trip ideas for single female

First of all, good for you for facing the challenge of solo travel with a positive attitude. With that, you can go anywhere!

A few thoughts came to mind:
1. Is there somewhere that you have always wanted to go? Maybe this is the time for that place.
2. Although you say that you think you would hate a tour, at least consider scheduling day tours every few days. You might want to play this by ear as you go. I often find that if I spend just 1 day in a city on such a tour it gives me confidence and also gives me people to chat with once in awhile. These tours don't necessarily need to be big bus tours. Maybe you schedule a cooking class, an art class such as glass blowing, or some other group activity once in awhile.
3. You are not alone. There are countless women out there that have suddenly lost a spouse one way or another that are in the process of learning this new way of life. If you want a travel buddy, you can probably find one. This is probably the biggest cost saver there is. It really helps to split the costs of hotel rooms with someone else.
4. You may find that you like solo travel. You can do what you want without having to compromise with someone else's preferences.

Good luck to you and happy travels. I know it is hard to learn new ways, but you can do it.

Italy or Spain (Madrid -including Segovia and Toledo- and Andalusia) would be good choices and can be done on the train. Madrid is one of the easiest big cities to travel in. Solo travel can be expensive I found, because a single is more than half as much as a double. I traveled to Italy by myself this past October-November for twelve days on the ground. Italy is on the expensive side though and Rome is challenging. Cheaper outside of the big cities. I met a number of other single travelers, all women. (I am a 50ish male). Do not be apprehensive about it at all, it's totally do-able. Portugal is very economical to travel in, the transportation connections are less easy but you can plan to stick to places well served by transit. A Budapest to Prague trip is surprisingly easy on public transit and also economical if not cheap. Mix it up by staying in smaller cities/towns, which are well connected by bus in Czech Republic. I also find Germany very easy to travel in, not the cheapest though. Outside of Munich it gets more affordable and you do have the Euro exchange rate working for you, assuming you are coming from the U.S. You will not have problems with language in any of these places, not in any city that sees tourists anyway.

Congratulations on a new start to your travel style!

I travel solo almost all the time. I love the suggestion of choosing a place you've always wanted to see.

I also love the idea of day tours or activities that will bring you into a self-selected group of people with an interest similar to yours, for a half-day or a day.

I would not suggest finding a travel buddy; you really can do this on your own. Italy is not expensive, in my opinion, apart from Venezia. I know lots of small hotels and bed & breakfasts all over the country.

So, first thing to do is figure out where you want to go.

Moving this here to consolidate duplicate threads:

Posted by jmauldinuu

12/28/16 02:11 PM

106 posts

How about Italy? I've traveled to Italy alone twice in the last three years, and had a blast, each time. I'm an energetic 60ish single woman (who also didn't see singlehood coming!) and discovered - despite myself - that I love traveling alone. I find Italy incredibly easy to manage as a solo, mostly-English-speaking female traveler. Yes, I learn and attempt to use some basic Italian words and phrases, but do appreciate that most of the train announcements are made in English, too, etc. In Italy, the train and bus schedules are easy to find on-line and to use, and public transportation gets you reliably to lots of wonderful places. I have especially enjoyed Ravenna, Orvieto, Assisi, Montepulciano, and (my favorite!) Volterra, where I found few Americans and lots of amazingly friendly local residents. Also: I signed up for a day tour of wineries, out of Florence, and had a great time with the small group. (I've used both Tours by Roberto and Walkabout Italy for day tours out of Florence and had an amazing time with both.) Rick makes it quite easy for us to travel independently and smartly with his Italy and Tuscany-and-Umbria books. One personal anecdote: off the main drag in Murano, away from the tourist cafes, is a little local osteria full of local working folks. I walked in at lunch time and was told to sit at a table for two, across from an older gentleman who had also just been seated. I speak very little Italian; he spoke no English, but with hands, laughter, and our attempts at each other's language, we had a wonderful conversation over pasta, for an hour. He told me that he was a retired glassblower, and showed me, with his hands and breath, how to create a glass pitcher. Amazing! This never would have happened if I had had an English-speaking travel companion. Have a great time on your own independent next adventure!

