Science knows that chronic inflammation can be managed by adopting a healthy lifestyle. That includes eating more whole foods with fiber and less processed foods — especially sugar — maintaining a healthy weight, getting sufficient sleep, managing stress, not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and getting consistent exercise, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

The amount of exercise shown to reduce chronic inflammation is only 20–30 minutes per day. This coincides with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommendations of at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise throughout the week. Plus, they suggest adding 2 or more days a week of muscle-strengthening activities involving all the major muscle groups. These recommendations can help seniors improve in all 4 types of exercise — endurance, balance, flexibility, and strength — allowing them to maintain an active lifestyle of their own choosing.

The Anti-Inflammation-Plus Workout

Here’s a 20-minute circuit-style workout that checks off all the boxes.

• It strengthens all the major muscle groups — chest, back, shoulders, arms, legs, and abs/core.
• Includes all four types of exercise — endurance, balance, flexibility, and strength 
• Has all seven essential moves seniors need to do to stay independent — push, pull, hinge, rotate, squat, lunge, and gait 
• Helps improve balance
• Helps reduce inflammation 

*Recommendations: add this to your exercise routine 2–3 times a week.

How To Do The Exercises

Warm-Up: Marching in place while swinging your arms or dancing to your favorite upbeat music.

1. Wall Or Counter Push-Ups – Standing

• Stand tall, facing a wall or kitchen counter, an arms-length away.
• Wall: Place palms on the wall, shoulder-width apart, and slightly below shoulder high.
• Counter: Securely grab the counter edge, palms facing down, and arms shoulder-width apart.
• Keep torso tight. Don’t bend at the hips or waist.
• Lower yourself to the wall or counter by bending at the elbows. 
• Move the whole body like a plank. Allow heels to come up off the floor.
• Lower yourself to a point that allows you to push back to the starting position.

2. Lat Rows With A Towel – Standing Or Sitting

• Fold a towel lengthwise so you can hold it like a bar.
• Stand or sit tall with shoulder blades down and back, arms shoulder-width apart.
• Hold the towel taut an arm’s length away with palms facing up.
• Keep the arm muscles tight and pull the towel toward your navel by bringing the elbows straight back.
• Extend arms back to front, keeping towel taut, to go back to starting position.

3. Squats 

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart or a bit wider if your knees are stiff.
• To prevent knee discomfort, the angle of the feet need to be inline with your knees.
• Stand tall, eyes focused straight in front with hands clasped together under the chin. 
• Shift weight to your heels as you start to hinge at the hips and bend your knees.
• Lower butt back and over your heels, to keep pressure off the knees.
• Standard squat depth is hips level with knees or whatever feels comfortable to you.
• Come back to start by tightening the thigh muscles and pushing up straight.

Pro Tip 

A balance component can be added after mastering the squat. Think, sitting on a piano bench!

• Squat, lift the left knee up holding for a count of three.
• Squat, lift the right knee up holding for a count of three.
• Repeat

4. Bicep Curls With A Towel – Standing Or Sitting

• Fold a towel lengthwise so you can hold it like a bar. 
• Stand or sit tall with shoulder blades down and back.
• Start with arms straight, close to your sides, palms up holding the towel taut. 
• Lift the towel up to the chest for a bicep curl, elbows staying over the hips.
• Lower arms down to start, keeping the towel taut.

5. Curtsy With Arm Push Backs – Standing

• Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. 
• Arms straight at your sides, fingers spread apart, and palms facing behind you.
• Take a step back with the left foot and cross behind the right foot.
• Keep your arms tight and press them behind you as you step 
• Relax the arms when coming back to start.
• Switch feet, curtsy, and press. Keep alternating feet.

6. Standing Russian Twists

• Stand tall, feet hip-width apart.
• Interlock fingers keeping arms bent and close to your sides.
• Lift the left knee. As you rotate the torso to the left, bring clasped hands to the left hip.
• Bring clasped hands to the front, torso straight, and left foot down to your starting position.
• Switch sides and keep alternating.

7. Side Lunge With Arm Cross — Standing

• Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart and arms out horizontal and shoulder-high.
• Step out to the side with your right leg, bending the right knee. Pushing  hips and butt back as you cross your arms in front, keep the left leg long. 
• Push yourself back to the starting position with the right leg.
• Bring arms back to starting position.
• Switch to the left leg stepping out and alternate which arm crosses on top.

Pro Tip 

This program can be modified for any fitness level. For more intensity: 

• Change the towel to weights or resistance bands.
• Change set durations to 45–50 seconds instead of 30 seconds.
• Increase the number of rounds to 2. 
• Do all exercises standing.

For less intensity: 

• Change exercise timings to 4–6 repetitions.
• Take longer rest times.
• Sit when it’s an option.
• Only do the exercises where you feel balanced. 
• Hold on to something stable if needed.

Don’t skip the 10 minutes of stretching at the end. Stretching is still strengthening. Plus, it’s the best way to help improve joint pain and stiffness, prevent injuries, help decrease stress, and improve posture and balance.

Inflammation – Helpful Or Harmful?

There are two types of inflammation responses: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is initiated by the immune system. It helps the body to heal and recover from an illness or an injury and can last 2–6 weeks. Chronic inflammation is an inflammatory response that somehow gets switched on and doesn’t switch off. Meaning it can last for months or even years. When that happens, it can contribute to the progression of tissue damage and lead to a chronic condition. 

In 2014, the Rand Corporation estimated that “nearly 60 percent of Americans had at least one chronic condition, 42 percent had more than one chronic condition, and at least 12 percent of adults had five or more chronic conditions,” according to the National Library of Medicine.

These chronic conditions aren’t just heart disease and strokes. It’s high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia, diabetes, allergies and asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, kidney disease, and bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

For seniors looking forward to an active lifestyle or traveling after retirement, one or more chronic diseases can drastically derail their plans. Limited mobility from a stroke or severe arthritis can make traveling feel too difficult. Diabetes that’s not well controlled could stoke fears of getting too far from home. A constant state of confusion associated with Alzheimer’s or dementia could make traveling nearly impossible. And a bowel disease can easily convince someone that traveling is no longer an option.

These exercises may not be for everyone. Please check with your healthcare professionals before starting any exercise program.

One of the most recognized landmarks in Hawaii, Diamond Head State Monument in downtown Honolulu is my own personal Everest — one that I successfully summited! Climbing to the top of Diamond Head’s crater rim is a popular activity for visitors as well as a favorite workout loop for locals. It’s not every day that you can boast that you’re hiking up the side of a volcano in a capital city, let alone one with incredible panoramic views, but it happens every day here.

Diamond Head is part of the system of cones, vents, and eruption flows of the Honolulu Volcanic Series. Thankfully, there’s no chance of an eruption at this state park these days! But the long-dormant crater and crater walls offer visitors spectacular views and one of the state’s most rewarding hikes.

The curious name, Diamond Head, was given to the area by 19th-century British soldiers who thought the nearby sparkling calcite crystals were much more precious. But indigenous Hawaiians call the landmark Leahi, from lae for “ridge” and ahi for “tuna.” If you use your imagination, you can see how the crater rim resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin.Today, Diamond Head is protected as part of the Diamond Head State Monument. Encompassing approximately 475 acres, it is one of the largest green zones in an American state capital.

1. Arrive By Foot, Car, Or Public Transit

If you’re feeling ambitious, it’s entirely possible to hike to the gates of Diamond Head State Monument from Waikiki. Depending on where you start, it could take up to an hour — and then you still have to explore the park! But more people do it than you might think, especially fitness-oriented locals.

Most visitors, however, prefer to save their energy for the hike to the top of Diamond Head, and there are several ways to get to the park using other forms of transportation. For instance, the Waikiki Trolley blue line includes a stop at the gates of Diamond Head State Monument. However, it only makes financial sense to purchase a trolley pass if you plan to ride the trolley to other attractions and do some sightseeing.

The more frugal option is to take the city bus, which costs around $3 for adults. Bus number 23 from Kuhio Avenue (toward Diamond Head) is the most direct route via public transportation. While you’ll likely spot the State Monument sign, let the driver know where you’re headed to be on the safe side. Tickets are usually good for 2 hours, so if you’re a speedy hiker and a frugal traveler, hold on to your transfer stub, and your return trip through Waikiki might just be free.

Of course, you can always drive (there is ample parking) or catch a taxi or Uber. Diamond Head State Monument isn’t very far from the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, and Diamond Head Beach Park. If you’re planning to visit these attractions during your trip to Oahu, it makes sense to do so after your Diamond Head visit, when you’re still in the neighborhood.

2. Reservations Are Essential 

Diamond Head State Monument is open every day of the year, including holidays, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The latest you can enter the park to hike is 4:00 p.m. since the round trip takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours. On peak days, the park welcomes more than 3,000 people. As such, as of May 12, 2022, all out-of-state visitors must have an advanced reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument.

Reservations can be made up to 14 days in advance for now, but the long-term plan is to change the system so reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance. Visitors are asked to arrive within 30 minutes of their reservation time. However, you must leave by the end of your reservation time. So if you are a slow stroller, make sure you’re there at the beginning of your time slot!

3. Best Time To Hike: Mornings

If you’re visiting Hawaii from mainland North America and jet lag has you awake bright and early, visit the park and hit the hiking trails before the crowds get there. We started our hike not long after the park opened, and I’m so glad we did. The temperatures were relatively cool, there weren’t many people (though we were far from alone), and it was neat to see so many locals getting their workouts in. It helped me realize that Diamond Head is so much more than a tourist attraction — it’s a beloved part of the community.

4. Pay Online — But Bring Cash

Prior to the new reservation system, admission to Diamond Head State Monument was $5 per car (no matter how many people were in it) and $1 for pedestrians, and it was cash only. But the new system changes everything! Now the reservation system means you pay $5 per person in advance online, via credit card. You can also pay the $10 parking fee if you wish to park. If you have ID that proves you’re a Hawaiian resident, your entry and parking costs are free.

I highly recommend bringing along some extra money to buy some refreshing shave ice after your hike. There’s usually a food truck selling it in the trailhead parking lot and, in my opinion, it’s the best way to treat yourself after your adventure.

5. Minimal Gear Needed

In addition to a bit of money, you should bring your own water bottles (there are fountains at the beginning of the trail, but none as you ascend), a hat and sunscreen, and good walking shoes. I have to say, I did see quite a few people wearing casual flip-flops, and they were undeterred by the loose gravel and switchbacks. To each their own, but I’m glad I had my sneakers with me on the hiking trail!

6. Expect Stairs And Gravel

The trail to the summit was built in 1908 as part of Oahu’s coastal defense system. The hike itself is only 0.8 miles each way, but you gain 560 feet in height along the way. The trail includes a concrete walkway, loose gravel and soil, a 225-foot-long tunnel (it looks pitch black as you approach it, but it is dimly lit inside), and many, many stairs. In addition to the loose gravel, there are several narrow and awkward parts of the trail, and your ankles will appreciate the extra support that tennis shoes provide.

Having not realized there were so many stairs involved — I assumed I’d be hiking up a slope, not steps — I have to admit I was worried that the Diamond Head hike would defeat me! The stairs themselves weren’t impossibly difficult, but they were harder on me because I hadn’t expected them. Now that I know what to expect, I don’t find the route nearly so intimidating. The hike to the top of Diamond Head is a workout, for sure, but it’s manageable and well worth it for the gorgeous panoramic views. A little pre-trip planning goes a long way.

7. Great Views And Incredible History

Without a doubt, the most spectacular thing you’ll see at Diamond Head State Monument is the incredible view. Locals like to say that on a clear day, there’s nowhere else on Earth where you can see so far overland. Based on my very unscientific observations, I concur! At the top of Diamond Head, all of Honolulu opens up to you. For early risers, I can’t imagine a more breathtaking place to enjoy the sunrise.

However, the land views pale in comparison to the ocean views. From crashing, deep navy blue waves to delicate shades of turquoise lapping at the shore, this is the Hawaii of your dreams — nothing but sun, sky, and surf. In the winter season, you might just see humpback whales frolicking in the distance. And at the base of Diamond Head, you’ll notice a jaunty white lighthouse. A facility of the United States Coast Guard, the lighthouse was built in 1917 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. If you think it looks familiar, that’s because it was featured on a postal stamp in 2007! Unfortunately, you can’t visit it, so you’ll have to enjoy the views you get from Diamond Head.

While I expected incredible views — and I was not disappointed — I noticed something else that I found equally intriguing. There are many objects along the way that point to the crater’s history as a military observation point. The land around Diamond Head Trail was part of a military base for decades, and artillery cannons, cement bunkers, and an observation deck were built on the crater. You can still see the remnants of Diamond Head’s past life as you complete your hike. With an odd mix of curiosity and sadness, I observed chunks of concrete and wire slowly disintegrating and rusting on the ground. How long will it be until Diamond Head swallows up its own history entirely?

If you’re interested in learning more about the fascinating history behind Diamond Head, you can visit the park’s interpretive kiosk. The staff members are extremely knowledgeable and are always eager to answer questions.

Rest assured that the trip down Diamond Head is faster and easier than the trip up, but you should still exercise caution around the steep areas and keep your eyes open for congested spots filled with tourists wielding rogue selfie sticks!

Planning a trip to Oahu? Check out the best things to do there, plus Honolulu’s best free and frugal activities. And be sure to make time for Pearl Harbor and the North Shore.

Known as the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale offers stunning waterways and breathtaking beaches. If you’re planning a getaway, visitors and locals agree one of the best ways to get around is by using a water taxi to view the gorgeous South Florida wildlife and landmarks. 

I visited Fort Lauderdale in September with three other travel writers. We enjoyed the breathtaking views and convenience during our day trip using the water taxi system.

Read on to learn why a water taxi is the best way to experience Fort Lauderdale.

VisitLauderdale hosted my visit. All opinions are my own.

1. Convenience

Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches and beautiful waterways, and getting around via car can be a hassle due to traffic and parking. With a water taxi, you don’t have to worry about parking or navigating congested roads. Fort Lauderdale Water Taxis have many designated stops along the Intercoastal Waterway that are easily accessible and will take you to your destination.

There are three different options for water taxis in Fort Lauderdale. The Water Taxi route map will help you decide which to choose.

Water Trolley

The Water Trolley is free and provided by the City of Fort Lauderdale. The Water Trolley route has eight stops along the Riverwalk. You can catch the Water Trolley from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. with departures every 30 minutes, 7 days a week.

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi 

This route has 11 waterway stops. It also operates 7 days a week from 10 a.m.–10 p.m., with boats departing from the various stops every 35–45 minutes. Eateries, museums, the Galleria shopping mall, and other historical sites are along the route. Be sure to pick up a pamphlet before boarding or use the app to figure out where you want to get off. 

Hollywood Express Water Taxi

This water taxi has a shortened non-stop route between the Convention Center, Hilton Marina, and the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. It departs every 2 hours, 7 days a week, starting at 9 a.m. and ending with a 10 p.m. departure from Margaritaville. If you plan to hit the beach, this route will get you there quickly.

2. Affordable

Water taxis are surprisingly affordable and an inexpensive way to experience the city. With your ticket, you get a discount at many of the eateries and shops along the route. 

We enjoyed hopping off for lunch at Stop 9 and eating at Shooters Waterfront restaurant when we visited. The stop is right in front of the restaurant, with several other eateries nearby. 

3. Water Taxi Pass Options

There are various water taxi pass options to select from.

All-Day Water Taxi Pass

The All-Day Pass allows you to get on and off the water taxi as often as you like and ride as much as you want throughout the day. 

