BootsnAll Travel Community

Background: Traveled with late husband all over US; since his death I did a couple of tours (cruise, small groups). Yuck!! Solo trip for 4 months during winter to Texas and a bit of border Mexico. Boring!! I have a trip planned with a small group to Costa Rica this fall.
But...there's gotta be a reasonable place to try a solo trip that doesn't scare the dickens out of me...I don't think I'm a wimp, but I'm also very conscious of my surroundings. The world isn't what it was 10 years ago; but I still want to see it. Any suggestions? I'm in good physical condition, financially OK, and have no real hangups about where - but what's your best suggestion on how/where to start? If this is the wrong place to put this post...please move it as necessary.

Hi,

First of all, let me admit to you that I'm in my thirties. (Don't really know how I came to read this thread... )
Anyways. I've traveled to many countries on our beautiful planet despite having multiple sclerosis (a cane, must sit down all the time, bladder proplems,etc.).
In my experience, the poorer the country, the more respect and help you'll get. (Asia, Africa...) However, if you really want to take it slow, I'd recommend Europe. If you're really scared, England or Ireland where you'll be able to easily communicate with people. Australia could be another option. Read books like "Gutsy Women" (by Marybeth Bond, I think) that will give you lots of tricks to make you feel safe on the road. Your Costa Rica trip IS a great place to start since you'll meet other people who enjoy to travel.
I know the world seems like a scary place but trust me, it's not as bad as you see it on T.V.
Would you believe that the most welcoming and generous people I've met were in the Middle East?
Anyways. If I can travel, you can too.

Just do it!

On my first solo trip in my early 40's, I went to England and had an incredible time. England is very "user-friendly" to English speakers and very easy to get around in on your own. If you have some time, you could also travel to Scotland, Ireland and/or Wales.

If you feel a bit more adventurous, you might want to try Italy - there are lots of tourists there and lots of English speakers. Also, it has GREAT public transportation and it is very easy to figure out trains and buses. And it's a beautiful country with lots to see and do.

You could also try Germany, Scandinavia, Austria, or Switzerland - all have populations that speak English fairly well and have public transportation that is fairly easy to use.

I've traveled through England, Wales, Italy, Switzerland, France and Greece on my own and had a wonderful time in each place. I just got back from Turkey, which was also quite easy to navigate on my own, but if you're a little nervous about traveling solo, Turkey might be a bit much.

I second Whereforart, though if you are as skittish as your post indicates, you might start with New York City. You can actually visit the entire world in NYC -- from the ethnic neighborhoods to restaurants from every city in the world. Don't take taxis anywhere unless it's absolutely necessary. Take busses and subways. Walk a lot and talk to people. Sit on the steps of the New York Public Library and join in the people watching. Contrary to their reputation, New Yorkers are terrific, especially if you need something. Some of my most touching travel experiences have been in NYC. Stay in a small, modestly priced hotel (like Larchmont Hotel) where your fellow guests are likely to be from other countires. I met a French woman over breakfast and we have been friends for going on five years.

New York City is a very good, and relatively safe, way to get your solo travel feet wet.

(I'm 60 and have been traveling solo for 40 years but it's never too late to start.)

Hey, thanks for the hot tip on The Larchmont Hotel. I'm going to try and book it. Have been trying to find a reasonable place in NYC. I'm taking my three teens - any suggestions? Sorry off topic a bit...

Well, thanks to Tammy Blue (not that the rest of you weren't informative), I've decided to 'do' NYC...I've been on so many travel sites and found so much fantastic info, that I'm drowning in information. But with a bit a research, luck, planning, and support, I'm planning a trip either late August/early September. (Not around Sept. 11th tho')...too sensitive for that experience. I'm thinking about 7 days... and air rates are reasonable ($200 rt) for me. I've still got the Costa Rica trip on schedule, but decided if I don't do NYC before that, then it will be next year before I would do NYC (going to South Texas/Mexico for Dec-Feb)...time waits for no woman...please let me know if you have any suggestions/ideas...I've got a list of places that I really want to see (not Ground Zero)...and I'm not going to try to cram a zillion sites into 7 days. If you know of a particular event that would be happening in late August to early Sept. please let me know. I've checked the NYCvisit.com website, but I know they can't possibly list all the activities that are available. Thanks for your input/insight.

Big Maude and 2gowhere

Check out New York Magazine. Check out Time Out New York. The things that I think are great are:

The Empire State Building - I think it's best at night but on a clear day it can be great as well.

The Staten Island Ferry is a great way to see New York and hang out with every day New Yorkers for hardly any money.

Eat a hot dog or a hot pretzel from a street vendor.

Go any place where there are steps. Other than the aforementioned New York Public Library, other good places to hang out are the front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. (Of course it's also good to actually visit these places as well Speaking of AMNH, a great thing to do is go to visit the Rose Center for Earth and Space. I highly recommend the space show and the Hall of the Universe, especially the Scales of the Universe. A blow mind!

