This story is fiction but all the places and facts are real.  Michelle will take you traveling through the eyes of a single woman, and along the way she meets new and exciting people, discovers incredible things and visits amazing places.  Follow Michelle’s life of adventure, love and sharing.  Along the way you will grow to better appreciate this wonderful world we live in and hopefully be inspired to do some traveling yourself.  Enjoy!!

Buy a copy of People, Places and Things by Michelle Pompier today!

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Take a yoga retreat vacation and revive, rejuvenate and re-emmerse yourself into reality at one of these yoga-focused getaways:

Caribbean: At Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos, the amenities seem almost endless on the remote, 1,000-acre island of white sand. Enjoy holistic wellness including massage and Ayurvedic therapies. Along with yoga, Parrot Cay offers Pilates, a gym, tennis, and a variety of water sports.

Thailand: Tucked away along the quiet shores of Changlang Beach on the Andaman coast of Thailand, not far from the rock climbing capital of Krabi, Anantara Si Kao offers more than just a relaxing Thai holiday. It is a starting point for travelers looking to rejuvenate and reenergize their souls through yoga, pranayama, outdoor activities, and water sports. Encircled by part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park and the brilliant turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, the resort’s 138 sea-view rooms and suites are adorned in exotic Thai-inspired furniture and designs, with large open bathrooms, bathtubs built for two, and private terraces or balconies. The Anantara Spa “floats” above a tranquil pond and offers six treatment rooms, a couple’s treatment menu, and Jacuzzis. Integrated into the resort’s spa menu is the Wellness 360˚ Program, which offers personal wellness retreats, yoga classes, and naturopathic and Ayurvedic consultations to promote healthy, balanced lifestyles. The resort’s resident Naturopathic doctor and Ayurvedic specialist work together with the Executive Chef to offer recommendations for healthy eating to encourage normal functions of the body’s systems. An integral part of the resort’s Wellness 360 Program is yoga, and many classes in different yogic disciplines are on offer, including Hatha, Pranayama, Kriya, and Ashtanga.

Jamaica: Jake’s hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for a yoga retreat. The rooftop of the Driftwood Spa is Jakes signature yoga space. The venue has two different levels: the lower level is perfect for practicing under the moonlight and stars, while the upper level offers a palm leaf roof. Yoga classes are held on the weekends during the hotel’s high season. Personalized yoga retreat packages can be arranged for a group and include ground transfers to and from the airport, accommodations, meals, and – if they’ve been requested – spa treatments, and excursions. Jakes provides freshly grown organic market fruits and vegetables for their unprocessed, chemical-free meals. Tempting menu items include fresh fish and locally made ice cream. While at Jakes, guests can get a variety of treatments at the Driftwood Spa. This full-service spa merges holistic techniques and philosophies from around the globe into a potent blend of treatments to provide a transformative wellness experience. Nightly rates at the hotel start at $95.

Cruises: Crystal Cruises celebrated National Yoga Month with a September Mind, Body, Spirit sailing and plans to help yogis rid themselves of those winter blues with a December sailing, the Sun & Spirit, down the Baja Coast of Mexico. Crystal will offer Wellness retreats in January, March and May of 2011 and in March, Crystal heads south to enjoy the Treasures of Mexico before traveling to Alaska for the Northern Lights in May. While the scenery will vary, all trips will host yoga and tai chi instructors as well as a variety wellness classes.

Now that you have your travel options for the year, where will you go to retreat with your “Ohm…”?

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Gilbert’s personal crisis—finding herself in a life that didn’t fit with a husband she had grown beyond— rings true as a universal experience. I can identify with having to deal with a broken heart, the disappointment of a failed marriage and the need to search for one’s true self. I understand the temptation to follow the blueprint of Gilbert’s journey, hoping to be healed along the way. It promises an easy fix for people experiencing spiritual, emotional and personal crises, but many travelers are finding disillusion rather than illumination.

The key to self-fulfillment is planning and embarking on your own journey. Each of us has her own path to enlightenment. I’ve found a better way to rediscover purpose and joy: volunteer vacations that provide the opportunity to coordinate personal goals, needs and passions with seeing new places, connecting with people and giving back. There are a lot of volunteer travel programs and helping others automatically improves how I feel and provides a better perspective on my own life.