When we rode the water taxi, we did the entire route just for the ride and to see the sights, and then we got off for a late lunch and later hopped back on to return to our stop.

Evening Water Taxi Pass

The Evening Pass is the best value if you only use the water taxi to go to dinner or to enjoy the city nightlife. The pass is valid from 5 p.m.–10 p.m., and like the all-day pass, you can hop on and off the taxi as often as you wish during that time.

Hollywood Express Water Taxi Pass

If you want to go non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to the Hollywood Beach area, this is the right pass for you. This route is included with the All-Day Pass, but if only hitting the beach area, this pass will save you some money. 

Multi-Day Water Taxi Pass

If you are spending a long weekend or a week in Fort Lauderdale, I recommend the Multi-Day Water Taxi Pass. This pass entitles you to ride as often as you desire on any water taxi for an entire month. It is an excellent deal for anyone planning to take the water taxi for multiple days. 

Private Charters

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxis also offer private charters. Contact their office at (954) 467-6677 for details.

4. Breathtaking Views 

Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and waterways offer some of the most stunning views in the world. Using a water taxi will give you a unique perspective of the city’s skyline, beaches, yachts, and luxurious homes. You can sit back and relax while admiring the beauty of one place to another.

When we rode the water taxi, our captain and guide provided historical details and scenic commentary as we traveled. 

One of the impressive things pointed out was the Las Olas Bridge, with a mural of a giant marlin jumping through the air. This urban art was created by a local doctor/artist who uses his talents to raise funds for local projects.

5. Comfort

Water taxis are a comfortable form of transportation. There is plenty of seating and room to move around, so you can relax and enjoy your ride without worrying about being cramped or uncomfortable.

There are restrooms aboard, and drinks are available at a small bar. You can be inside or in the open air. We chose to be out in the open air with shade.

6. Speed

Time is precious when it comes to exploring this beautiful city. You can reach your destination quickly and without traffic delays or parking issues. Water taxis glide through the waterways efficiently at a relaxed pace, allowing you to make the most of your time in Fort Lauderdale.

If you are riding the water taxi to see the sites, the ride is approximately 3 hours round trip. But you can hop on and off as often as you want and make it an entire day of fun. 

7. Safety

Water taxis are also a safe way to get around Fort Lauderdale. With experienced drivers who know the waterways, well-maintained boats, and necessary safety equipment, you can rest assured that you will be safe while traveling by water taxi.

8. Accessibility

Some of the water taxi vessels can accommodate people with accessibility issues. However, due to the nature of their smaller boats, tides, and fixed docks, not every vessel is fully accessible at every location. You can call in advance to ensure the water taxi accommodates you.

9. Unique Experience

Traveling by water taxi is a lot of fun and a unique experience! It’s a great way to see Fort Lauderdale from a different perspective and to enjoy the beautiful scenery, and if riding at night, the lights sparkle throughout the city.

Pro Tips: Riding The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

Pre-Purchase Your Tickets

By purchasing your tickets online, you will guarantee that you can board the water taxi immediately when it stops. Those who are purchasing at the stop must wait until all online ticket holders are on board and can only buy tickets if there is space. 

Live Tracker Saves Time

Use the Live Tracker to see boat locations and arrival times. The boats will display at their current location as a green rectangle on the tracker app during hours of operation. All destinations appear as yellow oval icons. Using it helps you know the best time to arrive at the stop. The cute iguana kept us company as we waited for our taxi. 

No Pets On The Water Taxis

Pets are not permitted to ride water taxis in Fort Lauderdale. Service animals are welcome on the boats. 

Fort Lauderdale’s water taxis offer an unparalleled way to experience the city, from the convenience of never worrying about parking or traffic to the stops at some of Fort Lauderdale’s prime locations and, ultimately, taking away stress. So if you want an efficient and fun way to get around town, make it a point to ride a water taxi in the “Venice of America” next time you’re visiting!

Related Reading:

• 11 Fantastic Restaurants With A Water View In Fort Lauderdale
• 8 Unique Things To Do In Downtown Fort Lauderdale, According To A Frequent Visitor
• 9 Best Bars In Fort Lauderdale, Florida To Kick Back And Relax

Planning a family trip abroad can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming and time-consuming. Fortunately, Beeyonder is a great tool to help you plan your trip with ease. Whether you are wondering where to begin or want to compare destinations, Beeyonder is an excellent resource for researching and planning your trip.

What Is Beeyonder?

Experienced local guides share their knowledge in Beeyonder’s 450+ private virtual tours and experiences. These interactive tours can be tailored for groups of any size. Here are the types of tours that are offered.

Walking Tours

On a Live-Walking Tour, a local guide shows you around just as they would if you were there in real life. Explore everything from neighborhoods to popular attractions. Tours take place via Zoom and are interactive, so participants can ask questions along the way. That’s right – throughout the tour, participants can speak to the guide just as if they were there in real life.

Live Presentations

In Beeyonder’s presentations, a live tour guide transports you to another place via visual aids, such as videos, maps, and more. Like the walking tours, this type of tour is also live on Zoom, so participants can ask questions along the way.

Luxury Tours

Luxury tours offer a one-of-a-kind experience, like riding in a hot air balloon over Luxor. Not included in subscriptions or packages, these extraordinary tours offer unique ways of exploring, such as by boat or camel.

How Beeyonder Can Help You Plan A Family Trip Abroad

1. Get Inspiration

Beeyonder’s online tours and experiences can inspire you to visit new places and try new things. Take a tour to get ideas for activities and experiences to include in your trip itinerary.

2. Explore Destinations With A Local

Virtual tours can give you a sense of what a destination is like before you go there. Beeyonder offers virtual tours of many popular destinations, allowing you to explore different cities, landmarks, and attractions. All tours are conducted live by a local vetted guide, so you have the opportunity to ask questions.

3. Save Time And Money

Virtual tours can help you narrow down your options and make more informed decisions about where to go and what to do. By exploring destinations virtually, you can save time and money by avoiding places that may not be a good fit for your family.

4. Plan Your Itinerary

Virtual tours can help you plan your itinerary more effectively by giving you a sense of how much time to allocate to different activities and attractions. Beeyonder’s virtual tours can help you prioritize what to see and do during your trip.

5. Share With Your Family

Easily involve your family in the trip-planning process by going on a Beeyonder tour together. Not only can you get their input this way, but it also gets them excited about the trip. Easily interact and share the tour with your family, wherever they may be.

Book A Beeyonder Tour Today

Beeyonder can be a valuable tool for planning a family trip abroad. By exploring destinations virtually, you can save time and money, and get inspired to create the perfect itinerary for your family. Browse trending tours, new ones, and popular countries, or simply search by country, city, or topic.

Each experience has an itinerary, an introduction to your local tour guide, and what you need to prepare (internet, a Zoom account, and speakers or headphones). Once you book a tour, you’ll receive a link to use when it’s time for your tour — so easy! Add a sensory package for suggestions such as recipes to make, related books to read, and even souvenirs you can buy.

Book your Beeyonder tour two to three weeks in advance of the tour date you have in mind to give guides plenty of time to prepare and plan your tour. Happy planning, and touring!

There are so many interesting places to visit in the UK and Ireland. From England’s historic Roman towns to quaint Scottish islands and picturesque Irish villages — unless you stay in London — you will almost certainly want to rent a car. 

If exploring London is all you want to do, forget the car and use the underground (“Tube”). Public transport is much more developed over the water and taking a train or bus can often get you from one city to the next rapidly and comfortably. However, away from the towns and cities, public transport can be a little less available and renting (“hiring”) a car opens up all sorts of possibilities to discover wonderful places off the beaten track (think remote hiking in spectacular scenery and stopping for lunch at a remote country pub).

There is no reason driving overseas should feel like a daunting prospect. Here are a few things to consider before taking delivery of your rental car keys and slipping behind the wheel.

1. We Drive On The Left

This might sound obvious but it’s kind of important! In both the UK and Ireland, traffic drives on the left. There’s a good historical reason for this: When horseback was the main mode of getting from A to B, and most people were right-handed, riding on the left allowed you to easily protect yourself from possible threats approaching from the opposite direction. So… that’s why we drive on the left.

Staying on the left-hand side is easy when other cars are also on the road. However, when you are the only vehicle on the road, take extra care as you might find yourself drifting over to the right. This is particularly easy to do when you are turning right and there is no other traffic around or at night when no other vehicles are around to guide you.

2. Manual Or Automatic?

The majority of cars are manual (stick-shift) so you get an extra pedal too. If you are not used to driving a manual car, you can opt to rent an automatic transmission (often for an extra charge) but do check with the rental company ahead of time as there are fewer automatic vehicles available.

3. The First 20 Minutes

The first 20 minutes are the most dangerous moments when driving a new vehicle. It doesn’t help if this is also the time you want to thread your way out of an airport and are trying to find your way. Take the time to do a “cockpit check” to familiarize yourself with the controls before setting off. You may be eager to go but this check is well worth a few minutes of your time. You will likely bang your hand on the window a few times as you go to change gear and realize you need to use your left hand, not your right hand.

If you are picking up a car having just arrived on the red-eye across the Atlantic, be aware to stop at service stations or just pull over to take a short nap if you are feeling tired. The interstates (“motorways”) have numerous service areas where you can pull over for a rest. On smaller roads, you may find pullover areas (or “lay-bys” that are designated by a blue P sign) where you can park legally and free of charge.

4. Allow More Time

Roads away from the motorways can be narrow and slow. In tourist areas, the roads can become clogged during peak travel season. Consider traveling when schools are still in session and avoid public (“bank”) holiday weekends.

Distances may seem small on the map, but remember you’re not usually driving as the crow flies. Roads frequently meander, speed limits fall as you pass through villages, and traffic lights always seem to turn red as you approach them. Whatever time Google tells to allow for a journey, add more time.

5. Understand Renting Restrictions

You will need to present a valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license to rent a car along with a valid photo ID. Many rental car companies in Ireland require drivers to be 25 years old or over, while the UK is 23 or over. Also, for those over 70, some companies may have additional restrictions, so do your research before booking. Also be aware of costly add-ons for having additional drivers. If you’re not planning on spending multiple hours driving each day, it may not be worth having that second driver on the ticket.

6. The Roads Are Narrow

Roads in the UK and Ireland are narrow compared to North America. Don’t be tempted to rent a larger vehicle than you really need. Parking spaces are equally narrow, so hiring a decent-sized SUV (the larger ones are called “people carriers,” like a Honda Odyssey) can be a very tight squeeze in many parking places.

7. Rules Of The Road

Take a moment to look at the rules of the road before driving for the first time. Check out the Highway Code (UK) and Rules of the Road (Ireland). Here are some tips to remain safe and avoid upsetting the locals.

Overtaking

People are more likely to overtake here than in North America on single highways (one lane in each direction) — and they are generally good at it. If you get stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle (i.e. a tractor) you will be expected to overtake it, too, when it is safe to do so. If you are not confident overtaking, pull over to let others pass.

No Turn On Red

This is a great rule in North America, but you cannot turn at a red traffic light in Ireland or the UK.

Box Junctions

Look out for that yellow-hatched area on the road at an intersection. The idea is to keep this area clear at all times so people can go through the junction. Do not enter the hatched area unless your exit is clear. If you get stuck in the “box,” other drivers will not be impressed.

Roundabouts

We love roundabouts; they keep the traffic moving. If your way is clear, you do not need to stop but yield (“give way”) if traffic is approaching from the right. Look out for mini-roundabouts — often just a white circle painted on the road — which serve the same purpose as a full-blown roundabout. Some congested roundabouts now also have traffic lights to better control traffic flow. Take care to ensure you are in the correct lane.

8. Watch Your Speed  

Speed limits are posted in miles-per-hour in the UK but in kilometers-per-hour in Ireland. Speed cameras are installed everywhere, and therefore, most drivers tend to stick to the limit. If you happen to get caught speeding, not only will you likely receive a fine, but rental car companies will also hit you with an administration fee for sending you the ticket.

9. Learn The Vocabulary

Forget the accent, even the words are different over here. The engine is under the “bonnet” (hood) and you store your luggage in the “boot” (trunk). You fill up with “petrol” (gas) and the GPS is often called the “sat-nav.” The glass at the front is the “windscreen” and “indicators” are your turn signals. In an emergency, you put on your hazard warning lights (don’t say “flashers;” these are people who expose themselves). Motorways are equivalent to interstates, we give way and we drive slowly over “sleeping policemen” (humps in the road to slow traffic).

Take the time at the beginning of your journey to familiarize yourself with the vehicle, know your route, and take your time, and you will have a safe, fabulous experience exploring the beauty of the British Isles.

Related Reading:

• 10 Fabulous Cooking Classes To Experience In The UK
• 6 Reasons You’ll Fall In Love With The British Channel Islands
• 9 Reasons To Visit The Ancient Town Of Kilkenny, Ireland

A long-haul flight is typically a non-stop flight, lasting between 6 and 12 hours. For passengers and crew, these flights can be downright grueling. Our airline experts have a few products they swear can get anyone through any type of flight.

1. Compression Socks

Buy Now

Copper Fit

“It doesn’t matter if I’m traveling in first class, steerage, or the cockpit, I always wear compression socks. There are different categories of compression socks; graduated, anti-embolism stockings, and non-medical support hosiery. I wear these compression socks that I buy at my local Rite Aid. I’ve tried a few different types and these work the best. They are fairly easy to put on and rest just beneath my knee. I must admit I am new to wearing compression socks and didn’t realize the amazing benefits the socks have while wearing them. The non-medical socks are designed to gently squeeze your legs, which promotes better blood circulation in your legs. They reduce swelling and aid in blood flow when sitting for long periods. Although these socks help a great deal to reduce swelling, you still must drink plenty of water, keep moving your legs and stand and stretch every couple of hours.” — Christy Karsten

Physix Gear 

Kentrell Charles also highly recommends compression socks, but prefers Physix Gear.

“They have several stylish options and are extremely comfortable. I have seen marked improvement in blood circulation and prevention of fluid buildup.” — Kentrell Charles

2. Travel Slippers

Buy Now

“Along with compression socks, I love having a slipper sock or comfy shoe cover for those times I need to walk around the plane or take a bathroom break. These can be put into a zip lock or shoe bag after each use. I do prefer a washable slipper. My favorite brand of slippers is SCurtain. You can get them in a variety of colors and styles.” — Kentrell Charles

3. Bluetooth Connector

Buy Now

“My favorite travel electronic is the AirFLY. After being introduced to this several months ago, I couldn’t wait to purchase one. The AirFLY will wirelessly transmit audio directly to your AirPods, earbuds, or wireless headphones. The battery life can be up to 20 or more hours, more than enough for a long flight.” — Kentrell Charles

4. Hot Water Bottle

Buy Now

“Airplanes are cold in the middle of the night. A frequent flier once asked me to fill her hot water bottle. She places it in her lap or against her back to help her sleep. As soon as I shared this tip with my colleagues, we ran out and purchased fuzzy-covered water bottles. These have been lifesavers when we are napping in the flight attendant bunks or sitting in the cold aft galley. They are a game changer on long-haul flights, keeping you warm and cozy all through the night. They are wonderful on top of your cold feet too.” — Lara Ketterman

5. Moisturizer Spray

Buy Now

Golden Hour Hydrosol Toner

“Long-haul flights are hard on your skin. Savvy flight attendants keep a face mist in their bags to use after their rest breaks. I like a little aromatherapy in my spritz. Golden Hour Hydrosol Toner packs a hydrating spray with some lovely botanicals to wake up your skin and senses after an inflight snooze.” — Heather Earl

La-Roche Posay Face Mist

Earl also recommends this spray and says, “I also like just a plain spritz of mineral water to wake up and refresh. La-Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water Face Mist soothes and refreshes my sensitive skin on long flights.”

