Author Archive

Posted on August 31, 2010 - by Janice

The Right to Travel Solo

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo found a way to be together, yet apart. According to the film Frida, they addressed their needs for solo time as well as couple time by creating a home(s) in these fabulous houses joined by a bridge.

Two houses would likely be a bit of a stretch financially for most of us. Fortunately, there are less expensive ways to get a bit of space for your personal well being and that of your relationship. You can take a break and travel solo.

The right to be solo is for everyone.
Single people have no trouble enjoying their right to be solo.  They simply ask themselves: is this trip one for friends or is it my personal adventure? It’s up to them.

People who are coupled can sometimes struggle with their right to be solo. Yet very often it is these people who need a bit of time alone more than any. With responsibilities for children and a partner and possibly parents, they may never find time for themselves. They need a bit of solo time  for renewal.

I’ve also known more than one couple like Diego and Frida. Unwilling to live without their partner, yet frustrated when they have too much time together. These people have planned time apart. Solo travel is their way of meeting their personal needs.

Reclaiming the right.
There’s nothing odd about needing some time alone. Children do it all the time. They seem to know instinctively when they need to shut down, read a book, play a solitary game or just sit in a tree and stare into space. Adults need that time too. We just have to learn how to listen to our needs. Listen and take a bit of time solo.

Please tell me…
How do you tell your partner you want to travel solo.

Posted on August 25, 2010 - by Janice

Camping alone – protected by a code of ethics.

This summer I camped for the first time alone. I have camped for years and I love being outside all day long. I love hiking, a hammock and good book, building a fire… I love rambling the day away with no chore other than cooking and eating.

Now, to be clear, I don’t do interior camping. That is “true” camping in the eyes of serious hikers and canoeists.  I do the lowly car camping. But for me, the now solo camper, it’s safer than going off into the woods alone.

But is it safe?
As a solo woman traveler, I wonder how safe it is to live in a nylon house. There truly is nothing physical protecting me. What is protecting me is a code of ethics that keeps all campgrounds safe. People respect one another and their gear. Simple as that.

However, almost 20 years ago now, I experienced that code broken when some kids stole our cooler. The value of the loss wasn’t the issue. It was the breach of the code that was appalling. It was unheard of. How could they do such a thing?

So I have this in mind when I think of traveling and camping alone. The code only has to be broken once for an unpleasant result. Ultimately, I think that my ideal would be to camp using a small mobilehome – one similar to what we traveled in as a family during the long-term trip in Europe.

Renting a motorhome or camper
While camping is inexpensive, renting a motorhome can be quite expensive. However, if you go on the off-season it can be affordable. When we camped our way through Europe, the VW Pop-up cost the same for 10 months in the off season as it did for a few weeks in peak season. Amazing!

I’m hoping to make it to the UK again this fall. Last time I took Britrail everywhere, from Cambridge to the Lake District (beautiful, part of the National Trust) to Bath and then London. This year I’d like to explore more National Trust lands. I’m sure that, especially in the fall, there will be plenty of motorhomes for hire that are available at a good price.  So I’ll look into this and, if I make this trip, it will be a completely different Britain that I experience.

Posted on August 24, 2010 - by Janice

Language is Your Lifeline: 10 Tips for travel in a foreign language

It’s kind of funny. If I don’t speak the language that’s spinning around me, I automatically speak French.

It’s not that I’m hoping that someone will understand French. It’s some crossed wire in my brain that says “if I can’t understand it, it must be French”. And it just comes out of my mouth if I don’t catch it in time.  Another traveler recently confessed to the same phenomenon only for him, the optional language is Spanish.

Clearly, I don’t have an ear for languages. Yet, I do manage to travel places where the language doesn’t resemble English at all. It can be done.

Solo travel when you don’t speak the language.
It’s usually recommended that first time solo travelers go to countries where they speak the language. After all, language is your life line for safety, food and shelter.

But when you’re ready to go a bit farther afield and discover the adventure that awaits in less familiar cultures, it’s important to have a strategy for the language issue.

So I give you… 10 tips for travel in a foreign language.

