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.…
How to Order Food When You cannot Read the Menu? This is especially important now when you are all watching our health.
Enjoying lunch together
Here are suggestions from The Women’s Travel Group. Let’s use Paris as an example. You will have a wonderful local escort to translate for you, but she might not be by your side when you want a crepe on the street.
What are your favorite foods? Fresh fish, sweets, red meat? Google translation is your new best friend.…
We love them but we hate them. Travel brochure photos tell a story about who is welcomed on the trip and who is not. A look at many brochure photos says this to women:
Don’t come alone. Dining photos show either couples, families or groupings of people who seem to know each other: toasting together or looking familiarly at one another. You don’t ever see a captain’s table with an empty seat not yet taken? In fact, you don’t see travelers shaking hands and meeting each other either.…
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.…