You already have the travel experience you need under your belt! If you've done the planning in the past, there's not much different now except for not having to please anyone but yourself. If you want to feel more sure your options, maybe you do a little more in-depth reading or prep from home. If you have questions about a plan as you go, don't be timid about asking hotel staff and other local people. Many will speak English, especially if working in tourist-focused businesses. (I also enjoy trying my best at the languages.)

The majority of my travel over the past 20 years has been solo, unless I was accompanying one of our tour groups. If you wanted a half-way point, you could also consider Rick Steves My Way Un-Guided Tours. But back to doing it solo: Europe is your oyster and there's nowhere in western or central Europe where I would not travel alone.

See two articles of solo-travel tips at https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning.

I agree with others' suggestions: A walking tour is a great way to learn something about a city and have an opportunity to chat with other travelers as well as the guide. You may not find such tours offered in small towns, so I'd suggest crafting an itinerary that mixes smaller places with cities of enough tourist interest that walking tours will be available (Google will tell you where you can find such tours).

I'm an introvert but do find that after two months on the road it's very nice to have a real conversation with someone. That is more likely to happen if you spend some time in less touristy areas or if you travel somewhat off-season.

Since this is your first solo trip, I would suggest one of the more developed (western) European countries, Though I found Romania and Bulgaria utterly fascinating, that might be too much of challenge the first time out.

Even booking only one to three days out, I've had trouble finding sub-80-euro single rooms only a few times, in places like Rome and Barcelona and when I needed a place with air conditioning in an area where that was a rather rare commodity (such as in the valley cities near the Dolomites and in Germany). If you're OK with places that are clean and neat but small and not especially stylish, you can travel inexpensively in most countries outside the capital cities and tourist hotspots (like Venice and Florence).

You say you like art and food and somewhere you can walk-definitely Florence! Lots of not too expensive hotel options conveniently located.

Consider Amsterdam. It's very walkable, full of art, lots to see in the city and on nearby day trips. There are always lots of people on the streets and sitting at cafes. It's a warm, welcoming, very picturesque place.

Since you love walking, you might consider a walking holiday with HF Holidays, a British cooperative. They own a number of "country houses" throughout the UK which they use as bases for daily walks. The prices includes lodging, meals, and transport to and from the walks. Many of the houses have single rooms, while in others you have the option of sharing.

Here is an example of their house in Cornwall, which does have single rooms:

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/country-houses/stives/

We went to one in the Lake District last May and loved it. The food, accommodations, and camaraderie are all great. There is a choice of walks each day, at different levels of difficulty. Or you can skip the guided walk and do something on your own. Although you are with a group, it does not feel like a "tour" at all. The age range is something like 45-75, and there were at least 3 solo women in our group. Nationality was mostly U.K., but there were also Dutch, French, and one other American while we were there.

We enjoyed it so much we are looking forward to another holiday with them.

I have taken 14 RS tours and on most, if not all, were single women who were made to feel as much of the "group" as they wanted to be. Look them over.

Hi Nancy,
My vote would be for Florence or Venice. You don't say how long a trip you are planning, but either city could be a jumping off point for day trips to other towns. I am 61 (female) and have traveled solo for most of my trips. I think Florence is a good choice because from there (if you even want to leave the city) you can take day trips to Lucca, Pisa, or CT. I took a cooking class in Florence that was great, also did an evening dinner (both small group tours) to Fisole that was also great. Went solo to Lucca. Walking tour of Florence was also excellent. Don't overplan the day; do one major "thing" each day. Fits your bill for food and art.
If you have the time, go up to the lakes. I stayed in Como and took a ferry to Ballagio. The lakes are beautiful. You could easily go from Venice to the lakes. I always hesitated going to Venice solo because the city is perceived as the romantic city. Yes, it is, but can also be enjoyed solo. Day trips to the other islands or Lido possible. My next trip to Venice will include exploring the canals on the mainland. Also fits the bill for food and art. Some would argue the food thing about Venice, but I have seldom had a meal I did not enjoy.

