travel solo alot tho sometimes with different friends. I/we have met people (mostly other tourists but from other countries) in restaurants, on a snorkeling boat trip, on a train (guy from NY on my train to Zermatt, Switzerland. It's kind of serendipity though but when it sparks it can make for a magical memory -- in Hawaii we met some couples from the boat trip for dinner and had a great time. In Florence my brother and I ate at a tiny restaurant across the river and met a newlywed (but not super young) couple who invited us to join them for grappa, cantucci and vin santo. We laughed and told stories and had a great time. Have talked to people from Australia, Holland, etc who were sitting at the next table in a cafe or restaurant. Dont' meet too many locals - though spend time in conversation with the manager of the Poseidon hotel in Positano. A day tour can be fun, there is usually lunch where you get to talk with the others. Hvae fun. I am going to Stresa on Lake Maggiore solo in May.