Where would you recommend a young, solo traveler to go on their first internatio

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   ienjoythisposted 11 years ago

   Where would you recommend a young, solo traveler to go on their first international trip?
   
   This would be their first time out of the country.
   
   

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   billybucposted 11 years ago

   I am all for experiencing life, and I have always recommended to my students that they leave the cocoon and find out what the world looks like, but in today's hostile political climate I would not recommend solo travel for anyone.
   
   You are just full of interesting questions today.

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      ienjoythisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have often read that solo travelers are actually safer than a pair. You have less attention on you. But, I think it depends on a variety of factors. And locations. I'd stick out like a sore thumb in many countries...

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   Tricia1000posted 11 years ago

   I travelled solo for many years without any problems to many countries, mostly European but also Russia and Turkey. I would recommend any European country as a start. I always ended up making friends but at times preferred to be alone. It will be up to you to make the most of your experience.

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      ienjoythisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Seems like everyone is leaning towards Europe!

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   Amber Vynposted 11 years ago

   I agree with Tricia, but billybuc isn't wrong. Europe is the 'kiddie pool' of travel. Definitely go there for a first overseas trip. It's a great way to build travel skills and not be so overwhelmed with the logistical aspects of getting around that it's difficult to have a good time. 
   
   Women are perfectly safe traveling alone but need to be more cautious. Remember the cardinal rule: Never underestimate how painfully obvious it is that you are a tourist. Take reasonable precautions - and then focus on having an amazing experience abroad!

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      ienjoythisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, Amber! Really great advice. I'd really like to go to Europe.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   England or France. Both countries are drastically different, but they are very interesting locations. Plenty of history, tons to see, very educational, etc.

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      ienjoythisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks!! Great advice

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   theluckywriterposted 11 years ago

   How old is your young person? I'm going to assume very young (18-20), and I'm going to assume that they speak English, so I'd probably suggest an English-speaking country. England, Wales and Scotland have a pretty well-established backpacker infrastructure - with hostels in every city, your young person would have lots of opportunities to meet other people. There are also several hop-on-hop-off backpacker buses which act as both tours and transportation, so your young person could use one of those to travel independently with support.
   
   My first independent trip as a young person was Eastern and Southern Africa, but I wasn't alone. I was travelling with a female friend. My first solo trip was to Scotland - and it wasn't in the least bit difficult or daunting!

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   tsmogposted 11 years ago

   Hello ienjoythis. I really do not know. I tend to lean with theluckywriter. The experience I have is mainly with friends who children traveled the last 5 years or so. Sadly the countries they shared they liked the most are in economic and political upheaval (for a word) today like Turkey, Greece, and neighboring countries.
   
   Personally I would like to see the areas for the writing's of Homer like Crete and Greece. Next, would be Scandinavian countries with the Poetic Edda in mind. Finally, would be the UK leaning more toward Scotland and northern England. Again, literature being a theme of sorts.
   
   I would like to share first a thought that came to mind is all half dozen or more I am thinking of cell or smart phones stolen. All of them. That to me is scary. Scary to the point of I speculate any physical harm is of doubt most likely. Yet, what is on those cell and smart phones? Ponder . . . There is personal, family, and some cases school stuff on those. Maybe a temporary one for the trip? 
   
   Having viewed your growing hub portfolio, I tend to think the traveler is close to home as a metaphor. My words are only words. If the heart is with altruistic endeavors then I say ponder. If seeking what Mark Twain recommends with his writing from Innocents Abroad,
   
   “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”
   
   and,
   
   “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
   
   ~ Mark Twain
   
   Well, ponder purpose with purposeful, next and always - who, where, when, what, why, how, and how much of stuff (Authoring this and that?), and consider opportunity with opportune . . .
   
   . . . which experience shares may arrive 10 - 20 years later as a professor of a large University, at small community college, or a mom, aunt, best friend & etc sharing stories of great adventures with little ones with wide eyes reliving the adventure with you, or even sitting at a desk writing a hub . . .
   
   seeking the learning the experience of See and/or Hear, Do & then Teach
   
   tim

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   arksysposted 11 years ago

   a country with the same native language as yours ... something to get you warmed up.

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      ienjoythisposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Sound advice! Thank you

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   DDEposted 11 years ago

   I would recommend Europe  there so many beautiful and peaceful places, and is one of the best travels in the world, so much to learn from with such rich history.

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