Well I have to disagree with that one small observation. I
never traveled internationally before I graduated college, because I didn't have the money to do so, and my parents weren't volunteering to cough it up (lol).

So I'm not sure I agree with your daughter about that you have to do it real young, for the benefits of having a broader outlook on life, to be less American, or more well rounded. Foreign travel at any age makes you more open minded imho.

once I hit 21 & was on my own... you couldn't stop me. Still can't!!!! (I've taken ~30 what I would consider major trips out-of-the-country so far).

Rosa Mundi,

I wanted to jump in the fray, without perhaps any real help to offer you.

First of all, although you seem to feel a little trepidation about traveling abroad by yourself -- you go girl! You are planning and prepared, and have organized a great looking trip for yourself. Enjoy!

I am in my late 40s and frequently travel by myself. Strangely, I have not stayed at hostels by myself recently, but my upcoming trip to Ireland, when I will be travelling with husband and teenagers in tow, I will be at hostels almost exclusively. I agree with all who say that age is not a factor. But hostels by yourself can be very hit or miss and you have to accept that, regardless of age. Sometimes the company can be delightful and diverse and interesting and intellectually stimulating; sometimes you get lonely.

I also agree with all who recommend staying in the center of London. Don't forget to consider really cheap B&Bs when in London. They will set you back quite a bit more than a hostel will, but frankly when travelling alone and in a large city I have sometimes felt safer in a B&B. In London I stayed at Norfolk Court and St. David. (They are twin B&Bs near Paddington, owned by the same person, and I couldn't tell you which I stayed in...) It had a room barely big enough for the bed, and shared "facilities" down the hall and of course, a great big English breakfast. I had a lovely view of the square, but the hotel itself was a little run down. However, I moved there after spending one night in a situation where I didn't feel safe. I liked the idea that the place was small enough that someone would notice if I didn't show up, and also I could lock my door. (Didn't have to sleep with my purse in my pjs.) London is a great city but it's also a large modern city and the reality is that we must excercise judgement to protect ourselves.

I travelled to Bath last year; stayed at a B&B so can't help you re hostels, but I do STRONGLY recommend downloading the free walking tour from the Jane Austen Society. (Did I mention that it's free?) I listened to it over the course of a few days. I also recommend veiwing Persuasion with Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Yes, you are right I would recommend viewing the movie anyway just for Ciaran Hinds (ha ha!) but it's filmed in Bath and it was particularly exciting for me to see the locations being used in their 19th century usages. Also, did I mention that it's free? Skip the Jane Austen society house -- really not worth the money and not particularly informative to boot -- although across the street at Queen's Square (I think that's the name) there's a weekly outdoor French Market which I was lucky enough to visit.

Best

absthegal

Absthegal- Thank you! I've bookmarked St. David's. After the wonderful advice I've gotten I've changed my London itinerary to a central place and now have it narrowed down to three. One of my first three choices got bumped and St. David's took its place.

Also, I will definitely download the Jane Austen walking tour. Good grief, how could I not have known about that? I also wasn't aware that Persuasion was filmed there- I just thought that the area looked pretty... Not a very sophisticated reason for going somewhere but then again, TOO much 'sophistication' tends to spoil some of the fun. ;o)

French Market- was that on a weekend? It's looking like my days in Bath will be weekdays but I AM hoping to visit as many farmer's-market type places as I can find while I'm on the trip. My body is made of equal parts water and organic produce. haha. No. Wait. Not true. There's an entire 'wing' reserved for sinfully decadent desserts that are best when taken in moderation...something I believe in, but rarely practice!

>>No. Wait. Not true. There's an entire 'wing' reserved for sinfully decadent desserts that are best when taken in moderation...something I believe in, but rarely practice!<<

Be sure to make time in your trip for at least one cream tea, then. Scones, clotted cream, jam...heaven on a plate!

Lee Ann

Lee Ann-
Oh! Most definitely! Thank you for the delicious suggestion. =)

I will be packing an entire box of Lactaid tablets (half in my carry-on, half in my purse!) so I will be 'armed' at a moments notice!

You'll have a wonderful time! My first trip over there was also solo - 3 days around Dublin in a car (though I had B&B vouchers, not hostels), 4 days in London, and then a week out in Somerset with a group, doing a 'Mystical Tour' of that area of Britain.

On the way to Kilkenny, check out Cahir castle and the Swiss Cottage, as well - plenty of time to do so and Cashel as well. If you had to do only one, I'd choose Cashel.

I'd use a GPS or www.viamichelin.com to help you with routes.

It's too bad you can't go by Glendalough on your way from Kilkenny, but it would add several hours to your trip

In Ennis area, there is LOTS to see. The Burren alone could take several days, and then there is the Cliffs of Moher, the Aran Islands, and Ennis itself is a sweet little city.

