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Changing Money Overseas
The Euro is at a low (that is since it was created). But when you as a tourist try to change money it is not 1.15 but 1.40! What are the best ways to change money if you go to France with us end March?
The more you change the better the rate as a service charge amortizes better. Most of us do not carry enough cash to make a difference this way.
Change Bureaux in town are generally better than banks or airport venues.…
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Tours: A Pace or Race
Will you feel rushed or will you feel bored on your next trip? How often can you stay behind for a day off? What happens if you cannot do all of the walking? When you join a group tour, you are also agreeing to a pace which might not be of your choosing.
Here are a few ways to figure out if the trip is too fast or too leisurely for you. First of all ask the operator: we at The Women’s Travel Group want you to know all details up front and we encourage questions.…
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Global Entry: Jump the Queue
Resting for a minute in a Roman theater in Taormina, Sicily.
There were huge crowds at a local airport which propelled me finally to get Global Entry, the $100 a year queue jump security system for airports here. If you think you might be traveling this year and have that spare $100, go for it. Global Entry allows you to stroll up to a computer terminal, apply your information ( finger prints or whatever) and walk through immigration.…
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Dont let the tail wag your ff dog
Women tell us they want to use their ff miles before they decide on a trip. Here are a few ways to use miles without making yourself crazy. Don’t let you ff miles dictate where you go.
Try using them for upgrades, that is obvious
Try using them for only part of your trip. If going to Europe, try for a European gateway with a big airport, then buy your internal European ticket separately. You save a bit of $$ that way and at least get the trans-Atlantic part paid by your miles.…
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Free Luggage Repair
Just as you think you know it all, a neighbor lets you in on a secret. Many of us are users of Longchamps light and fashionable purses, backpacks and luggage. They come in many colors and shapes. Not a cheap purchase so be aware of that.
However they have one small problem. With continued use, the tips at the bottom corners can wear away. My neighbor shared with me that Longchamps will repair these tips at NO cost. Caveat: I have not tried to get mine repaired, but this neighbor has.…
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The 3-1-1 Rule for Liquids you don't drink on planes
The photo above is The Ganges at Sunrise, on our India trip October 2014, don’t drink this water…
With the rules of airport travel changing frequently, it can sometimes get tricky knowing what is and isn’t allowed in your bags. The United States Transportation Security AdministrationTSA) implements air-travel regulations tofollow. To ensure safety, the TSA has placed strict rules on the volume and type of liquids allowed on an airplane.…
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The 'get rid of travel anxiety' pill
A professor of psychology in California studied stress levels of people who watched excessive news reports about the Boston Marathon bombers. She compared their anxieties against those of people who were at the Marathon. Those who overdosed on news were much more stressed than those who attended the Marathon. The article where this study appeared is about the nation’s hysterical reaction to 2 cases of ebola on our shores.
If you want to live a normal but adventure filled life, don’t watch the news on television.…
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Flight Deals within Europe
Most Americans try to use their ff miles to/from Europe and fail. Here is another way to use them: fly to a less popular European gateway and buy an intra-Europe ticket.
Example: if you are joining our Tuscany Private Villa trip end March 2015, try to get your transAtlantic ticket into any of the following: London Heathrow,Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Rome, Milan, Geneva, Vienna, Munich keep trying the big airports. Here is a list of the busiest airports in Europe.
Now try the following European discounters for your flight to Pisa(in our example).…
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What Not to Do on a Plane
Five don’t for long distance travelers:
1-Don’t brush your teeth in the bathroom on planes,nasty water dirty area.
2-Don’t take a sleeping pill. You will still be jet lagged and sleeping through a long flight creates a risk for dehydration and worse: clots.
3-Don’t leave valuables unattended even if you have them on your person-rest on them like the Princess and the Pea.
4-Do not treat yourself to the salted snacks or that second glass of wine.
5-Do not let others bother you; it is better to ask neighbors to lower music or windows or conversation than to suffer for hours.… -
Healthy Travel While Seasons Change
For those traveling this Autumn, here are a few tips to save you from colds, wet feet and or sleep deprivation.
Temperatures change rapidly this season: today it is 65 in New York and Sunday it will be 81- very hot for this time of year. Layering is the answer and sizing is another. Layering is not just about putting one garment on top of another. You also need to consider what sweaters for instance are too tight for undergarments. Same with coats which might pull with too many sweaters beneath the surface. …
