First-time jitters

Angie, tell your family that Europe has millions of 18-year olds who never come to any harm, a large proportion of those go backpacking around Europe every summer. If you look at the statistics, I'm afraid that backpackers are more likely to come to harm in Australia.

If you stay in hostels, you'll meet loads of young people from all over the world who are in the same situation as yourself, including people from the country that you're visiting.

Just exercise common sense about taking care of your stuff and not walking down badly-lit streets alone at night. But you're not going to do that anyway. You'll have a wonderful time.

Family tend to worry, don't they! They care very much about you, and don't want to lose you...

That said, you have made a decision to travel and have an amazing experience- and all power to ya! The thing to remember about having a 'great' or a 'terrible' time is that it all depends on you! That's right- you are the one who decides whether you are having a great time or not... even if all your stuff gets stolen, it rains all the time, and your favourite team loses the final, if you still look for the bright, positive things, you'll come back saying what a great trip you had!

How easy is it to make friends anywhere? It doesn't change wherever you are in the world, even if you can't speak each others languages. Smile, be friendly, and you'll be fine. Don't be afraid to make the first move and talk to people.

Perhaps, on the family count, you need to make sure you email them lots with tales of your adventures. It is the best thing to open up your inbox to find a special email from someone you love. :) Do you have a rough itinerary? Do they know it? Send them stuff... even if it's just cheesy postcards.

Travel is such an amazing experience- go for it. :)

TA (not exactly a backpacker, but am living away from my family- left for study when I was 18... now 19. I survived, they survived, you'll be fine. :) )

People who have never travelled and tell you it's difficult or dangerous are like nuns who tell you that sex is not enjoyable.

six is enjoyable?

you'll be fine. I've been travelling by myself since I was in my late teens.
My parents always tell me that there are terrorist on all the planes and that travelling is wreckless and irresponsible, but you just gotta live your life.
Being nervous beforehand is a good sign, you'll have a blast.

I have travelled solo in some places in Europe and met many others doing the same thing. Europe is not greatly difficult for travel as transport options are wide, there is lots of accommodation and sightseeing options, and in many places a woman on her own will not attract attention.

I met loads of people in hostels, sometimes people to go out with in the evenings. Check out hospitality club (server playing up lately) or couchsurfing - I have hosted solo travellers through this.

Yes, people will be worried about you. I think most of us have to deal with that, especially going solo. The thing is, you not getting to get splashed across the headlines - 'Today throughout Europe, several thousand women are travelling alone, they are having a great time and they are safe'. The only time they feature stories is when something bad happens. When people have not travelled, they can only act on what they hear, and what they hear may or may not be correct. I mean, with some information you would think it is amazing that anyone who goes overseas returns home alive.

Check out www.journeywoman.com</a> - loads of advice around the issues of travel solo and some destination articles.

My own website especially for female solo travellers covers some of your concerns, including meeting people and safety - http://milliebell0.tripod.com/soloentertainment.html</a> and http://milliebell0.tripod.com/solosafety.html</a> - both sites have links to loads of other sites. Also, I have extensive travel links for everyone on all sorts of matters at http://www.geocities.com/milliebell/links.html</a>, including an entire section for lone travellers and women travellers.

Have a great time. I really wish I was going to, but next year is my trip time, and I am dreaming about that for now.

You'll be just fine. Just take the normal precautions you would in your hometown or anywhere in the world, and you will be just fine. (Avoid sketchy neighborhoods, public drunkenness, etc.)

The biggest thing you might have to worry about is petty crime like pickpockets. That's why it might be a good idea to carry a money belt or an under-your-clothes neck pouch to keep your passport, credit cards and large stashes of cash. Having your passports or credit cards stolen on the road is a huge, huge hassle, and it's one that you'll want to take the precaution of using a money belt to avoid.

Otherwise, as noted above, tons of young single people travel through Europe every year very safely. Don't worry. And have fun.

For the first couple of weeks, make sure to call home on occasion or e-mail, just to let them know you're safe.

Dave

Angie,

I think you'll be laughing at this thread you made a day or two after you arrive in Europe. You will have such a great time that you'll be surprised why you made this thread.

In short: You are going to have maybe the best time in your life.

Enjoy it.

Here's probably one of the best words you'll use whilst travelling "hello" i just shifted over to NZ and i went with bunac so i could go on the group flight (i don't regret it i have met wonderful friends through that flight) but as soon as i moved into a hostel where the others weren't all there and i started to mix with other travellers i knew that all my fears were misguided. You won't believe us until you get there and when you do you'll wonder why you ever worried about it in the first place.

slightly different situation but my mother didn't believe i was going to go - she thought it was one of my "big ideas" and to be honest she was probably worried and a bit jealous since she loved to travel herself, so i made her accompany me to the bunac talk and then she spent the afternoon telling me to get my forms filled out and sent off - now she's planning her own trip out here!

Have you thought about any hostels you might stay in? have they got websites? can you not show your parents how they are, see if there's any feedback from other travellers etc. no matter how they feel about it, make sure you keep them updated about the insurance you've sorted out, how you plan to get from the airport to the hostel when you arrive etc, it's stuff they'll not take in, BUT they will start to see that you've done your preparation, and if you're well prepared then they see you're being sensible about it all and if they see that then they start to worry a bit less (in theory at least).

Enjoy your trip it'll be worth it!

L