It sounds like you are outgoing ("make friends quickly"), so you'll find that most people will respond positively to a conversation gambit. If there's a moment you want to share, look around you. I've had some interesting conversations, gotten some great tips, and sometimes even a companion for a few hours by initiating casual chats at sights or standing in line. Not only other singles, but couples and families are often as open (sometimes more so) to chatting. City walking tours are a great way to be with others. I've also found that age doesn't matter. People of all ages are open to sharing with people of all ages, you all have a common interest that brought you to that place, after all. Meals can feel lonely unless you find something to occupy you - I like to listen to audio books, others read or make notes in their journals. I do occasionally remind myself that even though I don't have someone to "share the moment" I also don't have someone tugging on my sleeve to move on. Email is a great way to keep in touch with folks back home and share-as-you-go by sending them a photo of a sight or a meal with a note.

Not knowing a language hasn't been a hindrance for me anywhere, except Russia and a few rural areas of France and Sicily.

I also try to keep costs down which means choosing locations that are less expensive but mainly traveling in off-season. It would be easier to make good suggestions if we knew when you want to go and for how long.

Nancy, while our stories are different, and I am male not female, we have a lot in common. I have also traveled overseas a lot during my life, solo, or as part of a couple, or as part of a group. While I am fully able to plan and take a trip on my own, I would not find a long trip on my own to be very satisfying these days: too many meals alone, generally no one to share experiences with, and many off-the-beaten-track sites and experiences too expensive to do as just one person. Day tours can help, but I found my solution a few years ago when I discovered Rick Steves Tours, of which I have now taken seven. Generally I spend a few or more days on my own before and/or after the tour, with two or more weeks tour in the middle. The locations, tours and guides are terrific, and they all include plenty of free time and free meal times, to do your own thing and pursue your own special interests, either by yourself or with friends you get to know in the tour group. I think the tour costs are very reasonable, and the other travelers are terrific and very friendly too. Always lots of walking! Of course the locations are limited to Europe. My first tour was "My Way Italy", as I too was wary of "a group tour". I can recommend several other of the guided tours too, but I expect that every one is excellent, dependent on your interests. Do check 'em out.

Hi All,

Thank you for all of your wise suggestions.

I am leaning toward Amsterdam.

Regarding Italy, I am afraid I might be a bit close minded about it. I was in Rome in the eighties and did not like it nearly as much as other places I had been, but perhaps Rome does not represent all of Italy.

I definitely do not want a travel buddy, but would consider day tours to get acclimated.

Amsterdam is a great way to lean. It is full of art, easy access to nature, small towns and other art towns of Ghent and Antwerp, yes I realize Belgium, if you want to push it. It is on my list to go return to as a solo traveler as I've missed a few major museums. The Netherlands is a beautiful little country. My favorite small town is Volendam. Rent a bike or hop on a train for a day trip. I found people in the Netherlands to be extremely friendly and down to earth. I am an introvert, but I am not lonely when I travel solo. In fact, I easily meet many more people when I travel solo, and the freedom to do exactly what you want to do when you want to do it is wonderful.

PS. Just base in Amsterdam and then you can decide if you want to take a day trip or not. The most stressful days for me are when I have to change my base, so for the first solo travel perhaps just stay in one spot and really enjoy Amsterdam.

Switzerland is not particularly cheap but there are ways to do it on a budget. My 24 year old daughter went on her own for 3 weeks last summer for her first solo trip. She had to find ways to overcome the loneliness at times but it was an easy place to do it.

