Would you go to Rome alone?

[DisneyAddict_M]

I'm thinking of going to Rome next year. The only trouble is...I don't have anyone to go with me. I could take my dd, but I'd rather not take her on the plane for that long. Besides, how much protection can a 4 year old be? When I travel, I usually go with family and/or friends. I've never traveled alone, I've never been to Europe. In fact, the only time I've been out of the country was on a trip to Canada once. I don't even speak Italian (well, I speak a little Italian...I pretty much only know "Hello", "Thank you" and "You're crazy.").

Am I crazy to even be considering this?

Or maybe I'll just go to WDW again, lol.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I wouldn't, but I'm a bit of a scaredy-cat.

If you want to go, I say go for it!

 

[luvwinnie]

I would! I found everyone in Italy to be friendly and helpful...but my friend did have her purse stolen in a restaurant in Rome.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Can I go with you?? Today - I would go ANYWHERE alone!!! (and by alone I mean without my husband and kids)

Truthfully - it would make me a little nervous but if you are comfortable traveling alone - I'd go for it!!

 

[C.Ann]

Are you kidding? I'm still trying to get up the courage to go to Disney World alone someday..

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I'm scared at the thought too...maybe I should wait until I can find someone to go with me, lol. I'm thinking of attempting WDW alone (with dd) sometime in the near future. I can make that a stepping stone. Thanks for the replies, everyone!

 

[Imzadi]

I'd love to go to Rome alone but have heard the guys, who really are friendly there, (super-friendly you might say,) will CONSTANTLY hit on women alone & follow them everywhere. So, ah, yeah, maybe your dd would be some protection after all. LOL!

How about seeing if there is a tour group you can be part of, some of the time. I did this when I was vacationing in England. There was a one-day trip to Paris. I hopped on that right away. I felt safe with the group, but they gave me several hours free to roam around by myself. If I was going to be vacationing longer, I'd have checked out if there was a 3 day tour or something.

 

[NMAmy]

Oh, I would definitely go. I used to live in Germany when my ex was in the military. He was out in the field a lot (for weeks at a stretch) and I went all around by myself all the time.

How fun! Whatever you decide, I hope you have a great time.

 

[Planogirl]

I would go alone but then I've toured WDW and Washington DC alone and it was alright. I would just keep my wits about me and not stay out late. A tour group is a good idea though because it gives you a place to escape to if needed!

 

[gina2000]

I'd go alone in a heartbeat.

 

[chesirekate]

Absolutely. I've done Paris and most large British cities by myself with no problem. Just keep your wits about you and pay attention and you'll be fine.

 

[Rajah]

I wouldn't. No way, no how, unless I was part of a tour group. And this coming from someone who did go to Switzerland in portions alone with no trouble.

 

[chesirekate]

Oh, I see someone mentioned the 'friendliness' of the men there, and I have heard that as well. However, I experienced something similar in Paris and while I was only 18 and rather timid, I found that you have to put your foot down and sternly tell them no and they'll leave you alone.

 

[eeyore65]

Yes - in fact I was just there about a month ago alone. I was on business but went in a few days early to see the city. The food, shopping and sights made ROme one of my favorite cities (with Barcelona a close second) The only thing I find uncomfortable is eating dinner out alone but Rome is one of the nicer cities for that as you can eat at an outdoor cafe and people watch. I have traveled extensively for business all over Europe by myself and if I didn't sightsee in my spare time I would be looking at a lot of hotel rooms! I have never had a problem. A good map and a plan before you set out helps alot.

 

[jrydberg]

Yep. In a second. It's just like any other big city in that you just need to be a bit prudent and you'll be fine.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would try to go on a tour, as already suggested. I have gotten in to several tight situations in Italy, when I was younger. Or try to find a friend to come... But I think you should do it.

 

[palmtreegirl]

No I wouldn't. It has nothing to do with being afraid I'd just be bored to death all by myself. Plus I enjoy trips more when I'm sharing them with people I love.

 

[CinderellaIam]

I would, in a heartbeat!

My favorite day of my recent WDW trip was the day DD18 decided she had enough quality time with me and left me at Epcot right after lunch. I had wanted to walk all the countries to hear their Christmas story tellers, it was the one thing on our trip that "I" wanted to do. At first I called my SO in tears I was so upset. He said you have wanted to do this, this is the one thing of this trip you were looking forward to, pick your head up, look around, and take everything in, for once in your life you have no one else around you to make sure that they are having a good time, go, do it for yourself, and don't call me again (please note that this was all said with the most loving intentions).

You know what, after about 15-20 mins of being uncomfortable, I really started to enjoy myself! For the next 6 hours I toured the world showcase by myself and never enjoyed it more. In 16 trips I never noticed so many things.

I am now seriously considering a Solo European trip since no one else wants to go with me!

 

[crcormier]

I will tell you from my experience when I went to Rome, the women on our bus were warned not to travel by themselves because young Roman men can be very rude and aggresive. It's a wonderful city, amazing the amount of history in it, but if you do, be very careful. Or perhaps go through a travel agent and see if you can do a tour group kind of trip?

You know I'm all for travelling solo, it can be a wonderful way to go, I went across Europe solo for most of it, but you do have to be careful. I was accosted in Budapest by a man trying to get my passport and by another man in London who tried to scam me because I was walking by the Thames alone.

 

[CinderellaIam]

I will tell you from my experience when I went to Rome, the women on our bus were warned not to travel by themselves because young Roman men can be very rude and aggresive. It's a wonderful city, amazing the amount of history in it, but if you do, be very careful. Or perhaps go through a travel agent and see if you can do a tour group kind of trip?

You know I'm all for travelling solo, it can be a wonderful way to go, I went across Europe solo for most of it, but you do have to be careful. I was accosted in Budapest by a man trying to get my passport and by another man in London who tried to scam me because I was walking by the Thames alone.

Good information, thank you!

I was born and raised in New York City, and still work there 14 years after moving to the suburbs. I am sure that they cannot be any worse than some of the things I have experienced here. Not to say I am full of bravado and throw caution to the wind, but believe me, you see and experience everything in NY. My sister was hustled and pick pocketed by two old women! And, just a few weeks ago I had my pocket picked, and I have no delisions that it was for any other reason than me being preoccupied and doing a dumb thing (putting my wallet in my coat pocket and walking a very, very crowded street at lunch time, a week after reading that pickpocket reports were up in our area...can you say DUH!)

I think if I do my homework, keep my head on straight and stay alert, it would be a great trip!