First Time (Solo) & 40 Looking for ideas and encou

[hitman]

Hi, Just turned 40 and thinking of backpacking solo in Europe for my annual vacation. I am a bit aprehensive about it and really havn't a clue where to go. Italy and Spain interest me but more interested in just meeting people along the way and seeing what happens. Realistically I have 2 weeks but could possibly squeeze a couple of more days in. Anyone one got any suggestions?

[madamtrashheap]

Welcome to the Boards, hitman.

If you haven't done so already, have a look through the Posts in the Itinerary, Pre-Travel Planning and City & Country Advice sections of these Boards for ideas on cities/towns to visit, solo travelling and other bits and pieces.

To start you off, if you have 2 weeks, it's wise to concentrate on just one or two countries this time around. Italy could easily take up all of those two weeks, but to make sure you see Spain as well, best to identify the list of cities that interest you in both countries and then whittle it down from there.

A few questions:

What time of year are you travelling?
Any other interests other than meeting people (ie any "must-see" or "must-do" items)?
Solo travel vs an organised tour - have you considered this?

Solo travel is preferred by many of the Members of these Boards, and it's a great way to make sure you see exactly what you want to see, but if you're really concerned about it (no reason to be, but it's a personal choice) then have a look at a few tour companies and see what they offer. The advantage is that you have in-built travel companions, itinerary, travel method and accommodation are sorted for you and you can fit a lot in to 2 weeks, but the disadvantages are that you won't have a lot of time in places, you might feel a little rushed and although you can always stay in a city and catch up with your group later it can be a hassle in some cases.

Have a read through the other Posts, come up with a list of cities and questions and get back to us so we can fill in the blanks.

[Eagle]

hitman, I have a few comments and questions to add also.

I suspect which places you visit may be dictated to some extent by what flights are available from your area. You didn't indicate where you were flying from, so it's hard to offer much advice on that?

You indicated that you might be able to "possibly squeeze a couple more days in". Given that you'll probably be travelling some distance to get to Europe, my preference would be to get as much time as you can.

As MTH mentioned, as you only have two weeks it would probably be best to focus on one or two countries. With careful planning it should be possible to see a bit of both Spain and Italy.

Also as MTH mentioned, it would help if you could provide some idea on what you're most interested in seeing in Europe (ie: what prompted your interest in backpacking in Europe at this point).

I am a bit aprehensive about it and really havn't a clue where to go

Could you provide some background on the reasons why you feel apprehensive about this trip? There are definitely pros & cons for solo travel, group travel or travel with one or more friends or family members. I tend to be one of those that prefers solo travel for the most part, although lately I've been combining this with an equal amount of travel with a tour group (that way I get the best of both worlds). One of my primary activities during travel is photography, and it's sometimes difficult to do that with a group.

I often use a "mix" of budget Hotels and Hostels for accommodations. If you stay in Hostels, you won't have any trouble "meeting people along the way". One other point to mention about solo travel is that the locals and other people will more readily approach a solo traveller than they will a couple or group. I tend to be a bit outgoing when I travel, and don't have the least trouble meeting people. Also, the tours that I use are always with smaller group sizes, so it's more of a "family" atmosphere and we're usually quite familiar with each other by the time the tour ends.

If this is your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend reading the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door, as it will provide you with a lot of great information on how to travel well in Europe, including information on Itinerary planning, languages, money issues and sights to see. The "Rail Skills" section is especially important. You should be able to find it at your local Library or larger Book Stores.

Most of us here are a bit nervous prior to a trip to Europe, but in my case those feelings pass as soon as I get seated on the plane. I've found that if one plans well, trips usually go smoothly.

Good luck with your planning!

[herrbert]

If two weeks is all you've got, I would actualy leave it either one of the two countries. Although there are a lot of cheap flights available between Italy and Spain, the main reason would be that you do a little bit more than just scratch the surface.

To give an example:
For Italy. I guess the must-sees are Rome (4-5 days) and Venice. (2-3 days), but for a lot of people Florence (3 days) is also high on the list. If you want to go to Spain from here, you would only have about 3 or 4 days left. (which would be enough to see one city in Spain, perhaps Barcelona).

But if you would like to return in the future to see more cities/towns in Spain, you would most likely, have it easier to visit Barcelona that time.

If you make the choice to stay in Italy a little bit longer, you have time to see Cinque Terra, or maybe the Amalfi Coast (easy access to Pompeii/Capri).

