Welcome to the Travel Forums

Why join TravelBlog?

Membership is Free and Easy
Your travel questions answered in minutes!
Become part of the friendliest online travel community.

Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums

Backpacking in Europe Alone

Is backpacking alone in Europe a good idea? I think that men might have it a bit easier here....thoughts?

16 years ago, February 10th 2008 No: 21 Msg: #27179 Delete Edit

kshitija
kshitija

N Posts: 10

thanx!u just gave me a boost! guess i was getting a lil scared and re-thinking on my decision as almost everyone @ work were like... how will u.. arent u scared!! blah blah....
thanx again! Reply to this

16 years ago, February 10th 2008 No: 22 Msg: #27181 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

LOL

I get the same thing from people I work with over here, and I work for the police department in LOS ANGELES!
I just tell them, "You live in and work in L.A., and you're afraid of other countries?"

Reply to this

16 years ago, February 11th 2008 No: 23 Msg: #27256 Delete Edit

nuhart59
G. Bernard McCloskey

B Posts: 27

Here is a 25,000 mile traveler from May to December, 2007 who did it all alone with a heart transplant, and a raging diabetic, with multiple health problems, from New York to Jamestown in early May 2007 to visit QE, PP, VP Cheney, George and Laura Bush, and the least political of all, US Supreme Sandra Day O'Connor. Then, Los Angeles to San Francisco to Reno to Las Vegas, back to Albany on the first leg in July. After resting up, I took on from August to December, 2007 visiting Ireland, Spain, France and Italy. It was one of those 100 things I had to die for the third time...three strikes and your're out, with two prior major open heart surgeries!

The fact that I am a big guy maybe makes me impervious to being hit upon by anyone smaller than me.

I would worry about any females traveling alone, because big guys like me could overpower you and then...

Better to take along a good friend (male or female who you trust) rather than to risk the consequences of an unfortunate accident all alone. You can never be sure that you won't find yourself in the wrong end of town with the wrong people on the wrong day for the wrong reasons.

I saved my temporary traveling partner from having his pock picked in Rome.

Just my .02 cents for what it is worth, as I saw many traveling together and very few traveling alone.

Slainte', Caio, Adios, Bon Jour Reply to this

16 years ago, February 11th 2008 No: 24 Msg: #27257 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

Well, I've been travelling my whole life. I'm not so naive as to say that things don't happen. I've taken 5 extended trips to Europe in the last 7 years. Spending at least one month each time. kshitija is travelling in Western Europe which is relatively safe as long as you don't do anything stupid. I'll give you an example of that:

A friend of mine and fellow flamenco dancer went to Sevilla. She was invited to a flamenco gathering one night.
She was so excited, and brought along her camera and camcorder. She was with a friend there, but she rushed off to the gathering by herself because she didn't want to miss anything.

Ok...Typical to these sort of gatherings, this was taking place at about 1:00 in the morning. Often the neighborhoods where these gatherings take place aren't in the safest of places. She went alone. She brought valuables with her.

She got mugged and had her stuff taken.

If one doesn't use one's brain, your almost begging for something to happen to you.

Also I've met many mahy solo female travellers. One girl I met was a quiet little girl from Japan who looked to be about 20 years old, wasn't even 5 feet tall, and didn't weigh anything near 100 lbs. (sorry about not using metric conversions here heheh)

She had been travelling by herself for a few months. This was in Eastern Europe. She had had no problems up to the point when I met her. I met another girl from Japan travelling solo when I was in Bosnia. She was also very petite. I have a friend from Argentina whom I met on my travels. She had been on the road for almost a year. Really incredibly beaituful girl. She had no problems on her trip.

I don't even lock up my bags. But I keep all of my money and documents in a money belt in my pants. No one has ever tried to go through my bags.

I've had a few gypsies try to take stuff from me, but (1. I knew that there was no way they were going to get at anything that I'd be really sorry to lose. (2. They were very obvious about it.

That's why I asked her where she was from. I'm guessing a pretty good sized Brithish city...maybe even London.

I'm from L.A. Things like pickpockets are very obvious to me. Especially since I make it a point to ALWAYS BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND ME. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy myself on my trips. It just means that I'm not doing anything stupid.

Reply to this

16 years ago, February 11th 2008 No: 25 Msg: #27264 Delete Edit

kshitija
kshitija

N Posts: 10

m from birmingham... not as big as london but not a small town either! well.... i really want to go alone as not everyone likes to go backpacking..... but the only think i would consider is travelling @ nite.... ne suggestions on how to choose a hotel/hostel?? Reply to this

16 years ago, February 11th 2008 No: 26 Msg: #27269 Delete Edit

nuhart59
G. Bernard McCloskey

B Posts: 27

If you do not find a hotel on the internet that states they are near by the train station, be sure you are going to arrive while the tourist office is still open. Hotels near the train stations are usually within a close range of prices, except for the big shot hotels that overcharge. Hostels I do not do, because I have heard too many stories about luggage being stolen by a nice couple in Barcelona, who got ripped off in Madrid. Check your train schedules. I often booked overnight passage to get a little sleep and arrive in the morning when the tourist office is open. Try to set up some buddy system for someone who lives in the town, even if you don't use them. Having an emergency contact, just in case, can relieve you of some anxiety because making contact with the police can be a bit iffy, as they appear to be often over worked. What countries and cities are you thinking about visiting? Reply to this

