traveling by self

[jghoulie]

I would like to go to Europe this summer at end of may til mid/end of june...But can't find anyone to go with me. I am 23, female, and this would be my first time in Europe. I am very adventurous and independent, but is this a bad idea? I could use advice from all of the experts that have been. Would it be better to go with a guided trip, or is that boring? Help!!

[ivybell]

Go, go! My first time in Europe was a month long study abroad program when I was 16, and I ran around Oxford, London, and Stratford-on-Avon for a month with no problems.

Now I'm 19, I chose to get my full degree in Scotland, and I went to Croatia and Bosnia in September as my first truly alone traveling and was just fine and loved it! Went to Spain in January and now I'm heading to Yemen.

As I imagine you likely heading to mostly Western Europe you should have no problems at all. As a female just use the same common sense you would use in a big American city. Don't make yourself an obvious tourist by dressing like a total tourist, don't respond to male attention, a sure thing in Spain, Portuagal, Italy, Greece and parts of France. Watch how the women there walk and act. Stand up tall and completely ignore them. Pretty soon you won't even notice it anymore!

Learn some of the language, the niceties anyway just to be polite. Find women to sit with, and avoid drunk guys, and don't be stupid and run off with one!

Don't be paranoid, but do be somewhat suspicious of people (don't really know how to put this) but don't instantly trust everyone. Most people just want to help or talk to you, but make sure you're in control of the situation.

Know where you are going, where your hostel/hotel is, and don't be afraid to grab a taxi if it's late at night or you end up in a sketchy situation.

If you do stay in hostels you will meet many people who you can travel/eat/drink with, though I tend not to do this as I really like my time alone, but that's just me!

I've found that many of the older ways of male/female interaction still remain to an extent in Europe so you'll find that you're given a seat, doors will be held, you have the right of way on sidewalks, all those types of things. In the times where I've had to travel on the train in Scotland and there are guys and their drunk mates, the sober ones made sure the drunk ones sat away from me and did not bother me.

Where are you thinking of going?
_________________
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost

[wilson49332]

Im a guy, and agree with Ivy. Try to avoid being out past dark if possible alone though (although if it happens, it shouldnt be an issue at all).

Most Of ALL: DO NOT Get drunk. You can do that in America on your own soil. That is the number one problem with American people aged 18-20 abroad. Again they dont tolerate it and have strict laws against being public intoxication. That is why they allow 16-20 to drink- they just dont drink to get drunk- only we do that. We act stupid and do stupid things as well when intoxicated- and you wont be on your own turf at that point.

Ivy- I think we should make that into a sticky- your whole spew as that is the number one reason Americans dont leave America- is fear of safety (and money too!) (EG post your tips to being safe if alone including the couple I added above.) I has come up in the past as well.

[ivybell]

One thing I will add, though, not to pick an arguement with wilson, is that views on drinking vary widely from Europe, and the UK.

They drink, alot, in the UK. They are drunk on the street, on the bus, and on the train.

Though, unless you are also some sort of silly football fan or chav, they won't be beating you up.

Yeah, about the after dark bit. I've run around Sarajevo, pretty sketchy bits of Edinburgh, and Valencia and seen some things that should have made me realise I was being dumb, but I'm posting this so I'm just stupid and lucky I guess..
_________________
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost

[eni]

The only few nagative things I find about female traveling alone are that there is no one to watch your stuffs when you need to go to a lady's room. and there is no one to sit with if you want to try a good meal at a fancy restaurant. And it's a bit more expensive to stay in a single room than a double. But, it's actually a very good experience! I enjoyed it a lot. Which part of the Europe will you be, jghoulie? I'd say Ivy gives a very good idea of what to avoid when traveling alone. From my own experience, it's always a good idea to always book ahead hotel room for the first night of your stay at any city. If you know where you're going the first thing u get off of the plane/train, it would make the whole trip much enjoyable and make you less panic.
In late May and June, european countires like Italy, France, and Greece enjoy daylight until as late as 9pm. So you should be very comfortable walking around after dinner. A lot more time for you to explore!! have fun.

[vicky]

hey! ill be in europe the same time. maybe we can travel together. i will then be a 21 fem from cali. woooooooohoo. contact me?

[im4gzusgrl]

if you need someone to go w/ pm me!

im looking for a travel buddy!!!

[Ashleypax]

I'm gonna be in Spain and Italy from mid May (I leave on 17th) through later June, by myself, just to see everything. I'm a little nervous, but very excited. I'm 26 graduate student (female) living in Miami. Would LoVE to meet up and see the sites, go to the barz, etc. Going to Madrid first.

[ivybell]

Hey, guys, can you put travel buddy requests in the sticky so they stay together?

Thanks
_________________
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on.
Robert Frost

[an2231]

Hi guys:
I am a graduate student at Columbia University, NY.
I am doing a summer abroad at London School of Economics from July.
I will be going to London in mid-June and was planning on travelling around Europe. I was planning on hitting Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany (Berlin) in one go and then the Benelux and the Scandinavian Countries in the next go. Is anyone interested.
Am i being over enthusiastic here??
If interested plz. hit me back @ an2231@columbia.edu