another woman who has traveled to Paris and many other places on my own. Ther is nothing to fear and everything to gain. Go for it! and then be sure to share your adventures with us (well you don't have to share everything!)!

<<malelion55 on Jan 22, 10 at 9:08pm
I know a cheap good divorce lawyer that only cost 500.00 dollars and everything is done...you will be free....LoL....>>

What a sad response. The only reason I can think of that one or two weeks apart would end in divorce is that there is no trust in the marriage.

Not every woman is afraid that her husband will look for someone else if she isn't with him all the time. Ditto for husbands.

While traveling, I've met a lot of married women on trips without their husbands because the men are not interested in travel or had enough of it while serving in the military.

Go Eliza! You'll love it.

As for the "divorce" comment, just s few months ago I was at my best friend and her husband's 25th wedding anniversary party that they threw at their house. During their entire marriage, they have had the system of a family vacation together and then two separate ones if they wish; one for him and one for her.

She's taken off as long as 3 weeks to South Africa with 3 female friends from work. And that's when their child was young. They worked it out so that she could have that possibly, once in a lifetime, South African trip. And that was way back more than 15 years ago. She also used to take off either alone or later with their one child to Bali and just relax and de-stress at a 4-star overlooking rice terraces.

Before they got married, they discussed their lifestyles and one thing that she clearly brought up was that she needed to have time on her own. So, they both knew what they were getting into before saying, "I do.", as all of the cards were laid out on the table, so to speak. They're both very secure and happily married people. Many of her on-a-leash friends didn't make it anywhere near 25 years of marriage and are now divorced. Happy Travels!

The first time I visited Paris the plan was to meet a friend on arrival. She got delayed by flight problems and a family emergency, so I wound up on my own. It turned out great! Of the many return visits since, some have been solo and some have been with others (SO, friends, family) but all have been enjoyable.
I agree with those who have observed that Paris is easy for solo travelers. Single hotel rooms are readily available, dining alone is not a problem as small tables are abundant, and waiters as well as other service providers are generally very helpful. I have treasured memories of both shared moments and solo experiences. I think of it as Amorino offers both chocolate and vanilla gelato, and at different times I eat one or the other (and sometimes a little of both.)

Go for it! I went to Paris alone when I was in college and though I was only there for a short time, I met several other young Americans and toured around with them to museums, etc. I have also been to Florence alone and was just fine for three weeks. I am planning a return trip to Rome this spring and am *seriously* thinking of adding Paris on to my itinerary. I would like to go again as my more confident and smarter 31-year-old self!

I do worry about dining alone; but after reading all of these comments, I'm feeling up to it!

PS. For the singles...there's usually no shortage of fellow travelers or lovely European men to make you feel welcome!

Absolutely not.

My friend dropped out of our trip last May, but I still went. And I had a lovely GTG with fellow Fodorites which made it all worthwhile.

Once you fix your dates, post them here and you will have little problem arranging a GTG - there are ALWAYS many Fodorites in Paris at any given time, and lots would love a GTG.

I've already got a GTG planned for October in Paris (am I allowed to say it's with Barb...???)

Eliza,

I only started really traveling in 2005 and 95% of my travels have been solo. Like you, my feeling was if I waited for someone to take me, I'd never get out of the country, so off I've gone to explore and enjoy. I agree with the other gals, no cowtowing to others who dont want to eat here or there or go to this or that museum. Sure it's nice to have company to share with but it's also liberating to travel solo. Just imagine: "You've come a long way Lady".

I've been to Paris every year since and no matter where I'm headed I always try to fit in at least a few days if not a couple of weeks in Paris. I've been 5 times and there's always more to see and places having been to before, to enjoy again.

I love Paris and if I could, would move there in a heartbeat.

I've found the people friendly and pleasant and helpful, no matter what you may have heard about the rude French, it's not true except for maybe one or two exceptions in all the times I've been there .

