A One-Way Ticket to...

An interesting article came across my news feed this morning, and it really got me thinking. If you could pack up everything, purchase a one-way plane ticket and start a whole new life somewhere else, would you do it?

It's a thought that has crossed many minds over the years, especially those still searching for something--an ideal job, a soul mate, adventure, happiness, or maybe just unique food. Travel can often provide the answer, or hit you with dozens of new questions. Either way, the unexplored life can be scary to think about, and thrilling at the same time.

For many, it will remain unexplored, forever trapped in a dreamscape, inevitably part of the phrase "one day..." But for those who decide to make it a reality, it can be truly liberating.

As my five-year anniversary of my arrival in Chicago approaches, I have found myself contemplating this very idea. Could I drop everything and jet off somewhere to start a new life? Am I ready to leave Chicago, or are there still things keeping me here? And if I did leave, where would I go?

It's actually more difficult than I thought. I assumed my mind would immediately scream ITALY! But strangely enough, that didn't happen. I don't think this means my dream of living in Italy is dead, I just think my life has changed to the point that other places seem more appealing for where I see myself down the road. But please don't ask me to tell you where I would go, because there are about five places bouncing around in my mind right now. This is just a sign telling me I'm not quite ready to leave Chicago, there is still unfinished business here.

But for those looking to jump ship, where would you go?

Travel For...You

There are a million reasons to take a trip. To visit family or friends. To spend quality time with a loved one. To see a place you've never seen. To get away and relax. To learn about another culture. But one reason that should definitely be on the agenda...is you.

When traveling, make yourself a priority.

This concept can often get lost in the hustle and bustle of life, especially when organizing a vacation with other people. Everyone has their own ideas about where and when to go, what to do on arrival, how much to pay for accommodations or activities, etc. But travel should not just be about the group, but about individuals, too.

Seattle, Washington

For example, my group of long-time friends is trying to put together a summer trip. The original plan was Seattle some weekend in June, which seemed to work for everyone. But before we even had a chance to look at ticket prices, calendar limitations started popping up. One girl had a bridal shower in June, while another had a possible family vacation, and another had a potential freelance gig. Suddenly dates as early as April and as late as September were being thrown into the mix; people were offering to take inconvenient flights to make certain dates work; but every other month was nearly impossible, and eventually plans for the trip fell to the wayside.

Girlfriend Getaway. Caribvacationsguide.com

The problem is that we want everyone to be able to go, but the reality is that it is incredibly difficult to get seven people in the same place at one time. Especially considering the crazy lives we all lead, and the fact that we're spread out across the country, and weekend trips are not super easy to organize. So far, there is one weekend that six of us can do, but people are reluctant to pull the trigger, because one person cannot make it. As sad as that is, I am a firm believer in traveling for yourself. If you want to go somewhere...go! No one else's schedule should stop you. I understand, in this case, it's a group trip, and that I have to succumb to various agendas. But the fact is that there is a date that works for the majority of the group, and I'm a realist. We may not be able to find a time when everyone can go.

Even if this whole trip falls apart, I fully intend to go to Seattle this year, either by myself or with a couple of the other girls that can still make it happen. Because the truth is, why should anyone sacrifice a wonderful vacation because of someone else? I probably sound like a horrible person, and that's fine--I know I'm not. In fact, I already have plans to see all these girls at some point this year, because the fact is that good friends make it happen. It doesn't necessarily have to be all at one time--though that makes it easier and less expensive--and taking multiple trips gives me the chance to go different places and experience new things.

I am not encouraging selfish, egotistical behavior, by any means. I am simply saying that make sure you take yourself into account when traveling. Never give up what you really want to do just because someone else doesn't want to do it or can't do it. Never limit yourself on account of another person. Because, let's face it, sometimes going it alone is the best idea.

Travel for you!

Solo Travel; SMH.com.au

Preparing for Busy Season

Well, this year is getting busier and busier by the day. Just when I thought I wouldn't be taking many trips, suddenly I find myself with three in one month! How did that happen?

I must give thanks, first, to my wonderful friend Christi for getting married this year and having her bachelorette party in Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend (there's one trip.) Now, that has been in the works for some time, so I already anticipated that I would be traveling over the long weekend. Next, my co-worker deserves a nod for alerting me to a super sweet LivingSocial deal for $50 off a JetBlue flight from Chicago to Boston. A little research into fares and free weekends, and my Cinco de Mayo will now be spent cruising around bean town with my best friend, Emily. Finally, I am ever thankful to my freelance publisher for hooking me up with an all-expenses paid trip to New Orleans. So during the second weekend in May, I will be enjoying the sites and sounds of NoLa--but I will be working, too, of course. Throw in a bridal shower in Wausau, Wisconsin, the final weekend of April, and, needless to say, my life is pretty hectic the next few weeks. And I love it!

