Posts from the “Weekend Travel” Category
Music Festival is a Perfect Weekend Getaway for Solo Travelers
Contributed by Michael Katz, Singles Travel International Concierge and Musician
There aren’t too many places in this world that have the charm, excitement, and energy of the French Quarter in New Orleans. This past weekend, they kicked it up a notch, and 38 happy campers from Singles Travel International were there to experience the sights and sounds of the FRENCH QUARTER MUSIC FESTIVAL! What a dream come true…some of the best Jambalaya, Cajun, and Creole cooking, combined with some of the best blues, jazz, and big band music scattered throughout the streets and squares of the French Quarter….Wow! We had all barely checked into our hotel the first day of the festival when we were out the door getting the party started at the LOA Bar, a classy and perfect place to have a cocktail and to get to know our new friends! From there we took a walk up Decatur Street to have dinner at Tujaques, the 2nd oldest restaurant in town. What a treat. The meal was excellent and the bread pudding for dessert was out of this world! We ended the night strolling down Bourbon Street to get an up close and personal look at the nightlife in full swing! Nothing compares to Bourbon Street with it’s variety of bars, live bands, partiers throwing beads from balconies, and people walking the street mesmerized by the spectacular audio and visual performances!
The next day we were treated to a bus tour of historical New Orleans, complete with a trip to the Oak Alley Plantation, where we took a guided tour of the grounds and mansion, and had an authentic home style southern buffet lunch. Mmmmmm good! Getting back to the hotel at mid-afternoon, it was on to the music! The group was revved up as we checked out the four sound stages at the Riverfront. The park was packed and the music was awesome! From Zydeco to Blues, to Jazz, to Cajun Jitterbug, we heard and saw it all. We then headed over to Jackson Square, where we heard original Dixieland Jazz from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band! Nice! Listening to all that good music can sure build up an appetite, so we headed to the GUMBO POT restaurant, a favorite of many in the group. Shrimp Creole, Pasta Jambalaya, and Seafood Gumbo were big hits! Another trip down Bourbon Street completed another perfect day for all!
Our final day saw many from our group going on a Swamp Tour, Cajun Cooking School Tour, and a ride up the Mississippi on the Natchez River Boat Cruise. More music in the afternoon, and then to top off our fantastic weekend, our farewell dinner was held on the second floor of the famous New Awlins Cookery right on Bourbon Street, complete with our own private balcony overlooking 100’s of party people on the street below! Whooo Hoooo!!!! Standing on the balcony, watching how much fun everyone was having, I suddenly realized how much we actually did in three days. This really is a magical place to be. Great Food, Great People, Great Time! STI did it again! Can’t wait til next year! J
Nothing to Fear!
Blog written by Singles Travel International member, Amy B from Sunnyvale, CA
Have you travelled all over the world and aren’t sure if you’ll have fun on a singles vacation? Do you wonder if you’ll make friends or be all by yourself? Are you concerned that everyone will be too old or too young? That’s what I thought, but your worries are over…what are you waiting for?
My first trip with STI was Halloween in Las Vegas. I was a little hesitant about booking the trip, as I’ve been on so many “escorted” tours, where I ended up being everyone’s “mom” (group was my daughter’s age). Although I’m very young at heart (54 and my brain tells me 38, which is the last time I actually had a waist), I’m a professional who feels balance includes working hard and playing hard.
When I arrived at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas it was not my first time in Vegas. My expectations were high, as was my excitement. I arrived at the first gathering, which was a “meet and greet” and immediately felt welcomed by several people that I had sent messages to (yes, use the feature on the STI site), and was also introduced to everyone by the Tour Directors. Can’t say enough about the Tour Directors – seasoned travelers with outgoing personalities, who are there to help your trip be memorable! These people work so hard, get absolutely no sleep, are on call 24×7, are so organized, and happily listen to complaints (yes, this is the real world – you can’t make everyone happy).
From Caesar’s, we all walked across the street to Margaritaville, where we had a private party, complete with free drinks and awesome food! Everyone gathered on the outside patio, which overlooked the Vegas strip, while swapping travel stories and making plans for the weekend.
The first night was the Club Tour. We all met in the hotel lobby and took taxis over to the first club. As we came from all over the world, this was the first opportunity we had to get dressed up and mingle with the beautiful people. The different personalities, nationalities, and social cultures quickly dissolved within the first few minutes. Everyone was a little nervous with expectations. After a couple of drinks, we were all laughing, posing for pictures, and having a lot of fun. I won’t name names but all I can say is Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Canada really knows how to party! This was also my opportunity to wear that little dress that my daughter said looked crazy good, and the high heels that are only worn in Vegas!
