Solo city breaks

Elessar

Having mostly conquered my fear of flying recently (delighted!) I'm playing catch up as a 30 year old (single) guy by starting to visit different places. Last month I was in Liverpool then London for a few days which I really enjoyed.

I'm now looking at other european cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Barcelona, Prague. However I am a bit apprehensive of travelling solo, the London/Liverpool trips were quite short and I'm planning to take a week off in July and head to one of the above cities for maybe 2-3 nights.

Has anyone else travelled solo for city breaks, how did you find it? I'm not one for wandering around museums or galleries too much, just the main attractions and bus tours. Eating out would seem a bit odd on my own too often, but then I've already done it! I also like to have a drink or two at the hotel as the day closes - would that be seen as odd?

I'm also open to suggestions on good destinations for solo travellers, I've no set budget really but ideally circa €500 for flights & accom. The big decision now is where to go, there's so many cities. Amsterdam is the top of my list but I'll consider anything!

grimm2005

Fair play for taking the initiative to go solo travelling! I did the same thing a couple of years back and now I'm addicted! I used to be quite shy and introverted and doing so has really changed all that completely and gave me a lot of confidence.

I highly recommend staying in youth hostels around Europe. A lot of the cities you've mentioned have brilliant hostel scenes and if you stay in dorms it makes things a hell of a lot cheaper. I'd also say don't be hesitant of your age stopping you, I'm 29 in a few weeks but have no intention of stopping doing the hostel thing. Most of the people I hung out with on my first solo trip were in their mid 30s either alone or in a group. The best hostels will have "family" dinners in the evening, much of the time for free, where you can socialise with and get to know everyone else and they'll also take you on pub crawls each night where again you really get to know people.

I really liked Amsterdam but two of my favourite cities were Barcelona and Krakow. Budapest and Prague I also loved.

Elessar

Thanks yeah I think I've caught a bit of the travelling bug alright, it's addictive! Although I'm not sure about hostels. Do they offer single rooms? I really need my own space with peace and quiet, and I sleep like a mouse - the slightest noise wakes me. Sleeping with other people in the room just doesn't work for me, I've done it before with friends and it is a frustrating experience! That's why I prefer hotels, but then I miss out on the social aspect. I would like to try a hostel at least once - but would deffo need my own room with my own shower/toilet - can you even get these in hostels?

lc180

Elessar wrote: »

Thanks yeah I think I've caught a bit of the travelling bug alright, it's addictive! Although I'm not sure about hostels. Do they offer single rooms? I really need my own space with peace and quiet, and I sleep like a mouse - the slightest noise wakes me. Sleeping with other people in the room just doesn't work for me, I've done it before with friends and it is a frustrating experience! That's why I prefer hotels, but then I miss out on the social aspect. I would like to try a hostel at least once - but would deffo need my own room with my own shower/toilet - can you even get these in hostels?

If you would like to meet people on your trips I'd also recommend staying in hostels, it does make it much easier to meet like minded folk. I stayed in dorms for years and never really had any problems but I've started to prefer single or private rooms lately. I'm 30 now and luckily can afford a bit more comfort!

Hostels have come a long way the last few years. Some I've stayed in have been nicer than 4 star hotels. Take a look at the link below and see does that convert you

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2013/jan/24/10-of-the-best-luxury-hostels-europe-in-pictures

I've done a decent bit of solo travel over the last few years, I was well and truely addicted so if you've any specific cities in mind I will gladly help with any questions.

munchkin_utd

I have been to all of your list of cities on my own and to be honest find it a strange question or problem to have in the head that travelling alone is an issue.

Similarly some folks would never consider going to a concert or sports event on their own, which is incomprehensible to me as I cant figure why anyone wouldnt see a great band or football game just because theres nobody holding their hand. Have some people not copped on that you dont need your mammy or other surrogate chaperone when leaving the house

..... anyhow, going to a hostel would mean you bump into people there. Similarily, go on a bike tour or pub crawl and you will also meet folks from various corners of the world.