Nancy, of all the places in Italy I have visited Rome was definitely NOT a favorite (I can hear the gasps of horror!). I have absolutely no desire to return to Rome but I have been to Florence three times, Venice twice and can't wait to return to either place. I have not been to Amsterdam since the 1990's but definitely want to return.
I think you will have a great time anywhere you go! I am always a bit apprehensive when I start to plan my trips, but by D-day minus 30 I can't wait to go! Just don't let the "what if" questions get in the way. PM me if you need more encouragement.

If you like to walk then I HIGHLY recommend the English Lake District! It's my favorite place in the world and the walking is beautiful. You can choose hard or easy routes depending on your preference. I've been there 5 times in the last 15 years and plan to return (hopefully; fingers crossed!) this coming summer. Rolling hills, lakes, farms, streams, sheep, blue skies, and lovely villages. B&Bs are very reasonably priced for a single person. There are many local pubs that are welcoming and many of them have very good food. There is nothing like starting out in one village, walking through the hills and valleys, having tea in another village, walking on, and then settling in for the night at yet a third village or taking the bus back to where I started. I can't imagine a better place to start your new life of freedom! Happy planning no matter where you end up going!

Have you ever looked into couchsurfing? I do find generally there are more younger people travelling, but a lot of 30's and up hosting. We've hosted ages 19 to prob 70, and have met some wonderful people. We now have what I consider friends in Maine and London who we have stayed with multiple times. Our oldest couchsurfer we hosted, we were able to visit when we went to California. A lot of the time, we will take our surfers around our town and show them around if schedules permit.

And we've had some great hosts over in Europe who have done the same for us, especially a lovely couple in Bern who took us out on a great hike that we never would have done otherwise and an awesome host in Augsburg who we had such a great time with, we ended up cutting Munich short because we had such fun with her. It's a great way to meet people, and generally they are very open minded and worldly.

If I was a single lady travelling alone and using cs'ing, I'd def look at having only female or couples host me - I'd be too uncomfortable with a male only host. But I'm always travelling with hubby.

If you ever want to come to Nova Scotia, you are welcome at our home (unless you are a smoker or hate dogs...lol). Also, I'll stump for Canada a bit - next year we are celebrating 150 yrs of Confederation and the whole year is gonna be one big bash from coast to coast!

Also - if you love walking, Italy is pretty good. Venice, Rome, Florence - all good picks with nearby areas to get out and explore nature a bit.

Hi Nancy,

Because of personal circumstances, I find myself thinking about solo travel in the future. My last personal trip was in late September when, joined by my daughter for a period of time, I visited Boston for three days to watch the Red Sox (and I had a wonderful experience in your city, in large part because of the hospitality I was shown).

However, my favorite place to visit is Europe, and for whatever it is worth, I wanted to share with you some trip ideas I have:

1. I have never visited the Netherlands and Belgium, and have spent only limited time in Berlin, which I found fascinating. I hope to take a trip to Berlin and then travel by train to Amsterdam, where I can visit the Netherlands and perhaps a bit of Belgium.

2. The Rick Steves tours look interesting and reasonably priced, especially for a solo traveler. The pricing for a single room is extremely reasonable, especially compared to what the cruise industry normally charges single travelers. There are two tours focused on the smaller cities and towns that appear very attractive. There is a Villages of Italy tour, which has received sensational reviews. And then there is an Eastern France tour, which has a great itinerary. A problem for me at the moment is that both are 14-day trips. But I may consider the Rick Steves tours in the future.

3. I have never been to Spain and want to go. A possible trip would be to visit Spain during Holy Week for the Semana Santa events. I am not sure I would want to visit Seville during this time period--it may be like visiting New Orleans during Mardi Gras, which I do not recommend to first-time visitors. But there are many cities in Spain where Semana Santa can be experienced. If you do a search on the Spain forum, you will see posts by (I believe) Brad, who calls experiencing Semana Santa in a city outside Barcelona one of his most moving travel experiences.