As a volunteer vacationer I can decide where I want to contribute my time and talent and whether I want to work with people, communities, wildlife, or the environment. I can choose to learn new skills, participate in the traditions and rituals of my host community and make new friends who share my interests.

That’s another great advantage to volunteer travel—you don’t need someone else who shares your vision. Most trips are group offerings and singles can join like-minded people. Volunteering can be a great way to try something new, fulfill a dream, or experiment living in a different place and most volunteer vacations are tax deductible or fee free, particularly in the United States, where the only cost is transportation to and from a destination.

My lifelong dream had been to drive solo from my home in Connecticut to Denali National Park, Alaska and volunteer as a park ranger. My goal was to fill a needed position at the park and interact with visitors from around the world. I applied online with the national park service and made my plans.

I was not selected as a park ranger; however, a local hotel wanted me to entertain guests with vignettes on women of the Gold Rush and the history of conservation, and as a nature trail guide. I fulfilled my dream of making the challenging and rewarding trip and found my true purpose and joy in meeting people from around the world. I interacted with locals and volunteered my time cleaning trails and reading to children at the library: I became part of the community.

I wish I could spend all my time traveling; it would be nice to pick up and fly to Bali, but there are unusual and little-known volunteer opportunities nearby as well as across the globe that are more easily attainable. I’d love to care for elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but it’s also possible to volunteer at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The first time I saw pink dolphins swimming in the wild, I became committed to biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon; however, I’m also dedicated to protecting natural habitats in the Everglades, Florida.

I believe that the true way to find ourselves is by putting our selves aside and making all of our travels meaningful and memorable. It’s not where you go or what you do; its being there that makes the difference. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no person can sincerely try to help another without helping herself. ”

Sheryl Kayne is a writer, adventurer, performer, educator, and public speaker. She is the author of Volunteer Vacations Across America and Immersion Travel USA: The Best and Most Meaningful Volunteering, Living, and Learning Excursions (Countryman Press, a division of W. W. Norton and Company). Sheryl would love to hear from you at ImmersionTravel@aol.com.

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As you’d expect from the title, Lee is a traveler herself and she used her solo travels, not only to write a book, but also to figure out a lot of particulars about hitting the road on her own. She was at that very well known mid-30s spot with a job and responsibilities and decided to challenge herself and pack it all in, but not actually in her suitcase, and venture out to 20 countries on her own (not all on one trip).

She’s visited Japan, Taiwan, Egypt, The Emirates, USA, Southeast Asia and Western Europe. The only continent she hasn’t hit is South America.

“I live Australia,” says Lee, “but I’ve yet to visit the Northern Territory or other countries closer to home like New Zealand and Fiji. My current goal is to hit 50 countries before I die, which is pretty achievable.”

It was interesting to read that when she left for her trip, she thought she was unhappy living in Sydney; however, she soon discovered that she missed living there very much. Although Lee continues traveling the world, Sydney is her home-base to return to.

The book is full of tips: how to save money on airline tickets and accommodations, along with guidelines for evaluating and using hostels. As she quickly found out, hostels tend to be frequented by a very young crowd. Lee preferred to couch surf, connecting with people everywhere she went, and making lifelong friends. If a couch wasn’t available, she’d stay in a budget-priced hotel.

Pretty much every detail of traveling on your own is talked about from taking care of your health, the issues of eating alone, how to deal with attention you don’t want, and planning what to do next. The most important service Lee provides is the inspiration and support to take the step to get up and go. Most people hesitate, particularly in the current economy, to give up a day job and a secure way of life for extensive traveling. I actually see two groups of female travelers – those who are willing to jump into long term travel, or people more like me, who often travel alone; however, the trips are planned around work and family obligations.

I’ve taken a week off by myself, sometimes a summer, and in one case, I took six months off. I’m proud of myself that I found a way to go to where I choose and to meet personal goals and dreams, but it’s not necessarily for unlimited amounts of time. Yet I still have the opportunity to learn a great deal about myself on my own, to learn to depend upon my own sense of judgment, and to do exactly what I want when I want.

