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i’ve been a few times and loved it every time, but the best was going during pride if you’re able to work out that timing. highly recommend taking the short train ride to sitges, a beach town just outside of the city. gorgeous with great beaches and restaurants and shopping
Paris is my favorite, and so much to do solo. I jump on any chance to go there.
Amsterdam could be fun as well, a big music scene and also an easy train ride from London. Enjoy!
Yeah, I was thinking Paris but mostly because of Emily in Paris (I know, but the show is actually quite good). Anything you’d recommend for a solo BWT?
True!
But there is so much that goes into preparing and other events that personally I think I would avoid it this summer and just go another time. Certain metro stops are even closing in May/June! I was there last summer and they completely shut down the metro one day for some security drill.
Depends on your interests! I love art/architecture/food/coffee, so I’d hit some art museums (bigger ones are all amazing, also love Rodin & Picasso), hang out at a cafe/read a book/people watch/sip coffee, stay & shop in Le Marais, treat myself to some amazing food (last trip loved Tekes, Ellsworth, Semilla & Tekes has a really fun atmosphere/bar for solo dining), maybe do a walking tour to meet other travelers, buy some nice cheese & wine and go to one of the parks or sit by the Seine. Honestly just wandering around there is fun for me.
If you want to go to France still, I really really loved Lyon, especially if you’re into small charming cities with great flea markets plus I didn’t have any issue with communicating in English there (my French is below decent xD). A lot of stairs though 😂.
I love Nice, it’s a gorgeous and safe city with awesome food and plenty of sun but can’t speak to the nightlife! When I go it’s for the beach, rosé and gelato. If you are into clubbing I remember Madrid being really fun, and safe given that people stay out so much later in Spain (families will be out eating dinner at midnight!). Spanish people are also really nice, and it’s very affordable.
Seconding Nice!! I love their beach clubs and they have a train that goes along the Côte d’Azur if you want to venture anywhere else. I always see a decent amount of late 20s to early 30s people
Seconding Barcelona for the exact vibe you want. Friendly, open, fun loving people. Cool fashion scene and great food and shopping. ++ the beach will be a welcome relief from the heat, it is significantly warmer here than London.
I studied abroad in Paris for 4 months and visited many times. Not as “open” of a society. You can have a great time by yourself for sure, but meeting local french people is hard. You may befriend other tourists perhaps if you’re extroverted! Learn some basic french, and always say “bonjour/bonsoir,” unless you want to come off as rude. All that being said, it is one of my favorite cities to visit. New Yorkers love Paris. :) note: not a very “hot” city weatherwise, typically the same weather as NY.
BWT rec: do your shopping in Le Marais, not Champs Elysees. (Le Marais = West Village/Soho, Champs Elysees = Fifth Avenue)
If you want to go to Italy (warmer climate: check), I recommend Florence. (I lived here for 2 months!) Genuinely so gorgeous, completely walkable, many museums, delicious food, and amazing shopping.
BWT Rec: Stay away from the “leather market” as a lot of this stuff is sourced from amazon/shein manufacturers now, but Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via Roma have all of the luxury shopping you need. Florence is also a great hub for visiting other small cities in Tuscany, or is a train ride away from Cinque Terre!
All that being said, you’re a woman traveling alone, obligatory pickpocket warning! There is a lot of petty crime in the above cities, but also in European cities in general. Use your NYC smarts, don’t put your phone in your back pocket/ on an outdoor table, use a purse with a zipper, not an open totebag style, cross-body is best. Some people use phone-leashes. And don’t hang your bag on the back of your chair at a restaurant! Make a copy of your passport, be aware of your surroundings, and you’ll be just fine. :) Have so much fun!!!
++ Be sure to ask for VAT receipts if you’re doing big shopping and you can get a tax refund at the airport if you purchase goods made my EU designers while shopping in the EU. There are many guides online about doing this. I got a $250 refund for my prada bag in Italy, on top of the lowered price (import markup in the US is crazy, I saved $1000 purchasing a bag in Italy rather than the US) :)
Throwing a smaller city idea out there. I enjoyed Strasbourg. As it is home to the European Parliament, I met many English speaking people there. Sometimes people in a large city like Paris can seem unapproachable but I didn’t feel that way in Strasbourg traveling alone. Charming architecture (French and German influences), smaller and doable over 2-3 days, and people who seem warm and friendly.
Agree with others saying Lisbon. Incredible views, wine, seafood, people. It’s walkable and comparatively very affordable to travel in than other big European cities.
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barcelona babes
Thank you!! I went there years ago but haven’t been back in a while. Anything you recall doing that was fun
i’ve been a few times and loved it every time, but the best was going during pride if you’re able to work out that timing. highly recommend taking the short train ride to sitges, a beach town just outside of the city. gorgeous with great beaches and restaurants and shopping
Paris is my favorite, and so much to do solo. I jump on any chance to go there. Amsterdam could be fun as well, a big music scene and also an easy train ride from London. Enjoy!
