Mindset before leaving.

Even after a number of trips I always feel a bit of anxiety just before leaving. Kind of a "Do I really want to be doing this?" feeling. I have learned to ignore it and have a great time.

"Thank gawd I'm leaving LA." Dead serious. Happy to be on my way away from the megalopolis and onto an adventure. Deep breath....a whole new world awaits. Have a wonderful time!

Don't worry! My first trip to Europe I was 12 years old, and my parents put me on a plane alone to meet up with their Austrian friend living in Vienna whom I had never met! Even at that age, without my parents and with a total stranger, I was fine! I even made a connection of planes in Hamburg, with some help from the flight attendants. I stayed over there for a month, some of the time taking trains to different places in Europe. I really did not want to go before I went, but when the month was over I really didn't want to come back! Relax! Don't worry about the "language barrier" at all, you will always find people who can help you. Believe me once you see the place (I don't know where you're going in Europe but no matter where it is!) you will forget all about home and just be glad to be there! But don't worry about a thing - if I can fly solo at age 12 and stay and travel with a total stranger for a month and LOVE it you will be fine!

Relax, enjoy and keep your eyes open. You're headed to a continent that millions of travelers have enjoyed and successfully navigated... and that millions more call "home".

My husband took me to Austria for our first European trip more than 20 years ago. I still recall the trepidation I felt the week before. Will anyone understand me? (yes, many did) Will I understand anyone (turns out my senior English teacher had done a fairly good job- I could at least figure out some german words in print- not by listening, though) Will we get lost- no.... etc. etc. When we landed, all that was gone. I felt like I was in a fairy tale. I still love it ! I want to go back very badly... this after more than 40 tirps.

Billy, I'm really, really old and I still feel anxious about leaving, even though during all the planning I can hardly wait to go. I always travel solo, too. It helps to know that I'm very well organized and have taken care of everything on my list. Also, I arrange to stay in touch with family and friends through e-mail. I tell them in advance that I need moral support and they've always come through for me. If you're well prepared, you can handle anything that comes along, even a temporary glitch (sometimes, they make the best memories,) and if you're friendly and openminded, people respond in kind and you wont feel lonely. Have a wonderful trip, enjoy yourself, be safe and be happy! You planned this trip and you'll have a wonderful time! Best wishes, Anna

Billy, on my first trip to Europe, for a few days before I left I did not feel excited or happy. This dread lifted as soon as I arrived. I realized later that I was so afraid something would stop the trip. I still feel that before a trip, and for good reason. I've had trips canceled because of work, illness, or babysitter problems. I only get that way when a trip is really important to me. I now know what it is and just get through it. It's a wonderful feeling to get there and realize you really ARE there. If you feel at times that you are lonely or scared, that's ok. You won't be there forever. Have a great trip.

You will enjoy each hour and day.

Just watch you back. Keep your valuables in a money belt.

When at an ATM machine be very aware of who is near you.

Ask your questions to policemen, station attendants, etc.

Be cautious when going on to trains and getting off. Watch your luggage.

You will be fine.

ENJOY!!!!

Billy, my first trip was 13 years ago, solo. Even now, I find it a little scary, but once I'm on the ground in Europe that seems to go away.

If you're going to the big cities, just remember, they're expecting you! Cities like London, Paris and Amsterdam are full of tourists in the summer. You're a vital part of their economy and the residents have gotten used to wide-eyed visitors. You'll also find plenty of fellow travelers to compare notes with. Have fun, I'm sure it'll be a blast.

Don't forget to look both ways before crossing the street in the UK :-)

I find the admissions by even frequent and experienced travelers that they feel a degree of anxiety prior to departure both interesting and comforting. I also think that travel is kind of like getting married: all of the preparation and arrangements and the ceremony itself are wonderful BUT ALSO exhausting and anxiety-causing...but actually settling in to your new life together afterward is much less so. When we arrive in Europe, and step off that plane, we feel comfortable, happy and full of excitement. We know, then, that all the pre-trip stuff--including the long flight--is over, and we can relax and explore! Once we're there, it's like we can feel the stress disappear.

Billy, I absolutely love to travel. I love to plan, I love being away from home, and I love looking at my pictures when I get back. I have been to Europe about 8 times. I look forward to each trip and when it starts getting close, I am so dying to go, I can hardly stand it. Then a few days before I get filled with anxiety. I don't know what it is. I'm worried something will happen and I won't be able to go. I'm worried my plane will be cancelled or I'll miss my connection. I'm worried the plan will crash. I'm worried I will forget my passport. It's all of that and none of that. I get to the point where I wonder why I'm doing this. The airport experience and plane ride are so unpleasant these days -- that just adds to it. Then I get to my destination, and I am so excited. And when I wake up the next day after a good night's sleep, I'm practically euphoric.

Don't worry about your anxiety. Try to ignore it as best you can. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

My first solo trip to Europe was the year that I turned 50. The day that I arrived in Paris, after much anxiety about leaving my husband and grown children at home, was the day of the bombings in London, where I was to visit two weeks later. I was to join a RS Paris & the Heart of France tour, then go by Eurostar train to London. I debated whether to cancel the whole thing, especially the trip to London. Thankfully, the RS tour guide said that London was probably the safest city to be, due to all the extra security. I am so glad that I went - I saw a Shakespearean play at the Globe Theatre, went to two West End musicals, climbed the tower at St. Paul's Cathedral, visited Kensington and Hampton Court Palace, as well as the Tower of London and had a wonderful time. There was another attempted bombing while I was visiting London.

