Singles Adventure to Italy’s Amalfi Coast – Part 2 of 3

Part 2 – Off to Cooking School and Capri

Today, our singles travel group splits up to enjoy a day of leisure. Some of us opt for a hike up the hills of the Sorrentine peninsula, where we are treated to some of the most superb landscapes I have ever seen.

We begin our trek, map in hand, by walking up a cobblestone street, toward Capo di Ponte. We crisscross lemon groves and enchanting villas as we continue our ascent. Though our map is perfectly detailed, we quickly realize that the trail markings are not quite as perfect. We’re not worried though because the weather and scenery are gorgeous, and the locals we meet along the way are all too happy to guide us. We reach Massa Lubrense, a charming little town completely devoid of the usual tourist trappings. This revelation alone makes the 2.5 hour hike worth the effort. However, we elect to return to Sorrento aboard a public bus.

At the end of a glorious day, we have our usual singles pow-wow in the hotel lounge. We share the day’s adventures, and reveal a treasure trove of things to do, see and mostly eat. It’s only day three of our singles tour of Italy, and we’re all blown away by the food. This is why we’re so excited about going to cooking school tomorrow.

I have never had so much fun in a kitchen. We are at the Sorrento Cooking School and our chefs, Mina and Monika, and our interpreter, really know their stuff. The highlight of the experience is – you guessed it – the tasting. We have prepared the best Capri-style ravioli and sea bass I have ever had the luxury of savoring. Some of my single travel companions find that the Neapolitan piezzette or tiramisu is the highlight for them.

I not only perfected my culinary skills today, but I have developed a true appreciation for fine Neapolitan cuisine.

From Sant’Agnello, our singles travel group returns to Sorrento along a coastal back road. Of course, we frequently stop to take beautiful pictures.

We’re off to Capri tomorrow.

After a 20 minute jet boat ride, we are in Capri. We take the funicular to reach the very chic main square. We then tour the island aboard an open air taxi, which takes us to Anacapri. We continue our ascent to the peak of Mt. Solaro, 1,960 feet above sea level, by chair lift, where the panoramic view is absolutely astounding. Even those members of our singles tour group who are fearful of heights readily admit that the 12 minute ride up is well worth it.

Daniel, our guide, ensures we enjoy a fabulous lunch of local food, including fish, at a wonderful trattoria in the village of Marina Piccola.

Back in Capri, we admire the Giardini di Augusto public garden. Some of us stroll down the Via Krupp, which is actually a staircase cut into the rock, that winds its way down to the sea. We’ve all seen the path in pictures or films, but one must be there to truly appreciate it.

We end the day people watching and window shopping in the main piazzetta, before boarding a jet boat back to Sorrento.

With every day turning out to be more exciting than the last, our entire singles travel group is looking forward to a private tour of Pompeii and Vesuvius tomorrow.

Singles Adventure to Italy’s Amalfi Coast – Part 1 of 3

Part 1 – First Few Days

Our singles travel adventure to Italy begins with a fascinating private walking tour of Rome, during which we visit the requisite piazza and fountain in the city’s ancient town. We then depart for Sorrento. Along the way, we take-in the scenery and get to know each other a little better. When we arrive in Sorrento, we are all thrilled to discover the beautiful Hotel Capodimente, our home for the next week.

By now, my single travel companions and I are looking forward to relaxing and chatting in the hotel lounge after we take a few minutes to freshen up in our rooms.

We started our first full day with a copious breakfast, and are now heading out to visit the quaint towns of Positano, Ravello and Amalfi.

Gian-Franco, our guide and driver, seems to know exactly how to plan our stops, allowing us to spend just the right amount of time in each town. Positano is wonderful but as a whole, our group of single travelers prefers Ravello, where we visit the magnificent Villa Rufolo, which was initially constructed in 1200 A.D. to serve as a watch-tower. The garden and ancient architecture offer stunning photo opportunities – the setting is truly sublime. I can certainly understand why Richard Wagner found the inspiration for his opera Parsifal here. In fact, the entire coast is most inspiring.

In Amalfi, I sample gelato for the first time – and thankfully not the last – at the bottom of the stairs leading to the very impressive Duomo di Sant’Andrea cathedral. Yum! Luckily, the close proximity of our hotel to the center of Sorrento will make it very easy to consume far more gelato than I should.

My favorite gelato will later turn out to be at Davide’s, a famous establishment located in Sorrento’s old town. This gelato expert even reveals his secrets during a one hour gelato-making course and tasting. I’m sure ice cream will never taste this good again!

Today is Sunday, so our singles travel group decides to join the locals, and to stroll through the lovely and very lively streets of Sorrento. We are fortunate enough to witness a very solemn and moving procession in honor of Sant’Antonino, the patron saint of Sorrento.

After such a busy day, I very much look forward to a day of leisure tomorrow.

YOUR TRAVEL RELATED LIMERICK COULD WIN YOU $250 FROM SOLOMATE TRAVEL!

Send us a travel related limerick, and you could win a $250 SoloMate Travel certificate applicable to any of our week-long solo adventures. The certificate is fully transferable. To be considered, your travel related limerick must be in by July 1, 2012.

We look forward to reading your limericks, and offer the following as an example:

It is time to depart, so we grieve,
And some sighs of regret we do heave.
Our vacation must end.
Many thanks we do send.
Like the trees in the spring, we must leave.

These words by Kirk Miller best describe how you will feel at the end of your singles adventure with SoloMate Travel.

Time to Leave, Bali – February 24, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

It’s time to leave and I am torn.  I’m excited to start the journey home but I am hesitant to leave the place that has brought me peace of mind.  In Bali, I have been able to relax and feel some clarity.  I have learned the power of prayer and a new appreciation for this amazing and completely different culture.  I feel clear for the first time in a very long time and I fear diving back into the chaos of life at home – back to my life of homework, soccer games, and my daily routine.  I miss my family and my sweet boys, but I will also miss Bali and all that it has to offer.

This morning, I walked out to the edge of the water and climbed up onto the pagoda.  I closed my eyes and listened to the birds and looked out over the still water.  It is here that I say goodbye to all of the negative energy that I arrived with and prepare to return home with my new state of mind.  I have cried and laughed with my new friends and made memories that will truly last a lifetime.  I owe my experience to Solomate Travel and their expert planning and knowledge of what really makes a great singles vacation.  I have traveled with other solo travel companies and this one is first rate and at the top of their game.

Goodbye Bali, until I see you again.

The Best Tiramisu Recipe from Sorrento

Our group of adventure-seeking single travelers partook in an absolutely amazing cooking lesson at the Sorrento Cooking School during our solo travel trip to Italy. We spent a fantastic morning in the very capable hands of our two chefs Mina and Monika, with whom we made the best Tiramisu ever. We are so excited to share this simple and delicious recipe with you. Please note that metric measurements have been converted.

Ingredients:
5 eggs (yolks only)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbs. dark rum
12.3 oz. Mascarpone cheese
1 cup whipping cream (Whip until soft peaks form.)
400 g package Savoiardi lady fingers
Unsweetened coffee
Cocoa powder

Preparation:
Whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy. (1)
Add the Mascarpone and a little dark rum. (2)
Then gently fold in the two mixtures (1 and 2) along with the whipped cream.
Start soaking the lady fingers in the coffee.
Place the lady fingers in the bottom of the serving bowl or bowls, then pour the cream mixture over them, and repeat, finishing with a layer of cream.
Dust heavily with cocoa powder.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Kitchen tip:
The bottom layer of lady fingers should be lightly soaked in the coffee, but the second layer should soak for longer.  Also, flakes of good quality chocolate can be added to the cream mixture for the chocoholics.

Observing Body Language & Gestures While Traveling Abroad

When someone is talking to you, we have been taught to always maintain good eye contact throughout the conversation; this shows respect for the speaker and conveys to them that we are actually listening. If someone asks you if a job is well done, naturally many people will give them a “thumbs up” or an “A-O.K.” with their hands. Upon meeting someone for the first time, it is common courtesy to shake hands and introduce yourself. This is all part of our culture; these are our customs. These different types of gestures are universal across the United States. But what happens when you travel to a different country? Are these gestures still acceptable? Will you offend someone because you gave him or her a firm handshake?

Traveling introduces you to many different cultures, all of which have different views on body language. It is always important to know how our body language and gestures will be accepted when we travel to a different country. Some gestures that we use every single day may be very offensive to someone who lives in the Middle East or Africa. The following provides examples of a simple handshake in different cultures we will be visiting:

Bali - It is considered dirty if you shake with your left hand.

Cambodia - The traditional greeting that you may be met with is to put both hands together as if praying at chest height then bowing toward your acquaintance

Argentina – A handshake is much longer and warmer; the left hand usually touches the shaking hands or the elbow.

China - The person who is older or considered the superior should extend out their hand first. Never shake with other hand in pocket or with the left hand.

Croatia – A handshake is very common, along with a phrase such as Dobro jutro (Good morning), Dobra dan (Good day), or Dobra večer (Good evening).

When booking your single’s trip with SoloMate Travel, you will be assisted by a single’s travel director who is familiar with accepted forms of body language for that country. On your single’s trip, you will have the comfort of knowing you will not make inappropriate gestures that could put you in an uncomfortable situation. Instead, you will be fully prepared on the culture that lies ahead and enjoy your trip alongside other single travelers.

Day to Relax, Bali – February 23, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

Today is the day that I plan to just sit back and relax at the resort.  It’s a beautiful morning at the Nusa Dua Resort and perfect for laying out at the beach.  One thing that we found out here in Bali is that you must get an early morning start because it heats up quickly.  My roommate and I enjoy some quiet time and conversation.  Some of our group are playing tennis, riding bikes, or at the spa.  This resort offers anything you could possibly ask for.  I have not taken advantage of the spa as of yet, but hear that you can get a great massage at the local market for next to nothing.  I’m in!  A few of us take the short walk over to the market and after a bit of shopping, it’s time for a much needed massage.  I would say that this is the most relaxed that I’ve been in awhile, but this entire solo travel trip with all of its activities has had a magical calming effect on me.  The massage is of course amazing and I only wish that I would have taken advantage of these services earlier.  Next time for sure.

Tonight we are going see the Kecak Ramayana & Fire Dance.  This is a combination of ancient ritual and drama with the backdrop of the sunset off the cliffs of Uluwatu.  The sunset is what intrigues me and after watching the show for a few minutes my roommate and I decide to make our way to the top of the cliffs.  What a view!  We watch the locals in prayer in the temple and a few surfers having fun as the waves come in.  This is a Kodak moment as the sun sets behind the temple.  Just beautiful.

This is our last night in beautiful Bali and a delicious BBQ seafood dinner has been arranged for us at Jimbaran Bay.  We are escorted to our table that is on the beach, lit up with candles, with the waves crashing as our background music.  This meal is fit for a king, or a queen in our case.  There is lobster, calamari, fish, clams, endless rice and vegetables and enough on my plate to feed my entire family.  No worries because I will not need any help to finish this meal.  I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend our last night here on a dream vacation.  This restaurant is a must try if you are in Bali.

Staying In Touch with Family While Abroad

For some solo travelers, the hardest thing about traveling abroad is being away from their family and close friends. For others, it is the fact that they can’t be separated from their Smartphone for more than one hour. Regardless of your situation, there are some cost-effective ways to stay connected and in touch while you are abroad in a different country.

Most people don’t leave home without their Smartphone and are constantly on their phone throughout the day. How do you stay connected with family and friends when you are traveling without paying for it with your wallet later on? The first thing you should do is turn off data roaming on your cell phone if you don’t have an international plan. It costs nearly $40 to open an email according to  AT&T’s pay-per-use international data rate. This is an extraordinary cost and should be avoided unless it is a last resort.

