Top Travel Tips for Solo Travelers: How to Explore the World with Confidence

Solo travel is one of the most enriching experiences and the most incredible gift you can give yourself. Whether you're embarking on your first solo journey or a seasoned solo traveler, it’s always helpful to have a few tips to ensure your trip is smooth, safe, and enjoyable. So, let me share my top solo travel tips, favorite destinations, and essential advice for solo female travelers.

1. Pick Solo-Friendly Destinations

Choosing the right destination is crucial for a successful solo trip. Some places are naturally better suited for solo travelers due to their welcoming atmosphere, ease of navigation, and safety. So, do your research and plan something you have always wanted to do but within your comfort zone. These are a few of my top places.

The Tipping Point: When Generosity Turns Into Obligation

I recently experienced something that left me utterly gobsmacked and believe me, I've seen a lot in my years of globetrotting. I was checking out of a lovely hotel in Mykonos, Greece—sun, sea, and... sticker shock.

A Shocking Tipping Request in Mykonos

As I handed my credit card over to the front desk, the clerk slipped it into the card reader and handed it back to me. And there it was—like a surprise party you didn't want—an American-style tipping prompt. What percentage of my bill would I like to tip?

I was genuinely flummoxed, staring back at the two tanned, guilt-wielding staff members. "Sorry," I stammered. "Tip for what, exactly?"

"Well, you know, if you were happy with our service," one replied, referencing the dinner reservation they made for me at Scorpios. Hang on, isn’t that the concierge's job?

In utter disbelief, I clarified, "You want a tip on the entire hotel bill? Including the already-inflated high-season room rate, taxes, and the tips I’ve already left?" They did.

Of course, I didn't pay it. The sheer absurdity of it! But it got me wondering—would they ask a local Athenian for a tip? Not a chance, according to my Greek friends.

12 Things We No Longer Use and What Has Replaced Them

For all you youngsters, Traveler's Checks were, at the time, the safest way to travel with “cash.” Let's say you wanted to travel with $500. Instead of cash, you’d head to Thomas Cook, order your Traveler's Checks, sign them in front of the cashier, and again when buying something. Every store or restaurant accepted them. In fact, I don’t recall a single retailer turning one down on that trip to Corfu. They were safer than cash because they required a matching signature and a piece of ID to be cashed. But decades later, not only have Traveler's Checks gone the way of TV antennas and Diners Club, but you also no longer require cash of any physical kind to travel. I came on this trip without a single euro (although a little local currency is not a bad idea; I just wasn’t that organized) and instead used Apple Pay backed up by a couple of credit cards, just in case they needed me to insert a card or if I somehow failed to charge my phone.

This got me thinking about…

12 Things We No Longer Use and What Has Replaced Them

Life LessonsChristina FordJuly 16, 2024list, rolodex, Mixed Tape, fax, filofax, milkman, mik box, Sony Walkman, travelers checksComment

Lessons Learnt From A Broken Heart - In Search of Mr Darcy Edition

There are few people on this earth, especially if you are over 40, who can say they've never had their heart broken. It’s almost a rite of passage. Heartbreak has tremendous power. It can hurt, enlighten, destroy, strengthen, shatter, sadden, transform, illuminate, empower and…change lives. It has inspired countless songs that can rip your heart right out of your chest (shout out to Leonard Cohen). It has left poets broken and beautiful, and it has been pretty much the plot in every rom-com I’ve ever obsessively wept over (shout out to Nicholas Sparks and The Notebook.)

I mean, if you are living life, how can you avoid it?

What Single Women Over 50 Want in Men: The Online Dating Bingo Edition

I am just going to say it. Online dating is exhausting, tedious, disappointing, soul-sucking and, for the most part, exceedingly boring.

It is like the movie Groundhog Day, only you are trapped at the same monotonous cocktail party with the same boring small talk—over and over and over again. It makes me want to get a dog, start eating carbs and call it a day.

Now, for all you happily coupled folks, those who have been living with the same guy who has been leaving the toilet seat up for years or the used teabag in the sink, you can skip this blog post. We can catch up on the next one when I may (or may not) have something a little more relevant to say.

However —you might want to stick around because this post might do one of two things. Either it will make you happy you are not single, or two, get you thinking….hmmm???—doesn't this game look a little more interesting than getting sprayed with Nigel's (or Doris') flying toenail clippings?

