An upgrade to a small (really small) motorhome has some appeal.

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.

This VW Pop-up was our home for most of the 10 months we were on the road.

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.

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.

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.

The Art of Solo Travel – a review
Stephanie has traveled to over 30 countries – 20 of them she traveled to alone. She learned a lot in her travels and now she’s written this book to inspire people to embrace their individuality, their sense of adventure, and to travel solo.

What The Art of Solo Travel, covers quite well:

• Why go.
• Where to go – she gives you her take on Japan, Egypt, Western Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.
• How to tell friends and family, and addressing their concerns and/or jealousy.
• Packing – she compares the pros and cons of backpacks and suitcases and, like me, she believes in packing light – 15kg or less she says. She has a good packing list for temperate climates plus girls’ stuff, gadgets, optional items, and absolute necessities in terms of documents and health.
• Financial planning, saving the cash, budgeting and how she traveled for a year on $15,000.
• Flying efficiently including maneuvering in airports,
• Couchsurfing.
• Healthy eating.

What’s not covered in much detail:

• Fear of  being lonely.
• Dining alone.
• Safety information.
• Resources.

It’s unfortunate that she doesn’t cover these topics in detail because, based on the queries that get people to Solo Traveler, they are very important issues.

Regardless, I do think The Art of Solo Travel is a valuable resource. There are lots of tips, it’s concisely written and well organized. It can be purchased for $12.95 by clicking here.

(Disclosure: if you decide to purchase I do get a commission.)

A solo traveler on a Gap Adventures trip.

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.

This past Sunday I was quoted in the LA Times giving one tip on how to avoid the supplement. I have a few more. In fact, I have 7 ways to help single travelers equate package travel with budget travel.

Here they are:

1. Google Alerts: When you start dreaming about a trip, create a Google Alert for a few destinations and the term “single supplement waived”.For example: “Caribbean resort single supplement waived”.  When a notice that the single supplement is waived at a Caribbean resort goes up on the web, you’ll receive an email alert from Google.
2. Timing and Asking: Book your package either a long way out from your departure date or at the last minute.  If it doesn’t say that the single supplement is waived request that it be waived. Depending on their confidence in selling out the package, they may do so. Of course, it helps if you’re willing to walk away from the deal if you don’t get what you want.
3. Pairing You Up: Some tour companies, especially adventure tour companies like GAP Adventures, tend to waive the single supplement if you’re willing to share accommodation with another person of the same gender.  Being paired up with someone isn’t my first choice but it can add an exciting wild card to a trip and I expect would work out more often than not.
4. Finding a Travel Partner: If the travel company you want to go with doesn’t offer this matching service, you may find a travel partner through friends, Facebook or other specialty sites on the web. Simply Google “find a travel partner” and you’ll find many options. But please, don’t just go with anyone. Be picky about who you’ll spend your travel time with and how you’ll spend it. If you’re just sharing a room and not the day, it will be a lot easier.
5. Find a Deal so Great…: Find a deal so great that the single supplement isn’t really an issue. To find the best website for deals from your location just Google “travel deals”. You may still have to pay a supplement but if you find a screaming deal it won’t be quite so painful.
6. Go on the Shoulder Season: The off-season is usually “off” for a reason.  But the shoulder season can be a spectacular time to travel. With less crowds it can be more enjoyable and you may be more successful in negotiating away the single supplement.
7. Keep on an Eye on the Solo Travel Deals page: I try to keep this page current with solo travel deals I find online using a number of Google Alerts. I hope it is of help.

The single supplement mostly applies to package travel. Alternatively, you can avoid package travel all together. Part II of this series is on saving travel money by travel hacking. Watch for it next week.

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.)

2. Visit The Hermitage Museum. Even for visitors who are not into art, this is still a worthwhile excursion. The building — a former palace — is incredibly lavish inside with many different rooms awaiting your discovery. Truly one of the great art museums of the world.

