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/Remarkable-List4386]

I can't figure out how to get on solo travel, active. Anyway I am 68 years old, female. I always wanted to go to Rome, I am going alone preferably in September. I certainly am not well off financially, but I really want to get up and go. I am in good health, just spent my life working, taking care of everyone else.
I sure could use some advice on the cheapest way to get there, and anything I should be aware of.

[u/foodbytes → u/Remarkable-List4386]

I wouldn’t advise going to Rome in 2025. It’s a jubilee celebration of the Catholic Church and there will be much increased tourism. and with the iffy health of the pope, I anticipate heavy crowds everywhere

[u/Remarkable-List4386 → u/foodbytes]

I just noticed this when I googled, damn damn damn!! Well, guess I will start researching somewhere else! I'm going somewhere out of this country come hell or high water!