So let's play Online Dating BINGO — Over 50 Edition.

Can't Text This: Decoding Millennial and Gen Z Slang

The day I got schooled by a message from a Millennial/Gen Z hybrid was a day like any other—except that day I was publicly reprimanded on TikTok, made worse that, and I could not understand most of it.

The message was simple: "Hey Boomer. Do you know that it is legit rude to actually just pick up the phone and call someone?"

Wait What??! I thought. Were they seriously telling me it was rude to call someone on the phone???

They were.

My reply, born from sheer bewilderment, was, "You know, that is what the phone is made for, right…to call people?" But then I got hit with: "Seriously, "dude, your Boomer Boner is low-key salty. It has no cap. It gives vibes of"a thirsty Karen."

Oh, the "humanity…and confusion.

A World Without Men: Unpacking South Korea's 4B Movement and its Global Shockwaves

Beaten down by the patriarchy is not a new concept. As a woman who worked decades in a career dominated by men, the environment was thick with sexist comments, ripe with sexual innuendo, career blocking and what I like to call disgusting man behavior. And like myself, many had to endure the punishment that came directly from refusing the sexual advances of men in power.

My salacious boss had physically cornered me in a hotel elevator on an overnight shoot. That resulted in a permanent career demotion when I politely refused to let him penetrate me. Sadly, my story, this story, is a tale as old as time. #metoo!

So, is it any wonder women have had enough?

Want to Take Mr Darcy Home? How About a Free Audio Book Giveaway?

Win an audio copy of the book The Sunday Post called “Jubilant —A Must-Read for any woman worried about life after 40."

I am thrilled to announce that the long-awaited audio version of my award-winning book, In Search of Mr Darcy: Lessons Learnt In The Pursuit Of Happily Ever After, is now available in North America. Woot, Woot!

To celebrate, I am having a very special Mr Darcy audiobook giveaway contest. Now, before you ask, yes, I am narrating. So, depending on where you like to listen, you could take Mr Darcy (and me) to bed with you.

Wash it Or Toss It? The Dirtiest and Germiest Household Items Revealed- Prepare To Be Grossed Out

Okay, let's be honest —I'm not exactly what you'd call a germaphobe. I've been known to play fast and loose with the infamous "ten-second rule," and, yes, I've even been caught giving a pacifier a quick "clean" with my mouth before handing it back to my baby. in fact, I believe getting dirty can be good for you and your immune system, to a point. So, when I tell you that what I've discovered about the germs lurking in our homes has me reconsidering my life choices, you know we're about to dive deep into some seriously grimy territory.

In this study I read by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) I was shocked to learn that my home was one step away from a science experiment, and not the good kind. And it is not just my place we are talking about folks. Coliform bacteria—think of them as the rockstars of the bacteria world, with Salmonella and E. coli being their greatest hits—are partying it up in a staggering 81% of households. Yikes.

Life LessonsChristina FordApril 11, 2024germs, NSF, householdComment

Kate-Gate: Unraveling the Royal Controversy

I wasn’t talking about this at all— But after the kill order, I am all in.

Introduction: March 10th, 2024, marked a turning point in the otherwise mundane landscape of UK Mother’s Day. Little did the public know, a seemingly innocent photo would set off a chain of events, unraveling into what is now known as Kate-Gate. Let's delve into the intricacies of this royal controversy.

You Want To Be Happy? Live Like a Woman Over 50

Let's talk about what I like to call the "Happiness Curve." A self-eating spiral of discontent as we pursue our God-given human right to be happy.

It's something we all strive for in life, right? Happiness.

For most of us, happiness can look a lot like this;

If he only likes me back, I will be happy.
If I just get that promotion, I will be happy.
If I just get that house, I will be happy.
If I have a child, I will be happy.
If I could just lose ten pounds, I will be happy.
If my child stops leaving the lights on, I will be happy
If my child just got off my payroll, I will be happy.

The list goes on…and on…and on. It's the Happiness Curve, or should I say spiral? The overly optimistic youthful dream about how much satisfaction we will get out of our future successes.

Life LessonsChristina FordFebruary 14, 2024Over 50, Happiness, Happiness Curve, Women over 50, 50 years Comments

"Unwrap the Magic: London's Top 6 Christmas Department Stores You Don't Want to Miss!"

'Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to soak in the festive spirit than by exploring London's iconic department stores decked out in holiday splendor?

London often makes the Top Ten Lists of Most Christmassy Cities, and for that, I say Ho Ho Ho. Although I think next year I’ve got to check out Vienna, New York, Montreal, or Munich as they never fail to trump London according to the lists I’ve read.

But what I love about London at Christmas is that not one well-trained waiter or department store elf is afraid to wish you a Happy Christmas (they rarely say Merry), rather than the North American generic, "let’s-not-offend-anyone" Happy Holidays.

I have shown you London at Christmas on the outside, and I do that because it dazzles, and every year there is something new.

London’s Winter Wonderland: A Canadian’s Guide to Seasonal Magic

From Toronto to London: A Weather-Driven Journey

“I moved to London for the weather,” said no one ever—except me. As a proud Canadian, I’ve braved the infamous duo of Toronto seasons: Winter and Construction. And if I never ever again have to dig my frozen car out of several feet of snow, or toss away another pair of salt-stained boots, color me happy.

So, when I say London’s winter is a breath of fresh air, I’m not just spouting hot air!

London in December: The City That Glows

Forget about the North Pole; London in December is where the magic happens. It’s the time when the city transforms into a glittering spectacle, outshining Rudolph’s red nose. And if winter in London were a movie, it would get two thumbs up from Clark Griswold and family.

10 Little Big Things: Embracing the Season with Small Acts of Kindness

I'm about to confess something to you, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in feeling this way.

I hate this time of year. Hate it!

It's like the world turns into a dark, cold, dreary scene from a Christopher Nolan movie. Beyond the gloomy weather and the scant hours of daylight, we're bombarded with that marketing juggernaut we ironically call “the most wonderful time of the year,” Christmas. That used to respectfully wait until we blew out the candle in our Halloween pumpkin, but now it relentlessly tramples over the remnants of Back to School. Shame, I want to scream like that scene from Game of Thrones. Shame! Then, as if that's not enough, comes the overwhelming pressure and expectation of a shiny, hopeful New Year. A fresh start, they say, that begins, for a lot of people with a massive NYE headache. Excuse me if I don’t have a serious case of JOMO, the joy of missing out. Ugh, it's just insertyourfavoriteexpletivehere brutal. But before you start searching for a therapist for me, let me clarify something.

The Ultimate List: 7 New Favourite Things I'm Loving Right Now

Welcome, my friends, to an unexpected corner of my world. Today, I'm excited to spill the tea on my top picks—products, items, and services that have been recently integrated into my life. While some might consider this post a risk of oversharing (TMI alert!), I believe that sharing is caring, especially when it comes to the utterly fabulous items that have become my absolute essentials.

I think it’s important to mention that I am not being paid, bribed or courted by any of these brands, but if you are out there Prada, I’d be happy to make you the first exception.

So, without further ado, AND in no particular order…WAIT…that’s a complete lie, I am leading with the best…

Oh, What A Bagel. My Most Impressive and Requested Recipe Ever.

For anyone who knows me, even just a little, you know I love food. I love cooking, baking, sautéing, whisking, and you know what…I am pretty damn good at it. Food is how I show love. For me to design, plan and prepare a meal for people is me saying to them, "I love you more than wine," which is saying something.

For many of us, summer is more entertaining than most other times of the year. The BBQ is scraped down, recipes dusted off, pies crimped, and we go to work impressively feeding those we love (and a few we don't.)

But of all the soufflés that have risen or Pavlova's devoured, there is one thing, one…that has been asked for the most and seriously impresses even the most experienced bakers…and that is my Montreal Bagels.

Eat Me, Food, Things I LoveChristina FordJuly 5, 2023bagel, cooking, eating, recipeComment

The Unforeseeable Upside of Vanity and How It Saved My Life

Ah, the sixties, the age, not the swinging decade. That dreaded biological marker that loomed before me like an ominous spectre. The mere mention of it sends a shiver down my spine, for it carries with it the weight of time and the burden of age. But, in the midst of this daunting reality, I must admit that there are certain unexpected advantages to growing older. The beauty of a sunset now holds a profound significance, a seniors discount at the movies brings a small glimmer of joy, and, if the passage of time has any value, I should possess a certain wisdom acquired through the trials and tribulations of life.