The Art of Solo Travel is very user friendly with titles that will grab your attention:

• Why travel alone? Quit your life (and get a new one).
• Preparing to go: Backpack or suitcase? Travel more, spend less, along with a detailed financial planner on how to travel for a full year for under $15,000.

“It began as a personal challenge to prove to myself that I could travel as long as I did alone,” says Lee. “From the very beginning I fell in love with it, I had a great time doing anything I wanted and going anywhere I wanted. I could stay as long as I liked, or leave immediately when I got bored. I also made more friends than I ever had.

The Art of Solo Travel is sold as a digital PDF download and you will be emailed a download link as soon as you purchase. An interesting sidebar to the E-book is that signing up to the publisher’s email list includes free upgrades to the material for life.

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Sheryl Kayne has two new travel books out in the stores and available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble: VOLUNTEER VACATIONS ACROSS AMERICA and IMMERSION TRAVEL USA. Drop her a note to Sheryl@immersiontraveler.com if you’d like autographed stickers for your books!

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That’s right, ladies, late-night dining-at-its-finest takes place in all sorts of Los Angeles eateries, and we’ve got some hot spots for you to try on your next trip to LA. Don’t miss a few of our favorites next time you’re alone in the City of Angels:

NAPA VALLEY GRILLE: Wine country found a home in Westwood. Step into the warm dining room, ask for a seat near the exhibition kitchen, and escape into the evening. Chef Joseph Gillard and his team use organic vegetables and fruits, make their pasta in house daily, and hand-select all the meats and seafood/fish for the menu every day. Our suggestion: alert your waiter to any allergies and then tell him to bring you whatever the chef suggests. Quite simply, you’ll think you’ve fallen into food heaven. Whether or not you’ve saved room for dessert is irrelevant, because you’re going to have some anyway. Pastry Chef Manuel Ortega creates desserts that combine his experience in painting and architectural design with the science of baking and the art of plating desserts. Unless you’re craving something specific, order the Laura Chenel Goat Cheese Tart. Dressed with orange blossom honey, the tart will satisfy every want and desire you crave from a good dessert. One bite and you’re not sure what to take home: the dessert itself, or Ortega for creating it.

Napa Valley Grille (http://www.napavalleygrille.com/)
1100 Glendon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90024
310.824.3322; Hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm; Fri-Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm; Sunday 5:00 pm–9:00 pm; Happy Hour (Bar & Patio) Mon–Sat 3:00pm – 7:00pm, 9:00pm – 12:00am

PINK’S: It’s one of the most famous late-night eateries in Los Angeles, which is obvious by the lines of people waiting for a snack at all hours of the night. Your best bet? Get in line early and keep a power bar in your bag in case you get hungry. PINK’S is famous for its chili cheese dogs so if you’re going to go, you might as well go all the way.  We love it because it’s always lively. The people in line are excited to be here, the staff is super friendly and thanks to the combinations of hot dogs they put together, you won’t lack a conversation starter if you get bored while waiting.

Pink’s (http://www.pinkshollywood.com/)
709 N La Brea Ave Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 931-4223; Hours: Sun-Thu 9:30am-2am, Fri-Sat 9:30am-3am

MEL’S DRIVE-IN: This Hollywood staple is a must-see for any single woman on a milkshake mission. The diner’s 50s-style decor is fun, flirty and full of history. Check out the walls for some of your favorite photos of celebrities and TV shows. The original Mel’s is in San Francisco and served as a backdrop to  a little movie you might remember called “American Graffiti.” Today, Mel’s still creates great burgers and the best milkshakes this side of Rodeo. Depending on how late you stick around,  you might even spot your favorite celeb.

Mel’s Drive-In (http://www.melsdrive-in.com/)
1660 N Highland Ave Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-3111; Hours: 24 hours a day/7 days a week

TASTY GARDEN: This late-night Chinese restaurant is more than spare ribs and egg rolls. It’s known for its clay pot and French-style filet mignon and is one of the few authentic Hong Kong style cafes in the area. The menu features a variety of Hong Kong specialties as well as traditional Cantonese dishes. But, the Tasty Garden Restaurant is most famous for its Hot Pot Rice – a sticky rice combined with meat or vegetables that is cooked in a digitalized oven to save time and avoid over cooking. This oven can automatically adjust the time and the intensity of cooking based on the nature of the food.  This stuff sticks to the bones!

