The Travel Concierge

04/14/2025

Are you prepared for the REAL ID deadline on May 7, 2025? View some FAQ's below.

Confirm that your driver’s license or other ID is REAL ID–compliant (denoted by a star or emblem in the top right corner) by May 7, 2025. If your ID is not REAL ID–compliant and you have an upcoming flight, head to a DMV office and apply for one as soon as possible. While waiting for your REAL ID in the mail, you can use an alternate form of ID when traveling, including a passport or Global Entry card. The temporary paper ID given to you by the DMV will NOT be accepted by TSA when traveling by plane.

A REAL ID is a state-issued form of personal identification, such as a driver’s license, instruction permit, or other identification card, that meets security standards set by the REAL ID Act of 2005. REAL ID–compliant licenses have a star or other emblem in the top right corner. They also have anti-counterfeit markings built in, along with facial recognition technology to help combat fraud.

Do you need a REAL ID?
Not all states require you to have a REAL ID for day-to-day purposes, such as driving, voting, or applying for federal benefits. However, if you are 18 years or older and you plan to fly on a commercial plane (or access certain other federal government facilities), you’ll eventually want a REAL ID.

There are alternatives to a REAL ID, including a passport or Global Entry card, but eventually if you travel frequently, it’s in your best interest to get one.

Note that you will still need a passport in order to travel internationally, by plane or if you drive across the border to Canada or Mexico. A REAL ID does not take the place of your passport.

What happens if you show up to the airport without a REAL ID?
It’s still possible to fly without a REAL ID, though the process will be different from your typical security experience. TSA recommends that you arrive at least three hours before your scheduled flight departure to give yourself enough time.

You’ll need to go through an identity verification process, which can take an hour or more. Once your identity has been verified, you’ll go through the security checkpoint, likely with extra attention from a TSA agent. Note that you may be subject to a patdown, and your carry-on may need to go through additional screening.

The added time to go through security may cause late arrivers to miss their flight, so plan ahead. And if you choose not to comply with this protocol or your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to go through security.

Do you still need a REAL ID if you have TSA PreCheck?
Yes, you still need a REAL ID. TSA PreCheck is a standalone expedited security program that can be applied for and used in addition to a compliant form of ID when traveling.

04/12/2025

We spent our last day at Fisherman‘s Wharf. In the morning we went on a whale watching tour, which was a highlight for my husband and I! We spent the afternoon shopping and eating and watching the sea lions. We ate sourdough bread and had a fabulous dinner at Boudin. We ended our night with a tour of Alcatraz. Such a fun spring break for older kids!

04/12/2025

We hit San Francisco on the second half of our trip. It’s one of my favorite cities. There are beautiful views everywhere! The Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay provide a stunning backdrop. Once again, we toured the city on day one. Hiked the Lands End Trail, drove down Lombard Street, saw the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square Park, stopped at Chinatown for lunch and to watch Fortune Cookies being made. We drove through Haight-Ashbury, but stop and shop at the quirky shops here if you get time! We played putt putt at Holey Moley and ate at Mel’s Drive In to end our day. We spent the next day touring Sausalito and driving up and around Muir Woods to see the giant redwoods. It is a beautiful drive! My favorite part of the day was visiting the community of floating homes in Sausalito. Their boat-homes are built on concrete platforms and they rise and fall with the tides. Check out the pictures-their plant game is strong!

04/12/2025

We thoroughly enjoyed the extended Warner Brothers tour. The extra Friends experience and being able to eat in Central Perk was worth the money, in our opinion! We saw sets from Friends, Big Bang Theory, Harry Potter, lots of streets and alleyways used in many movies, the fountain from Friends, Luke’s Diner from Gilmore Girls, Marvel and Game of Thrones props and so much more!

04/12/2025

I visited Los Angeles with my family for the first leg of our spring break. If you have teenagers, this is a great spot! The first day we explored the tourist sites; Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater, The Grove and the Farmer’s Market, Rodeo Drive, and of course we had to get burgers and fries at In-N-Out. A highlight of the day was taking a driverless Uber called a Waymo. We had fun spotting those all over the city! The next day, we rented bikes near Santa Monica. We explored the boardwalk and spent the day biking The Strand, passing through Venice Beach and many other beaches. That night we hit the Lakers game, which was a highlight for the boys. They topped it off with a win!

03/22/2025

Heading to the Kentucky Derby this year? Check out these tips for first timers!

Answers to all your questions about the 2025 Kentucky Derby including derby weekend race schedule, dress code, things to do in Louisville and much more!

