Archive for category: Travel Blog

Ireland is one of the most beautiful and historic countries in the world. Its long and storied history dates to 10,500 B.C. – a date not quite fathomable to many. Because of its comparatively small size, it’s easy to see most of the country on one vacation. What’s more, because so many Irish immigrated to the United States, many Americans can trace their family history to Ireland.  These factors combined make Ireland – and its popular capital, Dublin – an eternally beloved tourist destination.

Every trip to Dublin should begin with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. (At least my trip began that way – and it was fabulous.) Here, you will learn all about the history and creation of “the black stuff” while touring the 1904 storehouse. Once your tour ends, head to top-level Gravity Bar for both a pint and panoramic views of Dublin.

The other great Irish libation is Jameson Irish Whiskey, of course. Within the gentrifying Smithfield area of Dublin, you can visit the Old Jameson Distillery. Take a tour or a masterclass in whiskey tasting, then head over to the nearby Cobblestone – my favorite bar in Dublin (or maybe all the world). Featuring live, traditional Irish music each night, the Cobblestone is the quintessential neighborhood Irish pub. You’ll also want to check out The Brazen Head, which dates to 1198. It’s officially Ireland’s oldest pub.

Other nightlight options can be found in the famous (infamous?) Temple Bar area. In addition to namesake Temple Bar pub, there are scores of other bars, restaurants, and shops in this pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. For additional shopping and dining, check out the world-famous Grafton Street. Here, there is really something for everyone.

While eating, drinking, and shopping are certainly excellent pastimes while in Dublin, you’d be remiss not to explore some of its great history and culture as well. Standing on the grounds of an old Viking settlement is the ancient Dublin Castle. For over 700 years, it has been the hub of Ireland’s secular power. It is now used for state dinners, presidential inaugurations, and world summits.

Trinity College is Dublin’s premiere university and a great center of world learning. Stroll the beautiful grounds and be sure to visit its famous Old Library. This breathtaking building is home to Ireland’s largest collection of books – and the Book of Kells, a gorgeously illustrated Christian manuscript dating to the year 800.

Many of the world’s greatest writers have been Irish, and the Dublin Writer’s Museum celebrates this amazing literary tradition. Of all the Irish literati, James Joyce is perhaps the most internationally known. When you visit the James Joyce Centre, you will learn about the writer and his work, including his masterpiece, Ulysses.

While Joyce is Ireland’s most famous writer, my favorite is Oscar Wilde. Visit the house he lived in from 1855 to 1876, and then snap a selfie with the life-size Oscar Wilde statue in Merrion Square Park. Here you will also find a monument containing some of the best quotes from his writing, including my favorite: “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

Interested in touring Dublin and the rest of Ireland? Contact us.

Yellowstone National Park is a natural wonder throughout each season. For single travelers, summer is truly an ideal time to visit there.

Situated across almost 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park. It is indeed the flagship national park of the United States. Yellowstone is larger than both Delaware and Rhode Island combined, something somewhat inconceivable to natives of the Mid-Atlantic and New England. The park mostly sits within Wyoming though it reaches into both Montana and Idaho as well, with the Continental Divide traversing through it.

Within the vast boundaries of Yellowstone, travelers will find a splendor of nature: wondrous canyons, deep forests, rushing rivers, thundering waterfalls, and, of course, hot springs and geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful. As one of the most predictable natural things on Earth, Old Faithful will erupt basically every 60-90 minutes, guaranteed.  It’s been delighting visitors of all ages for generations.

Throughout the great lands of Yellowstone National Park, majestic animals roam. Think: bison, bears, antelope, elk, moose, and more. The once endangered gray wolf was reintroduced to the park in 1995 after a 70-year absence. They have thrived, and their howls echo throughout all of Yellowstone. If seeking out packs of wolves is not your thing, the park also is home to more than 1,000 species of native plants and flowers. This includes beautiful lilies, roses, sunflowers, buttercups, and clovers.

With so much to see and do, planning a trip to Yellowstone can seem overwhelming. Some travelers opt to go rustic, camping in a tent overnight and exploring by hiking. Not everyone that enjoys nature enjoys being rustic — nor has the necessary gear to do so. (My place in the city just doesn’t have the storage for camping equipment.) As such, some visitors, especially single travelers, like the idea of taking a guided group tour of Yellowstone, for convenience as well as the educational, social, and safety aspects of the experience.