1. Learn the basics – at minimum learn to say please, thank you and  hello in the local language before you go.
2. Use hand gestures and sounds to get your point across. Read the Kwintessental guides to etiquette in other countries to ensure that your gestures and sounds are not insulting.
3. Have important details on a card in your wallet written in the local language – the address of your accommodation, the telephone number, your name and a contact person in case of emergency.
4. Carry a phrase book. I know, it’s old school but for many people it offers a level of comfort that other options don’t. You could also save a bit of money by researching basic phrases on the web and printing them on a sheet of paper before you go.
5. Go to iTunes and download one of many translation apps.
6. If you make a local friend at a coffee shop or grocery store, recruit them to be your teacher. Try to add a few, practical words to your vocabulary every day.
7. Learn as you go. Use the phrase books as a crash course in the language. Extract the most important words – the nouns and verbs — and use them to communicate like a young child does, with very simple phrases.
8. If you have the cash, hire an interpreter for special situations.
9. Be patient, stand back and observe. Many questions can be answered without speaking.
10. Build language lessons into your travels. Immersion into a culture and language is the best way to learn.

Number 11 comes from Jeffery, a member of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook.

11. Draw pictures. Whether on paper or in the dirt you learn a lot – you can  even get directions as he did by drawing pictures in the sand in the middle of nowhere, Cuba.

Posted on August 21, 2010 - by Janice

Travel, Stories and a World of Understanding

On a solo road trip, driving at night from New York City to Cape Cod, I was listening to the fantastic National Public Radio available in the U.S. I’m not sure what the program was but I was sure to note the person being interviewed. Chimamanda Adichie was speaking about the danger of a single story. (You can view her presentation on the topic in the TED Talk video on the right.)

She explained that when we are inundated with one story about a people via the media, those people become one-dimensional. They are all poor or uneducated or radical or, or, or… In fact, this is not possible. All cultures have their challenges and joys if we take the time to look.
(more…)

Posted on August 19, 2010 - by Janice

Pic of the Week: Kissed by the Blues

This is from my trip down the Blues Highway last year.

The companion post for this photo is:

Kissed by the Blues

Click on the title above to have a read.

Posted on August 18, 2010 - by Janice

Women Traveling Alone Part III – 7 Reasons to Go

You may also be interested in Women Traveling Alone Part 1 – Tips and Women Traveling Alone Part II – Destinations.

A twitter friend, @DSXmac, told me that she heard a woman say that all women should travel alone before they get married.

Interesting comment. While I don’t like the “should” word – it’s quite judgmental in my mind, — going solo is a good idea for women — and men — at just about any stage of life. Whether you’ve never been married, are married with kids, divorced, widowed, partnered with an empty nest… here are some great reasons to travel solo.

7 Reasons to Go

1. Discover yourself as your discover the world – before you get tied down, learn self-reliance, decision-making and how to organize your time.
2. Do what you want to do when you want to do it.
3. Have a last hurrah before you have children.
4. Discover who you are when you’re not responsible for children or a partner
5. Take a break from endless daily responsibilities and come back refreshed.
6. Build confidence after a divorce or loss.
7. Eat dessert first – do anything you want to do without being judged.

Posted on August 17, 2010 - by Janice

Zen Travel – Solo Travel

Zen can only be experienced solo. Zen is about being totally aware of now – who you are, what you feel in the present. The past and the future don’t matter. Neither do others outside yourself. Whether you are traveling with people or not, Zen travel is solo travel. (more…)

Posted on August 14, 2010 - by Janice

Don Quioxte or Sancho Panza – who do you travel to meet?

In a small garden near the Torres de Quart, one of the gates in the old city walls in Valencia, Spain, is a statue honoring Cervantes and his two most famous characters, Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza.

I listened to an audio book of Don Quixote on a 1 month trip in Spain. It’s amazing how the language of this book permeates literature and daily life.  Cervantes is credited with such common sayings as “the kettle calling the pot black”, “the proof of the pudding”, “tilting at windmills”… Yes, Don Quixote is a book of significance in popular culture even today.

So it’s not surprising that there would be a statue honoring Cervantes. In fact, there are many such statues  in many different cities.  What is surprising is the design of this particular statue.

The more common representation of the knight errant and his squire has Quixote on a horse and Panza on a donkey. This statue shows Panza carrying Quixote.

There is a very direct honesty about this representation. In reality, the nobility, the leaders and game-changes (and the somewhat madmen) of history who have books, buildings, parks… named after them, achieved their status only with the help of many minor characters. The Sancho Panzas of the world don’t merely walk beside them, they carry them.

