Trip Itinerary Suggestions for a Solo Traveler

To clarify my question, I am purposefully being vague about the areas I would like to travel to in Europe. I am open to all suggestions at the moment. I am open to all the countries I haven't visited which happens to be a large number! But, I am a solo traveler so I would like friendly places for me. I hope this helps.

Joanna, Your question is a bit difficult to answer. There are numerous possibilities in various parts of Europe. It would help to have some idea on which areas you're most interested in seeing? One possibility might be a combination of a tour and some self-guided travel. For example, a 7-10 day RS tour, along with some time on your own.

Joanna - What about Scotland - Edinburgh, Inverness & Isle of Skye? Ireland - Dublin, Galway & Dingle ?

Joanna - have you thought about taking a longer RS tour? I've done the 11 day Paris and the Heart of France and 14 day Germany, Austria & Switzerland - both were great. You could try either of those or one of the Village tours of Italy, Turkey, France, etc. Lots of places to explore!

I don't understand......are you looking for a tour group to join, or are you looking for a vacation where you are on your own? I am a solo traveler who doesn't generally take tour groups (I haven't yet, but I'm considering one to Morocco, where I'm not comfortable with the idea of traveling alone). However, if you're looking to travel solo, I'd recommend a variation of my trip to Portugal: Spend a few days in the capital, rent a car and drive to a rented house/cabin/apartment in a less traveled part of the country. Then you can do some day trips, using your rental cabin as a base before driving back to a major city for your flight home. That's what I did in Portugal and it was great, and I wish I'd done something similar in Spain. I'll do the same type of trip in a couple of years for my next vacation, but I haven't decided where yet (The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary......I'm not sure.)

Joanna-What time of year? And where are you located?

I have been on the RS Istanbul in 7 Days and would not hesitate to go on his Best of Turkey in 13 Days or the Turkey Village Tour in 11 Days. Turkey is such a
wonderful destination. Nice people, good food, history, etc.

Thank you to everyone who offered me ideas. I understand that even though traveling on a tour is not truly solo, I consider myself solo because I arrived on my own. Once the planned activities are done, I usually am off to explore alone. Also, I have added days pre and post tours in the cities to explore on my own but I have never done a European city or country 100% on my own or solo. I live in California. I have thought of the RS Istanbul tour. I would love to try Prague/Budapest but it doesn't work with my schedule.

Hi Joanna, I have been a single woman traveler for years and have been to many places in Europe (other continents too). I haven't yet been to a place that was uncomfortable or unfriendly to the single woman. When I am on my own, I have avoided rural areas that I feel would be best toured in a rental car - it seems too difficult (and expensive) to drive alone. But as long as I have stayed with urban locations, I have had no problems. 10 days is a good length for Belgium and Holland. The distances are short, so you can base yourself in one place in Belgium and take day trips, and then stay in Amsterdam with day trips to The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft, etc. if you don't want to change hotels a lot. With 15 days, think about Budapest-Brno-Vienna-Prague (and even on to Dresden, then Berlin).

Joanna, If you want to travel in the spring or the fall, Sicily is wonderful. Get an apartment and a rental car and do the entire island. Plus, hit some of the offshore islands. Very inexpensive too. Portugal, as mentioned above is great too. Huntington Beach is closest to LAX airport, so not many direct flights to Italy or Portugal, though.

I would either join a RS tour to Turkey,, or,, go to Paris again,, you 'e only been once,, which is nothing, you need to go again,, its calling you,, lol

||OK,, its calling me,, again, and again..

LOVED The RS 7 day Istanbul tour!!! Turkey is such an intriguing country. If I hadn't had to return to London to meet up with a friend I would have stayed and explored more of Turkey on my own. Ireland is great and easy to explore by car. Did it solo and enjoyed every minute. Maybe another small country. Belgium? Portugal? If you took one of the 7 day tours you could easily arrive early and depart later giving you time to explore more on your own.

Pat, I agree. Paris has been calling me since I left 3 years ago. I would go back tomorrow! Thank you everyone for the suggestions! My head is teeming with ideas now. Much appreciated.

Then Paris for a week, couple of days in Brugges/Ghent (stay in Ghent, day trip to Brugges) and the rest in Holland (Amsterdam, The Hague, Delft).

Hi; I'm a 57 yr old woman; and I always go to Italy on my own, and to the UK as well. I generally spend a few days on my own, then meet up with friends or relatives. Last year I took a language class in Italy for a week, and had my own apartment. It was wonderful, and I met great people. I'm doing it again in the spring! You could also take a cooking class, or...?
Solo travel is great; you could take the odd day tour with people, and be on your own the rest of the time.

I would suggest Italy - if you have 2 weeks, visit Venice (3 full days), Florence (4 full days), and Rome (5 full days) with a couple of daytrips. Italy is best in the fall or spring because it gets hot in the summer!

What parts of Italy have you been to? There is so much to see in Europe
The possibilities are endless...