Hi Underhill. I hope/think you might be able to help me - husband is unable to take time off and just yesterday, with his encouragement, I decided to do the Danube Christmas Market cruise solo. It leaves on Nov. 28 (only 15 days away, yikes). We are not tour people, travel to Europe at least twice a year and do our own thing, but being alone this trip I think it is exactly what I'm looking for. OK, so I'm long winded....anyhow didn't you do one of the Christmas market tours with GCT last year? I've done a quick look on Fodors but couldn't find your trip report, would you please pass it along to me. Also, I know there were some negatives re: GCT on this board and I'm not interested in re-hashing them again but I'd love to hear some positives. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and Underhill, thanks for all of the insight you provide us fellow travellers with.
Susan

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34721822

Thank you degas! Welcome back.
Susan

Merci from me as well, Degas--now I won't have to hunt for it. And you're welcome, Susan--I hope you too have a wonderful time on the Danube cruise.

Suspaul,

I'll be glad to answer any questions.

Thanks again Underhill, I read and re-read your trip report and I'm certain that I made a wise choice. We've gone to different Christmas markets several times, the last was for 3 weeks in 2004 and for some reason I get antsy this time of year, especially when I hear others inquiring, I can almost smell the gluhwine and those wonderful sausages, yum. So, this will be a new adventure for me, going it alone. Can't wait. If you think of anything you feel the need to pass along, please do.
Susan

The big one would be to take a fold-up shopping bag with wheels. All that stuff in the markets can get heavy very quickly, particularly if you, like me, are tempted by the gingerbread.

One quick recommendation: the bakery/coffee shop near the main plaza in Nuremberg has wonderful Christmas breads that will last until you get home and then some. I make stollen every year, but last year I bought a loaf for friends who were leaving for Paris right after my return. They thought it was pretty good.

Hi underhill, will try to find the bakery/cafe you mentioned. After reading your trip report I'm getting very excited, only 12 more days. I do have few questions, did you notice any solo people on your tour, I guess I'm sort of dreading being alone at meals, also, I noted in another message that wine was included with meals...I received my packet today and think I read that drinks, alcohol, etc. was at extra charge. Maybe it meant other than at meals. Just curious. Also, your recommendation regarding the rolling cart, it is a great idea but I am not much of a shopper at all, I just enjoy the ambiance and moods of the markets. Thanks again for your help.
Susan

I've travelled to Europe solo for the last three Thanksgivings, and am leaving for Paris this year in six days--again solo. I LOVE travelling this time of year alone. The crowds are nonexistent, the weather is really nice and the bigger stores are decorated for the holidays. As for eating alone, I've never felt sad, lonely, weird or anything else. I stroll around until I find a place that looks inviting and thoroughly enjoy my meal. The waitstaff has always been great and have never treated me badly when I'm alone. I usually have something to read but not always. Sometimes I just enjoy watching others and my surroundings. I try to sit near a window and watch the world go by. Go, enjoy, and soak up the joy of being alone in Europe. I've turned down friends requests to come with. Happy to travel with others at other times of the year, but my tradition has become travelling alone over Thanksgiving!

Thanks for the encouragement carolat, I have traveled along in Europe with no problems, however, this is a bit different, I am going to a river cruise along the Danube to visit some of the Christmas markets and I was concerned that the majority of people on a cruise would be couples. That's a bit different than just popping into an interesting cafe along, in my opinion, since there is one seating for meals. Oh well, I'll be fine and I'm really looking forward to going this trip alone. I too know what you mean about people wanting to come along with you, everyone always assumes that I want company but when my husband is unable to make a trip with me I too am perfectly happy being on my own, doing what I want, when I want, this is just a different adventure for me.

Have a wonderful time on you upcoming trip to Paris, we were there for a week this past October for the 6th time. Bon jour!

There were quite a few singles on my cruise, and the tour directors did an excellent job of seeing that they weren't left out of anything. Tables are for four, six, or eight, and the TDs host some of them.

Thank you again Underhill!

Suspaul,
Just wanted to add to what Underhill said about solo travel on rivercruises...
I cruised solo thru Russia last year and had a wonderful time. For meals its open seating. You just go to the dining room during meal times and sit down wherever you like. I found most people to be pretty friendly.
I'm still working on my solo travel skills (especially overseas) and I found this rivercruise easy.
Enjoy!
Faith

I think there will be plenty of solos on a GCT cruise but don't spend all your time with them.

I went on an Elderhostel tour a few years ago and spent too much time with the solos. I really enjoyed talking with the few couples that I did sit with at meals and wish I'd done it more so I could have gotten to know the other couples better.

I was a solo in a group tour recently and made a point of sitting with different people at meals, couples and solos. I have had e-mail correspondance with two of the couples and really enjoy hearing from them.