Single Woman Europe Trip

Well I have a good 10 years on you and I always go alone. I perfer to go where I want when I want and don't really like paying twice as much with the "Single supplement"

However, I think most tours meet your needs. Don't go with one that caters to "college kids" and you will be fine.

Hi Deb,

I'm in a very similar situation (but I'm 38). I decided to do a Rick Steves group tour about 2 years ago. I decided upon the Village Italy tour in the summertime (I'm a teacher) and I had a GREAT time. I don't mind being alone sometimes, but I didn't feel like spending two weeks plus all alone (especially since after a while you just want someone to talk to, or hold your purse while you use the bathroom).
The RS tour had a good balance because there was a chance for alone time every day (typically there was a short 'group' time in the morning and lunch and afternoons were free to do whatever you want) but you weren't completely alone.

When I signed up, I too was worried about the make up of people on the tour. I had been to Europe twice before on other tours (one in High School, one in my late 20s, with a 'younger' group). I found that on my RS Village Italy tour, there was a varied age range. There was a family of 4 (two daughters were college age), myself and one other 30ish year old, several people in their 40s/50s and a few slightly older people.

When I was putting down my deposit, I called the RS offices and asked about the makeup of the group b/c I was deciding between two dates. They were kind enough to give me a general idea of who was on what tour and that helped me make the decision. If you decide to use Rick Steves tours, I suggest you do the same and call them. This may ease your mind a little bit.

I really recommend going on a tour if you don't want to be by yourself at all times. If you want more info, feel free to send me a personal message.

Enjoy!

Deb - Please watch Under The Tuscan Sun one more time - Then go alone - who knows - there are a lot of us nice Italian guys over there so alone might not last!!!
Tours are somewhat problematic and I'm a specialized tour consultant so I shouldn't say that - But, a lot of people don't like being herded like cattle - they want to take their time, stop where they want to , and do what they want to do. I get the idea you can handle this!!! Go for It!!!

Ciao, Greg

Deb, though I am a little older than you, I have gone to Europe the past four years and have done both Rick Steves tours and on my own. Both have their advantages, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the four tours I have taken, mainly because of the quality of the guides and the people that I have traveled with. I have remained in contact with quite a few, in fact five of us are taking our 5th tour together this year even though we all live in different parts of the country and have only seen each other on prior tours. I have no doubt that you can do it cheaper on your own, the question is do you want to do it on your own. Trust me, you will have plenty of time to be by yourself if you choose and plenty of planning to do as most of your afternoons are free to do what you want. Something to think about.

Deb, you said: "I like the idea of a tour, but I don't want to get the wrong one."

To me that means the question isn't whether you should tour or go alone, but which tour you should take. If you had said something like, well I prefer traveling alone but I wonder if I should take a tour, that's a very different scenario.

As you might expect, people on this board do tend to like RS tours. I've been on two--first as a single 25 yr old, the second as a 26 yr old accompanied by my 50+ year old dad. I would say the average age on our tours was mid 30s up to mid 60s, with a few on either end. We travel in winter so I think we don't get as many families who are in school.

No backpacking (other than carrying your luggage to the hotel). Crazy nights and going to bed early are optional. On my first tour, I declined my roommate's invitation to go out to dinner and she didn't stagger back in til 2am. On the second tour, dad and I accepted a dinner invitation with a group of tourmates and we were back at the hotel around midnight. Chances are you'll find at least a few others on your tour who want a happy medium like you.

The other nice thing about RS tours is you can pretty much strike off on your own. They build in a good amount of free time and if you choose to skip something, that's fine too. I missed a cooking demonstration to spend a wonderful day in Florence instead.

Especially for a solo, first time traveler (you don't say if this is your first time, but I'm going to guess it is), I think RS tours are a great value. Their philosophy is to teach you how to come back on your own. After 2 RS tours in Italy, I'd be very unlikely to take another Italy tour since I'd want to set my agenda and go to some more out of the way places. But I'd never have gotten to that point without having gone on the tour to begin with.

I am older then you,, but go alone,, have also gone with family and friends,, and alone with child. All is good.

I have been to Europe ,, mostly France, dozens of times,, and only once took a tour. It was the Rick Steves Family tour,, and it was fun,, the group was great.. definately was worth the slightly higher up front costs( some tours LOOK cheaper,, but there are tons of "optional" expenses etc) We tended to be basically one free day and one tour day per city,, and always two nights.. I like that on the first day it was an orientation,, they would show you a few major sites, and show you how to use the metro, or subway, or in Venice the boats,,,, and then the second day you had to fill yourself,, but, they always had lots of suggestions, and often people got together to do sites ..

So my feeling is ,, if you really don't want to go alone,, then try the RS tours,, they really do attract a certain type of traveller..

but, if you want to try going alone,, do it,, its very relaxing being on your own schedule all the time, and never having to compromise on what you want to do,, ( like having to leave the Louvre after 2 hours because friend is "museumed out" grrrhhh) LOL

Thanks for the responses.

I have traveled around Spain with a couple of friends. That was fun, but we kind of figured out where and what we wanted to see together. It seems like pressure to do that on my own.

I don't mind exploring on my own, I guess I would kind of like to have a few people around that I know to have dinner with.

Deb, I have traveled with friends and have taken three RS tours and have enjoyed both options. I like the fact that I can go off on my own during the tour if I want to but also have the option of meeting tour members for dinner.

You don't have to pay the single supplement if you're willing to have a roommate. RS tour people are really great and I too have made friends with tour members and we've subsequently traveled together.

Another option is to take a tour but extend your time in Europe and travel on your own for a few days. Then you will have the best of both worlds.

You won't know if you like an RS tour until you try one and I encourage you to try one. You might also look at the scrapbooks on the Tour page and you'll get a good idea of what to expect.

Deb - take a look at the "tour member feedback" section too. You'll get candid info on the individual tours, guides, etc. I've taken 2 RS tours and signed up for another one in 2010. The people are great and there's a nice combination of tour time and free time. I haven't taken any other tours but I don't think you'll be disappointed with RS.

Deb - keep in mind you've posted this on the RS website, so you're bound to get a lot of pro-RS tour responses. I've done two of his tours solo, and have another scheduled this spring. It works for me - balance of free time and structured time, transportation taken care of, interesting and dynamic tourmates, efficient tour structure. I'm not really a "group" person but find there's plenty of space and alone time to be had if you need it.

That said, you might consider posting this question on other travel forums and see what kinds of responses you get. You might find another company that works for you. Regardless, you should go, taking my first solo Europe trip was the bravest and best thing I've ever done.

Deb,

You might consider a "combination" travel method, consisting of a short RS tour along with some time on your own. That's the method I've been using for the last few years, and for me it seems to be a good combination. The groups have been good, and the tours have all provided a fair amount of free time for members to explore on their own. It's also possible to opt out of some group activities and wander around on your own, as long as you let the Guide know.

I'm probably what you would consider "older people" (55+) but I don't often go to bed early. I'm usually out exploring and getting photos.

Good luck with your decision and Happy Travels!

I have traveled solo throughout Europe and stay in hostels. I research my hostels well and on sites like hostelworld and hostelz, the comments can tell you alot if it is a party place. I am 34 and I have seen lots of elderly people in hostels as well. If you stay in dorms, get rooms that have 4 beds. You don't want too many! Bring eye mask and ear plugs. I would sometimes get my own room to give myself a break,, but I love the hostel atmosphere as there are always people that you can hook up with.
I personally would never waste my money on an organized tour. Especially since Europe is so easy to travel around.