[Harmacy]

I'm posting this here rather than the General forum as the thing that puts me off solo travelling is my anxiety.

I'd really like to go away somewhere for my 40th birthday as if I don't, will probably end up doing not very much at home. I don't have anybody I know well enough to suggest going away with so a solo trip somewhere seems like the only option.

A European city break, somewhere like Prague, is my first choice but I'm just really anxious about booking into a hotel / hostel alone, being around strangers in shared areas, dining out in restaurants alone etc. I'm thinking if I get there I could book onto some tours and maybe meet people that way but I'm very introverted and socially anxious so it could be hard work and I'd hate to break down and spend the holiday hiding in my hotel room.

Does anybody have any happy tales or advice about holidaying alone?

MANY wonderful experiences travelling alone here! Various places in the mideast, in Europe, Ireland, and in the U.S. Fabulous times! Please, go for it

[live2ski66]

I've done Rome, Paris, and Florence by myself. I too was afraid. I speak French and taught myself some Italian (I speak Spanish and Portuguese), this made me a bit more comfortable. I studied the areas and "memorized" the maps. I took a very calculated risk and had a ball. An easier alternative is taking a tour from the US. There are numerous trips, some for singles, others that take you cycling through Tuscany, and vineyards in France and Italy. My outlaws have gone with a program called "Viking Tours". They fly to the location, meet the tour, jump on a a river cruise boat and tour the area. One of their favorites was down the Rhone river. The tours are quite safe and you can meet interesting people.

Don't let fear keep you from celebrating your special day. It only comes around once a year.

Good luck!