Stress-Free Travel

07/29/2023

Playing the tourist in St. Louis this weekend. Approx. 4 hour drive from Eastern Iowa. Our first stop was Gateway Arch . By visiting their website I was able to get a bundled package for my family of 4 and make reservations. We started off with the Tram ride, then onto the documentary on how the Arch was built, and we finished up with the River Cruise. Between parking and experiences I spent around $160 for my family of 4. I wish I had give myself more time for the museum. Lots to take in there. The River Cruise boat and staff were nice. Just not much to see. Definitely worth the drive and could be a great day trip option if need be.

08/25/2022

Airports are forecasted to continue to be packed with travelers. One way to move through the TSA line a bit faster is to utilize TSA PreCheck. Head to the TSA.GOV website and fill out the online form. The form is much easier than a Passport application. After you answer a few basic questions, you are requested to Schedule an appointment at one of the 2 Enrollment Center locations here in the Quad Cities. For reference, they are both in Ilinois. I took my passport and answered a few questions. Then the staff had me do a digital fingerprint and snap a photo. The whole process took less than 10 minutes. Walk-In's are welcome as well. The staff told me that I should receive my KTN or Known Traveler Number within 45 days. It was received in 10 days. So, what do you do with this information? When you provide your personal information on airline ticket purchase there will be a box for you to include this special number. It should show on your Boarding Pass and you will enjoy a faster, more seamless screening process. Safe Travels!

07/12/2022

Congratulations to my wedding Clients Rachel and Zach on booking their honeymoon. They will be spending 5 nights at the gorgeous Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana next spring.

06/10/2022

Restrictions Lifted soon on COVID testing to enter US.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/10/politics/us-to-end-pre-departure-testing-requirement/index.html?fbclid=IwAR2sW_ON7MtRXGpRraMwWoreKI_RG5xKvETO1vJLTQojmeVn7A6nJl3WAfY

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official and a US Centers For Disease Control and Preventi...

05/01/2022

Our next trip is planned for November 2022. Can't wait!

Found on Google from www.riu.com

05/01/2022

Spring Break Adventures - Activities
We visited a few different locations in Florida. Cocoa Beach, Wonder Works, Disney - Hollywood Studios, Tampa Zoo at Lowery Park, and Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium. Because we traveled the first week in March none of the locations were over crowded. But travel to and from definitely required some patience. There was road construction every direction we went it seemed.
🌴Cocoa Beach Pier has had a few updates over past years we have visited. The old fishing area has now been taken over by restaurants. It was worth the $25 rental for 2 Beach chairs and umbrella because the sun was already pretty intense for early spring. The water was cold, choppy, and Lifeguards had spotted a shark so warning flags were out. Parking was $15/day.
💡🔎 WonderWorks Orlando is one of my kids favorite indoor activity spots. We try to save it for questionable weather days since you can spend as long as you like there interacting with the different displays. $34.99/Adults and $25.99/Kids
🏰 Disney Hollywood Studios Starwars Galaxy Edge was our next major fun filled day. We arrived 40 minutes before opening and lines were full. Entry was slightly delayed because when they scanned our online tickets - we got flagged. I have 2 email accounts with Disney Parks it seems. Why they had to pull us out of line and sort that out was never explained. Nor was it necessary because I had printed out our passes and loaded everything on the Disney App as back up. To help navigate the park faster I paid the upgrade for their Genie pass+. The concept for using the Lightening Lane is great, but every ride we wanted to use it for was unavailable. At 9 a.m. the only Star Wars ride was available at 3 p.m. And since you can only use it reserve one ride at a time it was a waste of $. However, since I have a implanted heart device I was able to utilize their DAS program. It provides Guests with issues waiting line assistance. Basically it worked like the Genie pass was supposed to, but if I didn't go on the ride than my family had to get in the regular line. Honestly it was the saving grace to the day.. We never would have made it on all the rides we wanted to and physically I wouldn't have made it the entire day. There was one ride that I didn't use the pass reservation for since it was holding our spot for a later time and I didn't do well.
Parking was $25. Tickets $160/ each once taxes factored in. Genie+ Pass $60
🐵🐯🦓🦏🐘 ZooTampa at Lowry Park was a fun filled day. We saw a lot of amazing animals. Manatees and baby rhinos were great. The TV show Secrets of Tampa Zoo that my kiddos watch was taping near the orangutans habitat. There were a few rides and petting zoo for kids. Tickets were $44 Adults and $33/kids.
🐊🐢🐬 Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Located in Sarasota - the Aquarium teaches you about ocean environments, our impact on them and the study, research, and rehabilitation being done on the coast. They had a few interactive pools with stingrays and sharks. Tickets were $26/ Adults and $19 kids

