There are many destinations and experiences ideally suited for the solo traveler. Spas and hot springs, museums and city tours, even hiking and camping ‘je suis seul’ style appeals to solos. But what about the nine-day International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico – the nine-day event recognized as the sport’s premier event, that draws more than 600 balloons from all over the world, and hundreds of thousands of spectators? The short answer is yes. The long answer is a dozen more yesses. Traveling and experiencing the world around us ‘je suis seul’ style, French for ‘I’m on my own’, h ..read more

Memphis is home to some of the greatest music ever created. From the history of the town to the delicious food and great music – this is a city that needs to be on your bucket list.   Where to Stay When choosing a place to stay for your trip, location and comfort are the top priorities. Located right next to Beale Street, Caption by Hyatt Beale Street is the perfect place to stay. Attached to another Hyatt hotel, guests are allowed to use both bars and restaurants while only staying in one place. Wake up to this beautiful view of the Mississippi River when you stay at Caption by Hyatt. Ph ..read more

Hiking is an enjoyable experience that also offers a whole-body workout with both physical and mental benefits. This time of year is perfect for hiking and checking out the fall foliage. The parks and trails listed below are family-friendly with absolutely gorgeous outdoor views. So put on your hiking boots and go exploring this weekend.   Austin Black Rock Park 30 minute drive from Austin This park offers all outdoor activities for you and your family. Even though it’s on Lake Buchanan, they have more to do than just water sports. You can play mini golf and sand volleyball, in addition t ..read more

When life gets hectic, a relaxing beach vacation is a good way to reset. The sound of crashing waves always seems to clear the mind and drown out the noise of a busy life. Myrtle Beach is the ideal place to unwind for a few days. Whether you’re looking to tee it up on the greens or relax with a good book on the sandy beaches, this resort town on South Carolina’s Atlantic coast is known for its gorgeous beaches and over 90 golf courses.    A balcony with an ocean view is the perfect start to a relaxing vacation. Photo courtesy Westgate Myrtle Beach Resort The Westgate Myrtle Beach is ..read more

Grand Junction, Colorado—an outdoor adventure hub near the Utah border—feels worlds away from Texas with its accessible red-rock canyons and towering flat-top mountain. But you can hop on a direct flight from Dallas and be gazing up at the Grand Mesa in just over two hours.  With 1.5 million acres of public lands, hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails, the Colorado and Gunnison rivers for rafting, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, and a “mini Grand Canyon” to explore, Mesa County is a nature lover’s paradise. While a visit to its county seat certainly warrants a longer visit, m ..read more

In the early spring, I worked closely with Texas Lifestyle Magazine editor, Julie Tereshchuk, to plan solo trips that would appeal to Texas Lifestyle Magazine readers. We wanted experiences that would not only be interesting to solos, which is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, but also to those who would plan to travel with friends or family. When I mentioned the idea of spending the night in a tipi in Colorado, Julie’s response was a classic one, “It will be a great story Haven, but better you than me.”   And so, months after my revered editor’s premature death, I was i ..read more

Want to get away to a tropical vacation but don’t have much time?  Bahia Resort Hotel in Mission Bay, California, has everything to make you feel like you have escaped to a lush and romantic paradise.    When most people see a three-day vacation on the calendar, their first thought should be “where can I go to get away?” That’s not a lot of travel time, but I want to get away somewhere different. The Bahia Resort Hotel in Mission Bay – near San Diego, CA – is just the right location, with the perfect accommodations to make it a relaxing getaway.  Located on a 14-mile penins ..read more

The flight to Los Cabos International Airport is a little more than two hours from Austin, Dallas, or Houston. Coupled with a convenient time change, this means you can be wings up in Texas at 1 p.m. and lounging seaside in Mexico with a sangria in hand by 4 p.m. local time. It’s hard to beat that level of travel ease for an international beach vacation.    The beaches of Cabo San Lucas are beautiful but often busy. Photo Heidi Gollub When my college-age daughter and I visited Baja California for the first time this spring, we followed the playbook of many tourists before us. We stay ..read more

In the eastern part of Tennessee, you’ll find a city with an incredible Urban Wilderness located right in the heart of the city. Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky mountains and on the bank of the Tennessee River, Knoxville is a city which offers countless experiences, of all kinds, to visitors. In addition to communing with nature, take a day at Market Square for a farmer’s market, sample some of  Knoxville’s best breweries, or cheer on the University of Tennessee Volunteer football team at a night game and sing “Rocky Top.” There is so much to see and do in Knoxville, but here ..read more

Greece had been on my bucket list for years! And, over the past few years, Greece is probably the bucket list country I hear people say most often. It’s true, there’s an other-worldly mysticism to Greek life! It lived up to the fantasy I had in my head when I was able to experience Athens (and multiple Greek islands on the Windstar Cruises cruise) in July.    The Acropolis is just one of the sites you can see in historic Athens, Greece. Photo Anna Kumaeva on Unsplash. Athens is an ancient city steeped in mythological amounts of history and tradition. I heartily recommend starting any ..read more