Some years ago I spent three months solo backpacking through England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Ireland. I traveled by Eurail and sometimes by bus. I took boat trips in Venice, Norway and Ireland, and a ride on the funicular in Interlaken, Switzerland. I visited pubs, castles, cemeteries, museums and churches, and often took local city and river tours.

Because of my limited budget I couldn’t afford to travel for three months and stay at European hotels, so I made arrangements to stay at American and International Youth Hostels in every city I visited.  More often than not I’d find a traveling companion or two going to the same destination.

At the Auberge du Jeunesse youth hostel in Lyon, France I met Sandra, a wonderful young gal who lived in Verona, Italy. She invited me to stay in her flat when I got to Italy. She introduced me to her friends and they showed me all the hidden tourist sites in Verona, including the famous balcony featured in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Sandra and my new friend Paolo drove to a small pizza restaurant which had the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. We also snuck into a Cab Calloway concert in a coliseum. Sandra and I also spent some time in Venice. Venice is glorious! This was one lovely example of my three-month journey, to include all my experiences I would have to write a book!

The last two weeks of my trip was spent in Ireland. I visited Dublin, kissed the Blarney Stone, toured the Gap of Dunloe,  Muckross House and Gardens, Limerick, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and so much more. At the Limerick hostel I met Greg, who was 6’ 7”, (I’m 4’8-1/2”) we spent a day together visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. We had a funny experience while walking down the street in Limerick … an elderly gentleman was sitting in front of a restaurant that Greg and I passed, he looked up at Greg and then down at me, and asked, “are you married,” I replied, “Yes!” And he shook his head in astonishment. Greg and I went into hysterics!

Travel broadened my outlook on life, taught me how to get along with people of other cultures, and gave me a sense of accomplishment and peace. It wasn’t travel alone that became my passion, it was travel combined with volunteering or ‘making a difference’ that became my passion.

From this experience came the idea for Voluntology.com.