I have two favorite pastimes when traveling to a new city. First, and foremost, I love exploring cafes, until I find my personal favorite. Then I return to it, usually on every day of my stay.
Next, I trust my GPS to get me to a library or two. By the time I arrive in a new city, I already have a list of notable libraries, having assembled the list when planning my journey.
Bologna, Biblioteca Salaborsa
Although the current library dates only from 2001, Salaborsa has a compelling history. In modern times, the building has housed a telegraph office, a basketball court, and a puppet theatre. Before these, the site was a central hub for public proclamations of justice, as long ago as 189 BC.
Today, one walks through the main hall, above a transparent floor, and can see ancient excavations from the 7th century BC. After several centuries of decline, very little remained of the Roman era by the Early Middle Ages. Throughout the next several hundred years, the structure was reimagined many times.
I felt privileged to experience the building’s stunning beauty, while consciously thinking about its extraordinary history.
Public library, Bologna
Cremona, Biblioteca Statale
This public library is, unsurprisingly, a very old structure. I greatly appreciated not only, its quiet elegance, but especially its designated, “silent area.” This isn’t an experience I have very often in the U.S. I smiled when I saw the sign and grinned even larger during the thirty minutes I sat in the large space. At least thirty patrons, of various ages, sat at the sturdy rectangular tables, all of which faced front. I heard only one whisper from a young girl, who immediately turned to me with an apologetic smile.
Coincidentally, or not, I noticed that my seat had a view of the travel section. There, I retrieved a Florida travel guide from 1998. Funny.
I learned that the library had only recently begun to add titles in other languages. On an inconspicuous shelf next to an empty desk, I found this international section. About 200 titles sat upright on the shelf, 65 in English. The remainder represented French, German, Spanish, and Tedesco, another variation of German.
Hotel Damaso (September 2025) I’d definitely stay here again. The room was well-appointed and the staff was lovely, helpful, and responsive. Its location, in the Trastevere area, was perfect for exploring. In addition, there were many great restaurants nearby. https://www.hoteldamaso.it/
Hotel Romano (September 2025) Personally, I’d skip this one. It’s very close to the Coliseum, if this is important to you, but it’s located in a chaotic spot with lots of noise.
Bologna, Italy
Art Hotel Orologio (September 2025) This a great little gem overlooking the Piazza Maggiore, walkable to everything. Our room was comfortable, quiet, and attractive. Breakfast was plentiful, delicious, and served in a beautiful room. https://www.art-hotel-orologio.com/
Montepulciano, Italy
Appartamento il Buonumore (September 2025) I found this on booking.com, and loved it. Somewhat challenging to reach if you’re dragging a lot of luggage, it’s well worth it. You’ll find it on a lovely street, and it’s walkable to just about anywhere you’d like to go. https://www.facebook.com/appartamentoilbuonumore
Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection (September 2025) Not inexpensive, I don’t recommend this hotel. I spent the equivalent of $1650 for five nights (breakfast NOT included), and my “upgraded” room was a bit shabby, and cramped, even by European standards. The location in the 2nd arrondissement was okay, but there are more interesting spots to stay.
Paris, France
Hôtel Grand Cœur Latin (September 2025) Quite expensive, at $500/night, this was not a good value. When in Paris, I always prefer to stay in the Latin Quarter, which is why I chose it. I booked through booking.com, but wasn’t informed about the construction taking place on the small street. This made curb appeal lacking, and walking difficult.
Menton, France
Bellavista Vieux Menton (June 2024) Well worth the many, many steps to reach this apartment, because the view is spectacular. The host was so helpful, and the apartment was spotless, and near to many great restaurants, as well as gelaterias and boulangeries. This is a must-stay, as long as you are agile. https://www.bedroomvillas.com/property/bellavista-vieux-menton/BC-13752654
Having just returned from weeks of solo travel, I am trying to decide exactly how I feel about journeying alone. Some of the joys are obvious, as are some of the discomforts. I wish more female travelers talked about the whole truth about solo travel.
At only twenty years old when I first traveled alone, it wasn’t by choice. I’d been backpacking in Europe with two friends, staying in hostels and rooming houses. In Nice, France, we’d rented scooters for our last day there. Somehow, someone robbed me of all my important belongings, at a traffic stop.
Sarah, Renée and I owned train tickets to go from Nice to Munich the next day. I had no passport and no American Express traveler’s checks (this was a long time ago). I cut my eight-week trip to six, the girls went on to Munich, and I stayed alone in Nice. My passport and traveler’s checks had to be re-issued so that I could fly back to New Jersey. Alone in Nice for two days, I stayed close to my accomodations, probably vulnerable without a passport and with little cash, but didn’t worry at all. I spent my time concocting a story to tell my mom about why I was suddenly returning home so early.
Over the next thirty years that followed, I took many vacations, but always with a partner, or with a family member. An occasional solo overnight in a hotel in Long Island, NY, for business promised a small adventure. Only once I divorced, did I plan a quick stay in Manhattan as a treat, museum-hopping, and eating solo at places like Gramercy Park Tavern. I loved the idea of a mini-adventure. I wandered, walked a lot (without wearing an Apple watch to prove my activity), window-shopped. At the time, I didn’t realize that it was the beginning of my wanderlust, at least in my head.
In the decades that followed, I suffered the loss of a child, before welcoming my three children, now all adults. I navigated through a serious health issue and a divorce before taking my next solo journey, in 2010.
First solo trip in a long time…
Other than flights, lodging, and train reservations, I didn’t make specific plans for my trip to France that included Paris, Lille, and Blois, in the Loire Valley. I love getting off a plane in a new city or getting on a train to another. Possibilities always seemed limitless when I got away from where I lived, although I was, and am, still plagued by worry about my kids, old as they now are! I woke up each morning, eager for whatever unfolded along my way. Repeatedly, I talked to strangers, walked and walked miles, ate alone. It was fabulous, until it got dark. I recall now the feeling of loneliness that replaced my euphoric sense of freedom and curiosity present only an hour before. At that time, I thought it was because I had recently gotten divorced. Now I know it as just a truth about solo travel.
Since 2010, I’ve taken at least a dozen trips, many overseas, but all with either my daughter or my best friend. Not until 2024, did I go it alone again. My friend Sophia and I had long planned to do a winter trip to Strasbourg, France for the Christmas markets, and I hoped that we would really do it. When that didn’t look promising, I decided it was time to just go, somewhere.
Solo trip after 14 years
Menton, France is a happy place for me. I spent two days there in 2017, and dreamt of returning, which I did, solo, in 2024. Every day brought amazing opportunities, all blessed with the magnificence of the Mediterranean Sea. The nights, though, caused me to doubt the wiseness of my decision to travel alone. During dinner on my last night there, I told myself that solo travel was perhaps too lonely for me. A day after returning home, I had already begun thinking about a next trip. The conflict is real. https://wanderlearnrepeat.com/my-gift-from-michael-and-a-flight-to-france/
Longer solo journey
Again, my son, Michael offered me a round-trip ticket to Europe. How could I not take advantage of this? Originally, I had a fantasy of staying abroad for a month, but compromised. Challenging myself to a longer solo trip than last year’s, I settled on a three-week trip. Starting in Italy with my daughter for eight days was perfect. Two weeks alone followed. To most solo travelers, I am certain this is not impressive. In my circle of not-so-young women, I’m considered the brave one!
My plan took me to Cremona, Italy, Paris, Lyon, and Rouen in France, and Geneva. Every day brought memorable sights and moments. The nights again brought discomfort. The day before my scheduled return, I looked forward to being home. Really, this solo travel thing is probably too hard for me. Again, the day after I arrived home, I thought, “I’m crazy to give this up!” https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Rome/Paris?search=Rome,Cremona,Lyon,Geneva,Rouen,Paris#trips
