Tag Archives: traveling solo

Memorial Day

Remembering the fallen and also those who fought and continue to fight in defense of freedom. I think that Memorial Day is a unique holiday of patriotic celebration. It’s even more poignant than the Fourth of July which is so exciting and celebratory.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Edith Wharton

I like to think of those who put their lives in harm’s way for our freedom as having had a calling and extraordinary vision. Our present was their future and so I think it’s very important to understand the depth and meaning of their sacrifice. Sometimes, this calls on some quiet time “alone” to meditate and connect to their heroic acts of bravery.

Memorial Day

This year, I was on my own for Memorial Day weekend. And so, I went in search of the largest American flag I could find, to photograph it and express gratitude to those who made the supreme sacrifice. It felt right.

Memorial Day sunset

And a moody sunset goes a long way to a heartfelt salute of the day’s end. If you find yourself alone on any holiday, be sure to find a way to celebrate it and honor it in your own way. It makes for a really memorable moment to treasure! And that’s “A Table For One”.

Easter NYC

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With all the years I’ve lived in New York City, I’ve never attended the Saturday evening Easter Vigil mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. For the most part, it’s because I’m usually somewhere else with friends. But this year, with Easter coming so early, I decided to stay in the city.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Edith Wharton

Then came the inspiration, to walk down to the Cathedral for the Saturday Easter service. A spectacular celebration of The Resurrection of Christ. Renewed life. Joy. Light. In churches around the world, Easter begins with this most stunning of services on Saturday evening.

Ceremony of Light, St. Patrick’s Cathedral NYC

Since New York is a magnet for tourists, our midtown iconic destinations, like St. Patrick’s Cathedral, just across from Rockefeller Center, is constantly buzzing with people, cameras, flash bulbs and excitement. But it’s also a parish church and NY’s local citizens frequently attend mass there, as well.

My maternal grandmother attended daily mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. She was a true matriarch and lived an exciting city life at The Biltmore Hotel on East 43td St. We frequently went with her, to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for mass, so although it’s a real tourist attraction, for me it’s also home.

The celebration of light begins in darkness…

The mass begins with the cathedral cloaked in total darkness. Then, a blazing fire is ignited at the back of the church. The Cardinal begins the ceremony with readings. All of the people hold candles which are subsequently lit from the same fire. It’s breathtaking, as the church slowly illuminates by candle light and then finally the full-on brightness of every chandelier. It’s so moving and takes your breath away. I find that the pomp and circumstance of rituals like these are so stirring and special. They’re perfect too, if you’re alone on a holiday.

Easter blessings from the Cardinal

Plan your holidays, but if you find yourself alone on one, I recommend looking at your surroundings as a tourist would. Get out and explore. Do something you’ve never thought of before. Thinking like a tourist wherever you are will give you wonderful experiences to treasure. And that’s “A Table For One”.

Art Inside Out

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a New York icon. It beckons visitors from all over the world with complex, diverse collections of art and breathtaking one of a kind exhibits. For me, it’s also a prominent presence in my neighborhood. And there’s as much to see outside as there is to see inside The Met!

“Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment.” Claude Monet

I love visiting museums when traveling and I’ve been lucky enough to visit so many, both here in the U.S. and overseas. One thing I find intriguing and sometimes also striking, is the exterior of museums. The setting. The building itself. How it sits where it is.

The Met Offers Inspiration in Color Inside and Out!

On this particular fall day, the exterior of The Metropolitan Museum of Art was ablaze with a full range of autumnal fire-like colors. The walls of glass reflected both sky and neighboring buildings in a perfectly arranged display.

Explore every angle of the museums you visit!

I like to take a walk around the exterior of the museums I visit, in order to understand and appreciate the eye of the architect/s who designed the buildings. To imagine how they were inspired to create and choose every detail of the structure. Architects are also artists in their own right.

