Let’s Get Trekking

08/20/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Pre-travel Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

Stress can negatively affect the body, and preparing for a trip can be more stressful than you think. Here are some tips to help get you in shape for the journey:

🥛Drink lots of water.
Getting the right amount of water is critical for overall health, especially before travel. Staying well-hydrated by drinking roughly two to three liters of water per day will help your immune system perform optimally.

💊Take your supplements.
Take an immune-boosting supplement before travel to ensure your system is in tip-top shape. Do this for three to five days leading up to travel and continue to do so throughout the trip.

😴Get enough sleep.
Our bodies do its most important work of strengthening our immune system while we're sleeping. Since traveling can expose us to viruses, bacteria, and other illnesses, make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep nightly so that the immune system is in good shape.

🏋‍♀️Get in a pre-travel workout.
During travel, it's likely that you'll get a good amount of steps in and carry heavy bags. So, getting in a few workouts leading up to and one right before departure will help ease stress, which also gives the immune system an immediate boost.

08/19/2024

❤️✔️

08/13/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

A few tips to consider...

🏢Always visit the local tourism information center.
This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. Savvy travelers know to use this resource!

👩‍🦯‍➡️Don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost.
Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. I like to wander around and try to find my way without using Google Maps. Travel is the art of discovery, and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across. And, walking is heart-healthy.

🧳Always get behind business travelers in security lines.
They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!

⏳️Never get behind families in security lines.
And I love the babies, but... those lines take forever. It’s not their fault, they just have a lot of stuff because of the kids, and it could take a while.

08/06/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

A few tips to consider while traveling...

🏢Always visit the local tourism information center.

This is probably one of the most underused travel tips in the world. Tourism information centers know about everything going on in town. They can point you to free activities, special events happening during your stay, and everything in between. They even offer discounts on attractions and transportation. It is their job to help you experience the destination better. Savvy travelers know to use this resource!

👩‍🦯‍➡️Don’t be afraid to get purposefully lost.

Wandering aimlessly through a new city is a good way to get to know it, get off the beaten path, and away from tourists. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you find. Travel is the art of discovery, and you never know what cool little spot you’ll come across. And, walking is heart-healthy.

🧳Always get behind business travelers in security lines.

They move fast since they are usually in a rush and travel light. They know the drill. Line up behind them as much as possible. You’ll speed through the line!

⏳️Never get behind families in security lines.

And I love the babies, but... those lines take forever. It’s not their fault. They just have a lot of stuff because of the kids, and it'll take a while.

08/01/2024

A series of thoughts...➡️

07/31/2024

I took a picture of this art in a hotel in Germany. I think it resembles . What say you?

07/30/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Renewing passports online is as easy as 1-2-3-4!

1. Read the steps ahead of time.
2. Have your picture ready and saved on your device.
3. Log in at the opening time (1pm EST).
4. Submit!

p.s. Make sure you have your passport with you at the time of application, as you’ll need to enter info from it!

To qualify for online renewal, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a US citizen or resident who is at least 25 years old
• Have had a passport for at least 10 years, and it must still be in your possession
• Not be changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth
• Live in a US state or territory
• Be applying for a regular tourist passport 

07/16/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Paying with Credit Cards

If you have both a US and foreign address, make sure you're getting the best airfare deal when booking. The country your credit card is based in can significantly affect the price.

For example, United Airlines says that there are different prices based on your credit card location. If a US card and billing address is used, the price is higher versus using a card with a foreign address. I'm not sure if every airline does this, but something to watch out for if you're on a budget.

So, if you live abroad or bank in multiple countries, the choice of card you use could be affecting your flight prices!

#

07/09/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

JetBlue finally gets on board

Starting Sept. 6, travelers who fly on a Blue Basic ticket will receive a complimentary carry-on bag. The new policy will apply to all Blue Basic tickets, regardless of the purchase date.

Currently, most Blue Basic tickets don’t include a carry-on bag and travelers who bring a bag must pay extra and check it ($65 for a first or second checked bag). The exception is for transatlantic flights when Blue Basic tickets include a carry-on bag, but travelers must pay for a checked bag.

When the new policy goes into effect, travelers in Blue Basic will receive one carry-on bag and one personal item included with their tickets, much like travelers flying on a Blue fare get now. Blue Basic travelers will still have to pay for a checked bag and won’t receive other perks of higher fare categories like the ability to make changes to their ticket or no-fee seat selection.

This is good news for me, as I travel to New York often on my way out of the country. They are one of the few airlines offering a direct flight from JAX to JFK, and I love direct flights!

06/29/2024

Take that!

06/25/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

What are your summer plans?
Would you like to experience an all-inclusive resort but don't have a passport (yet)? Well, keep reading.

There are five all-inclusive resorts right here in the US that you can enjoy.

