I'm thinking towards a 2013 trip.......in 2009 I visited Portugal and this past fall I visited Spain, but now I am thinking about a different region, perhaps not in Western Europe at all. I know Belgium and The Netherlands are probably still considered Western Europe, but I understand they're fairly different from the more commoner England/France/Italy/Spain/Germany family. True, or am I mistaken? I'm a 50 year old woman traveling solo, and while I do like history, museums, art & architecture, I also prefer smaller cities and towns to big cities (though I do like some creature comforts, so no camping or hostelling for me). I just kind of like soaking up the culture of the places I go. I'm not opposed to renting a car or taking trains during my expected 2 week trip, if it helps to see the country/area. Would you recommend one of those areas over the other? Any other recommendations for ideas to consider for my next international trip? South America doesn't hold too much interest at the moment, and Asia and Australia/NZ are too far (financially) right now (though NZ is on my bucket list). Morocco and Turkey are also both on my list, but I don't want to travel to either of those places alone (though joining a tour group might be in my future.)
Posted by
Columbia, SC
389 posts
The Low Countries are a wonderful part of Europe and will definitely add a new richness to your understanding of the Continent. Amsterdam is a wonderful world in itself, and Dutch language and culture are an interesting variant of the "Germanic" world. Belgium holds all kinds of delights, architectural, culinary (amazing beer), cultural (mix of French and Dutch). Plus the region is so compact that you can see so many different places in a short time. Turkey is also beloved my many. Experiencing a Muslim culture first hand is often an eye-opening experience, and the Turks are a very welcoming, hospitable people. I'll let some ladies comment on this, but I think a woman traveling solo should have no real problems in either Turkey or Morocco. Turkey is a constitutionally secular state where many women are "liberated." Morocco is rather more conservative, but also has millions of Western tourists coming in every year, including solo women. I might consider bringing a headscarf to Morocco to cut down on unwanted attention from local men, though. Good luck!
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1600 posts
Based on your description, my recommendation is for you to consider SE Asia. If comparing to a summer European trip, your airfare will most probably be cheaper and you can live in luxury for about what you would pay for a basic hotel/hostel in most of Western Europe. Asia (outside of Japan) will generally be a lot easier on your wallet that the places you mentioned in Europe. Consider parts of Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam or the Philippines. It is easy to get around and will show you a part of the world that is worth going to.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You'll change your mind about South America in a hearbeat if you get down into the Southern Cone. I agree with Arnold on Southeast Asia. The airfare to get out there is steep, but wandering around costs next to nothing - - when you figure the total for the trip, it winds up being a heck of a lot less than spending the same month anywhere in Europe. I'm not so sure I'd include the Phillipines until I'd seen most of everything else.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
If you haven't been to Prague, Vienna, Budapest, or Krakow, all are terrific destinations. All have wonderful history, art, architecture, etc. The Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna might be the best art museum in Europe. All are larger cities but have "old town" sections that are easily explorable on foot.
Posted by
OP
Toronto, ON, Canada
112 posts
Thank you for your thoughts this far; I have been to parts of Asia in the past (Thailand, China, Japan, HK) and they were wonderful. I had not considered Eastern Europe though......I have heard wonderful things about Budapest and Prague. I'll need to consider that more.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
I would think smaller towns in Benelux would be more scenic and enjoyable than those in Scandinavia. Plus you could rent bikes and explore the countryside. But The Baltic region has some wonderful cities that have more of a small-town feel than the main European cities. I think you might really enjoy places like Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and Copenhagen and there are enough quiant smaller towns near them to get a good mix. Either destination would be safe for a solo woman.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17397 posts
Copenhagen is a city but feels like a small town. There is so muchnthere in terms of museums, history, castles, good food, nice people. The Viking museum at Roskilde is a short trainnride away. Then head to Norway, which has spectacular mountain scenery, fjords, glaciers. Bergen is a lovely little city with it's Hanseatic League buildings; Oslo has a mix of old and new, very trendy but interesting museums as well.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Hi Kia... I have traveled a few times alone in Europe with no problems and would definitely say Turkey is fine for you to go alone. I took my 10 year old grandson there this summer and we loved it. A great walking city and so much to do. I have also traveled to Morocco and although I am not afraid to travel there, I was happy we had someone to handle things for us. I took a group of photographers there and we loved it, but I would have to spend some time figuring things out before I just landed there.
As for Eastern Europe.... I think that would be a great trip for you if you decide to get a car and explore. Romania is beautiful, cheap and easy to find your way around. Also Budapest, Prague and Krakow would be good choices as well as Cesky Krumlov.