Mario Badescu Facial Spray

“A funny joke about why we dim the lights onboard a plane is so you don’t see the age of the flight attendants. Dry skin is a battle for anyone on those long flights. We use a facial spray by Mario Badescu to hydrate during those flights, spraying each other often. The spray has aloe, chamomile, and lavender to keep our faces moisturized and dewy. The plane air is so dry and this little burst of joy helps to keep us smiling. You might have to add some to a travel-size spray bottle to go through TSA security.” — Lara Ketterman

6. Laundry Soap Packet

Buy Now

“This might sound like an odd item for a long-haul flight, but I have a good reason to recommend laundry packets.

On one long-haul flight, a passenger and I had a few bloody mary incidents, three times to be exact. One was my fault, one was his, and we blamed the last one on turbulence. After we got a laugh out of the spills, I handed him a packet of SinkSuds Laundry Detergent to get the immediate stains out, as well as a cleaning voucher to use once he landed. I never travel without a few in my carry-on. On a long-haul flight, there are too many opportunities for spills and these are a great way to quickly clean up the mess.” — Kentrell Charles

7. Noise-Canceling Headphones

Buy Now

Bose

“Depending on your budget, noise-canceling headphones can be a real game changer for a quiet and stress-free flight. My go-to are Bose Noise Canceling headphones. These headphones are highly rated, lightweight, and work so well. I can attest to the fact they drown out a screaming baby, people talking, reduce engine and wind noises, and make music and movies sound crystal clear. Since they are lightweight, your head doesn’t feel like it’s in a vise-grip after many hours. They now have wireless connectivity and the battery lasts up to 22 hours.

I don’t recommend earbuds. Yes, they are smaller and so much more compact with ease of travel. But, it is the most common item lost on a plane. Once those buds fall from your ear, they might roll down the aisle, get hidden under a nearby seat, or worse, lost inside the seat. It happens on every flight!” — Christy Karsten

Airpods Pro

“I love my AirPods Pro because they are small but amazing at noise cancellation and have great sound for listening to music. I don’t like crawling on the floor looking for the wayward ear pod so I keep them secure with a neck cord.” — Heather Earl

Beats 

“It only took me one time to forget my coveted Beats headphones before I purchased my second pair. One pair stays in my tote or carry-on bag at all times. I prefer over-the-ear headphones for travel. This will help prevent you from losing them when you sleep.” — Kentrell Charles

8. Refillable Water Bottle

Buy Now

Hydro Flask

“A good water bottle is imperative on a long-haul flight. You do not want to have to wait for inflight service to quench your thirst. I fill my bottle as soon as I get through security and refill it every time I get the chance. I use a 20-ounce Hydro Flask with a screw top. It is great for hot or cold drinks, easy to clean, doesn’t leak, and is super rugged. I use it for my electrolytes so I am always hydrated during my flight and for my morning coffee after I land.” — Heather Earl

“I love my Hydro Flask water bottle and recommend all passengers bring one like it. On long haul flights, my airline sets up a hydration and snack station toward the aft of the plane. Bottles can be refilled here. Flight attendants are not allowed to touch personal water bottles for refilling due to cleanliness issues. We are permitted to fill a glass with water several times and hand it to you. To ensure you have enough water for your flight, fill the bottle in the airport at a water station.” — Lara Ketterman

S’well

“I highly recommend my S’well water bottle. It’s great at keeping drinks hot and cold. The bottles come in several sizes and colors. I also brings my S’well wine tumbler with a closable lid for my in-flight beverage.” — Kentrell Charles

9. Electrolytes

Buy Now

“Electrolytes are your friend on a long-haul flight. Dehydration interrupts good sleep, depletes energy, and makes jet lag a lot harder to adjust to. I love Trace Minerals electrolytes powder or drops. They are low in sugar and have no artificial ingredients or dyes.” — Heather Earl

10. Travel Comfort Bag

Buy Now

“When traveling as a passenger on a long flight in a coach seat, I bring my homemade travel bag (similar to this one). I clip this bag onto my roll-a-board making it easy to pop off before I stow my suitcase in the overhead.

Inside, I have a thick neck pillow, an eye mask, an inflatable lower lumbar pillow, and a thin polyester travel blanket (similar to this amenity kit). These are game-changers! I am always cold on a jet, so I wrap my travel blanket around my legs and tuck it under my chin and am quite toasty.

It seems as if the seat pitch and the recline angle are becoming less and less. The lumbar pillow adds beneficial support to your back for long flights while sitting in a cramped coach seat. The travel neck pillow can help from getting a crick in your neck if you work with the movable headrest on the seat to find support for your head. Did you know that you are supposed to put the “U” of the pillow under your chin? Most people wear them incorrectly.“ — Christy Karsten

11. Small Blanket

Buy Now

“I am a co-host of a travel podcast, and a tip I received from one of our guests was to always carry a small blanket when flying. If it is cold, they can open it and use it as a blanket. If your airplane seat back is wonky, you can fold it, and place it behind your back for extra support. If you need a pillow, fold it and place it against the fuselage of the plane and you have cushioned support for your nap. I saw a frequent flier use it under her seat belt to keep her skirt unwrinkled.” — Lara Ketterman

12. Neck Pillow

Buy Now

“A great neck pillow will make a long ride in coach more tolerable. I like to use an inflatable style to save room in my bag and to be able to add or remove air depending on how I use it. If I am in a middle seat, inflating it all around the neck works well, but I take a little air out and use it as a pillow against the wall in the window seat. The Air Comfy Daydreamer is washable and compact so I don’t look like an amateur traveler with a neck pillow wrapped around my luggage.” — Heather Earl

13. Vacuum Space-Saver Storage Bags

Buy Now

“If you’re traveling on a long-haul flight, you are more than likely spending a good amount of time at your destination. Sometimes you are traveling to different climates and need a variety of clothes. I suggest using a vacuum space-saver storage bag and a pump. You can put a winter coat, hat, and gloves in a bag and still have room for your beachwear. If you do forget your pump or it doesn’t work, I suggest calling housekeeping at your hotel and asking to use the vacuum. Works like a charm!” — Kentrell Charles

14. Apple AirTag

Buy Now

“To protect pricey travel goodies, consider purchasing an Apple AirTag to track your checked luggage. You can buy four tags for about $100. Although they only work with Apple products, it is a small investment for security and lost items. I have a friend who even has one in his wallet!” — Christy Karsten

For more expert tips on flying, check out:

• 14 Things Our Expert Flight Attendant Always Has In His Carry-On
• 6 Questions Flight Attendants Say You Should Ask When Your Flight Is Canceled
• A Pilot Shares 2 Important Reasons To Put Your Phone On Airplane Mode

Ask any Italian when he or she leaves a tip and you’ll inevitably receive the same answer: “Quasi mai” (“almost never”). As a rule, Italy is similar to other European countries: You generally aren’t expected to leave a tip unless you’ve received a special service. In fact, it is actually illegal to ask for a tip in Italy.

One of my American friends who has lived in Italy since 1998 lamented that Americans tend to tip too much. “They make it so the Italians don’t want to serve anyone but Americans.” Two of my Italian friends also complained, saying, “The problem is when employers think their employees are getting tipped, they lower their salary.”

These days, I tend to leave a little something wherever I go, considering that the COVID lockdowns forced 45,000 bars and restaurants to permanently shut down, and now many places are struggling with excessively high energy costs. 

Here are a few rules of thumb to consider when tipping in Italy.

1. Tip Only In Cash

Unlike in the United States, you cannot add a tip to your bill when paying with a credit or bank card. You need to be ready to leave any tip in cash. You can leave your tip at the cash register when you are paying the bill, on the restaurant table under your glass or coffee cup, or inside the bill holder. It is always best not to leave any money too visible and not to leave the full amount for the meal on the table, especially at a busy or outdoor restaurant.

2. Restaurant Bill Charges

Restaurants are where most Italians leave a nominal tip, especially when dining in large numbers. Typically, they round up the bill to the nearest €10. For example, if the bill comes to €77, you could leave €80. This nominal tip (by American standards) is because the tip is usually included in the bill, along with a few other charges that you may not be familiar with.

Coperto (Cover Charge)

The coperto should be clearly stated on the menu and ranges from €1–€3 per person. Take note that the coperto is not a tip, instead it “covers” the restaurant’s cost for anything you see on the table, like the tablecloth, napkins, plates, utensils, salt, and olive oil. However, in Rome and many regions such as Lombardy, this fee has been outlawed, along with the pane fee below.

Pane (Bread)

If you do not see a service charge for a coperto, you are likely to see one for pane, which is the service charge for bread. This will usually be €1–€2. Even if you don’t eat bread or are allergic to gluten and simply can’t eat it, do not try to refuse this fee as it is considered rude to do so.

Servizio (Service Charge)

The servizio charge on your bill usually runs 15–20 percent and it’s where the tip fee is included. If the servizio is included, you’re already tipping, so there is no need to leave any extra money, unless you have received special attention. Restaurants are obliged to indicate the servizio cost on the menu.

3. How Much To Tip In A Restaurant

If you’ve had a delicious and enjoyable meal with an attentive and friendly waiter, then by all means, leave a small tip. As I said earlier, Italians typically round up the final bill to the nearest €10. If the service was below par and the meal was just okay, then don’t feel obliged to leave any tip. It’s really up to you and your own personal experience.

Pro Tip: Beware! Do not push money into a waiter’s hand or slip money into a waitress’s pocket! These acts are considered embarrassingly rude! Just leave the cash on the table (under a glass or coffee cup, or in the bill holder). Or you can leave the cash tip at the register when paying the final bill.

4. How Much To Tip At A Bar

Tipping at a bar depends on if you’re standing or sitting. If you have your drink while standing at the bar, you are not charged a service fee. But if you sit down and drink something, then you are, and the tip is automatically included. The rules for leaving a tip are the same as you would at a restaurant… rounding up to the nearest €1 for great service.

Many bars and cafés have tip jars near the register where you can leave €0.10–€0.50. These tips are shared amongst all the workers. I asked my local barista how much he typically earns a day in tips. He said, after splitting the coins in the tip jar with his coworkers, he was lucky to bring home €1.

A Jar For Caffè Sospeso

You might also see a jar at the bar marked “caffè sospeso,” which means “suspended coffee.” When you order a caffè sospeso, you buy two coffees but only receive one. The other is for a person who might come into the bar and need a free coffee. This tradition started in Naples in the early 1910s. Sometimes you can leave a “tip” here as well.

5. How Much To Tip Your Taxi Driver

While leaving a small tip at a restaurant or bar is not that unusual in Italy, tipping your taxi driver isn’t so common. While you aren’t expected to tip your driver, it’s always a good idea to agree with the driver on the cost before beginning your journey. If the driver helps you with your bag(s), you should consider giving a tip of €1 per bag.

If you want to pay for your ride with a credit card, be sure to ask the cab driver if they accept credit. Some do, some don’t, and some will tell you they don’t and then pull their credit card machine out of their glove compartment if you tell them you don’t have cash.

Pro Tip: Make sure you look for the taxi stand when you need a ride. Taxi drivers aren’t supposed to pick you up if you hail them down, and you will likely pay more if you hail a cab versus grabbing one at the taxi stand. 

Also note that while Uber does operate in bigger cities like Rome and Milan, it is not available everywhere. Only Uber Black is available, which means higher prices than a normal taxi. Lyft does not operate in Italy.

6. Tipping At Your Hotel

Like everywhere else in Italy, tipping your hotel concierge is appreciated, but not required. Tips are absolutely not expected at rented apartments and guesthouses, although tips are appreciated at bed and breakfasts. Here are some general tips for tipping at a hotel in Italy:

• Tip a porter who carries your luggage €1 per bag.
• Tip the concierge or bed and breakfast owner when they have assisted you during your stay. For example, they might book tickets for you or recommend restaurants or a tour guide. Also leave a tip if you happen to leave your bags at the hotel after checking out of your room. Tip between €5 and €10, depending on the assistance provided.
• Tip the cleaning staff €2 per day as a sign of appreciation. For longer stays, you might want to leave the tip more regularly rather than the total amount at the end of your stay.

While staying at a major hotel near the Rome airport, my American friends gave their hotel waiter a €5 tip after he left them abundant snacks alongside their aperitivo. A year later, they were back at the same hotel enjoying the afternoon happy hour when the white wine ran out. When they asked for a glass, the same waiter ran back into the kitchen and returned with a whole bottle of wine and extra food. “Do you remember me?” he asked. “I remember you!” Afterwards, my friends couldn’t resist leaving an even more generous tip of €10.

7. How Much To Tip Your Hairdresser, Barber, Or Masseuse

Tipping your hairdresser, barber, or masseuse is similar to tipping your restaurant waiter: It’s not obligatory. The service fee is included in the bill, but if your experience is special, you can leave €2–€5, depending on the overall cost. If tips are encouraged, there is usually a tip jar near the register.

8. How Much To Tip Your Tour Guide

Like waiters, tour guides aren’t expecting you to tip, but if you’ve really enjoyed the tour, then consider giving the guide €5 for a half-day tour and €10 for a full-day tour. Keep in mind that guides working for a company are frequently paid only a minimal hourly wage; while a licensed, independent guide receives your full tour fee.

You might also like to offer a tip of €5–€10 to volunteer guides who offer free tours.

However, keep in mind that, like at a restaurant, the tip you leave depends on your satisfaction with the experience and the service you received. For instance, if the guide shows you around a city all day, while also telling you the best places to eat, definitely consider offering a tip.

Bonus: Sometimes Tipping In Italy Works Backwards!

This might seem strange to Americans, but sometimes the person offering the service tips the customer! I have often had my restaurant bill rounded down to the nearest €10 by the owner, especially after exchanging a little chat about the area or business. These few euros are a way of building goodwill between the owner and customer. Other times, my husband and I have been offered a free coffee or liquor. It’s amazing how little it takes to make someone happy!

Italians have a talent for presentation and service, helping you feel at home and, at the same time, like a queen or king. While tipping rules are not so clearly defined, they allow for the human touch wherever you go. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with the locals in a positive way.

If you’re thinking about a trip to Italy, check out these articles:

• 10 Incredible Hidden Gems Not To Miss In Italy
• 17 Adorable Towns To Visit In Italy In 2023
• 7 Best Experiences In Italy, According To A Third-Generation Tour Operator

Jet lag can be a real, well, drag. It’s caused by a new time zone not matching a person’s daily rhythms. Typically, this annoying travel companion can affect your sleep, mood, concentration, and even physical ability. We asked TravelAwaits airline experts how they combat jet lag.

1. Sleep

Our flight attendants vary on sleep habits to avoid jet lag. Some say napping helps and others avoid it like the plague. Plus, one has an unusual type of nap she recommends.

Adjust Depending On Travel Direction

If you are traveling west, Lee suggests to try to stay up a little later each day and also take a late night flight if possible. When traveling east, like to Europe, she says, try to sleep a bit earlier each night before your flight. Both of these help her with jet lag while traveling.

Nappuccino

Earl has a secret weapon: the Nappuccino. For a transoceanic flight arriving in the morning, as soon as she arrives at her layover hotel, she orders a double shot espresso with a bit of foamy milk on top. She heads to her room, sets her phone timer for 2 hours, and lies down for a nap. When the timer goes off, the caffeine kicks in and she is able to get up and not feel groggy. She says the magic hour that you absolutely must stay awake until is 9 p.m.

