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Frequent Flier Tickets are an Addiction
Every now and then we get a call like this: I want to go on the xxx trip with The Women’s Travel Group. I am trying to get a frequent flier ticket for this trip and will let you know when I get it. Then time moves on and we get this follow up call: I was not able to get the ticket, how much is the flight now? Answer: The trip is now full, sorry.
Way back when the frequent flier program was started, it felt like we were being given a prize: free airplane tickets?…
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Airline Fees: Yikes
Shortly The Transportation Dept will be requiring airlines and travel agents to list all fees on your ticket. These fees include the usual like security, agriculture etc but now the list is growing longer and longer. Services like checked bags, preferred seating. extra luggage (mainly on discount airlines in Europe) and other fees are involved. Spirit Airlines even charges for carry on bags!
Approximately 18% of the entire ticket is today only fees….. Airlines of course say that this new listing requirement would be expensive.…
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Packing for Summer Rain
Summer brings easy packing with light clothes and no coats, but how do you protect yourself again getting wet? And worse than that, from staying wet! A few ideas from The Women’s Travel Group:
Obvious: bring the tiny umbrellas now on sale. The Container Store has a lot of travel items and a slimline umbrella.
Next pack a few cheap or hotel shower caps and wear under a scarf or baseball cap. Mantra: never leave athe free shower cap in the hotel bathroom, they have many uses.…
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Last Minute Summer Travel Specials
This Summer, why go where the crowds go, in the heat and humidity or Europe. Try this Hemisphere and fly south to Argentina and Peru, the two most visited countries in S. America. Avoiding crowds but still getting good weather has benefits beyond those you are aware of.
Flights are less crowded, seating easier and staff less harried. Going a bit off season means cheaper hotels and restaurants that do not need pre-booking. People in the destination have more time to talk with you in shops, and museums and in Argentina are more anxious to give you a deal with US Dollars.…
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Phyllis Stoller Honored: Top Influential Women in Group Travel
Phyllis Stoller, the founder of The Women’s Travel Group, was honored as one of the 14 most influential women in Group Travel by Group Travel Magazine. For those solo women travelers who do not know her, Phyllis founded The Women’s Travel Club and The Women’s Travel Group, both catering to women travelers and especially those solo on tours and cruises.
Phyllis’ site is www.thewomenstravelgroup.com and she will personally escort trips to Sicily and India this year. Yes, she will be coming solo!…
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Don't travel with The Times; Travel with Women who Read It
Why go on such overpriced trips as sold by prestigious newspapers, schools and museums? You might go to meet the speakers or be assured that you fellow travelers are informed. The NY Times Travel (probably operated by a generic tour operator) offers Tuscany at $5395 and Peru at $4395: hundreds of dollars more than The Women’s Travel Group does!
But if you look at the prices of these trips, here is what you get:
A possible one time encounter with the speaker. …
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Cash + Will: Don't be a Travel Virgin
Maybe India is not for you, but it was for these women who met a Holy Man while we drove to Agra with The Women’s Travel Group. Our next trip to India is almost full.There are many newish articles about boomer women traveling, a trend we see but you are probably afraid of. Look at a travel brochure and you will still see the handsome couple on the deck, hair blowing gently. Look at the reality of who is traveling and you will see us women: more windblown, more casual yet more friendly in appearance.…
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Travel Safety Warnings and What to do about Cancelling
Q: Are Travel Advisories and State Department Warnings Covered?
This information is from TravelInsured our travel insurance company. The question on their newsletter was: does travel insurance cover you if an area is under a State Dept warning or caution. Do note: we do not go to areas under State Dept warnings. Only once did we cancel a trip for 25 going to Egypt; they were all refunded promptly and well before we were paid.Answer from TravelInsured: No, these types of events are not covered under any travel insurance policy unless you purchase the Optional Cancel For Any Reason.…
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Festival Trips: What Never to Do!
This article was written for The Three Tomatoes site with interesting info and events for women in the NY and LA areas. Subscribe for great fun and good information.
If you choose to go on a tour that includes a festival, there are positives and negatives. Positives are you will see local people in their most colorful and joyous. In Pushkar in India, you witness weddings, dances, tribal clothes and jewelry, camel and other races. In Sicily in December, you will join a procession with lighted candles, brass bands and clergy to walk to the Basilica in Palermo.…
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Preparing for Italy Departure Minus 1 Day
Tomorrow some of our group leaves for Tuscany and our Villa/Cooking trip (the others are meeting a day later). Here is how I organize the day before a big trip:
Eat sensibly adding more salad and yogurt than normal (to balance out junk airplane chow and food impulses at the airport.)
Double check packing list against what was used today and what is actually packed.
Update/refresh all passwords and refile in my secret cave.
Check weather again for both New York tomorrow and for Pisa.…
