Solo Traveler Newsletter January 2016

Published: Mon, 01/04/16

 
 




Tip of the Month!

19 Most Beautiful Winter Cities


Not everyone wants to head for sand and sun when the weather gets cold - especially when they're having an unseasonably warm start to the year. And if winters in your part of the country are warm, maybe you're longing for a little bit of the white stuff! Here is a list, including gorgeous photos, of cities that may just be even more beautiful in the winter.
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Great Travel Links
Hold on to your boarding pass. That little piece of paper that you have to show at every checkpoint in the airport (and sometimes post a photo of on Facebook) contains more than just your flight information. Peter Greenberg recommends keeping track of it and destroying it once you get home. Hang on to your boarding pass to safeguard your personal info.

12 apps to keep in 2016. Out with the old, in with the new, and hang on to what works. If you are purging unused or less than ideal apps from your smartphone in the new year, here are some to consider keeping. From The New York Times, a list of tested apps that make travel easier or more enjoyable.

The fake review problem is getting worse. From Christopher Elliott, the latest on the problem of bogus reviews being posted on TripAdvisor and other sites. Both consumers and businesses suffer in this game. The article looks at the implications of both good and bad online reviews and how companies are dealing with the issue, and offers tips for spotting a fake.


The most clicked on link last month.

Google Rolls Out Free Travel Apps From The New York Times, a review of recently announced free tools being offered by Google. From offline maps that you can download when you have WiFi and use later without consuming data, to a Local Guides program, where users provide reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc., to the Popular Times tool which helps you avoid long lineups, there is lots here for the solo traveler. Check out the article for more info on how these travel apps can save you time and money.

And of course...

No Single Supplements Allowed. Don't forget to check out the Solo Traveler Deals page before planning your solo trip. You may just find exactly what you need there at a great price.

Gear, Books and Great Travel Resources - We're expanding our travel resources section all the time. Every piece of gear and every book is there because I like it. I can stand behind it. As for the travel tools and resources, I've used and recommend many of them while some are recommendations from readers.  

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The Pics of the Week
Pics of the Week are contributed by members of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook.  
Every week on Solo Traveler we publish a photo from the travels of one of the members of the Solo Travel Society on Facebook. Join the fun. Simply "Like" our Facebook page and you can submit a photo. Then tell your friends when you're published.

Click on last month's photos below to see who made the contribution and where it was taken.

 
Financial Fridays
Travel Farther, Longer, & More Often
You have consistently told us that money is the main reason you don't travel more. To the rescue: #Financial Fridays! Every week, we will bring you tips and advice to help you travel more, better, and more often. Financial Fridays--because the best things in life aren't things.



Tips to avoid hotel fees and help you save money. Here’s how to plan your trip so that you return home without breaking your travel budget. Continue reading → 


Your Currency or Theirs? The Decision Makes a Difference

Oh, it’s a tangled web that international financial institutions weave. Here’s to untangling it with a simple answer to save you money. Continue reading → 

Safe Public WiFi: Protect Your Money & Identity as You Travel

It worries me – travelers using public WiFi to bank or buy online without protecting their data. Here’s how to use public WiFi safely. Continue reading → 
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Fave Five Posts Last Month

In case you missed them, here are the five most read posts on Solo Traveler last month.


Solo Traveler Artist in Residence: Images of New Zealand

From urban centers to grand nature, from the Auckland Station to the Tongariro Volcano our artist in residence gives you her images of New Zealand. Continue reading →

From Bleak to Breathtaking: Budapest 30 Years On

A flight delay and a missed train left me with little time. But a lucky meeting with another traveler resulted in this beautiful one hour tour of Bologna. Continue reading →

Solo in Milan: Cappuccino, Poetry, and Dreams

Solo in Milan, I explore the city my way, enjoy aperitivo, and realize that dreams don’t always take the form that we expect. Continue reading →

Goodwill to All: Battling Xenophobia One Conversation at a Time

What contribution can you make to a more peaceful world? Here are some thoughts and practical steps. Continue reading →

Forlimpopoli: A Food Lover’s Dream Town

Forlimpopoli, just an hour’s train ride from Bologna, is a beautiful town anchored by a center devoted to the food and wine of Italy. Continue reading →

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On the 3rd Monday of the month you'll receive the

Solo Traveler Advisory


Watch for it.