I can't find a reply button at your thread, but I'd like to welcome you to what is generally a wonderful travel resource. Among the back and forth, there really were a few good suggestions offered at your "traveling alone". For more, you might try doing a search at the blank at the top of the screen -- try typing in "traveling solo" or "solo travel" and click search. There have been similar threads and lots of solid information. Have a marvelous trip. J.

I'm so sorry your thread got derailed (with the squabble over journeywoman, the orange luggage tag idea, and a couple posters who appear to have 'history' on the board)!

It certainly had nothing to do with you, and there were quite a few good ideas before it went off track. I'm guessing Fodor's must have closed it since jmw44 says there's no place to respond.

Yes, Elizabet,
I hope you are able to use these forums more for your trip planning and I would like to apologize for getting caught up in childish behavior.
I promise to behave from now on
Scarlett

I joined the journeywoman website and received the newletter that announced the orange luggage tags. I went to that estore and they do have some really unique and cute luggage tags. The style is such that, although the jw tag is orange, I don't think it would call a lot of attention to the luggage and its owner.

There are some wonderful travel alone articles on that site that I discovered yesterday.

Enjoy your solo travel.

And, if Scarlett apologized for misbehavior I suppose I should too. I don't think I misbehaved but just in case... Sorry!

Oh, off with my head! I'm sorry too!

Hmm, I stayed off that other thread...even though I had a few things to say.

Elizabet, I travelled solo to France for the first time this past winter. I think I still prefer to travel with a good travelling companion (but not a bad one!). However, I really enjoyed my trip and would do it again in a heartbeat. Easy and fun. As an Italy lover, I also wouldn't hesitate to to tackle that country by myself.

More specifically, I wanted to say I didn't find dining solo at all difficult. I mean, it was hard not being able to sample more than one entree and plat (only one dessert a night--what a shame!). But I certainly didn't feel self-conscious/conspicuous or anything.

The only real difficult part was trying to decide what to do each day when I had only myself to answer to. I guess you could call that my "growth" on the trip.

I wish you the best of luck on your solo-travel adventure!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome!

I have found alot of useful information in the Europe forum and the solo traveler forum. There are no travelers in my family, so the best thing I have gotten out of it is my change in attitude. I can see now that traveling solo is not a big deal.
It's strange. I have a big family. Lot's of aunts, uncles, cousins...and I can't think of a single one that loves to travel. Oh, well. Their loss!

You might have that recessive Traveler gene that some of us are born with

I guess I'm lucky that way, since I come from a family (on both sides) who couldn't sit still, like me. Maybe we'll have to adopt you here on Fodors, since you don't get much more "travelin'" than this bunch. That said, maybe after our performance on your first posting, you don't want a dysfunctional family looking out for you -LOL!!

I figure I've done ~28 international trips, with approx. half of them solo. It's not a political statement or my mission in life, but because (I believe you mentioned something similar in the original post) you can't always find a dear friend, compatible companion, or even a person with a passport who's free to go when you are.

Happy planning, safe travels. Susan

wow, suze, 28 international trips..I have some travel time logged but seeing that, I have some catching up to do!!

Elizabet, re your family and traveling, never say never! Several months ago my husband and I on impulse asked my cousin and his wife if they would like to go to France with us in May, and they, just as impulsively agreed. They had never expressed an interest in foreign travel, and I was very surprised that they accepted.
Well, we just got back from 10 wonderful days in Normandy and Paris, where every dog, dessert, you-name-it was documented in film for all posterity by them; it was truly a great experience for all of us!

Happy travels to you!

Thanks and no apology necessary.
I consider myself adopted!

Well then, Elizabet, welcome to the Fodors' family.

I've taken two trips alone.
One to France and one to England. I've never worried about dining alone, but enjoyed it.
Sorry about your thread that became a study in bad behavior.

Elizabet ! I always wanted another daughter!! yay

Elizabet, like Scarlett I always wanted another daughter too!!! So considered yourself adopted. You will have a wonderful time in Italy. Italians are generally so warm and carying. Just post here if you have any other questions. And don't feel like you are the only one that has a lot of family members that don't like to travel. We all do. And yes dear one, it is their loss. Best wishes.

I wanted a brother, but another sister is just as good. Welcome to the family Elizabet.

Have a great trip, and please pot a trip report when you get back. I am traveling to Italy solo this coming October and would like to hear your thoghts on going it alone.

Tom

Thats "thoughts" oops

Hi TRWS, that "spelling" thread has us all nervous now about our posts, LOL.

See Elizabet, a disfunctional family, but somehow it all works.

Ah Scarlett, hope I didn't sound like bragging, I know many people travel lots more than I do, and to more exotic locations... I meant that to be enouragment for Elizabet!!!

p.s. honestly i have only logged five trips to Europe to date (I was a late bloomer in that regard because I was hung up on travel in the Caribbean and Mexico for years!).