Barcelona from Parc Guell

There are so many reasons to visit Barcelona, Spain, from its gorgeous architecture and location as a port city on the Mediterranean to its museums and pretty Spanish plazas. When you start planning your trip to Barcelona, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: What’s the best way to get around the city? That depends on where you stay and where you plan to go. Unless you’re going to rent a car, vespa or bicycle, your transportation options fall pretty much under these categories:

Walking

Assuming you have no mobility problems, Barcelona is a very walkable city. There are many sights you can see on foot if you stay in a central location (or if you’re in port for the day). I stayed at a fairly central hostal near Placa Catalunya and walked to Passeig de Gracia to see Casa Battlo and Casa Mila; all the way down Via Laietana to Port Vell; to the Picasso Museum and the City History Museum; down La Rambla; and to the Maremagnum.

Typical hop-on, hop-off bus

The Hop-On, Hop-Off Tourist Bus

There are two companies that offer hop-on, hop-off (HOHO) tours, and both offer at least two routes that will take you to the major tourist sites in the city. This is the easiest option for tourists, and also one of the more expensive. Keep in mind the hours are limited and you’ll waste a lot of time compared with taking the metro, because you’ll have to sit through the whole route (even after you’ve seen everything you want to see). Both depart from Placa Catalunya, where you can buy your tickets.

The Barcelona Metro

Next to walking, the metro is always my preferred mode of transportation in new cities. But I’ll admit, I was a little intimidated by the scores of reports I’d read online about how rampant pickpocketing is there. I had all sorts of visions in my head of going down into some subterranean Mad Max-like landscape if I took the metro. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Don’t get me wrong: Pickpocketing is prevalent here. But if you take precautions to secure your valuables (a money belt, a sealed inside pocket, a travel security bag like PacSafe, or this neat trick I just read over on TravelDudes.com), you’ll be fine. Other advice that worked for me was:

• If you’re buying tickets on the spot, make sure you have your money ready in advance, so you’re not digging through your bag for it;
• Study your route before you get there; and
• Wait at the center of the platform rather than the end, since pickpockets tend to stick close to the exits.

My actual experience with the Barcelona metro was one of pleasant surprise. It was clean, it was easy to get around (far less walking than the Paris metro!), the signage was good, and the ticketing machines had an English option, which made them very easy to use. No one bothered me, followed me, or tried to pick my pocket, and I was always able to get a seat. The metro is a real time-saver, and I recommend using it–just do be sure to take the precautions noted above.

Barcelona

The most useful metro lines for visitors are:

• The L3 Green Line, which will take you to Montjuic (including the Olympic Stadium, Montjuic Castle, the Spanish Village, and the National Palace/MNAC), the Magic Fountains, Placa d’Espanya, Sants Station (where you can catch the AVE train to other cities in Spain), the Port of Barcelona, the Maritime Museum, the Aquarium, the Barri Gotic district (the old city), La Rambla, Parc Guell (with a 20-minute walk up a steep hill), Casa Mila, Casa Battlo, and Placa Catalunya, a central plaza in the city. (Placa Catalunya is also a hub station, linking to other lines.)

• The L4 Yellow Line, which will take you to the City History Museum, the Picasso Museum, and Barceloneta Beach.

• The L2 Purple Line, which will take you to La Sagrada Familia.

City Bus

The bus system seemed more difficult to figure out than the metro, so I didn’t use it. If you’re not going to be in Barcelona very long, you can probably live without it. Or you can find routes and schedules at their website.

Taxi

Taxis are quick and direct, but also more expensive. I’d recommend it if you have a lot of luggage or to save time getting directly to Parc Guell. Taking public transportation to Parc Guell can be complicated and involves walking up hill. There are always taxis outside the Parc to take you wherever you want to go next.

Cable car to Montjuic

Funicular and Cable Car

If you’re going to Montjuic Castle, there is a funicular that will transport you from the L3 Metro: Paral-lel station to the cable car. There is also a cable car from the Port of Barcelona to the Miramar gardens on Montjuic.

As you can see, you have plenty of options for getting around Barcelona. It’s not as spread out as you think, and most of the sights you’ll want to see as a visitor are in fairly compact areas. Personally, I recommend walking as much as possible and taking the metro as a backup. But most of all, I recommend visiting Barcelona!

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Getting Around Barcelona is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Bourbon Street

Three years after my visit to New Orleans, I still sigh when I think about the city. I loved everything about it–the history, the culture (one of the most diverse in the country), the food, the music, the geography, and the fun-loving, indomitable spirit of the people who live there. When I recently asked you “where are you going in 2012,” several of you mentioned New Orleans. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me! In case it helps you with your trip planning, here is my list of things to do in New Orleans–crucial New Orleans experiences and a couple I just want you to know about. Enjoy!

Experience Bourbon Street

This is a must-do for the New Orleans visitor, if only to say you’ve done it. It’s Party Central. People wander down the street with drinks in hand (yes, oftentimes drunk), in and out of bars checking out the live music. The scene here is not for everyone, but it’s worth experiencing once.

Big Al Carson at the Funky Pirate

Listen to Live Music

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz. You’ll find all kinds of live music on (and slightly off) Bourbon Street, including jazz at Preservation Hall (St. Peter Street, just off Bourbon), the dueling pianos at Pat O’Briens (also on St. Peter Street), and the awesome Big Al Carson (blues) at the Funky Pirate. On Bourbon Street, there are rock cover bands, Dixieland jazz bands, and Cajun bands as well. Or go where the locals go to hear good jazz and blues: Frenchmen Street. But likely you’ll be hearing music everywhere you go around the French Quarter.

New Orleans Streetcar

Ride the Streetcars

This is a classic New Orleans experience. Not only are they colorful, but they’re a handy and inexpensive way of getting around the city. There are three streetcar lines in New Orleans: The Canal Streetcar, the Riverside Streetcar, and the St. Charles Streetcar.