Nature’s colorful bounty reflected as art

On this beautiful day, the colors of autumn bounce in the reflection of The Met’s glassed walls. The dappled light dances off the cement walls and inspires an unusual sense of life and anticipation of things to come. I think it’s a great idea, when you’re out and about for a museum visit on your own, to be sure to explore nature’s art and how the architect’s eye worked to create the building itself. If you do, it may even give you better insight into the art collections inside. And if you have a neighborhood museum nearby, be sure to observe how the changing seasons enhance the structure. Embrace the moment. “A Table For One.”

B&B’s…and Pensiones!

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B&B’s (Bed and Breakfasts) are a great option when you first begin to travel on your own. They tend to be the most intimate lodging experience, since they are typically small and personally run by the owners. B&Bs are everywhere. Here in the U.S. and overseas as well. On a recent trip to southern Italy, I stayed at a lovely little B&B, (called a pensione in Italy), in tranquil Piano di Sorrento.

A lovely private entrance to an Italian pensione in Piano de Sorrento, Italy

A lovely private entrance to an Italian pensione in Piano di Sorrento, Italy

“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known”. Carl Sagan

Since traveling solo can sometimes feel daunting, choosing a small B&B or pensione, in this case, is a great way to get yourself into a good “comfort zone”. Owners are usually happy to see you and they will cater to you in a way that’s very friendly and helpful. They’re great at recommending places to see, eat and shop.

Delightful entrance to my own little Italian “apartment”

Every B&B is unique and different. There’s nothing “standard” about them, with the exception that they each provide a room and your morning “wake-up” breakfast meal. It can sometimes feel like you’re visiting friends, because B&B’s tend to have very homey bedrooms and they will generally all vary in size and style.

The charm is in all the quirky details!

I love the quirky details that come with B&B’s. Here’s a photo of the safe in my room at the pensione in Italy, complete with a cleverly devised piece of framed art to keep it hidden from sight! You will find unique touches in every B&B or pensione you visit. It’s worth every moment and you will find it’s a great way to travel with “A Table For One”!

Strand-ed? Shop!

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Books on a Certain Famous Corner in NYC!

Some of the most fun shops are located on iconic street corners. Weathering rain, snow and scorching summer sun, these book-boothes of the famous Strand bookstore stand more than time-tested in the heart of NYC.

“Who seeks shall find.” Sophocles

Although I walk by these stands with some degree of frequency, in a rush usually, I love to carve out time to visit this iconic location for books and novelties that make great and inexpensive gifts. The thing that’s really fun about shopping here, is that there’s so much going on around and it’s all outdoors. You can find a selection of art and “coffee table” books, children’s books, classics. Although the stands are just a sampling, they’re an excellent representation of Strand’s full offerings at their store.

Linger And Look!

These are really simple, rough-hewn stands and tables that always remind me of how much is out there and available when you want to stop your world and go shopping. Actually, this simple location is an inspiration to me when I travel too. I look for similar set-ups and have found them…from Paris’ Left Bank all the way to a famous park in San Diego, California, where artists gather in an almost in-promptu array of tents and outdoor displays to sell their works.

Once you’ve located something similar, be sure to seek it out and keep it in mind when and wherever you travel. At Strand’s street corner location, there are also lots of great souvenirs.

Tables of Great Souvenirs

Buy a super tote, a city branded notebook to keep your journal on where you are…shopping for these tokens is a great way to spend an afternoon. And if you pick something out for a friend, they’ll feel like they’re a part of the delightful time you had shopping for something different! It’s something you can do, wherever you go. “A Table For One.”

Mementos

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I always try to keep some of the things I need and collect when traveling. Like train tickets, a timetable, a matchbook, CD of the local music and so on. They are small, but evocative prompts that help me to recall where I’ve been.

“I have more memories than if I were a thousand years old.” Charles Baudelaire

Starkly different from the things I shop for, these are smaller mementos that remind me of very specific experiences I’ve enjoyed while on a trip…a hotel, a train ride, a restaurant, a place I enjoyed visiting, local music, a show, and so on.

Small mementos prompt sweet memories!

Even better, these mementos can be brought together in a collage. Or an online “scrap book” of photos. I sometimes assemble these little cards and tickets in a large decorative envelope with the name of the place they’re from and dates of the trip. It’s so much fun to “re-discover” these souvenirs when I want to recall the feelings of a trip I made on my own.

