In this week’s collection of recommended reads, we have solo travel articles that describe making friends on the road, overcoming our fears, and appreciating solo travel when it comes our way. The round-up is capped off with an inspiring destination post on Paris. Enjoy!
Travel Solo for a Rocky Mountain High - People who have never traveled alone are often afraid to try because they think they’ll be lonely, but new friends and acquaintances seem to come into our lives quite readily when we travel solo–as is the case in this personal story byJanice Waugh at SoloTravelerblog.com. If my stories about meeting people on the road haven’t convinced you to give solo travel a try, maybe Janice’s story will.
Solo female travelers shouldn’t let safety concerns put the world off limits – Ellen Perlman of BoldlyGoSolo.com tackles the subject of how solo female travelers sometimes allow their fears of particular places (usually based on media perceptions) prevent them from traveling to those places. How much of our fear is real, though?
“Finding Myself” as a Mother on an Airplane - by Mona Shand at AnnArbor.com. Mona’s first experience traveling solo with her baby leads her to some revelations about herself and her prior life as a frequent solo traveler.
Touching Air in Rio – This article put a big grin on my face from start to finish. Just because my attempt to go parasailing last spring was thwarted, doesn’t mean I can’t live vicariously through someone else’s airborne adventure. Jeannie’s (Jeannie Mark of NomadicChick.com) motivation to go hang gliding was to face her fear of heights. I love the idea of taking advantage of travel to face our fears.
5 Picnic Spots in Paris - I am starting to plan a trip to Europe for the fall, including Paris, so the timing of this article by Robin Locker at MyMelange.net could not have been better. If you, too, are planning a solo trip to the City of Lights, why not incorporate into your days a lovely picnic in one or more of these suggested locales? It will undoubtedly be cheaper than dining in a cafe, and you can soak up the view and the local culture at the same time.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who read my blog regularly for helping to catapult me to fame on Twitter this week when @travelpod announced that I was the week’s fastest riser among their Top 100 Travel Blogs. I went from #96 to #85 in one week, which was fairly dramatic. It was definitely the high point of an otherwise sucky week. So THANK YOU.
Photo credit: Photo of cat reading by Trinity at Creative Commons.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Hi Gray, Thanks so much for recommending my “Rocky Mountain High” post and for all the many ways that your promote the value of traveling solo.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I make the recommended reads twice? Someone pinch me! Thank you, thank you. I'm glad we connected recently. I second Janice, you do a wonderful job of showing others that solo is not lonely, sad or insurmountable. I'm updating my links page, and you are officially on it. :)
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
My pleasure, Janice. Same to you! The more we talk about it, the better for all of us solo travelers. The travel industry can't ignore us forever.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
I'm glad we connected, too. Thank you so much for the kind words. Back at you on the links. Just added you to my solo travel links. Cheers!
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Great reads – have just finished several of them!
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Thanks, Andy! Glad you liked them.