Nap Vs. No Nap

Charles opts for a longer nap. He will usually sleep for 3–4 hours after arrival and then stay up until a regular bedtime. He has also worked with others who prefer to use the time difference the day before travel to adjust sleep, eating, and daily activities if that’s an option.

Now, Ketterman is an anti-nap kind of gal. She says napping leaves her groggy (her definition of jet lag!). She has found even a short 2-hour nap makes her cranky and affects her full night of sleep that evening.

Pro Tip: Ketterman changes her tune when it comes to napping during the flight. She says flight attendants have crew bunks onboard for longer flights where they can take turns napping during the long hauls. This helps them stay refreshed and ready to tour when they land. So napping during a flight will help with jet lag.

2. Sleep Aids

Earl has a few sleep aids at her disposal for optimum sleep. She uses a silk eye bag and ear plugs to block out external stimuli while sleeping. If she happens to wake up in the middle of the night, she uses a guided sleep meditation audio recording to help relax and hopefully drift back to sleep. She resists the temptation to sleep late, even if she woke up during the night.

Lee usually takes benadryl or melatonin to help fall asleep a bit earlier each night. She’s not a coffee drinker unless she needs to wake up early in the morning. If you need to stay up, Lee says to pull out your phone and start scrolling. But do the opposite if you need to sleep. She also sets her room temperature to 69 degrees Fahrenheit and uses a white noise app on her phone. She recommends putting your phone on Do Not Disturb mode.

3. Sunlight And Exercise

Our experts also suggest a little vitamin D when you arrive at your destination. Earl says lots of exercise and sunshine during the day will help you sleep at night. Ketterman is her crew’s honorary travel agent. She schedules all sorts of activities to keep jet lag at bay. When in London, she’s scheduled bike tours, Jack the Ripper walking tours, High Tea at Princess Diana’s garden, and tours of St Paul’s Cathedral. Ketterman says keeping busy and being outside helps her sleep through the night.

4. Hydrate

Hydration seems to be a key weapon in the war against jet lag. Charles says he enjoys skim milk to keep from becoming groggy. He also avoids coffee the evening before his trip and he can’t emphasize water enough. He suggests drinking some before, during, and after your flight. Also, if he has a cocktail after arriving, he drinks a glass of water for each libation he consumes. 

Earl and Ketterman recommend electrolytes and lots of water. Earl doesn’t drink alcohol on the flight or the first evening of her arrival.

One of Ketterman’s fellow flight attendants recommends Drip Drop Hydration packets or Liquid IV in a bottle of water before and after the flight. She says it leaves her with zero jet lag and feeling ready to go. Ketterman asked another international flight attendant friend and transatlantic commuter what she does, and her answer was “hydration, hydration, hydration.” She drinks a bottle of water each hour she is in the air.

5. Eat Healthy

There are definitely foods that can help you avoid jet lag. Charles suggests berries, bananas, and leafy greens. Foods containing lots of water, like cucumbers and watermelon, can also make a difference. A New York Times article suggests an entire meal plan 2–4 days before you depart. In the article, Dr. Charles F. Ehret shares his plan for beating jet lag. The senior scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois says his diet plan “can greatly diminish or even eliminate entirely the disruptive symptoms of jet lag if you use his diet to reset your internal clock in advance of your departure.”

6. Adjust To Local Time

Our experts also agree to set your body clock to the time zone in your destination. Ketterman says this is her number one way to fight the effects of jet lag. She may go to bed earlier than usual, but if she lands at 9 a.m., she tells her body it’s 9 a.m. and enjoys the start of her trip. If she goes to bed early, she will take melatonin. This helps her sleep through the night and wake up refreshed and ready to go.

Earl suggests acclimating to the local time for both eating and sleeping. She does this through the duration of her trip. She says it helps get your body into a cycle that will allow you to enjoy every day of your vacation.

For more tips from a flight attendant, check out these articles:

• 11 Annoying Questions Not To Ask A Flight Attendant
• A Retired Flight Attendant Shares His Favorite Vacations From 2022
• Flight Attendants Share 5 Stories You Just Have To Read To Believe

While getting sick or injured is not on your cruise itinerary, it does happen. But you might not know what the cruise medical clinic is capable of handling. It’s important to be prepared and be aware. The medical staff on board is trained to handle non-emergency and emergency care. Our veteran cruise expert, Buck Banks, breaks down what you should know if you do get sick or injured during your cruise.

1. Emergency Care

Commonly treated emergency injuries or conditions include cardiac arrest, broken bones, sprains, head injuries, and dehydration.

Medical Equipment

In general, most cruise ships have a healthcare facility with several beds to treat emergency cases. They are equipped, like most emergency rooms, with X-ray machines, defibrillators, and ultrasound machines.

Most cruise ships are equipped with telemedicine facilities that allow the shipboard medical staff to consult with shoreside doctors on appropriate treatments.

Medevac

In emergencies, the staff’s goal is to provide initial care and stabilize the patient in order to facilitate moving them. Typically, if possible, it is preferred to transfer an ill or injured guest off the ship at a port of call with appropriate medical facilities.

Banks indicates that in some cases that is not possible and guests are medevaced via water ambulance or helicopter. Generally, if you are sick or injured enough to be evacuated from the ship, it is unlikely that you will rejoin it. In terms of returning home, that is usually accomplished with an air ambulance.

2. Non-Emergency Care

Banks says they can also treat a variety of non-emergency conditions. He received treatment for a sinus infection on a Princess ship once and was given antibiotics and some interesting nasal treatments that were common in the UK, but he had never seen them before.

On another occasion, he was accompanying a media group when a journalist who was allergic to shellfish was accidentally exposed during a meal at the buffet. He accompanied her to the infirmary where they administered medications specific to her condition and she was able to avoid serious symptoms.

3. Prescription Medications

It can happen to any of us: We forget our medications at home. Thankfully, the doctors on board can help.

Pharmacy On Board 

The ship’s medical staff can prescribe medicine. There is a pharmacy that can fill prescription orders as well as offer common over-the-counter cold and flu meds. They have common generic prescription medications for short-term use.

Pharmacies On Shore

Guest services and the medical staff can help facilitate filling your full prescription at a port of call. If you have a chronic illness like diabetes and use insulin, ask your doctor to write you a prescription before your cruise in case you forget your insulin at home.

Pro Tip: Keep a list of medications, supplements, your medical insurance, and travelers’ insurance with you. You can also take pictures of the items and keep them on your phone to show the medical staff.

4. What Can’t Be Treated On Board

Most ship infirmaries are not set up to treat chronic illnesses such as kidney disease. However, there are special cruises designed for people with chronic kidney conditions where dialysis machines are brought on board to accommodate regular treatments.

Pro Tip: Dialysis at Sea is a service that works with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise lines to offer dialysis during your cruise.

5. Most Common Onboard Injury

The most common type of injury on a cruise ship is a slip and fall due to the wet decks and stairs. Banks suggests always using handrails on stairs and watching for signs indicating steps, uneven decks, or a spill indoors or a wet deck outdoors. Always be aware that you’re on a moving vehicle at sea. Although you’re on vacation, pay attention and take it easy.

6. Medical Staff Qualifications

Medical staff, both doctors and nurses, are usually trained, accredited, and licensed in emergency care. Banks says the licenses will vary, according to where the staff hails from, but on most ships operating out of U.S. ports, it’s a U.S. accreditation. According to Carnival Cruise Lines, a typical medical team consists of two doctors and two to four nurses.

7. Cost

Typically, you will be charged to be seen by the cruise medical staff. The cost is typically billed to your room and varies depending on if you go to the clinic during regular hours, after hours, or if the doctor visits your room. Check your health insurance before your trip to see what is covered and what is not.

8. Travel Insurance

Banks always recommends picking up travel insurance, especially if you will be cruising abroad. He suggests checking to make sure it covers transportation (both on land and by air), emergency room and hospitalization, as well as medications and accommodations for those traveling with you.

For more cruise information, check out these articles:

• 5 Reasons I Loved This Small Ship Cruise Along Ecuador’s Coastline
• 8 Reasons You Should Consider Taking Back-To-Back Cruises
• 7 Things I Learned On My First Caribbean Cruise, And Still Follow Almost 30 Years Later

Cruising is a great way to see several countries in one trip without moving hotel rooms. You unpack once and you’re ready to enjoy. However, seasoned cruisers always know a few tips and tricks to make their vacation go from good to great. We asked our experts to share things they do for every cruise.

1. The First Hours Onboard Are Key 

As soon as you unpack, take time to get to know the ship. You will definitely rack up steps for the day. However, it’s important to locate the attractions, activities, lounges, and restaurants that your ship offers. 

“I can’t count how many times I’ve seen cruisers dead-ended in a corridor, heads swiveling around looking for their venue and throwing up their arms with a conversation that goes something like this: ‘I told you we were on the wrong end of the ship!’” Roberts explains.

Deck Walk Through

You can avoid this scenario by spending some time taking a good look at the deck plan, orienting yourself to starboard and portside, and on which side your cabin is located. Roberts also suggests enjoying a nice deck-by-deck walkthrough of the ship to become familiar with the public spaces. 

Join Facebook Group And Download Cruise Line App

Schretter suggests joining private Facebook groups for the cruise line to see what other travelers have experienced, recommended, and even things to avoid. She also recommends downloading the cruise line app before your trip to become familiar with it. The apps can be your lifeline once onboard and you don’t want to spend half your cruise trying to figure out how it works.

Pro Tip: Schretter also recommends making restaurant reservations, and in some cases, show reservations as early as possible to avoid missing a sought-after experience. 

2. Research Ports Of Call 

A cruise is usually chosen by your interest in the ports. Schretter often researches the port cities to see what interests her before she sets sail. This helps her decide what she wants to do at each port if she wants to pay for an excursion or explore on her own. 

3. Book Spa Treatments Early

If you like that extra touch of relaxation, make sure to book your spa treatments early. Whelan says to make your appointments on embarkation day. This will allow you the first choice of your favorite experiences.

Pro Tip: Princess Cruise’s Lotus spas recommend booking on embarkation day for specials as well as twilight deals.

4. Book Excursions Online ASAP 

Ship excursions are an excellent way to explore each port, but like with other popular things on the ship, they will book up fast. You don’t want to miss the best stops because you waited too long.

Roberts says, if you also book activities through the cruise line’s shore excursion program, make sure to go online to reserve your spot as soon as you have your cruise booking and the excursions are open for sale. 

Roberts says to research and check reviews if you plan to do excursions independently with companies not associated with your cruise line. Then, book your activities, keep them handy, and bring along all the emails and other documentation of your payment and reservation.

Pro Tip: Cruise lines do not have to wait for you if you are late from a non-ship excursion. Make sure your watch is set to the time on the ship and give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship. Also, some of the most popular activities — like visiting the baths at Virgin Gorda when you cruise to Tortola — can sell out quickly. 

5. Arrive At Least A Day In Advance

With all of the issues with airlines lately, this probably seems like a no-brainer, but it’s important to note. All three of these TravelAwaits experts agree it’s always a best practice to get to your cruise port city at least a day ahead of your cruise departure date. 

Roberts says you can use the extra day in Miami, for example, and explore the city, relax in a comfy hotel for the night, and wake up knowing you’re going to make it to your ship. He says if you make this your standard game plan, then you still have the cushion of a full extra day to get onto another flight if your original one is canceled or significantly delayed. 

Schretter says it’s not just the airlines, but road constructions, traffic, accidents, and severe weather that can cause delays in getting to the ship. The ship will not wait for you if you don’t arrive at your embarkation port on time due to heavy traffic or flight delays.

Pro Tip: Schretter typically arrives two to three days in advance at international ports. She uses this time to adjust to the new time zone and recover from jet lag. International cruise itineraries often involve lots of port calls and lengthy tours. 

6. Travel With Carry-On Luggage Only

While this might sound daunting, Schretter has flown without checked bags for cruises in Alaska, Antarctica, and the Galapagos Islands. Again, she researches her ports and makes a list of what to pack, coordinating outfit colors and limiting the number of shoes. She also suggests wearing bulky items on the plane and using packing cubes. 

Pro Tip: Most ships have laundry options. Schretter adds that the flexibility of traveling with just carry-on luggage is worth the added cost.

7. Bring A Fanny Pack

Yes, the fanny pack is back! Of course, some now call it a belt bag and wear it more like a crossbody bag, but it still serves the same purpose — a hands-free, safe purse option. This is one of Whelans’ favorite travel items. She likes it because it’s much easier to sightsee while having two hands free and without the bother of hanging onto a purse. Plus, if it’s strapped on, you won’t leave it somewhere either.

8. Use A GPS Tracking Device

These tags have increased in popularity due to airline lost baggage issues. Whelan invested in portable GPS tracking devices that she can slip into her luggage and her purse or fanny pack. She loves the fact she knows exactly where her luggage is (or isn’t!) if she is flying to meet a ship. 

Pro Tip: Whelan always carries a fresh change of clothes in her carry-on bag in case her luggage gets lost.

After 50 years of working, I was ready to break away from the desk and begin my dream of traveling the world.

Two weeks after my retirement, however, I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It wasn’t the diagnosis that would prevent me from traveling, although the pain involved would be a hindrance. It was the restricted, low-sodium diet that I was put on.

At first, I thought, “How difficult could that be?” Just cut it down. Then, I realized just how much salt is in, well, everything. I started thinking about travel and what that would mean in terms of savoring the world’s culinary delights. I mean, how in the world could anyone travel and enjoy the cuisine of a region on a restricted diet?

Turns out, I was wrong. It is easier than I thought, but it requires plenty of pre-planning and discipline. With a little advice from my own dietician, Katie Reese MS RDN LD, we’ve come up with eight tips to help you make the proper dietary decisions while not hindering your adventures.

Note: Please remember that everybody’s situation is different. Consult your doctor about implementing any of these tips.

1. Research Your Destination

The main reason we all travel is to discover and learn about different regions in our own country, new and exotic countries, their people, and cultures. Half the fun of traveling is planning the adventure. That planning should not only include researching the attractions and activities you want to participate in, but also the local cuisine.

As Katie tells us, “Educate yourselves on the common ingredients and cooking techniques [in the area you plan to visit.] Even better, reach out to travel agents or people you may know that have traveled to the location you are planning to go and get their feedback.”

Don’t forget to work with your registered dietitian prior to your trip to assist you with your planning. They can help do some of the research for you.

2. Pre-Planning

One of the keys to traveling with a restrictive diet is to try to avoid making quick decisions when choosing where to eat. Of course, this isn’t always possible, but once again, a little pre-planning helps to alleviate the stress of trying to figure it out on the road.

Whenever possible, make reservations at restaurants in advance and ask if they can accommodate your specific dietary needs. Many restaurants are happy to leave out certain ingredients or make small adjustments when preparing dishes on their menu. 

Katie stresses that asking a few key questions about the ingredients and preparation method can be very helpful and educational. 

“Also, choose meals that have more whole food ingredients,” she says. “That can take away the uncertainty of the preparation method and help you feel more confident in your choices.”

If you are doing some long-distance traveling on long-distance flights with meal options, check ahead of time with the airline and find out what specialized options are available. You will be surprised to find that most airlines offer meals suitable for restricted diets and some food allergies. These need to be ordered ahead of time.

Pro Tip: In the end, even with all of the pre-planning you have done, things happen and it is best to consider obtaining travel insurance. Most insurance companies will cover any food-related health issues on your trip.

