Please sign in to post.

Possible to take last minute solo trip?

I'm looking to take a very last minute solo trip to Europe...as early as next weekend. I'm a 52yo female. This is so typically not me. I probably usually plan TOO much. I'm really interested in Ireland, Scotland and England. I'd have minimum 2 weeks...maximum 3. I have a pretty healthy budget.....could do up to 500usd/night for hotels.

I'm interested in taking it fairly slow. Ideally I'd be able to hire some private drivers. Interested in scenery, sacred sites, cafes. I'm not a big museum person and also really not at all into the big cities.

Is it crazy to contemplate this?

I'd love opinions on where to focus my trip. I've only done a few stops on a British Isles cruise once.

I'd probably be more comfortable in Italy where I've been several times but want to see/do something new.

I'd love some advice!! Thank you!

Posted by
6819 posts

It’s definitely not crazy, but something to keep in mind is that summer in the UK can lead to a shortage of accommodations, especially in Scotland. So you might want to consider checking lodging, especially if you plan to go to any of the Scottish Isles like Skye.

That doesn’t mean you won’t find anything, and it helps that you have a healthy budget as most of the good value accommodations are booked up early. But I would definitely start looking as soon as possible.

If you have three weeks, you could conceivably get in all three countries, But quite frankly, if it was me, I would save Ireland for another trip and just focus on England and Scotland. There are so much to see there as it is, without throwing in another country.

Posted by
15539 posts

Go for it.

I agree you could visit both the UK and Ireland but, like Mardee, my suggestion is to stick to the UK.

Fortunately, there won't be a language barrier--mostly.

I sometimes plan a week ahead of time. On my current travels, I had to change some of my plans--cities I had planned to go to--because lodging prices had gone through the roof.

It's time to start planning and deciding where you want to go. There is lots of information on this website plus a plethora more on the internet. Check out Youtube videos for some of the places to see if they look interesting.

If a place is booked and you can't find lodging, there may be a day trip that will allow you to see this. (I'm thinking the Highlands in Scotland.)

And come back with questions.

There is one issue you need to be aware of in the coming month. While the eastern US is dealing with cicadas, the UK has it's own invasion that is causing hotel rates to skyrocket and availability to disappear. It's called a Taylor Swift. Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff, London and Dublin will be affected in June.

Posted by
17 posts

Omg! Taylor Swift LOL

YES!!! I’ve dealt with that. Had to pay $900 for one night at Hampton Inn to get my oldest to take my youngest to the concert LMAO

Thank you for that info!!

Posted by
8808 posts

I’d choose 1 of the 3 countries…

Personally I’d choose England. Great train system.
Vast differences in cities, towns and villages. Will a bit research given what you prefer seeing to plot out a route via public transport.

I agree with the advice pertaining to the Taylor Swift effect. Accommodation prices will be affected.

Lastly, have you considered Spain or Norway or Belgium or Portugal?

Posted by
16690 posts

It is certainly possible if you are a bit flexible in locations. I personally would limit it to either Ireland, or England, Scotland and Wales, just to avoid the flight or ferry involved in traveling between the islands. But that just my personal bias.

Let’s say you choose England/Scotland——these are places we (my husband and I ) like a lot, and I would be comfortable traveling solo here. The Scots in particular are just about the friendliest people I have met in my travels. It is pretty easy to travel around both countries by train, although there have been some strikes that can interfere with your plans (that is where the need for flexibility comes in). I am confident that people here can help you build an itinerary that minimizes big cities and maximizes smaller towns and villages, and countryside with scenery and sacred sites.

I will start by suggesting a resource that we use, a sort of tour company but actually it is a member-owned cooperative that offers walking and special interest holidays at their country houses all over the UK. Non-members are welcome to join their holidays. Their main focus is guided walking, but they also offer sightseeing holidays, and special interest ones focused on yoga and wellness, choral singing, bridge, writers’ workshops, photography, birding. . . You name it.

You could book one (or two) of these short holidays in places that interest you, and then combine those with independent travel to other places of interest.

Here is an example, a 3-night “Discovery” holiday in the Scottish Highlands that has availability in June:

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/3-night-scottish-highlands-discovery-tour?format=pdf&vid=459

Here is a list of “island hopping” sightseeing tours in Scotland, the Channel Island, and England (Isle of Scilly):

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours#/holidays?FC.Holiday%20Types=Island%20hopping&sort=ordering%7CASC&page=1

(I did not vet those for availability in June). They also offer week-long “discovery” tours in areas such as Cornwall, the Lake District, Northumberland, and more, and of course their regular “guided walking” holidays at their own locations around the UK (but you did not mention walking/hiking among your interests so I did not suggest any of these, but there are lots of options with availability if you are interested).

