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Why Solos feel less Solo with River Cruises
If you are traveling solo, and want to experiment with a cruise. We recommend a river cruise.
Based on reality not fancy brochures, here are reasons:
River cruises dock in towns not sea ports thus enabling independent walking/shopping/snacking. Ports are often in swarmy neighborhoods and getting into town will require round trip taxis. Compare downtown Budapest on a river cruise vs. the port of Marseilles on a Mediterranean cruise?
River cruises offer walking/biking tours directly off the ship. This means immediate interaction with other passengers.…
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Lessons for Exotic Travel
Our
The Women’s Travel Group tour of 17 just returned from Ethiopia,an exotic trip we organize. We traveled from well developed Addis Ababa to remote Arba Minch. Here are some of the instructions which made our trip so successful.
Check altitude of the destination, so you are prepared/and or take it easy the first days. Addis is 8,000 ft.
Do not depend on weather history. Global changes are affecting travel. Normally cool Ethiopia was hotter due to El Nino this year.…
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Last Minute Travel Worries for Women
Last minute is when the worries swell and ruin your sleep. But women have different and surprising concerns. The Women’s Travel Group is sharing these with you so you do not feel you are crazy!
The clothes conundrum: did I bring enough? The right kind? Should I buy hiking shoes: answer not really. Even how many times do you wear each pair of socks? Wear what is comfortable and light, what you can wash in a sink ( use shampoo), or what does not show dirt like dark colors.…
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Virus Headlines and Selling News
OK so we get annoyed also. We notice the only times women get travel news headlines is when bad stuff happens, like the Zika Virus or rape in India. The New York Times Travel Section on Sunday wrote an unusually wonderful story about 4 women traveling in Namibia.
Why did this catch our eye? Because a day before we posted our Namibia trip on line! If you review trends for travel, you will see our choices ahead of the pack:
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Female Neurosis– Insomnia in Travel
More than men, women have sleep problems when we travel. Jet lag and being away from home–possibly for the first time alone –can complicate the issue.
If you can, fly so you arrive early evening. Do not exercise heavily before bed; but a nice walk will help. On some trips like our Colors of India, there are choices of flight arrivals.
Start moving into the new time zone before you leave. Get up early or stay up late whichever applies. Some jet lag like that for our China trip is easier going there than coming home.…
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Tips for Winter Spa/Fitness Getaways
Tips for choosing a winter wellness week.
Ixtapan Spa will be your 2016 gift.
- Make sure your hotel includes fitness and/or spa treatments in prices. Do not be fooled by discounted room prices. Service charges on spa treatments are usually 20% on top of the price.
- Ask what is walkable from the hotel. Everyone wants to leave the confines of a resort, no matter how lovely, and many destination resorts are remotely situated.
- Shopping? Is there shopping near. Most hotels have ridiculously overpriced shops.
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Women's Holiday Travel Dreams
I too am visiting family over Christmas and yes, I too have a holiday travel fantasy. By the way, the photo was sent in some time ago by one of the groups who went to Oman.
I get upgraded to a seat next to NO ONE.
The airplane smells like lavender.
The overhead rack is not overhead.
The pilot is a woman who narrates shopping experiences as we pass Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. She has low blood pressure and keeps the cabin warm.…
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Travel Shopping: Is it a Waste?
The women who travel with The Women’s Travel Group want to bring home something tangible. Our tours are full of experiences, sights, talks, and walks; however if there is a shopping experience truly unusual, we include it. We just added the high-quality Sabato Crafts Market to our Mexico City tour.
What are our favorite ‘worth the time’ recent stops?
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul November 2015
Handmade jewelry or fabrics spread on animal skin in Southern Ethiopia! March 2016) One spot left
Florence Central Food Market April 2016 (one room left for 1-2)
Dilli Haat in Delhi Annual India tour December 2016,
Balaaro Market in Sicily December 2014
Cashmere Markets in Mongolia ( Mongolia is part of our upcoming China trip).…
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Laughing Through a Travel Woe
Laughter should be packed in your suitcase and easy to reach. Laughter overlaid a jet-lagged face will open doors, create friendly helpful strangers and probably speed up whatever request you are aiming for.
Studies suggest that laughter causes blood vessels to dilate and thus increase blood flow and then inflammation. There are stressful moments in travel that can be assuaged with laughter.
Bargaining: in some cultures, bargaining can become aggressive if the vendor thinks you are dissing his merchandise. This happened in Turkey a year ago when I questioned the fabric of a scarf.…
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Yes it is summer in NY
Planning for unexpected weather on your trip, weather.com gives you a 10 day look so LOOK the day before you leave. Getting warm is easier than getting cooler.
Always toss in one t shirt. I love Hanes men’s tees for their 10% cotton and budget.
Long sleeved shirts that are easy to push up work.
As ugly as they are, Columbia and others make zip off pants. Pants become shorts.
In some countries go shopping: India, China and Mexico are excellent for cheap and cheerful.…