Solo Trip: Portland, OR or Amalfi Coast
Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:34 PM
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Solo Trip: Portland, OR or Amalfi Coast
Greetings from NYC!
I was hoping someone could help point me in the right direction to do some soul searching. I'm 30 and newly single. There are clear differences in the destinations, but was hoping to get some feedback or other suggestions. The goal of this trip is to meditate and essentially focus on me. I've always had a good feeling about Portland, but generally like to travel outside of the country. Reading various threads, many have suggested going to the Amalfi Coast. Slightly weary as a single woman traveling solo to foreign countries where there may be a language barrier.
Ideally, I'd like to schedule something the end of September or sometime in October. The two hotels I've contemplated are Hotel Lucia in Portland and the Grand Hotel Terme di Augusto. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
I was hoping someone could help point me in the right direction to do some soul searching. I'm 30 and newly single. There are clear differences in the destinations, but was hoping to get some feedback or other suggestions. The goal of this trip is to meditate and essentially focus on me. I've always had a good feeling about Portland, but generally like to travel outside of the country. Reading various threads, many have suggested going to the Amalfi Coast. Slightly weary as a single woman traveling solo to foreign countries where there may be a language barrier.
Ideally, I'd like to schedule something the end of September or sometime in October. The two hotels I've contemplated are Hotel Lucia in Portland and the Grand Hotel Terme di Augusto. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Aug 23rd, 2007, 12:56 PM
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If you think you might be wanting to move to Portland in the near future, then I would choose there. Then again, I would choose my favorite place - Piran, Slovenia and do some relaxing along the water or exploring in the country-side of Slovenia and the Istrai area of Croatia.
Aug 23rd, 2007, 01:28 PM
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Hi, Ina78 -
I haven't been to Portland, though I hear it is lovely. I found it easy to visit the Amalfi Coast as a solo traveler who speaks only a few words of Italian, so I'm not sure you need to worry about a language barrier. I thoroughly enjoyed my time along the Amalfi Coast, but I'm not sure I would choose it for soul-searching. Speaking for myself, I found it enchanting, and my attention while there was happily directed outwards, not inwards. I personally would have hated to be there for the purpose of soul-searching if accomplishing that goal interfered with my ability to see and experience such a lovely part of the world. If you want to get away to clear your mind before soul-searching, that might make more sense. All that said, I suspect that soul-searching is a very personal experience that people approach in different ways.
Hope that helps, and best wishes!
I haven't been to Portland, though I hear it is lovely. I found it easy to visit the Amalfi Coast as a solo traveler who speaks only a few words of Italian, so I'm not sure you need to worry about a language barrier. I thoroughly enjoyed my time along the Amalfi Coast, but I'm not sure I would choose it for soul-searching. Speaking for myself, I found it enchanting, and my attention while there was happily directed outwards, not inwards. I personally would have hated to be there for the purpose of soul-searching if accomplishing that goal interfered with my ability to see and experience such a lovely part of the world. If you want to get away to clear your mind before soul-searching, that might make more sense. All that said, I suspect that soul-searching is a very personal experience that people approach in different ways.
Hope that helps, and best wishes!
Aug 23rd, 2007, 03:16 PM
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Ina...wife and I love Portland...and of course, the AC. But for your purposes I would say, stay in the US...I would further suggest that Portland for a week would be fine, but then plan a second week or more at Salishan Lodge on the Oregon Coast...it is a lovely resort, beach walks abound. It has quiet, genteel surroundings. Look it up. Not much "traffic" in October...should make it all the more pleasant for you.
Save your overseas money for when you're really up to it..and meditation is not your major goal.
Stu T.
http://www.salishan.com/
Save your overseas money for when you're really up to it..and meditation is not your major goal.
Stu T.
http://www.salishan.com/
Aug 23rd, 2007, 03:36 PM
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Hi from a fellow NYer, Ina.
In Eat, Pray, Love, the author chose Italy only for the first 1/3 of her journey, to eat and have pleasure oriented experiences (not necessarily romantic at all) and the soul searching part was in India at an ashram.
I've been to the AC several times solo, and yes, you can find some mements and hidden corners to be contemplative, but mostly it will put distance (in a nice way from daily NY reality. It can be blindingly beautiful, but there are alot of tourists...including American tourists. Sometimes space and distraction can be a release!
I agree that Portland would be a good choice to explore if you were thinking about a future possibility of moving there though.
Guess you can tell I'm a Libra- I see good possibilities in both choices!