A basic itinerary for the UK would be to fly into London, then loop up to Scotland via York and surrounding areas, spend a week or so there, then return to London via the Lake District, Cotswolds, Cornwall, and more, perhaps spending your last night before flying out in Windsor, close to Heathrow.

Posted by
14157 posts

Just another vote to DO IT!

And laughing at the invasion likened to cicadas....

DO check lodging before you commit. I'd stick to England and Scotland for ease. A week-10 nights minimum in London, several nights each in Salisbury, Bath and York. 4-5 nights In Edinburgh will allow a day trip. Your trip so your choices might be different from mine!

IF you need to come back to Heathrow for a return flight, give yourself 2 nights at the end back in the London/Windsor area to allow for any train delays or strikes.

Have an awesome time and yes, we would like a Trip Report when you get back!

Posted by
1425 posts

Lola beat me to it. I was going to suggest HF Holidays. If none of their trips work for you or you’d like to consider other possibilities you might try Inn Travel. It’s self-guided but they help with the logistics and reservations. And since it’s self guided the timing is more flexible. https://www.inntravel.co.uk/walking-holidays. Whatever you decide to do have fun. I’m jealous.

Posted by
4289 posts

Absolutely possible! Try booking.com for lodging to see what’s available. I am headed to Ireland solo for a couple of weeks on Sunday - and although I have all my reservations already, I just had to change one. So things are still available - maybe just a bit more expensive. If you don’t drive, Ireland can be done by bus (especially if you have 3 weeks to not rush) and England or Scotland by train and bus.

Posted by
6428 posts

This is the last part of a kind of active planning report (click on her name for the earlier sections) of a solo female a bit older than you who has just done something fairly similar (over a much longer time span, about 6 to 8 weeks I think)- repeatedly planning just a few days ahead- https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/i-extended-my-trip

She only flew home yesterday. There are quite big bits missing from this as there were changes beyond the end of this thread (it went to PM's at the end)- she eventually did HF houses in the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland and the South Downs. Wales and Cornwall mentioned therein never actually happened.

By sacred sites do you mean Cathedrals or the likes of Glastonbury and Stonehenge.

Posted by
512 posts

Do it! Life is short.

My vote is Ireland because it feels like every town we saw was worth exploring. But that's me. No matter where you end up, it will be lovely and an adventure. There is no real wrong answer. Spontaneous decisions can lead to amazing discoveries. Enjoy!

Posted by
16690 posts

The trip report mentioned above is a perfect example of linking independent travel with one or more HF Holidays programs. One she visited was the country house in Whitney, a charming seaside town in the Yorkshire Dales. They have openings in June, though not always with single rooms. But the June 14-17 time is on sale for nearly half price, so even if one had to pay for a double room it would not be onerous. I believe the same may end today, however.

Here is the brochure for the Whitney/Yorkshire Dales country course. Although it focuses on walking (with walks at 3 levels offered each day). One need not actually join the walks. You are free to enjoy the village and the surrounding scenery on your own at will. But even without the walks you would meet some nice people at breakfast and dinner, and perhaps get some ideas for your onward travel.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/3-night-north-york-moors-guided-walking-holiday?format=pdf&vid=969

Posted by
6428 posts

One of my thoughts is that next week is the Schools Vacation Half Term, so a lot of places could be quite tight for somewhere to stay. If you haven't purchased air fare yet maybe defer by a week to next weekend?

I'm a bit stymied at the moment not knowing where you are flying into and out of. And I can get people around by public transport or driving themselves. A private driver (I appreciate why you are thinking of doing that) is rather beyond my comfort zone.

As you will see I worked long and hard with the other lady. Several times she actually got lifts between places just by talking to people at the HF's, rather than taking the train or bus. As ad hoc as it gets.

I think Lola's idea of working HF's together is great. If you decided to travel independently then in most of the English countryside 500USD is a budget you'd be hard pressed to spend, it's very healthy, certainly in the Lake District.

Maybe look at open jaw (multi-city) into EDI or GLA, and out of London, or vv- to maximise your time on the ground. That way you could start with Iona as your first sacred site, maybe work down into Northumberland for Lindisfarne as another sacred place, then making your way somehow down/up the country..

I'm trying to take up Lola's challenge to work something up but don't seem to have enough jigsaw pieces somehow.

Posted by
15539 posts

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"

Mark Twain

Posted by
411 posts

How exciting!! Enjoy!!
As mentioned, any of the countries would have all of what you're looking for, and I echo the sentiment of others to narrow the amount of ground covered to maximize time and slow down the tempo. Constantly needing to negotiate different train stations or multiple transportation options does not lend itself to slow.

Some random thoughts.
I'd use more humble accommodations (as Stuart said--many places you'd be hard-pressed to find rooms at 500) and use your healthy hotel budget towards the private drivers in whatever areas you settle so you can get away from the crowded tourist areas and out to the remote sites.

