Why is London Bridge Closed to Americans despite our automatic visas? We were the darlings of tourism post WW2? Now even London, our bestie, is closed to us. 116 foreign countries allow U.S. citizens in with a passport, according to PassportIndex.org. Things have change with Covid. Example: entry used to be automatic from The UK. Now Americans have a 14 day shelter in place quarantine and are invited in for essential travel only.
Packing and weather do not dance together well. During Summer, we pack light clothes and tees; therefore, forgetting that altitude and general direction of winds can create unseasonably cold air. Moreover, we forget that planes are cold and some airports as well. In winter we can overpack again forgetting that in cold weather, one can use sweaters and jeans for a number of days. But that shoes might get wet so we need a second pair.
A good way to zero in on what to pack is to make some notes on what you are wearing on different weather days.…
We have time right now for insights into The Women’s Travel Group travel psyche. Do we have travel worries? Or travel addictions?
Do we really miss travel?
Do we really need travel?
Why do we miss travel despite what we don’t miss about travel?
Five things we really miss
We miss the anticipation of a trip: thinking about our first sighting of the domes of Florence (VisitFlorence.com Source), from the air or the crooked cobbled streets of a Moroccan souk.
Airplane rules? I was on an AA flight coming home from our Tuscan Cooking Trip– coach of course- and the meal choices were red sauce spaghetti or chicken with red sauce spaghetti. Well I am not allowed to eat tomato sauce, so was totally out of luck for a 7 hour flight. (Forgot to say, the snack was pizza with tomato sauce.) As I was traveling solo, had no one to complain to. Complaining is always a catharsis even when hungry. …
Shocking reasons women travel. To get away from routine or boredom. Many women travel to reaffirm independence. Many women travel to learn. Even more travel to avoid loneliness.
Who doesn’t like to get away from routine and miserable weather? Going South in winter is a welcome break. However, that women travel break can also include going to a beach alone with no one to hold your wallet. It can include trying to enjoy dinner amongst talkative families. My first trip to Ixtapan Spa in Mexico was alone (admittedly at the invitation of the owner.)…
Please share with friends who are widows who wish to travel. Vacations for widows?
Being quarantined has made loneliness worse. This blog post was originally sent out only about taking a first trip alone. It is revised to reflect what we are going through during the pandemic: March-May 2020. Vacations for widows are even more intimidating now.
Let me start by saying these thoughts come from talking to you out there and from my friends.
Planning a trip as a solo is a different exercise.…
Grandchildren are afraid to travel says The Women’s Travel Group. Headlines of airplane recycled air and cruise ship contamination scare them. Travelers are quarantined counting days, stuck overseas or feeling home lonely. How can we help our grandchildren to look forward to the adventures we have loved. And stay connected with them?
I have talked to my 12 year old darling granddaughter, about our traveling together one day. I send her photos and anecdotes when overseas and bring her and his sisters little gifts from unusual places.…
Your medical prescriptions in generic form. Only generic can be read overseas.
Your ticket number, the long string of numbers somewhere on your reservation. To change flights,be moved to another airline or retrieve ff points, you must have this number.
Your 24/7 contact text or phone number for your tour operator. They will deal with your issue number faster than by email.
iphone charger
A phone charger, recharging on the plane; some plane outlets need the larger charger.…
No one likes to talk about horror of airplane bathrooms. Today that is one of the most talked about horrors. The airplane bathrooms are small and according to Bloomberg, they are getting smaller. They feel airless. They are dirty after a long flight. Soap, toilet paper and even water can be gone. Some are so small that disabled women or larger women cannot use them. On some American flights, says Bloomberg, the bathroom is only 22.1 inches across at the passenger’s chest level when seated. .…
