You can’t help having a great time traveling around in Italy. But for me, the Jewel of Italy is TUSCANY!!!
The rolling hills (especially in Spring and Fall when everything is green); old churches full of history; The Duomo in Siena (and more Siena…); the food (it’s not just pasta); the wine (Oh for a glass of Brunelli!); the blue-green geothermal springs; fat Porcini mushrooms as large as your forearm; huge red, yellow and green sweet peppers, their shiny skins looking as if they were scrubbed clean; standing on the top of Monte Amiata (like you’re on top of the world); and did I mention the cheeses? I could go on and on!
Tuscany is perfect for a Solo traveler! Drive around the small towns and villages, explore the olive groves and vineyards, eat at any of the Trattorias and of course, have a glass (or two) of the “house wine”. And… don’t forget your camera, you won’t want to miss those views!
You don’t need to speak Italian, everyone will stretch their arms out to welcome you and make you feel at home.
Let me take you on a journey through Tuscany– and if you do go, I guarantee you won’t want to leave.
Follow my feet through Tuscany
Yes — follow me over the next few days and share the fun in discovering the little towns “off the beaten track”, the wines, chatting with the townsfolk early morning at the coffee shop, buying fresh vegetables for dinner later, sampling the cheeses at the cheese shop… and so much more!
And, if I’ve done my job right, you’ll want to join me in September on a: Cooking Tour with OliveJoy (it’s not just food)!!!
The US Dept. of State wants to help make sure your travel overseas is uneventful. Their website at TRAVEL.STATE.GOV is loaded with very useful information on how to be safe when traveling abroad. http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety
Tips include:
How to pack your suitcase
What not to carry (what to leave behind)
How to carry your meds.
How to keep your money and passport safe
What to learn before you go (information on the country, any alerts, health conditions…and more)
How to find the nearest embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, especially if you have a problem
Things to arrange before you go (a contact who’ll have a copy of your itinerary and a copy of your passport, notification for the credit card company…)
Precautions to take when you’re in the country abroad (on the street, how to keep your passport and other valuables safe, safety tips for your hotel stay, how to be safe when driving or on public transportation)
How to keep your money safe
And a lot more information on avoiding know or unknown criminal offenses.
Some of this information has already been covered in my previous posts but the site is well worth visiting (happy to see that “Big Brother” and I are on the same page!
Do bring your camera on every trip. Capture those moments and scenes that can never be repeated. I mean those odd scenes or events that happen in a flash and serve to bring a smile when you reminisce later.
It could be that lone fisherman casting his net, a toddler fascinated by the butterfly that landed on his hand, a double rainbow in the rain, a humming bird with its long beak down the “throat” of a hibiscus flower, the reflection of the mountain in the lake beneath, or????
Think a Pig can be a “ham”? ( yes–it’s a bad pun but you’ll see what I mean). On a recent visit to some one’s small farm in the hills of Jamaica, as I walked through the spirals of vines from the yams planted beneath, I approached a walled-off area. Before I could ask what lay behind the walls, there was a squeal and a grunt and two pigs shot their heads up over the top (standing on their back legs). Watch the video– they seemed to be posing for me.
See what I mean? you never know when you’ll capture a moment like this!
Yes– when walking around a town, a camera strung around your neck is a dead give-away that you’re a tourist. Sometimes it’s better to use a smaller digital camera that can easily slip into your tote bag but it’s a trade-off in getting a better-focused shot.
Whatever you use, have fun. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure your valuables are close to your body in front of you– you’ll be distracted while taking your pictures.
Carry extra media cards and batteries. You may miss a good shot if your card is full and you don’t have a spare or your battery needs charging. Carry at least one 2gb and a 1gb — depending on the length of your trip. Don’t forget the adaptors to compensate for foreign voltage and electrical plug outlets.
Here’s a 9-day itinerary that should allow you to enjoy Hawaii while you explore some world-famous sites:
Three nights in Honolulu – take a sightseeing tour to Pearl Harbor, visit Chinatown and the Iolani Palace
Take the boat over to Kona on the Big Island — visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, savor the coffee at the Kona Coffee Plantation, and end the day at a traditional Luau.
Next day fly to Maui — rent a car or hire a driver and explore the lush Iao Valley. Stop for lunch at a local Hawaiian restaurant and poke around the local shops for Hawaiian crafts and art.
Take the ferry to Lanai if time permits or fly back to Honolulu and lose yourself in the azure water or just laze on the beach before heading back home.
Solo travel can be fun — exploring all the Hawaiian islands!
Got a question on a travel forum from someone who wants to take the plunge — first trip overseas! and they thought of Hawaii. Good choice!
Thought I’d share my response with you.
My suggestions:
Start on Honolulu — give yourself a couple days to get over the jet lag… hey lazing on the beach with that soft azure water swishing around you should definitely help.
Then — skip the Hula-hula class and ask the hotel to arrange a tour around the island for you. Get them to arrange something without too many time constraints so you can explore on your own too. How about a tour on the back of a bike! Now you’re talking! Do go to Pearl Harbor and feel the presence.