3. Allergy And Diet Restriction Cards

Carrying an allergy or diet restriction card with you makes it easy to communicate your dietary needs at restaurants when you travel.

A dietary restriction or allergy card is simply a pocket-sized card that lists any food allergies or restrictions you may have. Any registered dietician will be able to help you obtain one but they are easy enough to create yourself.

There are plenty of online resources that have templates for this type of card including the nonprofit allergy website FARE, where you can download a template in multiple languages, fill out your information, print it out, then carry it with you. 

Be sure to carry several cards with you so you have backups, just in case. Keeping those that prepare your meals informed about specific needs can make for a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

4. Learn Key Phrases

In addition to an allergy and diet restriction card in the specific language of the region you are traveling to, if traveling abroad, take the time to learn a few key phrases that describe your restriction in the country’s language. You don’t need to hold a conversation. Learn enough to be able to relate your dietary needs. 

5. Pack Snacks 

It’s one thing to make all the plans for when you arrive at your destination, but what about the trip there on long drives or airline flights? The key is to carry plenty of snacks.

Katie emphasizes how important snacks can be. 

“Relying on snacks available in convenience stores or airports can lead to unhealthy choices and also be a more costly option,” she explains. “By having readily available options, you are less likely to reach for items on the go.”

The key is to have a good variety of snacks on hand, of course, tailored to your specific diet — individual bags of popcorn or crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, etc. For a more filling option — again, modified to your own special needs — opt for small pouches of Nutter Butters paired with sealed bags of pre-cut fruit or an individually wrapped piece of natural cheese.

There are always plenty of beverage choices when flying, but keep in mind that too many carbonated beverages can lead to abdominal discomfort and excess alcohol and caffeine can dehydrate you.

6. Go Vegetarian

Consider eating a vegetarian diet while on the road and seek out restaurants with a vegetarian menu. Many times, this will take the guesswork out of the process. But still be sure to read the menu and ask questions.

7. Keep Your Eyes Open

Once you get to your destination and that restaurant you have been dying to try, when your order arrives, give it a once-over. Things do slip by in the kitchen unintentionally, but it happens. Make sure there are no hidden croutons, unnamed sauces, or anything that looks suspicious that could upend your diet and ruin your vacation. And don’t be afraid to point it out. Most restaurants will gladly correct the error.

The Bottom Line: Be Flexible

Remember, you are planning an adventure to explore and experience the world around you, so be flexible. If you are able and your diet allows a little leeway, allow yourself some freedom to enjoy at least one great meal. On that day, adjust your other meals accordingly to compensate.

The bottom line is not to let your dietary restrictions hinder you from exploring the world. Plan ahead and enjoy!

Learn about some of our other writers’ experiences with new food choices and diets:

• 8 Reasons I’m Grateful In Retirement That I Adopted A Plant-Based Diet
• 5 Reasons We Gain Weight As We Age And 3 Ways To Prevent It
• 6 Changes I’m Making To My Cooking Game So Healthy Eating Isn’t A Punishment

More and more, the answer to the question “business or pleasure?” is becoming “both.” The rise of remote work allows folks to — of course — work from home. But why work from home when you can work from the pool or the campground? As work culture transitions from cubicles to wherever there’s a strong Wi-Fi connection, new forms of work-cations are emerging.

What Is A Hush Trip?

Digital nomads have been a thing for a while, but RVshare coined the term “hush trip” in its 2023 Travel Trends Report. In the report, the peer-to-peer RV marketplace describes how remote workers are leaning into the remote aspect of their work. “These employees are still putting in the hours but working from an alternative location where they plan to enjoy leisure activities in their off-hours, and don’t feel the need to disclose their location,” explains RVshare.

Thanks to RVshare, hush trips have officially entered the zeitgeist with coverage in publications such as Fortune and WorkLife.

Some work cultures are more flexible than others. Several TravelAwaits writers travel full-time. In fact, we have no idea where any of them are at any given point because there is no need to. In our line of work, deadlines matter — location doesn’t. Our staffers gather for a Zoom call every morning, and while we are surprised if someone has a new background on any given day, our employees are absolutely allowed to work from wherever they would like without obtaining prior permission. Once, I showed up to work from a vacation rental in Colorado. I had joined my husband on his work trip and didn’t mention it to my superiors or coworkers because it didn’t affect my job. We traveled there and back outside of work hours, but I’ve also been known to work from the car. I didn’t know it, but I’ve been taking “hush trips” for the better part of a decade!

How People Are Using Hush Trips

Funny videos feature folks taking video calls from unexpected locales. In this one, a man is all business on top and party on the bottom as he appears to take a Zoom call from a pool party in Las Vegas. From touristy to tropical, all destinations are on the table for hush trips, as long as there’s a good internet connection!

RVshare‘s 2023 Travel Trends Report reveals that “nearly all remote-friendly workers are interested in sneaking in a vacation without calling off work when their travel accommodations allow.” In fact, 56 percent of the working adults surveyed say they are “very or extremely likely” to go on a hush trip. According to the report, “Among that group, 36 percent of Gen X and 36 percent of millennials, of whom nearly all claim to have remote jobs, have already planned a hush trip in 2023.”

Hush trips are perfect when one spouse is retired but the other isn’t yet, or perhaps one spouse works as a teacher and has the summer off while the other can only take a couple of weeks off per year.

Why Go On A Hush Trip This Summer

As someone who has unknowingly been participating in this phenomenon as long as I’ve been working remotely — give or take 8 years — I can assure you that the best time to go on a “hush trip” is summer. Why? Because it is more likely to be warm enough to lay by the pool on your lunch break. The days are also longer, so you can explore in the daylight post-work. Campgrounds are a great hush trip destination and summer is a great time to go camping.

How RVshare Can Help

When I first started working remotely, my husband and I got a camper so the cat and I could join him on his work trips throughout the Midwest. All I needed was my hotspot and enough bars for it to work and I was in business. I have fond memories of that year in our lives as we saved up enough money for a downpayment on our first home. We camped everywhere from Kansas to Kalamazoo, exploring and spending time together. I write all of this to say, while a vacation rental, hotel, or friend or family member’s place may all work as a makeshift office for your hush trip, a campground is also a wonderful place to work. And Wi-Fi at campgrounds has improved immensely!

Don’t own a camper? That’s where the folks at RVshare come in. Think of it as the Airbnb of campers. They offer all sorts and sizes for whatever your needs may be. Rent an RV to take on a road trip, book a stationary camper that has a permanent place, or have the camper delivered wherever you want! When you “clock out” for the day, you can get some fresh air, sit by the fire, and look up at the stars.

Tips For Taking A Hush Trip

Travel Time

Travel outside of work hours if possible. Working and driving don’t mix, and in-flight Wi-Fi is not always reliable. That being said, I’ve spent many a workday in the passenger’s seat, and there’s nothing like starting the day at your house, stopping for lunch on the road, then looking up from your laptop and realizing you’re 5.5 hours from home. It feels like time travel.

Beware Of Public Wi-Fi

Although many websites are encrypted, public Wi-Fi networks may not be secure. If you work with sensitive data, your company probably already has a VPN set up for protection. However, if you are concerned about this, use a hotspot instead of public Wi-Fi networks.

Make Sure You Have A Good Connection

A shaky internet connection will put your hush trip on blast in a flash. When camping, be sure to look for campgrounds with strong Wi-Fi connectivity. If you use a hotspot, ensure that there is enough cell service for it to work well.

Video Call Background

A different video call background will blow your cover. Use a generic one if you want to keep your location under wraps.

Social Media

Posting on social media while you’re away isn’t a great idea as it announces to your followers that you are not home. But, if you are trying to keep your trip hush-hush, then you might want to avoid giving it away on social media anyway, especially if you’re friends with your boss!

Related Reading:

• 10 Best Countries To Work Remotely Around The World
• 8 Tips For Working Remotely While RVing
• Top 7 Destinations For RVers This Summer

I am often asked if I have a ritual when I fly, whether it be in the cockpit or outside. I thought to myself when asked this, do they mean — a secret handshake, a foot shuffle, or an Irish jig?

I don’t do a jig or a dance but I definitely do the same “setup” the same way every flight out of habit. I think most people that fly are creatures of habit and I am no different.

1. Set Up My “Nest”

When I walk on the jet, I set up what pilots like to call our “nest.” This is where the rituals most come into play.

Flight Number

I always put a pad of hotel paper on the yoke clip. I collect pads from all over the world and secretly smile when I see the hotel logo smiling back at me from the yoke. I like to use blue ink and I always write the flight number in the upper left corner. The flight number is “who you are” and what air traffic control calls you on the radio.

Cockpit Note: Funny thing, once the flight is over, no matter how long it is or how many times I have said it, I forget the flight number once I am at the curb of our destination. The hotel van drivers roll their eyes at us when we clearly can’t remember!

Notes For Air Traffic Control

I also scribble the letter for automatic terminal information service and our gate number in the same upper left corner. If air traffic control asks me, and I have forgotten, I can easily verify with a simple glance. Once we have left the gate area, I copy each and every direction that the ground controller gives us and can read it back to them verbatim.

Cockpit Note: At some airports like Orlando International Airport, the instructions from the controllers can be quite complex and come at the speed of a machine gun. We are expected to get it right, read it back quickly, and comply. Taxiing at some airports can be like a maze of confusion and quite complex.

Additional Important Numbers

To the right of me, next to a clipboard below the window, is my scratch pad of important little nuggets for the flight. I jot down fuel numbers for takeoff information, minimum fuel amounts, burn amounts, and how much fuel to expect at landing. I jot down SOBs — ahem — souls on board, and lap children. I also jot down our purser’s name in case I need to specifically ask a question and can get the answer quickly.

2. Introduce Myself To Flight Attendants

One ritual I have is trying to walk around the cabin and introduce myself to each and every flight attendant prior to boarding. I have found that it can get a little confusing for them when a flight attendant calls the cockpit and I answer. If I haven’t met them, it’s typical for them to think they misdialed since most of our pilots are men. Plus, I want to personally let them know that if they need anything to please call!

Cockpit Note: A purser is the senior flight attendant on the plane. 

3. Load iPad

After I set up my nest, I set my iPad on the consul with attach points and upload the flight plan, the TPS (Takeoff Performance), weather, and all company information for the flight. I put my special blue pen in the holder, plug my personal headphones into the jack, and place my personal pink thermos filled with chilled water in the cup holder. I place my kit bag and orient it the same way each flight: next to me on my right side. I can then easily grab my safety vest for the walk-around outside. This bag has a place for everything, and everything has its place.

Cockpit Note: In my industry, paper is being eliminated. The weight reduction of our 2,145-page operational and aircraft manuals is substantial. Our flight plans, performance charts, weather data, schedules, maintenance, and passenger information, to name just a few items, will be only viewable via our iPads. Just a click and a swipe and I can find the information I need.

4. Exterior Walk-Around

Every flight requires an exterior walk-around inspection. I conduct my walk-around the same way, in the same direction, and look for specific things. As I approach the jet, in all her glory, I pat the engine and say “hello” to her. Yes, it sounds corny, but I do it every time. I rub her and talk to her like she is a person. I tell her, “She is a good girl,” pat her, and continue on my walk-around. It is my homage to the fact that she is going to work hard for the next 10–16 hours and safely take us to a new and exciting destination. I think pilots as a group are creatures of habit and it serves us well to have our own rituals.

So the next time you are boarding a flight, look out the window and see if your pilot is patting your bird. It might just be me!

5. Greet Passengers

When I finish the outside inspection and come back into the jet, we typically have begun the boarding process. I love to personally welcome aboard each passenger that I come across.

For more on Christy’s adventures as a pilot, check out these stories:

• A Seasoned Pilot Shares Why These 3 Popular U.S. Cities Were Her Favorite Destinations In 2022
• A Pilot Shares 2 Important Reasons To Put Your Phone On Airplane Mode
• 22-Year Veteran Pilot Shares 3 Experiences She Says She’ll Never Forget

Retirement is an exciting and rewarding milestone after years of hard work. You want to travel and enjoy life. There are specific photos retirees should carry on their phones to make life and travel easier. I’ve curated this list of photos that have helped my husband and me and other relatives over the years. Let’s explore the essential photos every retiree should have on their device for ready access anytime!

1. Driver’s License

Yes, your license should be in your wallet, but a photo is beneficial if you lose your wallet and are pulled over for any reason. The photo shows proof that you have a valid driver’s license, and they can get your license number from the photo and see that it is you in the picture when they run their searches for information. It also speeds up obtaining a temporary license.

I left my license in another purse while traveling and managed to get through two airports with a photo of my license. I had to show the photo of my license and another form of ID. I don’t recommend trying this because it was most stressful and there is no guarantee it will work every time, but it did get me to my destination and back home. 

Pro Tip: Be sure to file a police report if your license is stolen. Police and others may ask for it as proof.

2. Health Insurance Cards

Whether you are out for a Sunday drive around the neighborhood or traveling across the country, a photo of your health insurance cards should be on your phone. This is important if you have an accident or get sick and need to go to the hospital. Your health insurance information — whether it’s obtained from your actual cards or a photo of them — will ensure you get the treatment you need as quickly as possible.

3. Medications

This is important if you lose your medications or run out while away from home and is also very helpful if you forget the prescription bottle when you go to the pharmacy. A photo of your prescriptions will make it easier to get replacements if necessary. You can show them the photo, and they can look up the records to save you an extra trip.

I keep a list of all my supplements and meds in the notes area of my phone, but I also have a photo of them. It is helpful when visiting a new doctor and when my current doctor asks me to update my medicines. 

4. Emergency Contacts

If you have an accident or become ill and cannot contact your family or friends, having a photo of your contacts will be very helpful. Having a list of emergency contacts on your phone will also ensure that someone can get in touch with them if needed.

Pro Tip: You might wonder Why not just type a list into Notes? Having a photo or screenshot saved in the same folder with all your other emergency photos is helpful. I also suggest backing the folder up on Google Drive or Dropbox so you can access it via other means (a tablet, hotel workspace computer, or even someone else’s phone) if necessary. 

5. Bank Cards And Credit Cards

A photo of your bank cards is essential in case you lose your wallet or purse and need to cancel your cards. A picture of your cards will also come in handy if you need to make an online or emergency purchase and don’t have any cash. 

Pro Tip: Take a photo of both sides of each card since contact info to cancel cards is often located on the back.

6. Car License Plate 

I carry a photo of my car license plate because I can never remember it. When you check into most hotels, they ask for your license plate number. Having a photo saves me time. It is imperative if you have a rental car because you won’t remember what it is. 

Pro Tip: If you have a rental car, take a photo of it upon rental. It is easy to forget color, make, et cetera when traveling. 

7. Doctor’s Phone Number

I keep a list of my doctors’ phone numbers on my phone, and I have a photo of the list in my photos. I also include my dentist, eye doctor, and pharmacist’s numbers. It is handy to look at the photo when I need to contact them.

8. Passport

A photo of your passport is essential if you lose your wallet or purse and need to prove who you are. If you lose your passport, it will be much easier to replace it if you have a photo of it. As with a driver’s license, a picture of your passport could also come in handy if you need to check into a hotel. 

Pro Tip: I print out a copy of my passport and put it into my checked luggage when traveling overseas.

9. Itinerary

A photo of your travel itinerary is important so you can keep track of your plans and know where you’re supposed to be and when. It is easier than carrying a bunch of papers around throughout the day.

Pro Tip: Just be sure to change this photo before each trip.

