Hi all,

In about a year's time I'll be getting access to some money left to me by my grandmother when she passed. I'd like to take a solo trip and it needs to be to a place where I can get around without a car (I hate driving, don't have a license). So, either need really good public transportation, or somewhere small that is easily travelled by foot/bike rental.

One initial place I was thinking was Islamorada, FL.

But I'm not sure...so if anyone has any good ideas, please let me know! Here are my "must haves":
- I live in NYC, and would prefer not to travel VERY far (ie...I'd just die to go to the Seychelles but it's way too far). No more than 8 hours travel.
- Somewhere where it is safe for me to be by myself/get around by myself/etc.
- BEACH! I'm dying for a warm, relaxing, sandy vacation. Do not want to do a lot of running around and sightseeing. Maybe a scuba dive or two.
- Cost is not really an issue

Thank you!

www.maho.org

www.caneelbay.com

St John USVI beautiful super safe great diving.

divestjohn.com for dive into

aa.com spirit.com cheap flights down.

Happy Travels so some research!

www.stayhawaii.com Kohala Coast awesome too

little farther away... princeresortshawaii.com

Europe. I never drive myself in Europe. Plenty of beaches in the south. Less than 8 hours from NYC to Western Europe. Right now I''m at Lake Ohrid in Macedonia - quite cheap, and gorgeous.

Places I've enjoyed solo and with no need for a car and nice beaches are: Puerto Vallarta Mexico (my favorite, been there 20x), also Cabo San Lucas and La Paz on the Baja. My other current favorite is Honolulu/Waikiki on Oahu in Hawaii.

Southern Spain--Granada, Marbella, Malaga

I have made several train trips solo on Amtrak and ViaRail.
The USA Rail Pass is a great deal. http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/selectpass

I have no problem sleeping on a moving train. Some people do.
Bus travel is much less enjoyable.

Costa Rica. There is so much to do there and it all seems to be right at your fingertips so you don't have to stress about running around. Go hiking to the waterfalls, then come back and spend the day at the beach. Take a surf lesson. Day trip to the rainforests. Wake up and take a yoga class. Or just sit on the beach all day and be amused by the howler monkeys jumping around in the trees right above you. Short flight from NYC, car in not necessary and people are very friendly.

lmvo28: Welcome to Fodors. I notice you have posted to several old threads. When searching for a topic, be sure to look at the dates. The OP hasn't been back to the forums since posting this back in 2011

Imvo- did you go to Costa Rica on your own. Can you post your itinerary and who you made travel arrangements with.

Susan: imvo28 joined in Jan., topped a few old threads and never returned.