Janice Leith Waugh's Blog, page 134

Guest in a Paris Salon

Sasha was my hostess.

I was late. Google maps had never led me astray before but this time its pin was at least a kilometer off.

I was out of breath. I went to the second floor and rang the buzzer only to discover I was at the wrong apartment. Ah, first floor in France is our second floor. Second floor is our third. Up I went yet another flight of stairs.

Finally in front of the right apartment I tried to catch my breath. But before I could Sasha, my hostess, opened the door. She was not in the...

Solo Travel Destination: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

We are pleased to present a newSolo TravelDestination Post from Francesca, a member of theSolo TravelSocietyon Facebook. Francesca is from the UK, and submitted the following report about Ho Chi Minh City . Do you have asolotraveldestination that you would like to recommend?Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!

Solo travelrating: 2 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)

Languages spoken: Vietnamese, French, English

The stunni...

One Delicious Day in Venice.

Thousands of masks made in China.

Venice is a beautiful city. Unique in design. Rich in history. Liberal in attitude. And full of souvenirs made in China.

Despite the entire city, along with the Venetian lagoon, being a world heritage site, it can be difficult to get past the tourist traps.

I found my way beyond the souvenirs on the Rialto Bridge and crowds in St. Mark’s Square by taking a food tour thanks to Walks of Italy. We were a small group. Just me and a couple from Oregon, Rod and Lourde...

Pic of the Week: Feeling the Breeze at White Rock

Enjoying the view and the sea breeze.

The Pic of the Week is drawn from photos submitted to theSolo TravelSocietyFacebook Group, providing an opportunity for solo travelers to share with us a favorite photo from their travels.

This week’s pic fromSolo TravelSocietymember Cath was taken in Ilocos Norte in The Philippines.

Friendly Paris: exploring the real Paris with a Greeter

Bellevue is on a hill and offers a wonderful view of Paris.

I gained the typical tourist’s introduction to Paris on a free 3-hour walking tour.

Notre Dame de Paris, the Pont Neuf, theChamps-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. None of it is to be missed but it is not the Paris that Parisians live.

To get a real sense of Paris – Paris from a local’s perspective – I went on a Paris Greeter tour. And my experience was way beyond that of a typical tourist.

My Parisian greeter,...

Solo Travel Destination: Busan, South Korea

We are pleased to present a newSolo TravelDestination Post from Stephanie, a member of theSolo TravelSocietyon Facebook. Stephanie is from the United States, and submitted the following report about Busan . Do you have asolotraveldestination that you would like to recommend?Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!

Solo travelrating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)

Languages spoken: Korean

Gwangali Beach and the Diamon...

Caught in the Act of Becoming

A dear friend whose children were a bit older than mine and who was also a principal of a school and so cared for many children, once said: “catch them in the act of doing something good”.

Empty praise, is just that. Empty. And kids know it. But being seen, really being seen as capable, hard-working, talented… that is special and that can change everything.

Stay with me here. I’ll get to the bit about solo travel.

What we were caught in the act doing as children stays with us as adults. Whether...

Pic of the Week: Spinning in Texas

The Ferris wheel at the Texas State Fair.

The Pic of the Week is drawn from photos submitted to theSolo TravelSocietyFacebook Group, providing an opportunity for solo travelers to share with us a favorite photo from their travels.

This week’s pic fromSolo TravelSocietymember Patricia was taken at the Texas State Fair in Dallas, Texas, in the United States.

Affordable London! 31 free and low-cost tips

You meet for one of the free tours at the Diana statue outside of Green Park station.

My latest trip to London was my best yet.

I was determined to get a handle on this city that I usually visit for business. So this year I scheduled three days for exploring and, for the first time, I took a walking tour.

And I walked to the tour.

I walked many, many miles spending as much time above ground as possible to get a real sense of distance and how the pieces of London fit together.

I had a wonderful tim...

Passports with Purpose: Win a Trip in Morocco with Intrepid Travel

My thanks to Intrepid Travel for donating a 15-day trip to Morocco as a prize for Passports with Purpose

Great fundraiser.

Great prizes.

That’s Passports with Purpose in a nutshell.

Passports with Purpose 2013.

Education helps raise people out of poverty. It promotes individual and public health. It is fundamental to securing a legitimate government.

It’s a necessity that, unfortunately, not everyone enjoys.

It is my sincere hope that you will all help the fantastic educational initiative in Mali by...