Archive for the ‘How to Travel Alone’ Category

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 10, 2010 - by solotraveler

Oh those Auzzies! Girl travels solo, writes book.

Australians are famous for traveling the world. And they often travel solo.  (Tomorrow you can read about the solo Auzzie I met in Vienna and traveled to Budapest with – five years before the wall fell. Interesting times.)

Stephanie Lee is an Auzzie girl who traveled solo and, to her credit, decided to write a book about it: The Art of Solo Travel, a girl’s guide.. This is a practical eBook that systematically looks at all aspects of solo travel – long or short term. (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 July 14, 2010 - by Guest

Saint Petersburg Part II – Top 15 Things to Do

Yesterday you read about 19 things NOT to do in Saint Petersburg. But even with all those caveats, it’s still a place that I really want to visit. Here are 15 reasons why…

The Top 15 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg:

1. First, hire a private guide. You will see more and do more. You’ll have more fun, and the guide will watch over you. (This post and the “what Not to do” post were written by Ed Ryder of Visit Saint Petersburg, a provider of private guide services in Saint Petersburg.) (more…)

Posted on July 13, 2010 - by Guest

Saint Petersburg Part 1: 19 Things Not to Do

One day, I will take a trip from Saint Petersburg to Athens. I have no idea what the logistics would involve but I took a course on eastern European history once and I would just love to see the landscape, architecture, culture… for myself, fist hand.

With Saint Petersburg on my list, I was thrilled when Ed Ryder of Visit Saint Petersburg, a provider of private guide services in Saint Petersburg, approached me to provide information for my blog. Aware that Saint Petersburg is no Kansas, I asked for more than just what to do. I asked for what not to do as well. Here’s the latter. Please return tomorrow to read the former.

19 Things Not to Do In Saint Petersburg:

1. Don’t be tempted to buy an antique, or anything that looks just a little bit old, or anything which might be perceived as having “cultural value.” Example: If you buy a World War 2 medal at a flea market and attempt to take it out of the country, you will be arrested and thrown in jail if they catch you. (more…)

Posted on July 10, 2010 - by solotraveler

Solo Road Trip: 4 navigation necessities

What would I have done without Jane?

Jane is my GPS, christened so by my friend Tracey on our recent road trip to New York City. (more…)

Posted on July 3, 2010 - by solotraveler

Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor in Pictures

It’s 6:12am and pretty quiet here in Bar Harbor. I’m sitting outside the Tamarind Café, one of two places I’ve found in town to get free wifi.

If you don’t have your own computer, you can go to the Opera House which is an internet café but quite expensive. Regardless, at this time of the morning, nothing is open.

I’m getting ready to head back to Canada. To New Brunswick, to be specific. But I thought I’d stop and upload some pictures for you first.

These pics are of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor which are located on Mount Desert Island. This island offers a very different landscape than Cape Cod. More rugged than the Cape, it is covered with pine and birch trees, has wildlife and a rocky shore. It’s great for hiking and viewing the sunrise.

Cadillac Mountain offers hikers, cyclists and those who drive the first view of the sun from American soil. (more…)

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

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 June 17, 2010 - by Janice

Men Traveling Alone: 10 tips

Ok guys. It’s your turn now. Last week I published a post with 10 tips for women traveling alone. I promised then that I would publish one for men traveling alone as well. You see, a fellow on twitter  lamented the fact that all the solo travel tips were for women. So here you go. A post of your own.

(more…)

Posted on June 15, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel Tips & Teases from “Travelers Night In”

On Thursdays, Zip Set Go organizes an event on Twitter called Travelers Night In or #TNI from 3:30 to 5pm ET. It’s  a fast paced chat about travel on a different topic every week. (more…)

Posted on June 10, 2010 - by Janice

Women Traveling Alone Part I – 10 tips

Yes, this post is about women traveling alone. But, don’t worry guys. It’ll be your turn soon. Next Thursday there is a post on 10 Tips for Men Traveling Alone. And then, Women Traveling Along Part II will suggest some great destinations.

I’ve written all sorts of posts on how to travel alone. Posts on solo travel safety, eating alone, how to spend evenings… This post could cover all those again because they all apply to women traveling alone. However, I’m not going to try to say everything. This time I am writing about things specific to women – serious issues and girly things.

(more…)

Posted on June 3, 2010 - by Janice

How to Travel Alone Without Being Lonely:
10 tips & 5 posts

After safety, loneliness is the number one complaint of the solo traveler.

Most of us don’t actually complain about it that much; we relish our time alone. But even for the most avid solo traveler, loneliness can be an issue on occasion. Fortunately, there are ways to plan your own trip, travel alone and not feel lonely. I give you… (more…)

Posted on June 1, 2010 - by Janice

Solo Travel Road Trip with Audio Books

This is the PRIZE POST for June. Leave a comment for a chance to win one of five VIP Coupons for Audible.com. Winners are selected using Random.org

Sign up for the newsletter in the sidebar for the word on other prize draws and lots more travel information.

On my recent trip around Lake Ontario I was actually accompanied by Salman Rushdie. I know. He pops up everywhere. According to IMDB (the Internet Movie Database) he plays himself in no less than 45 movies and television shows.

In my case, he kindly read his book Fury to me. Before leaving, I borrowed the 8 CD set from my local library. I listened to it on my travels between cities (my itinerary here) and just managed to complete the book on my way back into Toronto. (more…)

Posted on May 29, 2010 - by Janice

Podcast: Janice talks about Solo Travel

In the early Fall I was approached by Brian of NoDebtWorldTravel.com for an interview about solo travel. He was in the process of putting together his “World Travel Blueprint” at the time. (more…)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Posted on May 26, 2010 - by Guest

Traveling Alone? Not for long in Ibiza

I had another reader request. This time for Ibiza, Spain. Through Twitter, I met Anton who kindly stepped up to share his vast knowledge of the island with us. He’s been going to Ibiza for 15 years.

Ibiza offers such a breadth of holiday experience that it’s important to know what you want from the magical white isle to ensure that you make the most of your time there. (more…)

Posted on May 19, 2010 - by Guest

Solo Travel in London: Chic & cheap

Susan Radcliffe is a qualified journalist with 5 years experience writing for internet, radio and television. She is also a keen traveler based in London. She shares her knowledge of the city’s hotels, apartments and hostels for the London based hotel price comparison site Tube Hotels.

Full of friendly faces and easy on the pocket, hostels can be a great accommodation option for those of us who travel solo. In areas of central London, where few hotel rooms sell for under £100, they can cut your accommodation bill by a factor of 10. Let’s not lie; some of them can be a bit grim and basic. But they can also be something completely different – stylish, surprising, special. How about sleeping in an old prison, an art gallery or the home of a Victorian biscuit entrepreneur? These are some of London’s most unusual hostels. (more…)

Posted on May 18, 2010 - by solotraveler

Solo Travel Vancouver:
slow travel, slow food, slow art

Vancouver is a city worth taking your time in. I lived there many years ago and I have relatives there still. Every time I visit, I’m reminded that this is a city to savor. (more…)

Posted on May 14, 2010 - by Janice

Your solo evening starts with a manicure and a martini.

When I travel solo, I don’t waste the evenings by staying in. I always manage to find  activities that suit the solo experience. A few weeks ago, on my trip around Lake Ontario, I had a great night out in Kingston. Click here for my itinerary of the entire trip around the lake.
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