Going on your own travelling actually has advantages as you can go as fast or slow as YOU want you can see or skip over what YOU choose. You can stop for grub when it suits YOU.
Many would have a partner who has completely different interests (i.e. mad into museums, or maybe completely lazy or whatever) but on your own you are in charge. Think of it as being a positive.
Also, when you are on your own you do get more immersed in the place youre visiting, you arent chatting about someone at home or should the sofa be replaced so you arent distracted with non holiday thoughts.

as for the first destination, I'd nearly choose Prague or Munich as theres more to see there than Amsterdam in my opinion

Mr rebel

Elessar wrote: »

Thanks yeah I think I've caught a bit of the travelling bug alright, it's addictive! Although I'm not sure about hostels. Do they offer single rooms? I really need my own space with peace and quiet, and I sleep like a mouse - the slightest noise wakes me. Sleeping with other people in the room just doesn't work for me, I've done it before with friends and it is a frustrating experience! That's why I prefer hotels, but then I miss out on the social aspect. I would like to try a hostel at least once - but would deffo need my own room with my own shower/toilet - can you even get these in hostels?

I can totally relate to this as I have been solo travelling on and off for the last year or two and the thought of staying in a hostel has never appealed to me as I like my own sleeping space.
Fortunately, hotel rooms in places like Berlin and Prague are MUCH cheaper than Ireland or UK. You can get a beautiful room in those cities in a four star hotel for around €60 a night which is amazing.

As for eating, I would recommend going to Vapiano for meals which is a German pasta chain located in most European cities. They have a pretty communal dining setup with large open tables so it isn't like you are holed up in a small corner on your own. In fact, I feel Vapiano are very much tailored towards the solo traveller.

Going back to accommodation, if Amsterdam is your starting point then I would recommend staying in CityHub. It is basically a cross between a hotel and hostel where you have your own "bedroom" but everything else like bathrooms and showers are communal. The staff are also lovely and chatty there, and they have a bar where they will happily chat away while you drink.

Personally though, I would use Berlin as a starting off point as I think it is one of those cities everyone should scratch off the list as soon as possible. It is also very cheap and so accessible to get around. Germans are also very friendly people and from my own personal experience, really love Irish people:)

grimm2005

Elessar wrote: »

Thanks yeah I think I've caught a bit of the travelling bug alright, it's addictive! Although I'm not sure about hostels. Do they offer single rooms? I really need my own space with peace and quiet, and I sleep like a mouse - the slightest noise wakes me. Sleeping with other people in the room just doesn't work for me, I've done it before with friends and it is a frustrating experience! That's why I prefer hotels, but then I miss out on the social aspect. I would like to try a hostel at least once - but would deffo need my own room with my own shower/toilet - can you even get these in hostels?

Absolutely, most hostels will have single or double rooms (at least in the ones I've stayed in). It will cost you though and you'll pay hotel prices. The upshot is all the extras like free meals and of course the social aspect. Not all hostels will have single rooms though, many only having doubles so you will pay the cost of two people for a double bed.

Personally I'm totally happy staying in dorms and for me the huge savings make it well worth it (and earplugs are a great help!) but everyone has different levels and comfort with these things. If you choose to stay in a hotel you could still do organised pub crawls and meet people this way. I'd always choose a good hostel if going solo though as there's a great community feel and you really get to know people.

Elessar

Thanks for the input folks - I've gone ahead and booked Munich for two days in a couple of months - staying in my first hostel Ok it's not a long time but should be an interesting experience - managed to get a private room with private bathroom for €40/night! Can't wait

First stop though, Amsterdam!

lc180

Elessar wrote: »

Thanks for the input folks - I've gone ahead and booked Munich for two days in a couple of months - staying in my first hostel Ok it's not a long time but should be an interesting experience - managed to get a private room with private bathroom for €40/night! Can't wait

First stop though, Amsterdam!

Munich is a great choice! Enjoy

LynnGrace

Just in relation to your OP, 'would it be seen as odd?'.
Put that completely out of your mind. Most people are caught up in their own lives, and have zero interest in what others are doing. I have done a bit of solo travelling, and still do, if it's somewhere I would enjoy that my husband isn't interested in or he can't get holidays or whatever.

Have a brilliant time! I would say Munich is well worth a visit, it's on my list!

Mr rebel

Munich is lovely. Hopefully you'll have good weather to sit out in the English Garden and soak up the atmosphere with a good beer.
€40 a night with a private bathroom is amazing for Munich, which is the most expensive city in Germany so good bargain there!

Humour Me

Munich is fantastic. I recommend you go on one of the bike tours while you are there. I was travelling solo and went on a bike tour the first afternoon (which included a beer garden the tours are a great way to get chatting to people. I ended up going to the Hofbräuhaus with the tour group that evening, where we met a Berliner who insisted on taking us to his favourite beer garden, not a tourist trap. You will have a fantastic time.