In reply to yellow21:
> which leads to my 3 questions.
> 1) Is the route to Margarita Hut something achievable with my experience noted above or will I really need a guide/tour to join?
Yes, you should be fine with this, provided you check on crevasse rescue/glacier travel. Mostly it is not very technical at all, after all Queen Margarita personally opened it more than a century ago with a train of 100 ladies in waiting.
> 2)I would feel comfortable having a partner. However, I am also comfortable doing things by myself. In terms of safety, is it viable to do this route alone as it seems like it is popular and relatively non-technical?
Not advisable due to crevasse danger, also it is VERY high, see previous advice about soloing Mont Blanc by the Gouter route.
> 3) How do people go about finding others to ascend/rope up with if travelling alone?
Stick a an advert for "Lifts and partners"?
P.S. Do NOT go up to the Gnifetti hut on a weekend in high Summer, the roadhead is mayhem. Leave it till a weekday and it can be virtually empty.