All About Travel

Airline fees

2011-03-11T14:52:00Z

Beware of the ever changing airline fees.

Now let's talk about the airline fees. Airlines are charging for bags, some are charging for carry on (word to the wise be far warned it will be a matter of time before the other airlines decide they too can charge for carry on), fees for extra leg room, fees for seat assignments (this is wrong, you purchased a seat and now some airlines are charging you extra to get a seat assignment at time of booking, fees for food, fees to speak to a real human that is a reservation agent at the airline and before long (you know they will try it) they will charge to use the laboratory.

Travel consultants that sell air have to keep all of this straight because after all there are several hundred airlines out there that service this planet. A Travel Consultant will CONSULT you on all the ins/outs of whatever airline or airlines service the market you wish to travel. When you do it yourself, you have to make sure you READ every page of that airline website or on line travel site to make sure you fully understand what you are purchasing, the rule for that airfare you are purchasing, the added FEES the airline will charge you and so on.

Beware that airline prices for tickets are going up by the second. You see the car fuel going up, up,up which is the same thing happening with jet fuel. Use a travel consultant, pay our small fee to allow a professional (or shall I say a real human not a computer screen) do all the work, provide you with the details of what the airline price and fees you will be hit with when you go to check in.

Use a travel consultant, we have knowledge, experience and wisdom. Travel consultants do all the work, present you the rules, details and restrictions. Airline tickets are a huge part of the vacation process and beginning to become the most expensive aspect of the vacation package.

How to Pack for 7 days in a 45 linear inches carry on

2011-01-05T21:00:00Z

How to Pack for 7 Days in a 45 linear inch Carry-On

In today's world of travel mishaps, more and more luggage is getting lost or misplaced for days. The airline's are posting extremely short connection times so they can be listed first on the availability schedule when the Travel Consultant or consumer is checking flight options. Since the majority of travelers will select their flight schedule based on cost, they sacrifice the needed time you and your luggage need to make the connection. Now factor in weather delays and you have either a missed connection or you make the flight but your luggage does not.

I am about to leave on a 15 day Princess Mediterranean Cruise. I will be in a range of temperatures from upper 80's to the mid 40's I have packed 7 days worth of clothes and accessories in ONLY a 45 linear inch ( 9" x14" x22") carry-on and my famous backpack. I use my backpack (reasonable size backpack, you do not want the airline saying it is too large) for my jewelry (I travel with nice fun jewelry, this way I do not stress if it comes up missing), camera, travel documents, MEDICATION (always travel with your medication in your carry-on, never pack it) stuff to read on the plane, snacks (airline food is discussing), small makeup bag (you do not have to pack all of your makeup), small calculator, my 311 bag (3 oz per bottle, 1 quart size zip lock bag, 1 bag per person) and my emergency zip lock with several pairs of underwear, 1 convertible bra, 1 white t-shirt, 1 bathing suit and several scarfs. Do not carry a purse! I pack a small travel purse in my backpack, this way the airline cannot say you are over the carry-on limit. Most airlines allow you to have a carry-on and a purse or briefcase. In the 45 linear inch carry-on (yes it has wheels) I have the following;

WOMEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black dress pants, 1 pair of black travelers pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 1 black bra, 1 workout bra
1 pair of yoga pants
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 5-way black dress from Travel Smith (you can make formal to casual outfits with this 1 piece of clothing.
1 pair of Lexees interchangeable shoes/sandals with 2 flexee tops (makes 3 different styles)
or better yet, 1 pair of Switch Flops (change out the designer straps, you have have tons of straps)
(Switch Flops found at Creekside Gifts in Winchester, VA 540-662-0270 www.creeksidegifts.com)
2 swim suits, 1 sarong, 1 pair of light flip flops
1 pair of lightweight P.J.'s
2 mock turtle neck lightweight shirts, 2 light weight fleece tops, 2 evening tops to go with black pants
(above for cooler climates, for warmer climates exchange for tops for the season you are traveling)
1 white top (nice dress tee shirts), several scarfs to change your outfit look
1 mini umbrella, 1 lightweight rain jacket (wear the rain jacket for travel and layer for warmth)
4 magnetic necklaces that can be bracelets, necklaces and even hair bands
1 rolled up duffel bag with TSA travel lock for souvenirs purchased on your trip
1 curling iron (most cruises and hotels provide hair dryers)