4. I think Italy is fantastic. I have loved every part of Italy I have visited--Venice, Tuscany, the Amalfi coast, Sicily--with the exception of Rome (though when I was there it was after a cruise and the city had experienced some flooding, resulting in the cancellation of an ancient-sites tour I had booked). However, with Italy more than any other country in Europe I have visited, I think I would give more consideration to an organized tour of some kind, like a Rick Steves tour.

5. And there is cruising with a number of different cruise lines, some of which like Azamara do focus on the ports visited.

Some ideas. Good luck to you.

I am quite apprehensive about traveling alone, but believe it is something I need to learn to manage.

By being "very independent" and "quite good at planning trips", you are already way ahead. These recent threads may help you overcome your apprehension.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/traveling-solo-is-best-because

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/1st-time-going-solo

I definitely do not want a travel buddy, but would consider day tours to get acclimated.

These tours had been very helpful to get me acclimated with cities. And suited my budget.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/budget-tips/free-walking-tours-ad7025c5-4e6d-4139-8b52-66f249d4c50d

Hi Nancy, (again). Here is a wonderful resource and encouragement written/edited by two women: http://solotravelerblog.com/travel-alone/ This is only one of their blog posts so look at the others, also. Although, I admit, I did some of the things they said not to do and had a wonderful time, but I paid attention to my gut. Wray

PS Here's another one I read regularly: http://www.women-on-the-road.com

I travel solo and have found that I enjoy the RS tours with some independent time on both ends. For me it is easier to start in a familiar city so I tend to land in either Paris or London. I feel comfortable in both cities and it helps me to be in somewhat familiar surroundings when I am getting over jet lag/travel fatigue. Since you are going to push yourself out of your comfort zone to manage your apprehension this tactic may work for you.

This year I landed in Paris, spend 5 nights there and then took the train to Germany to meet up with the RS Germany, Austria, Switzerland tour. The year before I landed in London, spent some time there before going out to Salisbury, then on to Bath to meet up with the Best of England tour. The year before that I landed in London for a few days, took the Eurostar to Brussels and the train on to Haarlem to do Rick's 21 Best of Europe tour.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time! I have found I really enjoy both solo travel and being a solo traveler on a RS tour.

Wanted to share my view as one likely near your age (you mention 40 years of marriage). I've been to Europe 8 times in the past 10 years - with my daughters or friends but also alone and found that travelling on one's own opens so many more opportunities to truly embrace the European culture. You will have the freedom and "push" to reach out to others as you travel. Brief 2 - 4 hour tours interspersed into your trip may help you get your bearings and give you an opportunity to connect with others. There are also programs like "Paris Greeters" in some cities. I did this on a solo trip to Paris and appreciated seeing a neighborhood from the eyes of a local who is passionate about their city!

I've never felt unsafe while travelling alone and have found locals and fellow travelers to be so helpful. You may find staying at a B&B rather than a hotel beneficial as well. I agree with those suggesting Amsterdam as a base especially considering where you have already traveled. There is so much to see and do in the area with great train service to other spots in the north/northeast of Europe where your budget will go a bit further and language will not be an obstacle. Best wishes for a wonderful adventure Nancy!

The Netherlands and Belgium are definitely good options for an easy first time solo vacation. Very easy transit connections to get from place to place. I would suggest making a base in Amsterdam and taking some day trips to other places within the Netherlands (ex. Utrecht, Kinderdijk, Rotterdam, etc.) and then staying in either Antwerp or Ghent for several nights.

Another option for a solo trip would be Ireland. You can spend some time in Dublin and add on a few day trips on that side of the country outside of the city, then train over to Galway to base yourself and join up with some of the bus tours that get out into the countryside (ex. Cliffs of Moher, Burren, or get the shuttle to Rossaveal and take the ferry over to the Aran Islands to spend a night). A different option would be combine Galway and Western Ireland with Northern Ireland (Derry, Belfast and the Antrim Coast) - or combine Dublin with Northern Ireland. Plenty of B&Bs scattered throughout for you to stay at. And the Irish are typically very chatty. The pubs with live music are a great way for you to enjoy some nightlife and talk with people.

