Just thought I'd add to the opinions here about first time solo trips...

I'm still working on my solo travel skills. I'm good with doing tours on my own, trips to London solo, trips to any big city in the USA, cruises & Vegas.

So far I haven't pushed myself to the next step/s which is travel to Rome, Paris, etc. Somehow getting around in a city where I don't speak the language is more challenging than exciting for me at this point.

Anyway, I think either NY or London is a great idea for a solo trip.

Faith

Faith, you don't need any language but English to do well in Rome or Paris. You're ready, girl. Go for it.

Thx for the pump up Sallyjane. I'm just one of those folks that gets turned around easy and I hate the idea of getting lost and maybe not being able to talk/understand the locals.

Anyway, I'm thinking about adding on a few days to a port on my next Europe cruise. I may just cheat and take off from Amsterdam.

Faith

Faith, 99% of everyone I encountered in Rome and Paris spoke English. And I'm not exaggerating when I say they speak it better than I. Mine is American and Deep South-American at that. They speak Engish the way Mrs. Pyron and Miss Turner at my high school tried to teach me!

I can identify with the ease of getting turned around, so I was careful to search tripadvisor.com for a hotel with English-speaking staff, just in case.

Lynda, when you are ready for that trip to Paris, I recommend Best Western Jardin de Cluny. Unbeatable location a couple of blocks from Notre Dame! I felt perfectly safe the entire trip!

lyndash

I've done many solo trips, including places in the US, cruises, and Australia and the South Pacific (3 times!). It can be a wonderful experience to go it alone. I've been to Europe and Asia many times but have yet to go solo on any of those trips, but I am thinking of going solo to Bangkok someday soon though.

I would agree that you might want to begin with something solo at a place that isn't soooo far away from home. You may not like it, but then again, you may be like those of us here who really enjoy solo travel. Best to be homesick a little closer to home, maybe?

Enjoy your trip, which ever you decide.

Carol

Sallyjane, Thx much for your thoughts/feedback about Paris and Rome.

When I was in Bangkok and asked a policeman for directions he told me he understood English he just didn't understand all our accents.

Simpson, I've thought about doing a bit of Ausralia (probably Sydney) before a tour or cruise. Would love any feedback you'd care to share.

Faith

My first solo trip was also my first trip abroad. I did England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It was the most fantastic feeling!
Since then I have travelled solo to Australia, Bali.

I like solo travel a lot. I have travelled with friends and family and husband and some experiences were great, some were a bit trying, but I will still travel solo if no one can accompany me!

Look at it this way: When it comes to safety and getting lost, it's not where you go. It's what you do. And to know what to do, you need some practice.

I agree you should start going somewhere unfamiliar but nearer to home. This way, you can hone your skill in navigating, making friends and of course, discover whether you like the loneliness of a soloing. A lot of soloing around your home ground will help you prepare for foreign places where language is a problem.

I have gone solo in many places in Asia but love trekking solo in the fringes of rainforest the most. I live in Malaysia. Problems associated with solo travelling here is unbelievable. Most of the time, you'd come across natives who don't even understand a word of mainstream language. But a smile always works wonder where words fail. After some trips, you learn to break barriers, blend in, and best of all, discover hidden accolades in off-the-beaten-path vistas.

Lastly, my rule of thumb is: If there are women and children playing around the vicinity, the place is reasonably safe.

I did my engineering degree in southern California and have trawled the west coast during holidays and done a fair bit of travelling in Europe. I think US and France are generally very very safe for solo travellers. You just need to build confidence.

faith77
What sort of feedback did you want re: Australia? I did a 5-week tour on my own and absolutely loved it. It began in Cairns, then the Worlds Fair in Brissy, followed by M'bourne, Adelaide, and then a trip to Alice Sp to start a 13 day outback tour with 43 Aussies. My last stops were Darwin and then (finally) Sydney. A stop in FIJI for some R&R before going home.

I had a lot of help from a travel agent in getting everything organized. It was just a marvelous trip. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Let me know what you want to know...
Carol