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Overseas safety was better than in my hometown.
I just returned from our first Women’s Travel Group trip over the Atlantic since early 2020. I felt safer in Dubai than in New York.
Airport: Everyone was excited to be traveling again and yes was masked. Our airline, Emirates, required a PCR test. I went on Yelp.com and found a local pharmacy, where the test was less money, with results next day. I booked on line. At the store, a pharmacist swabbed my nostrils. Next day I got an email with the needed document. Easy.…
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Money Mistakes Overseas
Tips from The Women’s Travel Group to Be a Smart Banker of your own money.
To feel in control before leaving home. Some women like the idea of having money on hand when landing in a foreign country. I am one who usually takes out in local currency $100 from Chase. You usually have to order foreign money 48 hours ahead. Ask for unmarked/undamaged bills. Marked bills are hard to convert overseas.
Buying currency in an airport. Most airport exchange bureaux charge a set fee.…
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A Do Not Pack List
Read about Do Not Pack Items
Here are do not do packing tips from The Women’s Travel Group from a veteran traveler, not a backpacker but someone who dresses for any occasion.
https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.comWear a mask and keep your bags close until check in. Never take: A plastic water bottle, why? Buy water in any airport or supermarket and re use the bottle! Always buy water that has a sealed top; do not let the vendor unseal it. That way you know it has not been refilled.…
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Vaccine Passport: Proof or Spoof?
For the first time ever, I was asked for proof of vaccination in a Vaccine Passport. The ‘ask’ was by the receptionist at a private club in Manhattan. My CDC card is locked away. Therefore, as proof, I presented an iPhone with the New York State app, Excelsior Pass. I was permitted to take off the mask. Friends with no smart phone or CDC cards had to wear masks until seated. We felt like haves and the have nots. It reminded us of a scene from ‘A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum’, the hilarious Mel Brooks movie.…
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Videos of Unruly Passengers, we like these like Candy
Are you watching videos of people out of control on airplanes? There is something addictive and I admit I love watching them.
Not wearing a mask? Using profanity at staff? Refusing to sit down? Being an obnoxious copycat with a political agenda? Since February 2021, airlines reported 1300 incidents to the FAA. This is a huge increase but still rare. Just be aware of the trend; maybe be more sympathetic to airline staff?
Since April mask wearing in airports and on airplanes has been federal law.…
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Not Flown in a Year?
So you have not flown in a year? And you want to get back to flying. Here are surprises and tips on how to prepare from The Women’s Travel Group.
What to expect depends on where you fly from. Even in no mask states, federal law requires masks at airports and on the airplane. In the taxi, or bus to the rental car lots, local laws prevail. However, some states require masks in shuttle buses, rental car offices, car ramps etc. …
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90 Countries Open Again to Americans
As of writing, US residents could visit 90 countries and counting. More areas open almost daily now. As the vaccine rolls out and borders open, there are 1,000’s of travelers ready to go. A recent survey of experts from a national travel agency found that 1/2 of their clients had already booked a next trip or are planning it.
Hard to believe after all these months, that travel is tip toeing. We can dream again. We can plan again. We can smile behind a mask.…
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7 Travel Needs Senior Women Forgot While Home Bound
If you are a senior woman who is homebound and has not traveled since early 2020, here are 7 things senior women travelers probably forgot. These come from The Women’s Travel Group
Check your passport for expiration. The passport office is still slow on renewals.
Your hair is now grey as in this Huffington Post by Rohina Sehar; you went ‘au natural’ Get a new passport photo.
Check your Global Entry and TSA Pre Check. Both expire. If you did not fill in the online application, GE does not have an email to notify you.…
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Post Pandemic Super Cheap Celebration Trip
Make your post pandemic super cheap celebration trip happen with The Women’s Travel Group.
Can’t afford an airline upgrade? Buy a day pass to the private airline club and enjoy the ambiance.
Research the best chocolate shop in Paris: Patrick Roger. Drop by for a chunk on our Paris trip where we also stay in a Royal Palace!
Down a split of French champagne (two small glasses). Supermarkets in Paris sell it; here is our favorite.
Your home for Bubbly and More Never had a massage?…
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No More Peacocks on Planes
No more pets on planes or peacocks in the middle seat. The Department of Transportation determined that planes are not required to recognize emotional support animals (ESA’s) as service animals. In future only dogs that fit under the seat in front of you are flyable. No peacocks, ponies or other large four legged friends. Simplifying: this means that if you bring a dog on a plane you will need to pay a fee. ESA’s were free of charge. Service animals for instance for the blind are regulated differently.…