Grilled oysters

Sample the Local Cuisine

If you eat nothing but pizza and cheeseburgers in New Orleans, there is something seriously wrong with you. Cajun and Creole cooking is part of the allure of visiting New Orleans, and it would be a shame if you didn’t try some of the local specialties while you’re here. How about some gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, turtle soup, po’ boys, muffuletta sandwiches, shrimp creole, crawfish étouffée, or grilled oysters? You can also get traditional southern specialties like grits and fried green tomatoes. Particular dining experiences I recommend:

• Lunch at Commander’s Palace Combine this with a tour of Lafayette No. 1 Cemetery across the street. Commander’s Palace offers one of the best dining experiences in New Orleans, and 25 cent martinis during lunch.
• Try a beignet at Cafe du Monde It’s touristy, it’s crowded, and you might not even like beignets (I didn’t), but it’s one of those quintessential New Orleans experiences you simply have to try. What is a beignet? It’s a donut generously dusted with powdered sugar.

Lafayette Cemetery No 1

Take a Cemetery Tour

The cemeteries of New Orleans are renowned for their tombs. I visited Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District, which is over 170 years old and is on the National Register of Historic Places. I booked my tour with a group called Save Our Cemeteries. The profits earned on their tours goes directly to preserve and restore New Orleans historical cemeteries.

Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River

Stroll Along the Mississippi River

Or if you prefer, take a ride on the Steamboat Natchez. But don’t visit New Orleans without seeing the “Mighty Mississippi.”

Jackson Square

Visit Jackson Square

You’ve no doubt seen the photos of Andrew Jackson on horseback in front of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. That is Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter. The square is surrounded by some of New Orleans’ finest museums, including the Cabildo.

Courtyard fountain at a private home in the Garden District

Tour the Garden District

The Garden District is home to a lot of really beautiful old mansions from the 1800s. If you enjoy architecture, this is a must-see. Hop on the St. Charles Streetcar to get there from the French Quarter. The Garden District is bounded by St. Charles Avenue, 1st Street, Magazine Street, and Toledano Street.

The spooky side of New Orleans awaits

Go on a Ghost Tour of the French Quarter

A friend of mine recommended I go on a ghost tour, and I’m so glad I did. This was a lot of fun! My guide, Carla, was a New Orleans native (of both Creole and Cajun descent) and was fabulously theatrical when the subject matter called for it. It wasn’t particularly scary, but I heard a lot of good stories that night.

Mardi Gras exhibit

Mardi Gras or the Mardi Gras Museum

If you’re not able to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, try the next best thing: Visit Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World or the Presbytere off Jackson Square, where you can learn about the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and view a large collection of Mardi Gras artifacts.

Old Absinthe House

Sip Some Local Cocktails

Try the fruity, rum-based Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s or Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (a bar), a Pimm’s Cup at Napoleon House, a Ramos Gin Fizz at the Old Absinthe House, or the Sazerac at the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone. (The Carousel Bar is worth seeing even if you don’t drink.) I don’t recommend the Hand Grenade unless you have an extremely high tolerance for alcohol—it contains gin, vodka, rum, grain alcohol and melon liqueur. If you prefer beer, I can highly recommend the locally-brewed Abita brand. PSA: Go slowly with the drinking when you’re traveling solo. Being pickpocketed is the least of your worries when you’re tipsy. End PSA.

New Orleans wetland

See “Hurricane on the Bayou” at the IMAX Theater

I know some people would scoff at the idea of taking precious exploration time in a new city to stop and watch a movie, but this isn’t just any movie. (And it’s only 42 minutes long.) “Hurricane on the Bayou” documents the story of Louisiana’s disappearing wetlands and the impact that had when hurricane Katrina ripped through the region. It is beautifully filmed and very educational. Bring tissues; it’s pretty emotional, too.

City Park

Visit City Park

While it doesn’t need to be included on a list of things to do in New Orleans, if you want to get outdoors in New Orleans and commune with nature, City Park is a great place to do that. I saw just a small fraction of the park—a very pretty river with swans gliding by and picturesque stone bridges, gazebos, Spanish moss on the trees and walking oaks–but I loved it. I wish I’d had more time here. You can get to City Park by streetcar.

And finally. . . .

Talk to the Locals Every Chance You Get

I had the best time just talking to locals in New Orleans. Everyone seems to have a story of some kind to tell. I heard some hairy Katrina survivor stories and some sad stories about loved ones who didn’t survive. I learned about the education system in the city from two teachers who work there. Waitresses called me “hon” all the time, even when they were young enough to be my daughter. It was charming.

Have you been to New Orleans? What else do you consider a “must do” for anyone visiting the city?

Things to Do in New Orleans is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Citywalk

Ask almost any regular Orlando visitor which has the best nightlife options–Universal Orlando’s CityWalk or Disney World’s Downtown Disney–and the majority will say: CityWalk. I would have also said this, even before I visited CityWalk for the first time (mainly because I’m still bitter about Disney shutting down the Adventurer’s Club). And yet if you look at it purely from the numbers, CityWalk offers almost nothing that Downtown Disney doesn’t:

Disclaimer: Numbers are approximate; I may have missed some things.

Is this a case of “perception is reality”? Maybe it’s less about categories and more about specific offerings? Or perhaps it has more to do with the customer demographics at each place? For me, and for other adults traveling without children, CityWalk may be more appealing because it seems to offer a more adult-oriented experience at night than Downtown Disney does. That’s not to say you won’t see children in strollers at CityWalk or that there are no bars in Downtown Disney, but there seems to be a more adult atmosphere at CityWalk.

