Lizard Beach Mango wonders....
Does that sound scary? I for one am a bit frightened.. never would I have imagined that I will be travelling alone to Italy and London.. When I've never ventured out of my state alone even.. and now I'm taking on countries... Half a globe away... I wonder.. How safe is Italy for a lone female traveller....
I am a 24 year old female and I plan to do the same thing: Travel for 3-4 months throughout Europe--solo. I am a little apprehensive, just as you are, but I think it will be a great experience--one that will be even greater alone in many ways. Sure, there are risks involved in being a lone female traveler, but if you are smart and cautious, you should be fine--we should be fine. You know? What do others think--others who have been there done that? Any advice?
Hey: It's ok. Fine. I did it at 19, last year, three months. As you say, keep an eye out, look blase/confident. Tho backpackers are rampant, expect curiousity, Italy is fine, perhaps in some instances, maybe more comfortable than London. Use some intelligence, intuition; presumably, the less American you appear the better, in general.
I have to say I am amazed at my realisation (belatedly) of what is the common attitude amongst most travellers in Europe at least today. And this has changed immensely to this awful state.
They come from the attitude of - "I have to enjoy this", or, "I really want to enjoy this or for this to be good". This means - can't relax can't experience reality (anywhere in the world) and that, most often, you will come back from travelling not having enjoyed or really experienced proper travel (only a form of "killing tourism" -- all those people taking short breaks without long haul backpack plans need their holidays - and not to mention harming genuine independent personal travel also).
It harms everyone's trips- and lives - travel and backpacking has never really been Club-Med party. People want to experience real life and this includes real socialising and relaxing with people you do not depart with. Making everything artificial for the sake of an appearance-only-smiles time and containing oneself so one cannot feel or experience anything, even much, much less than a week's beach holiday to relax is killing everything.
What has happened recently?
Just relax. You have a right to want to experience parts of the world which really interest you. You won't enjoy travel if you are worried about it or don't want to go or it is a new car for the neighbours kind of thing. In this case, it is better to allow those who want to be in places that may always be special to them or at least very real experiences to be there without trying to "join in" by establishing club-med zones where they are not supposed to be and don't work. There are plenty of party break brochures and resorts. I think it is silly to confuse this with travel.
Gap year travel at least is a bit of a ritual for some types of people but you shouldn't go if you don't want to or think it is just something to make others jealous or win respect just by doing this. Though, it will always work out OK if you don't go with or carry the killer attitude that it must be good or seem good is not present and you have no destructive attitude in most ways.
So what is your point gm?? Who travels to win respect? Please. To the ladies above, go, keep open minds, experience the world, and don't have preconceived notions of what things should be like. Rarely will they be the truth. Instead, the reality will be even more incredible. Don't worry about being alone or in Europe. It's all been done before and people like to scare you into staying home. It's all hype. Rock on.
I'm planning to do the same, travel alone (if I can't get another join in) at least 3 months in europe. And I think to get one go together is great, just to share the fun time, or wake me up in the train. But I don't know where could post such 'wanted' request. Do anyone knows?
Give this a go, Joey, it's the "Travel Buddies" forum on BnA:
http://boards.bootsnall.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=712096715&f=426093855
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on traveling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWSOME TIME!! :) polishpickle@htomail.com
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on traveling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWSOME TIME!! :)
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on travelling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWESOME TIME!! :)
hello
am female, intending to backpack europe from april 2004, am living in london at moment, for 3 months, any other singles out there at same time!? am little worried! planning amsterdam, berlin, austria, switzerland, prague, spain, italy - ant other females out there get in touch for possible drinks/panic/sight-seeing!
hey im 18 and want to travel europe alone but its hard to develop a nerve t do it,any advice
I will be travelling Europe via the Eurail during May 2004. I have been to France before, but this is my first time travelling on my own. I'm a 21 single female, does anyone have any advice? On travelling alone and on where to go!? Will anyone else be there during this time?
This is going to sound similar...female, 22, traveling Europe alone staying in hostels, riding trains. Anyone have any must-see reccomendations? Or possibly any books on the subject?
Comment by SleepyAngel on May 30, 2003 01:20 PM
Does that sound scary? I for one am a bit frightened.. never would I have imagined that I will be travelling alone to Italy and London.. When I've never ventured out of my state alone even.. and now I'm taking on countries... Half a globe away... I wonder.. How safe is Italy for a lone female traveller....
Comment by Shaun on June 6, 2003 04:05 AM
I am a 24 year old female and I plan to do the same thing: Travel for 3-4 months throughout Europe--solo. I am a little apprehensive, just as you are, but I think it will be a great experience--one that will be even greater alone in many ways. Sure, there are risks involved in being a lone female traveler, but if you are smart and cautious, you should be fine--we should be fine. You know? What do others think--others who have been there done that? Any advice?
