Solo in Italy: From Venetian Canals to Sicilian Shores

 

Venice — There Is No City Quite Like It

For me, there is no city quite like Venice. It is one of those places that you have seen so many times in photos that it almost doesn't seem real. When you walk along the canals and through the narrow alleys, it feels like you should be sharing it with someone special. But it is so beautiful that you quickly come to terms with seeing it solo—and simply appreciate the good fortune of being there!

As COVID was becoming less of a threat in 2022, I was antsy to get moving again. I knew I wanted to go to Venice, travel around Sicily, and also see Northern Italy, specifically Milan and the Lake District. Italy is, by far, one of my favorite destinations for its culture and food.

I gave myself two weeks of travel time, which meant careful planning on how I would get from place to place, whether by train or on a couple of flights within Italy. When you travel solo, you need to be pretty meticulous about schedules and connections. At the same time, I knew I had to be flexible if everything didn't go exactly according to plan.

So, I got to work on the planning—and I was excited, but a bit nervous, to be traveling again.

Morocco: Medinas, Mountains and a Little Bit of Mayhem

 

Morocco is one of those exotic, dreamy places that I had thought about going to for a while. 

In 2023, I finally had the chance to experience this fascinating country, but the timing of the trip coincided with the aftermath of a major earthquake in the Atlas Mountains and the events of October 7. I worried that I would appear uncaring for those affected by the quake and that the protests might escalate.

I chose to travel with a tour group, mostly trusted their guidance, but came to the conclusion on my own not to cancel. I probably would have wanted to kick myself if I had.  The country's economy is very dependent on tourism and felt this would be a lost opportunity. 

When it comes to seeing Morocco, joining an escorted tour is the way to go. It is a great way to see the country without having to worry about navigating the maze-like medinas or arranging transportation between cities — things which I would find particularly challenging as a solo woman traveler.

As it goes, the trip was not without drama. On the connecting flight from Paris to Casablanca, the pilot informed us that some men "were being returned to Morocco". They were young men in their 20s, seated in the rear of the plane, with twist ties on their wrists. Really? On a commercial flight? Happy to report no incidents.

Our journey took us from Rabat to Fez, then south toward Erfoud and the edge of the Sahara, through the dramatic landscapes around Ouarzazate, on to the Atlantic coast at Essaouira, and finally to the bustle of Marrakesh and Casablanca.

Morocco has beautiful architecture, brilliant colors, different smells and sounds, and sweeping desert landscapes. Every stop revealed a completely different side of the country.

That's exactly what made Morocco so memorable.

Traveling Through Vietnam - From Hanoi and Halong Bay to the Mekong Delta

  

Vietnam is a long, narrow country stretching more than 1,000 miles from north to south, with dramatically different landscapes from one region to the next. The mountainous north is home to Hanoi and spectacular Halong Bay, while southern Vietnam includes bustling Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta.

The 20th century was a tumultuous period for Vietnam, particularly the war that dominated the country for decades. Major U.S. military involvement occurred primarily from the mid-1960s until the early 1970s, and the war ended in 1975. 

Vietnam today is a very different country from the one many Americans remember from the war era. It is developing rapidly, with expanding infrastructure, modern technology and a population increasingly connected to the rest of the world.

Most people's connection with Vietnam, is the disastrous Vietnam War or the "American War", as the Vietnamese call it. The anti-war protest movement shook America in the '60s and '70s. But I learned life goes on and things can change dramatically in a positive direction, given time.

Still, many American veterans and their families understandably have strong feelings and painful memories associated with the war and cannot imagine returning. Others have returned, perhaps out of curiosity or a desire to see the country as it is today.

Modern Vietnam attracts travelers with its fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, energetic cities and wonderful cuisine. Its relatively affordable cost of living has also attracted expatriates, retirees and digital nomads.

 

My journey also took me to neighboring Cambodia, where I visited Siem Reap and the extraordinary temples of Angkor Wat.

Discovering Cambodia - Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and a Difficult History

On 2024, I traveled to Cambodia and Vietnam, a journey that became one of my all-time favorite and most interesting adventures.

I had previously visited Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, so I thought I was well equipped to handle the very long haul from New York City—and fortunately, I was.

Cambodia was my first stop. I began in Phnom Penh, the country's capital, for a short but very illuminating stay. Cambodia's recent history is extraordinarily difficult, and visiting Phnom Penh gave me a much deeper understanding of what the Cambodian people endured under the Khmer Rouge.

From Phnom Penh, I traveled to Siem Reap to see the magnificent temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat. Seeing these ancient temples in person was one of the experiences I had most looked forward to on the trip, and they did not disappoint.

After Cambodia, I continued on to Vietnam, traveling through the country from Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta to Hoi An, Hue, Halong Bay and Hanoi.