teenage girl, 2 months in Europe alone!

[butterj]

Im sure you will have a great trip, i know im just repeating everyone else but you wil meet so many people, on hte rape issue i would not worry obviously take the same precautions as at home not walking around bad areas at night.

the only thing i would say is be carefull about accepting drinks from strangers, i have never heard this being a problem amongst travalers, but date rape drugs do exsist over here and i have heard of locals using it on travalers if you don't see it being opened and no chance of it having somthing in don't drink it. you will be able to play it by ear it is very unlikely but beware.

[Ambs]

All of you are gonna have so much fun! i'm 20 and i'm planning to go next May to August 2006 by myself.

[losttravlr13]

Hey all....
Im a girl and I usually travel alone but end up meeting tons of people so Im never alone for very long! Anyways, my advice for a girl traveling solo as far as safety would be to use your common sense. Like dont walk around sketchy streets alone late at night..... If you can meet up with others and go out together, great, anyways I wouldnt wanna go out by myself..... My parents have the same concerns but I tell them that I could just as easily get into trouble here in Seattle. Ive met tons of girls traveling alone too, and in riskier places than western europe. So just avoid putting yourself in a bad situation and youll be fine.
Good luck!

[tumblezweedz]

It's too bad that your parents are concerned about Eastern Europe, because it's probably at least as safe if not more so than western, if you follow the standard common sense rules that apply in Portland, Paris or Prague. But definitely, don't risk the relationship doing something they expressly don't want you to do...when you come back from this trip, show them how mature, confident and capable you are AND how you can be trusted, it'll be easier to go back next year with, "Well, this year I want to go to eastern Europe..." and they'll realize you can handle it.

I did my solo trip when I was 22/23, and believe me, two days in A'dam was a heck of a lot more dangerous than travelling solo to and from the Soviet Union!

But you've got plenty to keep you busy on your list already, so there's no need to try to throw anymore in there...I definitely agree about getting some relaxation in along the way - otherwise you can totally burn out and lose track of which city was which! Since you're planning on spending some time in Switzerland, you might consider a "countryside" break in neighbouring Liechtenstein, just for something different. Pretty little country with not a ton to see, so you don't feel compelled to go go go, but you can just relax and take rambling walks in the woods, check out the castle, etc.

I think that was the only place in 3 months that I didn't meet any other travellers, but the upside was, I met a ton of locals...

[marhaban]

I'm an 18 year old girl traveling alone this summer, too, but for a lot less time. I think my parents are ok with it. See, I'm going to Spain and Egypt with a group, and I just decided to fly in and out of Paris and leave myself a few days to get there slowly. I didn't really ask them about the extra 5 days or so, I just bought the ticket. Anyway, I'm relieved that so many people like me are also travelling alone (and in a much more hardcore way), that should ease my parent's shock a bit. If anyone has any hostel recommendations for Barcelona or Paris, that's where I plan to be. Happy travels, y'all.

[Mellon]

RE: Eastern Europe et all...

It's actually turning out not to be that bad. I know I sounded like a goody two shoes, but really I'm not... it's just that my parents actually are very reasonable people. I'm allowed to go to Prague now, and I probably will despite the fact that it will cost extra (not included in Eurail). I can go almost anywhere as long as I meet people who I "trust". They're fine with me going to Rome and southern Italy as long as I meet people in hostels (or wherever) who are going too. Plus, if I can find CREDIBLE sources that say that an area is safe, then I can go there, too.

But really, I think that Italy (even northern, though I'm certainly hoping to go to Rome), Austria, Prague, Switzerland, Germany, France, London, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and the rest of Scandinavia will be more than enough to keep me occupied for 2 months.

[tumblezweedz]

I guess T-Punk doesn't count as a CREDIBLE source, eh? That's too bad, because many of us are actually pretty responsible, experienced adults! Good luck and have a great time.

[space virgin]

Originally posted by Mellon@Jun 28 2005, 08:47 PM
Plus, if I can find CREDIBLE sources that say that an area is safe, then I can go there, too.-

First of all, what is their definition of "safe"? A city in which there is no chance of getting hurt or do they just want to make sure you're not walking into a war zone?

Big cities are big cities-- they all have the same risks. I'm not sure what a "credible" source would be. Opinions and experiences vary widely. Some people would say they felt perfectly safe walking down the main street of the "ghetto" in Seattle at 2am smoking a joint with dollar bills taped to their body, other people would say they felt unsafe trapped in a convent in Chicago (if such a thing existed).

I know it's just your parents being concerned about you but statistically it's FAAAAAR more likely that you'd get into "trouble" in your hometown than while abroad. Unless you're traveling into an aforementioned war zone.

[uninspired]

My parents have vetoed all the same places. I'll probably go anyway.

Just keep aware of the fact that although a European city is most likely no more (and probably less, actually) dangerous than an American city, you might not speak the language or know where is or isn't a good place to be. Have a contingency plan if things turn bad fast (know local police numbers, always know how to get back to the hostel, carry a map, learn to yell and scream in 40 languages), but try not to get to that point at all--go places with people if you're not certain it'll be safe and get the hell out if the situation isn't right. Just use common sense, obviously.

Hope you have a great time over there!