MEN TO PACK
1 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black or blue dress pants, 1 pair of casual pants (wear pants for the plane ride)
8 pairs of underwear, 3 tee shirts, 1 workout shirt
1 pair of work out shorts
2 swimsuits
1 pair of tennis shoes (broken in and avoid white)
1 pair of sandals and 1 pair of dress shoes with 8 pairs of socks
2 lightweight turtle neck shirts, 2 light weight fleecs tops, 2 white dress shirts and 2 ties
travel weight black or blue sports coat (wear on plane ride)

Now you ask...how do you get all that in one 45 linear inch carry-on? I call it "the Sausage Roll Method". Roll your clothes up like a sausage roll and place in 1 gallon zip lock bags. Once you have the bag filled, press down the seal and squeeze out the air to create a sealed and airtight condensed bag. You do not need those fancy packing bags, just use zip lock 1 gallon or 2 gallon bags. They work great.

What to Wear on the Plane; A nice pair of pants and layer your tops (you can get another shirt in your wardrobe) and wear your coat or use the lightweight rain jacket (it will give you more room in your 45 linear inch carry-on) and your best walking shoes. I find my Dansko's are the best shoes to explore Europe in. They are heavy so I wear them on my flight so I do not have to pack them and add weight to my 45 linear inch carry-on.

Now you are thinking, okay she has 7 days covered but she said she was going on a 15 day trip. Yes I will be packing a checked piece of luggage. But if my luggage does not make the connection in Frankfurt, I will have enough clothes to repeat for another week. I always tell my leisure travelers, you will not see these people again so who cares if you have to wear something twice. When traveling it is easy to purchase tee shirts and clothes, you can always purchase souvenirs to wear. The key is to pack LIGHT WEIGHT clothes. Leave the bulky sweaters at home.

Travel Basic's 101

2010-07-06T14:01:00Z

Travel Basic’s 101

Documentation needed for Domestic Travel-50 United States

Government issued photo ID for 16 years or older
Your full name as it appears on your driver’s license
Your Date of Birth
Must tell them if you are a male or female

Documentation needed for US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam

Government issued photo ID for 16 years or older
Original copy of birth certificate or an official State issued copy
Your full name as it appears on your driver’s license
Your Date of Birth
Must tell them if you are a male or female

Documentation needed for International Travel:

A Valid Passport
Your full name as it appears on your passport
Your date of birth
Must tell them if you are a male or female
Some countries require Visas example: China, South America to name a few

Documentation needed for Cruise Travel:

Valid Passport
Or Valid Passport Card (just for Canada, Mexico or Cruises to Caribbean)
Some lines will offer “circle” itineraries were you go in/out of USA port, currently allowing photo ID with birth certificate. However, this is not recommend should you experience an emergency while sailing and you must disembark outside of USA, you will have major difficulties getting back into the USA.

Airline Travel basics:

FAA requires 2 hour advance check in for Domestic flights and 3 hours for International
Airlines very on luggage fees and carry on luggage fees
Most airlines still allow 1 free carry on per person no larger then 45 inch linear, women can have a carry on and a purse and men can have a carry on and a briefcase.
311-rule for liquids in your carry on-3oz per bottle, 1 quart size bag, 1 bag per person
Bring your own snacks; the airlines no longer give food in most markets.
Cannot take liquids into the secured area with the exception of the 311 rule

To get information on New Passports or renewal of Passports, go to www.travel.state.gov for Passport applications and Visa information. In Winchester once you have 2 passport photos, filled out application (do not sign until officiated) you can go to Circuit Court on Kent Street or you can go to the Main Post office in Winchester to have them check your form, birth certificate and sign the application and pay the fees. Children’s passports only valid for 5 years, adults are valid for 10 years.

Travel Insurance-to purchase or not to purchase, that is the question

2010-04-19T18:57:00Z

This is always the big question: Should I or shouldn't I get travel cancelation insurance?

YES is the answer. In my 30 years of selling travel this question has always been asked when working with clients. As I tell all of my client’s this is an optional add on. I cannot tell them to get it or not to get however, I do share the past stories of clients that have purchased insurance and needed it as well as I have shared the sad stories of clients that did not purchase insurance and really needed it.

Most suppliers make their trips non refundable after you have paid in full. Not to mention the airlines are not our friends and to get the lower airfare prices you purchase non refundable tickets. (If the airline does not operate the flight for whatever reason they have to allow you to change without a change fee or they have to refund your money IF they cannot operate the flight) The potential money loss is with the other travel components like cruises and tours.