Sunday in Central Park. Start at the plaza in front of the Plaza Hotel and walk on the path inside the park (not the sidewalk on the outside). Stop and sit on a bench for awhile. Then north until you get to the Met. When you get to the Met, pay the entrace fee and then go have a drink or a coffee at the roof top cafe, preferably late in the day, just as the sun is getting ready to set. You'll be looking over Central Park and see some classic New York buildings in the distance.

Get on a city bus and ride from the pier up to The Cloisters. Then take the subway back down.

Walk through Riverside Park, check out Grant's Tomb and the Hudson River.

On Fifth Avenue at the Trump Towers is a wonderful and [surprisingly] modestly priced cafe/cafeteria. There is a multi-story tall waterfall inside, very refreshing after a hot day on the streets. Also on Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, window shopping at Tiffany's.

If you have some extra dollars, have a drink or a coffee at the mezzanine cafe/restaurant at Grand Central Station. It's a wonder, especially around rush hour when it is a blur of activity that you get to watch from your comfy seat above the fray. A classic New York place to eat is the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station.

Of course you must eat a slice of the New York classic white pizza. Best at a small neighborhood place that seems busy rather than a chain where the ingredients aren't as fresh.

If you are there on a Friday, go to the Museum of Modern Art, when the entrance is free after 6pm. Speaking of free, the Met also has free entrance and is blessedly quiet on Saturday nights.

My new favorite place to eat is at the Cafe Sabarsky at the Neue Gallery, a couple of blocks north of the Met.

Bon Voyage!

Thanks Tammy; I'm getting soooo excited and it's still 6 wks away. I've looked at all the websites that everyone's given me and about 100 more. I've figured out the bus from LGA to my hotel; printed out little 1/2 page maps of Manhattan and written down all the stuff that's on that part of the map that I've found, so I can fold it up and refer to it when I'm in a particular area (I'm obsessive/compulsive, if you haven't guessed). I got an 'Explorer' card on sale for a choice of 3 attractions, and there's some neat stuff on it.
Keep all those ideas coming...I really appreciate all the support and information.

I'll throw my 2 cents in. Big Apple Bike Toursis worth checking out. I had a great time on the Brooklyn tour.

Yes, I looked at the various bike tours; but I have no success with bicycles...balance problem...broke a helmet the last time I was on one (so glad it wasn't my head)...so walking's OK and will try bus, subway, etc. So excited!!

Hi, 2gowhere?
I'm so excited for you going to fabulous New York! This is my first post at these forums which I didn't know existed until yesterday. I googled something and was taken to this thread and your inquiry. You inspired me to join. Thanks!

I spent 2 weeks in NYC this year. First time. There’s so much to do and see and many places have been mentioned so far. To become oriented quickly, you might be interested in starting out with a hop on/off bus tour just to get an overview. You'll go all over Manhatten and the tour guides will fill you in well on everything you see. Then you might try Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center to get the best view of Central Park from midtown. You can rent a GPS type system (just before you get on the elevator to go up), and then walk around the two outdoor levels on the top of the building. The voice recordings on the system will tell you what buildings you’re looking at and some history about them. You can view all of Manhattan from here as well as the East and Hudson Rivers, bridges, and the burroughs and New Jersey beyond. Don’t forget your camera. You can never hope to cover everything you want to see in 7 days or 14 for that matter so you might want to keep your list short and organize it to minimize time spent travelling around. The subways are the fastest way to go – a bit confusing but once you get them figured out, you’ll be fine. You can purchase subway passes from dispensers at the stations. There are so many things to love. I really enjoyed the buggy tour of Central Park – bicycle buggies, not horses which can be a bit smelly. The buggy driver was well informed and very entertaining. It was a beautiful day and we ducked into Tavern on the Green for a look, as well as viewed much of the park. Loved the art galleries but you have to limit your selections of areas to view because you could spend your entire vacation in the galleries if you wander aimlessly.

I fell in love with the architecture. If you're into the architecture as I am, check this site. http://www.nyc-architecture.com/SCC/SCC007.htm
Scroll down, and on the left side you'll see suggestions for walking tours.

Free music in the Park? http://www.centralpark.com/ev_details.php?showev=122 Latin, Jazz, World, and Gospel artists. Sunday evenings. Everything Central Park is here: http://www.centralpark.com/

Sorry if this is a bit rambley - I get excited talking NYC. I’m planning to return next year! I heart New York!! Have a great, wonderful, productive time. I hope to hear good stories.

Yay! You are going to have so much fun in NYC! Be safe and take lots of pictures.

Trippin' - welcome to the Boots family!!! Great post for your 1st one - I'm honored!!! Everything you said to see is on my 'short' list...I've tried not to overplan anything, and have received really great info and maps from VISITNYC too. I can't tell you all how excited I'm getting...it's still 4 weeks away and I'm totally giddy. I'm doing totally carryon and have been thru clothes twice...
Oh, camera - I went out and got a 4 GB memory card so I don't have to download till I get home...not planning on taking notebook computer. Will use internet at hotel, or library or wherever for email.
I'm working on a website so I can have a blog and post my pics...something I've meant to do for years...but somehow never got around to it..
Thanks for your support.
Ya'll come back, heah? I'm in the South...

quote:

I'm doing totally carryon

LOL! 'Totally carryon' is not even in my vocabulary. I'm hopeless. LOL

Sounds like you're ready to roll. Have a great time!!