10. Room Number And Key

Photos of your hotel room number and key (if it has any unique identifiers) are helpful in case you forget which room you’re staying in or lose your key. This is especially helpful if you are on a road trip or tour and will stay at multiple hotels. After a few, it is easy to forget which room you are currently assigned. 

11. Hotel Or Lodging Address

A photo of the address of where you are staying while traveling is also helpful. Whether you need to plug it into your GPS or provide it to an Uber driver, it is vital to have the correct address. 

12. Person You Are With

When traveling, taking a photo each morning of the person you are traveling with is helpful. We are often not very observant of what those we are with have on, and a photo is helpful. Should something happen and you are separated, it is much easier to find someone if you know they are wearing pink, green, blue, et cetera. 

13. Important Documents

A photo of your will or power of attorney documents will be needed should something happen to you while you’re away from home and your family needs to access your financial accounts or make medical decisions on your behalf. 

14. Spouse Or Significant Other

If you are fortunate enough to have someone special in your life, you should carry at least one photo of them on your phone. It will bring a smile to your face every time you see it and make that special someone happy to know you are carrying their photo. If you are out and about and get separated or lost, having a photo of them will be helpful.

15. Photos Of sentimental value

While not strictly speaking “essential,” it can be nice to have photos on hand that are purely for sentimental value — photos of family members, pets, special memories, et cetera. Like the photos of your special someone, they should bring a smile when you see them. You can also show them off when you are out and about and run into someone who asks about family members and such.

You will think this one is funny, but I keep a photo of my last Christmas tree on my phone. I love Christmas, and when I see old friends and acquaintances, they often ask what theme I did my tree in the past Christmas. It is easier to show them than explain. 

Bonus: Establish Your Emergency Info Photo Folder

Put all the above photos in an album on your phone labeled Emergency Info or Travel Info. This will keep all the images together, and you will quickly be able to find them when needed.

Travel should be a joy and an adventure. Carrying photos on your phone can be a great way to stay connected with the people you love most while out traveling in retirement. Not only is it an easy way to share memories while you’re on the go, but it can also provide comfort and a sense of security if anything should ever go wrong during your travels.

Related Reading:

• I Lost My Passport Twice: Here’s What I Learned
• 16 Travel Apps That We Use On Every Vacation
• 8 Places I Felt The Safest As A Solo Traveler

Hotel staffing has significantly changed over the past several years. Rooms are now only cleaned upon request. Bell services have been reduced. Some concierge services are nothing more than automated kiosks that answer simple questions. With all of these changes, what does that mean when it comes to tipping?

Dr. Kevin Murphy is a 20+ year expert in the hotel and food service industry and a professor at the University of Central Florida. In addition to teaching at UCF, he travels the world teaching classes on hospitality and food service management. Dr. Murphy is also one of the few Certified Executive Chefs in the U.S. with a Ph.D. He shares what you need to know about tipping in today’s hotel environment.

1. Housekeepers 

Housekeeping does just that — keeps your room tidy and brings you extras you might need: towels, shampoo, and coffee. But as you’ve probably noticed during your last hotel stay, this has changed. Many hotels have switched to servicing your room once every three days. With an average stay of 2.5 days, you may not even see your housekeeping staff. Your only interaction with their service is when you check in. 

Murphy says the industry standard for housekeepers is to clean 14 standard rooms per day per shift. This allows 30 minutes, yes only 30 minutes, to get rooms ready for the next guest. They have to strip the beds, make the beds, vacuum, clean the bathrooms, restock toiletries, and pick up the room. While most people leave their rooms in decent conditions, not all subscribe to that philosophy. 

Because of their backbreaking work and hard-to-fill positions, Murphy suggests tipping housekeepers $1 per day per guest per room. For example, four people in a room would be $4 per day.

2. Bell Service

Bellhops are usually the first people you interact with at a hotel. They provide personal services like opening doors, carrying luggage, and sometimes arranging transportation services. Typically, you can expect to tip between $1 to $2 per bag. You can always carry your luggage yourself but it is refreshing after a day of traveling to have someone assist you with your luggage.

3. Concierge

Concierges can make your hotel stay extra special. They can make recommendations for the best restaurants or tours to take. Concierges can also help you get a reservation or tickets to a show. Murphy says how you tip depends on the service you get from the concierge. For simple service, no tip is required. However, if they got you into the hottest show in town last minute, you should tip 15 percent of the cost of the tickets.

4. Valet

Hotel valets can be tricky, according to Murphy. You need to know if they are just parking your car or giving your car extra attention. If they are just parking your car, the standard rate is $5 to $10. But if they are returning your Bugatti wiped clean, Murphy suggests $20 to $30.

5. Room Service

The Waldorf Astoria New York introduced room service to the U.S. in the 1930s along with dishes like eggs benedict and the Waldorf salad. Many of us have come to enjoy this extra level of service. Traditionally, there is about an 18-percent fee added to your bill for room service and sometimes gratuity is added on as well. If you want to add an additional 5 percent because the server did a great job, Murphy says go right ahead.

6. Food And Beverage Servers

For the most part, food and beverage servers’ tipping practices have not changed. The standard for these two is 18 percent. Murphy says this can vary slightly depending on the type of hotel.

“At a mid-scale hotel that includes a breakfast buffet, you can typically leave a few dollars for the buffet runner and table cleaners. At a luxury brand that includes food and beverage services such as concierge level breakfast and afternoon cocktails, an 18 percent service fee will be included in your bill.”

Pro Tip: Murphy said it’s not necessary to tip groundskeepers or hotel managers.

Overall, Murphy says to use your judgment. If someone helps you and you feel like they deserve a little something extra, go ahead and give it to them.

There is nothing fun about long hours waiting in an airport terminal during a layover. It can be challenging to while away the hours as you wait for your next flight. Or maybe you have experienced the long lines and crowds at airline ticket counters that have become the norm since the COVID pandemic has loosened its grip on the world causing many stressful hours of waiting or the cancellation of a flight due to a severe snowstorm.

One of the major U.S. air travel hubs, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), has taken steps to take the stress out of flying. It’s making layovers more fun with a complete makeover of its Terminal A by adding a surprising and entertaining multimedia show throughout the facility called the Digital Journey of Surprises.

The Digital Journey Of Surprises 

Located throughout the terminal — at ticket counters, gates, and walkways — visitors will be taken on a journey of surprises through various multimedia interactions, each designed to give visitors a unique experience and encounter the iconic spirit of New Jersey’s people, landmarks, and innovations.

As a traveler enters the terminal, a large glowing welcome banner radiates a peaceful and calming energy before a runaway beachball and errant kite breaks the tranquil scene to reveal a digital fresco featuring a star-studded lineup of New Jersey celebrities and firsts.

As the traveler makes their way into the retail hall, they will pass the Forest of Firsts. It features eight towering LED pillars that pay homage to the state’s spirit of innovation. You’ll then arrive at the gates where display pillars provide easy to find and read flight information, intuitive boarding cues, and fun New Jersey-based trivia and facts like when in Jersey, do you go to the beach or go to the shore? What in the world is Taylor ham (or is it pork roll)? What town was Frank Sinatra born in? In what city was the first recognized baseball game played?

If you are arriving at EWR, you are greeted by a large 12-foot-tall LED abbreviation NJ set on a lush island representing the Garden State.

The Brains Behind The Journey

The reimagining of Newark’s Terminal A comes to us thanks to the work and vision of the New York-New Jersey Port Authority, the Electrosonic company, and Moment Factory, a Canadian based entertainment studio that has created similar dazzling displays at airport terminals around the world, including Los Angeles International, Singapore’s Changi, and Japan’s Shinjuku Airport. Moment Factory is best known for bringing immersive outdoor multimedia attractions to the world including the sensational Astra Lumina located at the Anakeesta theme park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

The creators call the project a “smart multimedia ecosystem” that rewards attention without demanding it.

Mikael Charpin, a Moment Factory producer, says that the company’s goal was to produce an enhanced passenger experience “infused with an authentic sense of place.”

“With the new Terminal A, travelers and the state of New Jersey are at the heart of the Digital Journey of Surprises,” Charpin continued.

Indeed it is, so much so that you may find you will want to make New Jersey a regular vacation destination after experiencing the multimedia extravaganza.

For more upcoming events, openings, and travel news, check out these articles:

• Celebrate A Dolly Parton Milestone With Musical Surprises At Dollywood
• Caribbean’s First Theme Park Opening — Where You Can Experience One-Of-A-Kind Rides
• Machu Picchu Reopens, But Visitors Still Warned Before Visiting Peru — Here’s What You Need To Know

Typically when I book my airline tickets, I look for the best prices and non-stop flights. But our airline experts pointed out a few other factors to consider. They shared with us the best and worst times in the day and year to fly domestically and internationally.

Best Times To Fly

Morning

Most of us have heard that mornings are the best time to book your flight but do you know why? Pilot Christy Karsten says early birds definitely have the best chance to make it to their final destination with the fewest delays and disruptions. While there are many variables with on-time departures, weather is the biggest factor.

“When the sun rises, thunderstorms that typically brew later in the afternoon are just waking up too,” Karsten told us. “Inclement weather is typically at its infancy early in the morning. Most likely the airplane has been parked overnight from the last arrival, the previous day, with no known mechanical issues. The crews are either driving to work at their home base or are arriving from the hotel. Everyone should be in place and ready to go!”

Karsten also says there is an urgency from the gate staff to make the first flights depart on time or even earlier.

“On our flight plans, we have bold words stating Right Start Flight between 5 and 9 a.m.,” Karsten continued. “If these flights, for any reason depart late, the domino effect downline can create major headaches, misconnects, coordination issues, and frustration for passengers and crews.”

Pro Tip: When booking a flight with a connection, if at all possible, don’t book with a layover less than an hour. At large airports, the chance of a hiccup and a misconnect are high. Large hub airports invariably mean longer taxi times, longer walks to your connecting gate, as well as tarmac and gate issues. Sometimes the stress just isn’t worth it. If at all possible, give yourself 1–2 hours to connect and continue on your trip.

Just Before Lunchtime

If you can’t get on the early morning flight, Karsten says right before lunchtime is another good time because your flight is probably coming from a hub airport.

“If you happen to be at an out station airport, instead of a major hub, odds are you will be rendezvousing with the first flight out of the hub, which is enroute to your location,” said Karsten. “While at a hub, the options are greater if there is a hiccup on your planned departure. There may be other aircraft that can be swapped out if your jet has a lengthy mechanical issue. There are more flight crews available if a crew member can’t complete the flight. We even have flight attendants, at our bases who are sitting ‘airport standby reserve’ in case they are needed on extremely short notice.”

Pro Tip: Karsten says if you do misconnect and need to make a change, hop on your phone immediately! Download and utilize the airline’s app while you wait in line at customer service. Multi-task and dial the 800 number at the same time.

You O’Clock

Retired flight attendant Kentrell Charles says to pick the time that works best for you. He factors in who is picking him up from the airport and hotel check-ins. He wants a reasonable hour for friends and family to arrive at the airport. If he’s staying at a hotel, he either schedules his flight to arrive right before check-in or asks for an early check-in if he takes an earlier flight.

Pro Tip: Charles also suggests non-stop flights and carrying on your luggage when possible. Here is what he includes in his carry-on bag.

Spring & Late Fall

Spring, late September, and October are good times to travel if you are looking for smaller crowds and better deals.

“Most travelers hit the amusement parks or beaches for spring break,” commented Nancy Lee, veteran flight attendant. “We flew non-stop to Tokyo and avoided hub-to-hub congestion. Asia isn’t a big destination for spring break and my son was the only child at the Children’s Museum in Nagoya.”

Fall has the same feel because kids are back in school and most families are not traveling. Heather Earl, who has worked in aviation for 30 years, says she has found accommodations are much cheaper and easier to book at the last minute.

“I can usually find some great off-peak season deals on rental cars and lodging,” Earl told us. “Flight crews and other travel industry workers have been working hard during the busy summer months and are tired so I always bring a little goodie bag for them.”

But Earl says to be aware that there may be fewer flight options in the fall because airlines are transitioning from their busy summer schedules.

Pro Tip: If you are looking for great international flights, try Thanksgiving or May. Earl says Europe and Asia can be a breeze over the Thanksgiving holiday if you leave from a gateway city like New York or Chicago and don’t have a connecting domestic flight. May is another great time to visit Europe because it’s shoulder season and the weather is warming up. Airlines also start to beef up their summer routes in May and add many trans-oceanic routes.

Worst Times To Fly

Late Afternoon In The Summer

Karsten has one reason for this — the weather!

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen passengers’ plans crumble in front of them due to late departures during summer afternoons East of the Rockies,” explains Karsten. “Summer months can brew up wicked thunderstorms that create havoc on airline operations. These storms can cause extensive delays, limit airport arrivals and departures, and even close the ramp due to lighting strikes.”

She says the snowball effect on these types of irregular operations can be very frustrating for passengers and crews alike.

Pro Tip: Something to consider: If a flight is canceled due to weather, the airline isn’t responsible for providing its passengers with hotel accommodations if they misconnect with their flights. If an afternoon flight is your only option, plan ahead and prepare for an unexpected overnight situation. Pack a carry-on accordingly. Although I am an optimist, I always plan for snafus when I’m traveling. Karsten has a “back-up” for plans B, C, and D that make for a less stressful travel experience.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, And New Year’s

Our experts agree and some of you may have experienced travel during the holidays. Charles says he avoids it because of the crowds and the hustle and bustle. He absolutely will not fly the day before or the day of a holiday.

Lee says the annual migration during Thanksgiving and Christmas creates additional stress because everyone is trying to get to their destinations. If holidays are for being with family, Lee suggests celebrating a few days before or after and staying longer.

Pro Tip: If you are flying internationally, Earl says to avoid August at all costs. The entire population is on vacation and flights will be packed. Sightseeing spots are crowded and lodging is expensive. She also says to forget trying to get on a last-minute flight within Europe in August, unless you like long lines, high fares, and lots of stress.

On a recent trip, my husband and I were stuck at JFK Airport for an overnight layover of fewer than 12 hours, so we opted for the convenience of a night at the iconic TWA Hotel in the original TWA terminal. What an incredible experience.

It began after we picked up our bags in Terminal 5 and followed the directions to find the elevator marked “TWA Hotel.” The bright red and white logo colors beckoned us. We exited the elevator right into 1962. 

The long red carpet directed us to the hotel and music from the ‘60s played on the sound system. That — along with the vintage touches, such as payphones and typewriters at the check-in desk — transported us to Trans World Airlines in the 1960s. It was especially poignant for me, as 1962 is the year of my birth. I was returning from Grenada, where I celebrated my 60th birthday. 

Pro Tip: When you exit the elevator, make sure to go to the right and check out a replica of TWA owner Howard Hughes’s office.

Here are some of the unique experiences at the TWA Hotel.

The TWA Hotel hosted me on a press trip, but all opinions are my own.

1. Connie Cocktail Lounge

Enjoy a classic martini in the Connie Cocktail Lounge. This 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie” airplane has been lovingly restored to her original condition and converted into a lounge serving cocktails and light snacks. After retiring from TWA, this “Connie” served as an Alaskan bush plane and a marijuana dropper. The painstaking restoration included finding authentic parts to bring her back to her former glory.

There are no reservations and it is first come, first served. Make sure to try the “Vodka is My Co-Pilot,” a classic, dry vodka martini. The lounge is located on the tarmac and is sometimes closed for private events. If closed, you can see the plane through the many huge windows in the lobby.

