Thank you suze and ValCanada; I have been thinking of setting goals for the trip, and also eliminating goals. I don't want to force myself to talk to strangers; that's just not the way I am! I should focus more on the fun I will have. That is not to say that fun is mutually exclusive from self-realization/personal growth. I think you can have both on a trip.

Also, want to say that everyone's postings has made a huge (good) change in the way I'm planning this trip. Thanks to everyone, any more advice/constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged.

For my trips, I have basically three goals:

-have fun
-don't worry about things back home
-don't let fear of a new experience prevent me from experiencing life

Some trips, I will add a far more specific goal. This next trip, my goal is to stand on the glass floor in the CN Tower in Toronto. I'm afraid of heights and have been making an effort to beat it (or at least get to the point that I'm not curled up hysterical in a glass elevator ever again). I just keep telling myself (and anyone who listens), "I'm going to try to do it, but no guarantees".

My suggestion is to make goals, but not too many and only those that are actually attainable.

Corshi, I think you're really getting the idea of it -haha.

Please don't misread my post. I learn TONS of things when I travel solo, all kinds of observations about other people and places, new skills, learning self-reliance, like that. But it just comes naturally by putting yourself in the situation of being alone in a foreign place, it's nothing you have to plan ahead for or even think about... it just happens! That's the beauty of it. kindly, suze

I with suze. Talking to strangers are not a goal when I am traveling solo. I'm there for a reason - whether work or to vacation, and I enjoy my alone time.

I think what you found at the concerts - others there solo - will help you on the trip. There are going to be other "solo" people wherever you go.

Hi there... just my two cents.

I would go with no expectations about how you will be changed...don't scrutinize it, etc. It takes the fun out of it.

My first solo trip was to Prague at your age. I also visited Budapest and Vienna solo as well. I'd highly recommend staying in hostels--- I met just the right amount of people everywhere I went. Even if you're slow to warm up to people the close quarters and shared experienced of just traveling makes people more willing I think to reach out and be friendly.

I did spend probably a week without really connecting with anyone (this was in Budapest)--I loved the anonymity of it all. I went to the baths there by myself and just got such a kick out of being surrounded by strangers in a hot bath in the dead of winter.

You sound really ready for this trip in my opinion. I would just go for it.




The biking thing sounds cool. Are you thinking of doing that by yourself too?

Hey Fraggle,

Yeah, I'm planning my whole trip around biking. There is a great path (so I have heard) that goes from Prague to Vienna, the Prague-Vienna Greenways. I'm pretty active, but I haven't been biking in a while so I think I might try a local bike trip before heading off.

The Greenways sound great. You are taken through forests, lakes, castles, small towns... Biking, to me, seems like the perfect way to travel. You can travel much faster than by foot, but have much more interaction with your surroundings than a rental car.

I am planning to take the whole trip solo. But from what I've heard, you are only as alone as you want to be on a solo trip, so hopefully there will be alot of other solo travelers besides me

That is definitely true!

When I was in Prague by myself I had some really nice conversations with my hostel roomate (we were the only two in a room that slept probably 8). We never hung out outside of the hostel but at night our paths would cross and we'd chat a bit.

I never got to say good-bye to her---I was out her last night without realizing it and she woke early and left. Based solely on what I told her about my life back home, she made me a mix cd of new songs that she thought I would like (she was one of the few hostelers I've seen traveling with a laptop). I found it so touching and it was the soundtrack of my trip. Anyway, just a story.

I loved being by myself---every "mistake" becomes an adventure because you're not really putting anyone else out.

The local bike trip will be a neat idea---and will probably feel like more than an adventure than driving hundreds of miles.

Ok guys,

Here's what I'm thinking right now. I'm thinking maybe I want to cancel my solo trip in the Czech Republic and plan a trip somewhere much closer to home. I think the solo trip at home would be much easier on me and my wallet. I've already ordered a book with some great local travel ideas. I live in an outdoorsy, touristy state already anyway!

And I think it would be really good to get to know my OWN country and state a little bit better then feel the need to travel thousands of miles away where I don't speak the language.

Still Deciding.

I vote for something in-between. Giving up a solo trip to Eastern Europe to go camping in your own state or whatever, just doesn't cut it in my book.

That is nothing like the experience you will gain from foreign travel! That said, I do think there are easier destinations then Czech Republic and Eastern Europe for a first solo trip.

Where do you live? Perhaps going someplace like Mexico or Hawaii?

Or go to Europe but say Amsterdam or Paris. They are both easy cities to get the hang of solo in my experience.

You need to understand traveling 1000's of miles to a place you don't speak the language is what SOME of us get really EXcited about!!! That's part of the thrill. kindly, Suze

Why are you thinking of staying closer to home? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? Or are you just looking at your wallet?

I agree with Suze that camping close to home isn't going to be quite as fullfilling as traveling abroad. However, perhaps you can get that sense by traveling to Hawaii, New York City, San Francisco, etc.

There's also Canada. It's rather nice as a first trip because it's very similar to the US but you are still in a different country.

Coincidentally, just this morning, a very shy coworker at my office mentioned he's wants to go to Paris since he's never been and heard about a 1-week cooking tour that includes both city and countryside, wineries, etc. with a group size of 24.

I'm not saying this is the right trip for you, Corshi, but as illustration that everyone can find something to fit their situation that is more fun than staying home!

I am quite apprehensive, but I am also thinking a little bit about costs. To be totally honest, I chose the Czech Republic because it is the last stop in the group tour. But the more I looked into the country, the cooler it seems. Also, my parents are trying to change my mind about going; they think I should find a partner and travel for safety reasons...