Regardless, wherever you go, I don't agree with the idea you should bring along audiobooks, books/newspapers or write in your journal whether you are out to lunch, dinner or a drink. That's a sure-fire way to send out a signal to everyone that you just want to be left alone which is not what you want if you are worried about becoming lonely. Traveling and dining on your own (without your head in a book) makes you far more approachable to locals and other travelers than if you are joined at the hip with a friend, relative or significant other. If you go to a wine bar, brown cafe, or a pub, sit at the bar and not at a table. Sitting at a table says you don't want to be bothered. Sitting at the bar shows you are open to having conversation with others.

If not Europe, I would recommend New Zealand as a great place for a solo traveler. The big expense for that is airfare, but once you are there, it's very easy to stay on budget for food, lodging and sightseeing. If you want to stay right in the U.S., I'm not sure what parts of Eastern US you already covered, but some cities are excellent for enjoying a lot of art/culture and foodie spots (ex. Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Portland, ME, Burlington, VT, Charleston). In the South, New Orleans. Midwest, Chicago. In the West, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, OR are also good solo travel options.

As you can see, we all have our favorites. I think Amsterdam is a great choice. I've been there 3 times, twice on my own and once with my husband. There is so much to see and do there, and so much to learn.

You may work differently, but my trip planning always begins with lots of research to help me zero in on my absolute must sees and dos. They become the bones of the trip.

Except for local or day tours, I'm not a fan of tours either. The only one I've taken is the RS week in Istanbul. I chose to do that because I felt out of my depth to do the planning on my own. We spent an additional 4 weeks in Greece, all of which I did plan.

I enjoyed that small group tour so much that I'm now considering doing the RS Village Italy one. I really like the itinerary. I'd be on my own, and I'd do the single supplement. My thought at the moment is to be gone my usual 4 weeks, and to spend some time in Rome, Venice and Milan before and after the tour. This is an example of the bones. And of taking advantage of a well-planned and unique itinerary.

In May-June, 2016, my husband decided he didn't want to go to Europe, so I planned my own solo trip for 6 weeks in England and Scotland. The planning was very challenging, as was the execution, but so worth the effort. I was 70 at the time and have some health issues, so lots of self negotiations were involved in that planning.

If I were going to base in Amsterdam, and I had at least 5 nights there, I'd rent an apartment. Its not always cheaper, but there's certainly more space, there's usually a washing machine and you can be totally independent and on your own schedule. But other solo travelers might prefer a B&B or small hotel, so as to have the possibility of meeting the people staying there.

Amsterdam is fine, English is widely spoken in the Netherlands and it's easy to take day trips to other cities. The only two "buts" for me are [1] it's not a cheap city and [2] I wouldn't want to spend two weeks or more there and I wouldn't want to fly that far for less than two weeks. It's not a very scenic country because it is so very flat, really very flat.

Rome is my least favorite city in Italy (well, maybe after Milan), but I go back over and over because it has great museums and great ancient sites . . . and a major airport. Fly to Venice, then spend time in Bologna (lots of good day trips by train), Florence, Assisi and Orvieto. From there, if you want to skip Rome, you only need change trains at the station to get to the airport. Two weeks (or more), great art, food and opportunities for walking.

I wouldn't necessarily get swayed by opinions that you have to stay in Europe 2+ weeks for it to be beneficial. We are on the East coast and I've made many long weekend trips to England and they have been wonderful. After riding a bike around a quite a bit of the Netherlands, I think it is an adorable, scenic country, if you are biking central or north. It was in the spring when I never saw as many animals as in the Netherlands, families of animals (and I grew up in the country!). I prefer to stay in a hotel when traveling solo, usually a small hotel. I love having knowledgeable receptionists and I feel safer, and I don't want to clean or cook on vacation anyway...and there is definitely no one to talk to in an apartment by yourself. I agree with Ceidleh, sit at the bar. Bartenders are chatty and often know the ins and outs of the area...I do bring my journal to write in as well and never had it interfere with interaction. I would never bring an audio book or computer to dinner.

