How to Visit a Few Museums in Europe and Come Home Smart
American women travelers are bound to visit the most famous museums, despite jet lag and brain fog. We are unused to minimum air conditioning in historic buildings and hungry at the wrong times. But we are determined to tick off the top ten museums and the biggies: Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Da Vinci, Vermeer etc. Here is your guide to visiting museums. Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group.…
Here are some of the most engaging street markets in Paris; we walk by some on our trip. Some are food with mountains of cheeses and breads, some are herbal with soaps and personal products, some sell objects and antiques. We only listed those which are easy to locate during our November Paris week. Look down each street and alley, you will find others.
When some of us first traveled, this is what we did. We went to the airport in a dress, heels and stockings. Even gloves and hats.
Source: Smithsonian Museum
Our suitcase was heavy. It had no wheels so we carried it yard by yard from the street to the check in area. Our carry-on was a regular hand bag, not a backpack/no Longchamps bags.…
When a woman walks into a restaurant alone, the Maitre d’ might have one of the following reactions:
He/she looks behind her to see if there is another diner.
He/she asks: Are you expecting someone else?
He/she takes you to a table often near the kitchen, or service area.
Some background information. It is a statistical fact that men diners tip more than women tip. Larger groups of men tip eve more, when wait staff is female and young.
The two worst things for a woman to lose on a trip, that is besides your passport, medicine, and your composure are here.
On a trip to Rome, I forgot 2 items. Replacing them became an annoying time wasting errand. Not a credit card or medicine. Nor was it a trip document or phone charger. It was a hair brush and lip balm.
You might feel lousy when you awaken up the first morning overseas. Sleep was spotty, the bed different and and jet lag interrupted sleep.…
Bad news for lost medicine on a trip. Do not rely on overseas mail. Read this from The Women’s Travel Group.
What happens if you lose your pills, run out or drop them, as did a lady on our India trip. Can you get replacements overseas? Will local drugs be safe? The CDC recommends a minimum of 30 days medical supplies on a trip. Most drug companies refuse more than 30 days of medicine. If your trip is longer, plan immediately.…
Stories about traveling women focus on the cool exploits of 20 something adventurers. They scuba, they parasail, they hike up mountains. They wear size nothing leggings and technical shoes.
Where are we older women in these stories? The answer is no where. We are not considered cool; yet we are very much so.
This was the horror moment of a recent trip. The carry on suitcase zipper for the Delta flight broke. This is when you zip up and see a gap at the base. So what to do after crying? Tape the case? Then no access to carry on contents. Buy a luggage strap if you see one at the airport? My experience is they stretch and break. Tape is messy but it works on hostages and suitcases.
Source: TSA.gov
Now you are going ‘to invest’ in a new carry on suitcase.…
I remember my first travel group 31 years ago. At the farewell dinner, one woman excitedly asked: Where are we going next year? That was the beginning of 30 years of group trips for women.
Arrive at a reasonable hour even if you need to leave home very early.
Some spas are really resorts with a few facilities. Ask how many treatment rooms the resort has and how many staffers. Does the manicurist also do facials; if so, this is not a true spa.
Have a goal; a goal helps you schedule properly with priorities. i.e.: weight loss. stress reduction, relaxation?…