Query: If you were afraid to travel, but really wanted to go to another country, how

[Mike03]

do you go about it?

I would be traveling on my own.

Do you call a travel agent? Do you go online and do research?

Do you join an internet group in that country and proceed from their advice?

Signed,
Totally Clueless but dying to travel out of the US.

[Haole Girl]

1. Do the research, ask others for advice..and...

..go!! Life is too short to be fearful!! :hi:

[Mike03]

4. Thank you!

I know you are right about the fear part.

[bicentennial_baby]

2. Get thee to Trip Advisor, verily...

Their forums are an invaluable resource. :)

[mvccd1000]

19. 2nd the Trip Advisor advice.

I posted a review of my last trip to Thailand there, but I think I got more advice than I gave.

[PeaceNikki]

3. Find a tour group

My sister went with Contiki to Europe for 6 weeks alone. She made friends from all over the world. One she later visited in New Zealand. Contiki is targeted for 18-35 year-olds: http://us.contiki.com/. She traveled with a single bag and stayed in hostels and B&B's and had the time of her life.

I am sure there are similar programs for other age groups.

[lost-in-nj]

5. OK if you have your heart set on a certain country

explore, read, google it
trip advisor.com

use a travel agent
the sooner the better, they can find the best fares....

if something goes wrong they will be there to help
Expedia et al wont be


if you want pm me
I will give you the name and number of the agent I have been using for years.....

I trust her and her staff....

let me know if you want to call and I will give her a heads up!!!!


lost

[Mike03]

6. Very Appreciated of your answers

My question was not that well executed, but I appreciate the advice and will print this thread out.

[Mike03]

7. Maybe my most should have been about

overcoming fear.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

8. May I ask...

What about traveling frightens you? The getting there part or the being there part? As a traveling fool I can tell you, it is something that you need to do - it opens up a whole new way of looking at our fellow humans and you will appreciate your own world more as a result.

[XemaSab]

9. I have travelled over parts of the US by myself

and I have two major thoughts about it:

You have to be comfortable being by yourself for days or weeks on end, which can get surprisingly disconcerting.

Also, it really helps to go someplace where you know someone. I don't mean staying with them the whole trip, but like just someone to touch base with in the area. It's mostly a psychological thing, but it's really comforting to know that "help" is only a few hours away if you get into a really sticky jam. :P

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Or a bee sting in the middle of your back

:hi:

[XemaSab]

16. That too...

:rofl:

Gawd that was lame. :P

[Audio_Al]

10. Audio Al here. Suggest you check out group tours. That's a good way to go.

You can PM me, too.

My wife and I have gone to many countries since the 1980s. We've been with Globe tours and American Express tours.

Glad to help if you need me.

Al

[Kali]

11. Do some research on the destination(s) and then just DO IT!

Even better if you can make some acquaintances to go visit. Here is a great site to get all kinds of info: http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/

[Name removed]

12. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[supernova]

13. Check out solotravel.org

http://www.solotravel.org/

[fizzgig]

15. i just searched around online

i made hostel reservations and purchased a train pass online (i spent a week in england and scotland) and just kinda winged it.

[gateley]

17. I went on a fabulous tour with a quasi half-assed spiritual group and had

the absolute best time. I've also been on a couple of cruises with theme groups. So maybe if you find a group with similar interests that is going on tour... Or do you have a specific destination?

I would recommend that if you go on a tour, you fork out the extra money for a single room - I didn't want to have to deal with a stranger for a roommate, and I'm so glad I did that.

[gateley]

18. SELF DELETE - Dupe

[emmajane67]

20. What is it you're scared of?

[mark414]

21. you just say fuck it, and go do it

[Heidi]

22. I did it all on my own except for a Lonely Planet guide to Europe and Switzerland

that a friend gave me as a gift. The only thing I would change about the way I first experienced Europe is that I would have learned a bit of German, Italian and French before I came. :hi: