Southport, NC: small town welcome and charm

I meet wonderful people when I travel solo and yesterday I met Christina Willetts, the owner of Side Street Bakery in Southport, NC

On a day trip to Southport, NC while staying on the coast this month I planned to visit the Wednesday waterfront market and explore the side streets of Southport.

Southport is a charming old town on the Cape Fear river.   It has all the components of ‘a town I want to move to” :  water view, you can walk everywhere, a good town library, planned festivals, events, functions, benches to sit  on and think and lots of free parking!.  http://www.downtownsouthport.org/southport/

Located about 30 miles south of Wilmington, NC and the same distance to Myrtle beach,  There is also a small car/pedestrian ferry that takes you to  Fort Fisher where you don’t want to miss the  North Carolina Aquarium located right on the beach front.  http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.  Bring your bike and spend the day in the sun.   

Amuzu Theater built in 1908

The original brick buildings in downtown are now home to cafes, art stores, antique stores, local artists are showcased in many of the gift and jewelry stores.  There is even a Christmas house.

From the ferry port here you can drive the beach road to the bridge for Wilmington.  This was a great, inexpensive way to sail the river!   I read on the attached link that pets are allowed, pre arranged weddings and  with restrictions, scattering of cremation ashes.   http://www.southporttimes.com/southportferry.html

Southport is a well preserved small town.   The residents were proud to tell me several movies have been filmed here and the current TV show, Under the Dome, is currently being filled in the town.

Today was the beginning of the weekly farmers market in the public park.  More than a fruit and veggie market  there are local artists, crafts people and vendors.

Today I met a woman who grows flowers on a professional farm,  a woman who makes great tote bags from feed bags and tutu happy Ellie DeYoung a creator of happiness, she creates Tutus for all sizes and several other friendly locals who were happy to give me a few moments without the motive to ‘sell’ me something.

Tutu lovely.  Tutu Divine does tutus for all occasions
If everyone (even men) wore then at event no one would stop laughing.

. 
 
Exploring the shops along the streets near the market i followed the sign for Side Street  Bakery and met  Christina Willetts.  Although she was busy mixing up a new chocolate treat she quickly came out of the kitchen to greet me.

A cozy cottage with seating in the yard or on the porch

Christina, the owner and baker made me laugh when she told me:  " They will eat dirt if you put Cream Cheese frosting on it!"   And after sampling the frosting, I can understand this.

The small store front did not allow me to view the treats inside but the sign said Pie, Cakes, Cookies, donuts and Breads….so what else could i need?  And I don’t think I have met a bakery I didn’t like!

 

So many treats to choose from.   Christina  bakes 2 or 3 specialty cakes a day and sells slices of these as well as lemon squares, cookies, donuts, chocolate covered fruit, even on lone canolli!   Fresh bread is baked at night by the ‘bread man’.
 

Pies and Cakes
Specialty Cakes and Pies need to be ordered in advance or as the owner told me,  ‘give me 2 hours and I will have a pie ready”.  This was VERY tempting because the pies offered were from old southern recipes and my mouth watered reading the list of black bottom peanut brittle pie, apple cream cheese cake, pecan pie, hummingbird cake, carrot cake, white chocolate Oreo cookie cheesecake, pumpkin cheese cake and on and on.    Christina also creates her own one of a kind offering such as here almond joy cake.    If you have a favorite, just ask her if she can suggest a cake that will make your ‘mouth smile’.   

She told me she has “always enjoyed baking”, learning from her mother over the years.    The recipes originate from her mother, grandmother and friends who share others that have been passed down.  The names of each offering remind me of a trip through the deep south:  hummingbird cake,  pear and pecan pie, carrot cake, key lime pie, lemon squares.   
Of course I had to take a selection home with me to authenticate the story.


Last year I met another baker in a town close to Dover, England.   She opened a tea room and offered wonderful, traditional English treats.    I will introduce these two creative women…….who knows what can happen?    http://maturesolotravel.blogspot.com/2013/06/high-tea-let-them-eat-cake-at-lavender.html

I returned to Southport in December 2014 and my FIRST stop was the bakery.   Unfortunately Christinia was out delivering a wedding cake but I did meet her Mom and of course tried another cake!  This time it was hummingbird cake.

I sent an EM to the bakery to find out what is in Hummingbird cake:

The hummingbird cake is bananas and pineapple with a hint of cinnamon and of course cream cheese icing.    

Has anyone tried this southern treat?  Did your grandma make this too?

Christina also remined me:to "Eat more cake"

NO SOLO Supplement: from solo Travelers Club

A new post from Solo Travelers Club with NO SOLO supplements!

.

 

Call our Solo Travel Specialists at 800-787-1871.

Terms & Conditions: Single supplement waived offer does not apply to A+, AA+, Suites or Luxury Suites (Mekong). Single supplement waived promotions are valid on select sailings only and apply to cruise fare only. Promotions are valid only for new bookings made by April 30, 2014 and may not be applicable towards Group bookings. Offers are not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, are limited to availability, are capacity controlled and are subject to change or termination without notice. Total savings shown may include value of multiple discounts and upgrades and is an example of a savings amount only. If applicable, any onboard credit amount mentioned is per stateroom (single occupancy receives half the amount). If applicable, any complimentary stateroom upgrade mentioned applies to one category upgrade only based on availability, for like-to-like categories (i.e. window to window, French balcony to French balcony, twin balcony to twin balcony), and excludes suites. Port charges, land programs, roundtrip airfare, and gratuities are additional. Other restrictions apply. Online Vacation Center is a registered Seller of Travel with the States of Florida (ST-32947), California (CST-2064227-40) and Washington (WA SOT 602250083).

© 2014 Online Vacation Center • Need Info? • Share • Unsubscribe This email was sent to leelaurino@earthlink.net by Online Vacation Center 2307 W Broward Blvd, Suite 400, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312-1417

Solo at a 'vacation location'

Vacation vs Travel

Most people, whether couples, families or solo go on vacation.

I travel.  So my focus is NOT to do everything at the 'vacation location' in as little time as possible.

This month's adventure is in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Thanks to the kindness of Jimmy B.  I have a condo to rent at a very affordable price.   If you are not a full time traveler with no residence to maintain while 'on the road', the added  expense of a hotel, apartment or even an camp site for weeks can strain you budget.

As I did a 3 mile walk on the lightly populated beach nearby I thought of what activities this solo may not be comfortable participating in at a beach resort.

Golf:   rarely do they allow a solo to play a round of golf.   You are asked to join in with another group.  Ok not so bad, but I have no skills for golf.

Mini golf:   this is more my style and they have offers for all day for $8.00.  But solo mini golf is like solo bowling.

Attending the musical theaters:   you can choose from rodeos, dinner at King's Arthur's court, music from the 60's.................it goes on.  But like Vegas, do you see solos sitting down to eat at a medieval feast?

Hard Rock Cafe:    well I would not eat at the Hard Rock in Florence Italy last fall, so unless they have seating at the bar at 11:00 AM I wont be having a cheeseburger here.

Amusement Park rides:   don't think they will know where to put a solo on a roller coaster

Shag Dancing:  this is a local, popular dance and several locations are well know for skilled dancing late into the night.  Not for a solo.

Live Entertainment:   Many bars and restaurants offer music during the week  IfThe Alabama Theatre, the Palace Theatre (offering Hot Jersey Nights while I am in town), 5 shows in Legends in Concert, The Good Vibrations show are some of the current shows.   The Palace theatre is presenting Illusions of Magic where you can see a 'live human cannonball'.

Dinner Shows:  Eating at a Pirate show, Medival Times dinner and tournament are two events I would enjoy but just thinking of walking in with 500 of my 'new friends' and looking for a solo seat.....no way.




But there are many activities I can take advantage of here as well as in other cities:

24 hour Krispy Kreme:  just look for the sign to light up, HOT DONUTS, and pull in  for a quick fix.

Shopping at the endless malls, outlets, local shops and the great number of consignment shops.

Movies:  megaplexes offer popular new releases and if you go early in the day, there are lots of seats
Actually one showing had only 3 people and one of the patrons started to snore!  Go during the day when everyone is at the beach.

Sightseeing:  there are several plantations with in a few hours, small,historic towns to investigate,

Walking:   endless miles of flat beach allow you to walk or run or bike for hours

Biking:   along the beach road they have safe sidewalks for biking although the town would prefer you ride in the bike lane

Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing:   Endless free beaches from Cherry Grove to south Myrtle Beach....I estimate 25 miles or more.  

Eating:   not your usual beach front hot dogs and ice cream but countless stores offering bbq, clams and shrimp.   My favorite is the crab cakes:   so far no two locations have tasted the same!   Every morning you can try a different pancake restaurant.  The large portions and the low prices keep the parking lots full.

For me, the beach has always been a place to slow down, to think, to have time to read.
Writing/research/planning:  This is why I am staying here for weeks.   At the home base 'life maintenance' gets in the way of non stop thinking.
This is the year for a min RTW trip.  Not a 1 year adventure but perhaps 3 months.  Long term travel can take as much preparation and planning as short weekend trips.  

Do you plan your trips in detail or do you just let a trip flow after you arrive???

Familiies can make travel for Solos difficult

Vacationing Groups vs Solo Travelers

 
I have always traveled off season, not ONLY because prices are affordable but to avoid the crowds who go on vacation and particularly families.   I have no objection to family travelers but the travel mentality of a group is different than an individual.

Groups loose their sense of personal space.  They fill whatever space is available.  Just watch a group walk along a sidewalk.  Try to pass and they are oblivious to your presence.   Groups feel they must walk abreast no matter the width of a path or sidewalk.  
  
 
Many simple activities can take far more time when the family vacationers are out in force.
Eating a quick service lunch takes longer when each member of the 'group' is asked  "what do you want?"  and all the accompanying questions on how the item should be garnished or prepared.
Entrance fees for groups is time consuming:  adults, seniors, children, calculating the cost for each group member.

Tours are often filled to capacity during peak travel times and a solo traveler must find a seat with the odd family member of a group or walk at the perimeter of the tour 'group'.  

Most solo travelers will not notice or care about any of this.  One of the big losses of traveling at peak vacation times is that locals have little time or interest in interacting.   I meet many locals and have great conversations when I travel 'off season'.   I might be the only visitor  to a church or shop and the attendant will often take the time to tell me about a town treasure, a shop product or even talk about themselves.

As a solo traveler how do you interact with families traveling on vacation?     Are you 'adopted' into their group?   Do they consider you an interesting oddity as a solo traveler?  Or as often can happen are you invisible to other travelers? 

Finding hotel accommodations can be more expensive during family vacation times.    Hotels and resorts prefer families to solo travelers.   Simple fact, 3 or more travelers SPEND more money. 

Obtaining a table at busy restaurants for a solo is another challenge.   But eating before the crowds arrive or take out meals is normal for some solo travelers. 

London:  Church Cafe in Kensington

Café Portico

RE-OPENS MARCH 2014
The cafe at St Luke's opened during the summer of 2011 and has become a popular spot for breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea. It is open from 9.00am and, depending on the great British weather, closes at 5pm.
Come and try it out.

• Sandwiches, baguettes and snacks
• Cakes, ice cream
• Teas, coffees, chilled drinks
• Eat in or Take Away 

St Luke's & Christ Church, St Luke's Crypt,
Sydney Street, London SW3 6NH
Tel: 020 7351 7365

London Alternative Cafe at Sotheby's



photo credit to Sothby's web page

Eating in the Crypts of London churches 
http://bit.ly/MFG7LW    another post on this site covers several of the restaurants and cafes I visited in London.    Alternatives to formal restaurants are also found in department stores, museums and even in Sotheby's!

Everyone has heard of Sotheby's Auction House.  Exclusive and high end treasures pass through these portals to become cherished heirlooms .                                                                                     
But did you know you can enjoy meals in the Café at Sothebys?    Thanks to  Maggie the owner of At Home in London http://www.athomeinlondon.co.uk/ for sharing this post with me.     Although perhaps on the pricey end of café choices in London, you could stop in for tea or even breakfast.    You may wish to purchase an old master or even a tiara while you are there.  http://bit.ly/M34sLJ

From the Sotheby web page, enjoy part of the tea menu.....I can't wait to return to London...wonder if I need to wear gloves?  www.sotheby.com

• Sotheby's
  34-35 New Bond Street
  London
  W1A 2AA
• Tel:+44 (0)207 293 5077

A cruise for less than $70 + day for solo’s??

Call Vacations to Go 
to confirm this price, I saw it online today but it may not last.  
I am NOT a travel agent, I just search for low prices daily and share what I find.  
There is a tab for 'single savings' on the left of the Vacations to Go page.
     

Vacations to Go had this posted recently

"

10259
8 nights departing April 5, 2014 on

Carnival's Carnival Freedom"

"All rates displayed are per person.

Double Occupancy Inside$449
Single Occupancy Inside$449
Single Supplement
0%

 
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.

The prices shown are US dollars per person, subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees. This sailing is not one of Vacations To Go's hosted singles sailings.

800-338-4962
 
Important Note: Availability is extremely limited on all FASTDEALS and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. All prices are subject to change without notice by cruise lines, and must be reconfirmed at time of booking. Please have your credit card ready. Click any price to convert to other currencies."

http://www.vacationstogo.com/ticker.cfm?r=0&jpw=107&id=npfy    the link I used for this posting....  I only look for prices up to $100 a day, you may choose to spend more.

Student Hotel or Another Alternative for Solo Travelers....

A Hotel Not ONLY For Students

In June 2013 I wrote about alternatives to staying in a hotel, with a story about my stay in a dormitory at London University.   http://maturesolotravel.blogspot.com/2013/06/flip-flops-and-pajama-bottoms.html    

Courtyard at the London University location

Today I read on line http://budgettraveller.org/  about a Hotel for Students.      THis may call up an image of a boarding house, sorority house or worse.     However the small chain of hotels listed offered kitchen use, a restaurant, great locations and up scale design. 
http://www.thestudenthotel.com/  


From Budget Traveller*  and the Student Hotel home page

photo and article credit from Budget Traveller*

About us

Student housing specialist

The Student Hotel is owned and operated by City Living.  For over 30 years, City Living has specialized in student housing and short stay accommodations.  

The company’s roots lay in Scotland where the MacGregor family started working in student  accommodations at Edinburgh University in 1982.  Having worked in more than 20 European cities, City Living understands how to create a temporary housing experience that students want and need.

Solo Travelers Club: transatlantic sale

 

Transatlantic & Repositioning 14 Days ‣

Holland America Line ‣ ms Noordam

Solo Deal Alert: 14 Night Ocean Crossing on Holland America Line's ms Noordam. Departs March 21, 2014. Cruise from $1,118 ($80 per day) from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona. Highlights: Fort Lauderdale, Ponta Delgada, Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena, Barcelona. Taxes not included; terms and conditions apply. #solotraveler #cruisedeals #vacation #cruise
Call Linda Carella at 800-787-1871, or learn more at http://bit.ly/1mH7inM   prices can change so call Linda for an update

Travel Friends you meet when traveling solo

The life of the solo diner table, these
women know how to travel!

A great side benefit of traveling solo, without a relative, a spouse or a best friend, is to meet travel ‘friends’. 

Travel friends are different than the friends you have at home, work friends or even casual friends.    They can be a 
local you meet while traveling as well as another traveler on your tour or plane or ship.

Speaking with strangers eliminates the limitations we can put on our conversations.  Perhaps because you do not expect to see them ever again, you loose any inhibitions.   The conversations between 'strangers' can often include topics never spoke about back home.
You often speak more frankly with travel friends, sharing hopes, problems or dreams.


The travel friends I like the best are other travelers I meet on my long ship trips and staff members who interact with passengers because they enjoy it NOT because it is policy.  With 7 or 14 days at sea there is time for chats and deep dialogues over dinner or drinks.   

Who have you met on your travel adventures?



Chef took the time to chat with me every day
on a long crossing......such great energy and
a wonderful attitude, I enjoyed our short exchanges

Craig taught computer skills to 'mature'
passengers without ever laughing when I asked
the same questions.....





My BEST TF, we met on an extended
crossing and Pat showed me how
you can have fun every day!  Hope to
see her when I get to OZ

A chance meeting at a museum in
Naples, we walked together
during the visit .