Small reminders can evoke Big Memories

These maps, cards, tickets and such are so helpful when you’ve been out and about on your own. Traveling with a spouse, friends or family provides an opportunity to create a collective memory. But when you’re traveling on your own, it’s important to collect these little reminders that will help jog your memory back to a place you enjoyed. Hotels, cafes and restaurants too frequently have a card or photo available to take along with you. Don’t hesitate to take one and add these to your collections.

Be sure to take these with you after a meal or a stay!

They will be your “companion pieces” when you want to recall a wonderful trip you made with “A Table For One”.

Small Hotels

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Small hotels, sometimes in out-of-the way places can be a great option when you first start out traveling alone. Recently, I stayed in a small hotel, just outside of Sorrento, Italy. Located in Vico Equense, it was just a quick 11 minute train ride into Sorrento. The Hotel Aequa featured all the advantages of a small hotel for solo travelers.

Hotel Aequa, Vico Equense

Hotel and Garden

“The true object of all human life is play. Earth is a task garden; heaven is a playground.” Gilbert K. Chesterton

The price included a European style buffet breakfast each morning. I had asked for a double room with small balcony and view, thinking that the single rooms in Europe are still quite small. It was a good choice, because the bed was bigger and the balcony provided access to beautiful views of the hotel property, Bay of Naples and the stunning Mount Vesuvius.

View from the Balcony

Small hotels can be both intimate and private, depending on how much you want to engage with the people around you. Again, this can be ideal for those first venturing out alone. The hotel clerks are there to help, the guests at breakfast and around the pool can sometimes be friendly and engaging. But if you really just want to relax, read, sun yourself, etc. you can easily opt to do this without interruptions.

Things to Pack

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When packing for a trip anywhere, I think it’s a good idea to pack a few essentials that you can use to support any adventure!

Bring these along!

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” William Morris

I always pack plastic utensils and some napkins. No matter where you stay, (bed & breakfast, hotel, etc.), you will find these things very convenient to have on hand. For example, I like to explore local farm stands for fresh fruit when I’m on the road. Even if I’m working, I’ll keep my eye out for local treasures like fresh peaches, apples, strawberries, etc. Having the utensils, and some napkins already in my room means that I can make a purchase and enjoy a snack anytime!

Farm Fresh!

You might also want to consider packing some gourmet nuts and raisins too. I love pistachios and have found that some brands add a twist, like chili or salt & pepper to spice them up. Chose whatever your favorites are and make sure what you pack has a special “twist” to make it new and different.

Another treat I always look for is dark chocolate. Wherever I go, inevitably, I find a new type of gourmet chocolate bars that may not be sold at home. It’s a great opportunity to try something new that you wouldn’t think of trying ordinarily!

Dark Chocolate Treats!

Traveling Solo

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My best advice for your first “solo” trip is to select a place you’re familiar with. For me, that was Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. I had spent many Augusts vacationing on Nantucket, as a child. It held memories and enchantment at the same time. So this was a natural and easy first choice. I knew that I would feel at ease on the island, while traveling alone.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln

I decided to take the “slow” ferry over from Hyannis. The longer crossing set a relaxed pace from the start. You’re never really alone, there are so many people everywhere you go. But the experience of traveling on your own is truly unique. You have the opportunity to observe more and stretch your imagination. You are free to make your own plans and go where you want to go, without consulting others.

You may even find that going on a vacation alone gives you more opportunity to meet other people! At the very least, you will find that you have more time to explore your surroundings. You’re free to chose exactly what you’d like to do. Chose a place you know you like first. There will be plenty of chances to find new destinations, once you’ve experienced your first “A Table For One” vacation.

A TABLE FOR ONE

THE ART OF "BEING" ON YOUR OWN

Tag Archives: traveling solo

Memorial Day

Easter NYC

Art Inside Out

B&B’s…and Pensiones!

Strand-ed? Shop!

Mementos

Small Hotels

Things to Pack

Traveling Solo