Solo International Travel Ideas...

[theflashunc]

Copenhagen.

Lots to see, easy travel to other parts of northern Europe, great food.

[Jonathan]

I think I've boiled it down to either Paris or Rome. I'm wondering if flying into Amsterdam for a few days and then Paris would make sense. Flights can be cheap from Orlando.

[Todd Amunrud]

I’d add Iceland onto the list, lots to do in 9 days, cheaps flights, and friendly communities.

[guido]

I vote Paris. The best walking, eating, watching, listening city in the world!

[Jonathan]

I’d add Iceland onto the list, lots to do in 9 days, cheaps flights, and friendly communities.

I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Paris. Iceland Air does no cost multi day layovers in Iceland which could be cool or I'll fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days before Paris.

[sonicw]

Earlier this year I did a solo 8 days in south/central Europe. Flew into Munich (found a cheap-ish flight on the GTFO app), there for 3 days, then 1 day in Salzburg, 1 day in Venice, and 2 days in Bologna, taking the train in between before heading back to Munich. It certainly wasn't an exhaustive trip but I felt I got enough time to get a dose of each city, and if I were to return I'd know enough about where else at each place to check out. I AirBnB'd a few spots and also did some hosteling-- a good split so you don't tire of fellow travelers. This kind of backpack-y trip (esp. the planning, transportation, and lodging; not the locale) I think is best done solo--would have been quite hectic with a companion!

[jerk]

I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Paris. Iceland Air does no cost multi day layovers in Iceland which could be cool or I'll fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days before Paris.

Paris is pretty much perfect.

[joosttx]

I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Paris. Iceland Air does no cost multi day layovers in Iceland which could be cool or I'll fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days before Paris.

I lived for a year in and around Amsterdam during my PhD. Its an absoutely great city just to be by yourself.... or with a 5'2 lying tranny with a red fur bicycle and a bottle of absinthe (not from personal experience) .

[j44ke]

if I just wanted an awesome relaxing time, I'd rent an apartment in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the north side of Tenerife and try out for what I hope the rest of my life is like once I can figure it out.

I'd second (or third) this idea, except that I would stay in Garachico instead of SCdT. The latter is a bigger and noisier. Garachico is an historic town that got half wiped by a lava flow in the 1700's, ruining its deep water port and keeping it small for the rest of its history. There are quite a few rental spots and a really great hotel made from an old convent in the town square. And the town square is exactly how it should be. Plus you can go down to the ocean and soak in the pools cut out of the lava rock and commune with the fishes. The north side of Tenerife is like a different planet compared to the south. Sardines and salt encrusted boiled potatoes for dinner.

Garachico, the prettiest and unluckiest town on Tenerife

Off the Beaten Track visitors' guide to Garachico, Tenerife

Garachico - Wikipedia

[Tristan]

New Zealand is a great place to visit but getting here from the east of the US or Canada will be a long and relatively expensive journey but travelling from the West Coast is easy: Hop on an evening flight from LA, San Fran, or Vancouver, watch a movie, and wake up in hobbit-land with only 3 hours of time-zone difference. Remember the seasons are reversed so we're enjoying summer right now.

[fastupslowdown]

i went to new zealand 18 years ago. i had an awesome time but given how far one must travel, suggest you want to spend at least 10 days to make it worthwhile. i biked the south island and took a few days off for kayaking, climbing glaciers and chickening out of bungee jumping

but from a pure cycling perspective i'd prefer some some closer places, some of which i listed earlier-mike g

[dogrange]

I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Paris. Iceland Air does no cost multi day layovers in Iceland which could be cool or I'll fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days before Paris.

Amsterdam is fantastic. Great walking city. Worth the stopover.

[davids]

I think I've boiled it down to either Paris or Rome. I'm wondering if flying into Amsterdam for a few days and then Paris would make sense. Flights can be cheap from Orlando.

This sounds great. Concentrate on Paris. I spent about seven days there and finished scratching the surface.

[72gmc]

Share details if you do the Iceland Air stopover. I flew IA to Munich and the time I spent switching planes, and gaping out the window at low altitude, was not enough. I want to go back for real.

[Scott G.]

I'm pretty sure I'm headed to Paris. Iceland Air does no cost multi day layovers in Iceland which could be cool or I'll fly into Amsterdam and spend a few days before Paris.

WOW Airlines also does the Iceland layover, and remember rent the Hilux mit snorkel.

[ZenNMotion]

Save Europe which is fun pleasant and easy, for when you're too old for Nepal, Peru or the African Rift Valley, any of which will blow your mind if you have the legs to get there. IMHO. You can set up a trek around Jomson or Kumbu, Machu Picchu, or a Safari in Kenya/Tanzania in 9 days if you do some pre-planning. Life is too short to hold off too long on bucket list travel. And if you insist on Europe, then my choice would be hiking the Lauterbrunnen area of Switzerland, maybe a day or two of spring skiing while you're there. Paris is fun, but stretch your horizons. Whatever you do, don't try to do too many places in 9 short days, you'll waste too much time in transit. Again, IMHO...

[ZenNMotion]

Save Europe which is fun pleasant and easy, for when you're too old for Nepal, Peru or the African Rift Valley, any of which will blow your mind if you have the legs to get there. IMHO. You can set up a trek around Jomson or Kumbu, Machu Picchu, or a Safari in Kenya/Tanzania in 9 days if you do some pre-planning. Life is too short to hold off too long on bucket list travel. And if you insist on Europe, then my choice would be hiking the Lauterbrunnen area of Switzerland, maybe a day or two of spring skiing while you're there. Paris is fun, but stretch your horizons. Whatever you do, don't try to do too many places in 9 short days, you'll waste too much time in transit. Again, IMHO...

PS. Just noticed this is solo travel. Underline all the above- European cities are not nearly as much fun solo- Trekking somewhere "exotic" is better solo, you go at your own pace, more likely to mix with the locals and really see things. I don't like yabbering away with a friend or even a spouse on an adventure day- just me at my own pace, my thoughts and maybe a camera (but the camera in moderation, see through your eyes and not a lens)

[Jonathan]

This trip has morphed into me and my oldest kid. I think we are still set on Paris.

[Mabouya]

How adventurous are you? For something a bit different, try Haiti. (I was born there and my parents still live there)

Citadelle Laferriere - Wikipedia

Sans-Souci Palace - Wikipedia