2. Roll-A-Rama

For a true retro experience, head out to the tarmac around the 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie” airplane to the Roll-A-Rama skating rink. It is the only roller rink in the world at an airport. After a long flight, get some exercise skating to vintage tunes with a little disco thrown in. Did you know roller skating burns 350 calories an hour? Tickets are on a first-come, first-skate basis and all skates are disinfected after each use. If you forgot socks, they are available for sale at the gift shop.

Editor’s Note: The outdoor runway roller rink is a seasonal offering.

3. Sunset At JFK

The sunsets are stunning over JFK, especially when viewed from the TWA Hotel. My room had an incredible sunset view. There is just something about a sunset at the airport that just feels cinematic as the day transitions into night and the runway lights up. Another option is to head to the rooftop pool deck where you can enjoy the view with a cocktail from The Pool Bar.

4. Museum Exhibits

Experience the Jet Age at the museum exhibits spread throughout the TWA Hotel. MCR/MORSE Development collected more than 2,000 TWA artifacts in the years before the hotel opened with a plan for future exhibits. The New York Historical Society curated the exhibits. Current exhibits in the hotel include items from Howard Hughes’s ownership and architect Eero Saarinen’s blueprints for the TWA terminal. You can also view 37 complete TWA uniforms from 1945–2001, many by famed designers. It was so interesting seeing how the uniforms looked over the decades. 

The exhibits are tucked all around the hotel, so make sure to take the time to explore the grounds so you don’t miss anything. I loved the examples of in-flight amenities such as playing cards and the silver serving ware. Period TWA travel posters by David Klein line a wall and highlight the Jet Set Age. One wall has an extensive timeline highlighting what was going on during 1962 when the terminal opened. Since I was born in 1962, I found it fascinating and read every word. All of the exhibits are free of charge and open to the public.

5. The Largest Hotel Gym In The World

I was seriously bummed we didn’t have more time at the hotel when I saw this gym. The fitness center is 10,000 square feet which makes it the largest hotel gym in the world. Access to TWA Fitness is included for registered hotel guests and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I am a huge Peloton fan and the cycling center has 14 Peloton bikes which I think is the most of any hotel. There are also 12 treadmills, 10 ellipticals, a full yoga studio, and a variety of strength-training options including the TRX Suspension Trainer. There are a variety of group classes and personal training available. There is really a workout for everyone.

6. Super-Quiet Guestrooms

The guestrooms at the TWA Hotel are stunning. Each hotel room has floor-to-ceiling windows, which are surprisingly quiet due to the very sturdy glass and is the second thickest in the world. Unlike at other airport hotels, I didn’t hear a single airplane during my stay. The rooms are 1960s-inspired with rotary phones and mid-century modern furniture designed by Eero Saarinen, the terminal’s original architect. Vintage touches are nice, but it also has plenty of charging options for your smartphone and other electronics.

I stayed in an executive king suite with a historic TWA view. Runway views are also available, but the view of the original TWA terminal allowed you to really see the architectural features of this landmark building. The king-size bed was super comfy with a Sealy mattress and premium bedding. Standard king guestrooms feature blackout shades. The rate included unlimited local and international calls on a retrofitted vintage Western Electric 500 rotary phone and the Wi-Fi was super fast. As a plus-sized gal, I appreciated the large, fluffy towels in the pristine bathroom.

7. Rooftop Infinity Pool And Observation Deck

The rooftop area is pretty cool. You can watch the jets take off from JFK and at night, the airport lights are magical. The infinity pool is a swimming pool in the summer and in the winter, it is heated to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and turns into a pool-cuzzi. The Pool Bar offers a variety of aviation and water-themed cocktails. Food offerings include appetizers, sandwiches, and flatbreads. After being cooped up in an airplane, it is a great location to get some fresh air.

8. Throwback Decor

The TWA Hotel has a couple of unique features you won’t find in any other hotel. The Twister Room has the game board spread across the floor and walls for a truly unusual version of the 1960s game. In the lobby, you will find a Solari split-flap message board, a classic with the original mechanical operation manufactured in Udine, Italy, displaying sample arrivals and departures.

9. The Paris Café

The Paris Café is in the footprint of the TWA terminal’s original Paris Café and Lisbon Lounge. It was originally designed by Raymond Loewy, a Parisian industrial designer who created the iconic Coca-Cola contour bottle and the 1959 TWA twin globes logo. Now-famed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten serves up his specialties at the new Paris Café. 

“As an avid traveler, I am very excited to be a part of recreating a culinary destination in this iconic landmark,” he said. 

The menu took its culinary inspiration from historic in-flight menus. Make sure to have reservations. We did not as we weren’t sure how long it would take to get through customs. We were able to snag a seat at the long, white counter and enjoyed appetizers and cocktails. It was pricey but the food was very good and how often do you have the opportunity to stay at such an iconic location? Stop by The Sunken Lounge in the lobby for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail. The cocktail bar has a fun, vintage vibe.

10. The TWA Shop

I am glad we stayed at the TWA Hotel. It turned an otherwise arduous layover into a fun experience that I will long remember. There is such an energy in the hotel that it is infectious. I went from tired after a long flight to wanting to see everything the hotel had to offer. Make sure you check out the gift shop, which has a great selection of TWA-themed items in the signature red and white colors, perfect for last-minute gifts.

Pro Tip: If you have a long layover at John F. Kennedy International Airport, you don’t have to stay at the TWA hotel to enjoy many of the experiences mentioned above. You can even buy a pass for the pool. Just make reservations so you won’t be disappointed.

Just because you’re traveling does not mean you have to compromise your workout routines. Although, this can be difficult if you’re like me and don’t particularly enjoy going down to the hotel fitness center. Luckily, I was introduced to obé Fitness, which allows you to get a great workout in from the comfort of your hotel room or while on the road, all in under 10 minutes.

obé Fitness works to improve people’s relationship with working out. Instead of having to put in hours at the gym, users are able to get in a quick and effective workout from anywhere. For only $99 a year, you can get access to hundreds of classes. Looking for some to do on your next trip? Check out my favorite classes below.

In Your Hotel Room

1. 10-Min Suitcase Sculpt

Learn More

Who knew suitcases could double as workout equipment? In 10 minutes, this low-impact, full-body workout focuses on toning and sculpting, and no heavy weights are needed. Sounds like the perfect way to pass the time when you’re waiting for someone to get ready before beginning your day.

2. 10-Min Towel Stretch

Learn More

This next workout calls for one of my favorite aspects of a hotel room — a nice fluffy bathroom towel. In only 10 minutes, this full-body stretch session focuses on the shoulders, triceps, hamstrings, and the IT band. If you’re coming back from a full day of walking and constantly being on the go, this quick workout is perfect for active recovery.

Modified Fitness

3. 10-Min Stretch For Joint Pain

Learn More

Designed specifically to build muscle and improve balance, this stretching class is perfect to relieve joint pain. The only equipment needed is a chair, and this no-impact workout is a great way to wind down from the craziness of the day. If you’re like me and don’t have a lot of stretching experience, no problem! This class is geared toward beginners.

4. 10-Min Chair Yoga: Restorative

Learn More

Nothing like a bit of stretching to start your day! Requiring only a chair and a towel, this calming yoga session improves circulation and flexibility. These poses include both sitting and standing and are ideal for releasing tension from the stresses of travel.

In The Car

5. 5-Minute Traffic Jam Breathwork

Learn More

Road trips can be some of the most scenic and adventurous ways to travel to a destination. Unfortunately, traffic jams are usually part of the equation. If you’re like me and tend to get a little stressed out, take a look at this quick and simple series of breathing exercises. Within only 5 minutes, you’ll be able to get rid of the driving stress and back to enjoying your day.

6. 10-Minute Morning Mantras

Learn More

If you have a long day of driving ahead, it’s important to start off on the right foot. Take 10 minutes for yourself in this seated meditation session. Filled with relaxing breath work and mantras, this no-equipment-needed activity is the perfect way to get in a healthy mindset before hitting the road.

Why Choose obé Fitness?

Just because you’re going on a trip doesn’t mean you can’t fit in a few workouts here and there. For only $99 a year, obé Fitness offers the flexibility of working out with on-demand and live classes. Simply log into your account from their mobile app, laptop, or tablet, select your class, and begin. Plus, screen-sharing and streaming options are available if you want to enjoy your workout on a bigger screen.

Looking for more ways to exercise? Check out our recommendations below:

• I Was Skeptical About E-Bikes — And Then I Tried One
• 10 Amazingly Comfortable Walking Shoes For Men And Women Recommended By Travelers

I truly enjoy bringing people to their destinations and hearing their stories. That is why being a flight attendant is the job for me. I laugh with my passengers, plan their activities, and help them get to weddings, funerals, and great vacations. All of this at 38,000 feet up in the air! I started at 20 years old and have a teaching degree. I thought I would do this for just a couple of years — it sounded fun.

After 38 years of flying, and all kinds of questions, I thought I had heard it all! Until last week when a passenger asked if we had toothbrushes on board. When I replied no, she asked if I had one for myself. When I replied yes, she asked if she could use that one! I am still shaking my head! Here are a few questions that make us flight attendants cringe.

1. What Is The Pilot Drinking?

This will inflame us as we consider ourselves safety professionals. This gets filed in the same column as talking about “bombs” — you just don’t say it. Our pilots are very diligent about your safety and spend hours studying their aircraft, working out unsafe events in the simulator, and truly caring about your safety onboard. It is not “just like driving a car.”

2. The Gate Agent Said You Could Seat Us Together?

There is a reason you are not seated together. No one likes paying extra fees and most of the time, that will eliminate the problem, but if you get to the airport and you are not all seated together, it’s time to reevaluate. Can you sit two by two instead of four together? I will try my best to help you but I cannot ask someone who paid extra for a window seat to move to a middle seat. I can usually find a solution, but it may not be the one you were hoping to get.

Pro Tip: Ask the passengers around you to switch. If people see you with children, they are usually understanding and want to help.

3. Can I Just Sit Here?

“It’s my anniversary, my birthday, my honeymoon.” I am sorry to say that those days are gone, along with the hot meals we used to serve — “chicken or beef.” We do not upgrade seats onboard. That is all handled at the gate, thank goodness. I know that first-class seat is empty, but the person next to it paid for it and would understandably be upset if I just allowed you to sit there. If it is your honeymoon, I will find some champagne and we will celebrate!

Pro Tip: Bring some candy or a small gift for your flight attendants. It can get you a lot of attention.

4. What Hotel Do You Stay At?

Security is a big thing with airline personnel. We cannot tell you where we stay. In some foreign cities, we have armed escorts to take us to the hotel. I usually say, “I will tell you but then I will have to terminate you,” and laugh because people should understand we need privacy.

5. (Ringing The Call Button) Can I Have A Coke?

I will admit that when the call button sounds, we all look wildly at each other thinking, who is gonna take that one? It is a mixed feeling. We are there for you to call us. But don’t call to hand us your trash. We go through the aisle with trash bags every 15 minutes. If someone in your row calls us for a beverage, please, please tell us if you want one also! I would rather bring two drinks at once instead of on another trip.

6. What? What Did You Say?

Please! When you see the beverage cart approaching and you want a drink, please hit “pause” on your movie and take off your headset, preferably before we get there. Flight attendants truly dislike asking you three times if you want something to drink. When talking to my colleagues about these questions, this was the number one thing that makes us cringe.

7. How Many Days Do You Work?

Flight attendant jobs are a whole different animal. We may do a 3-day trip and then have 4 days off, or we have the ability to work 2 weeks in a row and have the rest of the month off. Trying to explain this to people who work a regular job is difficult and they usually believe I only work part-time, or that we do not work very hard. But if you have ever been with me on a lengthy mechanical delay, hours in the making, you would know we are there for you. Recently in a delayed flight, my crew opted to contractually extend our hours to get you home (voluntarily prolonging our work day to over 16 hours).

8. Is This Your Usual Route?

Back in the old days, we used to have “routes.” We would fly the same city pairings each week for a month. I miss those as I would get to know the business people who flew each week, and I would also get to know the city. Technology has allowed us to pick our flights and the dates we want to fly them, all based on seniority, so “regular” routes are a thing of the past. When you ask us this question we have to bring you into the 21^st century — though I miss those old go-go boots!

9. What Lake Is That Down There?

I really don’t know which lake that is and I would be happy to call the pilots and ask for you. But I would have to leave the beverage cart and that slows down service, and people get anxious for their drinks. If the flight attendant answers immediately something like, “Clear Lake” you know they are fibbing. We do not know which city, lake, or mountain is out your window. We are too busy to look out the windows.

10. Can You Lift My Bag For Me?

I have known snarky flight attendants who will say, “You bring it, you sling it.” We cannot lift your bag for you, but I would be happy to check it, for free, to your final destination. In a single day I could fly with over 600 passengers, if I lifted their bags think about how much lifting that would entail.

11. Can You Call And Hold My Connection?

Believe me when I say my employer knows we are running late. We have a team that monitors connections in each city, and they are on top of it! They will usually have you rebooked on the next flight or have someone there in a cart to whisk you away to your connection. Technology has really aided with connections.

Additional Travel Tips

• All of us are there to help you with your life journeys. I feel thrilled when families reunite, when soldiers return home, and when children see their grandparents.
• Check your bags. Airline apps will track your bag so you will know it’s traveling with you. 
• Bring a small blanket or sweatshirt with a hoodie. Temperature-wise, it is difficult to make everyone in the cabin happy, and the blanket could also be used as a pillow. 
• Always have a pen. You will need it for travel forms.
• Grab a bottle of water and a snack in the airport.
• If there is turbulence, flight attendants remain seated.

Starting in January and running through March, cruise lines offer special Wave Season deals to fill their ships early on, for the coming season. When you book during Wave Season, you will find the best prices and perks, such as onboard credits, drink packages, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and upgrades. 

In our experience, now is truly the best time to book your cruise. You may still find deals as the season progresses, but don’t count on it, since cruising is back in full force and the newest ships and best destinations usually fill up fast. 

For the best experience, you want to book far in advance since airlines are still struggling (look at what happened with Southwest over Christmas) to have their fleets back in the air, due to shortages from ground crews to pilots, which in turn has driven airfares to new heights. If you see a deal you like, book it. You usually only pay a small deposit, often refundable, to reserve that great promotion. If you hesitate to book by a day or even a few hours, it may be too late.

So let’s dive into the top four cruise line deals we’ve found for wave season.

Wave Season Deals 

1. Virgin Voyages

New to the industry, Virgin Voyages offers a unique sailing experience geared toward younger, more adventurous cruisers. They are also geared towards adults only who are above the age of 18.

Special offers:

• 60 percent off the second guest + up to $600 in free drinks
• Offer expires January 31, 2023

2. Viking Cruises

Viking is offering deals on both their ocean and river cruises.

Ocean Cruises:

2023

• Free airfare
• Eastern seaboard explorer
• Offer expires: January 31, 2023

2024-2025

• Airfares vary on other gateways and departures
• Offer expires: January 31, 2023

River Cruises:

2023

• Free airfare
• Departures included: Grand European tour, European Sojourn, Capitals of Eastern Europe, Lyon, Provence, and the Rhineland 
• Offer expires: January 31, 2023

2024-2025

• Airfares vary on other gateways and departures
• Offer expires: January 31, 2023

3. Celebrity Cruises

One of the “new luxury” lines you will want to go on is Celebrity, offering upscale accommodations, dining, and service that’s unsurpassed.

• Up to 75 percent off the second guest + up to $800 in savings + up to $800 onboard spending
• Offer expires: March 1, 2023 

4. Princess Cruises

The best sale ever is back and even better this year.