This statue could certainly have been placed in a more prominent spot in Valencia. It’s a wonderful reminder to the traveler to take as much if not more pleasure connecting with people like Sancho Panza as well as those like Don Quioxtes.

Thanks to the Region of Valencia for making my trip to their city possible.

Posted on August 7, 2010 - by Janice

Recommended: Travel Solo to Valencia

Look at the two buildings in the photo on the right.  Located in the old city at the center of Valencia, modern is juxtaposed to historic. They seem to live almost symbiotically. One holding up the other. Which is carrying more weight I could not tell. (more…)

Posted on August 4, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel on a Budget Part I: avoiding the single supplement

The single supplement is the bane of solo travelers who want to take a vacation and relax on a tour, a cruise or at a resort.

While I get the economics of it, this idea of paying more because you’re only half of a couple is counter intuitive , frustrating and sometimes paralyzing. (more…)

Posted on August 3, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Traveler: July’s Fave Five.

This is August’s Prize Draw Post on Solo Traveler.

To qualify, simply leave a comment below saying which of the Fave Five posts mentioned you find most interesting.

I’ll draw the winning comment using Random.org in early September.

This month I have three VinniBags ($28 value each) to give away thanks to Colorado Bag’ n Baggage. See the end of this post for details

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Here we go again. A look back at the last month and what was most popular on Solo Traveler from your point of view.

Maybe you read them all – in which case you can see whether you agree that these deserved to be the most popular. Maybe you missed some – if so, have a read because these really are pretty good.

Either way, I hope you enjoy(ed), July’s Fave Five:

Should I Stay or Should I Go
This is a story from the heart. It’s not a solo travel story but a story that explains why I travel solo. It’s a story about long term travel. My hope is that it inspires you to take the trip of your dreams.

Women Traveling Alone Part II – Great destinations
What are the best destinations for women traveling alone – especially novices? Here are my top five plus other recommendations gathered by crowdsourcing on Twitter.

Saint Petersburg Part I – 19 things not to do
While Saint Petersburg is high on my list of places to go, as guest blogger Ed Ryder shares, there are many, many precautions to take. Have a read of this fascinating post.

I Travel Solo for the Company
I often meet people as I travel but this one day on Cape Cod was better than any I have ever experienced. Meet Skip, Jeanette, Laurie, Jim and Brad.

Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor in Pictures
From sun rise to sun set, Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor offers inspiration for beautiful photographs.

Please remember, I take requests. If you’d like a specific topic on how to travel alone covered or you would like information on a certain destination, send me an email at info@solotravelerblog.com. If I don’t have the information you need, I can generally find a travel blogger who does. I try to publish request posts within a few weeks.

Now, leave a comment saying which is your fave post for a chance to win!

VinniBags are inflatable travel containers to transport liquids & fragile items that suspend contents in an air cushion, protecting against both impact and leakage.  VinniBags meet all TSA & airline requirements, too.

If you’re in the US you can order VinniBags from Colorado Bag’ n Baggage. If you’re outside the US, go to VinniBag site to find a dealer nears you. But, it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, if you’re a winner, we’ll ship it to you.

Posted on July 31, 2010 - by Janice

The Solo Traveler Advantage

I have had many perks as a result of being a solo traveler. People have gone out of their way to show me their city. Others have bought me drinks. But in Rochester, New York, I enjoyed a first. (more…)

Posted on July 28, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel Safety: Six tips for common sense self defense.

My usual posts about safety are all about prevention. It is far better to avoid a dangerous situation than to struggle your way out of one. So, first, I refer you to the Solo Travel Safety category where you can read lots about safe travel practices.

But, the fact is, sometimes we can end up in dicey situations. My worst was when I was Caught in a Con Game in Paris. With this in mind, I’ve done a little research on self defense.  Maybe some of these tips will stay with you and be available if ever needed.