  

Tina has a concierge travel business in Naples
but you will want to become TA friends with her.
This was one of the best days I had in Italy, I
forgot I was there to do an interview for Home To
Italy, it was as if I was visiting an old friend.

    






New friends in Venice: Irma and Monica                         On my next trip Home to Italy we shall
have a cooking day with Ada.



AMAZING Norma!  We had tea together on the Queen Mary one afternoon.
I love a woman who will order one of everything!  oh yes we both did.
Norma is a painter and a teacher.  She taught a painting class during the cruise.
Such energy at 90!



Solo dining tables:   On  previous crossings I had never joined a solo table.   On this trip I was admonished to put on my 'friendly face' and join the table the first night to see what it was like. So it was a great pleasure to find myself seated at a table of totally diverse passengers on the east and west bound trip.  

As with any group there were some personality clashes.  Only 3 other passengers arrived the first night and two of them did NOT return the second night!  Was it something I said?  

But Holland America replaced the empty seats with a great group of travelers:  Norma (see above) the ship's painting instructor for several weeks, Horst who I did not realize spoke English and Ralph a well know musician who was performing during the sail.

My return trip was even more interesting but my new travel friends did not want to be written about.
You Never know who you will meet when traveling..

My newest TF who is a traveler full time!  
He promised to send me a list of diners in NJ I can explore.

'Solo Travel is on the Rise' according to a Travel Weekly article

Solo travel on the rise.............

 

This is not news to dedicated solo travelers.  

 

It is exciting to see solo travel given the coverage it deserves!

Will the cruise lines stop charging solo travelers up to double the cost of other travelers?  (Yes, I know about the cabins for one)  

Will hotels start offering prices for one traveler?  (available in many European hotels)

and my least favorite ad is 2 for 1 pricing......

 

Airlines, buses, trains or ferries do not charge more for one person.

This should be a wake up call for the travel industry, you are ignoring an untapped market. 

Read the article by Leanora Collett for Travel Weekly.*

 

by Leanora Collett for Travel  Weekly

in the 21 January, 2014 

"Roy Morgan Research has released statistics that indicate more travelers are choosing to travel alone. Over the past decade there has been an increase from 12% - 14% travelers are seeking new adventures and choosing to travel less with their families and go solo instead.

With the increase in solo travelers, destinations will be looking for new ways to attract the new market.

There has also been a marked decrease in the number of families going overseas with their children. Only 26% of people travelled as part of a family, down from 29% a decade ago. The lack of the traditional family structure could be a reason behind the decline.

The decline in family holidays is having an effect on major theme parks and family destinations, such as the Gold Coast, with fewer families making the trip.

Research showed individuals travelling with other relatives slightly increased from 12%-13%. Statistics remained consistent for couples, those travelling with friends, school groups and tour participants."

 

 

      *  Travel Weekly is the market-leading magazine for the Australian travel industry, featuring news and analysis, career advice, training and product information, competitions and giveaways, new technology and online development, cruising, and leisure and business travel.

Learning Italian while Traveling Solo in Italy

If you grew up in an Italian American family that spoke Italian, you were fortunate.  Many of us lived in a family that fought to become American and the Italian language was never spoken to the children.
Often we would hear adults in the kitchen punctuating their speech with words I would not translate until I was living in Italy during college.
Have you tried  cds, classes, Rosetta stone or even Skype ‘live’ lessons to become fluent in Italian?  Now you can immerse yourself in Italian life while traveling Home to Italy and learn Italian.
There are thousands of schools listed on any on line search.  Most towns and cities in Italy offer an institute of Lingue.   On my yearly trips Home to Italy I try to take a short course if I am staying in one location longer than a week.   Let me share a few different experiences you can have in Italia.

The staff and students face away from the windows because the view is too distracting!

Sorrento, Italy, Sant’ Anna Institute    www.sorrentolingue.com
While spending several  months in Sorrento I joined the program for adults at Sant' Anna Institute.   Adult students from all over the world and at all levels of proficiency, attended  classes and participated in a variety of cultural activities offered.