Rosa_Mundi, a bit off topic, but up thread you mentioned ISIC discounts with Jet Blue. I said I hadn't used it yet, but now I have. I noticed that it's 11% off for each segment, which is a considerable savings.

GreenDragon: Swiss Cottage- Haven't read anything on that yet so I will check it out. Thanks! GPS- definitely. And I'm trying to figure out if I can actually add 2 or 3 more days to my trip so I can explore another area like Glendalough. If nothing else, I'm thinking that an extra day based in Ennis would be marvellous. I have a sister that will drive off the road staring at horses- with me, it's rock formations! haha. Thanks for the wonderful suggestions.

trsny: 11% would be fabulous! I'm seeing that they 'partner' up with Aer Lingus but can only seem to get the entire trip planned out on the Aer Lingus site so will have to see if I can somehow book the whole thing through Jet Blue for that discount on atleast their leg. That could pay for several more nights at a hostel which is a happy thought. Thanks for letting me know!

Are you headed somewhere new and exciting?

Rosa_Mundi, I'm going to New Orleans, and Jet Blue offered the cheapest non-stop flights at the time of booking. The discount helped too!

Glendalough is magical. If you can, arrange to be there early or late - before or after the hordes of tourists!

Swiss cottage is very cute. It was made in Victorian times as a retreat... but not designed for overnight stays, go figure!

I would be wary of staying in hostels in Dublin (as I did for 2 months!) Dublin is a popular drinking city and it is not easy to get a decent night's sleep with people staggering in at all hours. Elsewhere in Ireland this didn't seem to be a problem. I agree with GreenDragon. Glendalough is magical and definitely worth an overnight stay. Have a look at: http://www.jeremytaylor.eu/glendalough_ireland.htm to see its amazing beauty.

JeremyinFrance: Beautiful pictures, thank you for sharing! After GreenDragon's suggestion, and now your lovely photos, I've changed my itinerary around to include two nights in Co.Wicklow. You know, I've looked around online at the other travel forums but so far Fodors members are the ones that have shared the most consistently useful (and inspiring!) information- I am so grateful!

Rosa_Mundi: Just a quick note re your food budget. You mentioned planning on $400 for 14 days food <u>including treating your friends to a dinner</u>.

Is that still the case? If so, I think you'll need to re-think that. $400 currently = approx £16 or €19 a day (and who knows what the exchange rate will be next year). That would be just <i>barely</i> doable by eating most meals either cooked in the hostel kitchens or picnic-type meals.

But one dinner out - and not a splurge in any way - for you and two friends would easily cost $100 right there. $100 is less than £20 a person if there are 3 of you. Just a glass of wine and a small plate will cost close to £20.

And if the exchange rates change to what they were last summer -- $400 would only be approx £200 -- or about £14 a day.

janisj: Thank you- I hadn't done the math so didn't realize dinner would be quite that expensive! I still want to take them out, regardless, so I'm rearranging my spending habits BEFORE the trip. An instructor turned me on to organic 'fair trade' chocolate bars and I realized that if, instead of buying the candy, I tuck my chocolate money into a jar then by summertime I will have enough to pay for that dinner! =)

Rosa_Mundi

Hope your trip is a wonderful one! I want to make two comments (but once I start it could be more ha ha ha ha!). I have never stayed in Dublin, but I agree with Jeremyinfrance that the hostels there could be very noisy. I leave on Tuesday for a trip to Ireland and we are NOT staying in a hostel in Dublin for that reason. They all say things like "bring earplugs" and my favorite "a Guinness or two can't hurt either." I think otherwise that they are quite clean and well located and probably great -- many have walking tours, laundry facilities, continental breakfast, etc. But they all seem noisy. On a forum contributor recommendation I have booked at the Mount Herbert House -- at 59 Euro for two for one night, no breakfast. A good price, but not nearly as cheap as a hostel, but I was willing to pay for quiet. (Technically I wasn't, but my DH wanted quiet so that's how things go.) I thought I'd give you the name in case the hostel ends up too noisy.

Re food... a favorite topic! And on a budget -- welcome to my life! Remember that, just like here in the states, lunch is usually considerably cheaper than dinner... when taking your friends out remember lunch, and don't forget tea! A great British tradition, lots of fun, expensive for what it is when taken at a fancy hotel for example, but still way cheaper than a comparable dinner -- and always a special treat. A few more notes about budget meals -- a bottle of wine makes even cheap spaghetti or chinese more fun, and lastly, a modest meal in a great location (see tea above)like a museum cafe or fish and chips overlooking the beach can stretch dollare.

And don't forget the Jane Austen walking tour of Bath -- downloadable to your ipod! (Did I mention that it's free?)