I love the Netherlands, mostly because it's so close to Belgium! You could have a couple of base cities and take many interesting daytrips.

Hi, I understand your concern about traveling solo. You do have to go with the mindset that you will have a good time! I have taken 14 RS tours, been to Europe on my own ( before or after a tour) and stayed with friends in Europe and it still is concerning when you go so far away on your own. Since you have traveled, are a planner and know what you want you will have a great time. I find for me the hardest part is the evenings, what to do in the evenings. Even when I travel with friends or family, I want to do something for a few evenings, so I usually book a play.

This year I stayed in Vienna after the GAS tour and loved Vienna. I did not feel lonely at all. There was so much to see and do, I did not have time to feel lonely. Museums, palaces, walking the streets of the city, going to churches, having desert at the wonderful cafes and in the evening I went out three nights, two classical concerts and one operetta. Vienna has world of things to see and do. Excellent public transporation system of subways and trams. I can't wait to go back to Vienna!

I took did not care for Rome the first time I went back in the mid 1990's, too crowded and overwhelming, but then I went on the Rick Steves Rome tour (twice) and enjoyed Rome as the guides take you every where, teach you how to get around the city and show you all the great places and explain Rome. Now I really like Rome and appreciate it. But the first time, not so much.

You may like Florence. That really is my vote for you as it is a small city, easy to walk around, no public transporation needed with the finest art museums, cafes, wine bars, restaurants, sites and amazing city streets. This will be a wonderful place to go on your own, see the city and enjoy just being there. You can then day some day trips out of the city and wine tastings and if you want combine it with Venice.

You may want to googe Deborah Gruber, she travels every year to Europe on her own and she has a blog. She is a professor at a Vermont university and does her blog for fun. Interesting read and she has it set up that she has all the hotels and resturants she stays in listed and is on flickr too. You may get great ideas from taking a look at her blog.

I am going to Holland and Belgium next year so I was happy to read everyones comments on Amsterdam. Been years since I have been to Amsterdam ( stayed with friends). So that gives me hope that going solo will be a great experience there.

All the best, Ann

I always travel solo and prefer to explore on my own rather then with even a small group, but I don't drive so I have to make compromises. I will go with a small group to countries where I don't speak the language, but in France where I can get by quite well in French, I have generally chosen "self-guided" walking or cycling holidays where my luggage (light though it is - I am well past back-packing age) is taken ahead of me to the next's night's accommodation. PM me if you'd like names of companies I can recommend.

You do need to be sure you can comfortably manage the distances, though. After one time with very hot weather and another with a twisted ankle, I'm no longer confident that I can, so I'm looking more to staying put in one place (preferably a village readily accessible by train and/or bus) and walking out each day from there, on perhaps a demi-pension basis, and making all my own arrangements. I can then fit in 2 or 3 nights in a small town at either end of that rural period, to explore art galleries and restaurants.

Nancy, I spent about two weeks in Italy as a solo traveler in 2015 at the end of a much longer trip (my SO had to go home to attend to business, so I decided to stay and travel on my own). It was my first long solo vacation trip, and I was apprehensive about it, but it turned out fine. There were moments of loneliness, but I was able to keep myself very busy, so they were few and far between. That being said, I don't think I would suggest Italy for your first trip. I found that language was a much more significant barrier when I was traveling solo. Sorry I don't have any specific suggestions, but I think if I were you, I would pick a location where English is the first language to start my adventures. Then go to Italy - which is a marvelous place, and very easy to travel in - for a second trip. One other suggestion for solo travel: if you can manage to budget it, there is great value in staying in a hotel with full service front desk. They will be able to make dinner reservations for you at restaurants they know will treat single diners well, and make suggestions and arrangements for transit and sights. I spent one week of my trip in hotels and the rest of the time in apartments, and there was a big difference. These are things you can muddle through with a traveling companion, but logistical setbacks can be dispiriting when you're solo, and a good hotel staff can help you avoid them. Have fun!!