Nightlife at CityWalk

There is certainly nothing obvious about the retail experiences at each to suggest that one would appeal more to an adult crowd than the other. However, CityWalk does have more chain restaurants that may appeal to the masses (Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, Bubba Gump, etc.) and nightlife options that project more of a “party” atmosphere (Hard Rock Live, Pat O’Briens, Fat Tuesdays, the groove, etc.). This explains why young adults looking for a club scene gravitate to CityWalk, not Disney World.

Hard Rock Cafe CityWalk

CityWalk wins hands-down in terms of ease in getting to it from anywhere else on Universal’s property and then getting around it. Because of how spread out Disney World is, it can take as long as 45 minutes to get to Downtown Disney from certain resorts and parks. Whereas Universal is so compact that CityWalk is a quick walk or boat ride away from any of the furthest points on property. CityWalk is also shaped like a ring, which makes getting around quicker and easier than getting from the far end of Disney’s West Side to the far end of Disney’s Marketplace.

Retail, dining and entertainment at CityWalk

If I thought Disney World executives actually gave a damn about its childless adult guests, I would suggest they made a strategic error by splitting the property’s nightlife options between two distinctly different areas–Downtown Disney and the Boardwalk–which are nowhere near each other.  For guests stuck on site without a car, you have to make a choice about where you plan to spend the evening, either/or. It’s more difficult to move from say, a movie at Downtown Disney’s cineplex to dueling pianos at Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk; whereas it’s quite easy to go from CityWalk’s movie theater to Pat O’Brien’s dueling pianos–which is just up a set of stairs. But ultimately, I don’t think Disney execs care about offering adult-oriented nightlife.

Citywalk is a short (and pretty) walk or boat ride from the resorts

Does this mean I’m going to switch my allegiance from Disney World to Universal? Er, no. What it means is that I can appreciate that each park does some things better than the other, which makes them both equally worth a visit. What Universal does very well is nightlife, and that’s mostly because of CityWalk. Now, your mileage may vary; if you’re a major Disney fan, you may prefer to be surrounded by everything Disney, all the time. But if you’re visiting Orlando and nightlife is very important to you, do yourself a favor and check out CityWalk.

Margaritaville's Porch of Indecision

Have you visited both CityWalk and Downtown Disney? Which did you prefer, and why?

Universal’s CityWalk vs. Downtown Disney is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Are you sick of reading about other people’s New Year’s resolutions yet? Well, don’t worry, I don’t believe in resolutions. But I do believe in planning out my travel for the year in January, because otherwise, it wouldn’t happen. After all, I’ve got to get the time off from work, coordinate my vacation schedule with those of my coworkers, save the money for my trips, research destinations, etc.

This year, I reviewed my travel bucket list and decided to go to the places at or near the top–the places I most want to visit. Unfortunately, that means I’ve got two very expensive destinations planned this year. Gulp. How do I plan to pay for these very expensive trips? That’s a subject best left for a future blog post. The question of today is: Where am I going?

Honolulu, Hawaii

I had to postpone this trip from 2011, so I decided to make it a priority for 2012. It will never be a cheap trip for me, since I have to fly from Vermont, but it’s much cheaper to go there any week except Christmas. (For example, airfare was almost exactly 50% of what it would have cost to fly there Christmas week.) So at the end of February, I’ll be winging my way to Waikiki. God help me, I’m not looking forward to the long flying days to and from (roughly 20 hours each way, including sitting around in airports), but I think it will be worth it. On my itinerary are things like Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, the Dole Plantation, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and more. I want to sample some local beers from the Kona Brewing Company. I want to try Hawaiian specialty foods like shave ice and the Dole Whip. I want to learn a few words and phrases in Hawaiian, see how leis are made and maybe take a ukelele lesson. Will I have time for all these things? Who knows. But since Hawaii is one of the most culturally unique states in the US, I can’t wait to learn more about its history and culture in person.

The Norwegian Epic in the Port of Barcelona

The Mediterranean

In early May, I’ll be headed to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise aboard my old friend, the Norwegian Epic. Squee! I have already booked my Studio Stateroom. This is the trip I considered taking last year, but one thing held me back: I just didn’t know how I could possibly stand only having one day in Rome (can you imagine trying to see Rome in one day?) and having to choose spending time in Naples, Pompeii, or the Amalfi Coast during my one port day in Naples. Seems unfair, doesn’t it?

Well, this year, the schedule has changed enough to work for me. In addition to the Sunday-Sunday cruises that sail out of Barcelona, Spain, the Epic is now offering the opportunity to sail Wednesday-Wednesday out of Civitavecchia, Italy (near Rome). This means I can fly in early and spend a couple of days exploring Rome before my cruise, and another day after. I’ll still only have the one day in the port of Naples, so I’ve decided I’m going to have to throw Naples under the bus (or the boat, as the case may be) and go on a combination Pompeii/Amalfi Coast shore excursion during that day. And now that I’m getting the days I want in Rome, I’m okay with that. Other ports of call are Livorno, Italy (from which I can get to Florence); Nice, France (from which I could also go to Monte Carlo if I prefer); Provence (Marseilles), France; and my favorite Spanish city, Barcelona.

Would I prefer to travel slowly across Italy? Sure. But I honestly don’t have the time for that right now. And there’s no law that says I can’t go back to any of these places if I find I like them so much I’d like to experience them on a deeper level later on.

Mountains around Las Vegas

Las Vegas

I’ll be making my annual sojourn to my favorite city during Labor Day week in the fall, same as always. I’ve already started collecting a list of “new things” to do while I’m there. But I really, really have got to make it a priority this year to get out and see Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire—or maybe even take a couple of days to visit the Grand Canyon, which I’ve only seen via helicopter, never on foot. I’ll also be hosting the 2^nd Annual Vegas Solo Meetup that week, if anyone is thinking they’d like to come. During the summer, I’ll post details about that meetup at The Vegas Solo.