With the Iceland Volcano disaster that has shut down air travel in most of Europe and has created a domino effect around the world, those that purchase travel insurance have protection. The poor travelers that cut costs and did not purchase insurance are really out of luck. See travel insurance is just not for illness or death. Should an airline cease operations for more then 24 hours, travel insurance starts to cover unforeseen travel expenses and refunds your money should you not be able to get to your cruise or tour. It always gives you coverage for travel delays as well as lost baggage, emergency accident and sickness coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage.

With today’s unpredicted Mother Nature disasters like volcano’s erupting, floods and earth quakes (let’s not forget Terrorist attacks, we will forever remember 911) you should never purchase travel without purchasing travel insurance. For all of those travelers that spent hard earned money for their vacations, invest a little more to have the peace of mind should a situation arise that is totally out of your control. See if an airline cannot get you to Europe, Asia, South America, and Central America or even across the USA for you to pick up your tour, cruise or independent travel arrangements, this is the problem. Your hard earned money will be protected should you have to cancel. The cruises and tours will still depart it is just a crying shame when you cannot get there and the supplier will not give you your money back because the final is non refundable.

Remember, all travel insurance coverage varies, to cover pre-existing conditions you are to purchase insurance w/in 14 days of deposit or purchasing air tickets. This is very important for weather coverage. Make sure you understand what is and is not covered. Insurance is wonderful when covered reasons occur, no one wants to loose their hard earned vacation money.

"Togetherings"

2008-05-30T16:54:00Z

TOGETHERINGS.....when 4 no more then 6 people travel together for 3 or 4 night mini vacations. The advantage of Togetherings is your group is small enough to share taxi's or even share accommodations (if a girls trip, women will share a bed with each other, a man would not hear of it). Planning in advance is the key for Togetherings. The key is destinations that offer non stop flights. Example, from Washington DC here are destinations (IF YOU PLAN IN ADVANCE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOWER AIRFARE PRICES ON THE NON STOP SERVICE)

DESTINATIONS THAT OFFER NON STOP SERVICE FOR A QUICK 3/4 NIGHT MINI VACATION:

PARIS
LONDON
FRANKFURT
ROME
AMSTERDAM
CANCUN
PUNTA CANA
JAMAICA
SAN JUAN
BERMUDA (SEASONAL NON STOP SERVICE)
L.A.
SAN FRANCISCO
DALLAS
DENVER
CHICAGO
ATLANTA
MIAMI
ORLANDO
PHOENIX

The destinations prefect for Togetherings. Remember the key is to plan in advance to take advantage of the best prices and availablity for non stop service. Togetherings are prefect for women wanting to travel together, friends wanting to travel together and couples wanting to travel together. I have personally experienced several Togethers over recent years and they work. Your group cannot be larger then 6 due to the fact more then 6 you have issues with taxi's and sharing accommodations. Togetherings are short trips so they will cost less, only take a few vacation days and easy to plan since you only have to please 4 no more then 6 people.

Vacations When The Economy Is Down

2008-05-19T19:59:00Z

When the economy is down people tend to pull back on the luxury of traveling. Fully understandable when any extra money you may have has to go for filling up your car just to get back and forth to work on a daily bases. I am here to share YOU CAN VACATION when the economy is down. Everyone needs to recharge their batteries and taking a vacation is the prefect way to recharge one's soul. In times like these we will cut out traveling and this does not do good for the soul, we all need to break away for the daily struggles of life. Here are a few suggestions to think about before you say NO to a vacation this year or next year.

Plan a 5 day-4 night get away. Getting away for 4 nights can be just as restful as a 7 day vacation.
Travel Monday-Thursday to avoid weekend traffic.
Ask your Travel Consultant for local resorts, lodges and hotels driving distance from your home.
Have your Travel Consultant book you a few nights at a local luxury drivable hotel to enjoy their spa,pools and facilities offered. (some hotels are offering Gas cards as part of the room rate)
Check out neighboring State's "State Parks". Stay at a hotel near by while you enjoy the parks facilities.
If you live by a metropolitan city, do a city vacation and explore the arts, museums, local festivals, historical landmarks and much more. (some hotels are offering Gas cards as part of the room rate)
Your Travel Consultant can book an Amtrak vacation to places like Williamsburg, Charleston SC, Savannah GA, Philadelphia, New York and other Amtrak destinations.
Check out the good old USA. National Parks, Nation's Capital, Niagara Falls, Theme parks in near by states, Nashville, Cleveland (Rock and Roll Hall of fame), Western Maryland, East coast ocean destinations as well as Garden's like The Biltmore in North Carolina. Or come to Winchester VA and stay at the refurbished Historical hotel from the 1920's. Learn about the Civil War and history that dates back to the mid 1700's.
Plan an "explore my state" trip, explore the state you live in with stays in towns you might not ever go to.
Take an All Inclusive vacation to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamacia and other Caribbean destinations.
Club Med offers an All Inclusive resort in Florida as well as other Caribbean destinations.
European Cruises are paid in US DOLLAR and not in Euro's. (great savings)
Escorted group European tours are paid in US Dollars and not in the Euro.
Book a cruise from a local departure pier like Norfolk Virginia or Baltimore Maryland.