3. Go to the suburb of Peterhof and see the magnificent fountains and gardens at the Summer Palace. It is a jewel of Russia. (The fountains are turned on around the middle of May.)

4. Have dinner on a riverboat restaurant, like “Volga Volga” or “The New Island Riverboat Restaurant.” It is fantastic to see beautiful old Saint Petersburg while sailing along the Neva River. Dinner could be expensive, but it will be worth it.

5. During a time other than rush-hour, go into the metro system and take the “red line.” It’s the oldest and deepest metro line in Saint Petersburg. Each station is unique. You will be amazed at how big the escalators are to the platforms below and it is absolutely fascinating to pull into each station. It’s quite an adventure and it’s a very inexpensive excursion.

6. On another night, have dinner at Terrassa near Kazanskaya Cathedral. Fantastic views. You’re going to love it.

7. Check out the Peter & Paul Fortress. It’s the very beginning of Saint Petersburg. The city spread out from there. While you’re over there at the Fortress, go for a stroll through the neighborhood of Petrogradskaya. Interesting architecture.

8. Stroll along Nevsky Prospect – the main street in the heart of the city. And visit The Church Of Our Savior Of Spilled Blood. This fantastic onion-domed church took 25 years to build. It was built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was murdered in 1881. Inside it is quite a sight.

9. While you’re strolling along Nevsky, head over to Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. This gigantic church dominates the city’s skyline. It took 40 years to build it. Inside the sights are impressive. High-up views of the city are also possible.

10. Worthwhile: The Blockade Of Leningrad Museum. Small and little-known, this important museum connects visitors to the struggle of the 900 day siege of Leningrad.

11. We like Catherine Palace in the suburb of Pushkin, but it is covered in scaffolding right now and interior access to the palace is restricted while renovations move forward. Summer crowds are big too. But the gardens are wonderful to stroll through.

12. If you really like art, then go to The State Russian Museum. It exclusively features works by Russian artists.

13. Do a boat tour along the canals. But don’t hop on a boat that blasts non-stop Russian language explanations of what you are seeing. It detracts from the delight of seeing the old city from the calm water.

14. If you like ballet or opera, then the world class performances at the Mariinsky Theater are for you. Tickets are in strong demand, so they are expensive, and you need to reserve them in advance of your arrival to ensure you will have seats.

15. Go exploring by foot in the center of the city. Explore the neighborhoods. See what you discover!

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.
2. Leave your GPS device at home. You could be arrested if you are caught with one: http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/acsgps.html
3. If you are visiting Russia for a short time, then avoid buying art — because you need to get art certified as being culturally insignificant to have a smooth pass through customs, and getting the proper documents takes time and know-how.
4. Avoid bringing a lot of prescription medication into Russia. It is best to bring proof that your prescription medication was lawfully obtained.
5. Avoid drinking water from the faucet. Don’t even brush your teeth with it. Use bottled water only. It is widely available. If you drink tap water, your vacation is at risk of being ruined.
6. Avoid bringing currency into Russia that is torn in the slightest way, or that has any creases or unoriginal ink markings. It is best to order new money from your bank a few weeks before your trip. Seriously, it must be in *like new* condition. If you bring worn-out beat-up money into Russia, you won’t be able to exchange it. Imperfect bills are worth LESS and might not be exchangeable at all.
7. The rules of the road are different in Russia, especially in big cities like Saint Petersburg. The reality is — they will run you over and consider it to be all your fault for getting in their way. Never assume that a driver will stop for you when crossing the street.
8. During the cold months, don’t walk close to buildings. Falling icicles seriously injure and kill far too many people each winter in Saint Petersburg.
9. Don’t rent a car. It is risky to operate a vehicle in Russia, partly because of the threat posed by corrupt police officers.
10. Do not establish eye contact with a police officer. Don’t point your camera at them. Don’t do anything to invite a dialog with them. Many people — tourists and Russian citizens — have been shaken down (robbed) by police officers.
11. Do not keep a wallet in your back pocket. Like most big cities, Saint Petersburg has its share of pickpockets and purse snatchers.
12. Do not get drunk in Russia. It makes you a much easier target to those wanting your cash and credit cards.
13. Avoid gypsies completely. If a bunch of gypsy kids surround you and begin trying to go through your pockets, throw them aside and continue walking away.
14. Don’t buy souvenirs from street vendors. The pricing and quality is better elsewhere.
15. If you see a wallet on the sidewalk, leave it there and keep walking. There’s going to be some drama if you pick it up and you might lose the money in your wallet as a result.
16. Always avoid gatherings of protesters or demonstrators. The outcome is predictable — there will be a heavy-handed police response.
17. Avoid “skinheads,” especially if you are not Caucasian. They have been known to attack non-whites.
18. Avoid gatherings of soccer fans, especially if the local team just lost.
19. Avoid overnight sleeper trains to Moscow. Take the faster and nicer business-class express trains instead. It’s much easier to get a good night’s sleep in a comfortable, private hotel room with a clean toilet than on a cramped, too-short bed in a train compartment that lacks air conditioning — which could also have hard-partying and loud-snoring Russians in it who might take your valuables when you doze off.