Road Trips and Miscellaneous Travel Daydreaming

Those are the major trips I’m taking in 2012, and they are plenty expensive enough that from a practical standpoint, I should stop there. But. . .but. . .but I can’t. Because I’m also considering a Thanksgiving weekend trip (if I can identify a place that’s inexpensive at that time!), a possible weekend in New York City (if I can get cheap airfare), and 2-3 weekend road trips as well. I don’t know if I can squeeze it all in, but I’d sure like to.

So in 2012, you’ll have those trips dominating the pages of this blog–along with my backlog of material I still haven’t written about my trips to San Diego and Orlando. I’m also reviewing my old journals for stories of people I’ve met from my travels. I have some I’d love to share, as soon as I can figure out how to write them up so that they’re as meaningful for you as they were to me. As always, I’ll try to insert some posts that address various aspects of solo travel as much as possible. If you have topics you’d be interested in reading more about here at SoloFriendly, please shoot me an email at gray[at]solofriendly[dot]com.

How about you? Do you know where you’re going in 2012 yet? What are your travel plans for the new year? I love living vicariously through others’ travels, so please share your own travel excitement for the year!

2012 Travel Sneak Peek is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

P is for Paris

I’m a sucker for travel memes, so when I was recently tagged by my friend JoAnna Haugen for a journey through my travels using letters of the alphabet as prompts, I jumped on it. Some of the questions are a bit challenging, and overall, I think I would have preferred choosing my own word or phrase prompt for each letter. But despite its shortcomings, it was a fun exercise and I hope that you’ll find a few nuggets of information in here that will allow you to get to know me a little better. (If you don’t want to get to know me a little better, skip to the end of the post anyway. I’ve got a little homework assignment for you. )

A: Age you went on your first trip.

I’m not quite sure. I was a toddler. We went to Germany. (My father was in the Army.) All I remember from our time there was playing on the floor with wind-up fruit-shaped toys and knocking a neighbor boy on his ass because he was bullying my big brother.

B: Best (foreign) beer you’ve had and where.

I’m no beer connoisseur, so take this with a grain of salt (or a wedge of lime); I like Corona. I drink it everywhere I can find it. But I also really enjoyed the Spanish beers I tried, San Miguel and Estrella Damm. I tried to do a “beer throwdown” between them, but honestly, I couldn’t tell the difference between the two. I’m also fond of Tsing Tao.

Tsing Tao beer

C: Cuisine (favorite).

Indian. (Even though I’ve never been to India.) Shahi Paneer is my favorite; I love the cubes of cheese, and I still can’t figure out why they don’t melt.

D: Destination (favorite and least favorite).

Anyone who knows me even remotely knows that Las Vegas is my favorite destination. My least favorite would have to be Hopkinton, KY (sorry everyone who lives there). The people were super nice, but I’m more of a city girl. There just didn’t seem to be much going on there.

E: Event you experienced abroad that made you say “wow.”

I was in Madrid during the youth protests in the spring. My first evening there, I stepped out onto my balcony and saw how many people were gathered in the square, Puerta del Sol, below me–and it was breathtaking. And wow, were they loud.

Spanish protestors in Puerta del Sol

F: Favorite mode of transportation.

My own two feet if it’s a walkable distance, otherwise, I’ll take whatever is convenient. I do like metros quite a lot. And I’ll take flying over driving any day of the week.

G: Greatest feeling while traveling.

Making connections with other people while traveling is always a great feeling. It makes the world feel a little smaller, a little friendlier. Second greatest feeling: Standing in places that I’ve been reading about or seeing on TV or in the movies since I was a child. It feels like a dream, but a wonderful dream.

H: Hottest place you’ve traveled to.

Laughlin, Nevada. I thought Las Vegas was hot, but then I went to Laughlin and it was about ten degrees hotter—120 Fahrenheit–which seemed odd to me, since Laughlin is much greener than Vegas and located on the Colorado River.

Laughlin, NV

I: Incredible service you’ve experienced and where.

I stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, the Aventura Spa Palace. At check-in, they handed me a flower and a flute of champagne. That really set the tone, and it didn’t let up for the entire time I was there. I felt like royalty.

J: Journey that took the longest.

I haven’t taken it yet. At the end of February, I’m taking a trip that will result in 20 hour travel days (including airport layovers).

K: Keepsake from your travels.

My photos are usually the only souvenirs I bring back from my travels. But I do have a Las Vegas mug, a House of Blues long sleeve tee from Orlando, and some Native American art around my house that I purchased in Las Vegas years ago. (I have a Southwestern theme going in my house.) I guess that’s the closest I come to “keepsakes”.

L: Letdown site and where.

I wasn’t as impressed with the Prado Museum (Madrid) as most people seem to be. It had way too many portraits and too much religious art for my taste.

Outside the Prado Museum

M: Moment where you fell in love with travel.

I fell in love with travel during road trips taken as a child. My grandparents would wake us up briefly during some dark hour, like 2 or 3am, pack us into the car and my brother and I would fall asleep. I’d wake up and I knew we weren’t in Vermont any more, because the air smelled different. . .and there were billboards along the highway. . .and very tall buildings. I loved every minute of it. To my preteen self, it all felt very exotic, even though we were still in the northeastern United States. I don’t remember my earliest flights, but when I was 8, we flew to Germany, and I was smitten with air travel from that moment on. I still feel like an excited little kid when my plane takes off.

N: Nicest hotel you’ve stayed at.

I’ve got to go with the Palazzo in Las Vegas. My suite there was bigger than the apartment I lived in for 9 years before buying my condo. Everything about this hotel screams “5 star hotel”.

O: Obsession. What are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling?

Architecture and animals. I’ve been known to stalk squirrels with my camera.

Not a squirrel

P: Passport stamps. How many and from where?

I got my current passport in 2006; it has Mexico, Canada, France and Spain in it.

Q: Quirkiest attraction you’ve visited and where.