Here's an idea if other areas are too busy... While I would say that there are other areas of more outstanding scenery, here's an area that may not be trampled by tourists. Last fall my husband and I visited the Dumfries/Galloway area of Scotland, most specifically Wigtown and environs (ancestral villages). Wigtown has several little bookstores. Lots of standing stones, cairns in the area. I'm not sure about the public transportation as we had a car. Perhaps a visitor center (Wigtown is Scotland's "national book town.") could help find a driver.

Enjoying dark skies seems slow (we did not do this)...
"Galloway Forest Park is one of the best places in the UK to enjoy the night sky. In 2009, Galloway Forest Park became one of the first in the world to earn this designation. It was also awarded a Gold Tier Park for its breath-taking and rare stargazing conditions."
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/dark-skies#:~:text=Galloway%20Forest%20Park%20is%20one,taking%20and%20rare%20stargazing%20conditions.

Another area (in Scotland):

We visited Kilmartin Glen, which is not too far from Isle of Arran, which Mardee mentioned (other thread), as well as Loch Lomond.
https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/historic/standing-stones

Posted by
6428 posts

Actually, taking the two threads together, especially the sacred places them, I really like CanamCheries idea.

Rather than the Lake District at a HF why not the Isle of Whithorn (where Wigtown is). Travel first class on the train to Carlisle, get a driver to meet you there to the Isle (which is really a peninsular). Stay in Wigtown, Whithorn or the Isle of Whithorn (a village as well as the Peninsular).
On the Isle itself the local bus service is pretty good.

It never gets busy out there and there is everything from prehistoric to St Ninian's landing and life there to WW2 history at Garlieston to the Covenanters Martyr's Site at Wigtown (as well as the books), and a Distillery as well.

A number of places to stay on the Isle but the Steam Packet Inn I think would suit you well.

When you leave get a private driver to take you up to Glasgow for the lunchtime train to Oban, for Iona.

And Kilmartin on your way from Iona to Edinburgh (for Shannon) complements the theme. As the budget is there get a driver Oban to Kilmartin to Edinburgh.

If you were able to squeeze in Arran (somehow) the Centre for World Peace and Health on Holy Isle (a little island off Arran) may suit you for a day visit.

Posted by
17 posts

Cannot thank you all enough for such thoughtful suggestions!!! How generous for taking the time!

I’m pouring over everything.

I leave Saturday and return 3 weeks later..June 20

A couple things came together. First, I got a good deal first class round trip Boston to LHR. Was able to use two evouchers. Everything else was astronomical $$

SO

Fly to LHR nonstop arrive 7pm
3 nights in London . Second full day in London was the ONLY opportunity in the whole month to score Stonehenge Inner Circle tour so I grabbed it.

Then I fly to Dublin where I’m doing a 5 day Southwest Ireland tour with Rabbies. I was fortunate enough to get good accommodations too!

That ends in Dublin after which I have 2 more full weeks to fill.

I’m going back and forth with myself about renting a car…alone…and trying to drive on the left for the first time. lol I CAN get some drivers…haven’t decided.

Considering flying to Edinburgh, then train to York, then stay in Oxford and day trip to Cotswolds

I definitely want to stay in London for some time and do some day trips ..Windsor, Brighton

But very much want to do Glastonbury, Avebury, Wells.

Kind of wish I could just stay till I feel like coming back ! Family already thinks I’m nuts for going alone lol

Posted by
6428 posts

With that itinerary if you don't want to drive you don't have to.

So you have 8 days of 21 so far booked (if my count is wrong 9 days so you may need to shave a day off Edinburgh or York)

There are flights on Aer Lingus and Ryanair from Dublin to Edinburgh- on Day 9 I believe. So let's say the rest of Day 9, then 10 & 11 in Edinburgh

While in Edinburgh you could do day or multi day tours with Rabbies (as an example) to elsewhere in Scotland, or use the train to maybe Stirling, St Andrew's, Dundee, The Kelpies, The Falkirk Wheel etc as well as time in Edinburgh.

Day 12- 2 1/2 hour train journey to York. Say Day 12 and 13 there.

Day 14- Train to Oxford, Day 15 Cotswolds Tour.

Day 16- Transfer to Bath by train, or bus through the Cotswolds (parts you won't have seen on tour) to either Swindon, Didcot or Reading for train to Bath.

Day 17 and 18- Local buses to Wells and Glastonbury (1 day), Avebury (the other day), somewhere in between explore Bath (probably on Day 16), evening of Day 18 transfer to London

Days 19 and 20- Day trips to Windsor and Brighton.

Day 21- Fly home

This is rough and ready, a sketch plan. But kind of indicative- for you to flesh out. No driver or car needed.