Call your Travel Consultant to plan your vacation. Do not deprive yourself of a well deserved get away even in economical times like these.

Where Can You Go Without a Passport?

2008-05-14T19:54:00Z

Effective January 1 2008 the US Government imposed a new passport requirement for any travel outside of the Continental USA. However there are a few destinations where you can go for some sun and fun and only have to have a State issued paper birth certificate with a raised seal along with a Government photo ID-drivers license.

St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico
Guam

Any other destination outside of the Continental USA requires a Valid Passport. Some countries require that your passport be valid for 6 months AFTER you return from your trip. So you can get to sun, sand and palm tree without a passport if you plan a vacation to one of the 3 listed above. All destinations offers history, culture, beaches, warm weather and turquoise seas. Should you be interested in planning a vacation, please contact me.

A Booming Industry, Weddings and Honeymoons

2008-03-19T17:31:00Z

Just in case you were wondering, here are some pertinent facts on weddings and honeymoons you might find interesting, based on U.S. patterns:

Each weekend an average of 44,230 weddings take place in the USA

For a traditional American Wedding, couples spend an average of $ 27,852

Weddings represent a $ 50-$70 billion industry

Honeymoon's comprise of $12 billion a year industry

Couples spend an average of $ 3,700 on their honeymoon-roughly 14 percent of their wedding budget

The average honeymoon costs 170 percent more than the honeymooners last vacation

The length of an average honeymoon is eight days

16 percent of marriages are celebrated as destination weddings

Honeymoons are the gift the bride and groom give each other. All the stress of planning your special day is soon forgotten once you are on your way to your well deserved vacation together as husband and wife. I am always amazed when a couple leaves the honeymoon to be the last item they plan. Nothing is more disappointing then hearing the couple's dream vacation be shattered when there is not enough money in the budget. Smart couples will select their honeymoon early in the wedding planning process, contact a travel professional and place the minimum required DEPOSIT. The advantage of checking off your honeymoon planning off your list to do for the wedding, you know how much you will need to have for that dream vacation. Your deposit will hold your honeymoon and you have time to save up for when the final payment comes due. Final payments for vacation packages come due 60 to 45 days prior to departure. Those couples that save the honeymoon planning for last have to come up with full payment at the time of booking. I have had many couples to have to change their plans since they have over spent their budget in other areas of their wedding.

Average Price range for Honeymoon destinations

2008-03-04T21:48:00Z

A honeymoon is the gift the Bride and Groom give to themselves. This trip is to reward them both with a vacation together to start their new lives together. Amazingly the honeymoon can be one of the last item the couple looks into. The problem is if you wait until a few months before your wedding to plan your trip you are within final payment. Most couples at this point are strapped for cash and quickly find out they cannot afford the honeymoon of their dreams. To help out with the planning process, I have listed the Average Price Range for Honeymoon Destinations. This list will help with knowing which destination is within the couple's budget.

CRUISES 3 and 4 nights with airfare                            $1,600.00 and up per couple
CRUISES 7 nights with airfare                                      $2,800.00 and up per couple

MEXICO and DOMICIAN REPUBLIC with CHARTER AIR OUT OF BWI

3 and 4 night All-Inclusive resorts                                $ 1,800.00 and up per couple
7 nights All-Inclusive resorts                                        $ 2,800.00 and up per couple

HAWAII-Airfare, room, tax, rental car and possible breakfast daily depending on resorts

7 nights                                                                        $4,000.00 and up per couple
10 nights                                                                      $5,000.00 and up per couple
14 nights                                                                      $9,000.00 and up per couple

BERMUDA
7 nights                                                                        $5,000.00 and up per couple

ARUBA
7 nights                                                                        $4,500.00 and up per couple

AUSTRALIA
7 nights                                                                        $7,000.00 and up per couple
10 nights                                                                      $9,000.00 and up per couple

TAHITI
7 nights                                                                        $8,000.00 and up per couple
10 nights                                                                      $9,000.00 and up per couple