Have a great trip! absthegal

I stayed at Globetrotters hostel in Dublin and it wasn't too noisy. That's probably because it wasn't located in the Temple Bar area. It's a bit more pricey than the other hostels, so this may have contributed to the quieter atmosphere. It is a bit noisy in the common area, but that's to be expected.

The breakfast there was amazing, a full on Irish breakfast. Great to feast on and hold you over for a long time. The hostel is steps away from O'Connell St. If you're staying in Dublin at all, I can suggest some places to eat that won't break the bank.

absthegal:
How exciting! I hope you have a fantastic trip and will be back here soon to tell us about it. =) Seems like I’d better rethink my hostel plans. All the noise probably would be even harder to take after the peace and quiet I’m hoping to enjoy most of the time. Thanks for Mount Herbert House- I’m putting it on my list. Before, I had a 50/50 split between hostels and B&B’s but as my itinerary has changed around and been 'refined' they have all been changed to hostels. However, with that much money saved it seems like splurging a little for a better place in Dublin would be the best way to go. I’ve tried sleeping with earplugs in, but it drives me just as batty as the noise. Haha.

And taking my friends to lunch instead of dinner- excellent idea and it’s now been changed in my itinerary. That would probably be best, anyway, if we bring their children along.

Jane Austen has been on my list since you mentioned it before and I watched Persuasion again which absolutely clinched it! Thanks.

Trsny:
Globetrotters, got it down. Thanks! The more I think about it the more I know a noisy place will bother me by that point in my trip. And like I mentioned above, earplugs make me nuts. Blech. Full breakfast, too? I love it! I’ve read people saying that they got a little tired of the full Irish breakfast every day but you know… that just won’t happen with me. ;o) My great-Gramma was Scots/Irish and she put out a fabulous spread every single day, twice a day, for her entire married life. She always had two separate cookstoves (one wood, one electric) in her kitchen and both were completely full every time. Even when we stayed with her during the summer we NEVER got tired of it and the only thing that keeps me from eating like that now is the ol’ waistline. ;o)

Places to eat on a budget? Yes, please! I would definitely appreciate it if you would share that. Thanks!

Rosa, I'm 50 and still stay at hostels. I prefer International Youth Hostels as the sexes are usually put in separate dorm rooms. (It was a bit disconcerting in Rome to wake one moring in a non-IYH room to discover that I'd spent the night with a bunch of young men. Sigh, that was the high point of my trip, and that's as outrageous as the story gets!) Even at my age, I'm rarely the eldest in a hostel. As to fear of foreign travel, I had it too. I always wanted to travel, but couldn't "afford" to do it until Uncle Sam kindly sent me to Germany for free. (Okay, it cost me a three-year enlistment.) When I landed in Frankfurt, I looked at the window at the grass. Wow! It was green. I must have thought that it would be purple, or something. I don't know. I just realized that it was a different place, with people facing the same joys and trials that I faced, but not a different world. After that, I never looked back, and travel whenever I can. I prefer solo because I can go where I want to go when I want to go, but I took my nieces over when they were 13 to London,and had them determine which "tube" line we'd take, look at the maps, etc. I hope that they feel more a part of the world, and more courageous than I was when it comes to going out a seeing it.

cheapalice: Thanks for your reply. =) I laughed at first about you waking up in a room full of young men since everything turned out fine- but it was a reality check and a good reminder for me to confirm I will be in the 'female' dorm rooms when I make the reservations! When I questioned the Kenmare hostel about it, they quoted me prices but didn't specifically state the male/female dorm situation so I'll have to ask again. I'm also trying to work things so I can afford the single rooms and that would take care of the problem right quick. When it comes down to cheaper accomodations vs. shorter trip- the cheaper sleeps look better and better!

But about the bathrooms...do both males and females share the showers and are they like college dorm showers (i.e.: just plastic curtains on the fronts)? It really seems like I'm obsessing more about where I sleep than anything else! LOL! For the day trips I just have general things I want to see/do but am not worried about keeping to a schedule or list of must-sees (except the Skelligs- that's a must for me now!), but it feels like in order for me to be THAT laid back during the day I'd better get a darn good sleep the night before!

Every hostel will have a different shower arrangement, and it's worth checking out in advance. I have yet to see one that has both-gender showers in the same room, and I think that's extremely unlikely. Some have a little shower room that is entirely private, while others have more of a health club type arrangement. That is one way to think of things, too - I may not be super-thrilled about a shared shower setup, but I put up with it all the time at the gym.

Maybe I said this already, but if you take your shower in the middle of the day, the odds that you will have to wait for the shower and/or see other shower-takers is much reduced.

Here is a very cheap place to eat in London - all-you-can-eat mostly vegan Indian food. Not exactly gourmet, but quite satisfactory.
http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=699

I expect you will sleep well, but don't worry too much about it. If you have a night or two that is sleepless, for whatever reason, you'll manage fine.