We arrived at the second club and were greeted by our two Club Guides, which enabled us to enter every club with VIP status. No waiting in lines, VIP treatment, and we walked by all the people standing in line for hours. Although the drinks were ridiculously expensive (come on…7&7 and a glass of wine for $32), we quickly jumped onto the dance floor, complete with young girls dancing in cages. When we left the second bar, we had “party busses” waiting for us. These busses included open bar, stripper poles, strobe lights, and “boom boom” music. My friend from Canada probably still has bruises on her arms and legs from “dancing” for us. We loaded back into the party bus and went to Studio 54, where we danced all night long. I haven’t danced all night long in 30 years! Laughing and doing a combination of several eras (come on…we all dance the same as we did in elementary school – right?), dancing together, grinding body parts, and acting like we were all young again was great (looking at the pictures from that night quickly brings a smile to my face).
The second night was the Rat Pack Party and buffet at the Aria. We had VIP entrance into the buffet, a special area just for STI, and a selection of over 1000 items (including every nationality you can think of)! Naturally I went to the desserts first (if it’s going to end up on my hips –or somewhere else – I might as well enjoy it). The performers not only looked like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Marilyn Monroe – the sound was amazing. The show was not only entertaining but fun! After the show several of us went back to the hotel to have drinks at Caesar’s. That night we enjoyed several, several Jaegermeister shots, getting to know one another better, and talking about our costumes (amazingly I didn’t have a hangover or it could have been the four Bloody Mary’s immediately after waking up).
The last night was Halloween at the Fremont Street Experience. Seeing everyone dressed in costume was so much fun! We had the variety including several sexy nurses, flappers, queen of hearts, lady luck, pumpkins, pirates, and so many original and creative costumes. We all took taxis downtown to the VIP party. When we arrived at the venue, we were greeted by our Tour Directors and immediately provided wristbands for the private VIP party. This was a private area, in front of one of the performing stages, complete with open bar, and a beautifully catered dinner. Need I say more…open bar and free food! We were having so much fun that people were standing outside the area, asking if they could pay to join our party. The music was awesome, as we were directly below the stage, dancing and laughing all night. Because we had a private area, our Tour Director got on stage and announced the winners of our costume party. Congratulations to “cloudy with a change of showers”, Stu from the Hangover, Angie Dickenson, Maverick, and so many more.
Sunday breakfast was spent looking at pictures, exchanging emails and phone numbers, and planning our next trip together. It was very hard to say goodbye to new friends. Words cannot explain how much fun Halloween in Las Vegas was. Not only did I feel warmly welcomed, but honestly feel if you don’t go on a STI trip, you’re missing out on the most fun you’ll ever have on a vacation!
Meeting People: The Chili Cheese Omelet Opener
Meeting people as I travel is, without doubt, one of the greatest pleasures of traveling solo.
Amazingly, conversations with people we will never meet again often go deeper than talks with friends. Time, place, your traveler’s energy and the fact that the information exchanged will never reach home, all conspire for really free conversation – as well as insights you might not expect about the place and about life.
Conversation starters and expanders for solo travelers.
There are many ways to start conversations: ask for directions; exchange simple pleasantries about the weather; ask a person to take your photo… but I have a conversation starter and a conversation expander that tend to really get things going.
My conversation starter. This is for restaurants or pubs. I typically eat at the bar or find a restaurant with communal tables. This presents the perfect opportunity for what I now call the Chili Cheese Omelet Opener. I simply ask the person beside me: are you local? (This immediately tells them that I am not which makes me a bit exotic.) Then: have you been to this restaurant before? If the answer is yes (and you can usually tell a regular) you are set for the last question: Why don’t you order for me?”
The first response is usually a laugh. People often don’t believe that I would do such a thing. Then they get into it. They take pride in sharing what they think is special about the restaurant, their neighborhood, the city… I must admit, there are risks associated with this approach. While I’m not really a picky eater, I don’t like food covered with stuff that oozes grease. This is what I got with the Chili Cheese Omlet that was ordered for me in New Orleans. But I have often received really great food and the conversations that follow are well worth the risk.
Camellia Grill New Orleans
A popular spot, there was a line up outside the Camellia Grill.
My conversation expander. This is for when it is clear that you’ll spend some time together – either on a tour or sharing a meal. I say: “tell me your story”. What an opener. How often do people get to tell their version of themselves so openly.
People love it and, as they tell me their stories, I learn about where they live, their culture, the economy of their country, people’s expectations from life, their value system, the politics… I learn so much and they, in turn, learn as they teach me.
Sometimes there is time for them to turn the tables and ask me about my story. And, when I tell them, I try to be as honest as possible, sharing my joys as well as my struggles in life.
