My Blog

Three Tips to Get Easily Through Airport Security

Laptop Case -- Don't zip your laptop up into a standard briefcase. You will have to waste time unzipping, pulling and placing. Instead get a pouch and place it in your carry-on bag. Make sure the pouch is like a wallet with a Velcro seal. Make sure you place the pouch Velcro flap up. Reach in, pull the Velcro and pull out the laptop. It's faster and less cumbersome. 

Scarf and Jacket -- Don't zip your jacket or wrap your scarf around your neck. You can easily take off your jacket and simply pull the scarf and put them in the containers. If your scarf is tied and wrapped, you will find it harder to slip on and off. You can wrap and tie once you've gone through security. Same goes for the jacket. Just leave it unbuttoned or unzipped until you pass through security. 

Compartmentalize Your Carry-On Bag -- If airport security has to search your bag, it's much easier if you didn't just toss everything in. Use separate bags for cosmetics, shampoos, brushes or toiletries. Put these bags within a bigger cosmetic bag. Slide the bag at the bottom of your carry-on and place your laptop case on the top along with any books or reading materials. Make sure you have a smaller inner pocket to place your cell phone or your plane tickets so you can easily pull them out. If they search your bag, you can easily pull out each item with no digging involved. And it stays neat, organized, and easy to get to your stuff.

Three Important and Valuable Travel Tips

Restaurants in Tourist Areas -- never assume that when you order a day's special entree that it will match the prices on the menu. If you're dining in an area that is a known tourist hotspot, be careful when presented with a "special" and be sure to ask the price. While the other entrees on the menu might be economically priced, a "special" might be two or three times the price. Sometimes the wait staff counts on your "assumption" that the price will be in the same range as the other dishes to deliver a meal five times the price. So, always ask for the specific price lest you end up with an unexpected bill.

Tropical, Wet Weather -- in places like Hawaii or the Caribbean while you may stay nicely warm, it doesn't mean you will stay dry particularly in the wet season. Make sure you bring a poncho or at least an umbrella so you don't get stuck needing to buy one. Also, be sure to wear things like capri pants or heels so that your pant legs don't drag on the wet and puddled ground and necessitate more laundry than you anticipated. Very heavy downpours can literally come in and out just as quickly and unexpectedly so carry some kind of poncho or umbrella in your purse or bag. Also, while it maybe warm enough to wear short-sleeve or even sleeveless shirts and dresses, once you're drenched and a breeze blows, you will catch a chill. So bring a light sweater in your luggage (besides, you'll want one for the plane ride). 

Taxi Cabs -- you can't predict what your taxi driver will be like. Some drivers weave in and out of traffic and hit the breaks in a sudden and rapid pace. When you get in your taxi, make sure you politely ask your driver to slow down and be careful. Tell them you get easily car sick if you feel uncomfortable asking them to slow down. Taxi drivers do this every day and sometimes lose perspective on their passenger's feelings in a strange city. Don't be afraid to speak your mind. You are paying for the ride after all. 

Magical Christmas on the Railways

Kids love train rides. Parents love train rides too -- especially at Christmas time when they can enjoy holiday lights. In our region in California, we have several railway excursions for families to enjoy holiday rides (note: these book up fast so make your reservations now). In Sacramento, you can enjoy the annual Polar Express trip. The Polar Express gives kids some special train time with Santa Claus and take some pictures. Another fabulous ride can be had Roaring Camp Railroad near Felton, CA where the run a Holiday Lights Train through the redwoods and down to Santa Cruz. Also, check out the Santa Ride via Railtown 1897 State Park. Ride begin in November and go through December. 

Exclusive Savings on 2012 Travel

Now is the time to book your 2012 vacation! With incredible offers to Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and U.S. Cities including kids stay free, free nights, resort credits and more, you'll truly find something for everyone! Book Now and Save Up To $1,650 Per Couple! Hurry, Sale Ends November 24th! If you would like to book your great escape, contact Elisa Taylor at etaylor@worldlesstraveled.com.

 

A True Foodies Delight -- Culinary Tours

Did you know that you can take culinary tours through countries? Yes, you can arrange with your travel agent to take a culinary tour where the trip is focused on either learning to cook the foreign foods or just eating and/or cooking. Some fantastic countries famous for culinary tours include:

France -- you can arrange a culinary tour through French wine country and then down to Provence and St. Tropez. As noted, you can elect to cook your way through the experience or simply eat your way through the country. France is famous for pastries, blood sausage and seafood delicacies along the coastline. 

Italy -- of course Italy is world-famous for its foods. Different regions, though, are well-known for specific foods, from pizza to pasta. Italian pizza is not what we eat here in America. They don't put cheese on it, and it's more like a flat bread with herbs and season to bring out the tastes. Florence, for example, is famous for its specific cuisine. So sit down with your travel agent and design your trip around the foods that please you.

Germany -- another country world-famous for its Bavarian specialties, and of course, beer. You can enjoy authentic choices such as bratwurst or sauerkraut. Design an eating tour around Octoberfest and the beer gardens. 

Please note: some countries are now famous for their food. In fact, some countries serve common foods that a lot of people will not like. What we eat here in America that is considered, for example, authentic Chinese food isn't even close. So, be discerning on your choice of culinary trips and be sure it's what you expect. 

Tips for Walking Tours

Did you know that many vacations can be set up as walking tours? You can work with your travel agent to set up walking tours where your luggage is shepherded ahead of you to each destination so you don't have to carry it with you. Some people shy away from walking tours because of concerns about miles between destinations and foot problems. Don't shy away from a walking tour because you worry about blisters. Here are some great tips to keep your feet happy as you walk and admire the sights. P.S. nothing allows you to intimately get to know an area better than walking through it.

Bag Balm -- this foot cream is a slippery substance that you cover your foot in and then put on your shoes and socks. You can get it from just about any CVS. It protects your feet from blisters. Marathon runners commonly apply it to the whole foot, because you can even get blisters on the soles of your feet and that's no fun. 

Two Pairs of Sports Shoes -- get an extra pair of shoes a half size bigger and be prepared to swap your shoes. Your feet swell when you walk or run for long durations. Swollen feet can chafe and get blisters. A half size bigger gives your foot room to swell and not cause irritation. 

Peppermint Foot Cream or Epson Salts -- at the end of a long walk, break out peppermint cream which soothes sore feet. You can also pour Epson salts into a basin or tub and soak your feet for 15 minutes or better to reduce pain and inflammation. Your feet will feel soothing relief. 

Mill Creek Campgrounds on the Del Norte Coast

 

Fall is a nice low-key time of year to hit the California Coast. The infamous fog generally has lifted, and while it's cool and damp, you will have some sunny days mixed in. Take the family on a weekend escape to the Del Norte Coast and make reservations at the Mill Creek Campgrounds, which are one of the few set in a forest of old growth redwood trees surrounded with lush ferns and moss. It's one of those few state campgrounds where you're afforded some privacy. The campground is located just outside of Crescent City along Highway 101, and it is roughly three miles long. Expect some great hiking trails and enjoy the stream that runs through the middle of it. On any given weekend, it's a fun family atmosphere with children running, playing and biking about on the main camp road. Plan for a great bonfire and ghost stories around the fire. Do bring wind breakers and coats. While the sun comes out, it's still cool in fall and cold in winter.