single female travelling alone ....
 

well that's the plan anyway. I'm a UK citizen planning my first ever trip to the US and need some advice/guidance/counselling on what I should and shouldn't do. I have no time limit, a generous but not unlimited budget and a start date of next spring. All ideas gratefully received ... especially if you have personal experience of doing the same thing. Cheers chums!

Hi Janet: <BR> <BR>Um... a little more experience doing what exactly? Where do you plan to go and what do you want to see? I think you need to give us a few more clues here before we can offer advice. The U.S. is a huge place. <BR> <BR>Write again and let us know, I'm sure you'll receive lots of help if you can narrow it down.

Hi Janet: <BR>Give a bit of help. What do you like to do? Big cities, little towns, west coast, east coast, California, NY, Disney... <BR>Anything you always wanted to see??

No time limit? Does that mean you plan to stay a year? Three years? Help us out here and we will be happy to help you out.

Wow, see what we mean! You've only been posted 5 minutes and already have had three replies. That could almost be a record. We are obviously anxious to help you.

Janet here again. OK, seeing all of the US is a bit ambitious. Particularly want to see New England and/or the West Coast (especially san francisco). I was thinking more of the practicalities of being a lone female than anything else...where is safe to stay, are there any organistations that arrange escorted travel etc. etc. Not to give the game away but I probably don't qualify for student or youth accomodation or Senior Citizen deals either! <BR> <BR>Thanks again.

Hi Janet: <BR>As you can see, we love to give out wonderful ideas here. <BR>A female traveling alone I sometimes a plus. The only down side is I don't like dining alone...Other than that you can come and go as you please. You pick the places to see and you can sleep as late as you want or get up as early as you want. Just use your common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, etc. <BR>Now, have you ever been to NYC or surrounds?? I can help with that...South Florida... Maine....you get the picture...

Hmmm. Nice to know it's safe so long as you're sensible. Things I like - culture (sing opera as a hobby, read, cinema, art etc.), historic communities (hence new england and SF) and love walking in the wilderness. Would love to see New England in the Autumn (oops, "fall"). Have lots of time to plan but no idea where to go or how to get there. Have never been to the US before and have no contacts there to help me. Help!!!

Ah Janet: <BR>You now have many many contacts in the US <BR>West Coast people will come up with some ideas...Just keep checking back. <BR>You might want to begin your stay on the West coast and work your way East to be here for the Fall (autumn) and fly back from the East Coast. Well that's a start!

Janet -- Lucky you! I have travelled quite a bit throughout the U.S. on my own. If I were you, I think I'd do sort of a circle, starting and ending in New York City or Washington DC and heading south, hitting most of the southern part of the U.S. in the spring when it's at its prettiest before it gets too hot, spending most of the summer on the west coast and in the north, and then making it back to the east coast for autumn. Here are some "don't miss" places (Question: Are you planning on visiting Canada at all while you're here? I would recommend it since you seem to have the time & money, and since you'll be coming at a seasonable time of year for visiting Canada. Some of the prettiest parts of North America are in Canada. In any case, I'll include a few Canadian places on my list just in case you're so inclined.) <BR>New York City <BR>Washington DC <BR>Charleston, SC (then, FL, optional) <BR>New Orleans, LA <BR>San Antonio, TX <BR>Santa Fe, NM <BR>Grand Canyon, AZ <BR>Los Angeles, CA <BR>Drive Hwy. 1 north to Big Sur coast <BR>San Francisco, CA <BR>Yosemite National Park, CA <BR>Lake Tahoe <BR>Seattle, Washington <BR>Vancouver, British Columbia <BR>Canadian Rockies (Banff/Jasper) <BR>Glacier National Park <BR>South Dakota Badlands <BR>Chicago IL <BR>Toronto, Ontario <BR>Montreal, Quebec <BR>Quebec City <BR>Bar Harbor and Acadia Nat'l Park, Maine <BR>Boston, Mass. <BR>return to New York City and fly out. <BR> <BR>Just my humble suggestion.

You might want to check a website address journeywoman.com for information about women travelling alone.

