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White Sneakers & Other Travel Do Not's
We used to say: Do not wear white sneakers as it labels you as an American tourist not good for bargaining in markets). Now we say: Can you even buy white sneakers anymore? A shopping excursion for new sneakers for our December 2014 Sicily trip and its walking on Greco-Roman ruins, unveils that sneakers today are neon colored, often psychodelic wild. However many are ultra light in ounces, making them easily packable.
We usually suggest comfy walking shoes, and packing lightly so guess we’ll go with the hot pink Nikes.…
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Do not read newspapers
Returned home today to The New York Times on my doorstep. Having read half of the first section, I decided not to go to Asia, Mexico, Turkey or even to leave my apartment as there was a gas explosion in Manhattan. Then on line, I read the headline about London airport being closed due to fog; yikes.
Why do we allow print and other media to destroy our sense of adventure?
My belief is we are basically a skittish lot and any hint of trouble or misunderstanding is enough to keep us home. …
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Five Unusual Travel Tips for Women
Top Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group Members
If the hotel is too cold, reverse the sheet and blanket so the blanket is next to your body.Solo traveling but going out with strangers you have met on a trip? Require them to leave their national identity card or a photocopy of their passport picture page with the concierge.
If you expect to shop ’til you drop, fill your empty suitcase with bubble wrap.
To make friends on the road, bring along a globe beach ball to show where you live and perhaps start an informal game with local children.…
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The Pre-Trip 3 Day Guide
1. Re-read all the documents that came with your trip package and put them in carry on bags. Same with your insurance policy and keep the travel insurance company number handy. You might need to call them from the airport if your flight is cancelled. Solo travelers especially be diligent.
2. Check weather again in both destination and any stopover airport.
3. Re-scan the seating chart of your flight to see if a better seat turned up.
4. Starting at your head, going down to your toes, think through what you packed and what you have forgotten.…
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Do's and Don'ts for a First Spa Trip from The Women's Travel Group
* Go for at least 4 nights if you want a true perspective.
* Arrive at a reasonable hour, even if you need to leave work early.
* Meet with spa coordinators immediately and have a list of prepared questions.
* Choose a spa that fits your needs; beauty, weight loss, stress, just a getaway, exercise, nutrition etc.
* Some spas are really resorts with a few spa facilities.
* A good gauge of a spa is the number of professionals on staff.…
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Tips for Women on their First Spa Vacation
Tips for Your First Spa Visit: from The Women’s Travel Group
* Go for at least 4 nights
* Meet with spa coordinators immediately…
* Choose a spa that fits your needs; overseas spas emphasize beauty rather than exercise, nutrition etc.
* Some spas are really resorts with a few spa facilities.
* A good gauge of a spa is the number of professionals on staff and the number of treatment rooms.
* Does the manicurist also do facials; if so, this is not a true spa.… -
How to get a cheaper ticket to unusual destinations
Here is a way to experiment with an on-line search for airline tickets. I needed a ticket to Pisa for our Italian Cooking Tour March 29-April 5, 2014. Pisa is not a major airport but it is served by British Airways an American Airlines code share in One World. I searched first on American as I am a fflyer and prefer to have the miles added there. AA schedules with British Airways, so I could get there easily on the aa.com…
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Five Steps to Get Through Delays and Cancellations
Five Steps to Get Through Delays and Cancellations
Some of us do not use travel agents or our agents are not available at the moment of crisis!
1. Immediately call your travel insurer and ask verbal permission to change flights. Often if a flight is cancelled or delayed, they will give you this verbal permission even if the price is high.
2. Know which number is the 24/7 number of your agent or tour company. Often when the glitch happens, we realize we have not jotted down this important number!… -
Tips for Mother-Daughter Travel
When You vacation with your Boomer Mom: It’s Travel in the Slower Lane, or is it?
The Women’s Travel Group has some Mother-Daughter Combos though most of our women travel solo. Here are suggestions for you if you are thinking of asking Mom to join you:
Budget an additional 10% expense to trip for taxis not just for walking but more for luggage weight.
You be the Treasurer and the easy way to do this is to both put money in a ziplock and pay each shared bill from it.…
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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.…
