CubFanAlways

I thought I would post this on this board and not the Europe board because I thought it was more appropriate as a “travel tips” as opposed to a “destination”. Besides, I know I can count on regulars Suze and Toadtoes for insight.

I’ve had this idea for several years now of going to London and staying there for 2-3 weeks. My question is a little odd in that I’m not so much wondering what to do – there’s a 1000 things to do and I can read the guide books – it’s wondering will I get bored doing it?

Let me clarify. As a solo traveler, I’m completely comfortable going to London. I want to experience more than just the 4-5 days usual trip there (been there many times) but I’m a little afraid I’ll get bored of being a tourist for that length of time. I know maybe that sounds crazy, but that’s my concern. Bored in London? I love London, but I love pumpkin pie too and that’s doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to eat a whole one each night.

Any thoughts from other solo travelers who taken extended trips and have had similar concerns?

As always, many thanks in advance.

suze

It's the kind of question that has a different answer for every person, I think. For mer personally, I would *never* be bored in 2-3 weeks in a single European city. I can guarantee you that. Or if I was a tad leaning into that mood, I'd find something new to do!

But would YOU be bored, maybe so, since you're even asking the question (lol)!

Now "bored as a tourist" implies something slightly different I gugess. When I travel I don't do touristy things every day. Sometimes I just walk around, go to the grocery store, the post office, do some errands, etc. same as if you lived there.

As far as "extended trips" I think of that phrase more for people who go for 3, 6, 9 months, even years. Now THAT has a different implication and a different set of challenges, I'd imagine. 2-3 weeks is just not all that long.

Nice question though. Good post. Thanks!

LoveItaly

I never have been bored, Cub, but if I have gotten tired of sightseeing for example I will give myself a day "off" and sleep in, take a long bubble bath, take a nap, read a book in my room or at some outdoor cafe or inside if the weather is bad. And taking walks in nontouristy neighborhoods is fun too. Rather as suze mentioned. And taking in a movie is a nice way to enjoy some nontouristy time also.

ellenem

Perhaps you mean bored with just your own company? While I have no problem traveling solo, I know I enjoy having someone to talk to part of the time, but I am shy about just talking to strangers. If this is the case for you, maybe you could take a class (one day or one week) in the middle of the extended stay to have more interaction with others.

janisj

Just about all of the museums and galleries have lecture series - mostly attended by locals/members. There are local antique fairs, food festivals, art shows, fringe theatre outside of the West End, podium programs, any sort of music imaginable, etc etc. Plus all the long walks in the world . . . .

I personally could not be bored in London

artsnletters

Hard to imagine being bored in London. But I might get a little lonely. I have traveled alone for 2-3 weeks before, and my only gripe with it is eating dinner alone. It's not that I feel awkward, only that it would be so nice and so much easier to linger if I had someone to whom I could relay my day's experiences and have a conversation that went beyond the more impersonal things you discuss with strangers. When you are staying in one place for that long, the solution might be to become a "regular" at some nearby establishments - cafe, grocery, drug store - and perhaps to find some organizations of interest that have meetings you can go to - maybe at a library? one day class at a university? (Where's AA when you need it? Says this non-alcoholic. ) It might be a way to get acquainted with someone at least enough to perhaps meet for lunch.

thursdaysd

You might feel less like a tourist if you rented an apartment instead of staying in a hotel or B&B. Although at a B&B you might get to talk to other guests at breakfast.

I tweet and blog (used to send emails to a list) which helps me feel like I'm having a conversation.

You might also go on some of the London Walks - you might hook up with a fellow-traveler for dinner or drinks that way.

Nikki

I took my first solo trip to Paris for two weeks last November and liked it so much I did it again this November. And it is true that I didn't want to do tourist things all the time. So I didn't.

I figured that since I was alone, I had nobody to please but myself. That was part of the point of the trip: just to do what I wanted. If there was something on my tentative agenda that I didn't feel like doing when that day came around, it was no problem to scratch it off the list.

I feel it is much easier to have this attitude when I rent an apartment. That way, I have a comfortable home base for those days that I don't want to run around to as many tourist activities as possible.

A netbook computer and wi-fi connection are a big help to me.

toedtoes

My suggestion is to spread out your planned activities. I normally plan 2 activities per day. This gives me some "tourist" time and some "non-tourist" time each day.

For example, if you want to go to a play, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and London Tower, you could easily do this in one day and have a second day totally free. However, you might find that a full day of activities and then a full day of "nothing" make you feel rushed and bored all at the same time.

By splitting those activities into 2 days, you have some downtime and some activity each day creating an easy pace. You don't get as bored with being a tourist because you're not doing it non-stop - and you don't get bored sitting around because you're not doing it for days on end.

For downtime, LI's suggestions are great. You can go see Trafalgar Square in the a.m., then take a leisurely bubble bath and some light reading, and then you're ready for a nice dinner and a play.

The other benefit to this is that you can add and move around activities easier because you have room to spare. If you suddenly see Colin Firth sitting alone at a restaurant, you can "dump" Buckingham Palace for the day and go share a table and a pot of tea with Colin - you can still fit Buckingham Palace in on another day because you didn't fill up every moment. And, let's face it, how can you be bored when having tea with Colin Firth?? Hey, perhaps he'll join you for that tour of Buckingham Palace the next day...

ncounty

If you want to get socially adventurous to break up all that time alone and maybe meet some fun new people, here are some ideas:

1) post here and set up a GTG with other fodorites during your stay there; do it early so that if you make some friends, you might plan other events together.

2) sign up for touristy things that appeal to you in a tour group. It will expose you to other people as well.

