rd1, you probably don't need a converter to recharge your cell phone, just an inexpensive adapter to plug the charger into the European electrical sockets.

rd1-go to a tabac or newstand when you get to London and buy a phone card called EUROTEL(light blue in color) which is 5 pounds. It is an international calling card for England and is good for about 150 minutes back to the states or anywhere in Europe. As long as you dial 9 for an outside line from your hotel and then the 800 number with pin code you will NOT be charged any extra fees. Your cell phone minutes overseas are ridiculous compared to what you can get on a phone card there.Paris has their own phone card too so purchase one when you arrive-its about 5 euros. I think that its wonderful that you are going by yourself because I think that all of us need some "me time" especially when we are parents. The one thing that I would recommend to you and anyone else who travels is to always leave a note by the phone in your hotel room as to where you might be going that day. (I fly international for an airline and it really is a great way in this day and age of security threats/problems to let people ie.love ones know in case there would be a problem). Have a wonderful time and enjoy!

Some London hotels do charge for toll-free calls. Just be absolutely sure before calling.

Thanks Nikki

I will look into the adapter they also have these battery boost things which are supposed to work for an hour on a dead batter. Maybe I will get that.

Thanks for the tips willtravel and dutyfree!

RD -- Ignore them all...

Within the last year, I traveled to Miami Beach in January for a concert with a friend of mine, went to New York City to visit my brother, went to Idaho to a friend's wedding, and "home" to the Pacific Northwest 3 times (granted, it would have been less but my grandmother died.) I also went to Paris and London with my husband as well.

My husband didn't go on any of those domestic trips with me -- he encouraged me to go, since he either was not interested, had been there before, or just couldn't due to scheduling.

I've had some people make comments about why he's not traveling with me -- and I think it's great that I have a spouse who is ok with me going even when he doesn't want to.

I also have heard people say "Your husband is letting you go?"

To which I respond: "'My husband won't let me' go isn't in my vocabulary -- and the reason I married him is that it's not in his either."

Some people are just jealous, others stupid, and some just don't think outside the box of conventional living.

Go, enjoy. And kiss your wife a little extra for being so cool.

Jules

Thanks Jules!
I am glad to know I am not alone in travelling alone! It should definately be an adventure!

Any tips on where to go in Paris an London would be great. Thanks again! I am ignoring all the negativity from people. Thanks again

rd1
I have travelled to Europe solo as well with friends. I am not a loner - far from it - but I do confess that I enjoyed much more when I was alone.

Forget what others say: just treat yourself to a great time in Europe.

rd1: There are a thousand threads on here about what to do in London and Paris (though I also suggest you get a good guidebook for each) - just do a search. The "Paris Superthread" is a good place to start. Do a search for it.

Another thought - when you've got your dates settled for each city, post them here and ask if other Fodorites are going to be there at the same time. There have been many fun Fodors get-togethers in Europe as a result of such invitations. It could be a very enjoyable experience and give you a small break from being alone overseas.

RD -- Here's my full trip report (grab a cup of something and make yourself comfortable, it's long for having only lasted 10 days.

If you have any questions or want further info, I can be reached via e-mail at [email protected] I don't mind -- I love talking about travel, so feel free with any questions you might have.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34694412

Jules Thanks I am going to take a look at your report I will also make sure to email with any questions!

Thanks
Brazilnut!

Thanks StCirq I have been reading many of the posts on what to do! Now the big thing is to decide on what I really want to do, what I will do if time allows and what I will skip! I have gotten one big guide book for the UK, one specifically for London and one for Paris.

I will only be in Paris for one day so I have to really decide what I will do, I think I am going to go to the louvre for a few hours when I arrive then take the batbus on the sienne and stop at notre dame cathedral and then end up by the eiffel tower or arc de triumph and walk around until I need to catch the train back. I have gotten many ideas and tips from people on the board and I am really thankful!

Hi I came back 2 weeks ago from my solo trip to Europe! Thanks to all for the support! I made another post a while back about all I did.

It was a great feeling to be totally independent for 5 days I have not had that feeling in a long time! When I got home my wife and kids were so happy to have me back!

It was really nice, we talked everyday about everything I saw and did and I was also able to text message throughout the day, my wife said she loved getting tesx messages like I am in Windsor castle or I just saw the eiffel tower.
thanks again to all!

thanks so much for posting an update for us

Yes, thanks for the update.

I am a middle-aged married woman who travels alone about once or twice a year. The reason is simple--DH doesn't have as much vacation time as I have, nor does he have the passion for travel. Sure, he enjoys an occasional trip overseas, but he's just as happy to spend his vacation time fishing at the TX coast.

I have also heard negative comments such as the ones you described. People presume we're having marital problems, I'm seeing someone, he's seeing someone, yadda, yadda. But I am determined to live my life and I really don't give a rats behind what people think. I'm just thankful to have a husband who understands and supports my passion for travel, even if he chooses not to participate.

On that happy note, I will be leaving in about 10 days for a solo trip to London and Madeira. :-)

I would say that if you are from a regular U.S. city then you should be fine in London and Paris.

I traveled to both as a single woman with very, very little french knowledge. And I had a great time!

Sure, you may have to stand in front of the metro maps longer than most.....but no one will bother you if you do that.

Just use your street smarts, use a money belt, and keep your camera away for except when you are taking pictures.

And avoid wearing any tshirts with eiffel towers on them---I live in a tourist city and we can spot the tourists immediately by the t-shirts and sweatshirts they wear with our city's landmark on them. :)

I know what you mean about looking like a tourist, I live in ft. lauderdale and I can also spot a tourist a mile away, in England as soon as I spoke everyone knew I was American, but in Paris I must have done a good job of blending in because people thought I was french, people asked me for directions and when I went to have lunch they first spoke to me in French then realized and spoke english, but every other american that came in they spoke english too, I even had americans trying to speak to me in broken french and I had to say no I am american I speak English, then I was able to seak Spanish which i speak fluently in a store and the woman that was helping thought I was from Spain!

My wife was very understanding about my trip which I am lucky she laughs when people ask if we are having marital problems, and when I look at the people who ask that they are all divorced or in bad relationships, I guess that is a good example of projection!

when my sons get a little older we are going to go the four of us, I would love to go especially to Paris, just my wife and me but we don't have anyone who would watch the kids for any length of time longer that an a few hours so that will have to wait. Thanks again I look forward to reading about everyone else's trips!