12/13/2024

Hey international travelers! Do you like the idea of going somewhere and seeing different places, but hate having to change hotels every couple of days? Try a CIE Daytripper Tour! You'll be stationed in one place but will venture out each day to see new destinations. Everything is planned, hotel, transportation, etc., and you will also be able to enjoy some downtime on your own. Destinations include Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Italy, Iceland, and Spain.

*Convenient Home Base: Stay at a centrally located hotel, perfect for launching each day’s discoveries.

*Daily Adventures: Embark on expertly planned day trips to iconic landmarks and off-the-beaten path treasures.

*In-Depth Exploration: Immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy evenings in your home-base locale.

*All-In Inclusive Advantage: Get more without paying more -- no optional extras.

Let CIE Tours show you the very best of Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and more on a guided tour vacation.

12/13/2024

Thinking about traveling internationally but a little nervous to do it on your own? With Cosmos, you can have everything planned for you including first class hotels, many of your meals, and all transportation. You get a tour guide and a group to travel with but will have your days to spend doing as you like, at your own pace. Check out this tour I just booked for a fun group...around $5k including flights for two weeks in four countries!

Experience the breathtaking Alps on this Cosmos Swiss Alps vacation. From Munich to Zurich marvel at stunning scenery, Linderhof Castle, and more!

10/22/2024

10/22/2024

09/23/2024

The Louvre is HUGE! I can’t even capture it all in this video.

09/23/2024

This hits different than Kings Island at night 🤣

09/22/2024

Dinner with a view, Notre Dame, Seine River, Saint Chapelle (wish we could have gone inside!), Hotel de Ville, Arc de Triomphe, and Champs Elysees were fun to explore. St. Germaine, Luxembourg Gardens, and the French Institute were beautiful. I loved grabbing coffee and wine at a cafe and people watching! And The Louvre…people told me it was huge, but I had no idea the magnitude of this place! My video doesn’t even capture it all. Au revoir, Paris! 🍷🥖🇫🇷

09/19/2024

Zurich was a big city with high end shopping. We ate our dinners there after our long days of excursions and had really good Swiss and Italian food. We had drinks and watched a futbol match at Zurich’s oldest pub, Oliver Twist. I’m not a big soccer fan, but the energy there was contagious! Then we hit the FIFA museum before catching our next train. The chocolate truffles at Laderach did not disappoint!

09/19/2024

Visiting Lucerne and Mt Pilatus was the highlight of our trip. In Old Town Lucerne, we walked across the beautiful Chapel Bridge, and shopped for souvenirs. Next we took a panoramic gondola and aerial cable car to the top of Mount Pilatus at 7000 ft. The day was overcast, but as we broke through the clouds, the sun came out and a mountain literally appeared before our eyes directly in front of us. It was as if we were blind and could suddenly see. I’ve never seen anything so majestic, the way it was revealed! We took in the breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps and fluffy clouds, and thought we’d be cold as kiddos were throwing snowballs at each other, but it was 70 degrees, so we took in the sun! Finally, we descended down by cogwheel railway. It is the world’s steepest! Last, we took a boat ride on Lake Lucerne. We also saw many, many cows roaming freely through the hills, with their bells on. A perfect day in my books! 🇨🇭

09/19/2024

Rhine Falls appreciation post…turn on sound for full effect! There are tourist boats that try and get as close to the Falls as possible, but the rapids push them back. 🌊

09/19/2024

Second leg of the trip we stationed ourselves in Zurich, which is a great jumping off point to explore several places in Switzerland. This day we first visited Rhine Falls by the German-Swiss border. The Falls are part of the Upper Rhine River and it’s a fierce and widespread waterfall! Next, we visited the medieval town of Stein am Rhein. It looked straight out of the pages of a storybook! Check out the giant wine press. We had some amazing gelato here!

03/19/2024

Looking for adult only all-inclusive? The Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya is a luxury 5-star resort with a gorgeous beach and serene atmosphere. With the architectural design of a Mexican hacienda, the property is beautiful with lush tropical gardens, and boasts one of the largest pools in the area. There are seven a la carte restaurants, 11 bars, 24-hour room service, daily activities, nightly entertainment, and a spectacular, secluded 1-kilometer-long white-sand beach. This resort is a travel-agent favorite! See the videos in my post below of an ocean front room. Yes, there are palm trees in front of the water, but it's because these particular palms are becoming extinct, and they are preserving them. 🌴 💚