Posts tagged “single travel”
What am I missing?
I recently planned a vacation and it was the first time I took a singles cruise, so of course, I had tons of questions. I read all of the pages on the website and made my reservation. Then I called to find out if there was anything else I was missing?
I was given basic information like how to schedule my flights, arrange for transportation once in Barcelona (where the ship departs) and was offered an option to book shore excursions. But I felt there was so much more to know!
The STI agent that I spoke to had been on the cruise so she helped answer many of the questions, but you know how it is when you are doing something for the very first time. I was unsure and a bit nervous about going all the way to Europe by myself.
So the first thing I did was get a guide book Rick Steves’ Mediterranean Cruise Ports. I read it cover to cover before my trip on my lunch breaks and after work until I was confident that I knew what I wanted to do in each place we stopped on the cruise.
Armed with my new knowledge, I was ready to make decisions about shore excursions. But wow, they looked so expensive! My cruise was only $999 and I never even thought about any other expenses. Well, doing the Med was a lifelong dream and I had saved up, so I decided to take advantage and see as much as I could. Singles Travel International had tours set up for other members of the group and since I took this cruise to be with other singles, I chose a few of their tours. I also used their chat to meet other cruisers and some of us made our own plans in Barcelona. What a blast we had on the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus, seeing the sites, eating Tapas and drinking Spanish wines with the locals!
Most of Europe is on the Euro and so everything costs a bit more. I want to share my experience with other single travelers like me who are venturing out for the first time. In addition to the cruise, anticipate spending another $2,000 on thingls like air, transportation and tours. I’m not even going to tell what I spend on leather and gold in Florence! Start saving now! Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge:
Airfare: $1,000-$1,500
Transfers inDepartureCity: $50-$100
Taxis about town if on your own: $1-200
Shore Excursions: $300+
Bar bill on the ship: $300+
Souvenirs: $200+
1 Gelato: $7
Tips to ship staff & tour guides: $100-$150
Entrance Fees/Museum Passes (on own, no tours): $100
I am happy that I took a few days to study about my cruise so that I was prepared. I hate to miss out on anything. There were a few singles that “showed up” and I felt sorry for them because they were stressed trying to decide what to fit in. The STI concierge was super, but many options were already sold out. At the end of the day, my memories are priceless and I’d do it all over again!
Submitted by Barb, a new STI member from the Epic Med cruise.
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.
When Is Too Much Fun Not So Fun???
It seems to be in my nature as a single gal who loves to travel, to have a huge desire to create or experience a new fun adventure for or with people.
However, I am starting to believe that it’s possible to create too much fun and to realize the impact of this is having on my life. In the past six weeks, I have experienced the following:
1) Celebrated my 49th birthday in Islamorada, Sunrise/Sunset Tour style,
2) Completed two business trips,
3) Met my brother and sister-in-law in Key West,
4) Performed the wedding ceremony of my best friend, on a yacht!
5) Entertained, in some fashion, 21 friends and family that have blown through Florida. Apparently February is a good time to escape from the Midwest, I remember those days!
This may be more than the normal person encounters in six months, but I’m not complaining. I love and care for these people and I’m blessed to have them in my life. I just think I have hit my physical, mental and emotional capacity to have any more fun! All the time I am feeling this, I still really have travel envy because I didn’t go on the singles Valentine’s Day cruise!!!
Each of the experiences mentioned above had its own purpose and meaning:
• The birthday trip was making a dream come true,
• One of the business trips included spending time with a friend I had met just three weeks before,
• Time with family can be a blessing and a curse,
• I can’t even describe how it felt to bless the marriage of my best friend,
• The friends from the Midwest are a part of my history, but when I’m with them it feels like we were together just yesterday! I wouldn’t miss a chance to spend time with them.
One of the best experiences was the one I am least familiar with and probably the most fearful of . A very dear young man, like a son to me, and his beautiful family which includes a 2 year old and a 3 month old, spent five nights with me. Having young children around is such an awe inspiring experience. I have so much respect for how much time and energy it takes and what a selfish life I seem to have lived without having this type of responsibility. Watching a 2 year old run free on the beach, encouraging me to “run Cindy run” will forever be in my memories!
So innocent, so simple, so fresh. It’s made me reflect about how complicated my life can be and what I may need to do to remove the chaos and constant stimulation. Being quiet and being still seem foreign but necessary.
Maybe there is a shift coming in my life. It probably won’t be drastic because that sense of adventure, which includes single or group travel, gives me so much energy and happiness. It may be time to think about whether every adventure that presents itself is worth the investment and how full my fun meter is before I just jump in and go!!