So in many ways, it would be much easier to take a trip nearby. I totally agree I won't have the same experience. The trip would be a huge accomplishment for me. I'm very confused!

I don't mean to sound harsh, it was just a disappointing development...

Certainly everyone has to decide for themselves (stating the obvious).

That said, there will always be a concern if travel is the best use of your money (which I believe it is). And I wouldn't hold my breath for your parents to get on board (unless they currently financially support you, then they do get a vote imo).

It just made me feel sad to see the dreams of a big trip of self-realization to an interesting part of the world (Czech Republic)... become a camping trip in your own home state.

As far as a partner for safety reasons, as an experienced solo (female) traveler myself I don't happen to agree with that reasoning. Safety is mostly common sense and a dash of good luck; a (poorly chosen or foolish) companion could turn out to be a detrement rather than a help.

Ok, so my main road blocks for the trip:

1)General Apprehension
This is also a big part of why I want to go; I want to stretch my boundaries.
2)$$$
But I suppose if worst came to worst, credit cards could come in handy. I'm not in the poor house, but I don't like to spend a whole lot of money on anything (on a trip though, I might want to splurge a little)
3)Parental support
I don't want them to worry.
4)Rationalizations
I believe that a trip of equal importance could be taken nearby home... But that doesn't mean I would have a totally different experience abroad.

I have had travel partners in the past, and usually I am just along for the ride with no input on the experiences, or I am the leader and attempting to make everyone happy. Niether is very fun at all, and it feels almost like you're still at home with all the familiar faces around.

The only thing I like about traveling with familiar faces is the sense of security they give. But that sense of security brings a quite uninspiring travel experience.

1) only you can figure this part out

2) i would not use credit cards to fund a trip you really can't afford

3) parent will always worry but that is no reason to stay at home

4) i disgree (kindly and humbly) foreign travel IS definite more mind-stretching than travel close to home (culture, language, currency, food, etc.)

5) it doesn't sound like you have had good travel companion(s) yet. where you are 50/50 involved in all aspects of the trip. when traveling alone, you have to dig deep and find the security you seek within yourself, using your own brainpower and resources.

Truly I don't mean to harp, if you aren't ready for foreign travel no one's forcing you to go. It's just you sounded so enthusiastic when you made your Original Post here.

I pretty much agree with Suze on each point.

If cost is really holding you back, don't go the credit card route. It will just stress you out the entire trip knowing that you will come home to huge bills.

As for parents, that's tough. While it's easy to say "they're not footing the bill, so I'll go regardless", it's a lot harder to actually do that knowing that you'll be hearing about their unhappiness for a long time to come.

I do think you could have a very eye opening travel here in the states. I don't think foreign travel is the only choice. But, are YOU going to be satisfied with a camping trip 2 hours from home?

Will the flight you're taking to or from the school trip be connecting anywhere in Europe (i.e., Czech to Paris to New York, etc.)? If so, perhaps you could work out a week in a more "typical" location (i.e., Paris, London) by adjusting your flight? It might be an option.

In the end, you're going to have to decide how badly you want this and if you're willing to jump the hurdles (trepidation, family opinion, checkbook and rationalizations) to get it. It's not an easy choice.

And you thought taking the trip would be an exercise in "self-realization". Making the decision to or not will likely affect you far more than the actual trip ever will.

<i>You need to understand traveling 1000's of miles to a place you don't speak the language is what SOME of us get really EXcited about!!!</i>

The key word here is <i>some</i>. An exciting trip need not involve flying, traveling thousands of miles, or going into debt. With the right attitude and planning, a trip spent exploring parts of your home town that you've never visited can provide experiences and memories you'll treasure for a lifetime. Camping two hours away from home could possibly be more enjoyable than a foreign trip if only because you're not worried about the cost or parental concerns.

I think the important thing is that you get out and do <i>something</i>, whatever that might be, on your own. I think you can experience just as much self-discovery half a mile from home as 1000 miles away if you're open to the experience. Yes, there's much to be said for the &quot;excitement&quot; of traveling thousands of miles away where they don't speak your language. But that should not in any way denigrate the value of a mind-expanding voyage of self-discovery in a nearby big city or campground, or even two blocks away in your own home town. It's the trip itself that matters, not its distance, cost, or snob value.

Don't get me wrong guys; I'm still very excited about a solo trip! I'm just thinking maybe it's not so important where I go, as long as I just go.

The thing about my financial situation: the only problem is by the time the trip is over, I won't have much money in my bank account, so I'll have to get a job this summer. No big deal (but I am kind of lazy when it comes to getting a job ) I won't go into any debt because of the trip.

Well, I sent in the paper work to cancel my return flight to the States the other day. The travel company is going to confirm this with me soon.

I have alot to think about in the next couple weeks before I decide. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the advice and tips, they have provided a good jumping point for my decision!

And BTW, my #4 had a typo: It should have said &quot;But that doesn't mean I *would'nt* have a totally different experience abroad.&quot;

Perhaps you can do a compromise - how about traveling by bike around your state (maybe add a few more depending on how big of a state you're in)? That would give you the excitement of doing a bike trip without worrying about the foreign travel.

In reality, it's not like you're giving up the entire trip. You're still going with your school. You're still going to experience foreign travel just not solo.

It might be nice to come home from the school trip, rest a bit, eat some home-cooked food, and then head out for parts closer to home before the next school semester.

I hope our ruminations are actually helping you and not making your head spin.