Singles getaways: Best places to travel solo

Looking for a little quality “me” time? “Travel + Leisure” magazine lists the top resorts, programs and hotels to vacation alone:  

Adventurous women
Founded in 1982 by Susan Eckert, a pioneer in adventure travel for women, Eckert is called the “grande dame of the women-only adventure travel business.” Based in Bozeman, Montana, it features one- to three-week trips all over the world for active women over 30.

Featured package: Women’s Downhill Ski Clinic in Montana
Dates: January 27 – February 2, 2008
Cost: $2,395 - $600 deposit; Single supplement $400

• World-class downhill skiing in incredible snow at beautiful Bridger Bowl in Bozeman, Montana.
• Area offers skiing for all abilities: 25% beginner; 35% intermediate, 30% advanced and 10% extreme
• Over 1,200 acres of skiing with over 2,000 vertical feet of drop
• Expert women instructors, small group lessons
• Includes cooked-to-order breakfasts daily

Pamper yourself for the holidays
Located in Mexico — just 3 miles from the U.S. border and 3 hours from L.A. (you will need a passport) — Rancho La Puerta has guests who come by themselves every week. Family owned and operated, the 2007 rates for a one-week visit range from $2,690 - $4,065 per person. The establishment also offers a new cooking school, La Cocina Que Canta, that's set in in the midst of a 5-acre organic farm called Tres Estrellas. Single travelers find the Ranch a good place to visit alone since it's easy to meet other guests in a safe environment.

Give back for the holidays
Since Katrina, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) has become the leading home builder in the city. And as of July 2007, NOAHH has built 73 houses (prior to Katrina, NOAHH built 12-14 homes per year) and an additional 195 are under construction in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes. NOAHH has gutted over 2,400 homes and more than 49,000 volunteers have come to New Orleans.

Habitat provides capital — not charity — to partner families. Through the NOAHH program, low-income families who normally wouldn’t be able to secure a bank loan are given a chance to own a home. In lieu of a traditional down payment, Habitat Partner Families contribute 350 hours of “sweat equity” to the building of their homes and the homes of others.

Visitors can stay at Camp Hope — located on the campus of PGT Beauregard Middle School in St. Bernard, Louisiana — 20 miles from the central business district of New Orleans. It accommodates 600+ volunteers with a place to sleep, recreation space, wireless Internet, laundry and three meals per day including a bag lunch for the work day.

Featured package: Camp Hope
Cost: $20/day or $100 week
Volunteers work Tuesday - Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Volunteers pay their own way to New Orleans and for their own food and accommodations.

Get fit for the holidays
With more than 28 years experience in the adventure travel business, Country Walkers has 75 worldwide tours, 61 classic walking tours, 7 women’s adventures, 5 family adventures and 2 snowshoe adventures. Their 2008 trip locations include North, South and Central America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific. Walkers average between 3-12 miles per day for trips that vary in length from 5-12 days. The average group size is 10-14 guests with 18 max.

Featured package: Morocco Holiday: From Fes to Marrakesh
12-day adventure from December 22, 2007 - January 2, 2008
Rate: $4,698
Easy to moderate terrain

Trip highlights:

• Festive New Year’s Eve celebration at a restored hunting lodge in the High Atlas.
• Imperial cities of Fes and Marrakesh — visits to Kasbahs and souks (bazaars)
• Sunrise and sunset camel treks
• Moorish and Islamic architecture
• Elegant hotels, rustic alpine lodges and a tented desert camp

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