Elizabet

I am planning a trip to Italy sometime in July and will probably be going alone. Spur of the moment thing. I was wondering if you know of any safe ways to find a travel buddy, or just good advice on traveling alone. I want to spend about 10 days in and around Venice, or Rome. Actually, at this point, anywhere in Italy is fine. I just don't have too many spontaneous friends with passports!
I just discovered this message board about 30 minutes ago and I have been pouring over all of the messages. Very Cool!
Elizabet

TRSW

Elizabet,

You might try going to www.ricksteves.com Go to the graffiti wall and there is link for people looking for travel buddies.

Tom

TRSW

Also for traveling alone, there is the solo traveler forum here at Fodors.

Tom

Elizabet

Thanks, Tom. Yes, I found the solo travelers forum. This site is very helpful. Elizabet

Amy

I've been traveling solo (as well as with another person or in a "six pack&quot for years, and I love the freedom of solo travel.

The best advice I can give for traveling alone is...just do it! You might occasionally miss having someone to talk to at dinner, but being able to be spontaneous on the trip is wonderful. Keep yourself organized; safety is even less of a problem if you know where everything is and stay aware. In fact, the only problem I've encountered in Italy personally was when I was there with a group of friends and someone tried the "newspaper trick" and had their hands in my friend's bag. The--um-- personal attention factor can be high in Italy, but generally it's just on a rather gallant basis unless you express interest in something more.

One other thing; I've really enjoyed using Untours (www.untours.com) for solo travel, as it's nice to have a "home base"; you can do apartment stays in Venice and the company is really great. It's not like a tour group, but there is a little more help and security than just being completely on your own.

Have a wonderful trip!

isabel

Have you traveled to your before or is this your first trip. If you know your way around "traveling", then going solo will be wonderful. I went for the first time alone last summer and loved it, but I'd been six or seven times in the past few years so I had a certain comfort level with traveling around Euroope. My solo trip last summer was to Florence, Venice and Prague. I never felt unsafe or lonely. I never hooked up with any traveling buddies or anything, but there were opportunities to talk to people - at tourist sites, restaurants, etc. I also had a cell phone so talked to my family almost daily, plus just knowing I could talk to them whenever I wanted (even when I didn't want to) was comforting.

Beisdes the solo forum there have been several threads on solo travel on this Europe forum. One of the best was titled something like "I vant to be alone". Try searching that, it had lots of great ideas and words of encouragement.

suze

I have traveled solo to Europe several times and it has always been a great experience!!

I would recommend the 10 days in Venice or maybe add one other city nearby (Florence?). Personaly, I would not pick Rome because it is a much larger so to me WAY more intimidating city (I have not been there). I've been to Venice twice and it is just wonderful. It's a perfect solo city because of being pedestrian-only it makes wandering around so fun and easy to do.

There is a 'meeting a travel companion' branch on The Thorn Tree at www.lonelyplanet.com. But for me traveling alone is fine, and much more relaxing than going with a stranger.

Tips for traveling alone:

1) Make sure you have your passport and money methods all in order since you don't have a friend to fall back on should your ATM card not work or whatever.

2) Always carry a paperback book to read or as a prop on planes, trains, in restaurants.

3) Pack light in a smallish suitcase on wheels so it is easy for you to manage.

That's about all I can think of for now. Welcome to Fodors! susan

elaine

I agree with isabel and Amy.
Traveling alone is like traveling with someone else in that there are advantages and disadvantages. I have to say that I'd rather travel alone than travel with someone who doesn't share my interests or personal quirks (like getting up and out early, church-visiting, etc)
Sometimes solo travelers can feel a bit embarrassed--wil other people think we have no friends? That's silly--as you say, not everyone has the time or the money or the same vacation schedule, or even the interest.

I have long files on Venice and Rome, if you'd like to see them, email me at
[email protected]
You may find yourself, as I have from time to time, chatting with people in the hotel at breakfast, and arranging to have a drink or dinner somewhere. It doesn't mean you'll become bosom buddies, but makes for a nice change.
If not, go exactly wherever you like, and enjoy your own company. Use the time to scribble a few notes in your travel journal, or write out a few postcards. As a solo traveler I've always been treated well in restaurants and cafes, sometimes I feel the staff look after me a little bit better than average.