Contact Olga Stinga for details on your Learn venture

For information on your learn adventure, info@santannainstitute.com 

Individual or group lessons are available.  In addition to their 50+ program this year they offered a December program including a home stay with a host family….a total immersion during Christmas.
Full day language tours are offered.  Cultural events offered to students include  local art shows, concerts, visits to Pompeii, Herculaneum,Naples the Amalfi coast, Capri, and  cooking lessons.  Olga tells me they just added a voice course with a local soprano. Share your interest with Olga and SASI should be able to find an Italian experience for you.

Puglia, Italia.  PARLIAMO ITALIANO in Puglia

Enjoy a one or two week Italian Language Immersion in Puglia for Italian language lovers.  Participants will combine not only Italian lessons but also the exploration of Puglia:  one week in the  South, the Salento, one week in the Trulli area in the North.

In addition to conversation lessons by two local instructors, students will enjoy a special activity “caffè con amici”. organized conversations with local Italians to improve vocabulary and spontaneous speech.
  photo credit:  http://sudandfood.style.it/files/2012/04/Cisternino.jpg

All levels of Italian language are welcome, as well as students of any age.  Accommodations are in self catering flats.  Contact info@yltourcongressi.com for dates and cost.








 


Venice:  Learn Italian with a weekend homestay  
The perfect combination of travel treats:  cooking lessons, language classes while living with a family 

   Experience life with a Venician family, learn Italian and take a cooking lesson, the perfect immersion!

I met Monica Cesarato last November after several months of online chats. Nothing prepared me for the ‘dynamo’ who took me through the streets and alleys of Venice on a ‘quick tour’ of a Venice, to neighborhoods I had never visited.

Monica seemed to know every shop and building, sharing anecdotal history at every step. You are not a tourist when you see a town or city with a local.

This homestay includes all meals in her family home, 12 hours of Italian language lessons, a 3 hours cooking course in a real Italian kitchen and a 3 hour Tour of Venice.

Spend a weekend as an Italian not a tourist! Your stay with Monica will be a memory that will remain. A trained teacher and an accomplished cook as well as a guide for your visits to Venice, contact her at http://www.monicacesarato.com/blog/homestay/




Learning while traveling is the perfect activity for a solo traveler.   Instant new friends when you join a group for language lessons, a cooking class or a tour of the hidden treasure.   

Love the NO SOLO SUPPLEMENT

 

The Herald Sun just posted this on line:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/holiday-ideas/save-on-single-supplement-plus-more-cruise-specials-for-britain-fiji-norway-and-venice/story-fnjjv4qv-1226799156918

 

SAVINGS FOR SINGLES

SOLO travellers who book by February 28 with Cruiseco can enjoy savings on a selection of reduced or no single supplement fares on select twin cabins and suites with Fred Olsen Cruise Line. For example, sail on the 880-guest Boudicca on a 14-night Southampton return voyage "In search of the Northern Lights" via Alesund, Tromso, Alta, Bodo and Bergen departing March 8, single fares start from $2958. Or cruise the Norwegian fjords aboard Balmoral from Southampton return for 11 nights departing May 6. Single fares start from $2878. On-board gratuities are additional and payable on board.

See cruising.com.au

Does your Stuff keep you from traveling?

Before I started longer term travel 2+ years ago, I decided to sell my house and stuff so I could travel far and for more than the meager 1 or 2 weeks that I considered sufficient for a 'vacation'.

Back at the  property for a few months, this is the 3rd time I am sorting, donating and selling some of the tings that I can never take with me or afford to store.  

How VERY interesting to find the items I could never give away 2 years ago are now not worth the effort to sell! 

What do you do with a full dark room set up?  A pottery wheel?  Ski boots?  
Well every time I sort the boxes they become less important.  I am now down from perhaps 75 storage boxes to 25 and counting!  

But the bigger question is:  Has the financial need to sell my house so I can travel more, really been a crutch for WHY I don't travel more……  just did 14 international weeks this year along with the 8 to 10 domestic weeks so I am much closer to my goal.

No solo supplement, see article from the web

http://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-news/it-pays-to-travel-solo-1.1628282#.Usb_ht-A2zw

I just read on line that Uniworld is offering some sailing on river cruises WITHOUT a solo supplement....

Way to go Uniworld!

read this and other articles at
 
link is above