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Been to Nice, been to the Cinque Terre. As I said, I've been to almost every region in Italy and really want to experience what's outside Italy. But in terms of places in Italy, I wouldn't mind going back to Bolzano, Merano and Verona again if everything else fails.
Someone mentioned Prague- can you tell me more about it? What about Budapest?
Is it safe for a single gal in her 20s to travel Europe alone?
Like the northern regions of the USA, northern Europe experiences short days and weak light during the winter season. That said, the climate is considerable more temperate than much of the US and the crowds are blessedly gone. I've traveled in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK during the spring, fall, and winter and I'd say the winter is by far my favorite time to visit. I love Europe's relaxed pace and relative quiet (not to mention the reduced rates) during the winter months.
You should just pick the city or area you are interested in and go. You won't regret it.
Actually, the days are even shorter as Europe is further north than the US on average. I remember being in Amsterdam (the same latitude as Edmonton, Canada) around the winter solstice and it was still pitch black at 8:00am. It's probably worse further north in the Scandinavian countries. Although the weather is much milder than winter at the same latitude in North America, I'd try to stay in the Southern European countries in the winter for this reason.
Keep that in mind especially if you have outdoor activities planned on your winter trip to Europe!
No outdoor activities planned really. Maybe go to see some cool museums, sight see and take in some castles for an hour or two, eat some good local food, sleep and then head on home.
Bruges in wintertime is beautiful (see the movie In Bruges if you want to check it out). But it is about a thousand kilometers away from northern Italy of course, so that might be a bit far?
Someone mentioned Prague- can you tell me more about it? What about Budapest?
Is it safe for a single gal in her 20s to travel Europe alone?
Yes, definitely safe. Probably safer than traveling the US alone. Be aware of pick-pocketers in cities like Prague or Budapest though. Both awesome cities, btw, but it is rather cold up there. Depends on what kind of weather you're willing to tolerate. Most places along the Mediterranean will be pleasant. Have you looked into Croatia? Also not far from Italy, and a beautiful coastline. Sardinia?
Is it safe for a single gal in her 20s to travel Europe alone?
In Western Europe (BeNeLux, France and German area) it is safe.
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Be aware of pick-pocketers in cities like Prague or Budapest though.
I agree, but you should be aware that it can happen almost anywhere.
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Bruges in wintertime is beautiful
I wouldn't consider October-November as the wintertime. Nevertheless I agree, that Bruges is a beautiful city.
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I remember being in Amsterdam (the same latitude as Edmonton, Canada) around the winter solstice and it was still pitch black at 8:00am. It's probably worse further north in the Scandinavian countries.
Yes, in December the sun rises after 8:00am. In the very northern parts of Scandinavia they have only a few hours of sunlight every day in the winter. On the opposite they have much sunlight in the summer.
Southern Portugal is still very nice - sometimes showery - during the autumn. You would have to fly into Faro, but from there there are busses and trains to the other parts of the coast. I like Tavira. But the entire coast is pretty quiet and non-touristy at that time of the year. The fare from Milan is varies from just under to over 500 USD...fly to Lisbon, change for Faro.
Been to Nice, been to the Cinque Terre. As I said, I've been to almost every region in Italy and really want to experience what's outside Italy. But in terms of places in Italy, I wouldn't mind going back to Bolzano, Merano and Verona again if everything else fails.
Someone mentioned Prague- can you tell me more about it? What about Budapest?
Is it safe for a single gal in her 20s to travel Europe alone?
I mentioned Prague. To me, simply, it is the most beautiful city I've ever seen. It is just ridiculous. When you walk around the center and you look around you think you must in some sort of theme park (in a good way), castle here and castle there, the river, the bridges. I think it embodies perfectly that "old Europe" image a lot of people have.
You're pretty close to it, so that's my advice.
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