Comment by Woman on June 7, 2003 02:19 AM
Hey: It's ok. Fine. I did it at 19, last year, three months. As you say, keep an eye out, look blase/confident. Tho backpackers are rampant, expect curiousity, Italy is fine, perhaps in some instances, maybe more comfortable than London. Use some intelligence, intuition; presumably, the less American you appear the better, in general.
Comment by Gm on July 4, 2003 08:42 PM
I have to say I am amazed at my realisation (belatedly) of what is the common attitude amongst most travellers in Europe at least today. And this has changed immensely to this awful state.
They come from the attitude of - "I have to enjoy this", or, "I really want to enjoy this or for this to be good". This means - can't relax can't experience reality (anywhere in the world) and that, most often, you will come back from travelling not having enjoyed or really experienced proper travel (only a form of "killing tourism" -- all those people taking short breaks without long haul backpack plans need their holidays - and not to mention harming genuine independent personal travel also).
It harms everyone's trips- and lives - travel and backpacking has never really been Club-Med party. People want to experience real life and this includes real socialising and relaxing with people you do not depart with. Making everything artificial for the sake of an appearance-only-smiles time and containing oneself so one cannot feel or experience anything, even much, much less than a week's beach holiday to relax is killing everything.
What has happened recently?
Just relax. You have a right to want to experience parts of the world which really interest you. You won't enjoy travel if you are worried about it or don't want to go or it is a new car for the neighbours kind of thing. In this case, it is better to allow those who want to be in places that may always be special to them or at least very real experiences to be there without trying to "join in" by establishing club-med zones where they are not supposed to be and don't work. There are plenty of party break brochures and resorts. I think it is silly to confuse this with travel.
Gap year travel at least is a bit of a ritual for some types of people but you shouldn't go if you don't want to or think it is just something to make others jealous or win respect just by doing this. Though, it will always work out OK if you don't go with or carry the killer attitude that it must be good or seem good is not present and you have no destructive attitude in most ways.
Comment by Claudia on July 5, 2003 10:58 PM
So what is your point gm?? Who travels to win respect? Please. To the ladies above, go, keep open minds, experience the world, and don't have preconceived notions of what things should be like. Rarely will they be the truth. Instead, the reality will be even more incredible. Don't worry about being alone or in Europe. It's all been done before and people like to scare you into staying home. It's all hype. Rock on.
Comment by Joey (female) on July 29, 2003 09:15 PM
I'm planning to do the same, travel alone (if I can't get another join in) at least 3 months in europe. And I think to get one go together is great, just to share the fun time, or wake me up in the train. But I don't know where could post such 'wanted' request. Do anyone knows?
Comment by Ant on August 6, 2003 06:05 AM
Give this a go, Joey, it's the "Travel Buddies" forum on BnA:
http://boards.bootsnall.com/2/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=712096715&f=426093855
Comment by Katrina on September 28, 2003 09:30 PM
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on traveling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWSOME TIME!! :) polishpickle@htomail.com
Comment by Katrina on September 28, 2003 09:30 PM
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on traveling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWSOME TIME!! :)
Comment by Katrina on September 28, 2003 09:32 PM
Hey guys, I am a 19 year old female backpacking in Europe during Februaury 2004. I am quite scared but this is something that I really feel that I need to do. I will be in Austria, France and Netherlands. If you guys have and advice or anyone of you planning on travelling around the same time e-mail me. I really would enjoy having someone to talk to during meals and train rides.
Thanx so much and good luck all those travelling in Europe have a AWESOME TIME!! :)
Comment by claire bradley on October 24, 2003 09:44 PM
hello
am female, intending to backpack europe from april 2004, am living in london at moment, for 3 months, any other singles out there at same time!? am little worried! planning amsterdam, berlin, austria, switzerland, prague, spain, italy - ant other females out there get in touch for possible drinks/panic/sight-seeing!
Comment by tomo on November 11, 2003 02:19 PM
hey im 18 and want to travel europe alone but its hard to develop a nerve t do it,any advice
Comment by Laura on January 3, 2004 01:47 AM
I will be travelling Europe via the Eurail during May 2004. I have been to France before, but this is my first time travelling on my own. I'm a 21 single female, does anyone have any advice? On travelling alone and on where to go!? Will anyone else be there during this time?
Comment by Anne on January 5, 2004 12:48 AM
This is going to sound similar...female, 22, traveling Europe alone staying in hostels, riding trains. Anyone have any must-see reccomendations? Or possibly any books on the subject?