EUROPE
7 nights                                                                        $6,000.00 and up per couple

TRAVEL SEASONS by desitinations:

Caribbean and Mexico High Season: December-March
                                     Low Season: September-November

Bermuda                      High Season: May-September
                                    Low Season: November-February

Aruba and Hawaii       Year Around

Europe                        High Season: May-September
                                   Low Season: November-March

When a honeymoon is planned 6 months to a year in advance all that is required usually is a minimum deposit with final payment coming due 60 days prior to departure date. If you plan ahead you can have the honeymoon of your dreams. Planning the honeymoon early in the wedding planning process can allow the couple to have the destination they desire. The couple can better budget their wedding and honeymoon trip by knowing the cost of the honeymoon earlier in the wedding planning process. I am always sadden when a couple had great dreams about their wedding and can only afford 3 nights at a local beach because they spent too much on the other aspects of their special day. The key to best price on travel is planning ahead at least one year to 6 months in advance.

Travel Agent verses the Internet

2008-01-17T13:41:00Z

SERVICE, EXPERIENCED KNOWLEDGE, INTERVIEWS YOU FOR YOUR TRAVEL STYLE, RECOMMENDS TRAVEL PROVIDERS IN GOOD STANDING AND TRAVEL PRODUCTS BASED ON YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS AND REQUESTS. That is what you get when you use a Travel Professional verses the Internet.

It seems that the general public is not aware of the difference of booking with a Travel Agent verses booking travel over the Internet. Yes, you can spend hours upon hours searching the multitude of travel websites looking for that prefect "deal" to your desired travel destination. And some of you will be shaking your heads when I say after these hours and hours of research you either never book or you are so confused at the hundreds of options that you do not know what to book. You say to yourself -

    Is this a decent hotel?
    Is it located where I want to be?
    Is it in a safe area?
    Will the food be good if it is an ALL Inclusive
    Will the adult beverages be CALL liquor or will it be RAIL liquor?
    Is everything I want included?
    Is this a good resort for my family?
    Can I get my family of 6 in a room?
    Do I need a Valid Passport?

And this is just the beginning. You get the picture. The Internet site does not respond to your questions, you have to play seek and find to hopefully get answers and an Internet site will not give you feed back if this is really what it seems to be.

A Travel Professional is a human being with experience and valuable knowledge that answers your questions as you ask them. Travel Professionals provide knowledge, experience and most of all we are there for you should you have travel issues before, during and after your trip.

Let me first cover the wide term "deal". With today's rising fuel costs, more and more travel provayers are imposing fuel supplement charges to make up for the increasing cost of fuel. Both airlines and cruise lines are charging added fees to cover this growing increase in cost. Airfare MAKES OR BREAK your "deal". Most travel destinations have seasons - high, shoulder and low. The "deals" that Internet site flashes before you are prices for the off season and based on airfare prices that exact moment when you are plucking away for your search. Airfare prices change several times a day. You can see an airfare and one hour later that "great deal" was only for one seat and you need two or more. Or those seats have now sold to another consumer OR the airline has just updated their traffics and now they have pulled that price from the tariff and it is no longer offered. All prices for any travel package is based on DATES OF TRAVEL. To my knowledge there is not an Internet site out there where you can put in a date range (Try the window of 1 to two months, a common response when I ask for "when do you wish to travel) and have it give you the "deals". Even travel professionals do not have this magic system to pull up "deals" for a range of dates. Everything is date driven and what makes deals is if you are getting a deal on the airfare. Or they offer an air schedule that is double connections since it prices to make the deal.

As I have mentioned in my other article's a Travel Consultant/Agent are paid by the travel vendor not by the consumer. We entrust when working on a lead that the consumer wishes to use our services to have the research, booking and travel support once you start your trip. If we spend hours and hours researching and providing knowledgeable information to NOT get the sale - the Travel Professional has now lost time and that means money. This unprofitable lead has taken our availability away from other callers/travelers that have no desire to shop the "Net" and entrust our services to provide narrowed down options based on dates of travel and BUDGET. It seems the general public hates to give a budget, they feel if they show their cards the Travel Professional will spend every dime. Do you know why we ask for a BUDGET? Having the traveler's desired budget allows us to quickly asses if the destination you are inquiring about is a realistic budget for that destination. Budgets also allow us to advise if you can get a 7 night vacation or if we need to scale back to 4 nights in order to meet your budget. You will be hard pressed to find an Internet travel site that will give you this kind search. TRAVEL DATES ARE THE KEY. Give the dates you can travel and a good experienced Travel Professional will check a window before and after your dates to see if those dates might price out lower. Again, the package deals will be based on what the cost of the air.

