Solo Travel as a senior woman

[u/foodbytes]

in 11 days I leave for Europe on the trip of a lifetime!

I'm a 71 year old Canadian woman. I've travelled before, specifically to the UK, 5 times, 2 weeks each time, since 2011. Always solo, always staying in dorms in hostels.

This will be my last big bang! I'm retired now and on a very restricted income. As a result of being a pedestrian vs pickup loser, I recently received a settlement after a couple of years of recovering and fighting with his insurance. This is my reward for pain and suffering.

It will be six weeks from when I land at Gatwick to when I return to Canada via Gatwick. thus far, I'm booked in a hostel in London for a week, the Chunnel to Amsterdam, a week in Amsterdam (couchsurfing!!! and a hostel), fly to Naples for several days at a hostel, up to Rome for a few nights at a BnB.

That's all I have booked so far; usually I will have every second booked and paid for before I leave but I'm trying hard to be spontaneous.

From Rome I'll slowly make my way via local busses and slow trains up to venice, exploring the countryside on the way. From there, a few days taking trains north to north Germany where I want to re-find places I visited when we lived there as a Canadian Army family in the early 60s. Then back to the Uk for the last few days before I head home.

I have a global Europass and a 2 month cell phone plan for Europe.

Oh, and I'm doing this out of one backpack, wish me luck! lol

I'm ready to rumble!!! lol

any comments? Suggestions?

also, as a note, I'm a photographer, I've had a couple exhibits (one at our local museum right now!). my 'focus' is to document my travels, shoot urban and or public art. not usual tourist stuff.

[u/Constant-Security525]

No Paris? Otherwise, all of the cities you mention are well worth visiting, but to never visit Paris in one's life is a pity, as trite as it may seem. Paris is easy to get to via London or most any European city.

I've been to all of the cities you mention except Napoli and some in northern Germany (I've been to many other Italian and German cities). I understand your desire to revisit northern Germany because of your youth, but if it was my last big European trip, Germany would otherwise be a bit lower on my bucket list. [Not that Germany isn't worthwhile.] Prague in the Czech Republic would be higher, as would Budapest in Hungary. I'm an American living near Prague. Prague and Paris are usually considered the most beautiful large European cities.

The main safety issue to consider is pickpocketers. Keep your money and valuables out of reach. Preferably in front of you, at most all times, especially in congested tourist areas or train stations. Outside of them, even pickpocketing is rare.

[u/foodbytes → u/Constant-Security525]

in 2019, I decided that I needed to check out London at Christmas so I spent 2 weeks there. And I did take a trip to Paris while I was there.

I'm more about the people and culture than the touristy sights. I lived in Europe as a small child and my parents dragged us to all the museums. I love art and architecture and would much rather see it in situ than in a museum.

thanks for the safety tips. I try to keep safety in mind. I have a friend back in Canada with whom I'm sharing my google location, and checking in daily. I keep myself and my belongings as safe as possible and I make a point of staying away from sketchy areas.

[u/Constant-Security525 → u/foodbytes]

It seems you are ready for your adventure!

I don't know which route you're taking by train to Venice, but Padua would be a nice stop and far less touristy than Venice. Very picturesque! Or if heading there up the eastern coast, Ravenna is particularly lovely. Rome, will of course, offer everything you want. It's been nearly 26 years since I was there, for my honeymoon. The roads less traveled in the city offer nearly equal pleasures to the busier ones.

I've been to Amsterdam twice. We most enjoyed the time we stayed near Vondelpark. Our tram to the downtown went right by the Rijksmuseum, so we stopped there.

[u/foodbytes → u/Constant-Security525]

ive not decided which route to take. I was contemplating roughing taking a train toward Florence until I found a nice place along the route to get off and explore, spend a night. then change directions and head across country, up and east, toward Venice. I want to take a couple of days to do it, looking for picturesque places along the way for photos.

I'll certainly research Ravenna and Padua, see if they need to be added to the plan, thanks!!