I think this came to mind so quickly because Lori at Travel Moments in Time just wrote about this: The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221B Baker Street in London. This was the first time I’d ever visited a museum dedicated to a fictional character. Runner-up: Templo de Debod, an Egyptian Temple sitting on a hilltop in. . .Madrid, Spain.

R: Recommended site, event or experience.

I’d recommend that everyone try international travel at least once in their lives. I know it’s not always easy, but it’s so worth it.

S: Splurge. Something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling.

Convenience. I have no trouble forking over money if the expensive option is more convenient than a cheaper option. I figure I’m frugal in my everyday life so that when I travel, I can splurge on whatever I want. So almost nothing is off the table when it comes to splurging.

T: Touristy thing you’ve done.

I do touristy things everywhere I go, and I am not ashamed of that. I purchased a ridiculously overpriced $20 photo of myself riding the zipline in Las Vegas to prove I’d done it, because I was traveling alone, and there was no one else who could take the photo for me. I’ve done a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. I took a narrated boat tour on the Seine. Whenever I go to New York City, I make a beeline for Times Square. I’m all about the tourist attractions.

Times Square

U: Unforgettable travel memory.

Positive: Flying over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, which was so very cool.
Negative: Getting food poisoning in Mexico, which so wasn’t.

V: Visa. How many and for where.

Unless we’re talking about the credit card, never.

W: Wine. Best glass of wine while traveling and where?

My dirty little secret is that. . .I don’t like wine. I’ll drink it on occasion, but I never enjoy it.

X: eXcellent view and from where.

(Oh come on, that is SO cheating!) Xpu Ha in Mexico has a gorgeous white sand beach that stretches on forever and the most beautiful, clear turquoise waters. (And Xpu Ha actually begins with an X. See how I did that?) Joking aside, I took a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon a few years ago. It was the most breathtaking view I’ve eXperienced during my travels.

Grand Canyon

Y: Years spent traveling.

My whole life. Most of my childhood travels were to visit relatives who lived out of state, but even so, it definitely whet my appetite for it. There were a number of years when I didn’t travel because I felt I didn’t have the money and I thought I needed someone to travel with, but it’s been an on-again, off-again love affair my whole life.

Z: Zealous sports fans and where.

I happened to be in Barcelona when the Barcelona soccer team beat Manchester United in the Champions League in May 2011. Overexcited fans poured into the streets, the celebration eventually turned violent,11 people wound up in the hospital and more than 80 were arrested. (Being a big chickenshit, I hid out in my hotel for the duration. I really don’t like being around crowds that are all worked up like that.)

Now it’s my turn to tag a few other travel bloggers:

• Connie Hum from Connvoyage
• Janice Waugh from the Solo Travel Society
• Lisa Egle from the Chicky Bus
• Sabina Lohr from Solo Female Traveler

But wait–there’s more!

Just because you’re not a blogger, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook! Turnabout is fair play, right? I just answered some questions to help you get to know me better; now I’d love for you to take one of the 26 questions above and answer it from your own experience so I can get to know you a little better. Many thanks!

My Travels From A to Z is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Balboa Park, San Diego

If you’re looking for culture in San Diego, California, chances are good you’ll find yourself at Balboa Park eventually. This 1200-acre park is home to several performing arts organizations, museums, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and an artists’ community. I only had an afternoon there–just enough time to skim the surface, but not enough to take advantage of most of what it offers. I was sorry not to see the zoo or any of their terrific museums (Air and Space, Natural History, Model Railroad), but I wasn’t there long enough to really get my money’s worth out of the admission fee. So instead, I wandered around, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying what the park offers for free.

Even so, I have to say, I was impressed with Balboa Park. And more than a little envious. I wish we had something like that where I live. Even as just a spot to hang out on a weekend afternoon, it was really appealing. There were so many things to do, and not all of them cost money. There are gardens and fountains and restaurants. Having spent so little time there, I can’t say much about it that you wouldn’t find more information about on the Balboa Park website, but I thought I’d share some of my photos from my day there.

Below, the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center serves as the backdrop for one of the park’s fountains, a popular gathering place on a hot day.

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and fountain

Close by the Fleet Center, you will spot a cement bench with a plaque memorializing slain San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk–the first openly gay politician to be elected to public office in California.

Memorial plaque for Harvey Milk in Balboa Park

During my brief time at Balboa Park, I saw three separate wedding parties taking photos around the grounds. And who can blame them? It’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen, with so many terrific backdrops. One of the most beautiful–and most photographed–spots in the park is the botanical building and the lily pond complex known as “Laguna de las Flores”.

Botanical building and lily pond

Some of the architecture in the park is simply stunning–such as the Casa del Prado, a performing arts building that is a reconstruction of a building that was part of the 1915 Pan American Exposition–an event that shaped what Balboa Park was to become and what we see today.

Casa del Prado

More lovely buildings on the other side of the lily pond.

View across the Lily Pond

The tall white tower you see below is jutting up from the Museum of Man.

Looking down El Prado to the Museum of Man

My favorite area of the park, though, was the Spanish Village Art Center.

Paintings on display at the Spanish Village Art Center

Here, you can watch daily demonstrations by some of the 37 artists who have studios here. If you feel like buying a very original souvenir of your trip to San Diego, you can certainly do so here. You can also take part in classes.

Spanish Village Art Center

But you can also just take advantage of the relatively peaceful plaza at the Spanish Village. Rest for awhile and people-watch. Feast your eyes on all the bright colors around you–the buildings, the art, the colorful flowers, the painted flagstones of the plaza. Listen to live music. Take advantage of the free wifi. Ahem.

Guitarist at the Spanish Village

Have you spent time at Balboa Park? What was your favorite place in the park?