03/30/2022

Spring Break - Lodging Part 3
We rounded out the last few days of our trip on the Gulf Coast. The condo lay in a quiet pocket of a residential area right on the beach. Traffic getting onto the key via Bradenton Beach was slow going. Though we arrive the first week of March the Spring Break travelers were already high in the area. Thankfully the location of our condo was in a more residential area so the private beach area was quiet. Sand and shell collecting was by far some of the best I have come across in the area. Condo was booked via AirBnb total fees for room for 2 nights including taxes, cleaning fees was $473.00
The location was a short drive from Sarasota Airport for those wishing to visit.

03/22/2022

Spring Break - Lodging Part 2

For the first 5 days of our trip we stayed at a house rented via VRBO. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom in a quiet residential neighborhood. The house sat on a small lake and had a nice wooded lot. We had this goose that came by for treats everyday. It was a very peaceful spot. Everything was clean and well maintained though dated. The only item that didn't work was the dishwasher. We placed a call and they scheduled maintenance. We did pay to have the pool heated and it was well worth the extra $16/per day. The garage had been converted into a game room with pool/ping-pong table etc. We didn't really utilize it but did hold pool Toys and my kids did appreciate that. House was situated not far from the main road that had Wal-Mart, miniature golf, and the discount Disney Gift shops. It was a perfect spot for shopping and the theme parks. House total charge including pool heat and insurance was $985.00.

03/18/2022

Spring Break Trip - Lodging part 1
Next up is a recap on the accommodations we utilized. First up was the Embassy Suites by Hilton & Rockford Conference Center. It was physically the closest hotel to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD). It is located in a renovated existing factory located on the Rock River. Arrive after 5 p.m. so you don't have to pay for parking in 1 of the designated lots. The hotel does not have their own parking space. This is by far one of the most industrial chic Embassy's I have stayed in. The elevator system was the first of it's kind that I had seen. You select your floor on a touch screen panel when you step up to the bank of elevators. Then it tells you which one you will ride. Door opens, you get in, and it takes you directly to your floor. No stops. In fact there are no floor buttons inside the elevator car. Just the standard door open and close. Why has no one done this before?! I hate having to stop on every floor and then the car is full so you have to wait for the next one. Especially with COVID. 6ft apart was impossible in an elevator. The room layout was another change from the standard Embassy configuration. Instead of the sitting room being your first space to have access to and then flowing from bathroom to bedroom. This layout was side by side. Restroom and bedroom to your right as you entered. Kitchenette, workspace, lounge on the left. One of the reasons I always try to stay at an Embassy Suites by Hilton when traveling as a family is 1) extra room space; 2) Social Hour; 3) Breakfast. Number 1 and 3 did not disappoint. The Social Hour was not my favorite at this location. Unlike previous experiences at other locations where it is held in a communal space and you can enjoy an a beverage with a light snack, at this location you had to go to the onsite restaurant and sit at the bar. Not great when you have kids. Additionally, there was no snack mix or pita chips. Not a deal breaker but a surprise change up. We did end up eating at the restaurant for convenience and as guests of the hotel you could get the complimentary alcoholic drinks at your dinner table until the Social Hour was over. The waitress mentioned if we were going to our room that we could take a drink to go as well.
Breakfast - this was available with some COVID protocols in place. Food items were selected and served cafeteria style by masked and gloved staff. Everything was delicious. The mini waffle with strawberry sauce was my favorite. After checking out I stopped by the onsite coffee shop to grab an Expresso drink to get me through the upcoming airport fiasco that I mentioned in my last post. I honestly loved this hotel. Between the room and restaurant the total I spent was $225. Not terrible. $60 was just on the appetizer and kids meals at the hotel restaurant.
Stay tuned on the VRBO house booked in Kissimmee, FL and AirBNB condo in Long Beach Key, FL as our recap continues.

