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5 'Do Nots' for Spa Trips to Ixtapan Spa and Canyon Ranch
—-Do not pack your sneakers! Buying new ones at a spa can be both expensive and impossible if your luggage is delayed.
—-Do not buy new spandex work out clothes! Wear what is comfy for you, spend the money on something more important.
—-Do not plan your time before you go, you will find surprises and other things to do you were no aware of: Lecture at Canyon Ranch? Walk into town in Ixtapan de la Sal? Special service like acupuncture at Ixtapan Spa?… -
Winter Warm Trips: Vietnam and Cambodia
Indochina Women’s Tour Why return to Florida or Puerto Rico when you can have a real experience plus winter sun. March is the time when most of us flag, look and feel blah and are anxious for some early blossoms.
This year, take a trip to SE Asia for the same cost as boring old Florida. And here is what you will receive:
A fabulous itinerary with gorgeous landscapes, exotic sites, and UNESCO World Heritage experiences.
The best restaurants and local food as SE Asia have become a culinary center.…
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Exploding Cosmetics: Warning for Women Travelers
Recently I was on a plane and decided to reapply lip gloss before we landed. The pressure of the plane made the gloss explode and worst the metallic sheen of the gloss penetrated my clothes and leather bag. This can happen with any cosmetic, so how will you know ahead of time?
1- Tubes are culprits: so squeeze out all the air before you get on the plane, close quickly.
2- You may also tap containers of all kinds, it to get the air to the top before you open them.… -
Glaring Mis-representation by NYTimes Travel Ad
Of course, I read every travel brochure which hits my mailbox. Today we received a tour wrapped into our New York Times.
Headlined: 9-Day Exclusive Tour * * * * *
The hotel page of the tour brochure sets the five stars in gold highlighted rectangle entitled PURE LUXURY * * * * * as five stars.
But read further, ladies!
The hotels are then listed as 3*, 3* and 4*. Admittedly the cost is dirt cheap but as they say in the movies: cheap is cheap.…
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Exactly what flight am I on?
It used to be that your ticket had one flight number which you searched for on the departure board. The captain announced the same number, in that uber-male ‘Welcome Aboard’ speech. Today you will see multiple flight companies and numbers for your flight, flashing one by one on the departure boards! And today these will all be announced when you board. These are codeshare flights.
Under code-sharing, an airline sells seats on ‘partner’ flights, but the flights are operated by a separate airline.…
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Five dangerous things women leave in wallets
Traveling with a full wallet is pretty dumb.
Over and over we see women at The Women’s Travel Group open their wallet bursting with papers and pictures. Here are 5 dangerous items solo women travelers should remove from their wallets:
1- Medicare or other with a SS number on it and that includes your and your husband’s medical cards. If necessary photocopy it and cut off the last four digits.
2- Credit cards for stores that do not even exist were solo women are traveling.… -
Women are still scared of hotel showers!
I still hesitate when pulling that hotel shower curtain across my face. Despite the fact that Psycho was filmed over 40 years ago,the knifing in the shower scene still terrifies me.
More than men, women need extra assurance to feel comfortable in a hotel room alone. Women more than men have difficulty sleeping away from home which is a factor. Here are a few small ways to settle into your room. Our company arranges shares for anyone who wants to avoid the single supplement.…
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shopping tips overseas for women
…Shopping Tips from The Women’s Travel Group
Pack heavy tape; boxes and bags are easy to find, but not tape. Same with bubble wrap if you plan to buy ceramics.
Check on Ebay or other, for US prices of foreign goods, then gauge from there for your prices.
Bargain with Dollars and Euros; the latter are more acceptable in many parts of Europe and elsewhere.
Do not change money on Fridays; banks add margins to their rates to protect against weekend fluctuations.
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The Angst of Tipping for Women
Tipping is always angst for women. We have trouble putting a monetary amount on a service and worry about under or over doing it. Before you travel, check what is included or not included in your tour package. Usually guides and drivers gratuities are extra. Usually porterage is included.
So how do you handle it when the luggage porter stands outside your hotel door , heavy bags in hand waiting for the second tip?
I give in, dig deeply and tip again usually a dollar if in a non European area!…
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Why Your Credit Card Overseas Might be Rejected
Most of the articles are written about fees for foreign credit card transactions. Few mention that a PIN is required for many credit card expenditures in Europe. If you plan on spending using plastic, bring Amex which does not require a pin. Amex is not accepted everywhere as merchants say it is more expensive, that is a forewarning. If you have to pay cash and use the ATM, try to avoid Fridays as the dollar/foreign currency rate is highest before a weekend.…
