Friends for Solo Travel - Guidelines for CSTN Advisers, Hosts & Guests
Advisers
| Hosts
| Lodging Exchange
| Guests
Meet at CSTN Friends in Travel.
Wouldn't
traveling be even more wonderful if you knew that no matter where you go
there would be people you could
contact who empathize with your needs and desires as a fellow solo traveler?
By
participating in advice, hospitality and lodging exchanges, members of
Connecting:
Solo Travel Network (CSTN) help one another enjoy solo traveling and,
just as importantly, they perpetuate the spirit of hospitality and spread
goodwill among travelers.
Guidelines for CSTN Advisers
Sometimes
all we need to get up and go on vacation alone is an encouraging word from
someone who has been there and knows the ropes. CSTN Advisers simply
share information with any interested member. Communication is normally
over the telephone or by mail. Advisers are not expected to meet personally
with visitors, although there is no rule against personal meetings if both
parties are agreeable.
-
Destination
Advisers share their particular travel expertise, the when, where and
how-to tips so useful for travel planning. The advice could be destination
specific, or it could relate to a single-friendly, special interest holiday
activity, such as bird watching, arts, crafts, spa, ranch, or virtually
any type of vacation one might enjoy on one's own.
- Hometown Adviser. In strange cities, it would be nice to speak with a local
who knows about single-friendly places to eat or to stay, or what's happening
around town. Hometown Advisers help a visitor with personal recommendations.
Step 1: Be a member of Connecting: Solo Travel Network
Step 2: Join our discussion group: CSTN Friends in Travel, powered by Google.
Step 3: Compose and post a 40 to 50 word descriptive message detailing the information you have to share.
Sample Adviser Ads:
>>
Destination Adviser: I would be happy to provide going-solo advice and share experiences on
active, budget travel to the following countries: France, Spain, Italy,
Thailand, India, Indonesia.
>>Hometown Adviser: If you are passing through Anytown USA. I can tell you about local restaurants, clubs, and attractions where you'll feel comfortable going on your own, what parts of town to avoid, and sightseeing excursions you can easily do by public transport.
Guidelines for CSTN Hosts
-
As hospitality
never discriminates as to age, gender, race, religion, or social background,
such specifics should not be a consideration for volunteering as
a Host.
-
Normally
visits take place in a public environment during an afternoon or evening
and by prior arrangement.
-
It is
not
necessary
to offer lodging. Do so only if you feel secure about it and can comply
with the non-discriminatory policy stated above. If you do offer lodging,
one or two nights is sufficient. A Host need not feel responsible for entertaining
or feeding a CSTN Guest. A Host takes the lead in setting
visit guidelines so as both parties may avoid misunderstanding or embarrassment.
-
A CSTN Host seeks no remuneration from a guest, beyond the sharing of expenses.
When preparing to be a Host:
-
Consider the circumstances and conditions under which you feel comfortable meeting
with a stranger.
-
Think
about convenient times and places to meet.
-
Likely,
you'll want to attract people who enjoy the pastimes you enjoy. So think
about the things you like to do in your spare time, and state your interests
in your ad.
-
Sports:
Like to fish, ski, hike, play tennis, bowl? Whatever, invite a solo traveler
to share your pastime for an afternoon. Like to workout? Lift weights?
Invite a solo traveler to join you. Hockey? Baseball? Take a visitor to
a game; You treat or go Dutch, it doesn't matter.
-
Arts:
Ballet, opera, theater, plays. Take a visitor with you. Dutch or treat.
-
Sights:
On foot or by bus, car, bike. Share your town, and the expenses, with a
traveler.
-
Conversation:
What's your passion? Philosophy? Art? Antiques? Cars? Genealogy? The possibilities
are endless. All you need to do is invite a traveler to join you for coffee
or a beer at your neighborhood café, or wherever else you feel comfortable.
Procedures for CSTN Hosts
Step 1: Be a member of Connecting: Solo Travel Network
Step 2: Join our discussion group: CSTN Friends in Travel, powered by Google.
Step 3: Compose and post a 40 to 50 word descriptive
ad detailing the type of activities you would like to share with a visitor.
Sample Host Ad
>>Do you like classical
or jazz music, or baseball, hockey, hiking, nightclubs? If so and you are
visiting Anytown, give me some advance notice; I'll buy tickets and you
can treat to coffee and dessert afterwards.
Guidelines for Lodging Exchanges
Members
may advertise a desire to participate in Lodging Exchanges with fellow
members.
Any mutually agreeable arrangements are acceptable:
- Home,
apartment, vacation property, (even vehicle) swap. Owners trade places
for a specified period of time.
- Bed and
breakfast exchange. Owners agree to host one another in their respective
hometowns.
Procedures for Lodging Exchanges
Step 1: Be a member of Connecting: Solo Travel Network
Step 2: Join our discussion group: CSTN Friends in Travel, powered by Google.
Step 3: Compose and post a 40 to 50 word descriptive
ad detailing the lodging arrangements you have in mind.
Sample Lodging Exchange
Ad:
>>Vancouver woman
has one-bedroom apartment to exchange for similar situation, centrally
located, quiet, leafy, district, near public transport, restaurants, and
all city attractions. Interested in one week visits: Montreal, Toronto,
Boston, New York, Miami, San Francisco. Flexible for travel May through
September.
Guidelines for CSTN Guests – Accepting Hospitality
All bona fide members of Connecting: Solo Travel Network may use the CSTN Friends in Travel discussion forum.
-
A CSTN Guest understands that hospitality is offered only on the basis of a short,
casual visit without any obligation or intent of future meetings.
-
A CSTN Guest understands that reciprocation is the basis of hospitality. Money
should not trade hands. Depending on circumstances, a gift, a share of
expenses, or a treat outing are appropriate reciprocation.
-
A CSTN Guest who accepts lodging hospitality strives not to disrupt household
routine and gladly lends a hand with tidying and kitchen chores.
-
A CSTN Guest initiates contact with a prospective Host as far in
advance as possible, understands that a Host may have prior engagements,
and lets the Host take the lead in suggesting terms of a meeting.
-
CSTN Guests never outstay their welcome.
Top
Go to CSTN Friends in Travel
