I will be traveling alone, as I could not find anyone who'd do the Portugal travel. I am a senior, very petite, SEAsian but lithe and healthy female, quite sporty in my younger days.
Will I be safe with a tour group?
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
Yes, I think you will be safe with a tour group. What are your biggest safety concerns?
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
I have traveled as a solo woman for decades....mostly on my own without tours. I am now a senior and still travel. Some places I now like a tour for, but most of Europe I can do on my own. These days many women travel by them selves. It doesn't make them more of a target than any other tourist. I belong to an over 60 solo woman traveler Facebook page. We are over 20,000 global women who travel alone. Some don't start to travel until after widowhood or over 70 or 80. Many start with tours for that extra support and sense of protection in a group. I don't recall any reporting issues that really affected their personal safety.
However, even on a tour, just use your street smarts to not tempt petty theives. Leave everything but bare necessities at home (including all the credit cards except 2). Minimize expensive jewelry or watches, use a purse that crosses your body, keep most of your money, credit cards and your passport under your clothing in a money belt or neck pouch. If dining outside, don't leave a phone, camera or expensive sunglasses on the table top, even when you are there. I have never been a victim of theft at home or away, but if things do wrong on trips, theft is more common than random acts of violence. It is annoying, but not dangerous.
Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by
Land of La
9265 posts
I’m much older and have preferred to travel solo since my college days in the 70’s. Female. Still go solo. Like the freedom. Have been to Havana, London, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Munich, Geneva, Zurich, …..also took the 7 Day RS Florence tour solo. Never felt unsafe in any of my travels.
Not sure why you think you’d not be safe with a tour group.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14832 posts
I'm in my 70's and have traveled solo on a number of tours - both Rick's and Road Scholar. I also travel independently but really enjoy my time on tours as I learn so much.
I've never felt unsafe in any way on any of my tours. I also don't feel unsafe traveling independently but the tour experiences have greatly contributed to and shaped that.
Enjoy finding what works best for you! If you are new to European travel a tour group is a wonderful way to start! It will build your confidence!
Posted by
Seattle area
50 posts
I'll add to all the other words of encouragement. Go for it, and just use the same level of common sense you would use at home. I love to travel on my own, but I did my first Rick Steves tour in my 70's because of the support system it provided as we started emerging from covid. And now I love doing both forms of travel.