I have been scripting the Travel Tattler for two years and, yet, no amount of social networking, internet research, or pinterest browsing could have prepared me for one straight month of solo travel throughout Europe. Before embarking on said trip (which is part of three months in Europe altogether), no one told me to make sure I had a good map (that is, one where every street is named); that tip seems too obvious if not altogether moot in our world of technology. No one told me that, no matter how many Lifebonus deals or cheap hostels I had found, I would end up overpaying, and probably more than once.

Turin Harvest Festival

  There are lots of things that go unadvised as far as this travel game is concerned. Like, for instance, the convenience of eating t lots of little meals (that way you get lots of tastes of a place, as well as breaks!) or the beauty of delving into each destination's unique cafe culture, or that, if you want to survive (or socialize) in most of Europe, you must love beer. These are the tips --the kind that are pertinent to real people who do real travel-- that I want to highlight in this newsletter. More selfishly, these are all of the things that I want to remember for future travel, that I don't want to elude me as soon as my plane touches down in the U.S.. 

The opening of Parliament in Stockholm

I want to remember to carefully balance time spent with others and time spent alone, as too much of either quickly becomes draining. I want to remember that, no matter how exhausting or daunting it seems, the hike to the highest point of a city is always worth the view. I want to remember the extreme kindness of the people I've met here; an Italian family who took me into their home just because, Londoners who shared with me their picnic lunch (and then invited me to stay on their farm), a French cabdriver who gave me an inspirational talk (yep, I tipped).  

Marseille from above

 Most of all, I want to remember, and I want to share, that, even though it's tiring, expensive, and downright complicated at times, this travel might just be the best thing I have done in my life. May our Tattlers reek of that passion. Here's wishing you safe, joyful, passionate travels for the rest of 2012. 

Hike from Sénanque Abbey in Gordes

Let's Travel! is a radio show and website that gives visitors and listeners the insider's take on travel. Come explore the world of travel and culture with us at www.letstravelradio.com.  

The Tattler, radio show and website are produced by Susi Raphael and Michael Zufolo.