This is the kind of busy that I enjoy, because it involves getting out of Chicago and experiencing other places. And most of the trips involve spending time with my closest friends who I don't get to see on a regular basis, so how could I possibly complain about that?

Now, being the crazed traveler that I can be, I have already started planning for these various trips, making sure I have everything covered: transportation, departure and arrival times, budgets, outfits, scheduled activities, accommodations, etc. There is a lot involved in the process, and with so many trips back-to-back, I need to make sure I have it all organized. The lists are already being made, and I'll probably be adding something to them every day before I embark on this crazy month of traveling.

Luckily for all of you, more trips for me means more posts to read! So be ready for some interesting tidbits, exciting adventures and oh so many pictures! It's going to be a thrilling month, to say the least!

The Art of Traveling Solo

A recent study found that a broken heart can result in actual physical pain, meaning that when we end a romantic relationship, our bodies can be affected as well as our hearts. Social and romantic rejection can be just as harmful as damage to our bodies, which leads me to believe that's the reason we hang on as hard as we do. And yet breakups are bound to happen, and there is no magical pain reliever to make the ache and sadness go away. But there is travel.

Perhaps the idea of going on a trip by yourself is even more depressing than the fact that it takes a whole paycheck to fill up your gas tank...but hear me out. Traveling alone can be a very liberating experience. Not only will you get the chance to see some incredible places along your journey, but you will also gain a new sense of self worth and confidence in your abilities. You have to rely on yourself when you travel solo, which means you will be taking care of everything, including hotel, food, sightseeing and entertainment, all on your own. It can be a little daunting at first, but once you do it, you will realize you are capable of a lot more than you thought. Suddenly, the things that seemed intimidating before will seem easy. Bring on that flat tire or that 10K!

Traveling alone gives you the freedom to do what you want to do, without worrying about someone else's agenda. That may sound selfish, but who cares? You're on your own, so all you should care about is you. And if you happen to meet a companion along the way, great! That's another great part of solo travel, the incredible people you encounter. Because being alone will ultimately force you out of your comfort zone and push you to talk to the stranger at the next table or inquire about where that woman got her dress. Who knows, you could meet your new best friend or find your soul mate. Hey, it could happen.

If you cannot seem to think of a good place to go alone, here is a list of ideas that may give you a good starting off point.

• The Irish are some of the friendliest people around, so what better place to go and meet some new friends than the Emerald Isle. And if you recall an earlier post I wrote, Ireland is in need of tourists, and the rates are very reasonable. The Independent Traveler suggests going to the Dublin Writers Museum and going on a literary tour of famous authors. If you are more of an outdoorsy type, take a walking tour of the Wicklow Mountains, Valleys and Lakes. 
• Some of the most adventurous people out there are Australians, and a trip to their country could give you a little boost into the solo travel state of mind. The biggest issue you will face is getting there, since it is pretty pricey and the flight is incredibly long. Sydney is the obvious first city to visit, and there is plenty to do there, you will certainly never get bored.
• Many people like to go to tropical locations on their vacations, but those are usually associated with romance. But Iceland certainly isn't. If you visit, you must go to the Blue Lagoon Spa, a large outdoor geothermal bath surrounded by lava rocks. 
• For a little taste of everything, Peru has one of the most diverse landscapes, cultures and food. Try the Inca Trail in the Andes, one of the top hiking trails that leads to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. Check out Cusco to meet other fellow travelers making the trek to the historic location.
• Turkey is a great exotic location to discover a unique culture and its traditions. Istanbul is a historic city with a modern vibe, where the nightlife is just as exciting as New York City or Los Angeles. There are some areas in Turkey that women should not venture to alone, so just make sure you are aware of your surroundings.
• Singapore is a great little island at the tip of Malaysia that is perfect for experiencing the far east without going too far outside your comfort zone. For foodies, go during July for the Singapore Food Festival, and music lovers will love the Sun Festival in the fall. If you go, definitely check out the Fountain of Wealth, the Guinness-approved largest fountain in the world. 
• If you want to stay in this country, there's no better place to visit than New York. Half the population is already single, so a solo traveler will fit right in. Not only is there a great social scene, but it's got some of the best shopping anywhere.

I realize that many of these locations cater a bit more to women, but men can enjoy them as well. But some places that are a bit more male oriented include Las Vegas (I know, pretty cliche), Bankok (also featured in the next Hangover flick), Seoul, Miami, Buenos Aires and Barcelona. For a longer list of destinations, check out this article from AskMen.com.

If you are still wary about the thought of hitting the road sans friends or family, there are other options. Numerous companies offer trips dedicated to singles, and the beauty is that you won't actually be alone; there will be other singles along for the ride. So you can all be single together.


