My husband doesn’t want to travel at all. No interest or desire. So I’ve decided to take a solo trip this summer, aiming for late April or May.
Thinking about these places:
Netherlands, Belgium, or France
Egypt or Jordan
London, Scotland, or Ireland
Which one is safe for solo travel? I have two weeks and would love to hear what made you choose your destination and how you felt about your trip!
P.S. I live in the US
Netherlands, Belgium and France - Lots of languages and cultures, but they are all Western and pretty safe.
London, Scotland, and Ireland - No language barrier so it would be more comfortable. If this is your first big solo trip, this could be a great choice.
Egypt and Jordan - Personally, I wouldn’t go to Egypt as a solo woman. You might be fine, but there could be harassment, and you might face a tough situation if things went wrong. I found Jordan to have a very welcoming culture, but that was before the recent conflicts involving Israel and the US President, which could have changed how Americans are perceived.
@Cael
Haha, in the Netherlands and Belgium, they’ll speak English better than most.
Ashwin said:
@Cael
Haha, in the Netherlands and Belgium, they’ll speak English better than most.
You’ll understand them better than the Scottish!
@Cael
Exactly, I agree.
@Cael
Egypt and Jordan might be fine if you’re very experienced with travel.
Choose the UK or EU (West) if you haven’t traveled much before.
As a female traveler, I wouldn’t choose Egypt or Jordan. Even as a man, I’m unsure if I would go there myself.
Shan said:
As a female traveler, I wouldn’t choose Egypt or Jordan. Even as a man, I’m unsure if I would go there myself.
Solo female traveler here too, and I say Jordan is okay 
Shan said:
As a female traveler, I wouldn’t choose Egypt or Jordan. Even as a man, I’m unsure if I would go there myself.
Solo female traveler here too, and I say Jordan is okay
I agree. Jordan is fine, but I wouldn’t travel alone to Egypt.
Shan said:
As a female traveler, I wouldn’t choose Egypt or Jordan. Even as a man, I’m unsure if I would go there myself.
I’m thinking about going with a tour group. I’ve traveled a lot alone, but I have some concerns about that area as a single woman.
Shan said:
As a female traveler, I wouldn’t choose Egypt or Jordan. Even as a man, I’m unsure if I would go there myself.
I’ve been solo to Egypt and it was fine, but you need to be smart about it - I wouldn’t suggest it for your first trip.
@Rio
This should be a warning for many destinations. Most places are fine for solo travelers (even women), but maybe not for the first time.
Crosby said:
@Rio
This should be a warning for many destinations. Most places are fine for solo travelers (even women), but maybe not for the first time.
I’ve acted as a ‘body guard’ for solo male travelers who couldn’t handle the attention in some areas. I actually felt safer as a solo female in Peru back in the 90s due to the attention men drew from the police.
Travel to Europe and stay for a new husband.
Chris said:
Travel to Europe and stay for a new husband.
I’d love to see the responses to this if you swapped the genders in your comment.
Chris said:
Travel to Europe and stay for a new husband.
I’d love to see the responses to this if you swapped the genders in your comment.
Sincerely, her husband in America.
For your first solo trip, I suggest Greece. Spend two weeks starting in Athens and then fly to islands like Crete and Rhodes. You’ll thank me later! It’s great that you’re going and not letting someone hold you back from your dreams! May to June is better in Greece.
@Finley
I also did a solo trip to Crete, and it was my favorite spot in Greece.
@Finley
Just a heads up, there have been earthquakes around Santorini.
Vance said:
@Finley
Just a heads up, there have been earthquakes around Santorini.
That’s why I didn’t mention Santorini, coming from a real Greek! It will be the trip of a lifetime, and I’ll keep going back! Great food, beaches, and very safe for solo women.