Would like to have some suggestion for a female traveler to backpack in Europe alone?
And also need advice on the hostel and travelling.
I am looking into backpacking europe during my exchange this coming august at Norway.
But is it safe to backpack solo in Europe?
Intending to go to France, Italy, Greece before term start. Also intending to visit La Tomatina and Okotoberfest.
I am looking into exploring the country, both the tourist attraction and non-tourist attraction.
Is there any local (non-tourist) place that I should go, or anything that I should take note of during my travel?
Reply to this Hi,
I would say it's quite safe to travel solo in Europe. Of course, as in other parts of the world, there are always places that you could avoid if you're insecure. If you're planning on travelling for like a month at a time, the interrail pass could be something to consider.
Enjoy!
Che
Reply to this I traveled through Mediterranean Europe alone mostly without problems. You'll meet a lot of other solo travelers (male and female) at the hostels and will probably find plenty of people to hang out with and even travel with. Theft does happen though and you might want to consider travel insurance or just be conscious of it -- pickpocketing that type of thing. I found it best to get myself into a hostel as quickly as possible when arriving in a new place, storing my pack there and then going out looking as little like a traveler as possible. But, generally, I never felt unsafe traveling alone there.
Greece is a fantastic country though and definitely well worth visiting. Island hopping there was fantastic.
Reply to this To John:
Cant wait to get there too!!
To che:
Thanks for the helping. What is the inter rails pass? I am considering getting eurail and the italy rail pass, are they the same as the interrail pass?
Just a qn..is it better to travel by plane btw diff ctry or by rail?
thanks(:
To Val:
For hostel, is there any you think is good? Was thinking of travelling by ship from italy to greece is it advisable?
I am actually quite worried bout travelling alone, as I only know English. Not sure if I am able to communicate properly.
Just a qn...how do u guard against pickpocket?
Thanks for sharing your exp!! Mixed feelings about travelling alone, but feel much better and reassured(:
Reply to this No specific hostels come to mind as it has been a little while. I'd recommend getting the Lonely Planet travel guide. The most commonly used hostel in Brindisi, Italy (I can't remember the name) is -- or was, anyway -- entirely awesome. They pick you up at the train station as I recall and served us a big dinner.
Taking the ferry from Italy to Greece -- fun, excellent and safe. In fact, I believe it is the only possible way or at least the easiest possible way. You catch that ferry to Greece at Brindisi.
The Lonely Planet will give you great advice about ways to prevent theft or any such problems. You just have to be smart, use a money belt, don't carry a lot of cash, have back ups, that type of thing. It will also give good advice about hostels.
Finally, you won't have too much of a problem if you can speak English, you'll always find an English speaker somewhere.
Reply to this Hi,
the interrail pass enables you to travel by train either in the entire Europe or any chosen group of countries. You can, for example, choose a pass for southern Europe and thus pay a smaller fee for the pass. Just google interrail and I'm sure you will find it on one of the countries national railway webpages.
If you're not travelling longer distances than between cities in the same country or between two cities which are relatively close to another (say 400-500 km), I would personally choose train. I mean, you'll see a lot of stuff on the way (clouds look all the same on the whole planet) and what you might lose in time you definetily gain in nice scenery.
Good luck!
Che
Reply to this 
