Would love a travel pal--currently in W Europe!
 

Hi all-
I'm doing the solo travel thing as I type. My husband was just too busy with work and I have Oct free, so here I am in Spain solo. I plan on heading to Barcelona, Paris, Rome, Venice, Slovenia, and Croatia before heading home at the end of the month.
I've been gone a week, have 3 left, and I've got to say, I am quite lonely! If you would like to meet up, I'd love it. If you know someone that will be around, maybe connect us? Not sure--just want these blues to go away, and I think speaking English to someone would really help :)
Any advice or I-know-how-you-feel's would be greatly appreciated!
Meg

When are you heading back? I will be in Germany first week of November and dh has business meetings all week. I've been looking at local tour guides. Toursbylocals.com. They have guides all over Europe that speak English but prices are pretty high for a solo traveler. Might be something to look into.
Michele

I've been a member of an organization for years called Women Welcome Women World Wide - 5W for short. It's a hospitality organization with members, as you might guess, all over the world. It's possible to join online and receive an electronic directory of membership, most of whom, I've found, speak English. While many of us stay in each other's homes, you need not and can just request an outing or a visit.

If you submit the form immediately I'm sure it would be processed in time to make some good use of it. And the added bonus of having it to use another time and maybe even getting a visit from a woman from abroad, although in my experience, infrequently. I use it far more than I get visitors, and each only at the convenience of the hostess. Not everyone will be available on short notice but some will be and I recommend giving it a try. A really lovely bunch of people.

Have a look: http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/
If you need to contact them: http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk/contact.asp

I just had a quick look in my 5W directory and there are a few members in most of the places you mention, a number in Paris and environs. So it may or may not be worth it to you this trip.

But this looks interesting: http://americans-in-paris.meetup.com/cities/fr/paris/

I've been to other "meet-up" events and met some very nice people. You may find others on your route: http://www.meetup.com

Many of the local cafés in Spain have language exchange evenings.. good place to go ..

You might consider signing up for English walking tours -- a great way to meet fellow travelers as you are traipsing around. Also English speaking tours of museums, cultural sites, etc. will have you instantly speaking English with other travelers and you might find like minded folks with whom you could suggest meeting up with later for lunch or visiting another sight, etc. I hope this helps!

You might try staying in cheaper lodgings. Perhaps not hostels, although they are certainly good for meeting people, but at least B&Bs or pensions or guesthouses. People will be friendlier there than in posher hotels.

You could also check to see whether any of the places you will be are on the Greeter system. See: http://www.globalgreeternetwork.info/index.php?id=141

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