Top of Devil’s Staircase, Glencoe, Scotland
I’m a day hiker. Yes, I have all the backpacking gear and can occasionally be persuaded to use it, but nothing makes me happier after a good hike than a hot shower and a comfortable bed. However, day hiking for consecutive days on major trails requires long rides and complicated car spotting to make it happen.
A hybrid becoming increasingly popular (particularly in Europe) is hiking from B&B/Inn to B&B/Inn without a car. Although you can make these arrangements yourself, in some areas you can use services to find your lodging and/or transport your luggage, so you only hike with your day bag. Typically, the B&B/Inn will provide a full breakfast with other meals available in the area.
Anchorage Cottage – East Loch Lomondside, Rowardennen, Scotland
In late June I hiked the West Highland Way in Scotland over 9 consecutive days for a total of 96 miles. I used MacAdventures to find my lodging and transport my larger luggage. The lodging varied from 50-room Inns to small B & Bs to a self-contained cottage in a campground. Most were within a half mile of the trail and for the two that weren’t, the B & B owners picked me up at a local business. After a shower in my private bathroom, I was free to explore the small town, eat dinner, socialize with other guests, or simply read a book. The next morning, I woke up refreshed and ready for another day. My kind of hiking!
Bench at the start of the West Highland Way, Milngavie, Scotland
The West Highland Way starts out in Milngavie (near Glasgow) and ends in Ft. William. The trail winds through pastures and rolling hills, dense woods, along Loch Lomond, up into the magnificent highlands, and down to the valleys. Dotted along the trail are small towns with a handful of lodging and dining options. Some areas have small stores to replenish snack and lunch options, as well as ATMs and post offices. Several of the towns are on the bus or train line, which allows hikers to skip sections if they prefer not to hike the whole trail.
Bridge of Orchy, Scotland
Even though some days I was hiking with a friend or other people on the trail, much of the time I was alone with my thoughts and just soaking up the beautiful surroundings and amazing sense of peace. The second half of the 
hike takes you up into the highlands where I felt on top of the world and with the exception of a handful of other hikers, there were no houses, animals, people or roads for as far as the eye could see in any direction. The path in front of you and behind you just disappeared into the distance.
In the middle of the hike, we were joined on the trail by the ultramarathoners of the West Highland Way Race – a group of over 200 trail runners who were expected to complete all 96 miles in under 35 hours. They started at 1 am and the quickest finished just under 17 hours later. They were great fun to have on the trail, would occasional stop and talk for a few minutes, and seemed to appreciate our encouragement along the way. I marveled at how they could race up and down the areas I had so carefully and slowly picked my way through.
Cow Pasture Near Drymen, Scotland
Packing for a hike on the West Highland Way, with the variety of trail conditions and potential for cold and rainy weather, required me to pack more than I would normally pack. I needed full rain gear, extra socks, and clothing that would carry me from temperatures in the low 50s with frequent rain and blustery wind, to the high 80s with no escape from the bright sunshine.
View of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill, Stirling, Scotland
Multiple layers were the key. My Icebreaker 200 base layers, EMS Techwick long and short sleeve shirts, Bass fleece, and EMS Compass pants that roll up, provided me with plenty of options. Because the large bag was transported from lodging to lodging, I didn’t have to worry about the extra bulk and weight of the additional clothing.
My day pack, the Osprey Tempest 20L worked perfectly. It had enough room to carry my hiking essentials, along with water, food, and layers that were shed during the day. The inner zipped pocket worked well for carrying my passport and other valuables that had to stay with me at all times. The outer stretch pocket was perfect for keeping my raingear handy. I used the rain cover (even when it wasn’t raining) to keep everything contained and dry.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, Scotland
Long distance hiking offers the amazing opportunity to hike varied terrain, experience a number of spectacular views, and have the time to truly escape from the real world. But for the inexperienced hiker or the true day hiker at heart, hiking from B&B to B&B can bridge the gap between the multi-day backpacking trip and single-day hike with all the comforts of home.
Sculpture in Kinlochleven, Scotland
A simple google search on ‘how to eat gluten free in Italy’ yielded a number of helpful sources. One that I have used before is 
My internet search also showed that Italians in general are quite knowledgeable about Celiac disease and many restaurants have undergone training in proper accommodation. For example, in Italy, many restaurants had gluten free pasta that they cooked in individual portions in water separate from the regular pasta. I soon discovered the 
Regardless of your food allergy, it is important to determine what might be your ‘go to’ meals if you have difficulty finding meals on the menu that accommodate your needs to your satisfaction. For me, grilled chicken on a salad without dressing, a fruit and cheese plate, or plain meat and vegetables are usually reasonable alternatives. Many places I’ve traveled also have a dedicated gluten free/allergy free bakery, where sometimes you can find savory items in addition to sweets.
In many locations, people have access to local grocery stores and other sources of allergy safe foods if they have concern about restaurant meals. I discovered that in Italy, the local pharmacies stock gluten free food in addition to the grocery store, because Celiac Disease is a medical condition. In addition, many of the open air markets have fruit, vegetables, and other allergy safe food.
