carryon

Quiet, please.

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I am often asked why I choose to travel on my own. Aside from the simple answers – I enjoy my own company or I can shop for art all day long – there are some really sound reasons for embarking on a solo journey.

I am a big fan of Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.

I’m such a fan that I have owned three copies of her book – one I left on a plane, one is stashed in my iBooks, and another floats around the house for general perusing. I incorporate a great deal of her material into my teaching and I also like to gift the book to my favourite introverts.

Susan’s book resonates with me, as I identify as an introvert, with the twist of having an extroverted public persona. I find large social gatherings, small talk, and busy calendars over-stimulating, largely meaningless, and flat-out mentally and physically exhausting. I prefer policy puzzles to the inanity of politics. Pass me a book, please.

One of her challenges to introverts – and extroverts – is for us to spend time alone, away from the madness of our over-stimulated world. To remove ourselves from our daily expectation of interactions and obligations. To escape into our own head space, wherever that takes us.

The main reason I like to travel alone – with my camera and a book or three – is because I need to.

And I encourage you to try it, too.

– KS

Flying Solo

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I love the freedom of flying solo – I find it to be a refreshing opportunity to think, check-in with myself, and plan my next steps.

Solo travellers often seek peaceful retreats for their disappearing acts. Small cabins on beautiful lakes. Hiking excursions. Luxurious spa experiences.

My favourite solo escape is a bit different.

Las Vegas! 

Vegas? Absolutely.

Here are some tips for solo travel to Las Vegas!

  1. Stay in the central part of the Strip. First choice: Caesars Palace. I love Caesars Palace because it feels less like a casino and more like a resort. Everything is top notch – the pool area, the spa, and the restaurants. A close second in the hotel department is The Mirage, which is right next door. In fact, the two resorts are connected by a leisurely stroll through the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace. By staying in this area, you are easily able to walk everywhere and experience all that Vegas offers.
  2. Walk everywhere. On my last solo trip to Vegas, I hit 12,000 steps a day on my FitBit. Yup, Vegas is good for your health.
  3. Check out the amazing entertainment. Here’s a bonus bit of flying solo: I always score last-minute, single seats for the greatest things. Broadway shows, sporting events, concerts, Donny & Marie at the Flamingo. This is a wonderful strategy if you are concerned about the “I’m travelling alone, what will I do in the evening?” conundrum.
  4. Check out the hotel sites for great pricing. Vegas is a convention destination, so hotel prices are quite variable. I will often find a lull in the pricing around the major events – check the availability calendars – and go for it.
  5. Expand your menu. You are travelling alone, which means that you can eat what you want, when you want to. That’s a gift! All of the restaurants have bar seating … as a solo traveller, you are ready to jump the queue and enjoy the company of an entertaining bartender.
  6. Get off the strip. Grab a cab to Fremont Street … otherwise known as Downtown Vegas. I haven’t been yet, but my next trip will include a visit to the Boneyard at the Neon Museum. I’ve heard the Factory Outlet Mall is also excellent. 

Las Vegas is a wonderfully weird, safe, and clean place to visit.

Perfect for the solo traveller.

Carry on! (I’m off to check the prices at Caesars Palace!)

Packing 101 for the Carry On Traveller

/ karencoviello / 1 Comment

Whether you are hopping on a plane for a weekend in Paris or planning a month long trip across the continent, these basic packing tips will help you travel to Europe in style and comfort … with only Carry On luggage.

Yes, that’s right. A month in Europe with only Carry On luggage. 

Why on earth would anyone want to do that?

I have some great reasons from some really awful experiences with lost luggage. All leading me to decide to travel differently.

Here are the basic tips: 

The main goal is to minimize bulk, while maximizing options.

  • Always pack clothes that mix and match. I work with a neutral base of black, add some grey or blue, then toss in a pop or two of colour with tank tops or t-shirts and a multi-coloured scarf.
  • Pack clothing that is easy to wash in cold water and hang dry.
  • Plan to wear things more than once.
  • Pick the right purse(s). (I will write a separate blog post on this!)
  • Learn to layer. Wear your heaviest, bulkiest clothing on the plane.
  • Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes: I label them as shoes for walking, socializing, and relaxing.
  • If you are going to Europe – choose flats. Cobblestones are everywhere.
  • If you are going to Italy, choose flats that keep your feet from sliding around as you traverse ancient and endless staircases. I have many friends who have experienced flying spills in their flip flops. (You know who you are!)
  • If you are going to Europe, do not wear white running shoes. They’ve been banned in the EU. (Kidding, but perhaps they should be?)
  • Leave your real jewellery at home.
  • Electronics: Check your roaming packages before you go. Wifi is standard fare in European hotels and restaurants, so you may be able to make do without coverage.
  • Remember your adapter/converter.
  • My Waterloo hair stylist wrote a great blog post about travelling beauty needs. Great advice!
  • If you have favourite brands of over-the-counter medications (Advil, etc), make sure you take them with you. They often come in travel sizes, too.

You may be thinking … “Sure, that sounds great for a weekend in Paris, but a MONTH?”

Yup, a month. It works because you will keep things clean (hence the ‘easy to wash in cold water and hang dry’ requirement) and enjoy the simplicity of a minimalist wardrobe.

My special caveat/I like to shop rule in all of this … don’t be afraid to ship things home. Many retailers will offer the service and it is often more cost effective than checking a piece of luggage. On a recent trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy, my friends and I shipped home a group order of incredible olive oil from a local producer in Sorrento and a crate of gorgeous Italian ceramics from an artist in Ravello. Both shipments cost us next to nothing.

Carry on!

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