Next:
Go on over to Maui by plane –short hop. If you can go by boat–even better. Book a B&B before you go and then go up to the Haleakala crater.
From Maui take the ferry over to Lanai. Spend the night. Wander around the island and try the local food –can’t go wrong with the fresh seafood. Arrange to go to see “The Garden of the Gods”.
If time permits, take the ferry across to Molokai — wander around the beautiful National Kalaupapa Park and later on to Kauai. Go kayaking down the Wailua river or hike up to see the Waimea canyon.
End the Island tours with the Big Island. Visit the Puukohola Heiau, the largest ancient restored temple, visit the Kona Coffee plantation (what an aroma), watch the lava flowing from an active volcano in the Volcano National Park. Have more time? visit the Bird sanctuary and wander around the Hilo market.
Back to Honolulu for the flight home. You can have fun, not be too touristy and learn a lot about the different customs and culture.
What a great way to start your life of traveling!
So — go to one of the online travel sites and enter your choices for “multiple cities”– put in the islands you want to visit and the dates and check the fares. They even suggest hotels.
Or– go to a friendly travel agent (Yes, they still exist) and have fun planning your trip. Call me when you get back!
How to lighten up those suitcases and keep smiling at the check-in counter..
Silk travels well, is lightweight, and uses little space. Search the travel catalogs for travel clothes that are lightweight, can be washed and dried overnight and are wrinkle-proof.
Coordinate your skirts and slacks with interchangeable blouses and take a blazer or jacket and possibly a sweater for cooler evenings. Plan on wearing your slacks (jeans) or skirts at least twice then pack a couple of shirts or blouses per item. Take a rayon/silk pair of pants with matching jacket or sweater to dress up with jewellry or a great scarf for formal occasions. Don’t forget a pareo or other cover-up for your swim wear if the beach is in your plans.
Fold or roll with tissue in between the folds. Some folks prefer to use the plastic bags which the dry-cleaners use– be sure to squish the air out to save space. I’ve found that rolling seems to be less crushable and fills the little spaces even better than flat folds. However, several blouses can hold in the flat pack with tissue between the creases.
Hang suits on wire hangers if your suitcase has a built-in garment bag. Place tissue between the folds of the garment bag.
Remember those packing cubes I mentioned? Pack underwear, hosiery, and other accessories (belts, scarves..) in these.
Try to limit your shoes to one of each: a dress shoe that can go with any outfit, a “day shoe” also versatile (coordinate with your outfits) and a “comfortable shoe or sneakers” for walking (remember those long airport corridors). Wear your heavier shoes on the plane unless it’s a nuisance to take them off at Security.
Pack your shoes around the sides of the suitcase or put in a soft pack. Wrap shoes in a plastic bag (there ‘s a use for those supermarket bags) to keep your clothes clean. Put in the soft packs and lay the flat pack on top. Hook the garment bag in place and close the zippers.
Pick up the suitcase. Feel the difference? You’ll thank me when you try putting the case in the overhead compartment. Want to make really sure you’re within the 50lb rule?
Weigh your suitcase before you leave for the airport. Forget balancing your suitcase on the bathroom scale. Here’s a neat little gadget which is really handy. Hook the gauge over the suitcase handle and lift. You’ll get a fairly good reading of the weight.
Saves you kneeling on the floor at the counter trying to figure out where you’re going to put the extra clothes you had to remove. Always carry a foldable tote for those extras especially when you’re returning home with those purchases.
Staying longer? The same advice holds for larger suitcases. You may want to take extra toothpaste or some cosmetics but your suitcase gets lighter as you use these up and dispose of them along the way. You can pack more clothes but be aware which outfits weigh less.
Sign up as a Subscriber to get a copy of the e-book on “Packing Lite”. A video is also in the works. Stay posted!
OK! You’re ready to go! Don’t forget your camera and notebook!
Solo travel can be fun. Come back to join me on my travels and get some ideas on trips YOU can take safely and have a wonderful experience!
Lightening your load includes all those “extras” you take…
Use travel-sized personal care products (toothpaste, deodorant, lotion). You can find travel-sized plastic jars and bottles in any drugstore; fill them with your favorite moisturizer, hair care products, makeup, and any other special products you use. Buy travel-sized deodorant too. No need to carry shampoos, soaps, and conditioner (unless for special care); most hotels provide these.
Search the travel catalogs for small, zip-around soft packs in which to pack these jars and bottles. Or, buy a travel roll with different compartments, which can hang over a bathroom towel rod. If you are afraid that these bottles may leak, enclose them in a small Ziploc bag.
Soft packs and Flat pack
Pack underwear and hosiery sufficient for the trip in a larger travel roll. If you like to do light laundry while away then carry less of these. There are also larger sized zip-around soft packs you could use. Soft packs fit into corners of suitcases much easier.
The soft “flat pack” comes with a ‘folding board’ and instructions for folding shirts and blouses to avoid creasing. The flat pack can hold several shirts or blouses and then closes around the folding board tightly with Velcro closings. You could add your Pj’s as well. The flat pack really takes up less space in your suitcase.