Tasty Garden (http://www.tastygarden.us/)
288 West Valley Blvd. #110, Alhambra
(626) 300-8262; Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m/weekends until 3 a.m.

TENGU: Hands down the best sushi in Westwood, Tengu is the perfect place for ladies to dine alone. The bar area is small and intimate, allowing you the option to work, read or watch TV on the LCD screen; the sushi bar is packed with foodies and staffed with not only the best sushi chefs around, but the most friendliest. Grab a seat at the counter and let them work their magic for you. Caveat: This isn’t necessarily a late-night destination the way all-night diners rave, but it is a great spot for solo travelers to kill some time before going back to the hotel.

Tengu (http://www.tengu.com)
10853 Lindbrook Drive, Westwood California 90024
Dinner: Sun-Thurs, 5:30-10:30 & Fri-Sat, 5:30-11:00

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I drove into Newport just as the sun was the setting over the picturesque Pell Bridge. In an effort to capture the moment, gunned on the gas, flew over the bridge, pulled into the horseshoe drive at the Hyatt Newport Regency and threw my keys at the valet. I grabbed my Nikon and hightailed it to the back of the hotel, where I was able to capture the colors just before they faded to black. Satisfied with my accomplishment as a novice photographer, I made my way to the front desk and checked into my room for the night.

I walked into room 3314 in the Captain’s Quarter of the hotel room and took a deep breath. The room was perfect – a big enough space to move around and a private balcony so I could enjoy the crisp evening and the amazing view. I popped open a bottle of wine, made my way to the balcony and took in the fresh ocean air. A night of peace and quiet can soothe the single woman’s soul, and this starry night in Newport was exactly what this tired traveler’s soul needed.

Sunset in Newport, RI

One of the first luxuries that a travel writer lets go of is a good night’s sleep. Oddly, in a city where memories flood from romances past, I had an amazing night’s sleep. Tip: Take advantage of the blackout shades in the room. I compromised my view for a solid 8 hours of sleep and it was well worth it. I woke up ready to take on Newport.

In town are boutiques, cafes, restaurants and shops waiting to be explored. Go shopping for yourself and find something quintessential New England to take home. During the summer months, the Newport beaches are packed full of sun-soaked bodies worshiping the sun, and there’s always a sand volleyball game to watch or take part in.

When you’re traveling alone, eating alone can be a little daunting but take matters into your own hands and make the dinner worth your while. Engage in conversation with your waiter and go for the element of surprise.

I walked into One Bellevue at the Hotel Viking and let my waiter, Andrew, know I was open to surprises. When dining alone, request the chef’s favorites and indulge in appetizers, entrees and desserts. One Bellevue Executive Chef Kevin Thiele was the perfect person for the job.

Lamb entree, One Bellevue

My meal started with tuna sashimi appetizer salad, dressed with mangos, cilantro, wonton noodles and sesame drizzle. The combination of sweet and salty made this dish perfect. Next came the homemade ratatouille with fresh vegetables and baked mozzarella. Chef Kevin followed up with an appetizer-portion of the mushroom tortellini in a blue cheese sauce. For the main course, lamb with macadamia nut coating. For dessert, an array of bite-sized sweets. It’s easy to forget you’re dining alone when the meals are this delectable.

I walked back into the hotel after dinner and made my way through the lobby, past the two weddings taking place and toward the grand ballroom, where the hotel was hosting the Army Ball. I stood in the foyer and watched the men in uniform march around the dinner service, shaking hands with other soldiers and kissing wives and girlfriends. A symbol of patriotism sat as the centerpiece for all the tables: A gold boot with a signed tag on the shoelace, detailed where the boot owner served.