I am the first to admit you can find deals on the Net. If you are not looking for service and price is all that matters then the Net is for you. If you want the research, options presented to you that meet your travel dates and travel style requirements, then a Travel Professional is for you. When you use a Travel Professional you build a trusting relationship and you can depend on having the support before, during and after your trip. Travel Professionals are seeking those clients/travelers that do not have time to devote to researching, planning and booking their travel needs. Travel Professionals save you time, money and provide you travel support in today's world of Airline passenger abuse, crazy weather patterns and an automated world that will never provide SERVICE.

Find a Travel Consultant you can build a relationship with and you can trust she/he will recommend packages and find the deal once you give the dates you can and want to travel.

Controling Weight While Vacationing

2007-12-06T17:35:00Z

Controlling your weight while vacationing can be done. I put the tips I have listed below into place while cruising for 12 nights and being gone from home a total of 15 days. And guess what.....I came home 4 pounds lighter then when I left.

Most people will diet like crazy or at least attempt do loose a few LB's before they go on vacation. Then while on vacation they eat and drink as if they have never done it before. Of course "All Inclusive Resorts" and cruising has also added to the vacation blubber. Most vacationers do not want to think about cutting back since after all you are on vacation. But we know that vacation weight gain is a drag to come home to.

Here are some tips that helped me control weight while cruising for 12 nights and vacationing for 15 days:

Before leaving home, make yourself some healthy snacks to take along for the airline/airport experience. (the airlines never feed you anymore and if going international the food they serve is, well you know airline food) Some great snacks to pack are walnuts, almonds and Kashi bars (Kashi snack bars are made with honey and full of good stuff for you). Use the snack size snack baggies to make your portion controlled snacks. Walnuts and almonds are the best snack to curb your hunger. Eat 6 nuts about 20 minutes before a meal and you will eat less. Pack enough baggies for the plane journey and to have while vacationing. I recommend packing healthy food for the plane ride, just do not pack liquids, the security will not like that to much.

Use the gym while on your cruise or at your resort. Vacation is a great time to allow time for YOU and you have time to exercise. Cruise gym's and certain resort gym's offer classes in yoga, palates, aerobics, kick boxing and even Ti Chi. Sign up and try a new exercise without having to sign up for 12 weeks like you would at home.

Walk, walk, walk and walk some more. Seek out cruise off shore excursions that include walking. Use the walking track on the ship or in the gym use the treadmill. At an all inclusive resort take the time to enjoy the resort grounds or beach and make an effort to walk, walk and walk.

Cocktails, some will indulge more then normal while on vacation. If you drink wine, have wine spritzers instead (I know that wine drinkers will cringe at the thought of diluting your wine, but it is not that bad) you can drink more and consume less calories by having Wine Spritzers (1/2 wine 1/2 soda water). Go for light beer if you are a beer drinker. Avoid tropical drinks as they are full of sugar. Go for either wine or light beer. Or better yet, alternate your drinks, have a cocktail and then the next drink have sparkling water or still water.

Drink water through out the day. The body needs to be hydrated. Traveling can dehydrate you quickly without realizing it. Avoid alcohol and caffeine while flying this will dehydrate you very quickly. Having at least eight, 8oz glasses of water a day will do you wonders. Yes, you will visit the restroom more often but guess what that gets you walking more.

Specialty coffees, order then up "Skinny" ask for them to be made with skim milk instead.

Spa cuisine, what a wonderful new concept to cruising and resort dining. More and more people want to eat healthier and Spa cuisine can allow that to happen. Most cruise lines now offer a Spa menu as well as they offer vegetarian dishes (be careful, do not think just because it is for vegetarian's that the dish is low calorie, make sure you know what is in the dish to make an educated choice).

Allow yourself 1 roll at dinner or better yet forgo having the roll. If you have the roll have it with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, this is better then having butter on it.

Have a salad or soup before the entrée. Use oil and balsamic vinegar instead of dressing on your salad. Order what you want and if it is a higher calorie dish then just have a few bites. You do not have to eat the entire serving. I know it will seem wasteful but who cares, you are on vacation and at all inclusive or cruises the food is included. Not like ordering a meal out and you pay high dollar for it so you do not want to waste a single bite.

Deserts, yes the sin of all sins is to indulge in desert. Share with your travel mate or like I said above, take a few bites and then push it away. The problem is that most will order desert every night and not share. Sharing it will make you feel great the next morning.