1. Bungalows Key Largo
2. Sandpiper Bay Resort
3. Alila Ventana
4. Little Palm Beach Resort & Spa
5. Bolongo Beach Resort

If you want to enjoy one or all of these, give me a call so I can make it happen.

Happy Summer ☀️

06/24/2024

06/18/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Make an Effort, Learn the Language

I was once challenged to learn the basic phrases in the language of the country I'm visiting. So, I'm now challenging you to learn basic phrases in the native language of your destination.
The locals will appreciate it, and it will make your interactions easier. You don’t need to master the language but learning a few things like “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Thank you!”, “Where’s the bathroom?” will go a long way to endearing yourself with the locals. They’ll like that you tried.

I can honestly attest to the truth of this sentiment. I didn't do it well, but on my recent trip to Mexico, I picked up a few Spanish words (and made up some too 🤣) that were appreciated.

06/13/2024

The beauty of colonial Mexico continues in the city of Guanajuato

06/11/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

If you travel abroad, and use the ATM to get local currency, NEVER let the ATM do the conversion for you! Let your home bank make the conversion for you. ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose the local currency option, even when shopping in stores. It will save you money!

It is generally cheaper to get cash at ATMs abroad, but reject the conversion option because it's always higher! And, try to stay away from airport conversion counters as well. Reject all conversions when abroad, it will cost you more!

06/04/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Did you know about this Google Maps feature?

If you have to walk to your hotel with luggage, you can use Google Maps to find directions that avoid stairs and hills.

Simply click the 3 dots next to your starting location, click 'options', and turn on 'wheelchair accessible'. This will allow you to avoid stairs and ensure you're on accessible roads for the journey. Accessibility really helps everyone!

p.s. If you ever go to Portugal, you'll be glad to have this tip.

06/03/2024

I'm team vacation with a heavy dose of traveling!

Which one are you?
1. Vacationer
2. Traveler

05/28/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Losing your passport is a scary thing, especially if you're abroad! There's no real quick fix for it, but there's something you can do to help speed up its replacement.

📌Take a picture of your passport's bar code. Why? It will help expedite replacing a lost or stolen passport, especially when traveling internationally.

Also, save, share and store this info in multiple places just in case you don't have access to your phone.

05/21/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

ABCs of How to Travel Like a Pro

🅰️rrange an airport greeter service to breeze through the airport. Someone will help you carry your bags, es**rt you to your airline's check-in, and whisk you past airport security, immigration, and customs. When you land, you kind of feel like a celebrity.

🅱️ook a car service to streamline your airport departure so you don't have to wait around for a cab or rideshare.

🆑️heck in via the airline's app well before heading to the airport. It also has all your information handy - passport numbers, frequent flier information, Known Traveler Numbers, emergency contacts, and boarding passes, so you can get through in a few clicks.

05/15/2024

Midweek Motivation

05/14/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Know your travel style

Knowing and planning for what you like to do while vacationing is important. If you like to stay busy, being able to purchase event tickets, research desired restaurants, and determine travel options for getting around prior to arrival can save both time and money. If you want a more relaxed vibe, then just showing up and going with the flow is your best option.

What's it like traveling with me?

⏰️ waking up early
⛰️ visiting all the sites
🚶‍♀️‍➡️ walking 15,000+ steps a day
🍽 eating all the things

Know before you go!

05/07/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Based on the latest regulations from the Department of Transportation, it is easier to get a refund when airlines mess up. The following issues are valid for a refund:

💰 Flight canceled or significantly
delayed
💰 Change in your departure or arrival airport
💰 Luggage takes more than 12 hours to arrive for domestic flights or 15-30 hours for international (depends on the length of your flight)
💰Seat got downgraded, or they changed the plane, and the seat you paid for is no longer available

The best part is that passengers won't have to do anything in order to get this refund. It will be automatic and should be issued within 7 business days for credit cards or 20 calendar days for other forms of payment.

For more details, check the latest news on transportation.gov.

04/30/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

If you've been thinking about visiting Brazil, go!

Brazil has postponed its travel visa requirements for American visitors until 2025.

The new visa requirements for tourists from the United States, which has been postponed several times and was most recently set to go into effect on April 10 of this year, will now go into effect on April 10, 2025.

When it does take effect, American travelers will need to obtain an electronic visa to enter the country. The e-visa will cost $80.90 per person and will be valid for 10 years.