I agree with most of Lisa's list though I am feeling somewhat sad that "America's Finest City" was left off the list. I am referring to San Diego, California of course. San Diego is certainly well worth a visit. I would also include Las Vegas, Many don't like it but it is probably the most spectacular city in the world for glitz and glamor. <BR> <BR>My list would be: <BR> <BR>New York City, <BR>Washington DC, <BR>San Antonio Texas, <BR>San Francisco California, <BR>Los Angeles California, <BR>San Diego California, <BR>Yosemite <BR>Big Sur <BR>Lake Tahoe California, <BR>Las Vegas Nevada, <BR>Seattle Washington, <BR>Vancouver Canada, <BR>Canadian Rockies, <BR>Montreal Canada

Janet here again. Oh you lovely lovely people! Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Bonnie - thanks for the journeywoman site - what a mine of info for the female traveller! Great stuff!! <BR>I feel a very extended trip (and a trip to a map shop)coming on. Warm regards.

Don't even THINK about hitchhiking while you are here -- it is very dangerous for a woman alone.

I would chuck San Antonio, LA, San Diego, & Yosemite...Add Sante Fe, Yellowstone, & Bryce Canyon... <BR>have a great time <BR>joan

Janet: My wife & I normally always stay at bed & breakfasts. They are very personable, safe, secure, more informative of the local area than most hotels, & you can start off your morning with an unbelievable breakfast. <BR> <BR> <BR>Gary K.

Janet -- <BR>I would not assume that you don't qualify for hostelling. I belong to Hostelling International (find their web site with a search). There are NO age restrictions (good thing, being 40 - something myself!)and you can save SO much money staying in a hostel over any other kind of accommodations (except freebies at friends and relatives!) <BR> <BR>I stayed at the hostel in Martha's Vineyard last Labor Day weekend for $14 a night, vs $200 and up in any other hotel/B&B, etc. (My co-workers were extremely jealous.) <BR> <BR>You must be willing, however, to have little to no privacy (dormitory style sleeping arrangements), and depending on where you're staying, you may have to vacate the premises during certain hours of the day. But so what, you're there to roam about and see the sights, not hang out in your room, anyway! <BR> <BR>Take a look at the website - if you decide to go that route it'll narrow down your location options. <BR> <BR>(P.S. There were 4 ladies that weekend in Martha's Vineyard older than me who were enjoying a single adventure as well. It's very common and seems pretty safe.)

Janet -- Everyone forgot about what I consider one of the most fun/interesting and safest cities in the Northeast....BOSTON! It is a great city with lots of culture and american history. If you go, be sure to walk the freedom trail, go to Cambridge (Harvard, MIT), shopping on Newbury Street, Boston Common and go see the Boston Pops or Boston Symphony Orchestra! Feel free to email me with any questions you may have regarding places to stay. Have Fun!

Janet, I am a Canadian who travels alone a great deal. I am fifty. One aspect you should consider is the scale of the size of the country. Cut out a map of the U.S. and place on top of of map of the same scale over Europe. I know you are perfectly aware of the difference but the reality really hits when you decide to hop on bus for what might seem like a like a short ride and end up 40 hours on a bus. I would suggest an open rail pass or bus pass for flexibility for all short distances. You can get on and off anywhere, anytime and still be quite impulsive. It is generally safe everywhere when you use travel sense. Communication will never be a problem. Americans are friendly, helpful and love to chat with tourists. You may find that in many hotels you might not have to eat alone that much if you dont wish. <BR> <BR>The B&B circuit in the US is excellent and easily accessible by internet. Have fun.

Janet, <BR> <BR>I agree with Emily (regarding hitch hiking--DON'T DO IT) and Gary K. (bed & breakfasts tend to be quaint & have a homey feel). If you plan to visit New York City, get a subway map as well as a city map (they will be very handy). I usually travel alone and have not encountered any major mishaps. Use common sense (don't carry large amounts of money, be alert/aware of your surroundings, carry your purse with the strap across your chest, and be especially careful when venturing out at night). There's tons to see in the U.S. Enjoy! <BR> <BR>Annette

Another comment re: B&B's -- it's a great way to meet people, especially when you're a solo traveller.

If you are interested in things to do and see in Chicago (a great city with a Midwest mentality), please drop me an email any time at the address listed above. I am a single female living in the city and have plenty of experience if you have any questions or would like suggestions. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful vacation and I hope you love the US.

Hosteler in Ft. Lauderdale is a poorly disguised commercial advertiser. Pay no attention to it.