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Cash? Or Card?
Money when traveling overseas. Should you carry cash? Award winning tour company, The Women’s Travel Group says yes. A qualifier, carry only unmarked and un torn US bills. ( No coins. It is impossible to exchange coins overseas.) This cash is for incidentals, ie airport shops might accept a dollar for bottled water. Or you want to give a small tip to a porter? Or donate to a charity box? For most travels, $50 is the emergency cash you might need. …
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Travel budgeting 101
Tuscany 
Wines on a Women’s Travel Group trip The Women’s Travel Group is asked frequently: how much should I budget for my trip’s extra expenses. Our tours generally include it all, plus 2 hearty meals daily, porterage, and bottled water on the bus. Wine or whisky in Scotland tasting is included,Extras might be the following items:
Additional meals? Our group is casual so if looking for company for an extra meal, do not be nervous about your budget. For extra meals in Europe, budget Euros 35+ wine if that is your thing.…
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Never Pack List for Women
Over the years, our group has had items confiscated. Some are not allowed to be imported, some are illegal, and some were ‘taken’ by customs’ officials overseas. One confiscation was hilarious. It was a tampon removed and examined by a South American customs official.
Shopping in Ethiopia https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ Here are some items not to pack.
Anything expensive especially with designer labels.
Items with price tags; these are easier to fence. Remove the tag.
Pirated goods like fake designer bags, sunglasses, watches. …
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1st Solo Trip? 1st Gynecological Exam?
Every day we hear the same: This is my first solo trip. I’m not sure I can do it.
Some in this photo are first time travelers. Practical concerns are flights: what if delayed? (fewer are than you think) What if stuck in an airport? What if my transfer is missing in action? Finally, what if I get sick? Or what if I use a bathroom more than the other women?
Emotional concerns: Will the tour manager be helpful with my many questions?…
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First Solo Trip, Where to Go
What are the best places to go for a first solo trip? Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group.
My first solo trip was to Geneva, Switzerland. I was 15 going to a French speaking school near the Chateau de Chillon on Lake Geneva. In those days, Americans, especially teens, were exotic. With the 3 other Americans I met at the Institut, we acted fearless and, truth be told, naughty. (There is a doctor somewhere in Italy who, as a teen, gave me a first grown up kiss).…
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Cheapskates’ Wifi on Vacation
How to be cheap/smart/bargain hunter/whatever from The Women’s Travel Group. Paying for wifi overseas on top of paying a crazily expensive phone bill at home is a nasty burden. Before we start, any public wifi is insecure unless you purchase a VPN line. VPN lines are cheap but might not work on sites like Paypal or your financial sites: Bank, Stocks. Those sites usually need to identify your phone, computer or ipad.
Most hotels offer what they call free wifi; it is not really free as it is included in your room costs, or in junk fees added to that rate.…
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What are Junk Fees?
So what is this talk about junk fees? The Women’s Travel Group never adds them. Simplifying the definition: hotels are listed by price on line. The cheapest appear first. (Sponsored ads above them). We, normal people, are likely to click on the cheapest link if for the same hotel.
Once you click ‘yes ‘you want that property, you then choose your room type. All good so far. But to book that room you will see a list of extra fees in a shockingly expensive invoice.…
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Women: Paris is Now
Thinking of Paris before the Olympics? Act now.
Source: The Women’s Travel Group That is a smart thought. Before an Olympic, cities have to pass a tight audit well in advance of their dates. The audit covers their ability to host a major event: infrastructure, transportation, hotels, security, and such.
All images Sources: Paris Tourism and VisitParis The benefits of hosting the games are huge: employment and a gigantic boost in tourism. The city builds new arenas and cleans up older ones.Most…
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Loss, Bereavement Travel and Women
Please share these experiences from The Women’s Travel Group, with bereavement groups and friends.
Meeting new people in Dubai who have totally different lives Making travel plans can be fantasy or misery. We have been contacted many times by women in bereavement groups. Our first was in 2004. We were asked to meet and talk with a group of New York City Firefighter widows at Ft. Totten NY. Studies had been done which showed that 3 years after 9/11, an important priority was travel.…
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Women: don’t drink wine in your hotel room
A prior group to London and Countryside with The Women’s Travel Group Women who visit London with us in May: don’t drink wine in your hotel room. Our company is an expert in London. There are plenty of un-daunting places for a solo woman to end a travel day with a glass of wine. On our London/ Countryside trip, we’ll talk during dinner at my home on May 15, and recommend some historic pubs. In Britain, pubs are friendly and welcoming.…
