garden, i'm not sure why you think it is easier for a man than a woman to travel alone.

solo travelers all face the same problems... no one to watch your suitcase when you go in to a bathroom at the airport, getting used to eating in restaurants alone, making the best of your own company, realizing you are alone in a strange city where you don't speak the language (my favorite part!), etc.

one suggestion i have (since you asked) that you can do right now, take yourself out to a nice restaurant in your own home town. eat alone. bring a book the first few times until you feel more comfortable. practice makes perfect -lol.

good advice, Suze. thanks

I had to travel extensively in the US for business some years ago - and never found dining alone a problem - I think the first couple of times I was uncomfortable -that was all. Many times I still do dine alone, and am just fine with it. No book or newspaper. You get used to it.

On the other hand, I'm planning a trip to Paris in early April and don't want to go alone there...both because it's not the US where I know the "ways" and for safety.

And I do think it's easier for a man to travel alone then a woman. I was once in Milan and standing on a street corner looking for a taxi - apparently it was a "reserved" street corner for hookers, and they gave me very mean looks! I didn't know there were certain places to stand for a cab. LOL.

And Brian, as a guy, I think you're unlikely to get pinched on the "po-po"
in a foreign country - so I think you should go, keep a pleasant look on your face, be friendly, and enjoy.

On the other hand, I think if an attractive woman were to do the same, she could get into a bit of trouble, as if she were sending out invitations, no?

I've traveled to Paris solo four times, and to London once. I'm planning another solo trip to Paris this March. (Took a friend with me the first four trips.)

I love Paris so much I want it all to myself! Plus, I met so many more people being solo, and had some experiences that would not have happened with a friend along.

I think Paris is a perfect city to travel solo to, as long as one knows how to speak basic polite/tourist French.

liz

You will love it! I travel solo preferably (single female), it is a great way to mingle in the culture instead of using your energy talking/interacting with a travel mate.
Eating at casual restaurants is a great way to meet others. Be outgoing, & do not be afraid to talk first.You will have the time of your life, & I guarantee you will make life-long friends.

I have been a solo traveler for over 30 years now, and no, I was not single but happily married for most of that time ( I am a widow now - my hubby died quite young - a brain tumor), but I traveled on business - first all over Europe (I am European) and later - after I moved to the USA - all over the world. Most of the trips were a couple of weeks to several months long assignments and, of course, I used the opportunity to do after work and weekend sightseeing whenever I went.
At the beginning I had a few concerns - I was young, looked like a proverbial blonde (angelic and naive, lol) and had to deal with all kinds of attempts to pick me up. Luckily I complained to a wise woman, who advised me to tell a maitre d' in a restaurant not to let anybody (unless a couple or another woman) to come to my table. It worked. On the street I just learned to dress sexless. Now when I no longer have that problem, I often go to a communal tables in restaurants (they do have them in some countries, in Europe, too) to chat with other people in a local language when I know it.
Luggage and other inconveniences - yes, it can be a bit of a bother to have to do everything yourself, but one gets used to it and yes, I do sometimes ask unknown fellow passengers to do me a favor and watch my luggege for me when I go to the restroom or to get a cup of coffee. Never been robbed and probably don't look like a bomb carrying terrorist, because nobody ever refused ;-). FREEDOM to do what you want, to change your plans at the spur of the moment, to just linger if you feel like it or do some mad sightseeing dashes when the mood strikes you is the biggest advantage of solo traveling.
I must admit that I never and nowhere felt out of place being solo - and have a bit of a problem to understand why anybody would, so I always had a good time - enjoyning my food, or my drink, or a play or a concert, or a scenery from a train. In Asia and Latin America a couple often tries to "adopt" me for the journey - and I often oblige, seeing that in family oriented societies a solo woman - no matter what age - seem to be slightly incomprehensible.