You are better off going to the Orobas Fjords and finishing as many quest's as you can get.
I didn't start this part of the main quest untill i was level 34.
Now i can just relax and kill without any trouble at all.
If you still havnt started, i sugest you go and beat all of the Flying fortreses. There are a few quest's in the Battle tower you can do for your: Alchemist, Necromancer and Skill Trainer, finish their first quest and than you can get their Flying Fortress quest's
You not only get great gear but you also level verry fast! Hope i could help even a little