Yet, alongside these silver linings, there exists a shadow cast by the ageing process. My once vibrant metabolism has betrayed me, opting for reverse rather than forward, and I awaken to inexplicable aches and pains merely from sleeping weird. My existence can come to a screeching halt when my reading glasses, quite conveniently perched atop my head, mysteriously vanish into thin air. And… there is a hint of mortality that occasionally wafts in like smoke from a distant fire, triggered by a phone call in the middle of the night which can only mean bad news.

Leah McLaren & Me ~ Authors, Single Moms, and All Around Hysterical Humans

Permit me, my beautiful readers, to introduce my special guest, Leah McLaren. She is more than a guest. She is a three-time published author, award-winning journalist and a G&T-loving friend. And don't we all need one of those?

On Leah's invitation during the deep and dark time of Covid, I boarded a completely empty train and got my ass to a little rustic Welsh farmhouse that Leah had rented. I was attempting to write my very first book, and Leah was pounding out her latest, a poignant mother-daughter memoir, Where I End, and You Begin. "Don't talk to anyone", she warned me. "I mean it, Christina, no one." She was terrified that the Welsh villagers would take one listen to my Canadian accent and, with torches high and pitchforks at the ready, storm the farmhouse and evoke a tiny-town-terror of Covid justice.

Thank You Mr Wrong. I Couldn't Have Got Here Without You

When one generally thinks of a breakup, one often imagines a double-barrel, snot-bubbling ugly cry in a dark room, duvet pulled over head, empty ice cream containers littering the floor and lying awake in the middle of the night, imaging all the painful ways he might die. Wait, is that just me? After you have stopped crying and put down the Häagen Dazs, it might be time to reclaim your life (and power).

Most of us can relate to the crushing end of a relationship we swore would last forever. The loss of something big, the mourning of something bigger, what might have been, instead of what was. That's been the trickiest bit for me, in a way. What I thought it was going to be versus what it actually was. I think they call that dating for potential.

Top 10 Dating Mistakes as Told By Jane Austen and A.I's Newest Love Child...ChatGPT

I am a cheater. A curious, cheating creature. I did not write the blog on dating you are about to read, Jane Austen did. Well, IA did, in the style of Jane Austen.

For those who know me, you know I am a lover of tech. I’ve been talking to Alexa for years, Google Maps is telling me how to get there, Calm lulling me to sleep, Suri answering my questions, and Find My Phone will let me know when my phone is stuck between two sofa cushions.

So when I was told about ChatGPT, I had to give it a try. And you know what, I was equal parts blown away and terrified. For those who aren’t up on the latest technology, let me explain. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot that allows you to have human-like conversations. Think of it as if Google and Suri had a love child.

It can answer questions, write and fix code, translate, and generate content like emails, essays,…and blogs.

My first experiment with the IA master was to have it write me a complaint letter to my water company, which I believe is overcharging me. In approximately ten seconds, I had a brilliant letter with not a single word I’d have to change. No creative punctuation or spelling, which I have a propensity for.

A-BROAD IN LONDON

A Survival Guide To Life, Travel & Being Sensationally Single

1. Pick Solo-Friendly Destinations

I am just going to say it. Online dating is exhausting, tedious, disappointing, soul-sucking and, for the most part, exceedingly boring.

So let's play Online Dating BINGO — Over 50 Edition.

Win an audio copy of the book The Sunday Post called “Jubilant —A Must-Read for any woman worried about life after 40."

It's something we all strive for in life, right? Happiness.

From Toronto to London: A Weather-Driven Journey

London in December: The City That Glows

A-BROAD IN LONDON

A Survival Guide To Life, Travel & Being Sensationally Single

1. Pick Solo-Friendly Destinations

A Shocking Tipping Request in Mykonos

12 Things We No Longer Use and What Has Replaced Them

I am just going to say it. Online dating is exhausting, tedious, disappointing, soul-sucking and, for the most part, exceedingly boring.

So let's play Online Dating BINGO — Over 50 Edition.

Win an audio copy of the book The Sunday Post called “Jubilant —A Must-Read for any woman worried about life after 40."

It's something we all strive for in life, right? Happiness.

From Toronto to London: A Weather-Driven Journey

London in December: The City That Glows

A Broad in London