Memoirs of a Solo Traveler - My Love Affair with Italy

I'm enjoying the book, although it reads a little too much like a diary to me. That is, it could be more polished. And while it's informative, I keep wishing the author had included some photos of the places she describes. A realistic view of travel in Italy, especially of the smaller towns, this book can be beneficial to anyone planning to go there.

As so many others before me have said, this is an absolute must read if you will be making a trip to Italy. Or, even if you're not, as you will feel like you are right at Margie's side making all of the discoveries right along with her. I purchased this book when I decided to make my first trip to Italy and it is quite dog-eared with page after page of highlighted sections and phrases. It will be making the trip with me.Her book is a wealth of information from food & where to eat and what, useful Italian phrases and words, small towns and what makes them so special, how to get to these towns using buses and trains, popular tourist destinations and hints on visiting them, as well as personal encounters with the people of Italy. It's a guide book, it's a narrative, it's a blog. It is everything all rolled into one fun and informative book.An absolute must read for everyone. Margie's love of Italy and it's people shines through on each page. If you had not planned on making a trip to Italy? You will after reading this book.

If you are fortunate enough to spend three months touring in Italy I hope you would include more details of the historic sights you saw, and just as importantly, the food you enjoyed in all those regions than the writer does in this book. It is written in a subjective manner, and I found the style did not flow well. However, it was interesting reading the writer's experiences in various parts of the country while using public transport. The writer made the very valid point that learning the Italian language beforehand enhanced her experience greatly as she could communicate with the local people wherever she went. The older generations of Italians do not speak English, although the younger folk have had contact with English at school and are keen to practice on tourists. Having said all that, I enjoyed the book as an armchair traveller who would love to have the opportunity of visiting Italy again.

Grace. Passion. Gratitude. Feelings. Reading along as Margie Miklas travels through the beautiful cities of Italy on her solo journey, I learned as much about Margie as a person as I did about the places she traveled. Ms. Miklas couples her words so eloquently to paint a beautiful image in the reader's mind---making me want to pack my bags and visit all of the places she wrote about. I LOVE that Margie writes about the 'ordinary' and not just the well-known, famous sites throughout Italy. She discovers life and meaning in the quiet spaces--the garden of her hotel, in the kindness of strangers,in the gifts of the craftspeople, and ultimately, in the heart of the land and its lovely people...everywhere she goes, finding joy in unexpected places and having the courage to travel solo doing so! A beautiful book written by a very beautiful soul. A must read if you plan to visit Italy or if you have been there before and wish to return through Margie's words. And especially, if you are considering traveling solo, you should definitely read this: A true gem of a book!

Margie Miklas certainly has a love affair with Italy, but I would go one step further to add that there is also a respect and understanding of the Italian people and culture as well. There is something beautifully charming about this simple journal chronicling Miklas' trip through Italy that leaves the reader smiling at the end of each chapter. The writing is straightforward, descriptive, and honest, and while Miklas clearly has knowledge of Italy, its culture, and language, she never leaves her reader behind during her journey. You taste the meals, you experience the relief of finding a laundromat, you are frustrated with transportation delays, and you feel success with a treasured purchase or chance connection with distant family. This is the perfect read before traveling to Italy or while settling down after a long day. Margie Miklas' kind, gracious voice invites everyone to join her in Italy, and at the end of the book, you are taken back to the U.S. feeling more worldly than the day you embarked on this trip with the Solo Traveler.

I'm not much of a world traveler...however, now I can say that I've been to Italy without leaving my home to do it.This lovely Memoir of a solo journey to Italy, depicts a three month extensive tour of not only well known cities likeVenice and Vatican City, but also the out of the way vistas and villas that are not so well known.The author has depicted the sights, sounds, smells, as well as the textures of this picturesque country.I applaud the courage it must have taken this author to pack up and travel abroad, alone, to a different country. Thatalone speaks volumes about the kindness and gracious nature of the Italian people she so adeptly describes.Ms. Miklas has taken me on a wonderful trip...my own personal tour guide, introducing me to the people, the food,the culture and the vast beauty of Italy. It was a wonderful trip.This book is a fantastic reference for anyone with plans to tour Italy.Ms. Miklas, you are a true Ambassador for Italy...Bravo!

This book is a great read - if you have already experienced going to Italy, it will reignite your best memories and if you are new to Italy, reading this book is a great way to start to understand the Italian way of life.It is not a dry tourist guide, nor is it a list of facts about tourist "must see" destinations - it is the author's story of travelling in Italy for three months on her own. The way she writes and shares her experiences, it's like being her travel companion as she visits locations from the Lakes in the north to Sicily in the south and from the major cities to the smallest of hill towns.She is able to show the reader the different textures and aspects of Italian life from region to region with sensitivity, perception and knowledge and brings a wonderfully positive attitude to the whole experience (even the task of dealing with some of the Italian State institutions are treated with tolerance!).Of course, the content of this book is about things Italian but as you read it I'm sure you will also come to know something about the author as well. She has taken the trouble to learn the Italian language and she mostly chooses not to just fly from place to place but takes her time, travelling by train or bus so that she can really be part of Italy while she is there (she also takes time to trace some of her family roots).I thoroughly recommend this book and I'm sure you will not be disappointed if you read it and if you do read it, it won't be long before you are reaching for your passport and Euros to arrange your own Italian travel adventure - you have been warned!!(As a PS, I read the Kindle edition of the book and I can confirm the layout, fonts and formatting etc are all first class - the edition has been expertly edited with none of the howlers you sometimes find in e-book editions.)

Loved it from the moment I picked it up. Loved how Margie described her journey through Italy on her own it really made me feel like I was travelling with her. She has a deep love of Italy that is passed on to the reader. Would recommend the book to family and friends

Very well written with great tips about travelling around Italy. It was an easy read and made you feel like heading straight there.

I felt that the style of writing was more suited to a diary than a book. The writing is simple and innocent and before I checked ( and saw WiFi mentioned) thought it had been written in the 30s or by a much older person....it is gentile and as I said 'simple', There is a lot of repeated stuff ...went for a walk had a gelato/meal etc. but all in all I quite enjoyed it as there was a reasonable amount of information about the area in which she stayed.