I'm a 60 yr old woman and will be traveling alone, speak only english - I have about 8 days for Western Europe - I know the weather will not be great - I can go to two places - or one - any suggestions? Traveling from California...
thanks for your ideas!

cabovacation, Bringing your question to the top for you. Where have you already visited in Western Europe? What are your interests? Paris is my favorite city so of course I would recommend it to you Deborah

I would recommend Seville at the beginning of Nov as the weather will still be quite pleasant. However as Deborah has already said give us a little more information and we will be able to help you more.

If I can't be in Paris, then I would have to be in Rome! But I love cities and either place is great for a solo traveler.

I would suggest London (with a day trip or two), Paris (ditto) or a combination of Rome-Venice or Rome-Florence or Florence-Venice.


I don't know where in CA you are, but do you have cold-weather clothes, waterproof boots or shoes, etc? If so, you will be fine, adding an umbrella of course. If I had to choose between Novemeber and January travel, for me it would be January. Check websites like
www.wundergroud.com for historical temps and rainfall each month, but my impression, not scientific data, is that November is a rainier and more dismal month than January in a good part of the northern hemisphere. Maybe it's just psychological on my part, but the only good part of November as far as I'm concerned is that it is prior to the Dec holiday period.
However cold January can be, to me it makes a nice pick-me-up after the holidays are over, stores are often having sales, and I'd rather chance colder temps than heavier rainfall.

Thanks everyone! I have been to Paris and am comfortable there on my own. London many years ago, but I am sure it would be easy. I was considering Barcelona or Madrid - but alone and with no language I wasn't sure. My main travel has been to (surprise) various cities of Mexico, and New York. I live in the Bay Area. I am pretty happy museum hopping and walking around. But maybe there are places and ideas that I have not even considered!

Hello cabovacation, have you considered Rome? It sounds like somewhere that you would enjoy. And so many of the people, especially the hotel and restaurants employees, speak English I think you would be fine. Rome is so beautiful, you would be there when the hordes of tourist are gone and of course Rome is full of museums, art, architect plus wonderful food and so forth it should be very enjoyable for you. Best wishes to you with your decision.

We were in Rome in January 2004 for several days. It was cool, had some snow flurries. We live in Atlanta so we had to buy a couple of hats and bundle up as we don't have the warmer clothes worn up north. Despite that it was great, no long lines at the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel was virtually deserted. I was able to phtograph the ceiling. We walked around and had a good time.

We've also been to Paris in the winter and that too was very good. You get a real feel of a city during the winter, rather than the summer when it is heavily touristed.