Solo trip to Europe - 40th bday

[Anonymous]

Looking for ideas to go to Europe for 1 week during the Thanksgiving week. Solo trip. Female. I was thinking about either Norway or Portugal. Advice? Ideas?

[Anonymous]

Tell us more about what you like and want to do - museums, food, shopping, spas, hiking, etc?

[Anonymous]

I love hiking and nature. Since it is late Nov, I won’t do much of it in a place such as Norway due to weather.

I also like museums, city sightseeing etc. No shopping.

Just a tired mum who wants to go somewhere in Europe and rest up (get a break from a daily hassle) but also see something new.

[Anonymous]

I was recently in Porto and did a Douro valley wine tour. There was a solo mom who joined a group tour. It was really nice. These are the ones you book and a van picks you up for a day trip. If you're into wine and resting, some of the wineries are also B&Bs. I'd love that.

[Anonymous]

Southern Spain is gorgeous that time of year. Seville, Granada, Cordoba.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Southern Spain is gorgeous that time of year. Seville, Granada, Cordoba.

Was coming to say the same. We went on kind of a whim the first Thanksgiving that things opened back up after Covid and it was a perfect time to go. We went to Malaga and it was beautiful

[Anonymous]

Croatia? Slovenia ( Lubjiana and Lake Bled)?

I recently did Italy alone and had a great time.

Norway is nice, but I am not sure of the weather then. Also, it is a long country, so unless you can fly everywhere, you need some time to see the high points (fiojrds, Viking ships, Lofoten Islands).

[Anonymous]

I think head to southern Europe, maybe Spain or Greece. Norway in late November will be cold and dark

[Anonymous]

Where have you been before OP and what have you liked? That will help us make good recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southern Spain is gorgeous that time of year. Seville, Granada, Cordoba.

Was coming to say the same. We went on kind of a whim the first Thanksgiving that things opened back up after Covid and it was a perfect time to go. We went to Malaga and it was beautiful

Ive done that route as a solo traveler. IME traveling solo cities and attractions you visit are easier to do alone than pretty view spots.

[Anonymous]

I do this every year (am also 40). The factors I look for are ease of getting to the destination (nonstop or relatively easy connection), and English usage in the destination. For whatever reason I find it to be very isolating in a country where you don’t speak the language and can’t talk to anyone, although I know not everyone feels that way.

I usually only have an extended long weekend though (4-5 days). I’ve done Ireland — the easiest, and does hit the nature element you seek — Italy (harder solo IMO), Paris, and Prague.

Do Prague. You might have to trek a little for the hiking but it’s a great destination.

Seville in November is also nice; especially if you know basic Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was recently in Porto and did a Douro valley wine tour. There was a solo mom who joined a group tour. It was really nice. These are the ones you book and a van picks you up for a day trip. If you're into wine and resting, some of the wineries are also B&Bs. I'd love that.

I concur on the Duoro Valley trip - beautiful scenery and fun to taste the wine. There are also a bunch of hiking trails around there if you want to rent a car. I’d cap it with a couple of nights in Coimbra.

[Anonymous]

I was in Portugal for Thanksgiving about ten years ago. Lisbon rained the whole time and Porto was probably my favorite European city. We also road-tripped to the Algarve, which was basically abandoned at that time of year, if you'd enjoy that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Southern Spain is gorgeous that time of year. Seville, Granada, Cordoba.

Was coming to say the same. We went on kind of a whim the first Thanksgiving that things opened back up after Covid and it was a perfect time to go. We went to Malaga and it was beautiful

Ive done that route as a solo traveler. IME traveling solo cities and attractions you visit are easier to do alone than pretty view spots.

This is good advice. I'd actually be way more comfy in a city where everything is accessible as a solo traveler. And the walks and views and sights are still stupendous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently in Porto and did a Douro valley wine tour. There was a solo mom who joined a group tour. It was really nice. These are the ones you book and a van picks you up for a day trip. If you're into wine and resting, some of the wineries are also B&Bs. I'd love that.

I concur on the Duoro Valley trip - beautiful scenery and fun to taste the wine. There are also a bunch of hiking trails around there if you want to rent a car. I’d cap it with a couple of nights in Coimbra.

Agree- would do Portugal- flying into Lisbon may be easier- spend a day there and then to Porto. Lots of hiking options. I would join a group hike if going solo.