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1st trip since Covid?
What to expect since Covid?
The Women’s Travel Group hears from women who have not traveled since Covid. They are worried, unsure of new regulations or documents, masking or not, health insurance and more. So if you have not traveled since Covid, here are some changes, some improvements, and some warnings.
Source DOT Changes
No vaccination card needed anymore. However we always recommend you bring a list of your own prescriptions in the generic and vaccinations. Generic can be read overseas; US brands sometimes cannot be read.…
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Scots Irish Smile at Americans
Why do these two areas feel connected to Americans? We can start with the language: English. When you visit Scotland and Ireland and hear local English, you might think it is a foreign language. Both can be heavily accented to our ears. Some areas are influenced by Gaelic and some by England’s English. Posh accents like those of Ewan McGregor or Sean Connery are familiar to movie buffs. Connery is especially known to us from James Bond.
We are family. 5 million Americans have Scottish ancestry; the Scottish diaspora remains connected via church, culture, and the many societies we see in parades.…
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Scotland for Women
Official Tourism site for Scotland Scotland has some of the most unspoiled vistas in Europe. That is, if Scotland considers itself European? Visit Scotland in Autumn with The Women’s Travel Group; day light is long. Been to England? Scotland is a ‘different country’. It is Celtic like its ancient sister, Ireland. The original inhabitants came from Ireland in the 500’s. Your English is not Scottish English: halò’ is hello. Whisky has no ‘e’. Scenery is a contrast the mild hills of England. …
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New Refund Rules
Refunds? New Rules for Air Ticket Refunds
Dept of Transportation The Biden White House announced new rules for consumers regarding our plane tickets. A few items are below. Some of the rules are still grayish; it is still worth a careful reading of the full statement.
Currently you get a refund if the airline cancels the flight not due to weather. NEW A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline cancels a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel.…
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Real ID or Stay Home
Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group. Years ago, my Mother and I flew to Albany. From Florida to Albany, there was no checkin issue. From Albany to Florida, she was asked for her driver’s license. My mother was the generation who never drove a car. She informed checkin staff that she had a police card identification. The police id card was something older non driving Floridians secured. Checkin refused her. She was crying. We were shocked.
I related the following to the supervisor: You allowed my elderly mother to fly Miami to Albany.…
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Learn to love crowded airports
Travel Tips from award winning The Women’s Travel Group. Get there early. There is no reason NOT to arrive early. One generally sits around watching the clock or doing last second chores which should have been done yesterday.
Group in Italy Avoid items that might set off TSA alarms. Even gold jewelry or a watch can activate the alarm. Remove all metal at home, secure in a zipped area of carry on. Removing jewelry in front of strangers feels chancey.…
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Never Pack List for Women
Over the years, our group has had items confiscated. Some are not allowed to be imported, some are illegal, and some were ‘taken’ by customs’ officials overseas. One confiscation was hilarious. It was a tampon removed and examined by a South American customs official.
Shopping in Ethiopia https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ Here are some items not to pack.
Anything expensive especially with designer labels.
Items with price tags; these are easier to fence. Remove the tag.
Pirated goods like fake designer bags, sunglasses, watches. …
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1st Solo Trip? 1st Gynecological Exam?
Every day we hear the same: This is my first solo trip. I’m not sure I can do it.
Some in this photo are first time travelers. Practical concerns are flights: what if delayed? (fewer are than you think) What if stuck in an airport? What if my transfer is missing in action? Finally, what if I get sick? Or what if I use a bathroom more than the other women?
Emotional concerns: Will the tour manager be helpful with my many questions?…
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The I don’t need it shopper
The Women’s Travel Group does not specialize in shopping tours but we know a lot about it. In some countries in Europe you will inevitably buy some treasure, despite protests of “I have too much already.” Temptation is strongest in Italy: leather, shoes, purses, clothes, pottery, food items. Another area is Scotland and Ireland for woolens.
www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/tours/ Here is how the experts judge leather quality:
Press with your finger, the leather will indent with a wrinkle then return to its original state.…
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New in Women’s Travel What is Old: Fear
What is new in Women’s Group Travel in 2024
A Women’s Travel Group Tour Immediately after the pandemic, travel was slow, then grew, then exploded. 2020-2023 travel was named “revenge travel”; with feeling safe splurges. 2023 was a banner year for travel. Prices stabilized. Tour groups were full to capacity and flights busy.
2024 flights are expected to reach 40 million world wide with 4.7 billion travelers. How will this effect you?
So far in 2024, US domestic fares are 6% lower.…
