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Packing list for older women.
Today I started packing for Europe: specifically England, Italy and Switzerland. Although packing is no big deal for me, many women asked for my ‘system’. There are no fancy gadgets, no newly acquired clothes. There is no $1,000 cashmere scarf, which travel magazine writers tout as an airplane coverup.
Here goes THE SYSTEM.
Start at the bottom of your body, literally.
- Shoes: 2 pairs only, sneakers with which your feet are old friends AND one pair of light weight flats. Mine are black Allbirds.
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The Most Beautiful Airplane Landings.
Some of us cringe when landing. Some are glued to the window. Others realize they should have used the bathroom. Here are some magnificent views to enjoy as your plane descends.
Source VisitParis Paris. Landing in Paris is beyond gorgeous. From the air, Paris has an unmatched elegance. Domes like that of Sacre Coeur and Napoleon’s Tomb/Les Invalides are easy to site (photo left is from Wikipedia). Churches like Notre Dame and Saint Sulpice might be visible.. Boulevards criss cross star shape from the Etoile (star in French) .…
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Duty Free Deals or Slippery Shopping?
The facts from The Women’s Travel Group:
- You are already burdened by carrying stuff you should have checked.
- Duty Free items can be boring: liquor, tobacco, perfumes, accessories, food, electronics.
- Merchants do not pay duty/taxes so items might be cheaper inside an airport. But not necessarily!
Women from The Women’s Travel Group with a new friend What is a deal then? If there are branches of local stores, you might find deals unavailable at home. Examples: Boots cosmetics and medicine in UK airports. …
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Guaranteed Superb Treatment- Women Dining Alone
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.
As a result, women solo diners begin with a sexist disadvantage. …
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Flight changed! One woman asks why?
How can there be two of the same flights with the same flight number…that leave at different times but arrive at the same time. This is not a trick question. I recently booked 2 Virgin Atlantic flights JFK to London Heathrow- one in March 2023 and one in April 2023. The March flight leaves at 9:15AM and arrives at 8:05PM. The April flight leaves at 8AM and arrives at 8:05PM. What is going on here? Are we stopping mid Atlantic for tea and scones?…
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Lost Medicine on a Trip? travel tips for Women
Source: CDC 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.…
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Older women can travel anywhere
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.
Older women have money and once retired we have lower expenses. We begin gto fly Business class. We shop for finer items. We tip nicely. Cruises have 20% solos, mainly female.…
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When a suitcase zipper breaks & this old lady is crying.
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.…
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How to Get a Free Trip, be the Leader and Not have a Breakdown
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.
Morocco Women’s Travel Group https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ You too can organize a private travel group and get free travel. There are rules and a bit of work. We help with rules and do most of the work.
Your role is to talk to friends and friends of friends about the proposed trip.…
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Scared to try a spa vacation?
Chair Yoga The Women’s Travel Group hopes these easy spa vacation tips remove the fear.
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?…