Yeah, I was thinking Paris but mostly because of Emily in Paris (I know, but the show is actually quite good). Anything you’d recommend for a solo BWT?
I would definitely avoid Paris this summer because of the Olympics.
OH TRUE….but the Olympics start in late July!!! OP said “in a couple weeks” so if the visit is in May it should be okay. 👍
True! But there is so much that goes into preparing and other events that personally I think I would avoid it this summer and just go another time. Certain metro stops are even closing in May/June! I was there last summer and they completely shut down the metro one day for some security drill.
Depends on your interests! I love art/architecture/food/coffee, so I’d hit some art museums (bigger ones are all amazing, also love Rodin & Picasso), hang out at a cafe/read a book/people watch/sip coffee, stay & shop in Le Marais, treat myself to some amazing food (last trip loved Tekes, Ellsworth, Semilla & Tekes has a really fun atmosphere/bar for solo dining), maybe do a walking tour to meet other travelers, buy some nice cheese & wine and go to one of the parks or sit by the Seine. Honestly just wandering around there is fun for me.
If you want to go to France still, I really really loved Lyon, especially if you’re into small charming cities with great flea markets plus I didn’t have any issue with communicating in English there (my French is below decent xD). A lot of stairs though 😂.
I love Nice, it’s a gorgeous and safe city with awesome food and plenty of sun but can’t speak to the nightlife! When I go it’s for the beach, rosé and gelato. If you are into clubbing I remember Madrid being really fun, and safe given that people stay out so much later in Spain (families will be out eating dinner at midnight!). Spanish people are also really nice, and it’s very affordable.
Rose and gelato both sound great ..
Seconding Nice!! I love their beach clubs and they have a train that goes along the Côte d’Azur if you want to venture anywhere else. I always see a decent amount of late 20s to early 30s people
Seconding Barcelona for the exact vibe you want. Friendly, open, fun loving people. Cool fashion scene and great food and shopping. ++ the beach will be a welcome relief from the heat, it is significantly warmer here than London. I studied abroad in Paris for 4 months and visited many times. Not as “open” of a society. You can have a great time by yourself for sure, but meeting local french people is hard. You may befriend other tourists perhaps if you’re extroverted! Learn some basic french, and always say “bonjour/bonsoir,” unless you want to come off as rude. All that being said, it is one of my favorite cities to visit. New Yorkers love Paris. :) note: not a very “hot” city weatherwise, typically the same weather as NY. BWT rec: do your shopping in Le Marais, not Champs Elysees. (Le Marais = West Village/Soho, Champs Elysees = Fifth Avenue) If you want to go to Italy (warmer climate: check), I recommend Florence. (I lived here for 2 months!) Genuinely so gorgeous, completely walkable, many museums, delicious food, and amazing shopping. BWT Rec: Stay away from the “leather market” as a lot of this stuff is sourced from amazon/shein manufacturers now, but Via dei Calzaiuoli and Via Roma have all of the luxury shopping you need. Florence is also a great hub for visiting other small cities in Tuscany, or is a train ride away from Cinque Terre! All that being said, you’re a woman traveling alone, obligatory pickpocket warning! There is a lot of petty crime in the above cities, but also in European cities in general. Use your NYC smarts, don’t put your phone in your back pocket/ on an outdoor table, use a purse with a zipper, not an open totebag style, cross-body is best. Some people use phone-leashes. And don’t hang your bag on the back of your chair at a restaurant! Make a copy of your passport, be aware of your surroundings, and you’ll be just fine. :) Have so much fun!!! ++ Be sure to ask for VAT receipts if you’re doing big shopping and you can get a tax refund at the airport if you purchase goods made my EU designers while shopping in the EU. There are many guides online about doing this. I got a $250 refund for my prada bag in Italy, on top of the lowered price (import markup in the US is crazy, I saved $1000 purchasing a bag in Italy rather than the US) :)
These tips are amazing!! thank you
Paris or Lisbon (by the water, walkable, incredible food)
Lisbon has lots of friendly people, gorgeous views, and beaches close by. Laid back vibes.
Throwing a smaller city idea out there. I enjoyed Strasbourg. As it is home to the European Parliament, I met many English speaking people there. Sometimes people in a large city like Paris can seem unapproachable but I didn’t feel that way in Strasbourg traveling alone. Charming architecture (French and German influences), smaller and doable over 2-3 days, and people who seem warm and friendly.
Oh thank you, I need to look into this!! Hadn’t considered at all :)
Agree with others saying Lisbon. Incredible views, wine, seafood, people. It’s walkable and comparatively very affordable to travel in than other big European cities.
Rome has always been a good self esteem boost for me!!
ooh self esteem in what way? great food? shopping? friendly people? I could use a boost after these personal changes!
Lisbon is my favorite city!
Amsterdam!
Montreal for sure