1. Be noisy and demanding: If someone is bothering you yet they seem relatively harmless,  draw attention to the situation. I was groped while sleeping on a train in Europe. When I woke up, I yelled at the man and demanded another compartment.
2. Get Away: A person threatening you in some way is probably pumped up on adrenaline or possibly other substances. The best thing to do is try to get away.
3. De-escalation: If it’s money that the attacker is after, give it to them. If they’re bullying, don’t challenge them, don’t give them any reason to attack, agree rather than argue, stay calm, and look for a logical opportunity to leave.
4. Personal alarm: At up to 120 decibels, personal alarms distract and disorient attackers while attracting attention they don’t want.
5. Diversion: If someone demands your wallet or purse, throw it away from you. If that’s what they really want, you’ll have time to run.
6. Play to Your Strengths: If you can’t get away and it seems that you have to fight, what can I say but, yikes! What I have read is that you should forget the kick to the groin. They know that it’s coming plus, it places you on one foot and off balance for too long. Instead,

-  Strike first for the element of surprise.
-  Pepper spray may be an option. I have no experience with it and can’t imagine getting it out of my purse in time to do any good. It also can’t be taken on a plane and requires a license in some US states.
-  If you’re close enough, use your elbow; it’s the strongest part of your body.
-  If you do kick, use the side of your foot and go for your attacker’s knees to set them off balance.

I can’t claim to have tested any of the above (except number 1) so I offer them with caution. Travel safe. Please think prevention first.

Posted on July 24, 2010 - by Janice

Should I Stay or Should I Go

On September 14th, I’ll be hosting Meet Plan Go in Toronto. Joining me are Journeywoman, thePlanetD and other long term travel enthusiasts. Please read to the end for details.

This story is about why I am so keen to host the event.

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How does one balance the importance of living in the present with the need to prepare for the future?

Some people don’t contemplate this issue. They simply do what comes naturally – sometimes suffering the consequences of favoring one over the other.

But, if you are one who does consider how to balance the two, where does the answer lie. And, what is the question?  If you love travel, the question is: should I stay or should I go. (more…)

Posted on July 8, 2010 - by Janice

Pic of the Week: Solo Travel in New Orleans

This musician was one of a trio playing on Bourbon Street.

Read more about my time in New Orleans in the post
Seedy Bars and Luxury Hotels on the Blues Highway.

Posted on July 7, 2010 - by Janice

Summer Theater for Solo Travelers – the drama of my dreams.

I have always loved theater. My husband and I actually started a theater once but it wasn’t gong to feed the kids so we had to go in another direction. Fortunately, that direction fed our desire to attend theater. But that’s another story. This one is about the joy of seeing great theater. And the great theater that I have yet to see. (more…)

Posted on July 1, 2010 - by Janice

I travel solo for the company.

I travel solo because of people like Skip, Jeanette and Laurie. Because of Jim. And because of Brad. I travel solo for the company I find along the way.

(more…)

Posted on June 29, 2010 - by Janice

360 degrees of Washington Square Fountain
on a 90 degree day

Last weekend in New York City, I headed south on 5th Avenue to take a short stroll through the Village. It was a steaming hot day. Walking through Washington Square, I found children and adults playing in the fountain to beat the heat.
(more…)

Posted on June 26, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel for Inspiration – a new passion

The human eye is designed for distance. Unfortunately, I work on a computer many hours a day using a focal length that can be measured in inches. I live in a city where my view bumps up against buildings rather than enjoying the sweep of the landscape. And when I get outside Toronto into relatively flat Ontario, my vision is stopped short by trees.

That’s why I love to travel to mountains where I can stretch my eyes and really see the horizon. When I do, I’m inspired.

When I lived in western Canada, I knew the pleasure of mountains. But for the last 25 years I’ve lived in the east. I forgot how mountains enrich life.

In November, I rediscovered their wonder when I went to the Lake District and walked for four days. Climbing the fells was not just exercise for my legs, a work-out for my heart and fresh air for my lungs, it was also a relief for my eyes. And, as my eyes drank in the view, I could think differently. I was inspired.

In January, Utah was my mountain destination. I went and volunteered at the Sundance Film Festival but the best day of my trip was skiing at The Canyons.

At 10,000 feet, the views were stunning. The thin air may have contributed to the Rocky Mountain high that I felt for days afterward but the mountains served well to free my mind and inspire creativity.

It doesn’t surprise me that the famous poet, William Wordsworth, went to the Lake District of England and stayed.  In the same way, it’s not surprising that the mountains of Utah are the backdrop to the Sundance Institute to support emerging and aspiring filmmakers. It’s simple; mountains are inspiring.

