Travel Tips Blog and Statistics
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Earplugs not Earrings: Travel Tips for Women
In a British hospital having my first son, Nick, a nurse told me to buy earplugs to block noise, when he was in the nursery. In Britain in those days, mothers recovered from childbirth in a room with 5 others and all 6 babies. One or two nights the babies stayed in the nursery to give us rest before going home.
Earplugs have been my best friend ever since. If you are a light sleeper or just want extra guarantees while traveling, invest in earplugs.…
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Women's Jeans for Traveling: what do you think?
A number of women responded to the comment that Jeans make American women targets overseas.
Here is why I don’t wear jeans anymore on trips:
They are heavy. Switch them out of your travel wardrobe, and switch in lightweight conservative colored walking/hiking pants. These can look like street clothes if you choose the ones without leg pockets. I wear Royal Robbins, LL Bean, Columbia, but there are many. I look for those that have hidden pockets and deep ones. (Great places to tuck some money for incidentals).…
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Dumbest things women do on airplanes
Dumbest things women do on airplanes:
——-Put on makeup as the plane is descending; so they do not listen to instructions.
——-Expect others to help them with their carry on suitcases and paper shopping bags. This is the worst when the airplane is coming back from a shopping destination.
——-Hide extra carry on on their laps under a blanket.
——-Wear platform shoes and skinny jeans- bad for circulation and evacuation if need be.
——-Spritz themselves with perfume or slather on perfumed creams.… -
More on Asiana and escalators
I stand corrected; my colleague, Mary at SITA World Tours, tells me that she saw California news programs hailing the crew on the flight. My guru, Joe Sharkey, at the NYTimes also mentions two crew members helping out heroically.
Sometimes East coasters get different news from West coasters so I guess we need to read on line what the California papers are saying. But the fact remains that Asiana crew allowed passengers to carry of their luggage on the inflatable exits while others were still trapped?…
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Asiana Airlines: where was the crew?
I was on an American Airlines Boeing 767 years ago, where there was an engine loss over the Atlantic. The crew was everywhere helping, talking, comforting, holding passenger hands when needed. They were amazing, putting their training into action. In the Times article about Asiana this morning, this crew/pilot assistance is missing according to passengers interviewed.
A frequent flyer on the Asiana route, a Mr. Levy, describes how he opened the emergency door, helped 30-40 passengers leave the plane and never saw or heard a crew member.…
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Choosing the least crowded airport
If you can choose between more than one airport, choose the long distance international one for long weekends and the short haul domestic one for long vacation periods.
Here is the example, on July 4 weekends out of NY, JFK is empty but LaGuardia mobbed. Most people are traveling for 3-4 days short distances from LaGuardia. So if you can find a flight from JFK to your destination, use it for a less crowded terminal experience. On traditional longer holiday period like Christmas / New Year the opposite might work out better.…
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Should Hotels Be Fairer to Solo Guests?
[polldaddy poll=7219256]…
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Warning on Egypt! But will insurers refund you?
There is a huge difference in the urgency of State Department announcements. Some are mere advisories but the one on Egypt today is serious. Do not go to Egypt on nonessential travel says State. And the UK Foreign Office concurs.
A further hint of danger is that the US has ordered the evacuation of nonessential government workers from Egypt. This is a giant red flag.
Does your insurance allow you to cancel and get refunded in cases like this? That is debatable and the grey areas are the definition of terrorism and the exact incidents that seem dangerous to the traveler.…
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How to Make Your Birthday Trip-Gift Fantastic
Some ideas to make a Birthday Trip-Gift last a long time.
For your sense of confidence, take a trip that has a little sizzle: a boat on the Ganges? an elephant ride in Northern Thailand? a walk through a Dowry Market in Pushkar? a visit to a poignant museum about apartheid?
For introspection: travel solo but in a group. You will learn new dynamics away from friends and away from home. You will also concentrate on yourself for a change.
For health: swear off all sugars and alcohol during the trip.…
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Solo Travel Tips: Are You in Danger?
Even if you are traveling with others, there might be a time when you go out alone. These tips will help you stay safe.
1. Check street safety in the English language newspaper of your destination. There are many sites with lists of these local papers.
2. Use Google translation to understand news in other languages before you leave.
3. Check not just the US, but also UK, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Foreign Ministry news reports.4. If you go out with anyone you do not know extremely well, make them leave their national identity card with contact.…