Avoid the Lido deck (if cruising) or the buffet lines at resorts. GO TO THE DINING ROOM!! You are on vacation, why not be served. Then you get portion control and you feel special to be served. Buffet lines you will overeat. And you do all the serving. You know Mom's saying "your eyes are bigger then your stomach".

Take the stairs and challenge yourself to not use the elevators. Great to do on cruises, you are on vacation so you can take your time with the stairs. Taking the elevators you cannot add extra steps to your day.

Eat more often, it is true that when you eat 5 to 6 small meals a day it is better then 3 large meals or less since some people refuse to even eat 3 meals a day. If you eat a larger then normal lunch then cut back at dinner. Having smaller meals more often your body can burn that up faster then making your stomach over work when you fill it with tons a food at one meal.

Controlling your weight while of vacation can be fun. I can tell you first hand that coming home weighing less then when I left was the prefect ending to a lovely get away to recharge my batteries. Vacationing is good for the soul, we all need to escape reality and as I say "live like fat cats". Now I challenge you not to come home a fat cat but a lean cat that is well rested and ready to tackle what life has in store for you until your next vacation.

Cruising Travel Tips for more then 7 nights

2007-11-20T17:49:00Z

I have just returned from a 12 night Princess cruise of the Holy Land aboard the Royal Princess and a 2 night POST stay in Venice. As I always say to my client's, I learn the most valuable travel knowledge by experiencing the "World of Cruise Travel" myself. It never seems to amaze me that even I can make travel blunders. But before I tell you my travel cruise blunder (I promise not to keep you hanging) I wanted to give a list of tips that will come in handy when you cruise. I witnessed others who encountered problems that had they had tips like these their travel would have been much less stressful;

1. Pack 7 nights of clothes in a 45 inch carry-on. More then 10 travelers from our 720 passenger ship did not get their luggage and we were leaving for a 12 night cruise. (See my article below on "How to Pack for 7 days in a 45 inch Carry-On". One couple I met went 5 nights until their luggage caught up to them. The airlines are not giving ample enough connection time. Luggage is not arriving when you arrive. Cruising without your luggage can be a real drag.

2. Purchase travel insurance to give you lost baggage overage and baggage delay coverage. Not to mention when you are traveling out of the USA, travel insurance gives you medical and emergency evacuation coverage.

3. Items to pack for a cruise that can come in handy; scotch tape, string, cold medicine, extra camera batteries, extra memory chips, safety pins, manicure scissors (pack in checked luggage so TSA does not take them), power strip (this is excellent for giving additional outlets in your stateroom) and a night light.

4. Check on the average temperatures for all destinations you will be traveling to. The temperatures for the Mediterranean from November 3-November 19 ranged in the mid 80's to low 40's. Some traveler's did not have warm enough clothes packed for Croatia and Venice.

5. Invest in silk long underwear, packs light and will add warmth should you be traveling off season (for best travel rates) or traveling to a colder client.

6. Notify your credit cards of your travel dates and all of your travel destinations. It is a pain to try to reach them from the Sea to let them know it is you making the charge from Haifa, Israel or Cairo Egypt. Most credit card companies are denying charges from far way to protect you from possible fraud.

7. If traveling with others, take along wipe able message boards. They can be found at Dollar Stores. You can communicate with your travel companions since cruising offers so many options for entertainment and dining. You can meet up easier with a quick note on where to meet for a cocktail or catch a show together. Plus they are just plain fun.

8. Ask your Travel Consultant about private excursion options for your port of calls. If you are traveling with others it can come out less for private excursions and you get so much more knowledge and attention then in a group tour environment. With reputable private tour companies you receive exclusive attention of your guide, most private tour companies will use educated guides with degrees. Our guide in Egypt (Faris from Egypt Express) was an Egyptologist and had many contacts throughout Egypt. He got us in the Egyptian Museum before the crowds, took us immediately to the Mummy Room and we spent 20 minutes all by ourselves in this room with Ramses's II, the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut and other royal Eqyptians before the crowds worked their way up to this area. He also arranged for Camel rides for us and we took off for the banks of the Nile for a sail in one of the famous Nile feluccas. In Venice we used IC Belliago for our 2 night stay in Venice. Our certified guide Roberta was outstanding. Her knowledge and knowing the "ins and outs" of Venice was priceless. We started our Venice experience disembarking at the Venice pier to be greeted by Roberta for our private water taxi and Hidden Canal tour followed by a walking tour. The next morning 3 of our group took a market trip followed by a cooking class. Later that day the 5 of us took the "Three island" tour. Our first stop was the island of Torcello, where we toured the old cathedral, much older than St. Mark's. Then we visited the island of Burano, with beautiful painted and colorful houses, for a demonstration of lace making. Then off to the island of Murano for a private and I mean private demonstration of glass blowing. I can say private excursions are priceless and give you so much more value the large group tours.

