Boldly Go Solo

I’m in the middle of booking a four-day weekend in Victoria, British Columbia. Now I remember why I like traveling with tour operators. What a hassle it is to make my own arrangements!

I’m going to Seattle for my day job and decided it was a great excuse to do something else in the Northwest or beyond. Especially since the conference I’m attending ends on a Friday and the company has paid for my airfare.

And so the arrangements began. First I went for the flight. Checked out the cheapest airlines with the best times. USAirways won.

Then I went to the Clipper Vacations ferry site, which serves Vancouver Island, but didn’t want to book right away. Not until I figured out where the pier was, in relation to the airport, for when I return. So instead, I clicked around for airport and city maps. 

Then a hotel. Looked all around the ferry site’s package offerings but couldn’t get something I wanted in my price range. Asked the tourist board for a list of reasonably priced hotels. Went on Web sites or called. Some were booked one night or the other. Some were too expensive. Finally settled on the Dalton Hotel & Suites. We’ll see how that goes.

And on and on it went. Got the hotel. Then I needed the "urban foraging" tour. Okay, I didn’t NEED it, but it sounded good. Then the seaweed tour. More on that in another post.

Then I investigated whether or not to go to Butchart Gardens. (How is that pronounced, anyway?) Haven’t decided yes or no on the gardens.

How much time have I spent doing all this? Hours. At
least. And I haven’t researched the restaurants yet. Although that can
wait until I get there.

With couples, one person often enjoys
doing the planning more than the other. If not, they might at least
split the duties. Not so the single vacationer.

That’s why, back in my Club Med days, I loved the idea of making one phone call and being done. Now THAT’S relaxing.

The
same with bike tours and ranches and many of the other things I like to
do. Someone else does the dirty work. Obviously, there are compromises
when doing this. Some loss of freedom and choice. Perhaps a more
expensive trip. Perhaps not. 

I’m pleased about my plans for Victoria, so I’m not
complaining. (Or am I?). But I’m not done yet. Now it’s a question of
what to do with my last day. Kayak? Or ride a horse? Or something else?
I guess I’ll go back onto the Web sites and look around.

Just as soon as I have a little more time to spare.

Photos: Wikimedia Commons
By Ellen Perlman: Ice cream in store in Victoria