europe

Quiet, please.

/ karencoviello / Leave a comment

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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

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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