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05-04-2005, 06:00 PM
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#1
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Hey everyone!
I'm Mel, 18 years old, going on a solo trip through Europe for the first time! I've only ever gone with my family before. I'm thinking of mostly hitting major cities, but a few nice countrysides to relax. My parents are hesitent about the trip, so I have some annoying rules: No southern Italy (but Venice area, Cinque Terre is fine), no Spain, no Portugal, and no Eastern Europe (Austria is fine though).
I'm just generally looking for advice for a first-time traveller. Where are places I really shouldn't miss? I'm definitely staying in hostels, but a bit scared I won't meet anyone-- is there any chance of that happening to a slightly reserved but generally friendly young woman? Plus anything else you have to say.
Well, TTFN I guess!
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05-04-2005, 06:09 PM
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#2
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Welcome to the boards!! Im going on my first trip at 18 this summer as well! 
The more you tell us, like when your leaving, the more we can help.
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a bit scared I won't meet anyone
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Are you kidding?? You're going to meet SO many people. Every person who goes backpacking goes knowing that meeting people is half the fun. So anyone you talk to will be wanting to meet new people just like you are. Even if you are alittle reserved you will meet tons and tons of people and maybe at the end of the trip you might even be very outgoing...
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05-04-2005, 06:37 PM
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#3
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Hey Mel!
I am also taking my first solo trip. I am 27 and also a female. I have wanted to do this forever and figure it is now or never. You are very brave and i admire you. I am sure you will have an amazing time. I hear women travel alone all the time. And having a backpack is like a reg flag for other backpackers. You can seek them out. Also, staying in hostels is perfect. You will meet people that also want to meet up. WHen do you leave? I leave in 10 days. Woah!
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05-04-2005, 06:53 PM
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#4
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Welcome to the boards!! 
You are going to have so much fun on your trip. And im hoping just like you that travelling alone turns out to be a blast. How come your family doesn't want you to go to southern Italy? or spain and stuff? 
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05-04-2005, 11:59 PM
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#5
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Welcome!
You'll have no problem meeting people, and you have nothing to be scared of. The limits your parents are putting on you are some of the best places, but don't worry, there is so much to see just about any where!
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05-05-2005, 10:00 AM
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#6
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Dont miss Prague.
Prague Rules
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05-05-2005, 11:35 AM
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#7
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Welcome to the boards!
I'm sure you wil be fine. Do some planning and research in advance and it will pay of for you. Honestly, I believe that no matter where you go in Europe you will have an amazing time. Meeting people should not be hard if you decide to stay in hostels. Traveling on the train between different countries is also a good place to meet people. A simple deck of cards or a joke can easily start a conversation. Keep in mind that a lot of people backpacking are in the same situation as you - they want to meet other travelers too!
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05-05-2005, 12:28 PM
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#8
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welcome to the boards but yeah im a little intrigued about the whole eastern europe thing must be something to do with illegal prostitution i guess but congratulations on making the decision to get out into the real world
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05-05-2005, 03:43 PM
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#9
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Just wondering, what do your parents have against those places you can't go to?
and how old are you?
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05-05-2005, 03:52 PM
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#10
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yeah I was wondering that at as well. and what you parents don't know.... 
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05-05-2005, 04:37 PM
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#11
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Quote:
Originally posted by Ryder@May 5 2005, 06:42 PM
and how old are you?
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she's 18 (maybe you should start reading entire posts soon Ryder )
as for the reason for the restriction, I may be wrong but I have a feeling this is because the men there are *supposed* to be slightly more ......sexually advantageous towards women & domineering (Or at least thats what Im sure your parents think). Speaking as a girl your age who is also travelling to Europe for the summer alone, I know how freaky the parents can get  i think it just clicked in to my mom a few days ago what I was doing when my passport came in the mail. She's like: "you know honey, it wouldn't be too late to back out now. Im not really sure how comfortable I am of you doing this...." etcetc even though I already have my tickets & Eurail pass. Oh man.......
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05-05-2005, 05:54 PM
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#12
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Ha, thanks everyone for the reassurance! 
Yeah, I think the reason my dad is restricting places is because he's worried about the rape issue. At first I really didn't want to push him-- them agreeing to let me go alone was good enough! None of my friends are allowed. However, I just talked to him, and he basically said that it's flexible. If I call him, say that I've met some cool people who I trust, and that I'm going to Rome with *them*, then chances are he'll let me. I bet the same goes for Prague (except-- not covered in Eurail!! And I'm paying for this trip, so I'm trying to budget budget budget). So, if I meet people and go with THEM, then I can do much more than alone.
Er, I don't want to go places and lie to my parents about it. We have a great trust-relationship. Sorry to be goody-two-shoes, but I'd hate to break that. ( Don't get me wrong here-- most of what I'll do in Europe they're OK with. Including, like, what I'll do in Amsterdam. Hint hint nudge nudge. + going to bars and everything. S'long as I'm smart and safe about it.)
The problem is-- I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'M GOING!!! Grr. This is because I'm a sophomore at college, but I'm transferring somewhere else. I've heard from 5 places, waiting on 4 more. Depending on where I end up going, I may go from mid June to mid August, or (please please please) mid July to mid September. I won't know for another couple of weeks yet!! 
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05-05-2005, 06:17 PM
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#13
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Oh, btw, places I definitely want to hit though are: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Bruges/Brussels, Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Salzburg, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre & the French Riveria (because I bet by then I'll want to RELAX!), Geneva, and other local places... I'll probably hang out a while in the big cities, but do cool day-trips to nearby cities and countrysides.
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05-05-2005, 10:14 PM
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#14
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You are waiting that long to buy your ticket!?? You are a brave soul! As far as restrictions on where you are going, I am sure that you will meet people that you will feel comfortable traveling with. Who knows, maybe you can come to Rome with me!! 
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05-06-2005, 03:11 AM
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#15
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Quote:
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most of what I'll do in Europe they're OK with. Including, like, what I'll do in Amsterdam. Hint hint nudge nudge.
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Well if their ok with you going to prostitutes then I can't see how they'll have a problem with anything that goes on in eastern europe.
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05-06-2005, 06:32 AM
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#16
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I'm a woman. I'm not even sure if I can use prostitutes. Further, I don't even want to-- I'm pretty sure I'm straight (err..) and even if I weren't, it's always been pretty easy to find THAT!!
I meant pot.
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05-13-2005, 08:22 AM
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#17
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Hi Mel and all, 
I think you can takecare your self but you should know ,where to go and when to leave .Stay at the place that safe and talk to someone who you can trust. If you do all this. You should be fine.
Please enjoy your trip and have fun.
Polsart
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05-13-2005, 12:07 PM
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#18
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mellon@May 6 2005, 06:31 AM
I'm a woman.* I'm not even sure if I can use prostitutes.
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those girls are up for anything
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05-13-2005, 01:39 PM
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#19
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Switzerland is definately cool (and better exchange rate for the franc). I would suggest Bern or Lucerne in addition or in place of Geneva.
foofiter
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05-14-2005, 12:26 PM
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#20
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I know that in general Geneva is considered not an interesting place to go, but I really want to become a UN Human Rights Officer someday, and the UN Secretariat is based in Geneva, so after 5 years on a field location (probably either in northern Africa or Indonesia) then I would probably move to Geneva. So, since I'm planning on living there someday, and working at the UN, I want to go to Geneva to see what it's like, get a feel for whether or not I'd like to live there, tour the UN if possible... etc.
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