Packing Light - especially on an itinerary where you will be moving and changing locations a good bit - cannot be underestimated. In fact, it can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a miserable one! You will never meet anyone who says "I wish I had packed heavier" when they return from a journey. Rick Steves, the Public TV European travel guru, only allows the members of his escorted tours to bring 1 carry-on size piece of luggage per person….
Read MoreHave you thought about your deal breakers? As a social media influencer I follow, would say, “In life, in business, and in love”.
I have been a fan of the show Married at First Sight (MAFS) since season 1 with Monet and Vaughn, Jamie and Doug, and Courtney and Jason when it was FYI network. Yes, I actually subscribed to a “cable” package just to continue to watch this show, and now it's on Lifetime.
Each season I start off strong, watching the interviews, the “matching” episode, the weddings, and honeymoons. But some seasons, I die off faster than others as I see the train wrecks within one week of living with each other.
Read MoreI love to travel, of course, that’s why I’m in this profession. Do you love to travel, but the thought of the TSA security lines and the long waits at US immigration and Customs are holding you back? I have a great tip to simplify your life - and it’s called Global Entry!!!!
Read More“Where Can I Go?”
I get that question a lot and my response is where do you want to go? As my mentor expressed to me as I was sitting for my professional engineering exam, “once you pass, you have an invitation to the party. You might not want to go to the party, but you have the invitation”. That’s how I feel about a passport. You may never use it (it’s valid for 10 years) but if an opportunity comes along, you have the invitation to go if you so choose.
Read MoreSummer is in full effect, school is officially on break, and now what? Is it safe to travel? Should you stay local? Should you try a bucket list destination? If I’m vaccinated, will I still have to take COVID tests and possibly quarantine?
Read MoreDo you want a personalized experience or a call center experience? That is just one difference of hiring a travel professional and using a booking engine on the internet.
Read MoreHawaii is such a unique and diverse vacation destination and US travelers are rushing to plan their trips there during this time when domestic travel feels “safer”. After all, Hawaii can actually feel like an exotic, international vacation without ever leaving the good ole USA. There is so much to do in the Hawaiian Islands – a wide range of activities and experiences – however, I always like to share some top things NOT to do when visiting.
Read MoreEvery trip I try to do something adventurous. Even in a pandemic, I still planned to do something that would give me a rush.
Jamaica is an adventure enthusiast’s dream. Depending on the side of the island you choose, there are several packages and create your own options. Since this was technically my second time in Jamaica, I knew what I didn’t want to do on this vacation. My first visit was to Ocho Rios and we opted to go on a tour that included Dunn’s River Falls. It’s a tour through waterfalls and plunges into pools of water. If you plan to visit, make sure you have water shoes, it will help with your traction on the rocks.
Read MoreSanitized, that is what we did once we reached the lobby.
We made accommodations at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa. The resort actually has two sides, Jamaica and Lady Hamilton. However, due to COVID, everyone’s accommodations were on the Lady Hamilton side. This time of the year is considered their high season as snowbirds (colder climate travelers) flock to paradise to escape the cold temperatures.
Read MoreAs much as I love football, this isn’t a sport’s article reference.
Towards the end of 2020, I made a decision that I would travel out of the country in January 2021. I knew the risks of the pandemic, but I also knew that my happy place/ peace of mind/ self-care is associated with traveling. Since the Caribbean is the main tourist destination open to the USA, I set my sights on Jamaica. On the Carnival Horizon cruise in 2019, there was a port of call in Ocho Rios. I figured revisiting the country but having the ability to stay longer would be ideal. Therefore, Montego Bay was the destination.
Read MoreI’ve been fortunate to travel domestically and internationally. During each trip, I have learned a lesson that I like to keep in my toolbox for the next opportunity or share with someone else.
I’ve decided to write about five lessons I’ve learned on a couple of my trips. Hopefully, it’s helpful to you on your next adventure. Share with me if you’ve found any of these useful and which do you plan to utilize on your experience.
Second Times The Charm
A guided tour is an awesome way to visit a new country. The schedule is already made and you have a trusted and knowledgeable guide to help with the inevitable translations and navigation. However, some tour days can be jam-packed with visiting all of the main attractions within one day.
Read MoreA typical American employer compensates each full-time employee with two weeks of vacation (80 hours) and one week of sick leave (40 hours). There are other employers that lump all of this time into one pot as personal time off (PTO). Nearly every year Americans throw away an estimated 415 million vacation days. So if it’s “your” PTO, why don’t you use it?
Read MoreSeptember is designated as Self-Care Month. I’ve been seeing a lot of social media posts about the topic and have had time to think about my self-care needs. When my friend posed the question on her Facebook page, the options that were listed on her page were a sweet treat, spa day, or shopping. I responded with a quick and an extended answer.
Read MoreFootball games, casinos, hurricanes, and parades, I’ve experienced it all on birthday trips. Take a trip down memory lane with me as I reflect on previous birthdays.
Read MoreSince people are becoming leery of airports and flying, the next best thing to do is a short road trip to ease back into traveling. What constitutes a “road trip” for you? Is it the distance, the location, the sights along the way? What do you pack to make the trip comfortable? Here is a little insight into my thoughts on a short road trip.
Travel Weekly surveyed travelers (a combination of business and leisure) to see which hotel amenities are the most important to them when choosing a property. I agree with most of these, but think that complimentary breakfast is ranked correctly right up there at the top. Those that KNOW me, know I need breakfast in my life. Anyway, see if your own personal "needs" are met with these hotel amenities…
Read MoreWe have all seen the headlines and read about the demise of the travel agent. Even former President Obama proclaimed us "extinct". Online booking agencies like Travelocity and Expedia, booking online directly with suppliers and now Google entering the market big time, all appear to have replaced the need for the travel advisor. But was this death notice posted prematurely? And maybe...just maybe...is the career choice of travel consultant one of today's best kept secrets?
Read MoreOne of the fastest growing travel specialties is the "Girlfriend Getaway" and it is easy to understand why. After all the stresses of everyday life, there is nothing quite as enjoyable and relaxing as getting away from "reality" with those true friends who all (and even encourage) you to totally be yourself without fear of judgement. Of course, the same goes for men, although they may not admit it as freely. A few days away with the "buddies" on the golf course can be more valuable than hours of therapy! Here are a few suggestions for creative escapes.
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