AYH stands for American Youth Hostel but you don't have to be a youth. Just Google AYH. There are also elder hostels, some of which have programs.

In small-to-midsized hostels there's a sense of community. Communal kitchen, communal living room, and everyone is so friendly.

Interesting, I'll have to check them out. I knew of youth hostels overseas but not here in the US and I didn't realize anyone but young people could use them.

Thanks meredithbead!

I have wanted to go to Sicily for my whole life. And my husband wasn't really interested. Well meaning people told me it wasn't a safe place for women to travel alone over there, but this just made me want to go more. So at the age of 50 I flew by myself to Rome and took a short 1 hour flight from there to Palermo and spent a week in a little town called Cefalu' for a week. I had an absolute blast. I never had any problems because i was a single woman. I discovered that half the population of Sicily are women and they don't all have escorts! I found warm friendly people everywhere on that Island. I encourage you to take a trip by yourself. You don't have to do anything you don't want! it's a great way to travel!

Great stuff Madelaine. I haven't done any non-North American trip by myself yet. I personally know several women who did it solo for a few months in Europe..when they were in their late 20's, etc. The train system in various European countries is much more extensive and much better for route planning options, than North America which helps.

Meredith: I've never tried hostels nor has my partner when he travelled solo. (Or maybe he's tried it once..)

I only like sharing a room with multiple beds with family members. I must admit I'm not keen to share a hostel room with a pile of other strangers. I don't sleep well, when other people snore even gently.

I realize there are hostels with your own private rm.

I must sound old.