I wore these in Operations Dessert Shield, Dessert Storm, with 315 CAV, 3D Armored division, Dec '90-June '91" - Lt Chris Forbes

This night in Newport I forgot all about the many previous nights, took in the ambiance of the evening and promised myself a good night’s sleep. Before you nix a destination from your list due to a jaded memory, remember this: the secret to forgetting the past is to make a new future.

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. With cheap airline tickets and hotels discounting their rates on a daily basis, it’s possible you can enjoy a luxurious vacation on a budget. But in this economy, how do you continue to stash money and also enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures, like travel? For answers to this question I turned to my good friend Catey Hill, author of “Shoo, Jimmy Choo! A Modern Girls Guide to Spending Less and Saving More,” and money editor for The New York Daily News.

Catey, your book, Shoo, Jimmy Choo!, is aimed at helping women spend their money wisely and ridding themselves of the excess ‘luxuries’ we often hide in our closets. How did you come to writing this – what was your inspiration? Were you a self-indulgent spender?

Maybe I’d watched one too many episodes of “Sex & the City,” but when I moved to New York City, I lived it up. I got an apartment in swanky Chelsea, stocked my closet to the brim, went to the newest restaurants – but had no savings to speak of (other than the $20 emergency bill I stashed in the lining of my purse in case a date turned psycho and I had to hop a cab on the fly), mounting credit card debt and no retirement fund. So, yes, I was SUCH an indulgent spender, and I had the buttery blonde highlights, Jimmy Choos and weekly manicures to prove it!

Then I landed a job as the Financial Marketing Manger for Forbes, and it scared me. At first, we’d be in a meeting and I’d hear terms like “Roth IRA,” nod and pretend that of course I knew what they were talking about. Then I’d race to my computer to look it all up.  Slowly but surely, I started learning more and more about money management, realizing that unless I got my finances in order, I’d never get out of debt, save for retirement (Hello! No more boss ever!), or buy a home.

The Norwegian Epic features studio staterooms designed and priced for single occupancy, starting from $799 on the ship’s seven-day cruises that feature various Caribbean itineraries. These single studio staterooms will be available on all of Norwegian Epic’s sailings and go on sale Monday, January 18, 2010.

The single rooms are located on two decks and take up approximately 100 square feet of living space each, complete with a full-sized bed and full bathroom. In addition, guests in the single suites will have private keycard access to their rooms and private access to the exclusive “Studio Lounge,” where singles can grab a cup of coffee or a cocktail with other single cruisers. Our favorite part? Many of the single staterooms are connecting, allowing friends to travel together without encroaching on each other’s personal space.

“Historically, the cruise industry has not embraced the large number of people who enjoy traveling solo,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We are breaking the mold of traditional cruising once again by offering a stateroom designed and priced specifically for solo travelers, making cruising a more attractive travel option. We invite all solo travelers – whether they are first-time cruisers or cruising veterans — to sail on our incredible new Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic.”

For those of you who have cruised before, get ready for a good time at sea. Norwegian hosts a variety of entertainment including performances from Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Dinner (theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination) and various live music activities including the ever-popular Howl at the Moon, the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show.

The ship also boasts a water park complete with plunge pools and seven decks of ‘outdoor’ activities including rock climbing and bowling. Hit the high seas, ladies!

How would I fall asleep at night without the soothing sounds of “The Golden Girls” reruns or my favorite episode of “CSI: Miami”? I suppose I could bust into the bottle of rum the hotel hands out to all guests when they arrive, but that’s not the healthiest option. There’s a book in my bag which I can’t get into, but I suppose under this kind of distress I can make it work. Or, I can embrace the quiet nights at the Bitter End.

My first day started with a site tour with General Manager Mary Jo Ryan. We hopped in the golf cart and cruised around the resort grounds, passing by the three restaurants, sports bars, resort boutiques and movie theater. There are hiking trails throughout and a small spa on the grounds, but the true gem of the Bitter End is in the water.

View from room 23N

The Bitter End’s ideal location on North Sound is the largest non-commercial deep water harbor in the Caribbean. Boaters can dock overnight for a free or stay for an extended period of time, making use of the resort’s facilities while spending the night on their boat. Kids go full force into the water with kayaks, sailboats, snorkeling gear and take part in the daily water activities the Bitter End’s staff plans.