One question I do have...you know the one we all agonize over...SHOES!!!

Since I'm doing totally carryon (this is to discipline myself for future trips)... my plan is 1 pair of shoes + wear 1 pair. Since it'll be August (hot), just sandels - not new, worn comfortably for years and look ok with shorts/split skirt type clothes. Both pairs are leather with straps across the arch and behind the heel. I don't plan on doing 'fancy' stuff since I'm alone; just restaurants, pubs, parks, museums, the 'usual' travel stuff.

Do you think that's OK? Should I take a pair of closed toe shoes? I really don't want to wear sneakers/walking shoes unless there's a legitimate reason to do so.

Here's what I would do. Go with the 2 pair of sandals and ONLY if it becomes absolutely necessary to have closed shoes, buy a pair of something comfy.

You will want good comfortable walking shoes! It's Manhattan! You will be walking until you can't walk any more.

And since you'll be going during a very hot, possibly awfully hot time of year, I INSIST you consider taking one of the Circle Line cruises. It doesn't have to be the one that goes all around the island....that can be a bit much....but they also offer shorter/different variations.

Have fun in the Big Apple!

Well, I believe I'll be comfortable in my sandles for long term walking around; they've been with me for many miles so I'm 'good to go' with them.

Now, the tours...I purchased a New York Explorer Pass for 3 attractions. There's about 15 to choose from, but one I've chosen (you don't have to commit til you actually get to the attraction with your 'swipe' card) is the "All Around Town Tour' It's from CitySights NY. The tour includes Downtown Tour, Night Tour, Brooklyn Tour, Circle Line 75-Minute Harbor Cruise, and Uptown Treasures & Harlem Tour. All that counts as 'one' attraction on this Pass. The other two I've tentatively chosen are Top of the Rock, and Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Museum. How does that sound?

The Pass is normally $69 and I got it on sale for $52.70. When I checked the prices of the individual attractions I might like to see that are on their list it worked out about 33% off on average.

Which, from the looks of menus and such every $ helps...sticker-shock!! I normally use my restaurant $ for lunch. I rarely go out for dinner...gotta be something really special. My hotel includes a breakfast so that's easy; and there's a grocery around the corner in a pinch (you wouldn't believe what I can do with my travel pot-taking it by the way).

I got a great minibook from VisitNYC with maps and attractions and all kinds of stuff; plus so much from the 'net. I've got a folder and spreadsheet all organized with 'A' list stuff; 'B' stuff, and 'if I'm close and feel up to it stuff'.

I've been watching the NYC webcams...what a help that's been. It really helps to see the people, so I feel like I know what to wear. Those webcams are fascinating. I think there's about 12 around NYC. If you haven't seen them go to www.earthcam.com and click on the city you want to see. I've arranged with a friend to be in Times Square at a certain time so she can see me...hasn't seen me in over 20 years (she'll know which one I am) lol.
If anyone thinks of anything at all, please put it on the thread...only 31 days to go!!

Hie there 2gowhere. After your NYC, come to Australia. It's a great country. The top end is so completely different to the rest of Australia and Victoria (my state) is known as "the Garden State".

Alas, many visitors just go to Sydney and/or Queensland, but there are sooo many beautiful places to see all over.

Ever sat in the middle of the desert under the stars and contemplated the Universe? Or just chilled out up the country in mineral springs?

There is so much to see and do in Australia.

Haver a nice day, Whistler.


Travel broadens the mind and flattens the wallet. SMC.

Well, I'm back! It was the absolutely most amazing, fantastic, wonderful...what can I say??? I (heart) NYC!!
I went so many places, even some New Yorkers had never been/heard about some of them. I must learn how to do a blog, so I can keep track of things. Photos!!! Oh, my what pics I got ... I need to learn how to put those in too. What a fabulous trip...you all have no idea how empowering and liberating it was!! I 'thought' I was 'brave'; but now know I know that I'm comfortable with the way I traveled; not to say there aren't places I wouldn't go; but look out world...there's a new trekker in town. The carryon method worked great; actually didn't need a pants set and dress or one pair of sandals. Coulda had a couple more pairs of undies; but washing in basin was ok. Sharing a bathroom with three (yes 3) other rooms was an experience; the night one person stayed in there for 2.5 hours...my bladder sought resourceful relief (no details, use your imagination). Many, if not all, of the places mentioned on this forum I actually went. I must have walked a couple hundred miles - seriously - loved every park, museum, gallery, street vendor, store, etc. Weather was gratefully pleasant - couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks to all of you for your support, suggestions, feedback, and to other pre-solo females: Dream, Plan, Do!!