Hi everyone, I'm planning on going to Europe at the end of the year. My seasonal position on Mackinac Island ends the first week in November and I wanted to take some time off and do a little traveling that didn't include working at the same time.

My bosses travel to Europe every winter using Globus, so I've been looking at different deals. Most of them base the price on double occupancy, but I did manage to find a couple that lets me have the same deal even though I'm single.

While in Europe, I want to focus on areas where some of you live, that way maybe we'd get a chance to meet face to face.... If you'd like to as well that is.

I'm wondering if maybe it would be better to skip the guided tour, that way I could jump around from place to place and maybe say hi to some of you. I just don't particularly want to travel alone, the nice part of the guided tour is being with a group of people.

There's pros and cons to either option, though skipping the guided tour deal allows me to stay in Europe for 3 to 4 weeks rather than 2 and a half weeks.

I'm open to ideas, suggestions, and hearing about anyone's experience with guided tour groups vs traveling solo

Thanks in advance!

Here's one of the tours I am considering.

If you're good friends with a few of the UK folks go there and hang with them, they can give you the real British experience vs the guided touristy tour.

Ive been to England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey , I didn't make it to Wales, but next time.

If you haven't been to the U.K. that is the place you should go, avoid parts of London affectionately known as Londonastan.

The Tourist areas are fine.

Thanks diserli, that was my original plan, then I started thinking about the guided tours. Mostly because of limited time others may have if they're working.

And depending on where they live too, Im not sure where Mikey, joe , Ivan and I cant think of who else is from there, is it Crystal something is in the netherlands I think .



yeah most likely they are working too .

If you plan to include other European countries, be SURE
to visit the UK last! Reason is, you will be so happy
to be able to speak and understand that everything
will thrill you ;-)

Paris is all they say, especially if you stay in one of
their apartments (7 floor walkup) and can spend time just
walking around, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower where you
can eat atop the restaurant.

A Tour might be safer for a single woman, though it might
target you also as a group. But if this is to be your
only trip to Europe you need the extra time to see it all.

I saw all the European countries but by far the best time
I had personally, was while staying a week at Cambridge
and while the other tour members were off seeing sights,
I walked every day through the town, it was so fascinating,
the wee stores, you could not see it all.

One lady had an antique store (I think it was) that had stuff
everywhere, the first day I could only look at about 1/10th of
the place. I finally found a small figurine I liked and when
I went to buy it the lady would not sell it. She said 'Oh that
is my favorite. Would you like some tea?'

Real cream! Lemon, sugar and biscuits. I was enthralled. We
chatted about everything and I do not remember anyone else in
the shop.

The next day, and every day thereafter I knew just what time to
be there for tea. She never let me buy anything.
But she is who I remember most ;-)

Point is, any time away from scheduled activities can be spent locally ;-)

I started looking at airfare within London to different places and I could definitely visit most of them for a reasonable amount. It's only $65 round trip to Amsterdam.

Holiday rentals seem more reasonable than motels, so I would go with one of those if I don't do the tour.

Congratulations


You might consider that guided tours will give you a taste of tradition and afford you opportunity to buy mementos.

On the other hand, non-guided excursions will give you a real look at the culture and meet people that are not looking to make a buck on a tourist.

You will find more natural mom & pop shops at real pricing.
You will see the actual culture not a 'face' for the tourists.
You could rent your own car or even do bicycle tours.

Try not to look like a tourist and people will treat you different.
You can still 'see the sights' from a lorry (bus?) and it might be fun and inexpensive to just ride the route.

I was there a few times in the Navy and had a ball.
We didn't do any tours but just basically did bus and taxi to different areas and went exploring.

I suggest (even tho you don't drink) to check out some of the old pubs and restaurants, talk to the locals and find out where the best places are.
Like if someone is visiting here in the states and says they will be in the area I might suggest the go check out Pink Rock Shut in's for a picnic and swim.

There is a lot of history there.
It does smell old. Kinda hard to describe but when you get there you'll get what I mean.
France has a different smell, Morocco different still.

You have to be careful when venturing to the 'underground'.
Its a very rich culture with lots of goodies to buy but it is kinda dangerous if you don't watch yourself.

In Spain (not sure about England) the restaurants have forks on their signs that denote the expense.

There are resources on the web that will give you insight to local customs and etiquette.

http://www.anglotopia.net/british-identity/humor/15-way-to-not-look-and-act-like-an-idiot-american-in-britain/

http://wikitravel.org/en/England

http://orcutt.net/weblog/2013/03/15/driving-in-the-uk-a-survival-guide-for-americans/

(just a few to get you started)

The CIA World Factbook has general information on different countries.
None of its vital but it might give you some general knowledge you didn't have. I find the entries interesting myself.

Here is the Ireland Page (the country list is on a pulldown menu near the upper right side)

http://www.cia.gov/library/publications/resources/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html

I hope you have a lot of fun and meet some interesting people.

Thanks soufie, it is my first time... not sure if it will be my last time. That sounds so lovely with the lady and tea :)

I probably will stick more to the UK this time around. There are a couple tours that go to Rome and Paris as well, but I'd rather wait until I have someone special in my life to go there. Plus right now I want to focus on the areas where our European Minglers are.

Thanks Tom, I can always count on you to give me good info and advice

I will definitely want to find some of those mom and pop places, I tend to seek them out here too.

It's five months away, but I figured now is the time to start planning. Even if I don't go the tour route, it's around holiday season, so I need to make sure I can book a holiday rental that's affordable, and get a good deal on airline tickets before other holiday travelers take them all.

I have had a lot of friends stay in Hostels, and they
seemed to like them for the value ;-)

This popped into my head... Do the guided tour for the 2 and a half weeks and perhaps stay longer, do your own thing for the remainder?

Of course it depends on the reliability of those that you are hoping to meet. Would hate to depend upon someone and have them flake out/change their mind at the last minute. *nodding*

Pisces, got to go out soon, but will get back to you with helpful info.

I am sure my fellow Brits, mikey, Joe, and Delightful, are gonna give you great advice

Great idea Stormy, our minds think a like. The 2 and a half weeks I mentioned consisted of the 9 day tour and then staying an extra week.

I like this plan the best. I've wanted to go to Europe as long as I can remember... primarily Ireland (the mystical places), Scotland to see Nessie and England because of the castles. Mackinac Island reminds me of London and Boston for some reason... haven't been to either place, but feel the need to go to both. I will be spending a couple days in Boston before and after I get back... I'll be flying to Europe out of Boston.

Being my first time going there as a single woman I think I would feel more comfortable and safer starting with the guided tour trip. By the end of the tour I'll be more comfortable and have better idea of where I would like to spend that extra week.

Thanks Stormy, this makes more sense.

Edited in... Just remembered the Euro rail someone told me about yesterday. I could do that my second week and travel around by train a few days just for sightseeing reasons.

I checked briefly in some of the areas in the UK and this sounds really good for finding reasonable accommodations. My original plan was to stay 3 to 4 weeks in a holiday rental and travel around by train, but something tells me I need to do the guided tour first, so for the extra time I spend there, the hostels will be great.

Thanks soufie :)

Thanks wellworn

And yes, I'm sure you're right... Mingle's fellow Brits will most likely have some great advice.

Dublin is on the bucket list?


https://www.visitdublin.com

https://lovindublin.com


Loads of decent things to see. Just avoid Temple Bar. Tourist rip off area.

Thanks larsi

Yes, the guided tour starts with two days in Dublin.

Once I have final plans and my itinerary, I'll share it and if you live close by, we could meet for coffee.

That would be grand. I live here for 14 years, sure I know some decent places

Cool!