These tactics work for me. The first time I used each was just by chance. When I realized their value, I tucked them into my repertoire.
What unique conversation starters / expanders have worked for you?
Special thanks to our contributor, Janice, from Solo Traveler Blog. Visit her blog for more great info about traveling solo. http://solotravelerblog.com
Key West……….My Way!
Key West ……………. My Way
I have such a soft spot in my heart for Key West and I’m pretty vocal with my friends that if they are coming to this area that they need to see it …………. My Way!!! Whether it’s solo travel or travel with a group, I tend to gravitate towards the unique and unusual places and things that are just on the edge of where the tourists hang out. The more secret the find, the better! So it gives me great pleasure to share this with my fellow travelers.
I’m rather directionally challenged on a good day, in an area on a grid; it becomes worse when I’m on The Rock! So I’ve created my own method using landmarks. There “The Sloppy Joe’s” end and “The Beach” end. These places are opposite of each other on Duval Street so it makes sense to me.
So as we take a short tour of Duval Street from The Sloppy Joe’s end towards The Beach end, these are some of my favorite things:
- The sunsets in Key West are extraordinary. You can be guaranteed a spectacular sight each day. Mallory Square is a gathering place for people to have a cocktail, watch the sky turn lovely shades of pink, red, and yellow and be entertained by the street performers.
- Inside a resort called the Pier House is a treasure called The Chart Room. It’s small, dark, and wooden; has considerable charm and history, not to mention a popcorn maker and peanuts. If you can find it, it’s worth it!
- One day I was wandering aimlessly by the marina looking for a place to have breakfast. I accidently found The Schooner Wharf, an outside restaurant with a 7:00 a.m. to noon happy hour. The locals frequent this place for a morning cocktail and are very friendly. Belly up to the bar and have a screwdriver with your omelette and plan to make a few friends!
- One of the most famous bars in Key West is Sloppy Joe’s. It’s where you will find the best traditional cover bands and lots of sunburned tourists. The food’s not too bad either.
- The original Sloppy Joe’s is reported to be what is now Captain Tony’s Saloon. Captain Tony’s is a small quaint place that is complete with a huge tree growing through the middle of the bar and also serves as a grave marker for some famous local, the ceiling is plastered with bras from Captain Tony groupies, and the Pirate’s Punch is yummy!
- Feeling a bit hot and stuffy from the warm and humid tropical air? Take a break, leave your inhibitions and walk the many steps to the rooftop of The Bull and visit The Garden of Eden. Day or night, clothing is allowed but not required. I’ve never participated but have had some enjoyable voyeur moments. The typical rule, “those that shouldn’t do” is in place here but people are really having a good time. You’re lodging has no pool; wanna get your body painted? Garden of Eden is for you.
- I’m not a smoker but occasionally I can enjoy one of those skinny cigars that taste like chocolate or Amaretto. These can be found at The Key West Cigar Club and Smoke Shop. The shop is a bit like being in your own home, complete with a backyard patio, leather couches and a flat screen TV. It’s a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, a great place to chill and you don’t really notice the cigar smoky smell. I’ve had some great memories of sitting in the barber chairs in the front of the store at night and playing with the people as they walk past.
- Looking for the unusual but cute, cute, cute trinket to take back to your jealous friends and family back home? Fast Buck Freddies has many options to choose from.
- Every time I have taken friends or family to dinner at Blue Heaven I have been a hero! It’s a relaxed open air restaurant and bar, some light live music, incredible food and key lime pie with a 6 inch meringue. If yellowtail snapper is on the menu you have to get it, mouth watering.
- The only place to end the evening after the traditional Duval Crawl is at The Green Parrot. It’s a bar where the locals hang out to escape from the tourist so you must respect that. The music is so unique and eclectic and it stays open late. If you are lucky, a band called Xperimento will be there. I’m not sure what genre they are but I describe them as hip-hop reggae!! If you are bored one night, check out the live webcam to get a peek of what you might be missing; (www.greenparrot.com/webcam.htm)
While this is the end of my tour, it’s certainly not the beginning or the end of the great places and fun times to be had at Key West. After all, life’s not about just finding those experiences, it’s about creating them.
What Is It About Vegas?
Las Vegas has been a family favorite for decades for the Singles Travel International clan (yes, we are a 30 year family business). I recall looking at photos of my parents in velvet lined booths with bottles of champagne and a table filled with delicacies. There was also the handkerchief (or maybe a scrap of pants) that one of my aunts managed to tear from Tom Jones amidst hundreds of other screaming women. But all of the fun, frolic and top name entertainment came at a price, the price my dad paid in the casino every time they went. Junkets were what they called them in those days and all that Vegas had to offer was at your feet as long as you played, or paid.