San Diego Vacations

Balboa Park in Photos is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

View of Seaport Village from my hotel room

Depending on the type of traveler you are, your stay in San Diego may or may not include Seaport Village. If you are the type of traveler who runs from tourist traps where you’re likely to spend money, Seaport Village is probably not the place for you. It was definitely the place for me, though. I found myself going back there over and over again during my 48 hours in San Diego–and not just because it was conveniently located outside the back door of the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Here are 6 reasons why you might consider visiting Seaport Village yourself:

Harbor view

The View

Located on San Diego’s waterfront, Seaport Village has a terrific view from almost any angle. Over lunch, I got to watch sailboats bobbing in the marina. During my strolls back and forth along the boardwalk, I got to watch the sun glinting off the water, seagulls swooping overhead, and kayakers paddling through the blue waves. Where I live, I’m a very long drive from the nearest ocean, so being in a place where I can gaze out at the ocean is like heaven. There were plenty of spots to stop and sit or lean against the railing and look out on the water. On a warm, sunny day, there was no place better to be–except maybe the beach.

Busters

The Restaurants

Seaport Village has a wide range of eateries, from snackbar windows to fast food (no McDonalds here, but you can get a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream) to more formal sit-down restaurants. Watch the sunset while dining on fresh seafood at the San Diego Pier Cafe or the Harbor House, or make some new friends during Happy Hour at the bar at Busters, which is a fun, casual restaurant with a beachy theme and the most moist crab cakes I’ve ever had.

Seashell wind chimes

The Shopping

I detest shopping, but even I found some stores here that I couldn’t resist checking out–like Hot Licks, which sells every hot sauce, salsa, and seasoning you can possibly imagine burning your tongue on, the Cerveza Store (“everything but the beer for the beer lover”), Seaport Village Shell Company (all merchandise is made from seashells), and Del Sol, where the clothing changes color when the sun hits it. The thing I loved about the stores here was that they were so unique compared to the stores I usually see in tourist destinations.

Walking along the waterfront

The People-Watching

When I got tired of walking around, I would snag a bench seat somewhere (there are a lot of them) and just enjoy the sunshine, stare at a splashing fountain, or people-watch. Or I would follow the sounds of guitar music to a pretty plaza where musicians were playing. Or I’d lean against the railing with the ocean to my back and watch people coming and going on the boardwalk. You see such a cross-section of people here–suit-wearing convention-goers, sweaty joggers, moms with their strollers, guys with their dogs, backpackers, picture-taking tourists, packs of teenagers, groups of girlfriends–and yes, even solos.

Henna Tattoos

The Activities

From Seaport Village, you can sign up and go on a SEAL (Sea and Land) Tour. You can have your fortune told by a psychic. You can get a henna tattoo, or have your caricature drawn or your face painted. You can pose with colorful birds on your shoulders. Don’t forget to check out the hand-carved carousel from 1895; it’s beautiful.

Totally fake lighthouse

The Cuteness Factor

Beware, all you anti-tourist trap types. You’ll HATE how cute Seaport Village is, with its fake lighthouse tower, beautiful harbor view boardwalk, pretty Spanish plazas, cobblestone walkways, and early 1900s seaside village themeing. Just hate it. The rest of you? Take lots of pictures, make sure you’re in some of them, and enjoy.

View more of my Seaport Village photos here.

San Diego Vacations

6 Reasons to Visit Seaport Village is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Crystal Palace, Madrid

The trouble with setting travel goals at the beginning of the year is that you have to then review your progress at the end of the year to see how you did. Thankfully, I didn’t do so bad this year. Of the six destination goals I set for myself in 2011, I achieved five of them. Hawaii during the holidays was just too expensive to be attainable, especially after a hefty car repair bill and some unavoidable home renovation expenses came up. I’ll still make it to Hawaii; just not in 2011.

Since my only international travel was to Spain it was a fairly easy travel year. I think I must have been psychic when plotting out my 2011 travels, because “easy” was exactly what I needed this year. Thanks to a frantically busy and emotionally turbulent year at work, my real life was plenty challenging enough. Having to navigate new cultures and languages and landscapes too might have sent me over the edge. There’s something to be said for going on vacation to just, you know, “relax.”

Here are the highlights of of my 2011 travels, in words, photos and videos:

Madrid

It was noisy, loud, and dirty. And it was right outside my hotel room window. I didn’t sleep well here. But it was fascinating to be in Spain during the youth protests (the “Spanish revolution“) that swept the continent last spring. It’s always nice to see young people showing passion about something larger than themselves. Say what you will about the youth protests that have now spread around the world, they’re historic.

Click here to view the embedded video.

While I found Madrid to be a bit formal compared to Barcelona, it still has much to recommend it–including some beautiful public spaces and architecture. Where else can you get a great view of the city from an authentic Egyptian temple and also visit a crystal palace?

Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple in Madrid

Barcelona

I immediately fell in love with Barcelona. This city has it all–weather, beaches, architecture, history, a wildly popular football (soccer) team, and incredible vistas. From here, I saw the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.

View of the Mediterranean and port of Barcelona

In Barcelona, I saw my greatest success speaking a foreign language. It was a small triumph, but a triumph nonetheless. It made me eager to try more.

I became a huge fan of Antoni Gaudi during my 3 days in Barcelona. Gaudi’s architecture, beautifully demonstrated in Parc Guell, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo, and the spectacular La Sagrada Familia, is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I enjoyed people-watching on La Rambla, the rich history of the Barri Gotic neighborhood (the oldest part of the city), and the beautiful views from Montjuic. There is no doubt in my mind, I’m going back to Barcelona.

Interior of Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, the most unique cathedral I've ever seen

San Diego

Over drinks at the Top of the Hyatt, San Diegan Kristen Elise said to me “San Diego doesn’t have weather.” I was aghast at this statement. I had just been gushing about how the weather in San Diego was perfect–sunny and in the 70s all the time. I am told that when every day looks like that, it gets boring. I’d be willing to find out in person some day. I’m scouting out potential winter retreats for my snowbird years, and San Diego is right at the top of the list.