As far as eating alone, it's never been a problem for me since I'm a big people watcher. Park yourself at a table near a window so you can watch the goings on as you dine. Or carry an American newspaper, and you might find other Americans or English speaking approaching...or look for other Americans and start a conversation. And absolutely, post on Fodor's for a GTG and the dates you'll be in Paris. I attended one with about a dozen fodorites and a long long lunch and wonderful time was had by all. It's nice to meet the faces behind the words.

Go for it and have a wonderful time.
(Don;t miss the D'Orsay or St. Chappelle or the Luxembourg Park!)

The OP is not thirty-something years old and is not spending her life alone. Nor are most of the people who have responded to this thread and said they have enjoyed their solo trips.

As to the question as to whether there is something wrong when a woman in her thirties lives alone without a partner, it is not relevant to this discussion, but I would venture a guess that few who have replied here would agree with that premise.

do you have problems going on vacation with men ?...

I know a cheap good divorce lawyer that only cost 500.00 dollars and everything is done...you will be free....LoL....

if a 30- something woman who is living alone and don't have a partner, then something is wrong...

LOLOLOL. Keep diggin malelion55. You are cracking me up.

Another recommendation for traveling solo to Paris. I loved it and can't wait to go solo again. Usually I travel there with DH - and that's great, too. But, traveling solo is a different feeling and as others have said, very liberating. Do it!

Agreed Cigal, methinks male chauvinist piglets are long
out of style- yet there are still some cavemen skulking around -

Mahya2...

malelion55 has apparently created a time machine and is posting from 1955.

Newsflash: This is the year 2010. Today, women don't need a man to give them permission to travel or do anything else. Plus, you apparently have problems with reading comprehension as the OP said she's married and recently turned 50 (or is about to?).

Life is too short to sit around at home, wishing you had gone to Paris. Go for it.

Not married at 30 means something wrong? Wasn't that applicable when the book was called "Paris on $5 a day"?

Being a male, I'd hate to think that any women somehow needs my permission to go somewhere or do soemthing on her own. If I can go, fine...but to say you can't because I can't...yikes.

if a 30- something woman who is living alone and don't have a partner, then something is wrong

WOW... only here on Fodor's can I mix & mingle with people with such old fashioned opinions.

Ignore the caveman and maybe he'll go away.

Go! Paris is wonderful. The first time I went, I was taking a class and was with a group but found plenty of solo time. The solo time was the best.

The second time, I went with 3 family members and was unable to do anything solo and had to cater to others' desires.

The third time, I went with two co-workers and it was pretty much the same.

Next time, I'm going alone! There's too much to see and do and too many places to get "lost" to spend time worrying about others and their wants and needs.

Go alone and see and do the things you want...there are no shortage of wonderful, helpful people to meet...or not meet.

I waited until I was 50 to go the first time even though I had wanted to go since I was a teenager. I wish now that I had done it before I did.

I just booked a solo trip to Paris for my 50th birthday.

My partner of 20 years is a homebody. He would much perfer that I go on vacation and leave him to paint the house in peace LOL! My friends are all married or don't travel!

Of course the trip is in July and my birthday is in September, but... September's just a busy time of the year for me.

Not 100% sure I will take this trip, but if I cancel it won't be because I didn't want to go solo (It's all on Frequent flyer miles and free hotel nights so the "cancellation penalty is $100) (I do have one friend trying to figure out a way to leave her husband and special needs kid for a long weekend someplace fun and if she can work out the details I will probably have to cancel this trip.)

Go you will probably discover that you really like going solo. No one to answer to as to how to spend the day, and the luxury of only thinking of yourself and your enjoyment. Some of my best trips have been when I traveled alone.

Just went to Paris for the 1st time last Sept and, although it was with my darling husband, we saw lots of solo female travelers from all over the world - they were having a blast!
Rent "Paris, Je T'Aime" which features 10 or 15 5-minute films by different directors...you'll get some great and very different takes on this wonderful, wonderful city. I think you'll relate to the very last one - a 50-ish lady travelling to Paris solo...I wept with joy to see her reactions.
You are gonna LOVE it!

eliza, let me share these short videos with you to get the flavor of the different places in Paris.

http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/f...is/boulangerie