Not a lot has changed since “the good ole days” and then again maybe it has. Old hotels (The Dunes) were brought down to build spectacular new hotels (Bellagio, Paris) and some remain as regal as always (Caesar’s Palace). Top notch entertainers still call Vegas home (Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Jerry Seinfeld) and unseen spectaculars thrive (a new Cirque du Soleil is born every, “how many seconds?”). Spending thousands is still not hard to do but today, Vegas can be “done” on very little, assuming you are not an addicted gambler.
If you aren’t headed to Vegas for the big win and manage to stay clear of the tables, what is there to do that will make you tick? Here are some of our tips for single travelers to Las Vegas.
Gamble you must? Beginners and singles with short pockets should stick to the penny and nickel slots at any number of casinos including the hip Palms Hotel & Casino. Please play the max! Is it craps you yearn to learn? Take free lessons every morning at 10 a.m. at Bills Casino & Gambling Hall, then try your luck at the Riviera on a $2 table. Black Jack is also a fun game and all you have to do is count to 21 (drinking a few will make that harder as the night goes on). Low limit tables are found at casinos off the strip or downtown.
Shows are a popular attraction, from free lounge acts to full cast reviews, it’s all here. Check http://www.visitlasvegas.com/vegas/play/shows/ in advance for big name entertainers in town during your visit and of course there are now 6 Cirque du Soleil productions to see. Get big discounts (20-40% off) at www.Tickets2nite.com for less popular shows available the same day. There seems to be a recent obsession with Sinatra and the Rat Pack but the best show we saw was at the Plaza, where nostalgia reigns. Dinner and the show with VIP seating is the only way to go. These guys are the real deal and even the maitre d’, George, is back from the original Stardust! Don’t overlook the old standards which have recently been updated for the new Vegas image – What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. Ta ta to the family, Vegas is back and for singles that’s a good thing! Sirens of Treasure Island (free pirate show outside) are sexy and smokin’, Fremont Street (emphasis on free) has a light show every hour and live stage acts all day and you gotta watch the Volcano Blow with a “Las Vegas Cutie” at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.
Every chef worth his or her salt is in Vegas so it’s a great place to nosh or languor all night long. Of course, the gamblers know all about the buffet (eat fast and get back to the tables), but there are some incredible deals depending on when you eat. There are dozens of coupons from many publications; in your taxi, at your hotel and online, that you may apply for free apps, free drinks and just about 2-4-1 anything.
Nightlife is the ultimate in Vegas with clubs unlike any other rivaling the best in Miami and LA. Vegas clubs attract the elite and there’s always the new “in” place to be. The best way to do the clubs if you don’t have a bottomless pocket (bottles start at $500 for table service) is to meet a rich guy or sugar mama, but that’s not always possible. Ladies often get a break on cover charge and may even score free entry if it’s still early (before 10 p.m.) A club hopping tour gets you into 4-5 clubs, no lines and no cover for about $79 and even includes drinks on the way from club to club. Seriously, the best thing about some of the clubs is the view – so grab a drink at Pure, Voodoo Lounge or Ghost Bar and check out the view (we mean the strip) but the people watching is superb as well. If you’re not into club dancing, skip it and try one of the better hotel lounges with a live band, one of our faves is Fontana Bar at Bellagio, with good old rock and roll, perfect for dancing.
Shopping is superb and a new Premium Outlet Mall recently opened on the strip. Retailers from Tiffany to Patek Philippe are waiting in the wings to provide all the bling required by a big winner. If hiking malls isn’t your cup of tea, we absolutely recommend a hike at Valley of Fire National Park ($10 entry per car) or a shorter, closer hike up to Red Rock Canyon. You will be blown away by the natural (not au naturel) beauty within one hour of the Strip.
Here’s a biggy that you may not have known, when you gamble, drinks are free! Yes you heard us, free. You’ll need staying power until the cocktail waitress appears, but service is generally very swift almost everywhere. Beware, there is an ulterior motive and your free drinks may cost you much more in the end. Valet parking is free everywhere and generally, so are phone calls between casinos to make dinner/show reservations. Always remember to tip, tip, tip. In Vegas, money talks and will open doors you didn’t even think existed!
Girls, girls girls! Men, men, men! Almost forgot, there are plenty and we mean plenty of places to go and dabble with the triple X’s but that’s not one of our “free” tips and since it’s very available, we don’t need to go into details here.
So solo voyageurs, Vegas is safe, clean, affordable fun for anyone looking for it, with or without a lot of dough. Best hotel rates are midweek, but who cares, all the singles are there on the weekend. Don’t be so cheap with yourself! Live a little for today and a little for the nostalgia of the past. You’ll leave Las Vegas a winner in more ways than one!
