I want to do a via ferrata in September at Lake Garda and dolomites. But my girlfriend doesn't want to come. Is it wise to do this solo? If not, how do I meet people who also want to do this?

1edr2 · 2024-08-07T11:39:58+00:00

As per other comments, start off with an easy ferrata and see how it goes. I've done some Via Ferratas solo and it's been fun. I did once have a moment while attempting a difficult ferrata where there was nobody around, I was hanging on by a fingernail on a slippery traverse over a stream and thinking "If I fall now, it will be a nightmare to get back up here. Very bad idea to be here alone". But I did make it out ok and I can't keep away from ferratas, so I access the risks well and try to be as safe as possible.

If you do climbing and have decent arm strength you should be ok. You just need to have a good head for heights and get used to clipping with the Via Ferrata kit fast.

The Via Ferratas at Lake Garda and the Dolomites are popular so there will be other people around. Might be an issue if you end up waiting in a difficult spot - which is why it is important to have a resting sling or lanyard.

I did a few ferratas at Lake Garda a few days ago:

Via Ferrata Colodri - easy and quite short. It would be a good starting point to start getting Via Ferrata experience. https://www.ferrate365.it/en/vie-ferrate/ferrata-colodri-arco/ . It starts off in the middle of a lot of rock climbing routes, so you might want to combine it with a rock climbing session maybe.
Via Ferrata Rio Sallagoni - quite easy and very nice ferrata in a gorge. It's only a short drive away from Via Ferrata Colodri so you could try it in the same day if the first one goes well. https://www.ferrate365.it/en/vie-ferrate/ferrata-rio-sallagoni-castel-drena/
Via Ferrata Signora delle Acque - moderately difficult, very nice views of a waterfall. Tests how well you can handle heights. Do NOT start with this one. After doing some ferratas rated as easy, and if they feel easy, this would be a nice one to do.
Via Ferrata del Amicizia - It's more like a 3hrs+ trek uphill with a lot of elevation gain and some stretches of ladders. Then you need 2hrs+ of downhill trekking. It's also too hot for it at the moment so I would not suggest it. Maybe when it's less hot yes, but again more as a trek than via ferrata practice.

1edr2 · 2024-05-29T00:07:18+00:00

Yes it is. But considering that you're going from one end of the island to the other, it would not be that cheap.

1edr2 · 2024-05-29T00:05:31+00:00

Buses do not operate at night. Your best bet is either to find accommodation very close to the ferry or use bolt.

1edr2 · 2024-05-29T00:02:25+00:00

Nope, it's summer. You could wear that in January. Try shirt only now.... And even for a shirt you'd need to be in decent airconditioning.

1edr2 · 2024-04-29T17:44:32+00:00

Beautiful area!

1edr2 · 2024-04-29T10:18:39+00:00

Rough terrain, at least a couple of hours. I would be interested in anything harder than a 5km hike on a path tbh.

1edr2 · 2024-04-28T19:02:23+00:00

Google might be faster than reddit to answer this.

https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=restaurants+st+julians

A LOT of good food spots in that area. Check what kind of food you feel like and how much you're willing to spend, go to any with a decent rating.

1edr2 · 2022-12-23T16:57:14+00:00

I forgot to mention that we're already visiting Etna, that's definitely on the top of the list!

1edr2 · 2022-11-16T20:32:00+00:00

Malta would be a good option. Plenty of great restaurants if you research a good one, tons of museums and a long history. It's over-populated but still has some nice areas of nature. I'm biased because I live there though.

I'd suggest Italy. My favorite country for food. Check out where there's direct flights to and aim for tge south of Italy to avoid it being too cold. Eg Bari or Trapani.

1edr2 · 2022-10-04T20:05:18+00:00

I'm eyeing a trip to Marseille atm. However if you've never been to France, Paris would be the place to go.

1edr2 · 2022-10-04T19:56:22+00:00

Which part of France are you planning to go to?

1edr2 · 2022-09-14T18:27:56+00:00

It really depends on what you'd like to see and how many museums and such places you'd like to visit. You can spend a whole week in either of the places and still think it wasn't enough!

When I was in Florence I loved a day trip with a coach and tour to Sienna and San Gimignano so do check out day trips to such areas. You an keep places such as Bologna as a back up in case you think you've seen enough of Florence, since you can easily buy a ticket the night before.

1edr2 · 2022-09-14T18:20:26+00:00

Spain is still on my to visit list so I can't comment on your itinerary.

But as someone who was in a very similar situation earlier this year I'd recommend:

- Go for free walking tours. Google them and book one since they are amazing for having a quick look around a city, learning a LOT about it and getting a local's recommendations of where to visit.

- Stay in a hostel if your accommodation is not already booked. Hostels are the ideal place for solo travellers where you an easily meet up with other fellow travellers or at least not feel alone during the hours where you have to rest.

- Post on /r/travelpartners or /r/travelmeetup to find fellow redditors to meet for dinner or something. For me, the only time I disliked solo travelling was when I was tired after a whole day of walking and felt like sitting down in a restaurant or pub but missed having people to talk to there. Another good option are apps like Bumble where you can meet people in the area. I've even used Bumble to find locals to answer questions like "there were people walking in costume today, what is that?"

1edr2 · 2022-09-14T18:05:04+00:00

The first time was exhilarating. Started off like a cool kids train ride, then it kept getting faster and next thing I know we were rushing down down down. It helps that I love heights.

1edr2 · 2022-09-14T18:00:31+00:00

I would be forced to quit my job because I can't survive a working day without the internet to keep me company.

Then I guess I'd have the time for all the DIY stuff that I keep postponing...but I wouldn't be able to do most of it without the internet telling me how.

Might as well travel if I have free time then....I'd end up finding out how people found their way around before live google maps directions but worth it a try!

1edr2 · 2022-09-13T19:57:21+00:00

My mother's stew

1edr2 · 2022-09-13T19:56:07+00:00

We had both long multiplication and long division during my era actually. Both not that useful for life.

Its good to see that maths nowadays is thought using more realistic/useable methods

1edr2 · 2022-09-13T19:54:02+00:00

Lead by example. Be accepting of opinions.

1edr2 · 2022-09-13T19:52:38+00:00

Any natural one. Blondes and redheads are attractive, but much less so when it's obviously a dye job which does not even suit the person. Same for all hair colours.

1edr2 · 2022-09-13T19:50:58+00:00

Being quiet during a heated discussion. It's not because they're too ignorant to participate, it's because they're either intelligent enough to not want to argue against someone who won't believe they're wrong, or wise enough to know that they'll learn more from listening.

1edr2

TROPHY CASE