Solo Travel to Newport

As a travel writer I've visited hundreds of cities around the world and always have a tale to tell from my adventures. I seek out the odd and extraordinary in each destination and live to tell you about it. But, every now and again the past creeps up and finds me on my journeys. Case in point: Newport, Rhode Island.

Really? Newport? Yes, actually, Newport is a top summer destination for many New Englanders and boat lovers from around the country. I was sent on a mission to check out some new hotels and restaurants in the area and found some gems (keep reading), but the first thing that popped into my head when I heard I was going to Newport wasn't visions of beaches and yachts, but the breakup of a summer fling from a summer long ago.

It wasn't a bad breakup, or a bad summer for that matter, but as women we inherently worry about the inevitable - running into the ex at the worst possible moment. What if we bump into each other while I'm out jogging? What if I see him at the same hotel having drinks with a beautiful woman and I'm in my pjs? What if we bump into each other over a few pina coladas after being caught in the rain? My point: the chances of these 'chance encounters' happening are about as possible as being whisked away by a millionaire on one of the yachts that docks at Newport's harbor every summer. We spend more time worrying about what might happen if we see the ex and less time focusing on what we should do when we're exploring the new sides of a city. With that, let's revisit Newport, Rhode Island - here are a few must-dos while you're here:

Walk the Downtown District: Newport's tiny little town center is filled with boutique retail shops, mom-and-pop coffee and bake stores and historical landmarks like old fire houses and fishing vessels.

Tour the Lighthouse: Off Goat's Island (an accessible island peeking out from Newport) is one of New England's quintessential lighthouses.  Take a walk and visit the lighthouse on a clear sunny day and you'll witness magnificent views of Newport and the surrounding islands of Rhode Island.

One Bellevue Fine Dining & Seafood Restaurant: Spend one evening at the decadent restaurant in the Hotel Viking. From seafood to steaks, there's something for everyone on the menu. The best part? After dinner head into the bar for some live entertainment, karaoke-style.

Ice cream soothes the soul: When you need to succumb to your feelings, or just want to beat the summer heat, head to Newport Creamery for some of Rhode Island's best scoops.

Of course, there's the beaches, the boats and the evening cocktails on the deck to contend to, but I'm confident you'll find those on your own.

So ladies, let this be a lesson to you: if you're traveling alone: forget about the breakups, summer flings or memories of boyfriends of past that haunt you. Embrace your destination - familiar or new - with a renewed sense of excitement and set out to add a new set of memories to your travel diary.