Episode 102: Mamma Will Travel - Reflections on Solo Travel, Motherhood, Self Trust & the Creative Process
One of my favourite cities to discover in Italy is Genova (Genoa) a paradise for photography / Liguria Italy. I have discovered over time visiting cities to be vibrant and affirming when traveling solo, you can be a part of the scene without feeling obvious or vulnerable because there are generally more people around and you just become part of the crowd 
Welcome to Episode #102:
Today I share the story and personal journey behind my solo travel adventures, how I navigated my writing, creativity and family life to create the time and space to go on the adventure - to really listen to my heart, to trust the whispers, and to just do it anyway.
This share is an honest account of my journey as a woman navigating relationship and family life and my dream to travel and explore Italy. Ernest Hemingway once said “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know”, here today on the podcast I let that sentiment run through my words and my voice, and this account of this stage of my life. The decision to travel solo made an immense ripple effect in my life (at the time I didn’t know that) in my writing, in my creativity and in my choice to later create a podcast on Italy because I loved Italy…. It has been an incredible experience, a work in progress and a lot of fun connecting with every one along the way.
Enjoy xx
"Solitude, I reflected, is the one deep necessity of the human spirit to which adequate recognition is never given in our codes. It is looked upon as a discipline or penance, but hardly ever as indispensable, pleasant ingredient it is to ordinary life, and from this want of recognition come half of our domestic troubles" - Freya Stark, The Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels
I love stopping at historic Cafes in the centro storico to people watch and contemplate the next part of the adventure, often you end up having wonderful conversations with fellow travellers and the locals - Pasticceria Liquoreria Marescotti (Cavo) in Genova
Solo Travel Guidelines:
Never be afraid to eat alone. We all have to eat and take care of our bodies. Sometimes I find you do get placed in some odd spots when you are a solo diner, if you are not happy or feel uncomfortable just ask for another table, or just walk out and find another restaurant - there is nothing wrong with walking away, because it is worse to sit there annoyed at the lack of attention by the staff and this will colour your dining experience. I have done this many times when feeling uncomfortable (a small test)….
I always take a book and a diary and try not to spend too much time on my phone. I love just getting lost in writing or being humoured by watching the people around me. The beauty of eating alone is savouring the small details of the experience, enjoying the taste of the food and the wine and being connected to the moment - enjoy this portal moment for connecting with yourself and making it happen.
Choose a destination, a gallery, a curiosity and make that your theme for the day, see what happens along the way, generally things fall into place.
Find a historic bar, a cafe or a location that has a new flavour or iconic drink to try, I love experimenting with new flavours at an ethnic restaurant or a bar for a special Negroni for instance that is in house and /or unique to the place….
Read books on other solo travels, see how the traveler dealt with the ups an downs while living the adventure, and remember it is an adventure, if it feels scary you are making progress!
Sample My Book on Solo Travel: In the Shadow of a Cypress: An Italian Adventure
Solo travel equals long lunches on location sipping wine and taking my time reading and writing in my diary - Once while touring the pretty village of Nervi, I found myself captured by a seaside restaurant Bagni Medusa on the Italian Riviera
Shownotes:
Books to Read / Resources….
Alone Time: Four Cities, Four Seasons, and the Pleasures of Solitude by Stephanie Rosenbloom
100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen
The Artists Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering your Creative Self by Julia Cameron - The Morning Pages and Artist’s Dates!!
Travel for Stoics: Empowering the Solo Traveler who is Obsessive, Introverted and Compulsive by Eva Rome (a great resource if this is one of your issues or struggles)
Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh ( Leaving her family of four children at home while she takes time away living simply in a old beach shack by the sea for a week)
Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything by Elizabeth Gilbert
Tim Ferris Show #430 Elizabeth Gilbert’s Amazing Creative Toolkit: Saying No, Trusting Intuition, Seeking Awe, Bathing in Grief, and Index Cards
Podcast to Listen to: Wild Podcast with Sarah Wilson, Season 5, Episode 3: How to live the artist’s way…..Recommended if needing some inspiration on finding your muse….
More Notes on Solo Travel - Episode 57: Table for One - On Solo Travel, Artist Dates and Grand Adventures
Podcast #57 Table for One - A Writer in Italy Podcast
A wonderful boat ride to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso between Camogli and Portofino, a glorious place to sit and ponder the world... Some places just call you, I have always felt that way about Liguria
One time I sat here at Camogli and the kitchen staff told me that the kitchen was closed but the would serve aperitivo, which suited me - I expected the usual dish of salty crisps with my drink choice but was amazed when I was served this beautiful abundant plate…. I sat there and recorded a podcast to share with my listeners and felt quite taken care of by Camogli in beautiful Liguria
One of the sweet joys of a solo adventure is just the simple beauty of going on an adventure to a museum and having the time and space to be an observer taking photos and admiring beautiful places - here is the Palazzo Spinola - one of the many fascinating Palazzi dei Rolli in the city of Genova that are listed UNESCO World Heritage. These Palaces are historical show pieces of the old Genovese Maritime Republic, La Superba indeed.
Wandering the streets from piazza to piazza eyes open to the many details, the corners, the iron work, the green shutters, the colours and architecture, layer upon layer in Italy, and always a wonderful way to spend a few hours, lost and found.
One of my favourite things about Italy is simply wandering the streets and finding myself in awe over a beautiful arrangement of every day details, like the table chairs and ashtrays just outside of this most beautiful church, the faded fresco and the colours of the facade, the beauty of the tall apartments surrounding this Basilica and the market stalls at the bottom of the stairs that lead you into the church, so every day for an Italian but for me a kaleidoscope of colour, beauty and historic detail.
Take a favourite book - indulge an hour or two just reading at a favourite cafe, it is always the simple things in my opinion that really make you happy!