This single gal took another approach.

I quickly changed into my swimsuit and sundress, grabbed my flip-flops and SPF and hopped into the bakery for a fresh baked baquette and hunk of cheese. I took my untanned body to the beach and copped-a-squat on cushioned lounge chairs. In the distance, kite surfers took flight and boaters took off for the horizon. I took a break from the beach and hit one of the resort’s boutique to check out the loot, then treated myself to a massage in the spa’s private rooms at the top of the hill.

As the sun set, I made my way to the bar to join friends for cocktails and snacks. The bar’s movie theater-sized screen TV was projecting the football games back home, which kept everyone in a festive mood. Darkness fell and drinks continued well into the night. Kids with buckets of popcorn sat happily in the movie theater watching the Disney flick of choice while parents dined in the outdoor restaurant on the beach, next door to the theater. If there’s one thing to note about the Bitter End Yacht Club it’s this: no matter your age, there’s a good time to be had.

Thanks to the mini-flashlights the resort hands out when you check in, I trekked my way back toward my room on the North Side of the resort. I stopped to stare at the vast sky of stars and watched as the moon slowly turned its way around the Earth. I tucked myself in that night with the windows open so I could see the stars and welcome the breeze of the ocean air into my third-floor suite. With no TV and no Internet, I slept soundly on the Bitter End and woke up ready to tackle the new day.

For more info: Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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While December is usually the most chaotic month of the year, for me it’s the one month I’m not traveling, not living out of a suitcase, not running through airports and I’m not cramming myself into a last-minute standby seat on the last flight home for the day.

What’s this have to do with Chanukkah? Well, my mother might say it’s a sign that I should take some time off, relax, get some sleep and maybe get a haircut/color. While that might be true, it’s also given me the opportunity to really think: what does this single gal want for Chanukkah?

We have the 12 days of Christmas (and the 12 days of cocktails), so now, it’s time for the 8 days of Channukah – the ultimate wish list for single women travelers wanting something a little special this holiday season (operative word: ‘wish’):

1. Hermes leather notebook: Nothing says style like Hermes and at $270, this leather journal says “you’re so special” in so many ways. This journal is a great travel companion (and I guarantee the men who make the pages of this book will also be something special).

2. A pony: Isn’t it what every girl wishes for? When you can’t fly, train, boat or drive… ride.

3. First-class flights to Singapore: Why Singapore? Because Singapore Airlines is the only airline that flies from the U.S. to Singapore direct with full-sized beds in first-class. It’s the ultimate way to fly, and I’m quite certain you can find plenty to do once you’re there. Price: It’s a lot, but we’re worth it.

4. Cupcake Cars: There’s something to be said for the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. For starters, I don’t think you have to celebrate Christmas in order to put any of these items on your list. What better way to soothe a single woman’s soul than with giant cupcakes? Price: Call the Santa hotline at Neiman’s and negotiate the price with one of the elves.

5. Space flight: You can’t find the right man on Earth, so why not head to the moon? Thanks to Virgin Galactic, seats on the upcoming first commercial space flight are going for around $200,000.

6. George Clooney (it’s a wish list, folks): The eternal bachelor is getting some Oscar buzz thanks to his new travel movie, Up in the Air. Price: I don’t know how much he’d be auctioned off for, but you start the bidding at around $20 and grab your single gal pal a movie ticket and a bag of buttered popcorn.

7. Youth. We can’t turn back the hands of time, but we’re told La Mer can.  Grab the La Mer Luxury Essentials skincare line – a trio of La Mer products sure to make you glow a little more. Price: $630

8. Marquis Jet Card: What better way for a woman to see the world than on her own private jet?  The Marquis Jet Card is the only program that provides access to NetJets, the world’s leader in luxury jets.

Bonus gift: It’s a priceless item, it comes in all shapes and sizes, and this year for Chanukkah I simply wish you all love. While the wish list items above might be a little luxurious (and let’s face it, they are a little unrealistic, but we dare to dream), love costs nothing. In the words of John Lennon, “All you need is love…”

Happy holidays!