Botanical Building, Balboa Park

Palm trees and sunny days and mild ocean breezes are my version of meditation. Wandering the waterfront of San Diego, I drank in the views of the Pacific Ocean for the first time in 27 years. I explored Balboa Park and the USS Midway, and was transported to the past in my imagination watching the classic sailing ships in the harbor. It was soothing.

Sailing ships in San Diego Harbor

Las Vegas

I’ve been to Las Vegas many times, and I know a fair number of people there now. So when I go to Las Vegas, I get to be social–without having to try so hard. I met up with friends I’ve made on previous trips, and hosted the first ever Vegas Solo Meetup at the Cosmopolitan, where I met two readers of my Vegas Solo blog, Nate and Janice.

Janice, Nate and me - photo by Janice Miller

During this trip, I stayed in the nicest hotel room–make that suite–I’ve ever had (at the Palazzo), sat outside by the pool and read, had a blast pretending to be a mob initiate at the Las Vegas Mob Experience (which has since closed–boo hoo!), ate my way through a slew of restaurants I’d never tried before, indulged my passion for photography, and grooved with my animal friends at the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.

White Tiger

Disney World

My primary reason for this trip was to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival, which I’d never done before. Here, you can sample foods, wines and beers from around the world, while walking around World Showcase at Epcot. The food and beverages were hit and miss, as you would expect, but fun to try. My favorite was the escargots in little brioche bread pockets in France. Yum! The Festival was a bit too overpriced and crowded for my tastes, but I’m glad I tried it once.

The crowd in World Showcase for Disney's Food & Wine Festival

While I didn’t get to check parasailing off my bucket list here as intended (they cancelled my appointment twice), I made up for it by trying all sorts of other things for the first time, such as Space Mountain, Mission Space, the refurbished Star Tours–and my very first Dole Whip. This time around, I toured the parks slowly instead of taking them by storm like I usually do. I felt no urgency to go on rides I’d been on before. I strolled through the parks and took lots of photos. I spent some time with my friend Sha and her mom. I got to see the parks decked out in their holiday best and saw one of my favorite 80s bands, Night Ranger, in concert.

This is the perk of revisiting a place you’ve been before: Being able to slow down instead of feeling the need to cram in as much as possible in a short period of time. I liked it.

A very relaxed me at Animal Kingdom

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

My brother and sister-in-law go to Universal Orlando several times a year. I’ve never been. This is a park that is primarily for thrill-seekers–with tens of roller coasters and rides that drench you before you reach the end–and that’s not really me. But when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened here, I knew I had to go! Mission accomplished. Universal will never replace Disney in my heart, but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is definitely worth going to see. It was like walking through a movie screen and into the world of the movies and books.

Hogwarts at Universal's Islands of Adventure

At the beginning of 2011, I was a stressed out mess, desperately unhappy with my life and seriously considering running away from home. Now? I’m happy. I don’t dread going to work any more. I just refinanced my home from a 30 year mortgage to a 15 year mortgage, which means yes, I’ll be staying in Vermont for awhile longer. I can’t give travel all the credit for this change in my attitude, but I do think going on relaxing trips for most of the year contributed greatly to my current mellow mood. I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, and that carried over to every aspect of my life–work, blogging, relationships, travel. This year, I learned to relax and stop worrying about “keeping up with the traveling Joneses”. What a difference a year makes.

My Solo Travels of 2011: The Word is “Relax” is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

The USS Midway and San Diego waterfront

As of the end of 2011, all remaining US troops in Iraq will have been brought home. (If only the same were true of our troops in Afghanistan.) Remember the old slogan for Navy recruiters that went “Join the Navy, see the world?” Yeah, well, the men and women of our military branches get to see the world, all right, but not really in the way most of us travelers would want to.

We go lay on beaches, take photos of ourselves in front of famous monuments, get our thrills from things like ziplining or bungee jumping, and stroll through museums learning about history from photos and objects and art. They go into war-torn countries in full combat gear, get shot at by snipers and dodge land mines, and create history—all while being kept away from their families for long stretches of time. While I sometimes have mixed feelings about the US government’s involvement in conflicts, I never have mixed feelings about the men and women who serve: I admire them, and I am grateful to them. So when I was in San Diego, one of my priorities was to visit the USS Midway, a former aircraft carrier-turned-museum at the Navy Pier on the waterfront.

One of 25 restored aircraft aboard the Midway

This ship, the third to be called Midway (in honor of the Battle of Midway Island, a turning point for the US and its allies in World War II), was in service from 1945 through 1992, when it was decommissioned. Once upon a time, Midway was home to more than 200,000 men, the average age of whom was 19. (What were you doing when you were 19?) The Midway served in the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War, but also led humanitarian missions and sailed in every ocean on Earth before arriving in San Diego. The ship was opened as a museum in 2004.

You might think it a little sad that a ship with that kind of history is now a museum with a gift shop and a cafe and flight simulator photo opps. Cringe. But it’s a far better fate than selling it for scrap metal. History comes to life in the corridors of this ship in a way it wouldn’t had objects been removed from their natural setting and displayed in a regular museum.

A "Ready Room" where pilots received instructions before missions

In addition to 60 exhibits, the Midway Museum has 25 restored aircraft aboard. Climb the stairs to the  deck and imagine what it must be like trying to land a fighter jet on a moving ship with such a limited “runway”. Via the audio guide, you hear stories of individual sailors who used to serve on the ship. As you tour the ship, you see where they slept, worked, got their instructions before heading off on a mission.

I think we all know serving in the Navy is no pleasure cruise, but it’s still startling to see how little personal space enlisted crew aboard this ship had. You think working in a cubicle is bad? Try living in this space, day in and day out for months on end:

The enlisted crew quarters aboard the Midway

As much as a collection of artifacts, the USS Midway Museum–and the area around it–serves as a tribute to the men and women who serve in the military.

