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CivicBlues · 11-08-2016, 02:28 PM

Where did you go?

I've backpacked solo on and off for the better part of the last decade thru a good chunk of NE/SE Asia, India, Europe, Mid-East, Peru, Australia. I can't speak for a woman, but you've picked probably 2 of the most safe (and expensive) places to travel in the world - a good start for a first-timer. The first place I went solo was Japan which I would place in a similar category.

The latest trip I took on my own was the Trans-Siberian railway thru Russia, Mongolia and China. Highly recommend it if that's sort of your thing.

How was it?
Ranging from 'Great' to 'Freaking Awesome'.

Would you do it again?
Absolutely, I don't regret visiting any place I've gone.

Recommendations on destinations? (I'm very open as long as it's female friendly):

Australia is a good place for a first timer female - a pretty defined backpacker trail and wonderful scenery, everyone speaks English. Just be wary of the drinking culture. Haven't been to Switzerland but I suppose it's similar to Germany and Austria which I also enjoyed immensely.

In order of difficulty/ease of travel I would rank the following regions -which varies depending on your language skills, gender, tolerance to heat, dirt, grime:
My recommendations are in brackets

Western/Central Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Czech, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Greece)
SE Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar)
NE Asia (Japan, Beijing)
South America (Peru, Colombia)
Eastern Europe (Russia)
India
Africa (I'm assuming through what I've read and spoken to from other travelers, my experience is limited to Egypt)

Some places are clean and safe, but aren't really set up for backpackers. Others are cheap and relatively dirty but have a ton of backpackers going to them and may or may not be your cup of tea. Let me know what Regions you're interested in and I can provide some more detailed insight.

Depending on how social you are you will probably want to stay in Hostels to meet other travelers. You can definitely have a make or break experience with the people you meet. Then again, if you value solitude you can easily be by yourself most of the time.

How much did the whole trip cost you?
Highly subjective question. How long is a piece of string?
I've spent way too much on travel through my lifetime. But then I don't always stay in the cheapest places, especially as I get older. Ranges from a 2 week trip to India which cost me less than $2500 (airfare incl.) to a 1 year trip in SE Asia, Mid-East, Australia which I probably spent close to 30k on. Keep in mind, the longer you stay the lower the per day cost will be, so a short trip may be cheaper in absolute terms, but you may look back and wonder why you spent that much for a couple of weeks. So my advice, stay as long as you can.

11-08-2016, 02:28 PM	#2
CivicBlues linguistic ninja Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 17,222 Thanked 5,465 Times in 2,002 Posts Failed 156 Times in 93 Posts	Where did you go? I've backpacked solo on and off for the better part of the last decade thru a good chunk of NE/SE Asia, India, Europe, Mid-East, Peru, Australia. I can't speak for a woman, but you've picked probably 2 of the most safe (and expensive) places to travel in the world - a good start for a first-timer. The first place I went solo was Japan which I would place in a similar category. The latest trip I took on my own was the Trans-Siberian railway thru Russia, Mongolia and China. Highly recommend it if that's sort of your thing. How was it? Ranging from 'Great' to 'Freaking Awesome'. Would you do it again? Absolutely, I don't regret visiting any place I've gone. Recommendations on destinations? (I'm very open as long as it's female friendly): Australia is a good place for a first timer female - a pretty defined backpacker trail and wonderful scenery, everyone speaks English. Just be wary of the drinking culture. Haven't been to Switzerland but I suppose it's similar to Germany and Austria which I also enjoyed immensely. In order of difficulty/ease of travel I would rank the following regions -which varies depending on your language skills, gender, tolerance to heat, dirt, grime: My recommendations are in brackets Western/Central Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Czech, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Greece) SE Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar) NE Asia (Japan, Beijing) South America (Peru, Colombia) Eastern Europe (Russia) India Africa (I'm assuming through what I've read and spoken to from other travelers, my experience is limited to Egypt) Some places are clean and safe, but aren't really set up for backpackers. Others are cheap and relatively dirty but have a ton of backpackers going to them and may or may not be your cup of tea. Let me know what Regions you're interested in and I can provide some more detailed insight. Depending on how social you are you will probably want to stay in Hostels to meet other travelers. You can definitely have a make or break experience with the people you meet. Then again, if you value solitude you can easily be by yourself most of the time. How much did the whole trip cost you? Highly subjective question. How long is a piece of string? I've spent way too much on travel through my lifetime. But then I don't always stay in the cheapest places, especially as I get older. Ranges from a 2 week trip to India which cost me less than $2500 (airfare incl.) to a 1 year trip in SE Asia, Mid-East, Australia which I probably spent close to 30k on. Keep in mind, the longer you stay the lower the per day cost will be, so a short trip may be cheaper in absolute terms, but you may look back and wonder why you spent that much for a couple of weeks. So my advice, stay as long as you can. __________________ http://www.en.wikipedia.org Still a card carrying member of the SFC :) Last edited by CivicBlues; 11-08-2016 at 02:42 PM.