16 years ago, February 12th 2008 No: 27 Msg: #27306 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

kshitija, try Hostels.com. Hostelworld also is good as far as finding recommended hostels, but they charge a small fee on top of that. Hotels cost too much, often aren't so nice, AND there is nothing to say that you won't get something stolen from you while staying in a hotel. nuhart59 has heard stories from someone where they had something stolen in a hostel. I've personally never had anything stolen, and I've talked to people who have travelled extensively and not had anything stolen while staying in a hostel. What are you bringing? What style of traveler are you? I like to backpack. Believe me, I'm not bringing anything valuable that I don't have to on my trips. If you are going to travel with fancy luggage, are going to go dressed in your best clothing, maybe nuhart has a point. Stay in a hotel room.

If you stay in a hostel, you will meet like minded individuals who are out for an adventure. You may meet someone at the hostel whose next destination happens to be yours. You can buddy up with them. I've done that and made life long friends. You will also get tips on cool places to visit, and cool hostels to stay at, as well as hostels to avoid.

Here's a couple of tips:

When I stayed in Amsterdam, my first destination for last years trip, I was researching different hostels. One of them had a low approval rating. I read a few comments. The reason it had a low rating is because they didn't allow drugs or marijuana in the hostel. Some folks go to Amsterdam specifically just to party. So despite the fact that it had a low rating, I stayed there. it had a good rating for cleanliness. And after a long flight from Los Angeles, I didn't want to deal with people partying in my room. So that's where I stayed, at it was fine.

Also I think it is better to stay in room with fewer beds. I stayed in a great hostel in Krakow. As always I stayed in a room with 4 beds. The biggest room had 12 beds. the 4 bed room cost maybe 2 dollars more per night, but it was quiet. The 12 bed room was of course the party room. I think you are less likely to get something stolen if you pay the coupld of extra dollars and stay in the small room. You are also bound to get more sleep, and if you want to go party, you can go visit the other room!

If you'd like, let me know what some of your destinations are, and if I've stayed there, I will see if I can make some hostel recommendations. Reply to this

16 years ago, February 12th 2008 No: 28 Msg: #27323 Delete Edit

kshitija
kshitija

N Posts: 10

hmm.. m not a ver fancy traveller and the main intention of this trip is adventure n fun... so i basicaaly wont b carrying any fancy clothes or jewellery or anything similar.... the only thing i will have other than my essentials is a camera n an ipod... m planning to get a EURAIL pass n i would b visiting spain (madrid, barcelona, bilabao) italy (florence, venice,rome) and germany.
any recommendations?? Reply to this

16 years ago, February 12th 2008 No: 29 Msg: #27328 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

What time of year? Reply to this

16 years ago, February 12th 2008 No: 30 Msg: #27343 Delete Edit

kshitija
kshitija

N Posts: 10

will be starting around the 10th of april. Reply to this

16 years ago, February 13th 2008 No: 31 Msg: #27423 Delete Edit

nuhart59
G. Bernard McCloskey

B Posts: 27

kshitija: April seems to be the low season for staying at hotels, hostels or campgrounds if you are really roughing it. I always ask for their best (lowest) rate and work from there. Many places will knock off 10% on the price if you offer cash, while pulling out the agreed upon number of Euros to flash before their eyes, as you ask for the reduction. Few have turned me down, but it did happen once or twice. I guess they did not know the meaning of good old fashioned American horse trading..."I show you mine, you show me yours."

Keep us up to date on your travels and let us know if the Hotel Acropoli near the Rome train station was suitable. Ask for Attila (the Hun), query their rates at info@hotelacropoli.it or call ahead at 06 483726. Tell him George (nuhart59) sent you. I arrived with three big suitcases that I had to check in to the left luggage, once I returned to Rome, again, from Sicily. Wanna meet the Godfather in Corelone outside Palermo and get his 'blessing'? Be sure you put a pillow or two beside you, where a severed horse's head might go...just kidding, of course. Reply to this

16 years ago, February 13th 2008 No: 32 Msg: #27426 Delete Edit

kshitija
kshitija

N Posts: 10

haa haa!! thanx! u mentioned before that u wud travel @ night so to arrive @ ur destination in d morning... did u travel by Eurail?? Reply to this

16 years ago, February 13th 2008 No: 33 Msg: #27429 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

kshitija, it depends....your pass is already paid, for. If it is limited in the number of times you can use it, then use it only if you must travel long distances, and THEN you can travel overnight to save a little bit. If it is a shorter trip....maybe a few hours from point A to point B, then just leave early in the morning, so that you arrive around the time that other hostelers would be leaving, and you should get a space. Also, if you are limited, on the number of times you use the Eurail, pass, try not to use it in Italy. I've heard that they charge an "boarding fee" when using the Eurail pass there. Look into getting a TrenItalia pass, which is a similar pass but only for Italian trains.
One more point about hostelling....Most have internet access, or you can use an internet cafe. If you are nervous about knowing you whether or not you will have a bed, make the reservations in advance. I agree with nuhart that in April you should be fine. In fact, it's the absolute perfect time to go to Venice, imo.

