I will be traveling to Europe next year 2006 for my 50th birthday and I'm now trying to gather my thoughts on where I would like to go. I will have about 14 days. My problem is How can I collect information on getting from one country to another so that I can determine which way is cheapest. For example right now I planning the following itinerary:
2 days in Amsterdam
1 or 2 days in Paris
4 days in London
3 days in Ireland

Is there a website that I can plug in all the locations and get a travel itinerary of sorts?

Hi Sara.

Travel between cities in Europe is really easy with one of the 'no frll' airlines but you should also check out the Eurostar from Paris to London. Might look a bit more expensive on the web but the advantage is that you go
from the centre of one city to the
centre of the other.

Web Adresses:
www.esyjet.com
www.flybe.com
www.ryanair.com
www.bmibaby.com
www.eurostar.com
www.britishairways.com (not a low cost airway but they do some very good deals and worth checking out)

Most of these will only have bookings up until the end of October. The new shedule dosn't usually come out until June or July but it will give you an indication of fares (remember to add on the taxes which vary between airlines).

Your itinerary centres around cities which is great for a solo traveller but if by Ireland you mean Dublin I think 2 days would be long enough and would spend an extra day in Paris. I am Irish and love Dublin but it is quite small in comparison to either London or Paris.
3 days is not really long enough in Ireland to do much else but see a city when you take into consideration getting there and back again for your homward trip (assuming of course that you are not traveling home from Ireland).
Hope you have a nice time in Europe

PS Verona, Venice, Rome and Florence are also worth considering.

Wow Sara48 go for it!
I posted on travel to Turkey for Jan.2006 to celebrate my birthday but would like to go on tour group as I'm not confident going solo to this country.
If this helps try checking brochures on different tour group like Trafalgar, Cosmos, Globus and see if these places you want are listed on their itinerary and maybe it will provide you a hint on which shortest/efficient route to take.
good luck!

Hi Sara,

If I were doing this trip, I would try to fly open jaw (into one city and home from another). Most likely London, then fly to Ireland then fly to Amsterdam, train to Paris (4 hours and a nice ride). You might be pushing it with that many destinations in 14 days. If you eliminated Ireland (sorry Cambe!) it would save a bunch of money and give you more time in Paris. 1 or 2 days is nothing when you factor in travel time.

When you get to the cities, think about taking organized walks or hop on/hop off tours. London Walks are great for solo travelers.

Sara
I agree with grasshopper, ditch Ireland this time. You really are trying to fit too much in.

Come and see us when you have more time or as a single destination.

ps when booking intercity travel with low cost airlines make sure you book well in advance. Don't leave it until you get to Europe!!

Thanks all for your responses. First I'm not all that thrilled about Paris and more interested in Ireland. Paris I think is a place I would like to see but not spend a lot of time in. I know lots of people that have had a great time in Paris but to be honest it scares me. By spending a day or two there if I find I enjoy it I can always return. There is something about Ireland that my soul (no joke) is calling me to see.
Again thanks for all the responses and the looking at tour books was the best.

Well then, Ireland is where you should go! Check out the thread a few down from here. And Cambe is going to be a great resource for you.

How about London to Ireland to Amsterdam then train to Paris for the last couple of nights.

Sara, just to put your mind at ease, Paris is easy to do solo. I'm your age and have done it a few times. If you want hotel recommendations for Paris, London or Amsterdam let me know. I can make a few, depending on your budget and interests.

I also think you've got at least 1 too many places for a 14 day trip. Especially if you are looking for "cheapest" moving around so much, no matter what the method, raises your overall budget dramatically.

Not to mention you'll be spending alot of time getting yourself in and out of hotels, to and from train stations, learning public transportation in 4 different countries, etc. etc.

Paris is an easy and not intimidating city solo, in my experience much easier than A'Dam actually... but since it seems you are least interested in it, why not skip it this trip? In 1 or 2 days all you will see is airports, train stations, and a quick run around the major sites, if that.

For your question of websites, just log on to any airline (say British Air) or booking site (Expedia) and use the multi-city option and see what you find.

Another crazy option (just kidding) is a guidebook. Just check out a few from your local public library to get started.

Sara, You might also like to post over on the Europe branch. It gets much much much more readership than 'solo traveler' branch does. susan

Cambe, would you be willing to email me? [email protected]

Anyone else who is so inclined can email me as well.

Sara, I agree with Grasshopper re Paris. My very first solo trip (at 47) was to Paris and the Loure Valley and I felt completely at ease in Paris. The metro is the one place you'll have to be careful of pickpockets but that is the problem in any city. I'm taking my 4th solo trip in 3 weeks to Bavaria and I can't wait! Since Ireland is THE place you really would like to see however I'd probably ditch Paris this trip and concentrate on Ireland and London. Use the assumption, you'll be making more solo trips and can hit the others then. If you haven't already, pick up a couple of guide books for the places you're interested in. They are always full of useful information and tips, plus of course, this and other websites. I always have the most fun in the "planning" stages! Keep us posted on your progress!

You are getting good advice. Don't try to cram too much in this one trip. Pick your top two, three at the most, and really enjoy.

One of my favorite things about solo travel is taking the time to get to know a place and getting into my own routine. I like it when the barrista knows who I am when I stop in for my morning coffee. I like to really absorb the city I am in.

Just my two cents.

Go for it, Sara! I have traveled alone in Europe four times, and I'm 62. My first trip was age 48, and I was there for six months. I'm a real budget traveler, spent time in hostels (great places to meet others of all ages) and budget hotels, and recommend "Lonely Planet" as the best travel guide. (They also have a great website.) Paris is a wonderful city; the Metro takes a bit of study but is quite easy once you figure it out. Don't try to see too many countries in 14 days. You'll spend half your time on planes, buses or trains (or in airports, bus stations or train stations) instead of wandering about seeing sights. I agree with previous writers: leave Ireland for another trip. London and Paris (not to mention Amsterdam) are wonderful cities in which to divide your time.
I'm all for women traveling solo, and if you'd like to e-mail me with questions, you're welcome to do so. [email protected]