Life's a Journey Vacations

06/24/2025

Have you heard of "juice-jacking"? Beware of charging your phone or other devices using public USB charging ports in airports and hotel lobbies.

"Malware installed through a corrupted USB port can lock a device or export personal data and passwords directly to the perpetrator. Criminals can then use that information to access online accounts or sell it to other bad actors."

Be sure to use AC power outlets or bring along a portable charging device when traveling in order to protect yourselves.

If your battery is running low, be aware that juicing up your electronic device at free USB port charging stations, such as those found near airport gates, in hotels and other travel-friendly locations, could have unfortunate consequences.

06/06/2025

I've recently had travelers visit some amazing places and have many more with fabulous travel plans in place this summer.

🏄‍♀️ A couple weeks ago I had a couple spend a week on Waikiki Beach and did all the things on Oahu.

🗻 I just had a couple return from a weeklong escorted tour in the Canadian Rockies.

🐋 I had a family sail on an Alaskan cruise out of Seattle on Holland America.

🛳 I've got a couple currently in Athens excited to board their Greek Islands cruise tomorrow.

🌴 And I've got a family wrapping up a week celebrating a high school graduation at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

I don't just book Mexican, Dominican, and Jamaican vacations--Where are you dreaming of going?

05/23/2025

It looks pretty good to me. Would you change anything?

05/07/2025

It's Global Travel Advisors Day!

The value of working with a travel advisor has never been more evident. Travel advisors don’t just plan trips—they help clients make the most of life’s most precious resource: time. From turning dream vacations into lifelong memories to stepping in when plans go awry, even from across the globe, travel advisors offer the kind of unwavering support and peace of mind no algorithm or insurance policy ever could.

Far from being a thing of the past, travel advisors are a vital part of today’s travel ecosystem, responsible for 75% of all tour package bookings, 59% of cruises, and 40% of air travel. Across the U.S., 190,000 travel advisors—most of them women-owned small businesses—help connect travelers with seamless, personalized experiences.

Even if you don't book with me--I encourage you to use a knowledgeable travel advisor when planning your next vacation. We spend time in locations around the world, learning about the destination, making connections with hotel and transportation staff, touring resorts, you name it. We put our hard-earned money back into expanding our knowledge for our current and future clients in order to give you the best vacation experience that we can.

04/29/2025

Did you think you missed out on joining my Scotland tour group in July? A lot of summer tour dates are indeed sold out, BUT MY TOUR DATE STILL HAS SPOTS AVAILABLE! Travel dates are July 10-16, 2025 which will require an overnight flight from the US on July the 9 (or earlier if you wish to add optional pre-tour hotel nights). What a beautiful destination to escape the heat of a Midwest July than the highlands of Scotland?

Rolling hills and rugged coastlines, mythical creatures, and elusive monsters, quiet fairways, and boisterous bagpipes, this tour of Scotland is a study in stark contrasts among the most beautiful of classrooms. Hitting the highpoints of the Highlands from Glasgow to Edinburgh, you’ll cruise on beautiful Loch Lomond, ferry to the dramatic Isle of Skye, and visit the home of golf, St. Andrews. More lush landscapes await as you search for the mysterious Nessie along the banks of Loch Ness, stand before the famous Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films, and swoon over the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle nestled on a tidal island and featured in numerous films. If green means go, you have the go-ahead to pack your tams, tartans, and knickers for vibrant and verdant Scotland.

This tour is just $2,669 per person even during peak summer travel, with this tour operating July 10-16, 2025. It really is a great price for everything that's included. If you're interested in learning more about it, just reach out to me!

[email protected]

04/23/2025

At an all-inclusive resort, how do you feel when fellow guests play music from personal speakers at the pool or beach? Does it add to the atmosphere, or is it a mood killer?

Does anyone take personal speakers with them on vacation?

04/18/2025

Allianz Global Assistance, my favorite travel insurance company, offers some great advice when it comes to your luggage and packing for your vacation.

☑️ Photograph the contents. This makes it easier to file a baggage loss/delay claim, if anything happens to your stuff.

