Life is meant to be lived, so don’t wait to enjoy yourself to the fullest just because you don’t have a significant other. I’ve explored countless countries on my own, and the truth is, when you travel solo, you are never alone. Why not travel to places that are fun, filled with interesting people and have possibilities for a good time? Just remember to keep your eyes open in case your soul mate bumps into you some- where along the way.
Here are a few suggestions. Best case scenario is you meet the love of your life; if not, you see the world, have a fun adventure, make some new friends and have entertaining stories to share on that next date!
PHOENIX, ARIZONA:
Arizona has a myriad of places to hang out. If you are looking for a sophisticated crowd, treat yourself like a celebrity, enjoy a meal and check out the bars in the places described below.
When the Royal Palms opened in 1948, it catered to celebrities such as Groucho Marx and Helena Rubenstein. Today it is still the resort of choice for the rich and powerful because of its privacy and beauty. Nestled against Camelback Mountain, the resort boasts elegant rooms tucked between lush gardens and citrus groves. It is home to T. Cooks Restaurant where the atmosphere is inviting and relaxed. The lounge always has a festive atmosphere filled with live entertainment and smiling patrons.
Another fantastic place is LON’s at the Hermosa Inn. It is a taste of the Wild West, albeit an elegant one. Executive chef Jeremy Pacheco selects fresh herbs and vegetables from the one- acre organic hotel garden for his mouthwatering creations such as Himalayan salt-seared ahi tuna. The Last Drop patio happy hour offers a different deal daily. Add culture to your night and walk around the grounds and view the $2 million art installment from Figarelli Fine Art.
If mingling with a high-energy crowd while watching the desert display a spectacular sunset sounds appealing, dine at Elements on Camelback Mountain. Chef Beau MacMillan’s creations are a fusion of farm-fresh American cuisine with an Asian flair. Indulge in dishes such as miso-glazed Scottish salmon. Be sure to check out the bar area and the fire pits. Elements draws an eclectic crowd ranging from locals to people on business trips.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA:
Las Vegas is always entertaining, and while you might question it as a place to meet a potential mate, let’s focus on the positive. People go to Las Vegas to have a good time; everyone is happy – at least when they arrive and still have cash in their wallets. International visitors flock to Las Vegas, so the possibilities of people you can meet are literally all over the map. On a recent trip, I chatted with an Orthodox Jewish man from B’nei Brak, Jerusalem, whom I sat next to at the roulette table (no joke). Then I enjoyed myself hanging out with some Harvard graduates.
Go to TAO at The Venetian for a scrumptious dinner and stick around and investigate the 10,000-square-foot TAO Nightclub. It is the place to see and be seen, attracting world- class DJs and celebrities such as Madonna, Jay Z, Usher, Drake, Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Jamie Foxx and Bono. It’s a racy place, filled with unusual sites such as models immersed in rose petal baths.
Another venue to visit is Marquee at The Cosmopolitan. It’s an uber friendly nightclub – from the staff to the customers. You can mix and mingle with thousands of people partying the night away. The club has something for everyone, from a relaxed atmosphere in the outside balcony to a pumping dance floor where the energy is so amped up, it is like being at a rocking New Year’s Eve Party.
PARIS, FRANCE:
You might ask, “Why would I go to such a romantic place as a single person?” The answer is simple: Paris is a spectacular city and worth a visit. Don’t wait to see places you want to go because you are not with the love of your life. Life is filled with surprises; I have a friend who met her husband while out clubbing while on vacation in Paris. They now live in a castle outside Rome. One of the best ways to experience Paris is to check out the happening areas around town. Venture to cafés in the Marais, the Jewish area, where the nightlife is always happening and the kosher restaurants are among the finest in the world.
One of the more sophisticated places to meet people is in the Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere, located on the Champs Elysees. While most people know the café, which is still the place to see and be seen, many miss the interior outside garden and Le Lucien bar, located on the first floor of the hotel. The crowd is over-the-top elegant, interesting and, when the weather is wonderful, it is an ideal location to enjoy the perfection of Paris.
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL:
Tel Aviv was voted one of the “Top 10 City Beaches in the World” in a recent survey appearing on Yahoo Travel and Smartertravel. com. From the surf to the sand to the boardwalk filled with hipsters, the beach offers more than just a tan. Relax and be mesmer- ized as the sun sets over the Mediterranean, painting the sky a vivid pink, orange and gold.
Explore HaTachana, Tel Aviv’s old railway station revamped into an uber-hip destination filled with cafés, restaurants and quirky shops. Indulge in appetizers and drinks at Vicky Cristina, a tapas and wine bar. Vicky is the tapas restaurant, and Cristina is the bar where you can try more than 100 wines. Rotating exhibits and street performances are offered weekly. Be sure to walk over to nearby Neve Tzedek, a lively and trendy neighborhood filled with renovated pastel houses and designer boutiques.
Tel Aviv has plenty of hip places to explore. For starters have a coffee at 57 Shenkin Street at the legendary Café Tamar. It’s the place to mingle with writers, poets and sometimes politi- cians. Stop by at nearby Nachalat Benjamin Street on a Tuesday or Friday as it comes alive with an arts and crafts fair, where you can find handmade creative pieces ranging from jewelry to home décor. It is adjacent to Shuk Ha’Carmel, a lively market filled with shopkeepers yelling out about their wares. Stroll through and marvel at the colorful fruits, aromatic vegetables, endless trays of candy and fragrant spices.
Check out TouristIsrael.com for fun Israel independent travel and for great places to see and meet other adventurous people. Wandering around town or the world is sure to be an adventure, and while you are out living the dream, you just might find someone to join you on your next journey!
Happy traveling!
Masada siegel lives in scottsdale. her new book, Window Dressings, is available at masadasiegelauthor.com.