Traveling solo often involves eating meals in restaurants by yourself. Many women (and men for that matter) feel awkward about going to a restaurant alone. I’ve found that many restaurants are quite solo friendly, especially if you follow a few simple suggestions.
well. The pace is slower and the servers are often more able to accommodate your request for a single table near the window or the patio. Keep in mind that lunch is a better value in most areas. As you stake out places to eat, ask about when the menu changes from lunch to dinner or about any early evening specials. Also, if you are trying to order in a different language and/or have questions about various dishes, the servers have more time to interact with you when you come at a less busy time.
meal if you are sitting by yourself. Bring a book, some tourist brochures, word or number puzzles, or simply surf the net or read on your phone. Many restaurants have wi-fi available. Some people use their computer on the table. If you choose to do this, make sure you’ve chosen a seating option that gives you enough room to do this without encroaching on your neighbor at the bar or counter.
Shampoo and Conditioner – A disclaimer first – my hair is very short and easily washed. If you have longer hair you may need to find alternative products. Shampoo and conditioner come in various small bars. The key to using them is to keep the bars as dry as possible by letting them air out between uses. I cut off a piece or two big enough to last me for the specific trip and store these pieces in a metal or plastic small container. When possible I keep the lid off after use until these items fully dry. By using small pieces at a time, I don’t waste the product if the bar gets too moist and turns into goo. These bars tend to be expensive and this method allows me to get multiple trips out of a bar. I put the pieces of shampoo, conditioner, and soap in one small container to take into the shower.
For shampoo, I’ve tried Liggett’s Old Fashioned Bar Shampoo and Lush Lullaby Solid Shampoo. The Liggetts is more of a basic shampoo at fraction of the price of the Lush product. For conditioner, I’ve used the Bee Beauty Silky Hair Conditioner Bar. The Liggetts bar left my hair squeaky clean, 
but a bit stiff. Adding conditioner, I found that I had to use the Bee Beauty conditioner very sparingly or my hair would get sticky. It may be better suited to longer hair where you just swipe a little on the ends. My favorite is the Lush Lullaby shampoo, which is a gentle shampoo and leaves my hair soft enough to eliminate the conditioner. One product instead of two makes this minimalist traveler happy.
Moisturizer –The skin on my face is very dry and sensitive. I need to use moisturizer twice a day to keep the dryness at bay. Trying to find a solid alternative to moisturizing lotion proved to be a challenge. Honey House Naturals puts out a Bee Bar Hand and Body Lotion Bar, which uses the warmth of the hands to soften the bar sufficiently to get a film of lotion on the hands for 
application. Looking for something more face specific and finding little for adults, I turned to baby products. Babyorganics puts out an organic lip and face balm in a stick that works reasonably well for travel purposes.
sunscreen solid the size of a deodorant stick, but I wanted something smaller. These sticks are good for limited coverage for everyday activities, but probably insufficient if you are going to the beach or pool. If this is the case, it is easy to buy sun block on site. Because my nose easily turns into a beacon, I also use Badger Zinc Oxide Sunscreen All Season Face Stick. This product has a bit of a whitening effect, so I only use it when I’m in strong sun.
Toothpaste – I definitely prefer regular toothpaste, but for a couple of weeks, can deal with an alternative product. Eco-Dent makes a Baking Soda Toothpowder that has enough mint flavor to cover the baking soda taste. Some people make their own toothpaste dots. The 
Other items – Badger makes an After-Bug Balm in a stick which helps with itch relief. Purell comes in individually wrapped travel wipes. Stall Mates makes individual wrapped
flushable wipes. Olay and other brands make facial cleanser-infused dry towelettes that you moisten and use like a washcloth. Amazon and other vendors sell boxes of individual packets of antibiotic and cortisone gel (such as those in first aid kits), but I am not sure how TSA feels about these. I’m experimenting with taking a cotton swab and covering one end with antibiotic ointment and wrapping it tightly with foil. I haven’t needed to use them yet, so time will tell.
Sometimes traveling is about the destination, but it can also include learning how to view experiences through a different lens – even when you are not far from home. People who are considering traveling by themselves often have two major fears 1) the possibility that something bad will happen and 2) that they will be lonely and miserable. The first one is a topic for another time, but I’ve learned that with a simple shift in mindset, I can go a long way in mitigating the second one.
I live in Connecticut where we have miles and miles of ‘Rails to Trails’ bike/walking/running trails (see
I’ve told people that one of keys to traveling solo is to learn to participate with others – in a sort of community – for even brief periods of time wherever you travel. It’s hard to be lonely when you’re part of a community. These quasi-communities pop up when you’re on a tour with others, eating dinner at a communal table, or sitting in the common area in a hostel or hotel. They are not meant to be permanent – just people sharing the same time, place, and experience.
That day, I said nothing more than a bunch of ‘Good Mornings’ and one exuberant ‘You Go Girl,’ but yet, I was truly part of the community of people on the bike trail that morning. It’s all a matter of perspective. When you are traveling solo or doing activities by yourself, you can perceive that you are all alone in a group of strangers or as an alternative, you are part of a group (a community) of people doing the same thing as you are.