Despite the negatives, Saint Petersburg remains a very exciting and worthwhile destination. Tomorrow you can read about the top 15 things to do in Saint Patersburg.

Crossing the Narrows on way to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. (I snapped this as I drove across the bridge.)

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.

Traveling to NYC with two friends was easy. However, I left New York on my own. Taking a road trip solo has  challenges. The greatest is getting to your destination without making too many wrong turns along the way.

Truly, I would love to have the person who decides where to put the road signs do a ride-along with me as I cover new territory.  They would learn just how inadequate the signage is. On my trip from New York to Cape Cod, Bar Harbor and Saint John, New Brunswick, there were many times that I felt uncertain of my course. Without a real live navigator on hand, what is a nice-to-have on a road trip becomes a necessity. So here you are…

The navigation necessities for a solo road trip:

1. GPS – Jane wasn’t always right on the highways between cities. There were occasions when I disregarded her instructions completely and chose my own route. But, in the city (and especially leaving New York) Jane excelled at her job.
2. A Good Map – As I said, I didn’t agree with all Jane’s decisions so I planned my route on a map first. I simply turned her off when we hada disagreement. You can’t do that with a travel partner!
3. A compass – I found that, despite having a pretty good sense of direction and even when I was on the right track, I would get nervous that I had gone too far, missed an exit or simply took the wrong ramp. A compass is useful as it let’s you know that you’re at least going in the right direction.
4. A tongue in your mouth – Whenever I was late with a lame excuse such as getting lost or losing track of the time, my mother would say “you have  a tongue in your mouth, don’t you”. The ability to ask questions is essential on any road trip.

Non-navigational necessities:

• Almonds for fast, easy protein
• Water
• Audio book or two for entertainment.
• The radio to help discover a culture or cultivate a new language. On this last trip I discovered how great NPR (National Public Radio) is and I also spent a lot of time listening to French radio in the New Brunswick.

Crossing the Mount Desert Narrows on way to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

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.

Sunrise from Cadillac Mountain.

I wasn’t the only one to rise at 4am to see the sunrise.

Whether it was the time of day, I’m not sure, but I saw three deer on my way back from seeing the sunrise.

While I waited for Two Cats café to open for breakfast at 7am, I pirated their wifi and go caught up with the blog.

There are plenty of wild flowers in the park.

Thunder Hole: When a large wave washes into this hole a large bang is heard. No picture can do it justice.

There are lots of rocks for kids to climb but Sand Beach is the only developed beach like shoreline.

Point is known for its tide pools. Try to visit at low tide. This was about an hour early.

Me at Otter Point

Coastal View along Otter Point

I find the Prairies to be beautiful - train trip across Canada.

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

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.