The most cost-effective solution for solo travelers is to use an Internet based VOIP service such as Skype. A service like Skype provides free calling through the application as long as you have an Internet connection. Skype is available across many platforms, including your cell phone. If using Skype, be sure to turn of data roaming on your cell phone to avoid charges.

Now that you have a way to connect with family, where do you find the Internet connectivity? The good news is that most hotels and cafes offer Internet access for little to no charge. However, this isn’t always the case and there is a way to esnure that you will always have Internet access. The MiFi from Xcom Global is a small rental device, about the size of a cell phone, which provides a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that connects to as many as five computers or Smartphones. This device works in over 27 countries but will cost you about $155 for a seven-day trip. This cost is very small compared to the cost of using your cellphone’s international rate.

Whether you are relying on the Internet at a hotel or bringing your own hotspot, the least expensive way to connect with family back home is through a platform such as Skype. Planning your next solo vacation now? Don’t forget to follow these simple steps so that you can share your SoloMate Travel experience with your friends and family!

Elephant Safari Park in Ubud, Bali – February 22, 2012

*The following blog post is a personal account of a day in Bali, written by a traveler on SoloMate Travel’s single travel trip to Bali in February of 2012.

As our time in Bali is winding down, we are making the two hour trip to the Elephant Safari Park in Ubud.  Once again, I cannot contain my excitement because I will be riding on the back of an elephant today!!  This singles trip just keeps getting better and I feel like parts have been a dream, but no pinching needed.  I’m really here.

The entrance is beautiful and we can hear the elephants talking to each other behind the gates.  There is no time to waste as we take a few pictures of our surroundings and then it’s time to ride through the forest in style.  We sit two to an elephant and it feels a bit awkward at first, almost like I could fall off.  After we adjust, we are moving through the lush landscape and enjoying our peaceful journey.  The elephant trainers sit out in front of us on top of their heads and direct them on the path.  I am in awe.  Our ride ends after about 30 minutes and it’s time to get up close and personal.  If you have ever been hesitant to get close to these gentle giants, I say just step up and give them a hug (supervised of course).  I am actually standing next to my elephant feeding him some treats and staring into his eyes.  Wow, wow, wow!  The elephant trainer gives him a ring of flowers and he slips it over my head with his trunk.  We are treated to a show of elephant soccer, elephant math, and elephant painting.  The icing on the cake was when we were allowed to feed the babies and they even gave hugs with their trunks to one of the ladies in our solo travel group. We wrap up with a delicious lunch while watching a mother being reunited with her son.  I could sit here all day.  One more experience that I will not soon forget.

Five Reasons to Visit Peru

SoloMate Travel offers single travelers an exclusive singles adventure to Peru. Here are five reasons why you should join us:

1. Rich History

Whether you visit a world-class museum, stroll through an ancient village or hike to one of the many hidden Inca ruins during our singles adventure to Peru, you will always be surrounded by this country’s rich history. Thanks to its legendary lost cities, Peru is famous for its unparalleled archaeological wealth.

2. Natural Diversity

Peru offers single travelers incredible natural diversity, from the humid jungle, and the source of the Amazon, to the spectacular Andes, arid desert coastlines and magical beaches.

3. Cuisine

Peruvian cuisine is rapidly making its mark on the world culinary map. SoloMate guests will savor a wide variety of regional delights and traditional specialties such as alpaca steak and roasted cuy (the infamous guinea pig), and tasty snacks like juanes, tamales and humitas.

4. Hospitality

Peruvians are world renowned for their warmth and friendliness, and are always happy to welcome tourists to their country. What better place than Peru to embark on a group adventure for singles with SoloMate Travel.

5. Culture

In Peru, past, present and future blend together. Ancestral civilizations combine with bustling modern cities to ensure an exciting solo travel experience.

Let SoloMate Travel take you on the group travel adventure of a lifetime!