One option is to join a “bus camping” tour of Yellowstone, designed especially for those without camping experience. Founded on the principle that getting to a destination is more than half the fun, bus camping trips offer a radical twist on the classic bus tour. Campers both travel and sleep in a lounge-style converted bus. We roll through towns and the park, enjoying the beauty of nature, hiking or participating in other activities on stops, cooking mouth-watering meals at the campfire, and relaxing all along the way.

Another option is to combine a trip Yellowstone with a resort destination. There are five entrances to Yellowstone National Park in both Wyoming and Montana. Within just a short drive (less than an hour) from the West Entrance of the park is Big Sky, Montana — the base camp to a great Yellowstone vacation. Big Sky is one of the American West’s greatest resort destinations. It is known for its rugged natural beauty and abundance of wildlife. The resort area is also known for its wide variety of outdoor sports and recreational activities in the summer — horseback riding, whitewater rafting, zip lining, golfing, hiking, fly fishing, high ropes courses, and more.

A popular option for travelers that are visiting this part of the country for the first time is to combine a few days in Big Sky with a guided tour of Yellowstone National Park. Here, visitors get the best of both worlds — and can indulge in some luxury pampering as well (spa time, anyone?) while in Big Sky.

Interested in joining one of our trips to Yellowstone? Contact us.

Set on the River Thames, London Town is a modern world city with a history that spans two millennia. Not only is London the capital of England, but it is also a global center for finance, healthcare, the arts, education, culture, fashion, and entertainment. When you combine the city’s rich history with its modern offerings, and add in that it is home to a certain royal family known as the Windsors, it is no wonder why London was named in MasterCard’s annual travel study in both 2014 and 2015 as the world’s leading travel destination.

When you visit London, you can feel like you’ve stepped back in time at one moment and then leapt far ahead into the future at the next. The picture above is of the futuristic Millennium Bridge, connecting pedestrians from London’s South Bank (home of both Shakespeare’s Globe Theater and the Tate Modern) to the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral, built at the turn of the 18th century and later the location of the wedding between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. See what I mean?

This paradox of London, however, is what makes it a truly fascinating place to visit. And when you do, here are some sites that are not to be missed:

• The Museums. London is home to some of the finest art and artifact collections in the world. At the British Museum, which is the oldest museum in the world, you’ll find more than 6 million treasures, including the Rosetta Stone and a Mummified Cat, that span over a million years of civilization. Art lovers must visit the National Gallery to view paintings from the Renaissance to the Impressionists as well as the neighboring National Portrait Gallery for exquisite portraiture, including famous paintings of both QE1 and Willy Shakes.
• The Royal Palaces and Parks. No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. Be sure to time your visit to see the Changing of the Guard which happens at 11:30 am in the spring and summer. From there, you can explore London’s gorgeous royal green spaces, including St. James’ Park, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens. Within Kensington Gardens is the beautiful Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana.
• The Churches. Along with St. Paul’s, London’s other most famous church is the medieval Westminster Abbey, founded in 960, and the location of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the funeral of Princess Diana, and the Coronation of QE2. Music lovers will not want to miss the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, known for its rich tradition of musical liturgy.
• The Towers. Perhaps most famous as the place where Henry VIII sent not one but two wives to be executed, the Tower of London is a massive riverside fortress that now houses both the Crown Jewels, including the Imperial State Crown, and group of six famous ravens. From the Tower of London, it’s a short walk to Tower Bridge, one of London’s most known landmarks, and a true feat of engineering. It now has a glass walkway if you are feeling daring.
• The Entertainment. From the performing arts to live music to theatre in London’s West End, there is no shortage of entertainment options, which, of course, can be preceded or followed up by a pint at one of London’s many (many) pubs.

And then there’s the London Eye. Sitting right on the banks of the River Thames, this giant wheel is the largest in the world and offers breathtaking vistas over all of London. Some of the best views are of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, which sit directly across the river.

London is truly a city for the ages – at once historical but modern, royal but accessible. For single travelers, one of the best ways to see London is part of a group tour.

Interested? Contact us.

When single travelers are planning a getaway, many decide that a singles vacation would be a fun and exciting experience. Since we couldn’t agree more here at Singles Travel Service, we’re happy to offer you some of our expert tips on how to choose the perfect singles vacation.

• Be thoughtful about your destination or activity. It’s important to pick a destination that you’ve always wanted to visit – or a vacation centered on a sport or activity (skiing, scuba, camping) that you love. This way, no matter what other experiences you have on the trip, you will be doing or seeing something you truly enjoy. Some single travelers go on a group vacation to meet someone special. And while that very often does happen, it’s not always the case. If you have selected a vacation because you have a passion for the activity or place, you’ll never come home disappointed.

