i've read so much about how great it is meeting other travelers in hostels and how much fun you can have, etc. however, i'm heading out to italy alone and not staying in hostels...i'm a tad shy but intent on pushing myself to meet as many people as i can on my trip.
i'm super excited to go about this solo, but i can be kinda boring sometimes and i know i'll need a break from myself! plus its all about the experience!
so am i doomed for not hosteling it up with everyone else?!

Why not hostels? It is a lot harder cos I meet most people in hostels in the common room.

Foo

:cheers:

why no hostels....
hmmmm....well, let's just say those were the terms and conditions of my trip. i hate the way that sounds but its the truth.
i'm so stoked to be going, i won't argue any point...just comes with the territory i guess!


:lookaround:

Running into someone who can speak English in a country where everyone else doesn't, it's amazing how quickly you'll make friends. Hotels still have common rooms your just likely to met an older crowd, you could always find a Hostel with a bar and go for a visit.

I would definitly recommend finding local hostels close by with bars that you can hang out at cause that is a sure way to meet people. Also, keep your eye out for flyers advertising different bar crawls that are in the area cause you'll def meet people that way as well.

I've traveled alone, in and out of hostels, and have never, ever had trouble meeting people. And I'm a shy person who has a hard time breaking the ice.... just go for it!

I reckon organised pub crawls would be the way to go :thumbup:

Yeah, forgot about those (wonder why) well worth it.

train trips are another good way to meet other travellers... and you end up meeting lots of different types of people, not just young poor backpackers

if you are looking to travel alone, but with others the best way i have found is group travel!

I'm curious as to the "terms and conditions" of your trip but nonetheless, plenty of us, self included have done the solo thing. AS MeTurk said, running into someone that speaks your language in a foreign country is the ultimate icebreaker...

Definitely easiest in hostels, but you will meet people everywhere. I have been pulled off the street into a bar because someone heard me speaking english. Walking tours are also a great way to learn about a city and meet people.

hostels are probably the easiest way to meet people but from what you've said in your post I guess you're not too keen on them...

There are bound to be day trips and tours you can go on which will be full of people from all over so thats probably your best bet!

Hostels can freak out newbies but what I would suggest is looking for hostels that double ensuite accommodations so that you can get the Hostel atmosphere but retreat to a private room. I love hostels but after a long stretch of them you want to not share the room with 9 people.

--Joey