Jewelry can make an outfit, no doubt about it, and what’s not to like about diamonds, gold, and other precious gems and metals?! If you want to bring your jewelry when you’re traveling, however, you’re going to need give some thought to how you’re going to keep your items safe. My first recommendation is simple: leave the good stuff at home. Whether it’s expensive gold and stones, or heirloom pieces, there are too many risks of it going missing: losing it, having it stolen from a hotel room, or becoming a target for muggers by flaunting a little too much bling. Plus, when traveling in parts of the world where the cost of those diamond earrings would feed a family for five years, I think it shows an incredible lack of sensitivity and consideration to flash your jewels. Don’t get me […]
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These Are a Few of My Favorite (Travel Gear) Things
Travel means contending with increasing air fares and sourcing the best flight times and pricing, facing the unpleasant reality of ever increasing add-on fees of airlines and hotels, contending with airport security, and juggling the demands of a lifestyle on the road and loved ones at home. What makes it all easier? Loving what we do, of course, but also the convenience and enjoyment of the travel gear that we pack along with us. Here are a few of my favorite items of travel gear, both high tech and low tech. These are the things that I never leave home without! Eee netbook from Asus – I bought my Netbook last year wanting something lightweight while traveling in Europe for a few weeks. I relied on a lot of the research that Austin over at Travellious had done, and have […]
Read MoreEar Problems: Side Effects of Life in the Sky
As I sit in my hotel room on Maui, watching the sun come up on this island paradise, I think about how fortunate I am to have the type of job that allows me to leave the rain (and occasional snow) of Seattle. I get to wear shorts, read by the pool, and sit on my deck with a morning coffee. I can look out my balcony at some lovely grounds (I don’t have an ocean view), and hear the waves in the distance. Later this morning I might go for a walk and then have my favorite macadamia french toast for breakfast. Life seems pretty darn good! But what I rarely talk about are the side effects to flying. From frequent time zone changes, inconsistent sleep patterns, injuries from pushing carts and lifting bags, poor eating habits, and exposure […]
Read MoreHelp for Travelers with Ear Problems
Today I have an important guest post that will be of importance to anyone who suffers from ear discomfort while flying. I’m a sufferer, as a result of allergy and sinus-related issues, so have to take a lot of precautions when I travel. And that includes not flying when my ears get too bad! —- As a former hospital nurse and now as a nurse consultant in the travel industry, I have found patient/traveler education vital to success when dealing with health issues. Understanding the function of the body greatly increases compliance and personal satisfaction in preventing or treating ailments. I have found this especially true when reaching out to those who suffer with ear problems associated with flying, scuba diving, allergies, or colds. Most people are aware that ears can be an issue when flying – and many think […]
Read More5 Less Visited European Destinations That are Worth the Trip
Today I have a guest post that going to push us onto a different path, the less traveled one, as we visit another side of Europe. —- Many of us, who have traveled Europe extensively, know the continent’s greatest and most popular resorts and have grown tired of the tourist traps and overcrowded summer seasons. With so many well established resorts available, it’s easy to overlook some of Europe’s most charming destinations that are just a bit off the beaten path. These are destinations that can offer the same level of services, better views and a guarantee that you will still have the best holiday ever, with a wide range of prices to suit every budget. All the great stuff, but without the melting pot of tourism. So open your hearts and minds and dare to explore Europe all over […]
Read MoreTravel Tip: 10 Places to Find Someone Who Speaks English
International travel can be uncomfortable for people because of a belief that a language barrier will keep them from getting around and having a good time. It’s one of the travel fears cited for traveling in non-English speaking countries. Unlike most of the rest of the world, average Americans only speak English. We may have taken a couple years of foreign language study while in school, but that’s often not enough for travel fluency. I find myself in that same situation. While at one time I was fluent in Spanish, my non-use of the language now has me muttering and groping for the right word or phrase in a conversation. I’ve found that some effort on my part, part English and part language of the country I’m traveling in, along with some pointing and gesturing, usually does the trick. Since […]
Read MoreNew York City Airport Transportation
If a visit to New York City is in your plans, you’ll enjoy today’s guest post outlining your options from getting into the city from the area’s three major airports. One method not mentioned, and I think worth exploring, in the train/subway connection. Do your homework and you’ll save time and money. —- Whether flying for business or leisure, planning transportation can often bet the most challenging part of a trip. Not only that, but if there is something that travelers typically forget to plan for, transportation and parking is often that one thing. Thus, many travelers have to settle for the most convenient transportation and parking options, which aren’t always the most economical. This couldn’t more so be the case than in NYC, which has multiple airports, including the big three, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark. As one of the […]
Read More10 Tips for Stress Free Checked Bags
Checked bags haven’t gone away, they’ve just become more expensive. Depending on your airline, your frequent flier status with the airline, what class of service you’ve booked, and how much you’ve paid for your ticket, the price for checking your bag can range from nothing on up to $50 per bag. And that’s not taking into consideration over-sized over over-weight bags that require special handling. Despite the fees, if I’ve packed for longer than a simple getaway weekend, I check my bags. I hear the collective gasp go out among frequent travelers now! But I have very good reasons for preferring to check my bags, and the primary one is that I have to tote and lift everything when I’m working, and I simply don’t want to do it the rest of the time. I love the freedom of carrying […]
Read More10 Vacation Planning Tips for Exotic Destinations
Exotic travel destinations don’t have to be merely a dream vacation. With in depth research, and lots of planning, a visit to a Gorilla forest camp can be just as simple as a trip to the islands. The devil is in the details, as they say, so pay attention to the details that can make the trip a simple one. Here are some things to consider: Where do you want to go? Exotic destinations can be found on any continent, it merely depends on your definition of exotic. Start with a long list of everywhere that interests you, and maybe a few briefs notes about why you’d like to go there, and narrow it down from there. What time of year do you want to travel? Pay attention to rainy and dry seasons to make sure that your interests coincide […]
Read MoreUse the Convention & Visitors Bureau for Travel Planning
The difference between good and great is often in the little details, and with travel that means the research that starts before you ever leave home. Whether it’s for a general overview, specific planning, or maybe just for some inspirational travel ideas, a little travel research can help make your trip great. When your planning a vacation or business trip, where do you go for your travel research? This blog, I hope! But where else do you start looking for the information you’ll need to make decisions about things to do and see? One often overlooked FREE source of travel information is the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Often related to tourism bureaus, boards, and commissions, CVB’s are a good resource for information on larger cities. Larger is a matter of interpretation these days, as more and more small cities have […]
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