I also think that if you would choose Spain it is wiser to have two weeks in Spain. Madrid, with daytrips to Segovia and Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona, would take about two weeks to visit. Skipping Valencia, would maybe make some time to investigate Andalucía a bit more, and add Cadiz/Jerez de la Frontera to the list (or Malaga), or if you can find a flight, go North to San Sebastian. (or cross the border from Sevilla into Portugal, but for that you would need the extra days.)

[hitman]

First off thanks everyone for your replies so far. In no particular order here are most of the answers to the questions you asked
1) Departing from Dublin Irl so getting into mainland Europe is not a big challenge
2) Travel time flexible July / Aug but most likely August
3) Having thought about it and reflecting on some of the advice one country sounds the best way this time and having been to Rome / venice / Florence all be it quickly over several business trips Spain has only ever been experienced through family holidays on the Costa del Sol years ago and thats not Spain. So Spain it is.
4) Aprehensive because I precieve that this is a student/20 something kind of thing and going on my own I wonder would it be lonely or would I be viewed as a bit odd. I am outgoing and love socailising
5) Interest include experiencing the culture but also food, wine , music , night life etc.

So there you have it. Any suggestions as to what to do with two weeks in Spain?
Thanks

[Eagle]

hitman,

Thanks for the additional information - that helps. Yes, given your location you'll have no problem getting to Europe. However, you might want to consider open jaw flights (ie: fly to Barcelona, return home from Madrid or another location).

BTW, I had a great time on my last trip to Dublin and can hardly wait to return! Having a few pints in the Temple Bar area on a weekend night was good fun.

Aprehensive because I precieve that this is a student/20 something kind of thing and going on my own I wonder would it be lonely or would I be viewed as a bit odd.

I wouldn't be too concerned about that. I'm 55+ and Backpack solo most of the time. I really don't care whether anyone thinks this is "odd", but I've never heard anyone express comments on that. Staying in Hostels, I routinely encounter people of all ages that are travelling solo (although some of them use "wheelie bags" while I prefer a Backpack). The aspect of loneliness is certainly something to consider, but I've found that you will only be as "lonely" as you want to be. If you want company, there's usually lots of people around to talk to or take day tours with.

As far as which places to visit in Spain, I'll leave that to herrbert as he's our expert on Spain.

So there you have it

That phrase brought back fond memories of Ireland. One of my Guides from County Cork used that expression on a regular basis.

Cheers!

[mslibrarian]

Hitman,
My first and only (so far) solo trip ws to England/Scotland a few years ago. I had just turned 34 and I thought I'd be the oldest person around. Far from it I met some real seniors who were just booting their way around the world. Amazing people. Just give yourself time and space and start up conversations with people. I met some great folks that way Shared some amazing Thai food and made some good friends.

[herrbert]

I already gave a short possible initerary in my first post, this is some what of a classic route:

Madrid, with daytrips to Segovia and Toledo, (4 days)
Cordoba, (1 days, or as a stop)
Sevilla, (3 days)
Granada, (2 days)
travelday (flight)
and Barcelona, (3-4 days)

and with some extra days you could opt for Valencia, or some more days in Andalucía (Cadiz).

Madrid (check the Prado, and the Reina Sofia for Art, Palace, Cathedral, and in case you like football a visit to Bernabeu?, and give me PM to go for a drink.), Toledo (Cathedral, and old town), Segovia (Castle, Aquaduct), Cordoba (Mezquita), Sevilla (Alcazar, Cathedral - Flamengo perfomance and tapas!), Granada (Alhambra), Barcelona (Sagrada Familia, Montjuich, Dali museum nearby, Ramblas)

The one thing to remember is that if you go in August, it is very likely that it will be hot in Spain. For the cities that are not at Sea, this means that temperatures can easily rise till 35-40 degrees at the hottest time of the day. (Remember this for Madrid and Sevilla.) So if you have to travel, do this in the mornings, and take time for a siesta.

As you come from Ireland, there are multiple options to get cheap flights to and from Spain, so you can also choose to visit the North (slightly less warm (I wanted to write colder, but that would be a lie ; )). In this case you could fly into Santiago de Compostella, travel to San Sebastian and/or Salamanca. from there to Madrid, flight to Granada - Sevilla, and maybe it's possible to fly home from there, otherwise you need to return to Madrid first. (this option would leave out Barcelona.)

There are a lot of places that are worthwhile to visit in Spain, so you have to read a little bit about what a city/town has to offer, and what you would like to see/experience.

For Food and Drinks you can't go wrong in Spain. For the places I visited so far, nightlife shouldn't be a problem as well, and remember that in summer all people are outside, so try to find out, if there are some festivals in the days you are there.