Next to the Midway is Tuna Harbor Park, a small park dominated by a 25-foot tall statue of a sailor kissing a nurse, called “Unconditional Surrender”. The statue is modeled after a famous photo taken at the end of WWII. It’s one of those things you really can’t stop staring at. On the one hand, it evokes instant nostalgia for the ’40s, and on the other hand, it conjures up cheesy images of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. That’s America for you. We always have to be a little over the top, even when our heart’s in the right place.

"Unconditional Surrender"

A more tasteful tribute in this park is the National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military, which features a bronze statue of Bob Hope doing standup in front of a microphone to an adoring crowd of military men and women. You can actually walk amongst these statues as if you’re part of the crowd at one of Bob’s shows. Bob Hope’s dedication to the USO and to boosting the morale of the troops is legendary. I’m sure the number of hours he spent entertaining the troops over the years is staggering. So it’s appropriate that he is honored alongside them here.

Salute to Bob Hope and the Military

When in San Diego, I recommend spending some time on the USS Midway and in the area immediately surrounding it. If it doesn’t teach you something, it at least serves as a good reminder of the sacrifices of our military men and women. And it never hurts to be reminded of that.

USS San Diego Memorial

 What you need to know about visiting the USS Midway:

Location: 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego

Getting there: You can drive and park in the lot at the Midway (for a fee). If you are staying downtown, you can walk there, take a cab, or take a pedicab for about $5. You can also catch a train or trolley to the Santa Fe Depot and walk the few blocks from there.

Hours of operation: 10am to 5pm daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days)

Admission fee: $18 per adult (includes audio guide in English, Spanish, or Japanese)

Facilities: 60 exhibits, 25 restored aircraft, a cafe, a gift shop, flight simulators, photo opportunities. Docent-led tours throughout the day.

San Diego Vacations

Touring The USS Midway is a post from: SoloFriendly.com

Would you give up a traditional Christmas to travel?

Just when I started to love the opportunity to travel during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s going buh-bye. For several years now, the university where I work has given us the week off between Christmas and New Year’s as a holiday. It started because we got no raises that year. No raise = grumpy employees. Free week off = happy employees. Well played, UVM; well played. It went over so well, it became an annual thing. (Getting the week off, that is; getting no raises is just a semi-annual thing.)

The first year, I stayed home. For ten long days. I was bored out of my freaking mind. Unless you like being outside in below freezing temperatures (in which case you’re probably part polar bear), there is not a hell of a lot to do for singles in Vermont between Christmas and New Year’s. All my married friends are busy doing family stuff. My family who lives locally gets together for a meal, and then we go our separate ways. I kill about four hours on that, max.

In 2008, I decided to save my sanity and take advantage of the free time off to travel. It was a stroke of genius!

St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

I booked a flight to New Orleans for some ridiculously cheap price that I’ll never see again in my lifetime and spent five nights in the Big Easy. It wasn’t pool weather, but I didn’t need to wear a jacket, I saw palm trees, and I even got to wear shorts one day. You skiers can have your subzero winds on the mountain, I’ll take palm trees any day.

I dug into the muffulettas and gumbo and cheesy grits; savored the live jazz and blues music everywhere; soaked up the sight of the mighty Mississippi; hung out in Jackson Square and watched little birds playing in fountains; and felt the pure bliss of exploring a brand new city. I went on a ghost tour of the French Quarter. There was enough signs of Christmas around so I didn’t miss it entirely, but the museums and other tourist attractions were open for business. And of course, every night was a party on Bourbon Street. It was so much more fun than staying home between the holidays!

I tried grilled oysters for the first time in New Orleans

Las Vegas, as I learned last year, can also be cheap during Christmas week. . .as long as you get out of town before New Year’s, when you practically have to take out a second mortgage to afford a hotel room. I had a great time during the early part of my trip. I got to enjoy just enough Christmas cheer to put me in the holiday mood—via Christmas displays in places like the Bellagio, the Palazzo, and Sam’s Town’s Mystic Falls atrium—but it was still Las Vegas. I still got to enjoy shows and sightseeing and gambling and everything that I usually do on a trip to Vegas (except hang out by the pool—it was freezing!).

I even faced my fear of heights by going ziplining on Christmas night:

Santa won't let anything happen to me, right?

I had lunch with some Burlington friends who happened to also be in Vegas for the holiday and got to meet up with some fellow travel bloggers who live in Las Vegas. That would have been a perfect holiday trip if my flight home hadn’t gotten cancelled and stranded me in town an extra four nights—over New Year’s. It took me awhile to pay that trip off.

But aside from those two places, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that travel during Christmas week isn’t cheap.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

In 2010, I wanted to go to Hawaii for Christmas week. I nearly had a stroke when I realized how expensive it would be. So I tried pricing San Juan, Puerto Rico ; it, too, cost double what it would two weeks later, in January. I feverishly searched the Internet, pricing trips to all sorts of warm weather destinations, and came up with the same result every time: Too damn expensive.

I went to Puerto Rico in January.

This year, I had hoped to be in Waikiki during Christmas week, because it’s the last year I’ll be getting the time off for “free” (my job is moving outside UVM). But a hefty car repair bill and some home renovation expenses dashed those hopes. I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t meet all my travel goals for the year, but 4 out of 5 isn’t bad. I can’t be unhappy about a travel year that included Madrid, Barcelona, San Diego, Las Vegas, Disney World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

So I’ve got to get creative and figure out some fun things to do this coming week here at home so I don’t spend the whole time working on my blogs (which could easily happen). In the meantime, I’m curious about what all of you are doing for the holidays!

Have you ever spent the holiday season away from home and family? Did you enjoy it? Where will you be this year? Go ahead, make me jealous.

Christmas Week Travel. . .Or Not is a post from: SoloFriendly.com