Now for my travel blunder. I travel frequently and ever since 9/11 we can no longer bring liquids in our carry-on unless it follows the 3-1-1 rule. Since I went to Greece and Venice I purchased one bottle of wine, one bottle of Ouzo and one small bottle of olive oil. When preparing my luggage for my return to home I totally forgot I was packing wine, olive oil and Ouzo in my carry on to make sure they arrived home not breaking in my luggage. I was more concerned for my breakable souvenirs to be hand carried back with me on the plane and the 3-1-1 rule just vanished in my mind. Well, I am here to report the Security of Venice airport is on top of things. I was greeted by the Security man to be asked "do you have a bottle of wine in this bag?" Oh dear, could I have climbed under a rock. I quickly dashed to the ticket counter, begged a man to cut in front so I could see the same young lady that checked in my 2 checked bags already. I was fully prepared to pay additional Euro's to get my third bag checked in. I was lucky, the lovely young lady did not charge me for the extra checked bags and thank you to the man that allowed me to cut in front of him. So even seasoned travelers can have a travel blunder every now and again.

What is a Travel Consultant?

2007-10-25T17:52:00Z

What is a Travel Consultant? Many consumers do not understand what a Travel Consultant is or how a Travel Consultant makes a living. There is a misunderstanding that it costs the consumer more to use a Travel Consultant or by using one you pay higher prices to compensate them for their knowledge and time. When the reality is - an experienced Travel Consultant will save you time, headache and money.

At one time a travel consultant's slogan was "Travel Agents do it for Free". This is still true with the exception of airline reservations. After the airlines cut commissions, travel agencies now charge reservation and ticketing service fees. This fee can vary by region. For this fee you get assistance before, during and after your trip. Most travel agencies provide a 24/7 Emergency Hot line on your ticket invoice in the event you are traveling after hours, in case you have the need for travel assistance in an emergency situation. In today's travel world with so many cancellations and delays this is PRICELESS.

When it comes to the Internet the consumer can invest a great deal of time researching and checking the unlimited travel options there are for just one destination. If your billable time is worth say $ 100 an hour and you spend 10 hours researching the numerous travel options available, you have already invested $1000 (of your time) and may or may not have purchased a vacation. Once your traveling, should you experience travel problems and we all know problems occur everyday in the vast world of travel, WE ARE YOUR ADVOCATE! Travel Consultants have contacts and valued relationships, we fight on your behalf and get compensation when compensation is warranted. Experienced Travel Consultants have networks, we can VIP. The Internet can not.

Depending on the amount of research needed some Leisure Travel Consultants charge a set amount "Plan To Go Fee". This fee is REFUNDED to the traveler at the time of final payment or some Consultants will apply it to the final balance due. This fee is ONLY RETAINED if the consumer does not book the trip, to cover the consultants time invested. Each Travel Agency will have their own fee structure. Always ask for clarification if you feel you are not sure of what their service fee includes.

A Travel Consultant makes their money from the vendor (travel supplier), not the consumer. The vendor pays a commission to the Consultant/Agency to deal directly with the consumer. Travel Agency/Consultant's prices are not inflated to compensate us for our work. Vendor's cannot offer one agent a better price then the other unless there is group volume and negotiations can lower the price if a groups volume meets their requirement. The best way to describe a Travel Consultant's role is that of a Travel Broker. We first interview you for your travel style, desired destination, consultant on destination seasons, advise you of needed travel documents such as passports required, provide the research and recommendations for products based on your interview and budget. Once a package has been decided upon, the consultant will handle the payment and provide the final travel documents and itineraries prior to your departure. Along with your documents, an experienced Travel Consultant will also provide detailed general information about your destination. An experienced Travel Consultant can arrange private excursions or tours, they can make dining recommendations and many times they can provide first hand EXPERIENCE.

Travel Agents/Consultants can be like Real Estate Agents, there are many - but the secret is to find one that is experienced, friendly and knowledgeable in all aspects of travel. Personal Travel Consultants are just like Personal Trainers or Personal Shoppers. I pride myself on being a Personal Travel Consultant. Over the last 27 years I have built my career and I have many lovely friends that trust me to handle their travel arrangements.