brooksie8

Hi,
I want to return to Europe for a month's stay in the Spring (April, May, or June). Last year, I spent a month in Athens. I prefer renting an apartment that is close to transit. Of course I want to see the tourist sites, however, am very interested in embracing the culture, hence my choice of staying in an apartment or flat. I am a single female traveling alone. Any suggestions as to where? I have glanced at a small coastal town just outside of Rome..Osti-Lido and Barcelona but have read some negative reviews about parts of Spain. Would love to have some feedback. Thank you

StCirq

I can't begin to suggest someplace unless you narrow it down to something more manageable than "in Europe," but I would certainly discourage you from setting yourself up for a month in Ostia Lido. It's the closest beach to Rome and therefore always jam packed with Romans and tourists (even though you won't necessarily be there in prime beach weather). It's pretty frightfully tacky, too. Considering the wealth of beautiful seaside places in Italy, I'd cross that off the list right away (though of course you'd have easy access to Rome).

There are some lovely beach towns south of Rome that would make for a very pleasant stay: Sperlonga, Gaeta, even Anzio.

qwovadis

www.venice-tourism.com my fav italyby.com sleepinitaly.com

for flats eurocheapo.com sometimes work out better...

Dorsoduro www.hotelpausania.it 59 euro per nt Otel.com

was great for me.

Rome also would be good...

There are many scammers use a reputable agent never wire

money personally prefer to do it when I get there

Get exactly what I want can bargain for best deals.

Happy Travels!

bobthenavigator

Springtime, single female, culture embracing, apartment rental. Let me suggest these:
1. San Sebastian
2. Lisbon
3. Santa Margherita
4. Lucca

brooksie8

Thank you StCirq, qwovadis, and bobthenavigator. I so appreciate you taking the time to give me suggestions. I'm very thankful to know that Ostia isn't a grand place for a month's stay because I was really leaning in that direction. I shall be checking out the list beginning with San Sebastian today.
Thanks again...you have been incredibly helpful!

Michael

I would choose Pistoia over Lucca if only because it has more trains going to Florence; some of the trains on that line stop in Pistoia and do not go on to Lucca.

Pegontheroad

I love Spain, especially Andalucia. Sevilla, Ronda, Málaga. Barcelona is wonderful, though you do have to be cautious. I haven't heard of violent crime, but I believe it's not uncommon to hear of pickpocket or purse-snatching crimes. I never, ever, travel without keeping my money and credit cards in my money belt--including in countries where the crime rate is low.

Next spring I plan on returning to Spain for the wonderful processions of Semana Santa (Holy Week). I plan also on visiting Cuenca, Barcelona/Montserrat, San Sebastian, ending with a day in Madrid to see the National Archaeological Museum.

Spanish transportation is very good, both trains and busses. If you rent a car, the roads are excellent.

I can't believe that in 2000 I lived across the street from that museum and didn't visit it!

I am also a single woman, but I'm 75 years old. I have no fear of traveling in Spain alone.