Women Traveling Alone. Why Not?
Keywords: : travel, travel health, women, women’s travel, europe, lucca, eurailpass, italy, eurostar.
Kristy, aged 32, had recently separated from her partner and needed to “get away”. All her previous travels had been with a friend and traveling solo was real “out of comfort zone” stuff. Kristy did her research and made some pleasant, surprising discoveries.
Her first pleasant discovery was that many travel organizations now no longer charge a single supplement. Out of a selection, she chose Intrepid because it provided the kind of travel experiences that suited her. I met Kristy on an Intrepid tour based in Lucca, Italy and she was having a ball. She discovered that as a single traveler, it is so much easier to make new friends. Her initial fears had disappeared and she joined in the activities, including Italian cooking classes, cycle rides through the Tuscan hills and winery tours, with enthusiasm.
I was surprised at the number of single women in the group. Most were in the age range between 23 and 50 and all expressed initial fears of traveling alone. Then they discovered 2 huge advantages.
The first was personal freedom and the second, independence. The simple pleasures of YOU deciding where to go, where to eat and where to shop, cannot be beaten. If you want to stop for a while to watch the setting sun change the snow on the Matterhorn from white to gold, you do! If you want to enjoy the peace and silence of St Mark’s Square, Venice in the early hours of the morning, you do!
As a professional travel writer, I frequently travel with my wife, but often we travel alone. It allows me to explore and discover cities and attractions that interest me. My wife Ros, has travel interests of her own. I have a particular interest in rail travel and on a recent visit to England, traveled to York to explore the famous railway museum. She has no interest in “old trains”, so she spent the day in London, visiting museums, galleries and, surprise, surprise, shopping!
TRAVEL TIPS.
Lonely Planet offers the following tips for women travelers:
Try to speak a few words of the local language.
Avoid flights that arrive late at night.
Explore the area where you are staying thoroughly by daylight. It’s important to have your bearings and know any parts to avoid.
If you’re taking a taxi, only use registered or government run ones. If you don’t know which they are, go to one of the upmarket hotel chains and get the staff to call one. Ask them how much you should expect to pay.
Spend a bit extra on a hotel in a decent area. The streets will be safer at night and there will be more security in the hotel.
If you get unwanted attention from men, don’t say you’ll meet them later to try and get rid of them. They will turn up. Say “no” politely and firmly.
Wear a wedding ring and say you’ve got seven kids, if anyone asks. Yes, you shouldn’t have to, but sometimes it’s the easiest way to fend off advances.
{ Note from Graeme: If you’re only 23, make it two kids, but the message is the same!}
Footnote: When our Intrepid tour finished, Kristy, full of confidence, was off on further adventures. She had purchased a Eurail pass before she left home and was planning to explore Italy, France and Switzerland {staying in Youth Hostels} before traveling on Eurostar to London, then flying home.
She was already planning future trips. Her parting words: “I love walking and plan next year to go to New Zealand to take the Milford Sound and fiord walk.”
Traveling alone? Worried about your health in a foreign country? In his latest book, “Your Life Fitness”, experienced travel and health writer, Graeme Lanham, outlines all you need to know about travel health. Visit www.yourlifefitness.com www.intrepidtravel.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Is Andrew Flintoff The Worlds Worst Number 6 (1)
In cricket, this is not the case, especially for a losing team where everyone is dependent on the best players. If you compare Flintoff to other number 6 batsman in world cricket he is somewhere in the middle.
Audio Books - The Unfair Advantage (2)
Eddie Lamb provides an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. We believe better understanding your area of interest helps your decision making process immensely. You'll find a host of useful information about digital downloadable products at www.DigitalAudiosDirect.com
Which Is Best - Audio Tape, CD Or Audio Download? (3)
Things are changing though. With the development of compact playes such as iPods and MP3 players, it's little wonder that downloadable audio books are fast outpacing the traditional audio tape or CD as the preferred medium.
Top Tips For Choosing The Right Treadmill (4)
Of course, since nothing comes cheap, training on a treadmill is a bit harder than training on an elliptical, mainly because it requires better stamina (if you use the treadmill for running, of course).
Biking Can Help You Lose 10 Lbs Or More (5)
Now say instead of going to the gym to lose those 10 pounds you decide to bike to work. While it may take a little longer to lose the weight, by biking to work you're really losing no time at all.
Golden Thread's Future Array In The World Market! (6)
Net exports from India, the second largest net exporting country, are expected to remain stable at approximately 185 000 tones. Sacking and carpet backing are likely to be the main jute products exported.
Store Cards: A Brief Guide (7)
What are the benefits? In order to entice people to get a card that is limited to one store, the retailer will offer you a number of discounts or special offers.
What Marketing Can Do For You (8)
Marketing is also about being consistent. This goes back to building on successes. Your customers need to see your message over and over again. This builds trust and credibility.
Automating Your Online Business Ecommerce Services (9)
Automating Your E-Business: It's Easier Than You Think Automating your e-business is not going to be some complicated, time-consuming process that turns out to be more trouble than it's worth.
The Perpetually Increasing Textile Industry (10)
Coir carpets and mattingse produced in many attractive designs and colors find a ready market in India and abroad. Agra and Jaipur are two important centers of carpet weaving.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Making Money By Starting A Home Based Internet Business (1)
Using this logic for starting home based internet business, and it is not surprising that you have never called the telephone number you have seen on the TV screen or logged on to the website that is advertised.
For The Love Of Jewelry (2)
Wearing that expensive diamond and emerald necklace to the beach is probably not a good idea. Maybe a better idea is to wear that gaudy, shell beach necklace you got at the discount store.
Bad Credit Personal Loans (3)
A bad credit personal loan is like any other personal loan that one might have availed of in the past. The only difference is that it is for those people who have a bad credit, or in simpler terms, people with a bad 'credit history'.
Business Thank You Cards (4)
You should ALWAYS remember to thank those clients who recommend your business to other people. Such a simple gesture as sending thank you cards will definitely reap great rewards for your business.
Become A Walking Talking Advertisement (5)
You're not just going to sell a product to your new customer and then walk away from them or vice versa, are you? Definitely NOT when you are marketing on a tight budget!
Do You Have A Customer Appreciation Plan? (6)
This plan should be designed to recognize and reward loyal customers. Put a frequent buyer program in place and hold customer appreciation events. Remember that customer appreciation is not just a one-time thing.
Don't Fail To Plan-Plan For Success (7)
If you can buy a domain name that has been around for a while, at a reasonable price, that would be a good option. There is the theory, and with some substantial insight, that domain names with a little age are a big advantage with the search engines.
How To Keep Your Golfing Scores Low The Right Way (8)
By practicing these tips you can greatly improve your game. Supercaddie.com is a Golf Tips and Tricks website that provides you with best golf tips to improve your golfing game.For more Golf Tips and Tricks visit supercaddie.com
Tips On Improving Your Golfing Mental Game (9)
As you are playing your game there are going to be distractions from other players and just environment noises as well. It takes a lot of determination and concentration.
Accessorize Your Kitchen (10)
Certain accessories can give your kitchen a gourmet feel. Hanging copper pots and pans from a wire rack attached to the ceiling can add warmth and color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen.