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Thread: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

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    Veteran Member sexyadrienne's Avatar
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    Default Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    So, a little egg that I was working on last year turned into gold and I’ve found myself with extra funds and some time for vacation.

    This year, I’m looking at going overseas for a whole month, (ie - backpacking through Europe). Normally, I would take my husband but he’s a workaholic and gets fussy when traveling.

    First off - I’m considering going with a tour group so that way I’m not too alienated. Nonetheless, does anyone have any input on traveling on your accord?
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    Veteran Member tiffany_twisted's Avatar
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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I've only traveled a bit on my own, in Germany, but it can be both incredibly freeing and incredibly lonely. On the one hand, you can spend your days however you want, and I found that just wandering around on my own doing whatever I felt like led to some excellent adventures and experiences! People were always friendly and helpful towards me and I had some really great conversations with strangers. On the other hand, in moments where you might feel like companionship, there can be none to be found, and if shit goes down, then you're the one that's stuck handling it on your own. Overall though, travelling by myself was an awesome experience, and something I definitely plan to do more of in the future.

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    If you are going somewhere you don’t know the Native language, definitely go with a tour guide! At least the first week or so to get to know the area. Barnes and Noble has really great language translator books. I have two in Russian and Czech.
    I have done a fair amount of research on various European countries. Where are you wanting to go? Always trust your gut and stay in well populated areas!

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I'd recommend Thailand. Honestly a lot of American ex-pats are semi-retired there.

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I’d love to travel for a month. The most I’ve done is 10 days in Germany and two weeks in Iceland. In both places everyone spoke English as well as their native language so that was helpful. I went alone and met people along the way at festivals local spots. Traveling alone definitely forces you to be more aware but because of that you absorb every bit you can from your trip.

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    most European countries are going to be speaking at least some English in the major cities. take a little language book along with you so you know what youre ordering in a restaurant (especially if you have food allergies). if you would want the option of travel buddies, try staying at some hostels

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I've been to London and all over England, and parts of Wales; Dublin, Ireland & Glasgow, Scotland; Paris; Rome; Venice; Amsterdam; Madrid and multiple cities in Spain. Each place is AMAZING in its own way. I've roughed it when I was younger by staying in youth hostels ($20/night in Paris) and taking cheap (like really cheap) buses from one city to another.

    I've never paid for a group tour. (I have done group tours in South America to see remote Inca sites, etc., but, I've never found the need to do a group tour in Europe.) Every European city has a 'hop on hop off' tourist bus service that stops at all the major sites and the tickets to these buses is about $20 to $40 per day (with discounts for multiple days). I'm sure a group tour costs ten or more times that. Now, if you have lots and lots of money to spare and want consistent company, there is nothing wrong with it, except that your tour guide will dictate when and where you go. I'd rather have the freedom to set my own itinerary.

    Bus tickets from one city to another are super cheap, like $15 and a lot nicer and cleaner than buses in the U.S. If you want a little more comfort and speed, buy a Rail Pass that gives you (for the number of days you select) unlimited travel by train to different European countries. Also, you can get some really cheap plane tickets from one city to another, if you buy the tickets in advance. Like, I can find tickets from London to Barcelona or many other cool European cities for less than $100, but, you have to buy them several weeks in advance to get really cheap deals.

    You are hot. Guys will hit on you and offer to give you personal tours of their city. It's up to you and your husband what you are comfortable with,... but,... you can make a lot of friends and see a lot of places with a little innocent flirtation. As a college student, I dated a few European girls and got to spend entire summers in Europe for about $1,000 - i.e., the cost of my flight there.
    Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood.
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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    Quote Originally Posted by raakashock View Post
    most European countries are going to be speaking at least some English in the major cities. take a little language book along with you so you know what youre ordering in a restaurant (especially if you have food allergies). if you would want the option of travel buddies, try staying at some hostels
    I generally agree with this, but, I have had some issues with English in Paris. Maybe because they've always been feuding with the British, and maybe because they think U.S. people are arrogant, the French seem to be less inclined than other Western Europeans to learn English. Fortunately for me, the French seem to be more familiar with Spanish and I ended up using my Spanish more than my English in Paris. In Spain, I used my Spanish, so I do not know whether trying to get by speaking only English is a challenge.
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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I didn't have problems in paris at all...the hotel staff spoke English, the store clerks, the bartenders, the restaurant staff...the menus were even in English at many places. it seems like the countries that have been notorious for not speaking English, are changing more and more every year. Regardless, don't let language discourage you from traveling <3

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I've been traveling solo around Europe quite a bit over the last two years. It can be intimidating at first, but it's totally worth it. Traveling alone means that you can do whatever you want, and you can take in the experience more fully. It does help to meet people along the way, so I'd suggest staying at a hostel, couchsurfing, or staying in a private room at an AirBnB for at least part of the trip. That way, you can socialize and go out with other people. Most major cities also have an expat group on facebook, which can be helpful to join in case you have questions or need help with something. I personally wouldn't go with a tour group, since that sounds really expensive... I'd just sign up for group activities, like pub crawls, walking tours, or local classes/activities/events.

