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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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The I don’t need it shopper
The Women’s Travel Group does not specialize in shopping tours but we know a lot about it. In some countries in Europe you will inevitably buy some treasure, despite protests of “I have too much already.” Temptation is strongest in Italy: leather, shoes, purses, clothes, pottery, food items. Another area is Scotland and Ireland for woolens.
www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ Here is how the experts judge leather quality:
Press with your finger, the leather will indent with a wrinkle then return to its original state.…
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Danger in Street Markets
Fake goods can get you in trouble. Source: US Customs https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com Is the fun of buying fakes in street markets gone? The Women’s Travel Group says Yes. Customs might confiscate your Hermes-ish bag. Two days ago it was announced US Customs seized $2.98 billion of fake goods, entering this country, way up from$1.5 billion in 2019.
There were 31,030 handbags and wallets, 28,910 pieces of clothing, 14,098 watches and jewelry, thousands of shoes, electronics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. There were dangerous toys, even sketchy candy. …
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Upgrade or Chanel?
Is the cost of upgraded airplane tickets worth it? Some thoughts from The Women’s Travel Group.
London of course https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com In the last few years, travelers have become obsessed with airline status and their seats. This frenzy is, in part, caused by airlines themselves. There is branding / selling status by airlines. Who doesn’t want to be ‘special’ ‘elite’ ‘first in line’, ‘envied’ and ‘fussed over’.
Lets start with the special bit. Anyone who can afford to fly is already special.…
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New in Women’s Travel What is Old: Fear
What is new in Women’s Group Travel in 2024
A Women’s Travel Group Tour Immediately after the pandemic, travel was slow, then grew, then exploded. 2020-2023 travel was named “revenge travel”; with feeling safe splurges. 2023 was a banner year for travel. Prices stabilized. Tour groups were full to capacity and flights busy.
2024 flights are expected to reach 40 million world wide with 4.7 billion travelers. How will this effect you?
So far in 2024, US domestic fares are 6% lower.…
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Spain,a President’s trip
Royal Palace Source Spain Tourism 
Madrid Source: Official Spain Tourism The Women’s Travel Group is famous for unusual ‘smart’ itineraries. What Makes Spain a Different Travel Experience so that Phyllis Stoller, President of The Women’s Travel Group chose to go with the Spain Tour?
Most women take their first European trip to England, France or, Italy. Why does Spain fall into a lesser category for Americans? One obvious reason is our heritage: more often English or Italian. Madrid is too distant for a train ride to another city (like Paris to London or Amsterdam to Paris). …
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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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Airline Marketing and Your Seat
Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group. What is the big deal about airplane seats? When I started traveling, we sat wherever we were put. We were next to a chain smoking passenger. We were always next to a smelly ashtray embedded in the armrest. We wore uncomfortable clothes: stockings and high heels. Flights were longer. Turbulence detectors less sophisticated. We never discussed seating.
So what is the big deal about seating today? The deal is that Americans are bigger; seats are smaller.…
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Women and Toilet Terror
Clearly this plane in Africa had no bathroom; so no worries.https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ In grade school, we asked permission for the little girls’ room. In high school, we also asked then went to the bathroom to gossip or put on make up. In college, we did not ask permission, we sauntered out of class. Public toilet Terror is non uncommon in The Women’s Travel Group.
Saudi Arabian toilet, cleaned after each use!https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com As senior women today, some of us dread public bathrooms.…
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Things for Double Taking When Packing
Travel packing tips from The Women’s Travel Group. Saline, bottles are tiny and can fall into an airplane seat. Dry eyes are exacerbated by the dryness in airplane cabins. Flying to Santa Fe with us May 1? You’ll need saline in high deserts also.
Photo by S Leavitt one of our travelers. Thank you! Chargers for phone and iPads. Hoteliers say chargers are often left in the wall, bathroom socket or behind a bureau or end table. …