☑️ Check your luggage tag and identifiers. Are your bags marked with the right info? Are they easy to spot on the baggage carousel?

☑️Inspect luggage for problems.

☑️Check all the pockets. If there’s a forgotten pocketknife or even a corkscrew in your suitcase, you could get delayed by a TSA inspection.

☑️ Weigh your checked bag. If it’s more than 50 pounds, you may be charged an extra fee.

☑️ Take it for a spin. Can you lift your suitcase and lug it upstairs? Find out now, before it’s too late.

☑️ Measure your carry-on. Airlines are strict about size. Check the carry-on requirements first.

☑️ Take a deep breath. If you tend to get a little anxious about packing, just remember that you can replace almost anything you forget. As long as you have money, identification, travel documents and travel insurance, you’ll be fine.

04/17/2025

Did you know there are programs that can help speed you through TSA security in US airports and the US Customs processes?

Global Entry vs. TSA Precheck -- How do they differ and which is better?

TSA PreCheck speeds up security screenings for flights departing from U.S. airports. As the name suggests, it’s run by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, though it works with three enrollment partners. For first-timers, it costs $78 through Idemia, $85 through Telos or $77.95 through Clear for a five-year membership. To renew TSA PreCheck online, it costs $70 with Idemia and Telos and $68.95 with Clear.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, plus faster U.S. customs screening for international travelers arriving at U.S. airports. It's run by a different agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership. Applicants under the age of 18 will be free of charge when a parent or legal guardian is already a member, or concurrently applying, for NEXUS, SENTRI, or Global Entry membership.

While more comprehensive, the Global Entry program has requirements that are more stringent and include a passport and an interview. But as stated above, Global Entry approval INCLUDES TSA PreCheck, so in my opinion if you travel internationally somewhat frequently and are planning to apply for TSA PreCheck, it's better to spend a little more and apply for Global Entry.

04/07/2025

Real ID requirements go into effect on May 7, 2025. According to the US Department of State, a Real ID compliant ID will be required for all domestic air travel.

Are you REAL ID ready? Beginning May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID for air travel within the United States. A U.S. passport meets this requirement. Passport processing times are 4-6 weeks – Apply now so you're ready for summer travel.

Find other REAL ID options at tsa.gov/real-id

Learn how to apply for or renew your passport at travel.state.gov/passport

03/31/2025

Have you ever wanted to see Loch Ness and hope to be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of "Nessie", visit the home of golf at St. Andrews, do a guided tasting at a whisky distillery, visit Culloden Moor and battlefield, see the famous viaduct from the train scene from the Harry Potter movie, tour Edinburgh Castle and see the crown jewels, enjoy a bagpipe performance and maybe even try haggis? 😬

Then join my group to Scotland this summer! The weather should be perfect with highs in the 60s so you can escape the Midwest heat with me. There's still a few spots available and I'd love to have you join us. Tour dates are July 10-16 and you have the option to add on days before or after the tour for extra free time to explore on your own if you wish.

The tour includes 6 nights in first class hotels around Scotland, several meals, entry into many sites, the services of a tour guide traveling with us, and even some free time here and there to explore, shop, etc.

If you're interested in more info--reach out to me! [email protected] or 660-562-4077

03/28/2025

During our full day in Budapest, Ryan and I opted for the optional Avalon excursion to be Hungarian chefs for the day. The day started with a visit to a local market with our guide where we purchased a few of the items we would need to make our meal, and from there we moved onto the kitchen where our group split up to create five classic Hungarian dishes.

Ryan and I have found that some of our favorite activities in destination have been food tours and cooking classes. It’s so fun to experience local cuisine when traveling.

03/28/2025

An excursion to Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic was an optional day trip while docked in Linz, Austria on our Avalon river cruise on the Danube. Since we were crossing the border into another country we had to bring along our passports, but border control checks are random and the border control post wasn’t manned on this day. This was the prettiest little fairy tale town.

Exploring Europe on a river cruise gets you to a lot of unique destinations you might not visit otherwise.