    I'd advise learning a few words of the language, before you go... yes, a lot of people speak English all over the world, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I've found that people usually respond more positively if you say "hello" in their native language, and then ask them if they speak English. Knowing a few important phrases can make your experience much smoother.

    Get a local SIM card for your phone, since it's usually cheaper than any international plan your phone company will have.

    Watch some solo travel videos on youtube... there are a TON out there. Lots of great advice.

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    Quote Originally Posted by seashell View Post
    I've found that people usually respond more positively if you say "hello" in their native language, and then ask them if they speak English.
    Amen to that!... In Italy, I got some of the meanest stares from store owners or clerks, if I forgot to greet them with bongiorno or buonasera when I walked into their establishment.

    @ OP: Also, don't walk into a restaurant to use the restroom, unless you are eating or drinking something there... They can be really sensitive about that.

    Paris - DO NOT MISS the Crazy Horse, but, you probably knew that already.
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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    Quote Originally Posted by SnuffleUffleGrass View Post
    I'd recommend Thailand. Honestly a lot of American ex-pats are semi-retired there.
    I've always had great experiences in Thailand.

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I've traveled a lot for this job.

    As far as abroad, I've been to all the border towns of Mexico, usually on my own. This includes Juarez, Piedras Negras, Rosaritos, Tijuana. The year I did exceedingly well, I spent four weeks traveling through Peru, went to Cusco, Iquitos, the jungle outside of Iquitos, etc. I also did two weeks in Bogota, Columbia which is where I had my surgery. I say just 'pick up and go.'

    Developing countries with a well-developed tourism infrastructure and currency that is much weaker than the dollar, would be your best best in terms of ease of getting around and affordability.

    I've always wanted to teach English abroad as a second career and also, immigrate out of the US, so maybe I'll travel again some more some day.

    Good luck!

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    Quote Originally Posted by jack0177057 View Post
    Amen to that!... In Italy, I got some of the meanest stares from store owners or clerks, if I forgot to greet them with bongiorno or buonasera when I walked into their establishment.

    @ OP: Also, don't walk into a restaurant to use the restroom, unless you are eating or drinking something there... They can be really sensitive about that.

    Paris - DO NOT MISS the Crazy Horse, but, you probably knew that already.
    Walk out of a restaurant in Paris at night outside of the 1st or 8th arrondissements without saying bonsoir monsieurdame or variant and you'll get chastised. Salutations are important.

    OP, if it was me I'd choose a place in line with your hobbies. That will make travel meaningful, memorable, and you'll get less lonely. Do you like history? Fashion? Art? Music? Nature? Photography? Wildlife? If you visit a place that is an exemplar of your hobby, you'll really enjoy and remember it.
    Where Am I? Missing NYC

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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    ^ That is a good point about selecting a place that matches your passions and hobbies.

    I strongly recommend Europe, because it is well developed, easy to maneuver, safe and friendly, rich in history, art and music, and you can efficiently visit MANY beautiful cities, countries, and cultures in a month. Europe is designed to be travel and tourist friendly, even for kids.

    Having said that, I LOVE Central and South America. If you want adventures like ziplining through jungles, climbing up waterfalls, shamanic Ayahuasca journeys in the Amazon, authentic salsa dancing (or Tango dancing in Buenos Aires), and have a passion for ancient Inca, Mayan or Aztec 'lost cities', temples and legends, that's your place to go. But, the downside is that these countries are not well developed, travel can be very inefficient (I had to take two planes, a train and a bus to get to Aguas Calientes/Machu Pichu), you may really have to rough it in some places (the poverty is shocking), and you have to have strong stomach. Another downside is that you'll only be expose to one culture, Latin/Hispanic Culture (and the indigenous peoples, if you are willing to go deep in the jungle and explore the primitive tribal communities), as opposed to being exposed to MANY different cultures if you go to Europe. Ecuador, Peru and Columbia, etc. have different cities you can visit, but, the people and culture are nearly identical.
    Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood.
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    Default Re: Touring a foreign country by yourself?

    I am going to do just that! I'm European (scandinavian) and going solo, backbag style. Anyone else out there, send me a message, if you want to meet somewhere, share experiences or expenses or just chat over the internet, compare ideas or plans or places.

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