Nancy: When considering lodging options, especially if you are on a budget, you may want to look into hostels as well. I've done plenty of solo travel, including a year long solo trip around the world where I really ran the gamut (camping, hostel - both bunk beds in shared dorm rooms up to private ensuite hostel room, university lodging, budget hotels, B&B's, apartments, apart'hotels and 4-5 star hotels).

There are definite benefits to considering a hostel stay: 1) You have the access (sometimes 24/7) to a front desk staff that can help you with your questions and offer advice. 2) You will not be the only solo traveler there. Hostels are often filled with many solo travelers of all different ages and backgrounds and it's a great place to connect with others - whether you are sharing a room with them or you have a private room in the hostel and are just having conversation with them in the common areas. I've met people of all ages (some younger, some older) in hostels and have been able to join other solo hostelers for tea, meals, sightseeing, drinks at a local bar. 3) You get some of the amenities "perks" that you'd get staying in an apartment (access to a washer/dryer, access to a kitchen and fridge to cook/store food and drinks, free wi-fi), but you don't pay the extra fees often associated with renting an apartment (security deposits, cleaning fees, etc.). 4) Many hostels will often let you check in upon arrival (provided there is a bed available). If the bed isn't ready, hostels are typically willing to hold your luggage until you can check in. Renting an apartment, I find they are usually much stricter about check-in/check-out times and some don't want to let you drop your bags there until it is check-in time - this can be a hassle if you arrive early in the morning as you are either needing to carry your bag around for a few hours, or else find a locker in a train/bus station or airport.

While some shared hostel rooms may be co-ed, there are some hostels that offer specific rooms or floors for female guests only. And if you prefer to have complete privacy when you are sleeping, you can also look into private rooms - many have their own bathroom, too. The cost for a solo traveler in a private hostel room is typically close to what a 1 or 2 star budget hotel might cost, but again, you get the benefit of having access to some perks you can't get at a hotel (laundry/kitchen facilities). Read hostel reviews in advance carefully to make sure you aren't seeing people comment negatively over and over on key areas (particularly cleanliness, noise levels, location or safety). Websites like hostelworld.com, booking.com and tripadvisor are good places to start.

And if you have a bigger budget and you want the space, privacy and perks of an apartment, but want someone available 24/7 to answer questions, I would suggest looking at an apart'hotel (like the Citadines chain).

I took my first extended solo trip this last September to Ireland and it was fabulous. Rented a car out of Shannon and plotted a route that included most of the high spots from Galway down and around up to Dublin. Not Northern Ireland. Such freedom!
Reasonable places to stay, lots of outdoor activity, beautiful scenery, friendly people. Check it out.

I just saw this in journeywoman.com and thought of you: "AFFORDABLE FEMALE HOSTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN AMSTERDAM -- writes Lisa in Indianapolis, USA -- When in Amsterdam, I book at an all female hostel called Hostelle. It is on the Biljmer Arena Metro stop. Off season prices are as low as 23 US dollars in a dorm with eight beds - an absolute bargain in this city. The facilities are nicer than some upscale hotels I have stayed at and the proprietor, Bianca is just wonderful. It is rarely fully booked. P.S. There are even several two-person suites with adjoining washrooms at this all-female accommodation. Website: hostelle.com." I have not reviewed the site or stayed here, but journeywoman can be a good source for information.

I found sharing photos and comments on Facebook helped me feel connected; kept loneliness away. I found joy in sharing my adventure as it happened and my friends and family enjoyed the trip with me.

Just like at home, I enjoy talking to strangers.