Overseas Travel

[kalen]

All of the photographs on the travel photos page have given me the "wonderlust" (again)....

Every year, in the spring, I take a solo retreat to some part of the world I've never been to.  This year, I'd like to go overseas for the first time.  Can anyone make suggestions to a place that would be safe and easy to navigate for the solo woman?

Now, we (my husband, children and I) are going to spend two weeks in Ireland next October, so that's out, but can anyone think of any place that's not too expensive (less than $1000 for one) and safe for solo travel?  And I don't care at all to venture off the beaten path (heck, I'm considering Turkey, to which my friend asked, "What's in TURKEY?!?!") -- adventuring with God is the reason I do these retreats.

Suggestions anyone?

[spurly]

A safe place for a single female?  Probably not a Muslim country.  What about Belgium or Germany?  Lots of beautful sights in those countries.

[Bon Voyage]

New Zealand?

[HRoberson]

How about the Taize community? It's in France (which is a bit of a gamble to begin with ;)): http://www.taize.fr/en

Germany, especially the southern part of the country (bordering Switzerland, Autstria), has beautiful areas. There are, no doubt, plenty of places to stay (Gasthouses for a more quaint experience; regular hotels if you prefer). You might even consider staying in Salzburg, Austria (catacombs) and venture into Germany from there (Neuschwanstein Castle, Bad Tolz, Garmisch, and Eagle's Nest). You could even make the drive to Vienna if you so desired - or into Switzerland.

For anyone wanting to stay in the US, the Abbey of Gethsemanie is where Thomas Merton did his thing: http://www.monks.org

HR

[James Rondon]

Antarctica.

[crocless aussie]

Antarctica.

Cool!

[twd]

Yes, quite.

[kalen]

I should have known this lot wouldn't take the task seriously!  :-P

[janine]

Ain't no really truly safe place for a woman, according to Mike.  Especially nowhere outside the U.S.

Which makes me wonder who is inside that Mike-suit, giving me his blessing re: my solo trip to Santa Fe in a few days.

Australia would be great --- but to do it for that sort of money you'd have to take six months on a barge or something.

[twd]

Plenty of people think New Mexico is outside the U.S.  That's why they changed their license plates to say "New Mexico USA".

[Volkmar]

Montana.  Someplace that you can only get to on a horse.


V

[Volkmar]

Oh, sorry.  You said "overseas". 

I don't know where you're starting from, but if you fly over the Carribean then go north of Montana...


V

[boringoldguy]

I don't know if it counts as "overseas" but you might consider Guatemala.

Guatemala City is only a 4 hour flight from Houston.    Once there,  you'd probably want to hire a car to take you to Antigua Guatemala, about a one-hour drive.

Antigua is a UN World Heritage site;  the architecture is outstanding,  and the scenery (it's surrounded by three 11,000 foot+ volcanoes) is spectacular.    There are special "tourist police" everywhere you look,  and if you ask,  they'll accompany you anywhere you want to go.   I know of several young women who have traveled there alone and none ever felt the least bit unsafe in Antigua.  (Guatemala City might be another matter - best just to go directly to and from the airport.)     The prices are reasonable and the weather's delightful.     Language shouldn't be a problem,   lots of people speak English and there are Amercians all over Antigua.

[janine]

Plenty of people think New Mexico is outside the U.S.  That's why they changed their license plates to say "New Mexico USA".

Mike thinks nowhere is safe.

Especially going out of the country.

But he thinks nowhere is safe for a woman.



Seems there should be good places south of the border, such as what BOG mentions above.

[kalen]

Hey, thanks BOG -- I'll look into that!  :-)

[crocless aussie]

kalen

North Queensland (Cairns and surrounds) from now to October - it's good preparation for heaven!  But it will cost more than $1000 - but then so will heaven!

Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef (snorkel and scuba).

Allan

[ollie]

Antarctica.

Falkland Islands.

[kalen]

Allan, I would love (LOVE) to visit Oz, but I'm afraid it's a bit too steep for me -- I've already priced it and ouch!  I've heard it's very safe, though, for the solo woman traveller.  Perhaps next year (and not merely in my dreams)...

[marc]

Have you ever considered Cananda or Nova Scotia? The trip isn't too far since they are nearby, Quebec is really incredible.

Hey, you can go overseas to Nova Scotia, too. 

Or you could go over to St. John, Newfoundland and hop a whaling vessel to Dundee....

(sorry.  I've been listening to Canadian folk music.)

[marc]

The other good thing about Nova Scotia is that it's a good place to watch the total eclipse of the sun, particularly if you have a  Lear Jet you can fly up there with.

[twd]

But only if your really vain.

[marc]

Something weird.  I've noticed that every time I'm typing Nova Scotia it's coming out "Novia" Scotia.  I'm not sure why.  I know how to spell it, but my fingers keep throwing in the i.

[twd]

I don't know, but I'm sure there's a movie plot in there somehow, marc.

[kalen]

I know what I could do!  I could rent my own private island and spend a month out there with a personal chef and deluxe day spa (built to my spefications, of course) and a private orchestra  and as many books as my valet could carry.  I bet I could afford that....

[Jimbob]

I've no idea of cost, but I've always wanted to see the fjords of Norway.

[twd]

You can see the Fords at your local car dealer much cheaper.

[Jimbob]

Yeah, but Ford's Euro designs are more interesting.

[mike]

I just returned yesterday from two weeks in Greece. Although it was warmer than I expected for this time of year, I had a great time.

I enjoyed studying the history and hiking and climbing through the archeological sites (Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, Rhodes, Patmos, the acropolis in Athens -- also took a side trip to Ephesus). I also enjoyed visiting a number of Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries (the monasteries in Meteora were breathtaking.)

The Greek people were very nice and hospitable. Nearly everyone speaks English, the food is great, and the prices are very affordable.

Mike

[twd]

My son is spending the summer with Harding University's Greece program.  But they are actually in Egypt right now.

[mike]

I was in Corinth on a Sunday morning. The Orthodox worship service there was quite different from my usual worship experience.

However, I can report that at no time did multiple prophets or tongues-speakers talk simultaneously. It was quite orderly. Apparently they read their mail from Paul. 

[twd]

Did they greet each other with a holy kiss?   

[mike]

Did they greet each other with a holy kiss?  

Didn't notice that 

[spurly]

You could go to Wartburg Castle and see the place where Luther translated the Bible into the language of the people.  Here is a short write up on it:

Wartburg Castle. (a UNESCO World Heritage site). This imposing medieval fortress, built by Count Ludwig 1 in 1067, stands atop a mountain on the outskirts of Eisenach and is best known as the place where Martin Luther sought refuge following his excommunication in 1521. It serves as one of Germany's most prolific national symbols. Martin Luther, who was excommunicated by the pope and outlawed by the emperor, sought refuge in the bailiff's lodge at the Wartburg. During the months of his protective custody, under the guise of Junker Jörg, he lived and worked in a sparsely furnished room, today known as the Luther Room and translated the New Testament from the original Greek texts into German.
A tour of the castle includes the Knight's Hall, the Chapel, the Hall of Songs (which inspired Wagner), the Landgrave's hall and the Festival Hall. In the Festival Hall is a mural depicting the triumph of Christianity over paganism. The Luther room (Lutherstiege) is well worth a visit. You'll be able to see period furnishings and an original copy of the Luther's translation of the Bible. The Wartburg is open daily 9 - 5 from Nov. - Mar. and 8.30 -6 from Apr. - Oct