SinglesCruise.com is a cruise-only company that caters to singles. While the whole ship is not reserved for singles, about twenty percent of it will be taken up by people in the program. They throw cocktail parties, games, lectures, and nightly singles-only get togethers. The company also hosts a pre-cruise meet and greet so guests can get to know each other before going on the trip.

The Connecting: Solo Travel Network is a good place to learn about single travel deals. It costs a fee to be a member, but some think its worth it for the discounts, special offers and great people you can meet through the organization.

Obviously, single travel is difficult especially when many companies and hotels charge for double occupancy. But more and more businesses are learning the benefits of embracing solo travelers, mostly because it is a growing segment in the travel industry. A lot of cruise lines are dropping their single supplement fees for singles, and many travel agents and tour companies are working to expand their offerings to provide more affordable and attractive trips. Singles Travel International launched more "weekend sample tours," which are short, two- or three-day trips to places in North America. These are quick vacations to help ease people into single travel, and are a popular way to escape for a weekend.

I am well aware of how difficult being alone can be, but I do believe that getting away from the everyday is one of the best ways to heal. Sure, having a friend or family member along for the ride would be great, but if you have to go it alone, there are plenty of resources at your disposal to make it enjoyable. A trip alone is scary and thrilling and nerve-wracking, but that is what makes it so much more worth while. Because if you don't take the plunge, how will you ever move away from the pain and into the next chapter of your life?

Planning Some R & R

All the travel experts are predicting an increase of business travel in 2011, with rates and fares dropping back to prerecession days. There is also agreement across the board that technology will play a huge role in business travel, making life a little easier and more convenient for flyers. While there may or may not be growth in business travel, there is also speculation that leisure travel will gradually edge up. In fact, the U.S. Travel Association predicts a slower rate for business travel, and an uptick on leisure as compared to 2010. As far as who will be going on these laid-back vacations, that’s yet to be seen. But I have a couple ideas.
Family Vacations
Even in this down economy, family travel never declined, it simply changed. Traditionally, many families planned a two-week vacation once a year. Then, when the internet made it easier to organize quick trips on the cheap, it switched to three or four shorter trips each year. Now, families are inclined to do both weekend trips and longer getaways, and the next big event to capitalize on is spring break. With most kids having at least a week vacation sometime in March or April, parents are researching all kinds of destination ideas, from warm tropical climates to educational locations. Some of the most popular places for family spring breaks: Florida Panhandle; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Hawaii and New York City. It’s also very common for families to stay close to home—less than 50 miles away—and rent lake houses, visit amusement parks and camp in national parks. Family travel is a major market in the travel industry, so you can count on there being tons of deals and discounts targeting families. And parents on a budget can definitely take advantage, as long as they do their research.
Last-Minute Romantic Getaways
With limited vacation time, tight budgets and high ticket prices, romantic trips with significant others are becoming harder to plan. Weekend trips are the easiest way to get some quality time together, and spontaneity always adds an element of romance. Luckily, waiting until the last minute can work to your advantage. A majority of the time, airlines will offer super low rates for on-way flights a couple weeks in advance to places like New York City, San Diego and Miami. If you find something in your price range, snatch it up and make the trip. If flying somewhere isn’t an option, there are plenty of places within driving distance that offer a relaxing, intimate atmosphere. Many hotels will also offer special weekend deals for couples, so check with the accommodations in the city you plan to visit, and see what kind of discounts you can find.
Solo Travel
Group travel is a huge industry, with tons of websites dedicated to organizing trips with large numbers of people. But solo travel also deserves some attention. Traveling alone allows a person to go where they want and see what they want on their own agenda. As David Henry Thoreau said:

The man who goes out alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.

Solo travel offers freedom and bargains, and it’s perfect for anyone who feels comfortable enough to go it alone. There are some tours and hotels, however, that charge fees for single travelers, because they base their prices on double occupancy. There are some ways to get around these, and Connecting: Solo Travel Network is a great place to find these helpful tips. A good travel agent who specializes in solo travel can help guide travelers to the best deals. There is a lot of potential for smaller travel agencies to cater to single travelers, especially if they can give them personal attention, negotiable rates and lower fees. There should no longer be penalties for traveling alone, but rather benefits and special deals for those courageous enough to tackle the world alone.
Business travel may increase this year, but leisure travel is right behind it. And for those of us who don’t get to travel for work, a relaxing vacation is the only kind of travel we’re going to experience this year. Currently, I’m trying to plan a spontaneous romantic weekend with my boyfriend, as well as a week-long group trip to South Carolina. With any luck, I can find some low rates and good deals. And, ultimately, I hope to have a nice, fun and enjoyable vacation.