04/23/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Are you an over-packer? Ever wonder how I can travel with a carry-on 100% of the time no matter how long the trip? Well, listen up, here are a few packing suggestions:

1. Make a packing list (just like you make a grocery list)
2. Put your clothes in a suction bag*
3. Roll your clothes
4. Use packing cubes
5. Pack versatile clothing
6. Use travel-sized containers
7. Pack heavy items at the bottom or wear them on the plane; i.e., shoes, coats
8. Use socks to protect delicate
items
9. Don't overpack (refer to item 1)

*If you do #2, you can really skip the rest! That's how I roll all the time 😉

04/16/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Ever wonder why your passport is the color it is? Or why are there only a few other different darker color passports? Turns out that there's no official regulation forcing countries to select primary color, they just lean towards the darker,
basic colors.

It seems that geopolitics and religion certainly come into play when a country determines the color of their passport. Muslim countries, for example, largely prefer green passports because the shade is so significant to the religion. Meanwhile, Caribbean states typically opt for blue passport covers.

More practical reasons also influence a country's decision to opt for the predictable dark tones: they are "generally more official-looking" and "less likely to show dirt and wear."

Boring!!!! Mystery, solved.

04/09/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

When traveling abroad, especially Europe, there may be times you have to pay to use public toilets. HOWEVER, there is a "workaround" to this.

Before you start your day, stop by Starbucks or McDonald's and purchase anything. Keep the receipt because there’s a number printed at the bottom that shows you are a paying customer for that day. This allows you to use the toilet at any of their stores during that day.

03/26/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

Finding the lowest price for a flight can be challenging, but some airlines have a somewhat hidden tool to help travelers snag the best deal. 

JetBlue has a section of their website with a fare calendar that displays flight prices in grid view between an origin and destination airport, helping travelers plan a vacation to get the lowest cost airfare. 

The tool, called "Best Fare Finder," is located under the "Book" tab on JetBlue’s homepage. It allows passengers to select whether they would like to pay in cash or TrueBlue miles.  Other airlines have similar types of calendar views, such as Southwest and American.

Delta's deals can be found in their app under Explore Destinations ➡️ Travel Info ➡️ Flight Deals.

Let me know if you find this information helpful.

03/05/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

To park or not to park?

It's no secret that parking at the airport can be costly, and could actually cost you hundreds. This added expense may have been very necessary at one time, depending on where you live. However, with the convenience of rideshares like Lyft and Uber, and  expanding mass transit, driving yourself to the airport seems to be a thing of the past.

In addition, there is a risk that you could return to a damaged car. Not all airport lots are covered, leaving your vehicle exposed to the elements. Plus, there's no accounting for other drivers accidentally damaging your parked car.

There may also be a Park-Sleep-Fly option available.  This allows you to park your car in a safe parking lot at a nearby hotel in exchange for one overnight stay, which can give you a more competitive parking rate.

Whether you're driving yourself or keeping your car at home, it always helps to consider your options.

Money saved on parking = money spent on vacation.

02/27/2024

Tuesday's Travel Tip

As Spring approaches, the theme parks will get more crowded as families pack the parks. If you find yourself at a Disney park, you can get some reprieve from the crowds.

Disney parks may be the happiest place on earth, but they can also be stressful when you’re traveling with young children and infants. In case you didn't know, Disney has Baby Care Centers in both Orlando and Anaheim parks. They provide a welcome, comfy relief for parents to step out of the mayhem and into serene rooms where they can take care of all their and their baby’s needs in peace.

There are multiple locations, and each is open during regular park hours and offers a range of complimentary amenities, including comfortable nursing room chairs, changing rooms with available tables, high chairs for feeding time, kitchen sinks to wash out your personal items, and even bottle warmers to ensure everything is just right. There are also vending machines on site filled with everything parents need, from formula to juice, diapers and wipes, pacifiers, and even sunscreen.

There is no time limit to how long parents and kids can use the facilities. Also, there’s no need to reserve a spot. Just use it when needed. Most importantly, each center is air-conditioned!

At Disney World, there are Baby Care Centers at the Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

02/20/2024

Tuesday's Travel is

Beyond Security

Remember when greeting travelers at the gate, es**rting a friend or family member right to their gate, or hanging out with a loved one right up until it was time to board was a thing? Well, some airports are working to bring the practice back. Yay!

Over the past several years, airports across the U.S. have introduced programs to allow non-travelers to pass through screening without a plane ticket to accompany friends and family who are waiting for a flight or be at the gate right as they get off the plane. Of course, it comes with caveats: airport visitors must show ID, must apply in advance, and must go through the same TSA screening procedures as other ticketed passengers.

These are the major U.S. airports that currently allow non-travelers to enter the post-security terminal:

✈️Philadelphia (PHL)
✈️Orlando (MCO)
✈️Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
✈️New Orleans (MSY)
✈️Detroit (DTW)
✈️John Wayne (SNA)
✈️Tulsa ( TUL)

I hope this becomes the norm again, as it takes away some of the anxiety of minors traveling alone, and it helps parents ensure their child(ren) board the correct plane.

What are your thoughts?