3) try Craigslist London for activity groups that sound like fun.

gertie3751

Several points here:
Being bored is often a state of mind and it's good if you are the kind of person who never gets bored. Lots of suggestions here for things to do.
On long trips it's often advisable to take 'days off' where you just hang out by a pool or in a posh hotel away from the stresses of travel.
If it's lonely rather than bored, easy to hook up online or in person as you go.
Some people get uncomfortable if they are away from home for more than say 2 weeks. I know this because various friends ask me how can I stand being away from home for months on end. Some of us have no problem with it. I think it's a mentality thing.
Go go go. London has endless stuff to satisfy curiosity for years and years.

thursdaysd

And I was told recently that couchsurfing.com is a good place to find people to meet for a meal or coffee, not only for finding couches!

Maggi

I find solo travel liberating. Having been married for almost 40 years, it's quite a different experience traveling by myself occasionally. I've had some of the most interesting conversations with people because I was alone; on the plane, in shops or restaurants. If I had been with my spouse I would naturally have been more focused on him. My photography is better as well because I don't have to worry if my companion is bored waiting for me and I can walk where my nose leads me. Of course, I wouldn't trade having my husband or a girlfriend with me most of the time, but I do appreciate the luxury of having the option to travel alone when I choose.

Traveler28

My suggestion is to take advantage of the time that you will be there and act like a local. Don't do touristy stuff all day, every day. Look into classes/lectures that may be taking place at museums or other places. Take time out to relax and enjoy not having to be someplace at a given time. And get out of town if you need a change of scenery. It's so easy to get places outside of the city and it makes for a nice mini adventure.

Enjoy!

NancyD9393

I went to Croatia alone 2 years ago, as my husband couldn't join me. I have relatives in Zagreb, with whom I did not stay, but spent 3 of my 5 evenings, otherwise I was on my own in Zagreb, and also alone for the first three days, in beautiful Trogir by the sea, just to rest and relax after my long flight (from west coast of the U.S.) Outdoor cafes and people watching were great, with a book, in case I wanted to read, and the locals in Trogir knew I was on my own and somewhat "adopted" me, so I spent time talking with them, etc. I also went to every museum in Zagreb, which was wonderful. Or just walked the streets and got a feel for everything. Going to a movie would be great too, especially to immerse yourself in their language a bit - most everybody has English subtitles, or the movie is in English with subtitles in their language - - with the exception of Italy, as I understand it. Even though I love traveling with my husband -- my very best travel buddy, I also just LOVED this trip on my own. Enjoy!!!!!

wisprite

For me, one of the best things about traveling alone is being able to just follow my whims. I'll start out to do one thing, and find something else enticing! On a recent weekend trip I was heading to explore an outdoor Christmas market when I found myself passing an ornate church. A service was in progress, so I popped in to explore. I had a lovely and memorable hour or two exploring the church and hearing its history (and its pipe organ). These impromptu detours are often the most rewarding part of my trips.

kfulgham

Samuel Johnson said, "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life." You can make friends on the walking tours, and there are many day trips out of London--Oxford, Bath, Stratford, Warwick, etc. I've been there at least ten times and never been bored.

suze

I think it also depends on your usual situation at home. Since I have always been single and live alone, I am used to living and doing solo. It is never a cause for "boredom".

If you are married, in a relationship, live in a large family, than I can see how traveling by yourself might be somewhat of a surprise that takes learning a few new skills.

CubFanAlways

Well, some excellent advice! I’ve been popping in from time to time and I think it is time respond to what the posters have said.

First, thank all of you for taking the time to reply. I do appreciate that.

As some of you have mentioned, I will agree it’s not really <i>boredom</i>. There are a million things to do. More like loneliness. Not in a sad sense, but in an “I’d love to be talking to someone sense.”

Many of you mentioned taking a day off, relaxing etc. I know that should have been obvious to me as plan, but it wasn’t. Heck, could I run around Chicago (as my screen name implies my location) for two or three weeks? No, I’d wear myself out.

Great idea on taking a class. Since I enjoy photography, I might be able to time my trip to one of the Nikon seminars. If not, the London walking tours would be a good idea too. I was on the Jack the Ripper one some years ago and what a great way to meet some people.

THURSDAYD, I’ll check out the couch surfing website! Say, that could be fun.

TOAD, if memory serves, I think you are into photography too. And, like reading a book, that’s something best done alone. I have to remember that. No one foot-tapping as I wait for the people to get out the way or cloud to pass. Sorry, you're too late on the Colin Firth idea. I sat next to him on a flight to Los Angeles!

SUZE, you said <i>I think it also depends on your usual situation at home. Since I have always been single and live alone, I am used to living and doing solo...</i> Bingo! Like you, that is my situation and I’m used to it. But to top it off, I work at home too! So I don’t even get the company by going into the office. And I think that’s the cornerstone of my thoughts: I’m alone most of the time and I’d prefer some company from time to time when vacationing. Thanks for insight there, I knew I could count on you.

NIKKI, you gave perfect advice too.

Again, thanks everyone, I know I didn’t refer to all by name, that would be lengthy and cumbersome, but thanks all the same.

toedtoes

<<Sorry, you're too late on the Colin Firth idea. I sat next to him on a flight to Los Angeles!>>

Well, see - now you have something to say to him when you see him at the restaurant!

Yes, photography is definitely done best alone (or with another photo-hound). Many of my trips have special "I need this photo" excursions - one year, I focused on butterflies and went to every place I might find a butterfly and spent as long as I needed to get my shots. Another year, it was frogs - I spent 3 hours sitting at the edge of a pond taking photos of frogs. Not touristy things (I could certainly find frogs and butterflies here at home), but the time spent was well worth it and broke up the "tourist-feel" of the trip.