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 opportunity 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, and mostly trusted their guidance. It was the right decision for me not to cancel. The economy depends on tourism. I probably would have wanted to kick myself if I had.

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.

Discovering Vietnam - More on An Unforgettable Journey

Vietnam is a long, narrow country, stretching about 1,000 miles north to south. Different landscapes are found as you move from one region to the next. The North shares a mountainous border with China and is home to Hanoi. The South is flatter and home to the Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

The 20th century was a tumultuous time for the country, particularly the Vietnam war which lasted for two decades, with US involvement from 1965 -1975. 

Vietnam is a very different country today from what many remember in the war era. It is developing at a very fast pace with its infrastructure and technology. It is digitally connected to the rest of the world. 

Still, many Americans involved in the Vietnam war, veterans and their families, understandably have very strong feelings and terrible memories of that period and cannot conceive of returning here. Yet, some do, maybe out of curiosity.

Today, many people relocate here for its inexpensive lifestyle, particularly digital nomads and retirees, and for its creative cuisine.

 

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

Discovering Cambodia - An Unforgettable Journey

In 2024, I traveled to Cambodia, then Vietnam. 

Previously, I had visited Southeast Asia, specifically Thailand, so I thought I was well equipped to handle the very long haul from NYC, which I was.

This trip ended up as one of my all time favorite, interesting adventures. 

I was captivated by Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown" TV series, particularly the episode filmed in Vietnam, where he shared the local people's energy, food culture, resilience, and imagination (and a bonus meal with President Obama, sitting on tiny, uncomfortable plastic chairs). 

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. I could not imagine what life in Vietnam would be like 60+ years later, or ever wanting to go there after that horrific period of destruction and loss of life. But I learned life goes on and things can change dramatically in a positive direction, given time.

My first stop on the itinerary would be nearby Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city. This was a short, but very illuminating stay, before proceeding to Siem Reap to the impressive, ancient Angkor Wat temple, then onward to various locations in Vietnam.