Travel Tips Blog and Statistics
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So who is in The Women's Travel Group?
We thought you might like some bio’s of women who travel with us. We do not want to share their personal details but just to give you an idea of who we are…
Lets start with Cathy. Cathy just retired from her health care job managing 350 doctors, psychiatrists and others. Cathy found us through a local women’s group and joined us to Sicily several years ago. Cathy has traveled for years checking in on her son, whose work took him overseas. …
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Why Do Married Women Travel Solo?
Photo is of Phyllis in Khajurahu, on our India trip.
Phyllis started The Women’s Travel Group in order to travel. She had 5 weeks vacation in her career as a banker; her husband had 2. She loved travel; he was indifferent. She wanted to see ethnic exotic places; he liked London, Paris.
There are many reasons why married women travel with The Women’s Travel Group. Some of the obvious ones are like Phyllis’. Less obvious:
He is not well. We have elderly parents/young children and one parent must stay home.…
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Danger Signs in Women's Tours
Five danger signs to warn you off a tour; serious tips to share from The Women’s Travel Group.
Yes we have heard stories like the one from Isabelle who booked a train trip from a tour operator, arrived only to find there was no such train. Here are the danger signs:
No one answers the phone-voicemail will not do especially while you are traveling.
Photos in brochures or sites are formally posed not casually shot.
Women in photos are obvious models not real people.…
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Must Words for Thanksgiving in Italy
We still have space on our Rome, Naples, Amalfi Coast Thanksgiving extravaganza Be prepared with some Italian words:
Turkey Tacchino…. and here is why it tastes better in Italy:
Chestnuts Castagna Chestnuts have a long history in Italy. Homer and Pliny both mentioned them. Chestnuts have bee a staple for both aristocrats and peasants all over Italy where they are still roasted in a ceramic container over the fire.
Pumpkin Zucca Pumpkin is cooked so beautifully in Italy, filling ravioli, risotto, pasta with pumpkin and bacon, gnocchi and even in bread.…
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Five Musts on a First Singles' Tour
Do at least a little reading so you actually know where you are going. Even if just a wikipedia whisk through. Save some of the information in your Kindle or other device. Sources: wikipedia, Frommers/Fodors/Lonely Planet on line. Did you know you can borrow e guidebooks from the library then save chapters in your phone etc.
Have $50-100 in single US Dollar bills to use before you have local currency. Going to the bank at the destination airport is dangerous. You will be exhausted, you might leave something behind, you need to keep one eye on luggage and one on your money.…
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Are You Scared of Your 1st Solo Trip?
Today we received a beautiful email from one of the women who went with our group on the AMA cruise to SE Europe in July/August. She was thrilled to find instant friends on board with our group and they apparently connected up with more women for dinners and more. This was Bev’s first trip alone, well alone in our group. She wrote to us that she even made tentative plans to join some of the new friends on another trip in November.
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Is Naples Scary or Scrumptious
Safety and Mafia are Naples brand to many. But act smart as you would anywhere and enjoy these surprises on our Thanksgiving trip: Rome-Naples-Amalfi Coast.
Naples is the Holy Grail of pizza. Did you know the Margarita Pizza was designed as the first pizza presented to the Queen of Italy in 1889. Red, white and green are the national colors.
Naples’ pizza restaurants have a certificate of authenticity approved by an official committee.
Many carved nativity scenes come from Naples which has been called Christmas all year around.…
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Why Exotic Trips are Easier than Europe
Why exotic travel can be easier than European jaunts?
Many trips to Europe involve a lot of city walking, stairs and marble museum floors. You are tempted to even when tired to wander the neighborhood of our centrally located hotels for some shopping, snacks or photo ops. Oh, those aching feet. In addition, some of us use the fitness area after a day of sightseeing and airplane rides, without thinking to stretch beforehand. Then finally, to save money, we will carry wine back to our room for in-room parties with the group.…
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What Phyllis Learned on Vacation
Just returned from my personal vacation, and here is what I learned:
The world is still traveling. And tourist sites are full of happy, unworried travelers. Airports are as busy, flights fairly full. Families smiling and excited about their vacations.
You will notice that immigration is slower and more thorough on both ends. There is the obvious, customs employees are also on family vacations. There is the newsworthy, they are being careful and methodical. There is the season, summer is peak which is why our group trips are mainly off season.…
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9 Hour Jetlag is Easier than 6
Flying to India is easier on your body than flying to Europe. Why is this? How do we plan for the perfect India trip?
Once you arrive in Delhi on our annual Colors of India Trip, from a North American flight, you are individually met and escorted to our luxurious hotel. After dinner with our group, you are ready to enjoy the ample cool and elegant hotel room. Jetlag will lull you to sleep. Next day you will wake up at 6AM, have time for your emails, organizing clothes or using a glorious spa in our hotel.…