SallieBMcFly

Hello all you wonderful travelers out there. I am starting to plan my first solo trip to Europe and I am so excited. I want to do two weeks in the middle of August. I'm a female and I will be celebrating my 28th birthday while I'm there! It's kind of my big gift to myself.

I was thinking of starting in Paris, spending a weekend there, then up to London for about a week, finally to Scotland for a couple days in each Edinburgh and Glasgow.

I am still undecided on whether I want to do hostels (so I can maybe make some traveling friends since I'll be alone) or hotels (because I like the luxury of hotels) or what would be a good location (neighborhoodwise) would be to stay in (especially for London because I'll be there the longest)

I do plan on taking trains from each city, if I can I'll do a sleeper train from London to Edinburgh because I believe that is the longest journey.

Anyway, if any of you have any tips on ANYTHING, the places I'm thinking of going, traveling alone, getting to and from the trains, weather in the UK in August, anything, I'd be happy to listen to your advice. Thanks.

MmePerdu

Why so little time in Paris? If you've been there before and not the rest then maybe. If not, I'd spend a week each in Paris and London and save Edinburgh/Glasgow for another time. Fly into Paris, home from London. And I'd suggest finding yourself apartments, probably not much more than hostels if you do your homework.

StCirq

Mme Perdu has the right idea.

kja

I agree that it would be reasonable to consider a longer stay in Paris, but of course, the amount of time you spend in any one place depends on your prioriities.

IME, Paris and the United Kingdom are easy places to travel alone as a woman. I'm one of several female Fodorites who are fully committed to solo travel. For a smattering of our experiences, check:

http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...collection.cfm

Enjoy!

Rastaguytoday

I might do the opposite of Mme Perdu. The UK has a relatively large tax / fee to fly out, but not to fly in.

MmePerdu

Rastaguy, good job!

SallieBMcFly

Thank you! You guys have been very helpful. I love the link for "Goin' Solo"! Thanks kja. I'm taking your advice and shifting my trip around so I start out in Edinburgh and shuffled my schedule so I'll have more time in Paris. Thanks everyone.

kja

Have fun and let us know how it goes!