Feeding the geese at Chateau Brinon

I’ve traveled solo throughout my life. I’ve flown to Jamaica for a writer’s workshop, snorkeled in Maui and Cozumel, gone on dozens of road trips, and visited the Olympic training facilities in Colorado Springs, New York and Lake Placid. But the best trip of all was my first trip to Paris. I went alone, and loved it.

Getting started
There are many great websites with helpful information, as well as travel services just for singles and/or women, including plans for a variety of focused interest groups, like volunteer travel, getaways for gardeners or wine lovers, etc. While I prefer doing my own thing rather than taking organized trips, tours can give you an experience you wouldn’t be able to do on your own. There is wisdom in using travel agencies and AAA. On my trip to Paris, for example, I bought passes ahead of time for the Metro, the Red Bus, and the River Seine boat ride. Who wants to bother with such trivialities when you’re in the City of Lights, romance, food, fashion, art and architecture? Heck no, spend your time imbibing vin et fromage while strolling through Le Tuileries gardens after spending hours in the Louvre.

One tip for single travelers: Use public transportation whenever possible. You get to mingle with the locals and it’s less expensive. The trains are luxurious, beautiful, and go everywhere. Just pack light.

In Paris, friends met me at the airport. We drove around the city a bit and went to Cafe Angelique for the most incredible chocolat chaud on the planet. They serve a small pitcher of it, so you can sit in the cafe and watch people for as long as you like. (People watching is one of the great benefits of solo travel.)