A few weeks ago, over August Bank Holiday, I wandered over on the ferry with the fam for a quick break to the Isle of Wight.
For this trip made myself unplug from the Internet and social media, and even forwent taking too many snaps whilst wandering around. We spend most of our time was spent by the coast – which is unsurprising considering the Isle of Wight is an island! – which was so utterly relaxing. These particular photos were from our morning out in Fort Victoria country park which backs onto the North West coast of the island. We visited pretty early on a Sunday morning, but it was a perfect respite from the busy-ish beaches of Ryde and coastal town of Cowes the previous days, and we spend a few hours sat watching locals fishing and boats grazing the waters.
As Summer’s drawing into it’s final weeks, I suspect many of you will be hopping on planes, trains and automobiles to do a bit of last minute travelling or are perhaps planning Autumnal trips when the school holiday rush is over – and prices come down! Whilst it’s always fun to go along with your family or friends, once in a while it can be good to be a bit brave and venture out on your own.
As you guys know this Summer I went on a solo trip to New York. Though I’m pretty slick at travelling on my own here in the UK, I hadn’t even contemplated travelling to a foreign country all on my own before. It was both a daunting yet utterly exciting prospect and something I was adamant about doing at least once in my life. New York was a pretty soft entry into the solo travel world – same language, different accent, and very similar to London as a city – but nevertheless, the prep that went into planning the trip was key to helping it run as smooth as possible.
Luckily I have family over in the States so I’d managed to save some money on a hotel by staying with relatives for some of my time there. Apart from that finding a hotel was pretty easy, I opted for a hotel over a hostel or smaller bed and breakfast mainly for safety and convenience. The one I stayed in was two blocks from Times Square and had plenty of staff around 24 hours of the day.
There isn’t much I can say about travelling solo that hasn’t already been said before, so these are my personal thoughts on my own experiences.
Part of the fear I think a lot of people have about solo travel is the feeling of being lonely. My view to that is, socialising whilst on a solo holiday is what you make of and is completely dependent on your personality. As an introvert being alone was a blessing not a curse as I’ve always found solace in solitude. Not only does solo travel provide you time to thing but a chance to indulge in one of my favourite past times, people watching.
There’s so much freedom in solo travel to take things at your own pace and as you’re only catering to your own needs, your travel schedule can be totally flexible. This was definitely the case when I travelled, as I switched up my routine pretty much every day dependent on my mood, level of tiredness and the weather. Solo travel also, obviously, works out cheaper in terms of accommodation, transport, and entertainment. Once you get over the awkward feeling of sitting alone in a restaurant or cafe, or going to the theatre or other events solo and realise just how much less you’re spending, you’ll never look back!
There are of course downsides. You become completely responsible for yourself. You’re the one dragging all your luggage/valuables around, you’re the one who has to make yourself wake up in the morning, and find the places you want to go without the help of a friend or family member.
As a woman, safety also comes into play. Though New York isn’t as threatening as people like to make out, I had to be aware of my surroundings at all times, especially in the evenings. Acting like a local is key to solo travel. Densely populated tourist-y areas in particular are a hotbed for potential pick-pockets and if you look like another tourist then you become an easier target.
There were obviously times when I felt a little metaphorically lost in the big City. New York is h u g e, so there were definitely points during my trip where I felt like I was swallowed in the crowd.
But where this is a downside, the sheer amount of people you come across is also a blessing. There is always someone to talk to, whether that be the people who are serving you in cafes, people waiting in ticket queues with you, or fellow tourists at the bigger tourist attractions. I found very quickly that my accent ended up becoming a conversation starter with many other tourists, some of whom also hailed from the UK!
I can’t say that every city or country will be like New York when it comes to friendliness, and, of course, friendliness can lure you into a false sense of security. But as long as you keep your wits about you and make sure you don’t give away too much personal info, you’ll be fine.
And to be honest that what travelling solo really boils down to and the point I want to reiterate. You are in control of your travel when you decide to venture out alone. Independence is fantastic and there no better way of experiencing it than in a completely different culture and country to your own.
What about you guys? Thoughts on solo travel?
Have any of your ventured out on your own and what have your experiences been like?
Summer can be a great time to tap into your cultural side and with the British weather as erratic as it is, sheltering from the rain in an art gallery can be the best way to spend a day out. To some people galleries are difficult places to enjoy, and I agree that there can be a certain amount of snobbery surrounding them that can be off-putting for many. But art doesn’t need to be inaccessible. Here are my top tips to start your journey to becoming an art gallery enthusiast.
Broaden your definition of ‘art’ | When you think of art you normally associate it with things like the classical painters or even post-modern pieces, but what the world now considers art is actually pretty broad. If you’re finding yourself bored looking at more traditional pieces, switch it up! There’s a whole wealth of artwork that includes and isn’t limited to sculpture, interactive pieces, photography, moving image, installations and more. Don’t limit yourself to the bigger galleries either, the smaller ones will usually feature more unusual pieces or lesser known artists too.
Focus on art that you’re drawn to | First of all excuse the pun! A big piece of advice if you’re planning on going around a gallery unguided is to let your mind and eyes wander to pieces that intrigue you. There’s not much point dwelling on a piece of art you don’t get excited by – even if it is Starry Night by Van Gogh – when you could be looking at pieces that hold your attention better. When you see something that catches your eye, ask yourself, why? Who painted it? What style or era does this belong to? Take a quick photo – if you’re allowed! – and then Google the artist or ask a guide what the piece is about.
Pick up a guide | I can’t stress how good museum and gallery audio guides can be. Though the initial price may seem steep on top of your admission, if you really have no clue on what to expect from an art gallery it’s a staple to pick up. Not only will you get a full run down on art that interests you, but they can also be useful to block out the sounds of babbling tourists too ;)
Wander into the travelling exhibition area | Usually in addition to the permanently housed pieces, larger galleries will play host to a touring exhibitions. These artworks may only be on display for a limited time, but as they usually just focus on one artist, theme or era, they tend to go into a bit more depth. Look at the art gallery’s website to see which ones will be set to arrive and when. They’ll also usually list a bit of background information on the artists and which pieces you’ll expect to see.
Take it slow | In my opinion, art is not meant to be enjoyed at high speed. A lot of people tend to try and hit art galleries quickly but I’d advise giving yourself at least a full morning or afternoon for smaller galleries, and a whole day if it’s something like the The Met or the Tate Modern. Rushing through rooms and barely looking at pieces is pointless, unless you’re going for a specific piece or artist. And even then you could be missing out on some great artwork. Walk slowly, listen to music as you wander, take your time, take a seat, and bring a notepad or sketchbook to scribble in if you’re feeling inspired.
Get home and Google | Your first port of call after you get home after a day at an art gallery is Google. Search the pieces you found interesting and see if there’s any information on Wikipedia or the gallery website on them. You may even want to pick up a print online – usually as cheaper option than buying the museum shop! Getting on those search engines straight away is a great way of remembering the pieces you’ve seen and will help you reflect on why you enjoy them!
These tips may seem obvious, but they’re baby steps to really getting into any kind of art form. The one thing to remember is to not feel pressured to like something. Art is totally subjective, so concentrate on finding art that you really love.
