Place Witnessing May 20, 2024

Whenever I go on an art retreat, I love to add on a few days either before or after the group retreat--usually it is another place that I want to see but haven't yet. The group retreats for me have been life-changing--the community and friendship building, learning new painting techniques from a favorite artist, eating fabulous food, and seeing beautiful new places--but for an introvert who also values her alone time, solo traveling is a great way to relax and recharge my social batteries. Solo traveling, especially for women, is finally coming into its own and is finally being recognized as not only a valid way to travel but in some instances, is the preferred way. In fact, up until a few years ago, it never occurred to me that I could travel by myself, much less that I should. Thankfully, those days are over!

After my most recent art retreat in Puglia, Italy last summer, I took a few of these solo personal days to see beautiful Florence before I headed home. Having had several days of watercolor workshops, I was warmed-up and ready to capture some great photos of "the Cradle of the Renaissance."

I was first drawn to Florence for the romance of the city--the architecture, the food, the beauty, the art--essentially the birthplace of modern art, literature, and science. Meandering down the winding cobblestone streets of the historical town center, gazing at the weathered stucco tenements of honey-colored history, watching other tourists do the same, I found myself surprised by the coziness of it--the narrow, bustling streets, the chatter of people sitting outside drinking coffee and wine--it had a relaxed rhythm. I also surprised myself with how I began to slowly stroll instead of walk with a destination-minded pace. I did see many hotspots including the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the shops on the Ponte Vecchio, but I enjoyed slowly meandering down side streets just as much.

One of the amazing benefits of solo travel is being able to freely stop, sit, and people watch without having to explain it or ask permission. This time in Florence was so peaceful--to pause at a beautiful scene, get out my sketchbook, and block in shapes and colors--to try and capture light. Some trips lend themselves more easily to tour schedules and chatting with your travel buddy while quickly taking snapshots with your phone--but solo trips allow for guilt-free time to really soak in the details of a place--to listen to the locals chatter and the tourists discuss menus and where to go next, to feel the warm, timeworn limestone under your fingertips, to feel the hot sun on the back of your neck, and to smell the wafting food of a nearby cafe. Even though I am still a tourist, solo traveling allows me to quietly observe and experience a place that is almost impossible to do any other way. This mindful immersion, this place-witnessing is one of the things I love most about solo travel, and I think others are starting to get it too.