bpnaughton – On The Go Solo

Where is Karl Bushby 2022?

That’s a good–and popular–question. If you don’t know who Karl Bushby is, check out our review of his book Giant Steps: The Remarkable Story of the Goliath Expedition: From Punta Arenas to Russia. It’s the fascinating story of the first part of the epic walk he is undertaking from southern Chile back to his home […]

How to Kind of Uber In Ireland: Download Free Now

November 8, 2022: Updated the content to reflect changes to the number of cities in Ireland and countries in Europe in which Free Now is available. January 11, 2020: Based on feedback from readers and media reports, we’ve rewritten this article to reflect the changes that have recently been made to the Uber in Ireland […]

Outstanding Apps For Die-Hard Travelers: Polarsteps

I started using the Polarsteps app in March 2018 at the outset of a 31-day trip to Dubai, Australia, and Thailand and immediately got hooked on it. I’ll be honest. I’ve always thought taking photos and keeping a journal while traveling were self-indulgent and a waste of time. But there’s something about the visual, tangible, and […]

Anthony Bourdain on Winging It While Traveling

“I’m a big believer in winging it. I’m a big believer that you’re never going to find perfect city travel experience or the perfect meal without a constant willingness to experience a bad one. Letting the happy accident happen is what a lot of vacation itineraries miss, I think, and I’m always trying to push […]

9 Steps for Planning the Perfect Solo Trip

If you’ve never tried planning the perfect solo trip or if your previous “perfect” solo trips didn’t live up to your expectations, you might feel overwhelmed at where to begin. The following guide leads you step-by-step through the planning process, from figuring out your goals to booking your ticket. The more time you take deciding […]

Is It Safe to Travel To…?

Is it safe to travel to <your intended destination>? It’s a common question for travelers. It’s also one that you can always find an answer to by doing a little research. And the websites listed at the end of this post are a great place to start. Note that each of these is a government-run, […]

Gas Stations Close to Major Airports

The following is a list of gas stations close to major metropolitan airports in North America. It’s currently a work in progress, so the list will continue to grow over time and will eventually include gas stations in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. We used Google to find these results, so the listings […]

Bill Bryson on Travel and Beauty

“Most of the time I am sunk in thought, but at some point on each walk there comes a moment when I look up and notice, with a kind of first-time astonishment, the amazing complex delicacy of the woods, the casual ease with which elemental things come together to form a composition that is ― […]

Travel Books That’ll Knock Your Socks Off: “Walking the Nile”

A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon and immediately got hooked on Ewan McGregor’s BBC reality television series Long Way Down. The program documents the three-month journey McGregor and his friend undertook in 2007 from northern Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa by motorcycle. I was fascinated and enthralled by their trip: the challenges […]

Bondi Brekkie: Five Restaurants with Killer Breakfasts

Bondi Beach is world renown for great surf and a vibrant social scene. It also has a wide range of excellent casual restaurants where you can get locally sourced, fresh, and delicious meals. So to help you narrow down the list of choices, here are what I consider the five best places to grab breakfast […]

How To Curse Like A Leprechaun

So, you want to learn how to curse like a leprechaun, do you? Well you’re in luck, ya jammy bastard. Because one of the first things you’ll notice in Ireland is that everyone swears. All the time. From little babies ask for their “fooking bottles” to old women shouting “I will in me hole!” when asked […]

Paul Theroux on Travel

Travel is an optimistic form of living because you assume if you’re traveling that good things are going to happen to you. No one thinks, “I’m going to go to a place and terrible things are going to happen.” Travel is sort of optimism in action and you think there’s something good down the road. […]

Semi-True Tales from My Life So Far: Hot-Pot, Stop-Cop, Me-Pee

I leave the land of underwater farts A couple of years ago I spent six days in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area of Costa Rica. And let me tell you, when people in Hell feel a chill, they go to Manuel Antonio/Quepos to warm up. It’s not just blazing hot there, it’s humid like you’ve never […]

49 Sq Miles Surrounded by Reality: Tourist Information for San Francisco

Check out these links that connect you to the latest tourist information for San Francisco, the West Coast’s most charming and beautiful city. Find out about local events, tours, flights, weather conditions, medical facilities, transportation options, and much more. If there is any additional information you think we should add, let us know via the […]

Carnivorous Dropbears in Every Tree! Tourist Information for Sydney

The following information about Sydney should prove useful as you explore Australia’s largest city and the areas surrounding it. If there is any additional information you think we should add, let us know via the COMMENT form at the bottom of the page. Weather Click for weather forecast Emergency Services Dial 000 if you are […]

John Muir on Traveling Alone

“Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.” John Muir, “Father of the National Parks” and co-founder of the Sierra Club

How To Avoid Passing Gas (Stations) In Ireland

First things first: you fuel up your car at petrol stations, not gas stations in Ireland. “Gas” in Ireland refers to natural gas, which you would use to heat your home. Other than that, petrol stations in Ireland are virtually identical to those you’ll find in the U.S. The main difference is that by American […]

Outstanding Apps For Die-Hard Travelers: ScottsCheapFlights.com

If you love to travel overseas from the U.S. or Canada, this ScottsCheapFlights.com review is something you’re going to want to read closely. Because using their website app you could save money, lots of it, each time you take a trip. The whole concept behind it is a no-brainer for people looking for international flights, […]

Solo Traveler Book Recommendation - Giant Steps

Travel Books That’ll Knock Your Socks Off: “Giant Steps”

My latest book recommendation for solo travelers is Giant Steps: The Remarkable Story of the Goliath Expedition From Punta Arenas to Russia. The back story is that in November 1998, Karl Bushby, a 29-year-old British ex-paratrooper, set out to walk from Punta Arenas in far southern Chile to his home in Hull, England. That’s a […]

Mark Twain on Speaking French in Paris

“In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.” ― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad

Semi-True Tales from My Life So Far: Borrachos, bulls, and big big booms

During the third week of March each year, the small town of Villareal, Costa Rica holds its annual Fiestas Patronales (Patron Saint Festival). Designed to celebrate and showcase the bravery and skills of the local cattlemen, it’s the biggest event in this little corner of Guanacaste Province. The Villareal rodeo is the highlight of the […]

Bouncy, Boring, and Brutal: Survival Tips for Long Bus Trips

You might be asking yourself, “Why would anyone need survival tips for long bus trips?” Aren’t long distance bus trips inherently exciting for the solo traveler? Getting all the way from Point A to Point B at a fraction of the cost of flying. Being at eye level with the landscape. Kicking back and soaking […]

Outstanding Apps For Die-Hard Travelers: Google Translate

When traveling in non-English speaking countries and Australia the Google Translate app is my lifeline. In fact, it’s probably the most valuable travel app I’ve got on my smartphone. And the great thing about this free translation tool is that it’s being continually updated by some of the best developers in the business. Which means […]

Jack Kerouac on Living Life Fully

Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain. ― Jack Kerouac

Semi-True Tales from My Life So Far: A Real Player in Madrid

So I recently spent the weekend in Madrid meeting up with an old friend from Japan. We had a great time hitting the regular haunts. Hemingway’s bar in Plaza Santa Ana, where we took turns throwing tapas at passing tourists. Museo del Prado, where I earned bonus points for staying awake while viewing all 500 […]

Author: bpnaughton