Please do browse on hostelworld.com to see hostel ratings so you can get an idea of prices. But book to hostels.com to save a few pennies. Reply to this

16 years ago, February 14th 2008 No: 34 Msg: #27463 Delete Edit

nuhart59
G. Bernard McCloskey

B Posts: 27

Italy is the worst for Eurail travel, especially if you have the 5 or 6 Countries (cities) thing, which means you must travel between major cities. Short city hops are a waste of Eurail pass benefits. Check it out thoroughly and ask a lot of questions, because Eurail pass became a chore when I did not have unlimited travel. Also, in Italy, they will charge you a fee to reserve a seat, usually 3 Euro, better pay it just in case. THEN, they have these stupid time stamping machines, I never used them, and try to extort another fee, if you did not have your reservation time stamped. They are usually on the train platform as you are about to board the train, or, they are hiding back in the waiting room. It provides full employment to Italian meter maid men, who have to check and reset those guinea machine things. I never felt fully comfortable that I would not get hit with another 'gotcha' in Italy.

To me, Spain is the place to be, much more cultural and they don't hand submachine guns to teenieboppers, stick police uniforms on them and put them out in front of the public like they do in Italy. If you want to see a police state, go to Italy. If you want culture and a good spanish education, without wondering when one of those submachine guns will go off, go to Barcelona and take the tour bus, then take the train down to Velencia, Alicante and then take the bus to Benidorm on the Med. Shoot up to Sevilla and take the tour bus. Tour Granada, but you may have to get the bus to the Rock of Gibralt. On the way, you can book a speed boat to Morocco and take the tour for a day, with a luncheon in a Moroccoan restaurant with the bazucki music, fool around with the musicians wearing their fez, shop the bazaars but NEVER pay full price. A Morroccan t-shirt quoted at 20 to 25 Euro, will sell for 5 Euro ALL THE TIME. Just hold out until the price comes down to what you "need" to pay. Most stuff is just wants.

Travel to Huelva where Christopher Columbus left from the franciscian monastery in Rabid, after the monks got him financing from Isabella and Ferdinand. Spend at least a week in Madrid and go to the Riena Museum cafe, across from the train station. Make believe you just stepped aboard the space ship from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". The bathrooms are in the back where the ceiling goes from 30 feet off the floor in the front to 10 feet of the floor at the back, and they are wild, while I was waiting for the space ship to take off for Mars.

I had 3 cups of coffee and the croissants deal there. Best tasting coffee in all of Europe...enjoy! Smile a lot and people will try to help you if you have difficulty finding your way around AFTER you have taken the tour bus, hop on, hop off all day long. Adios! Reply to this

14 years ago, May 14th 2010 No: 35 Msg: #110886 Delete Edit

tnaz
gh

N Posts: 1

Hey, I'm also 23 and thinking to travel around Europe this june !!!! it would be really good if few of us could join together and do this ?????? i'm very open with where we go Reply to this

13 years ago, May 21st 2010 No: 36 Msg: #111447 Delete Edit

cbrcrs
Christian Fowler

N Posts: 2

Hey tnaz...I'm not sure if you noticed... all these posts are from a couple years ago.
However, we can get this back to current..I am looking to go mid-August to the new year, 4.5 months.
I think it would be cool to meet up with some other solo travelers as well.
Do you have dates of when you are going, where you are going?
Anyone else going to be in that area the last quarter?
It'd be great to hear about good places to visit and things to do. Reply to this

13 years ago, June 2nd 2010 No: 37 Msg: #112283 Delete Edit

leo64
AHM

N Posts: 2

Hey, I'm 24 and I'll be leaving for Europe on June 16th for 24 days. I don't mind traveling solo but i thought it would be nice to meet other travelers with same interests. Anybody planning to visit west Europe either this June or July ? Reply to this

13 years ago, June 2nd 2010 No: 38 Msg: #112284 Delete Edit

cbrcrs
Christian Fowler

N Posts: 2

leo64, make sure you post your experiences and recomendations. Ill be a month behind ya, and I know theres tons to do. Reply to this

13 years ago, June 2nd 2010 No: 39 Msg: #112321 Delete Edit

flamencodancer
Jaime Martin

N Posts: 23

For those of you who are travelling soon, Even if you don't meet anyone on this blog, you will probably end pu in a hostel where someone you meet is heading somewhere that you are also planning to travel to. You end up buddying up for a leg or two of your journey. Just be open to any spontaneous moment that might happen. I've met many friends this way. I am possiby going to Turkey this year to visit a girl I met in Vienna a few years ago! Reply to this

13 years ago, June 2nd 2010 No: 40 Msg: #112323 Delete Edit

leo64
AHM

N Posts: 2

I will definitely do so cbrcrs. I also agree with flamencodancer. I'll just wait till i get there. it'll be a lifetime experience, Can't wait!! Reply to this