• Embrace the idea of single travel and go alone. Some single travelers love the idea of a singles vacation, but think it might be a better idea to bring a friend along for support and companionship. The best part about a singles vacation is that everyone is single – so everyone is there to make new friends. When you are alone, it is easier to integrate into the larger group and have some new and great experiences.

• Wisely consider having a roommate – or not. There are definite advantages to sharing a room on a singles group vacation. First of all, shared-room trip packages are less expensive and therefore friendlier to your budget. Secondly, your roommate might possibly become an instant friend – or at least a pal to help navigate through the details of the trip. However, if you live alone and like alone time – or if you just aren’t comfortable sharing a room with a stranger (and don’t want flashbacks to freshman year of college) – then opt for a single room.

• Enjoy the silence – and feel good about that choice. We have many guests who come on our vacations – especially cruises – who truly want to use that time to relax, get away from it all, read some books, and be alone most of the time. And that’s wonderful! While we encourage mixing and mingling, we do have guests that just join the larger group for meals on occasion. If this is the kind of trip that you have in mind, go for it. It’s a great option to organize your own day and just join the group for some meals and perhaps a happy hour. There is no need to feel obligated to join in all the activities, but keep in mind that some great conversations with like-minded travelers can be had over dinner or cocktails.

• Remember to keep an open mind. If you have selected your vacation destination because you have a passion for the activity or the place, you are going to be part of an exciting group of guests with similar interests. During our 11 years organizing and hosting singles group vacations, we have seen many long term relationships and marriages evolve from casual conversations during a group dinner. We think this is because our guests are relaxed and enjoying the company of other travelers with common interests – who they otherwise would not have met. So keep an open mind if you are interested in meeting someone new – you might just end up sharing a ski lift with your future mate.

Ready to plan your next vacation? Contact us.

Why do people embark on solo vacations? We know there so are many reasons — everything from individual empowerment to lack of a dedicated traveling companion. Somewhere in the middle of those reasons is that there are so many single men and women out there that can support a lifestyle full of excitement, good times, and interesting things – and they are looking for a certain someone that is like minded and equally capable.

Traveling solo, then, presents an inherent opportunity to meet someone that is much like you. Someone that is cultured, fun, well-positioned, interesting, and ready for an adventure.

Our nation’s newspaper of record, the New York Times, published an article entitled “A Solo Traveler’s Guide to Meeting People.” It begins with words of caution – and rightfully so. Single travelers should always be mindful of safety and take precautions when approaching a new person while traveling. This world is a crazy place. We hear it all of the time in news stories and in our social media. But, at the same time, the world is full of wonderful, kind, interesting, and thoughtful people. It’s just a matter of finding them and making those connections.

Connection

The word “connection” is a noun – and according to the Oxford English Dictionary – it means “a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.” When two individuals are both traveling solo to the same place, it’s easy to see how a connection might happen. But what’s the best way to make that happen?

Here are a few simple things to do the next time you are traveling solo and thinking about meeting a new person – whether it be a fellow traveler or someone local to your destination:

1. Talk to the hotel concierge about the local scene. These folks know the area, the restaurants and bars, even the local dating climate. And they know what the hotel bar is like around midnight.

2. Think about the daytime. So many of us, especially those in urban environments, think about the nighttime as the best time for mixing and mingling. But the daytime, when everything is bright and happy and relaxed, can be an excellent time for connecting with others that are enjoying the same activities as you (think: exploring an art museum, hiking a mountain, or sipping espresso at an outdoor cafe.)

3. Be yourself. Traveling to new places gives us time to decompress and to relax – it’s a time to easily be our best selves without the stress of everyday life. It may be tempting to pretend to be someone else on a solo trip (and, if so, okay, and no comment from here….), but just let the real you shine through. You’ve chosen a brave path – a solo adventure. That’s something. Own it.

4. Be safe. Obviously. And always.

Meet cute

So, Wikipedia (the trusted source for everything, right?), says that the phrase “meet cute” has been around since our grandparents met in the 1940’s. It’s the “scene in film, television, etc. in which a future romantic couple meets for the first time in a way that is considered adorable, entertaining, or amusing.”

When and where will your meet cute be? It may be the upcoming office holiday party (but is that really a good idea?). Otherwise, it just might happen on your winter ski holiday to Jackson Hole or Big Sky; your spring break cruise to Puerto Rico; or that once-in-an-early-lifetime trip to Italy.

To find out more about all of our solo vacation adventures, contact us.