agoldy

I'm planning a solo trip to Europe (my first time) and I'd like to visit Rome and London. I have between 7-10 days. I'd like some recommendations on accommodations and tours. I've looked into escorted tours but they seem too rushed for my liking. My only must-see is the Vatican.

janisj

You'll need to tell us your budget before we can give useful hotel suggestion.

Apres_Londee

Rome and London are great cities, and lots of solo travelling women here will have all sorts of great advice. I spent a week alone in Rome once and have spent time alone in London several times. You can definitely do it yourself without going on an escorted tour! (I personally loath tours).

If you can manage it, I'd really recommend trying to swing 10 days instead of 7. Then you could divide your time evenly between them.

If you go for 7 days, I would think about sticking with one city only, otherwise you might be too rushed and on top of that you will lose an entire day travelling between them.

But before making specific recommendations, it would be helpful to everyone if you shared your budget, whether you have a strong preference for hotels or apartments, and your interests (art museums, food, shopping, theater, etc.)

Approach_Guides

For tours, I recommend checking out Context Travel tours http://www.contexttravel.com/ Their tours are led by specialists and focus on cultural topics -- they should be less rushed, as they focus on specific topics.
Have a great trip!

lovs2travel

While you are in London, look into London Walks. They have great tours throughout the city. You only have to show up outside the designated tube station and the cost only £8. They offer a discount Walkabout Card if you decide to go on more than one walk. They also have daytrips from London.

www.walks.com

Mimar

And allow a day or two for jet-lag after you first arrive. You'll be sleepy and dazed. So assuming you fly into London, add extra days there.

nytraveler

For your first trip to europe I would definitely pick a hotel in the very center of things with a full staff that can provide advice and assistance. While apartments make sense for families - or even couple or single who are experienced travelers - for a single person on a first trip I would definitely want someone on hand 24/7 to help sort out day trips, tickets for shows/concerts and general advice.

Also - agree with 7 days to do just one city - with the possibility of 1 or 2 day trips. I wouldn;t do these 2 cities unless you have 10 days - which would give you 5 days in one (London for preference) one for travel and 4 in Rome.

MmePerdu

If you travel on a budget as I do I can recommend this women's hostel in Rome:
http://www.foresteriaorsa.altervista...esteria_uk.htm

It's walking distance from the Vatican and I enjoyed my week stay there very much.

agoldy

Based on your comments I think I'll visit Rome so I can have time to do some day trips to other parts of Italy if I want. I agree with nytraveler that I should stick with a full-service hotel for my first trip. I'm definitely more interested in museums and restaurants. My budget (without airfare) is between $2,000 - $3,000 for 7 days. Thank you all for your advice!

Sidny

I like www.venere.com for booking hotels, or at least browsing to get an idea of price. If you're thinking of doing several day trips, especially if you'll be leaving early in the morning or arriving back late at night, a hotel near the train station (Termini), may make sense. I know very little about Rome though, maybe regional trains will leave from other stations?

bilboburgler

Welcome to Fodors.

The airport is on the railway line so you can get straight into the centre of town. The main station is in a busy area and I would not stay there but it's an easy first experience. Rome has a single underground/bus system so worth getting weekly ticket.

If you go to the Vatican you will find the usual issues of pimiting photos, however some areas photo friendly but very dark. Investigate your camera for darkness setting, my photos from the Cathedral were very enhanced by by using the technology in my hand.

Mimar

For a first stay in Rome, stay in a central location and walk everywhere. You won't need a bus pass then, maybe only the odd ride. In 4 or 5 visits to Rome, I've never taken the subway. There are only 2 lines, going to farther out locations.

A hotel around the Piazza Navona would be close to the Vatican but also near other sights. Around the train station, Stazione Termini, is not so desireable an area, especially for a woman travelling alone.

So your budget includes transportation, food, hotels, and all miscellaneous expenses: entry fees, tours, etc.?

zeppole

As a solo traveler in Rome, you might find it more comfortable and affordable to stay in a full-service, family-run bed & breakfast rather than a hotel. You will get all the help you need, a private bath and a much more charming experience of Rome. A neighborhood that you might enjoy is around the via Margutta/via del Corso, which is lively with shops and strollers without being overrun with tourists or cars. Another very atmospheric quarter is around the via di Monserrato/via Giulia, which is narrow alleys and cobblestones but tucked steps away from the over-touristy piazza Navona and Campo de'Fiori areas ( it can be near impossible to find a good restaurant around piazza Navona).

If you are going to the Vatican and planning to take a few day trips by train, it really does pay off to learn how to use public transportation in Rome. The entrance to the Vatican museum is really not near anything, and heading to and from the central train station using bus or subway saves time, footache and money. Also, a great many people end up limiting their sightseeing in Rome because several stunning sights are just outside normal people's walking range -- the baths of Caracalla, the church of S. Giovanni, Trastevere, etc. are places people plan to see then give up on because they can't face any more trudging. The buses are quick, fun, and go everywhere. Look up trip reports from recent solo travelers to Rome and you will see how frequently they hopped a bus. Any guidebook will show you the easy steps for mastering the system. Pick up a bus map in Rome. Ask your b&b where to get one.

It is best to visit the Vatican museums at the last entrance times, late in the afternoon, to avoid the absolute crush of tour groups and their loud guides that mob it the morning. It can be worthwhile to go to the museums more than once, or at least not attempt to see both St Peters and the Vatican museums on the same day.

zeppole

Here is another thread where people who are knowledgeable about Rome give tips for using the buses and the metro:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...est-to-see.cfm