Buon viaggio

cambe

Hi Elizabet,

I am also travelling to Italy in July solo and would agree with all of the above posts.

I have travelled solo now for many years and love it. Over on the Solo board it was described as 'empowering'.

To add to the advice you have been given I would read read lots about the cities you want to see.

Check out either in the web or this forum (there are 100's of posts on Italy) about trains, timetables etc before you set off.

Also plan in advance how you are going to get to your hotel from the airport. This is important as you don,t have anyone to fall back on so I think it is better to have everything well planned before you go.

Most of all enjoy yourself and don't forget to post about your experience when you return.

Helen

ps don't know if it has already been said but bring lots of good novels and don't be afraid to go to a nice restraurant at night but bring your book along with you.

suze

I spring for a few minor "luxuries" traveling solo. Making sure I have a nice 3-star hotel that is well located in a walkable neighborhood. And taking a taxi or shuttle service to and from the airport, instead of public transportation.

nytraveler

Highly reco you do the trip solo. It can be hard enough traveling with someone you knnow well - doing it with a stranger could make for a very streesful - or unpleasant vacation.

There's no reason not to do anywhere in Italy alone - and that way you can do exactly as you want - not worry about constantly considerng - or comprmosing with - other people's budget concerns, sleep habits, interests, eating/drinking propensities and personal peculiarities.

Traveling with family or friend provides obvious benefits to counter the above. Can;t see how traveling with a stranger would do so.

Grasshopper

Elizabet, Check out www.journeywoman.com. It's a site with good tips for traveling solo. They are currently promoting an orange luggage tag that will identify you to other solo women travelers as a kindred spirit.

If you spend your time in and around Venice, I recommend you check out Trieste. It's a short train ride from Venice and a great little town.

JoeSlammovitch

Ladies
carrying luggage with a sticker that marks you as being alone is NOT a good idea!
when my kid went to Europe after graduation, I made her stay in better hotels and she had to call home every day. I recommend Venice.

suze

Grasshopper, I'm afraid that was my thought too! That announcing solo status in such an obvious way might not be the best idea.

Grasshopper

It doesn't announce you as being solo. It's kind of a "sign" that would let other people with that same "sign" know. It's not a badge plastered across your back "SOLO TRAVELER". Take a look: http://lugtagz.com/journeywoman.htm

Madison

Elizabeth - I have been to Europe 3 times and each and everytime solo. There are times when I would like the company of others but traveling solo far outweighs going with someone that turns out not to be a good travel companion.

when I go to cafes I take a little notebook with me and write about my trip, or people around me who I find fascinating.

Just be savy to the tricks the pickpockets use

suze

Grasshopper, I really don't want to get off-topic for Elizabet, because I do NOT believe solo travel is inherently dangerous.

BUT if something like an orange luggage tag as an identifier for singles is out on the internet anyone can find that info easily enough. It is not a safe or good idea, sorry.

elaine

I subscribe to the journeywoman email newsletter and I never knew that the organization is geared specifically to solo women travelers, as opposed to just women travelers. Is it?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but wondering out loud: Is a woman retrieving luggage alone in an airport, or wheeling it by herself in a train station, or arriving by herself at a hotel, not already identifiable as a solo traveler? (I really don't usually take note of people's luggage tags, even brightly-colored ones.)

newyorker

The easiest way to experience freedom on the road is by travelling alone. You can form the most intense friendships when you begin solo. You can be most open to discussion and connection. However there may be times when the loneliness is also intense. Just look at it as an opportunity to experiment with those different feelings. It is sometimes easy to meet slow independent travellers at less expensive tourist venues. And also remember that the most uncertain moment is now when you don't know what is in front of you. When you are there the main thing you are experiencing is within yourself and that is very familiar. Anyway, have a great time.

Scarlett

newyorker, how well put!
I love that, "the most uncertain moment is now when you don't know what is in front of you..".
That is true in so many aspects of life and even if you are not going alone. It can be daunting, right before you take off on a new adventure.