In Eat, Pray, Love, the author chose Italy only for the first 1/3 of her journey, to eat and have pleasure oriented experiences (not necessarily romantic at all) and the soul searching part was in India at an ashram.
I've been to the AC several times solo, and yes, you can find some mements and hidden corners to be contemplative, but mostly it will put distance (in a nice way from daily NY reality. It can be blindingly beautiful, but there are alot of tourists...including American tourists. Sometimes space and distraction can be a release!
I agree that Portland would be a good choice to explore if you were thinking about a future possibility of moving there though.
Guess you can tell I'm a Libra- I see good possibilities in both choices!
Aug 23rd, 2007, 04:48 PM
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Well, I live in Portland, so my vote would be for AC. I have not been to AC yet, so obviously can't give any specifics or anything.
Portland is best in August and early September. By October, you most likely would be getting into our rainy season. It doesn't bother me at all, but I know a lot of people that it does. Just my opinion, but I would not spend airfare to come across the country and go to our coast in October. Salishan as mentioned is nice, but it is across the highway, so not right on the water. IF you want to do the coastal thing, there are some great places all along our coast that are right on the water and are relaxing, etc.
If you decide on Portland, and want any info, just ask
Portland is best in August and early September. By October, you most likely would be getting into our rainy season. It doesn't bother me at all, but I know a lot of people that it does. Just my opinion, but I would not spend airfare to come across the country and go to our coast in October. Salishan as mentioned is nice, but it is across the highway, so not right on the water. IF you want to do the coastal thing, there are some great places all along our coast that are right on the water and are relaxing, etc.
If you decide on Portland, and want any info, just ask
Aug 23rd, 2007, 05:23 PM
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I live in Seattle and I would pick Italy in a heartbeat. Haven't been to AC yet, but will someday. I just think you would do well with "an escape" and AC fits that more than Portland. And the suggestion for Eat, Pray, Love fits as well.
Take care and let us know what you decide and how it is.
Take care and let us know what you decide and how it is.
Aug 23rd, 2007, 05:38 PM
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If ever given a choice of where to go, within the US or Europe (and beyond)...I have never found enough reasons to stay in the US.
Portland is a lovely city, we really really liked living there, but it just will not stand up to being compared with the Amalfi Coast.
The end of September can be very nice or wet.
The Lucia is a charming hotel..good location..great restaurant downstairs ( Typhoon)..
Go to the Amalfi Coast..
Scarlett, in Buenos Aires, formerly from Portland <i>( well, last place was Portland, lol..)</i>
Portland is a lovely city, we really really liked living there, but it just will not stand up to being compared with the Amalfi Coast.
The end of September can be very nice or wet.
The Lucia is a charming hotel..good location..great restaurant downstairs ( Typhoon)..
Go to the Amalfi Coast..
Scarlett, in Buenos Aires, formerly from Portland <i>( well, last place was Portland, lol..)</i>
Aug 23rd, 2007, 05:55 PM
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I live in Portland. It's a nice city...but still just a city. Fly into Portland, but pick someplace else to stay. Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood area, the Oregon Coast... some of the most beautiful places in the world. On the coast, I highly recommend Yachats. It's listed in this month's "Budget Travel" magazine as one of the 10 best small towns in the U.S. There are nice B&B's and small motel/hotels throughout the state that will give you that serene, pampering ambiance you are seeking. In the Gorge/Mt Hood area I have enjoyed this place:
www.mthoodhamlet.com
Several nice lodging options in Yachats, including:
www.shamrocklodgettes.com
www.adoberesort.com
It sounds as if you are a bit Europe-weary, so give Oregon a try. Your dollar will go farther...no state sales tax or exchange rate to worry about.
(I think there's a hotel tax, though).
www.mthoodhamlet.com
Several nice lodging options in Yachats, including:
www.shamrocklodgettes.com
www.adoberesort.com
It sounds as if you are a bit Europe-weary, so give Oregon a try. Your dollar will go farther...no state sales tax or exchange rate to worry about.
(I think there's a hotel tax, though).
Aug 24th, 2007, 03:50 AM
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Hi I,
You can sit at home and search your soul for the rest of your life.
Go to the Amalfi Coast and let your soul stretch itself.
We were there first week of Oct, 2003. Lovely experience.
You might want to consider www.lesirene.it in Praiano.
You can sit at home and search your soul for the rest of your life.
Go to the Amalfi Coast and let your soul stretch itself.
We were there first week of Oct, 2003. Lovely experience.
You might want to consider www.lesirene.it in Praiano.
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