I am so glad that I decided to travel to Europe - so much so that I will soon be traveling to Spain and Portugal for my solo trip to Europe - although I will be on a RS tour for part of it. Enjoy your time!

Ah, such nice replies :)
Thank you everybody!

The first trip we did with four day notice (didn't even have a passport at the time) so we didn't have time for any emotions except exhaustion. Our 12th trip will be this fall. By now we know the ropes so it very relaxing with a small amount of excitement. Our worst mental problem is the depression that sets in on the way home and the funk that follows for a couple of weeks.

For us the important mind set to have during the trip is, "We will see that the next time." We have done that since day one so we are never disappointed about not seeing something because ---- we will see it the next time.

I feel nervous. But it's also because I am anxious about all the details. When I travel each summer, I go for two months. There are a lot of details, regarding my trip and my home and cat I leave behind, which I need to take care of before I leave.

But once I'm in the air, I feel calm because I know there is nothing left to do, and from that moment I start to enjoy my trip. This calm feeling comes from being thoroughly prepared.

Don't overthink it. Stop worrying about how to get in from the airport, what to wear, what to pack. If you read anything more before you go, read novels set in the places you'll be going.

Remember that anything you might have forgotten, you can find there. Look forward to getting lost, shopping in supermarkets and hanging out in cafes.

I am always super excited,, but I do worry about forgeting stuff ,, constantly check and re check my stuff.

Like Heather, my first solo trip to Europe was at 12,, to spend almost 3 months with a grandmother I had only met twice before, and she spoke no english!! When I arrived in Amsterdam,, she was not there to meet me,, and I was so excited as I knew exactly what to do,, go to the phone and phone the Canadian Embassy,, ( my parents had prepared me).. I was dissappointed at the phone to have my grandmother approach me,, I WANTED to be "lost" and have an adventure.. I spent various weeks with total strangers during that summer, my grandmother sent me off with various people, neighbors and relatives( seemed like everyone wanted the little foriegn girl along on vacation LOL

I was the type of kid who read those Enid Blyton books about boarding school and thought it would be cool to be sent away,,, I have always loved to travel.. LOL

I don't know if I have a feeling of being nervous or anything. I am generaly very very excited. What I get nervous about is did I remember everything, am I going to make my plane connection....stuff like that.
just go have fun, be aware of your surroundsing but don't be so paranoid that you end up not enjoying yourself.

A friend went and was so worried about scams, pickpocets ect that he ended up not enjoying it as much as he could and not meeting as many people as he could as he was always kind of worried about peoples motives.

My first European trip was a long, long time ago, but I still remember feeling anxious as departure day approached. I think I was just afraid of the unknown. Many years and many trips later, I'm confident that I will have a good time, and I can handle whatever travel glitches occur. I'm also convinced that the majority of the people I encounter on a trip are not out to hurt or cheat me and they would really prefer that I like their country, restaurant, b&b, flight, etc. An expression of appreciation on my part goes a long way to overcome language and cultural differences. Learn the local words for "please" and "thank you." As my confidence as a traveler has grown, I have also become very comfortable with asking for help when I don't understand something.

I am really excited about my next trip because I am returning to the classic backpacking around Europe by train. I've travelled each summer, but I haven't done this classic style trip for 5 years.

On my first big trip backpacking trip for two months, my mother was really nervous. Now after 6 years of doing this and some trips are more exotic (and shall we say dangerous?) she is excited for me too.

Seems like there have been similar posts recently...prompted me to wonder if traveling solo to Europe affects people of varying ages differently. Do 20 year-old college kids get a little nervous...what about 40 year-old folks? I've never gone solo (except for in U.S.), so I'm not sure, but I'm always excited for European trips with my family regardless of destination or length of trip.

We've not taken a lot of trips, but I do feel a bit of nervousness before going because I do almost all the planning (don't mind at all -- but getting hubby more involved with each trip). But, as the time for departure draws nearer, I find myself thinking that everything is done, and we feel prepared to deal with anything that might happen on the trip. Good thing we learned to roll with the punches -- last trip (March this year) I started out fine, but ended up walking with a cane the last four days of the trip. Didn't stop me at all -- just slowed me down somewhat.

Enjoy your trip -- the memories you make will last a lifetime!!

I'm about ready to make my 15th trip to England! Have done a number of other destinations too, yet I do get nervous before each one. I am the planner so I feel the full responsibility. Things have not always gone perfectly but we've always managed to work things out and have totally enjoyed the trips. You do have to be flexible to deal with any unexpected events and not let them get in the way - if you have visa, tickets, money and the right attitude you'll make it just fine.

Billy, I think you leave today? Just wanted to say have a great time and be sure to come back here and let us know how it was. Best wishes, Maggie

Oh never mind, it was only silly worries!
I've been here only for four days and I'm having a time of my life! Thanks everybody :P

I'm exited before every trip.

If it's possible, don't let your expectations get in the way of your experience or you may be disappointed. Don't be rigid about what you will see every moment of every day; let yourself see what you want to see and discover things that look interesting. Have an itinerary but don't be a slave to it.

Don't hit McDonald's for meals, instead ask a local for a good place to eat.

Mostly allow yourself to relax and have fun.