Destination suggestions? Ideas needed!

Hello All.

My 50th birthday is coming up in May this year and I want to spend it travelling solo, *somewhere*, doing *something*.

2011 was a very tough year, healthwise & emotionally. I had a terrible relationship experience (only relationship in an 8 year period - by choice) and it left me wounded and stirred up some chronic health problems I have. It's taken me 6 months to get back on my feet. I'm steadfastly, determinedly regaining my fierce independence, health, fitness and confidence.

A trip, just for me, to celebrate *me*, is what's called for. But I don't know where. The more research I do, the more confused I become! Any suggestions would be most welcome!

I'm female & prefer indie, solo travel with a loose itinerary, to planned /group tours. Best described as Flashpacker? I love hiking (done Inca Trail & some others) but my fitness is not up to anything graded as hard. I like a variety of experiences, love nature/outdoors activities. Not a keen shopper, esp in modern centres. The middle east appeals, as does Trans Siberian Railway - BUT - in hindsight these are "hard" destinations for solo women travellers and I think I'd rather visit a country where women are more respected and I can feel great about myself and safe and not harassed. I yearn for a nurturing and comforting, yet exciting environment, this time around. I'd love to go to Cambodia or Nepal, but the time of year is wrong...

I'm all idea'd out. Help!?!

Thanks in advance
Kym

Trans-Sib would be OK, not hard.

Why oh why, would anybody recommend spending a week[i][/i] on a Russian train in the middle of nowhere Siberia? For no particular reason except that it's "not hard".

An overnight Russian train from one place to another is ok and fun. A week of Siberian train ride sounds excruciating. Dear god I can't even imagine it....and I like Russian trains.

Unfortunately I haven't been there since the economic collapse, but based on past experience if I were a woman looking to get away alone somewhere delicious, I'd head for Greece. Economic collapse or no economic collapse, I'd still head for Greece. In a tsunami of global uncertainty, I'd still choose to Greece. Given enough money for a pair of flip-flops and an airline ticket I'd go to Greece.

Maybe consider Greece. Take me with you?

Mama-to-many wrote:Trans-Sib would be OK, not hard.

I second the suggestion, gives one an overview of a vast amount of Asia, Perhaps start with a few days in St Petersburg, then overnight train to Moscow, spend the day at the Kremlin then board the Trans-Siberian in the evening to either Vladivostok or Beijing, your preference.

I hadn't considered Greece... will look into that (the less crowded areas, anyway)

Trans-Siberian - hmmm well my original take on it was to do it in it's entirety, but am going to look at biting it off in chunk size portions. Whilst that won't have the 'mammoth journey' feel, it would be easier to undertake and more relaxed.

Thanks for your input. More suggestions most welcome!

busman7 wrote:

Mama-to-many wrote:Trans-Sib would be OK, not hard.

I second the suggestion, gives one an overview of a vast amount of Asia, Perhaps start with a few days in St Petersburg, then overnight train to Moscow, spend the day at the Kremlin then board the Trans-Siberian in the evening to either Vladivostok or Beijing, your preference.

I'm dumbfounded that people here think the hassles of Russian visas+lodgings+a week across Siberia culminated with a visit to Beijing, which is Hell On Earth (and more visa problems), is a fun idea? Completely stunned. An adventure perhaps, but I can think of at least 99 hundred better ways to treat myself to a good time.

The OP has had a tough year. She is looking for pleasant recreation.

Anywhere in the Med is a thumbs up. Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Greece. No visa necessary, easy traveling, good food, nice climate, accommodations galore, sun, English. Delish.

So I still want to know if you're taking me with you?

Sophie9 wrote:

busman7 wrote:

Mama-to-many wrote:Trans-Sib would be OK, not hard.

I second the suggestion, gives one an overview of a vast amount of Asia, Perhaps start with a few days in St Petersburg, then overnight train to Moscow, spend the day at the Kremlin then board the Trans-Siberian in the evening to either Vladivostok or Beijing, your preference.

I'm dumbfounded that people here think the hassles of Russian visas+lodgings+a week across Siberia culminated with a visit to Beijing, which is Hell On Earth (and more visa problems), is a fun idea? Completely stunned. An adventure perhaps, but I can think of at least 99 hundred better ways to treat myself to a good time.

The OP has had a tough year. She is looking for pleasant recreation.

Anywhere in the Med is a thumbs up. Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Cyprus, Greece. No visa necessary, easy traveling, good food, nice climate, accommodations galore, sun, English. Delish.

So I still want to know if you're taking me with you?

Geesh methinks the lady doth protest too much!

What hassles with Russian visas

I dropped my visa application along with the required pictures, fee & passport off at the Russian Embassy in Toronto, returned 3 days later & picked it up. As I was starting my trip before I could book all my tickets, I let 'Real Russia' travel in London handle that + the letter of invitation. Booked a hostel in St Petersburg on line. No hassle at all

Only problem was 3 days in St Petersburg was not long enough. After an overnight train trip to Moscow I spent a nice day at Red Square & the Kremlin while awaiting the evening departure I spent a relaxing 5 days (got off at Ulan-Battor) seeing the country while chatting with new friends & getting off at various stops to purchase food from local ladies on the platform.

