Author Archive

Posted on June 23, 2010 - by Ffion

Solo Travel Itinerary: Toronto to New York to New Brunswick & Home

It’s another road trip.

I love driving but two major road trips within a couple of months is quite unusual for me.

The last,  my trip around Lake Ontario, was a substitute for not going to Chile after the earthquake.

This one, to New York, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick and home again is the result of connecting two trips into one longer one. My accommodation will be as varied as my locations:

• Hotel in Manhattan
• A lovely seaside motel in Cape Cod.
• Camp sites in Maine and New Brunswick

I start out with friends, travel solo in the middle, then end at a family reunion. Here’s the travel itinerary.

First, to New York City

Wednesday – Two friends and I will drive to NYC leaving early on Wednesday morning. We’ll arrive there in the early evening and stay at the Courtyard Newark Elizabeth in Elizabeth New Jersey (very close to Jersey Gardens outlet mall if that’s of interest to you).

I really don’t want to take my car into Manhattan due to the traffic and the cost so this hotel is a great alternative. The hotel room is $215  a night including tax and includes up to eight days with Park ‘n Fly.We’ll check in, have a swim, go online (free wifi in public areas and wired in room) and relax.

Thursday – Sunday In the morning, we’ll head into the city via the train from Newark Airport to Penn Station. First stop the Chelsea Star Hotel to drop off our bags. We actually have an apartment that we’ll be sharing there. Then up to the the Official New York City Information Center in Times Square to pick up the NYC CityPass that will be waiting for me as a participant at TBEX. (more about that soon.)

This day we plan to take a tour on the public bus systems as per this great article in the New York Times. For $7.50, we can hop on and hop off all day traveling like locals.

That evening we have dinner reservations at Otto Enoteca at 1 Fifth Avenue. A pizza joint with an incredible reputation. It is one of Mario Batali’s Italian restaurants that is actually quite modestly priced. Don’t plan on going without a reservation.

Friday we’ll likely take in the Museum of Modern Art and do some shopping. At 5:30 I’m going to a get together of the various hosts for Meet Plan Go – an event scheduled in 10 cities across North America on September 14th. I’m hosting the one in Toronto. Later that evening is the opening reception of TBEX, the travel bloggers conference.

Saturday and Sunday are completely tied up with going to the conference. I have lots to learn and people to meet. I’m very excited. Late Sunday afternoon my two friends and I head to the airport. They fly home. I pick up the car and drive to Cape Cod.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts
I’ll arrive in late from New York City but I think it’s worth it to drive through rather than break my trip up. I’d like to have the full Monday and Tuesday to spend in Cape Cod.

I’ll be staying at the Cape Cod Ocean View Hotel. I’ll definitely go to Provincetown and otherwise, wander the beaches and explore the area. There are museums and I could go whale watching but, coming off New York City,  I’m leaving myself open to  my mood at the time.

Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park, Maine
I’m going to Acadia National Park where I’ll camp two nights (yes, I’ve brought equipment with me) at Blackwoods Campground. I’ll take advantage of  ocean beaches and 125 miles of hiking trails. I won’t be bringing my bike on this trip (just not enough room) but I will likely rent one to see more of the park.  Of course, I’ll also explore Bar Harbor a small town of about 5000 residents and go to the top of Cadillac Mountain as mountains have become a bit of a theme of mine.

Sussex / Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
The drive from Bar Harbor to Fundy National Park, just east of Saint John, New Brunswick will take about 5 hours. I won’t have much time to enjoy the park as I am here for a  reunion of my husband’s family. But, again, I will camp. I could have taken a room in a hotel but, for me, being outside all the time is a real pleasure. Saturday and Sunday morning are the reunion days but I’ll leave early Sunday morning for a 15 hour marathon drive back to Toronto.

This trip, as I say, came as a result of blending two together. But how lovely a blend it is. Starting with friends for five days, then solo for five and finally with family for two. I am really looking forward to it.

Posted on April 16, 2010 - by Ffion

Solo Travel Itinerary around Lake Ontario

Oh my, this is going to be a good trip.

Sunday I leave to travel solo around Lake Ontario.  Some days are packed with things to do, others are more about the journey – cycling and driving.

Here’s my itinerary. Details to come in future posts. (more…)

Posted on January 24, 2010 - by Ffion

Welsh wonders with your dog: Playing, eating, & sleeping with a Welsh accent

An island sojourn: sand, sea and bracing (healthy) iodine-filled breezes — w With a twist. It’s all in Welsh.

Kiah and I are off to Sir Fôn (there’s the Welsh already), ready to sniff out the best places for a solo traveler – and her dog! Anglesey (the English name) is the largest of the Welsh islands (accessible by rail, road or ship). It’s also the place with the long place name (starts with Llanfairpwllgwyngyll…) and has standing stones, copper mines and friendly, welcoming locals. (more…)

Posted on December 19, 2009 - by Ffion

A Solo Traveler’s Holiday Thought:
A lesson from my dog.

Can you imagine living as a human in a dog’s world? I know. It sounds like some corny rehash of Planet of the Apes, but the thought does cross my mind when I see my dog live in a human world 90% of the time. She only has occasion to interact with others of her kind when she meets them on walks, or at the doggie day care. She is mostly a solo traveling dog. (more…)

Posted on November 19, 2009 - by Ffion

How to travel alone: B&B-ing with your dog (Or how to ensure you both eat!)

Bookmark this on Delicious

Ffion loves animals – particularly her dog Kiah.
She and Kiah hit the road together on a regular basis and have discovered some of the challenges
this presents as well as solutions. Every month she’ll share another post about traveling with pets.

“What d’you think, pup – time for dinner?” (more…)

Posted on June 20, 2009 - by Ffion

Look right then left – or is it left then right?

So, you know how, when you travel solo, you tend to meet a lot of people? And how you bone up on your languages so you can have a conversation beyond “Hello, How are you?” and “My name is…” You reviewed your French, Spanish, maybe some Chinese, and of course your English… (more…)

Posted on May 1, 2009 - by Ffion

Golden Delights of Solo Photography

“C’mon already – you’ve shot that thing 1000 times – let’s GO!”

Whine whine whine…Trying to combine my photography hobby with any kind of relationship is next to impossible.Except for my beautiful dog, Kiah, who’s a perfect companion for the Solo traveller/photographer.  As soon as she sees the camera in the ‘shoot’ position, she settles down to wait, totally at ease, no rush, content to share the simple country pleasures. And what pleasures there are in the UK. It’s almost summer here (20 degrees today), but the spring blossoms are still in glorious bloom. (more…)