03/15/2022

Thanks to COVID travel plans came to a halt for many of us. This is my first trip since major restrictions have been lifted. Airports/airlines are still requiring masks but that was about it for safety guidelines.
Allegiant recently opened up a route to Sarasota, FL and so for our family Spring Break trip we wanted to visit this new location. 4 tickets, 4 seats, 2 checked bags, and a rental car with Almao was $1600. Rockford had the best flight times out of the airports serving the route. So we decided to drive the 2 hours. It is nice to have the option of departing from another smaller airport with direct flights. Long Term parking was $7/day. Check-In counter was easy to locate. We arrived 70 minutes before departure and still had issues with getting our bags checked and through TSA in sufficient time. The flight was boarding while still in the TSA line. Flight arrived on time. Bags off quickly. Car counter a breeze.
For our return flight we arrived 2 hours early and purchased the extra Priority Boarding to hopefully avoid the issue we had on our way down. Car return was smooth. Thanks Alamo Rent A Car at Sarasota Airport for the great service. Allegiant counter was not staffed 2 hours prior to departure so unsure why they recommend passengers arrive at that time. Many were already in line. Purchase the Priority Access did allow us to get bags checked before any regular passengers. TSA team were fully staffed and got us through quickly. Our flight boarded on time, pushed back and then sat for over an hour. Bad storms to the north closed off our airspace. Then we had to wait for the weather to pass us. Our flight departed 2 hours after our scheduled take off time. We sat on the plane the entire time. We did get water and pretzel service and had access to restrooms. We were told we could not return to the gate, which seemed odd. Overall, I can't say my first flight experience was wonderful but thankfully most everyone was patient.

02/26/2022

In our series, “The Mistakes We Make,” travel expert Mark Ellwood shares tips to make booking your vacation (and enjoying it) stress-free including: signing up for deal alerts, avoiding over-planning, being a good tourist, and more.

02/26/2022

Spring Break is fast approaching. It has been awhile since most of us have hit the airport. Here are some great tips to remember to keep in mind as you plan.

In our series, “The Mistakes We Make,” travel expert Mark Ellwood shares tips to make booking your vacation (and enjoying it) stress-free including: signing up for deal alerts, avoiding over-planning, being a good tourist, and more.

11/25/2021

Congratulations to Amanda and Josh for booking your Apple Vacations trip with us! Enjoy your stay next year at this amazing resort!

08/22/2021

A few weeks back I shared that Six Flags offered a special on Season Passes for 2021. Here are some brief highlights from when my family and I went this season. #1 the parking is $25 with out the Season Pass. So even if you only use the pass 1 time it basically paid for itself. They have a guest drop off zone if you decide to Uber etc. to the park and skip the parking fee. Entry was pretty smooth. They only spot checked guests at security as we entered through the metal detectors. The park had a number of rides that I Remember from 20+ years ago. Coasters like Batman, Joker, Superman, and The Dark Knight.. Clearly they are holding up well. Others not so good. The old wooden coaster like Iron Eagle has had it's day. With use of the Six Flags app you could tell which rides were closed. Mostly water rides except for the one pictured. Also, the shows/entertainment theaters were closed. Some rides were only open certain hours. For instance the bumper cars. The Six Flags App was really useful for telling you how long the wait was to get on a ride as well. As a guest with disability I didn't appreciate how far the one and only counter was to get a wheel chair was from the gate. When it came to meal time I would definitely recommend purchasing the meal pass as a Season Pass holder. I got a $5 off coupon when I purchased the Season Pass making it only $30. You get 1 meal and a snack for the day. After spending $19 for a personal pizza, side salad and drink - you understand why it makes sense to drop the $30 and eat free every additional time you go to the park. COVID safety protocols? Other than hand sanitizer throughout the park - there weren't any in place. No social distancing in lines or ride wipe downs between riders. Masks were optional for guests and staff. Overall our kids aged 10 and 12 had a blast. I only rode the carousel for safety reasons. As a guest with a heart condition all the signs at NO. But you can get a special waiver at guest services if you show documentation and they will allow a few rides spread 60 minutes apart. No worries on that - my days of roller coasters passed 20+ years ago when the Superman Ride first came out.

08/13/2021

Allegiant has just started offering Sarasota, FL as one of their newest destinations to their seasonal route. Airports serving the Eastern Iowa area with direct flights include Rockford, IL; Peoria, IL; Cedar Rapids, IA and Des Moines, IA. Inside tip - if you are looking to travel for Spring Break consider this new destination to save on airfare. Currently hot spots like Clearwater and Orlando are pricing out double the price. I can't wait to try the new route!

06/04/2021

Hello Stress-Free Travel family. I am always happy to share deals and this one was a hidden gem my husband found. To visit the Chicagoland Six Flags it is currently $44.99 for a Saturday ticket and $25 for parking. So purchasing a Season Pass that includes free parking was a no brainer. The Season Pass includes -
Featured Benefits:
Unlimited visits + parking to Six Flags Great America,
Hurricane Harbor Chicago & Rockford
Valid for Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park
Admission + parking to other Six Flags theme parks
Free tickets for friends on select days
Discounts on park tickets for friends
visit sixflags.com to learn more