When I arrived in Beijing a couple months later, again visa handled by travel agent (entered from Nepal) I found just another of the worlds polluted large cities, lots to see including the Great Wall nearby, no better, no worse than most others, certainly no Bangkok, then again no other city is!

The Trans-Mongolian/Siberian was one of the highlights of my trip

No doubt about it, I will get to do Trans Siberia railway, I have intended to for years. But not this time.

As Sophie9 says, I've had a tough year (bloody awful in fact). I'm looking for an experience where I feel nurtured, not harassed; at ease, not worried; delighted by my surroundings, (maybe even luxurious! - luxurious need not mean expensive, in my view), rather than dealing with the hostel door not locking and a cold shower.

I've dealt with difficult language barriers, unhelpful locals, touts, protests, poor roads, shoddy transport, overcrowding, pollution and pickpockets etc etc etc. Doesn't phase me a bit. But /not/ this time - this trip should have next to none of that (I don't have unrealistic expectations, though).

Sophie, I reckon Portugal might fit the bill and I already have a LP guide at home from a couple of years back when I nearly nearly went there, but opted for Spain instead (not that the guides are really worth much, ha!). And, nup - this trip's just for ME I'll give you a holler when I'm heading to Greece, OK!

Thanks all.

If you haven't already done it, how about a trip up the coast from Perth to Broome?

Since it sounds like you'd like to work on your fitness too, how about a bike trip in Europe? I rented a bike and pedaled through the vineyards in Burgundy (Route des Grand Crus has no car traffic), but I've seen other similar trails in Germany along the Mosel and Rhein too. You can work in a little luxury and taste some excellent wines along the way.

There is also a well marked trail along the Danube starting in Germany and and going all the way to Hungary, as well as a trail along the Drau River in Austria. They both have lots of cafes and guesthouses along the way that cater to cyclists with home cooked food and cheap lodging. I've ridden segments of both of them and they are relatively easy without a lot of huge hills to climb since they follow the path of the rivers.

Cycling gives a different perspective and unique experience as you slowly make your way from one little town to the next. From my experience these trails are pretty safe for someone traveling alone too as there are usually other people on them riding, jogging, walking dogs, etc.

My $0.02...

Nothing better than spending spring in Tuscany. Eat amazing food, drink the wine, see the sights, rent a fabulous villa or apartment (cheaper than you would expect).

OP, let me know what you turn up. I'm in the same spot--had a bloody awful year which ended in losing my mother exactly 2 weeks ago. That's good and bad b/c we were looking at alzheimer's care for God knows how long and she was only 74. Now I'm sad but feeling blessed b/c we didn't have to put her in a home. She would have hated that and she was quite a traveling lady.

I'm thinking of going back to Ireland myself--finding a nice quiet corner in Donegal and taking long walks and/or bike rides every day--no car rentals, just bus rides. I think it will be relaxing b/c the Irish people are the nicest I've met anywhere and nothing is as comforting as Irish music, pubs, and stew, and guinness is good for you. Someday I will do the trans-Siberian but that does not sound appealing right now at all, at all. Tuscany sounds good too but I'm dreaming of Ireland.

BTW, my b-day is in May also but I'll be 53. And, whatever you decide, I'm thinking for your first solo trip it would be good to go back to a place you've already been and want to see more of and stay in one place for longer rather than picking up and moving every day or two but maybe that's just me.

go girl now - I'm very sorry to hear you've had a crappy year too. I hope you get your Ireland trip and that it's glorious.

Your advice about going back to somewhere I'd been before and slowing down, is good advice. A few years ago I spent a month backpacking solo around Andalucia, which was unreal, but fast paced. Doing a different region of Spain, but much more relaxed in itinerary might be good. However, I can't seem to reach a decision. Problem is, airfares are proving very expensive (at least AU$1800 from Australia to anywhere I had on my radar) and now I've gone and got myself an achilles tendon injury which is just not resolving at any encouraging pace.

The need for me to 'draw a line' under last year and do something positive and heartening for myself this year is strong. So, I'm still searching for something that's going to be achievable and enjoyable, budget and every other way wise. Then again, maybe I'm over-thinking it all and should just book a flight that's affordable, to somewhere!

insywinsyspider wrote:The need for me to 'draw a line' under last year and do something positive and heartening for myself this year is strong.

I'm so feeling you on that one. I'm a firm believer in the law of attraction, so just hold it in your mind that you want to go someplace really cool and trust that the right opportunity will present itself and I'm betting that it will. And keep checking those airfares and the Sunday ads in the newspaper. BTW, Oz is a wonderful place.

In my case, I have never gone on a trip by myself except for a camping trip for a week I took a couple of years ago somewhere local, so this will be my first one. I was married forever before that and never could have done such a thing.

How about Cape Town, if my reply is not too late? As for shopping, Greenmarket Square is ideal. There are many backpackers hotels near there, and women do not have to be constricted in any way.