Next time we’ll select the clothes from the pile you laid out for your trip and start packing that suitcase.
To lighten your load when you travel– first check out your suitcase…
Do your muscles still ache from heaving your carry-on suitcase into the overhead bin? After all, you were only going away for a long weekend and you thought you had packed the bare necessities.
Let me show you how to lighten your travel load. You may be surprised how simple it is.
Lift your suitcase and put it on your bathroom scale. Now you realize how heavy it really is … and you haven’t packed anything in it yet (some suitcases weigh almost 20 lbs empty).
TravelPro®, Delsey®, Samsonite®, are three of the top suitcase manufacturers who carry travel bags and suitcases that are at least 30% lighter than other brands (and… prices are reasonable). Travel Smith, the Travelers’ Outfitter, also carries a light suitcase. These are sturdy but have lighter frames. Some models are even expandable.
Lift up the suitcases when you’re in the store and compare their weights; you’ll feel the difference. Buy the size you really need. Don’t be tempted to buy a larger suitcase because the price is right … you’ll only feel you need to fill it with clothes and you’ll probably not wear half of them on your trip.
Here’s a tip to “getting value for your money”: Visit a luggage store or the luggage section in any department store. Check out the suitcases as described above. Look inside too… are there zippered pockets, a sturdy lining, detachable suit-carrier, is it roomy? Write down the prices for each piece.
Then, shop around on the Internet and compare prices with the online luggage stores. Quite often, the prices are less and there may also be free shipping.
Don’t forget to buy that Fanny pack!
OK! You’ve selected some clothes; you’ve ordered or bought your luggage… NOW you’re ready to pack!
How to pack for any trip, have enough clothes for any occasion , and NOT break your back with that heavy suitcase.
Yes– there is an art to packing your suitcase or travel bags efficiently… and your arms and back will thank you.
First:
How long is your trip and what is your itinerary?
Is this a weekend, one week or two or longer? Do you need casual or formal clothes (or a bit of both)?
A weekend camping or biking with friends or “hanging out at the beach” requires much less thought than a weekend “meeting the parents” or a mix of business and pleasure with the Boss or Clients. Or, attending a wedding or other formal occasion.
Packing for a week’s vacation? traveling by car, air, a cruise?
Get my drift? All these scenarios have vastly different needs when it comes to the clothes you pack. Even if traveling by car, you need to think in terms of space at your destination. Will you be sharing a room? … you may not have too much space to hang your clothes? Traveling by air? … need to think in terms of the weight and carry-on restrictions.
Next:
Deciding what clothes to take? and of course, the accessories (shoes, jewellery, purse, …)
Some of us are last minute packers. You can be too if you have a good idea of what you need to take. But, for most people, that’s where you get into trouble; by throwing everything you think you need and coming home with half of them unworn.
Even if you think you’ve got it down pat — take a few minutes to think of where you’re going and what you’ll likely be doing and make a preliminary list. Don’t forget to add underwear and a belt (if your pants need them or they enhance that outfit). And think socks or pantyhose or both. Will you need a sweater or a coat or rain-slick? Remember the toiletries and other makeup (include a hairbrush).
Next:
Choose an area where you can lay out the things you want to pack. As you go in and out of your closets in the days before you really need to pack your bags, grab the clothes and other accessories as you see them and put them in that area.
Also, don’t forget– you’ll need to decide which bags or suitcases you think will hold everything.
Now you’re on the street — be aware altho’ you’re enjoying the sights!
DON”T go down streets (especially side streets) where the street looks empty (no people, no traffic).
When taking photos — wrap the camera strap around your neck or arm so it can’t be snatched! Also, while focusing on those great shots, make sure your waist pac is secure in front (see why the ‘unslashable’ strap is handy?).
Don’t use your cell phone on the street unless you really have to. They can be snatched out of your hands so quickly!
If you must use an ATM, don’t use the ones on the street — go into a bank, Western Union, a hotel. Look around you before you use one to make sure you’re alone.
Be careful when opening your wallet on the street to pay for purchases. Always keep some cash in the concealed pocket in your jeans — easier to access, less chance of a pickpocket reaching in.
NEVER give money to any beggars — particularly, old ladies and children. You’d be surprised how fast you can be surrounded by a group of kids and some of those “old ladies” are not so old after all (I speak from experience).
Think you’re being watched or followed? join a group walking before or next to you and pretend you belong with them. Change direction when you feel safe again.
Or– go into the nearest hotel or store and browse until you think it’s safe again.
Feeling really scared?–go into the nearest hotel or store and ask them to call you a reliable taxi. Better yet, call your hotel and ask if they can have you picked up.
When out drinking there are a few really important precautions:
– NEVER drink too much — be always alert
– Don’t leave your drink unattended; you never know when it may be spiked
– Never reveal where you are staying if you get into conversation with the other patrons
– Try to leave the bar before the other folks you have met; pretend you’re going to the restroom and keep going
– If it’s late, take a taxi or call the hotel for a pickup
Now you’re ready! Book your trip! Pack your bags and LET’s GO!!! The world awaits you!!!
