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Raileurope.com: See Europe by train
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Old 01-20-2008, 06:34 PM   #1
Darling Rogue
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Default Females Travelling Alone

Hi. First post.

Does anyone have suggestions for females backpacking europe alone?
Any information is much appreciated. Thanks.
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Old 01-20-2008, 08:07 PM   #2
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travel with an open mind and open eyes! I'm neither female nor have I been to europe so that's all the advice I can give ya!
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Old 01-20-2008, 09:16 PM   #3
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Don't really strss out about it. It's not that big of a deal. Just take the same precautions that you would at home; i.e. don't go walking down creepy alleyways at night, try and go out with people you meet, watch your drinks at bars, etc. I did some stupid stuff, like walking down a highway in Prague at 2 am, but I was fine. I also had a cell phone that I could call home whenever I needed to, and I always told my mom where I was, I dunno, kind of like a precaution in case I went missing, then she would now exactly where I was last and everything.
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Old 01-21-2008, 11:04 AM   #4
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I've done it before and had a great time! If you are weary of being alone, plan the first few cities and hostels and then you will meet some new people and sometimes travel with them, or just get some new ideas on the next place to go! I always met and stayed with some locals, but make sure if you get a sketchy feel from them, they are probably sketchy, thank them for the offer, and meet someone new. Good luck, and more questions or worries, you are in good company here to ask!
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Old 01-21-2008, 11:20 AM   #5
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Dig around in these boards, there are several posts on this very topic.

I've both traveled in Europe as a single female and currently live in Europe and it's really no more dangerous (probably less so) to be a woman here than it is anywhere else (well, war zones excepted.) Anyway, take the same precautions you would in your home town - being alone, drunk, at night, flashing jewelry or money around is pretty stupid. Women traveling alone tend to meet a lot of people (both male and female), use your common sense about who you choose to spend your time with, where you go, and what you do. In my experience, in western Europe I pretty well always had the option of doing stuff on my own or with people I met - in eastern Europe at that time, there weren't many travelers, so I was more on my own there, although still managed to meet people along the way.

Confidence is a big factor in how you experience a place. If you walk around looking like you know where you're going people will tend to pick up on that confidence and leave you alone. Even when you're not confident at all, practice your acting skills and pretend.

Most hostels have both women only and co-ed rooms, so consider which would be more comfortable for you when you're making your bookings.

In some countries you might attract attention (wanted or not) - if it's unwanted, just ignore it and keep going, much as you would at home. Europe is different, in many ways, but it's very much the same, in many others.

Most of all, plan to do things that interest you, and you're sure to have a great time.

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Old 01-21-2008, 01:13 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darling Rogue View Post
Hi. First post.

Does anyone have suggestions for females backpacking europe alone?
Any information is much appreciated. Thanks.
In Europe you should be fine. If you wind up in a situation getting hassled by shady looking guys, it's better to make a big deal about it. Never underestimate a woman's power to embarass men.
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FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
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Old 01-21-2008, 02:15 PM   #7
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Thanks for the suggestions.
I'm pretty jacked about this trip I hope I can make everything work.
I still have to figure EVERYTHING out, so I'm sure I will be asking a ton more questions.

Thanks again, this site has been more helpful than any other I've visited
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Old 01-21-2008, 04:22 PM   #8
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Yup... nothing beats human interaction and good o'l fashioned advice =)

You're lucky... if this is your first trip, you only go on it once (although the 2nd, 3rd, 4th...etc trips are also awesome) but the first one is sorta special. :D

Congrats on having the guts to go on the trip! Remember the age old travel tip: pack half the clothes and double the money
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Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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Old 01-21-2008, 04:50 PM   #9
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My only "suggestion" is HAVE FUn! Did it by myself 2 years ago. it's VERY SAFE!! Don't worry.
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Old 01-21-2008, 06:45 PM   #10
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Yeah Im not terribly worried about safety and all, now the task will be to convince my mom that her innocent 18 year baby will be okay on her own :]


oh ya... and make a few tho in a few months..

ebay here I come.
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Old 01-22-2008, 07:07 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darling Rogue View Post
now the task will be to convince my mom that her innocent 18 year baby will be okay on her own
Hate to tell you this, Mom´s NEVER think that their "little girl" is ever OK on her own. My mom just made a big fuss over me coming to Costa Rica on my own...I´m 45!
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Old 01-22-2008, 09:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canadian Bacon View Post
You're lucky... if this is your first trip, you only go on it once (although the 2nd, 3rd, 4th...etc trips are also awesome) but the first one is sorta special. :D

Congrats on having the guts to go on the trip! Remember the age old travel tip: pack half the clothes and double the money
Yeah, I remember my first trip . . . mine was a bit different because it was for work, but landing in Germany and experiencing the people was amazing. Everything different, in some way, a great feeling. Oh man, now I'm really feenin' for living in Germany again.

And yeah, most Americans wouldn't even imagine thinking about leaving the country, so it really is something.
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Old 01-25-2008, 12:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Darling Rogue View Post
Yeah Im not terribly worried about safety and all, now the task will be to convince my mom that her innocent 18 year baby will be okay on her own :]

For this difficult topic... refer to the "worried parents and how to deal with them" thread

http://travelpunk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=13812

Boil it down: basically humor their concerns (even if you feel they are irrational) and make some compromises
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Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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Old 01-25-2008, 04:23 PM   #14
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I agree with everything that's been said! And I've traveled in a lot of places where chauvinism is more obvious and tolerated than in Europe (minus Italy) where it's definitely there, but less clearly appalling.

Just practice your "badass" face. If you ever have to go anywhere alone or in a dark place, set your jaw, clear emotion off your face, look straight ahead and DON'T look at people if you feel eyes on you unless you are 100% comfortable. There are plenty of interesting sites to see without looking at men trying to intimidate you by glaring. A self defense course or two might be helpful, just to boost your confidence.
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Old 01-28-2008, 06:11 AM   #15
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Tamara nailed it. The phrase "walk with purpose" should be drilled in your mind. I do that as a single guy in Europe. If you are aimlessly wandering it is easier to approach you. It reminds me of an anecdote

Two guys are in the woods and they spot a baby bear. One says "Oh look, there must be a mama bear nearby we better go" No sooner does he say that but does a very protective mom approach and they both start running like mad. One says to the other, we can't out run this bear for much longer!

The other replies "I don't need to outrun the bear I just need to out run you!". Same goes for petty thievery which is rampant in Europe compared to the states. If you are not the easiest target, you will be plan B.

And for the most part, Europe is a lot safer than the US. Always ask in a new city what areas you should avoid and you'll be fine

Enjoy the trip because as Jason said, this is a unique experience. My first trip to Europe changed my life. My 2nd trip less, my third more, my 4th less, and my 5th has yet to be determined.

--Joey
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