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Airplane delays and cancellations
Today Joe Sharkey, my favorite airline journalist, announces the huge number of cancellations and delays caused earlier this month by weather. Here are some reasons you need insurance:
1-Plane severely delayed and you need a new transfer to Ixtapan Spa: $170 private transfer one way. (More than our group deal)
2- Weather prevents you from getting to your flight and you take another one.
3- You sprain your ankle (my husband did over Christmas on a trip), and you need to fly next day.…
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The cheapest gifts in Ixtapan De la Sal near Ixtapan Spa
Here are the ‘budget’ gifts usually bring back from Mexico, and they are sold in Ixtapan de la Sal
(home of Ixtapan Spa):
1- Vanilla. Vanilla is cheap in Mexico, not as sweet as the Asian one but rich and fantastic in things like rice pudding and other creamy foods. Cost: $3 ish
2- Tajin: a mix of sea salt, chili, and desiccated lime. Makes the dullest food taste amazing with a slight pop and a lime aftertaste. All-natural. Cost $1 more or less.… -
When Not to Take a River Cruise
I just returned from the most fabulous Christmas Markets Danube cruise on AMAWaterways. The trip was perfect. In some places, we suggest a land trip as the major sites are not on the river.
The Women’s Travel Group has chosen to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, not on a cruise. The places of greatest interest are on land. We are staying in fine luxury hotels, going to famous restaurants, and have included both the glorious and gritty history of the area. Our shopping times are saved for the fine stores recommended by friends, not for tourist traps.…
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Holiday Gifts for Women Travelers
Here are our choices for Holiday Gifts for Women who Adore Traveling.
A lesson in using your phone as a camera. A smart phone has many applications which are free or close to free. But for electronic idiots like me, they can be hard to understand. Many camera stores, libraries and Apple stores give lessons. I learned how to take quick unnoticed photos without clicking the aperture! Women travelers are less likely to be electronically savvy.
Better suitcase: the best suitcases for us women are those that swivel so you can drag or ‘walk’ your case.…
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Ixtapan versus Ixtapa
Since we are getting many new requests for Ixtapan Spa Discount Week, Feb. 9-16… let’s spell the place right. Many Mexican words have ‘x’ in them, I think the Spanish substituted x for difficult indigenous words they could not pronounce.
Ixtapan de la Sal (Sal being salt) is a mountain village long known as a place with mineral waters and one where affluent Mexicans have weekend homes. Ixtapa is a beach resort with modern hotels and cruise ships. So if you are planning to come, be aware that we will be in gorgeous mountains in a colonial village, with cool evenings and mainly dry days.…
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Exploding Cosmetics: Warning for Women Travelers
Recently I was on a plane and decided to reapply lip gloss before we landed. The pressure of the plane made the gloss explode and worst the metallic sheen of the gloss penetrated my clothes and leather bag. This can happen with any cosmetic, so how will you know ahead of time?
1- Tubes are culprits: so squeeze out all the air before you get on the plane, close quickly.
2- You may also tap containers of all kinds, it to get the air to the top before you open them.… -
Most important item women forget to pack for Holiday Travel
One pair of loose slacks! We all gain weight at Thanksgiving and yet forget to bring along one pair of looser slacks. There is nothing so uncomfortable as traveling in tight clothes especially those which are binding around the waist.
In addition blood clots can form if you cut off circulation. If you think you can unzip once you are seated, remember few domestic flights carry blankets anymore so you will need some Houdini moves.
So to be comfortable on the way home, pack that generous pair of trousers, along with non-elasticized socks and eat and cheat all the way home.…
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Five Ways to Ruin a Holiday Trip
Read all the scare stories about crowds and overbooking.
(You can easily avoid nerves by getting to the airport early, snack in hand and patience in the brain).
Pack a 40lb carry on bag and expect airline staff to help you hoist it overhead.
(With fashionable leggings, down jackets and comfy walking shoes, who needs this much stuff anymore. Electronic books and mini-computers should be on your personal ‘I want’ gift list this year).
Do not check the weather the night before you leave.… -
USA Today: Ten Reasons to Take a River Cruise
And we are adding the 11th: Guaranteed Shares in Category E on Tulip Time AMA River Cruise: April 2014
These are in part from USA Today. And in part from our experiences.
Experience is leisurely River cruises are not about rushing here and there. You visit key sights but there is also time to relax. And since you dock near cities, you can leave the ship when you wish.
Ships are intimate The size of river ships is limited by the need for the vessels to go through locks and under low bridges.…
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Women are still scared of hotel showers!
I still hesitate when pulling that hotel shower curtain across my face. Despite the fact that Psycho was filmed over 40 years ago,the knifing in the shower scene still terrifies me.
More than men, women need extra assurance to feel comfortable in a hotel room alone. Women more than men have difficulty sleeping away from home which is a factor. Here are a few small ways to settle into your room. Our company arranges shares for anyone who wants to avoid the single supplement.…