When I plan my travels, I now try to include some time at a higher elevation with a view. It frees my eyes to do what they do best and, in the process, frees my mind to new inspiration. It has become a passion of mine.

Note: Next week I’ll be in Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. Hopefully I’ll make it to the top of Cadillac Mountain. At just over 1500 feet it is the highest point along the north Atlantic coast of the US and the first place to see the sunrise. I’ll have pictures to share soon.

Posted on June 24, 2010 - by Janice

Women Traveling Alone Part II – great destinations

This is the second in a series of posts specifically for women solo travelers. The first post, Women Traveling Alone Part I – 10 tips offered ideas that make travel for a woman easier. They were based on personal experience. You’ll also find tips from others in the comments to the post. This time, the theme is great destinations for women solo travelers – especially first-timers.

I find it relatively easy to answer questions about how women can get the most out of the solo travel experience. I find it a bit more difficult to suggest where they should go. After all, I haven’t been everywhere.

So, in this post I share with you some of my favorite destinations that I also think would be great for solo travel novices. To broaden out the perspective and identify more great destinations for women, I also offer the results of a little crowdsourcing I did using Twitter.

Great destinations for women traveling alone – a few of my favorites.
Most of my recommendations for women traveling alone for the first time are places where English is spoken, or, it would not be surprising to find someone who speaks English. Being able to communicate in your own language is helpful – especially if you are a newbie.

Here’s my list.

• The Lake District – if you are at all outdoorsy – or even if you’re not – the Lake District is a fabulous place to visit for it’s natural beauty and local charm. It’s easy to see why this area was the inspiration for much of Wordsworth’s poetry. Walking by day. A pint at the local pub by night. It’s a perfect solo travel destination.
• Chicago - I love New York City but it is almost too obvious for a list like this. I recommend Chicago for it’s fabulous downtown, waterfront, architecture, great use of the river, cycling, arts scene, blue/jazz scene, sports traditions… and they have a wonderful free greeters program to introduce you to the city as well.
• Amsterdam – Amsterdam is a city rich in history, fresh with pop culture and on the leading edge of social change. It is a place where women, pedestrians and cyclists are all respected. Yes there’s the red light district but it’s also very family friendly. Unlike Paris which is a city to look at, Amsterdam is a place to infiltrate – at least that’s how I felt when I was there.

• St. Remy & Arles, France – I absolutely love France and the part of France I love the most is the south near Arles and St. Remy de Provence (they are about 30km apart). Arles is the bigger city with a Roman arena. St. Remy has roman ruins as well though smaller. The area is famous for inspiring Vincent Van Gogh who lived there from 1889 to 1890, a year of intense productivity of master works. It’s beauty lies in the landscape, history and French countryside charm.
• Cross Canada by Train – Traveling coach across Canada is a fabulous experience for a woman traveling alone. On route, you make friends, pick up a card game, have cocktails at 5pm… In first class where people have bedrooms its not quite as social. Traveling coach is very communal. If you’re worried about sleeping upright for three nights well, it can be done. A carry-on is the same height as the seats so a perfect extension if you’re lucky enough to get a double. But, we can make do with what we have. Beside me a lovely couple from Newfoundland sat and slept side by side for four days.

Great destinations for women traveling alone – recommendations from Twitter.

• New Zealand – it’s safe, very friendly… simply spectacular all around. CarolineAttack.
• Japan, Thailand, Vietnam… – I think Buddhist countries in general are good bets for women traveling alone zoezolbrod
• Thailand and Malaysia were great for solo women travelers as well! cbrodzky
• Chile – I was mostly in cities, but it felt incredibly safe & ppl were helpful. That said, I’ve traveled to ~15 countries alone…  I should add also that the hostel scene in Santiago is amazing (lots of women staffers at CheLagarto, where I stayed) jilliancyork
• Australia was a great place to start as a woman solo traveler. I went there for 4 months. Then 3 months in New Zealand. MissAlisa75
• Netherlands – Top pick 4 solo women travelers is Netherlands/small, English spoken,women there considered equal 4 a long time- most imp! Journeywoman
• Seoul – is my recommendation for you; this city is probably one of the safest places to stay and look around. Experience thousands of years walking around old palaces. And You should try temple foods. medicomm
• Singapore, Australia and Baguio in Philippines are perfect places for first time solo women travellers prime_sarmiento