• Save up to 35 percent on cruise fares
• Get up to $150 per guest to spend on board
• Reserve now with only a $100 deposit (one per guest)
• Offer expires: March 1, 2023 

All of these deals are subject to availability and are subject to change. Since new deals are always being added, you can visit our website for the latest deals.

Popular Cruise Destinations

Now that you’ve seen the deals, we want to share with you some of our recommended destinations for this year’s wave season and what you need to know before you book.

Caribbean

When booking during Wave Season, there are things you should be aware of. If you’re booking a cruise to the Caribbean, the hurricane season runs from June until November with the highest risk from mid-August to October. The good news is that ships can be rerouted to avoid storms and rough seas. During the high season from June until August, when school is out, this will be the most expensive and crowded, but for families, it may be the only choice. Christmas is also busy and expensive for the same reasons.

Alaska

Alaska is incredibly popular. However, there is limited inventory due to the popularity and short booking season, from the end of May until September. Ships fill up quickly. This is definitely a bucket list cruise. 

Europe

The Mediterranean, including Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece is one of the most popular cruise destinations. Europe offers many options but can be a bit more expensive due to higher airline prices and exchange rates. Booking a European cruise during wave season is a way to save money. Most itineraries to these destinations range from 7 to 11 days. 

The Scandinavian countries are becoming popular while Great Britain and Ireland are always good choices. 

Expedition Cruises

Somewhat new to the market, expedition-based itineraries to Antarctica are popular with small-group itineraries. 

Off The Beaten Path Destinations

There are not many places you can’t explore on a cruise, especially when combined with a land package. You can explore far-flung destinations like Japan, Tahiti, Galapagos Islands, and even Trans-Atlantic sailings. A couple of under-the-radar destinations you should consider are Iceland and Costa Rica, these destinations are drawing interest from cruisers looking for more off-beat locations.

River Cruises 

For river cruising, there are not as many cruise lines to choose from and most river cruise lines are considered luxury with 4- and 5-star accommodations and itineraries. AMA Waterways, Avalon, and Viking are three of the top lines. Destinations on the Danube and Rhine Rivers include itineraries through Hungary, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and The Netherlands. In France, the Seine and Rhone Rivers have itineraries through Bordeaux and Provence. The Christmas market itineraries are some of the most popular. 

River cruises are different from ocean cruises in many aspects, mostly being up close and personal with the locals, if It’s a more intimate experience. You can always see the other side of the river and you spend much of the time on land in many beautiful, culturally rich cities, full of history. Average river cruise itineraries usually run 7 to 14 days depending on the destination. There are also river cruises on the rivers through Egypt, Vietnam, and Cambodia for the more adventurous. 

How To Book

Booking Online

Be aware that booking your cruise on an internet site or directly with a cruise line does not guarantee you a better price or the best deal. There are so many variables to choose from when booking a cruise, from cabin locations, dining times, shore excursions, flights, etc. Trying to book a cruise on your own on the internet can be confusing, takes hours, and you probably won’t save money doing it. There will be some deals on websites but you will be on your own should something go wrong.

Travel Advisor

When you book with an experienced travel advisor, you call them directly and usually speak to the same person who has helped and guided you along in the process, compared to being on hold for hours to get through to a customer service department or call center, speaking with someone you don’t know and doesn’t know you. Travel agents usually do not charge fees for their services (they’re paid by the supplier) and some even offer extra perks, like onboard credits. These are a bonus when you book with them. A travel advisor’s experience, knowledge, and deals with their preferred suppliers provide an invaluable service to their clients.

Recently, news stories featured a flight from Phoenix to Hawaii that was rocked by turbulence so extreme it sent 20 passengers to the hospital upon landing, some with very serious injuries. How could this happen in today’s age of technology? Just what kind of turbulence did this Hawaiian Airlines jet hit?

Here are your turbulence questions answered by a seasoned pilot.

What Is Turbulence?

When passengers ask me what turbulence is, I describe it as simply as I can. The easiest way to visualize turbulence is to think of it like water. When two river currents, like the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers converge, turbulence is created where the rivers meet. Air masses behave like bodies of water; you just can’t see them. Throw in a storm and a wicked jet stream, and those “rivers” can look like the rapids of Niagara Falls.

There are basically two types of turbulence, convective and clear air turbulence (CAT).

Convective turbulence is what you most likely will feel as a passenger while the jet navigates around thunderstorms. CAT normally occurs at higher elevations and can be caused by strong wind shears near the jet stream. There are different classifications of turbulence that you have all felt while sitting in the back of a jetliner.

Soaring Like A Bird

If you’ve ever watched a large bird circling above without flapping its wings, you’re witnessing mother nature offer a free ride to the bird. The bird has learned that it can orbit in an invisible shaft of uplifting air called a thermal. It can search for food and effortlessly soar within this “thermal” area easily. Now, picture yourself flying to Las Vegas for the weekend in the middle of summer. It’s hot in the desert, and I mean hot! All that heat from the sun is warming the surface creating hot plumes (thermals) of air that rise. You can’t really see it, but boy you can feel it as your plane descends into these bumps.

One of my favorite types of convective activity is orographic lifting. It’s very easy to see on the windward side of a mountain range. The wind pushes clouds and moisture toward the mountains which forces the moisture upward. It creates a billowing, puffy, convective collection of clouds. We avoid flying near convective activity like this.

Pro Tip: Check out this article on TravelAwaits’ Why Some Pilots Fly Into Storms Or Fly Around Them to learn more about radar on airliners.

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

Turbulence isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can be quite uncomfortable. Airliners are designed to handle the worst of it, even in severe turbulence! The real danger comes from passengers not complying with the flight crew or the seat belt sign. The passengers on the Hawaiian flight who weren’t complying with the “Remain seated with your seat belts fastened” command and then hit severe turbulence were injured. Some people who were standing shot up and actually cracked the overhead bins and overhead panels with their heads, sustaining serious injuries.

In addition to running an on-time schedule, our primary goal is safety. We all want the flight to be smooth and comfortable for our passengers. Before the flight even leaves the gate, many types of planning and forecasting are occurring behind the scenes. Our trained dispatchers are looking at meteorological data for areas with smooth conditions like wind patterns, known turbulence, and storms. The pilots are also looking at similar information. Should we consider a different route than dispatched for smoother conditions? Should we fly at a different altitude than planned for a better “ride”? 

Collectively, the captain and the dispatcher agree on the route, altitude, and fuel for the flight. All of these logistics are transpiring hours before your flight, while you are en route to the airport.

What Are The Pilots Doing?

Once airborne, we are in constant communication with ATC. We have live current weather conditions streamed onto our iPads. As we transit ATC sectors, they pass along current conditions as soon as we start communicating with them. We also relay our present flight conditions so other flights in our area know what is happening up to the minute. We transmit these conditions to the ground-based weather stations via our flight computers so this information can be passed along and recorded for other pilots and dispatchers. Our dispatchers monitor our entire flight and send updates if weather conditions have changed or they have received pilot reports called PIREPS.

If we know or hear of any possible turbulence, the captain may make a quick PA and let the passengers know there are current reports of turbulence and to please remain seated with their seat belts fastened.

We have procedures in place when we do encounter turbulence. Every aircraft has what is called a “Turbulence Penetration Speed” that is normally slower than cruising speed. You might not even know that we have “slowed” down. Aircraft are fully designed to fly in turbulence. We have turbulence “levels” for our cabin crew as well. You might even hear a PA that commands flight attendants to take an immediate seat. This means taking any open seat in the cabin because they can’t make it back to their jump seats in time to buckle in! No one wants anyone to get hurt, and safety is paramount when it comes to turbulence.

What To Do If You Hit Turbulence

If you hear warnings about turbulence, firstly don’t leave your seat and stay buckled up! If you are walking and it sounds urgent, and you see an open seat grab it and buckle up. If you are laying in a sleeper chair, make sure your seat belt is fastened and clip it on top of the blankets so the flight crew can see you are secured. If you are walking back to your seat, use the top of the seats to stabilize yourself if the ride is bumpy. If you are tall enough, sometimes touching the overhead bins can steady yourself as you hurry back to your seat.

What Can You Do?

If you are a white-knuckle traveler and want to know if your trip is expected to run into turbulence, do a little intel prior to your flight.

• Hop onto FlightAware and type in your airline and flight number. A route will be shown with the usual planning for that flight. Superimposed on that map is any current weather, like rain showers.
• Now type in “NOAA radar” and look at the “big picture” of weather systems.
• Take it a step deeper and look at the Aviation Weather Center, click on Forecasts from the main menu and scroll down to Aviation Forecasts. Here you can see wind directions, icing, turbulence, and lots of other aviation goodies.

Sometimes a little knowledge of where you are going and what is forecast can help alleviate white knuckles. You can also download MyFlight Forecast from the app store and follow along in-flight with Wi-Fi. This is a very special app designed specifically for nervous flyers.

Wishing you smooth air, tailwinds, and safe travels. See you in the sky!

Let’s face it: Travel can be, and very often is, expensive. Many of us need to budget in some way, shape, or form, no matter if we’re planning a weekend road trip or our dream vacation abroad. There are tons of ways to stretch your dollars, and many of them don’t at all dip into your overall travel experience. In fact, many of those decisions can make it all the richer.

But there’s one splurge that I will always make monetary space for when I’m visiting a new city, especially if it’s in an international destination: a great local tour guide. In my experience, they can truly elevate a holiday, allowing you to see things from perspectives you hadn’t previously considered. When it comes down to it, hiring a private guide is consistently the best money I spend on vacation. No question.

Here are nine reasons why!

1. You’ll Get The Lay Of The Land

Arriving in a new place can be discombobulating even for the most seasoned traveler. You’ve been in transit, so you might be tired, stiff, or dehydrated, and perhaps dealing with a killer case of jetlag. Chances are you’ll be bombarded with new sights, sounds, and languages before you even leave the airport. Even the most thorough research done from home can never completely prepare you for seeing and experiencing a city for the first time.

Having a tour guide all to yourself can give you a good level-set lay of the land. They can tell you about the historic centers, hot spots, and other areas of interest you might want to return to later. Also important: They will point out the areas you might want to avoid altogether. Having a day (or two) with a local guide will help you get more comfortable with the new destination, and that’s a big confidence boost that will last for the remainder of your holiday.

2. Language Won’t Be A Barrier

I always try to learn a few words of the language that’s spoken wherever I’m headed; the last thing I want to do in a new place is be rude! I took French in college and can muddle my way through it, or any of the Romance languages, really. But it can be tough even just to learn key phrases, especially when you’re dealing with a new alphabet, sound, and sentence structures.

A guide helps cut through the complications of a new language, interacting with others on your behalf as you explore. At least for the first day, especially in places like China, Croatia, or the Czech Republic with languages that can be difficult to get your ears around. A good guide helps soften that transition, and might even be able to teach you just a couple of easy phrases you can use the rest of your trip.

3. They Can Give You Real Insight

Your own personal tour guide will help you go far beyond the guidebooks, and truly bring a place to life. Remember: They grew up here; this is their home. They understand the people, the places, the customs, and the culture, and they can help you better understand it all, too. They provide valuable insight, context, and backstories that no book or website can because it comes from personal experience. If you really want to soak up the true essence of the spot you’re visiting, a guide can help you do just that. You’ll see, do, and interpret things like a local; an invaluable benefit that’s worth every dollar. 

My guide Jelena in Split, Croatia, pointed out many fascinating things I would have simply walked by had I been on my own. From pointing out the perfect selfie spot to small historic details, she had me covered, and I so appreciated it.

4. Got Questions? You’ll Get Straight Answers

My husband and I are both journalists so are curious, inquisitive folks by nature. It’s our job to ask questions, after all, and that doesn’t stop when we are on vacation! With a personal guide, we don’t have to worry about taking up a group’s time when we’d like to know more about a particular architectural style or the social/political influences on a city or town.

We can just ask away.

A great guide will be thrilled you’re interested enough to inquire about their hometown and be happy to address your question. Word to the wise: Be prepared that the answer you might receive might not align with your insights, and that’s okay. That’s what makes travel the great educator and equalizer it is: We don’t all feel or think the same way. Learning to understand and appreciate our differences while away from home is one of the best soul stretches I know. I always come away the better for it!

5. Expect A Customized Experience

The guides I’ve hired in the past made absolutely sure they knew what I was expecting from our time together and went the extra mile to make sure my preferences were taken into account. The best ones have been in touch well ahead of time to inquire about what’s important to me when visiting their hometowns. Getting a great guide means you’ll also be getting a bespoke, personalized experience designed just for you, one that will set the pace for your entire vacation.

In the past, I’ve let guides know I was interested in wine, food, history, and art. They’ve always delivered with tours that hit all the right notes.

6. Skipping The Lines

When you’re visiting a new spot and want to hit up the big sites, waiting in line can be a bummer. Who wants to sit in a ticket queue when there are new things to see and experience? Quite often, a guide will purchase your entry tickets ahead of time, allowing to you enter without a wait. In some cities, we’ve seen separate lines (and they are far shorter) for guides to buy tickets for their customers. While this is a perk you might not have thought of before, it truly saves precious vacation time!

7. You’ll Get Off The Beaten Path

When you’ve got time with a personal guide, chances are you’ll go off the beaten path a bit, an opportunity I relish. Sometimes when I travel to a new place, I tend to focus on a city’s historic center. Of course, that’s to be expected, but there is so much more to a place than its core. A good guide will tell you about, and likely show you, parts of their city that DIY tourists might simply gloss over. 

When Jelena learned I was an avid runner, she insisted I head out to Split’s gorgeous park, Marjan, a peninsula filled with forests, historic buildings, and incredible views of the sea. While in Istanbul, our guide Mustafa knew I wanted to shop for spices and textiles, so we headed to a few smaller bazaars not in the typical tourist zone. I was so thankful they got me outside of the half-mile area around my hotel!

With a guide, you’ll have the confidence to head off the beaten path, which can even further deepen your experience of a city.

8. Insider Tips And Tricks

In the past when I’ve been paired with a private guide, I ask all about their favorite restaurants, pubs, and other top things to experience. From the on-the-cheap choices (in Prague, our guide pointed out a local spot where we could have a dumpling lunch for just $3 a person!) to luxe, splurge experiences (where to find the best wine in town), your guide will give you tips and tricks that will be invaluable to you for the duration of your time in their hometown.

From favorite day trips you might not have considered to a town’s free festivals, performances, and quirky museums, lean on your guide for that terrific insider info. You never know where it might take you!

9. You Might Make A Lasting Friendship

Last but certainly not least, the relationship with the guide who helps make your vacation unforgettable might last well after you return home. Social media makes it a breeze to stay in touch, and I’ve made it a point to do so with several past guides. These are people I felt a real connection with, who truly enriched my travels. I love keeping up with them via posts and updates — they are like little virtual postcards. And should I return to their hometowns, I know exactly who I’ll reach out to first!

Pro Tip: Do your homework to find a guide that will truly add to your vacation experience. Get online, check out reviews, and find a company that focuses on the local aspects of your destination. On my recent trip to Croatia, I connected with Jelena via ToursByLocals, and I was super-impressed by her knowledge, expertise, and true love of her homeland. In the past, we’ve also hired university history students and government-licensed guides. Do your due diligence — it will absolutely pay off!

Maximizing 15 Hours In Rome

Shortly after scoring a great deal on a recent international flight, I took a closer look at my reservation and found a bit of a surprise. The return home — Split to St. Louis — was going to take 36 hours.

Wait, what?

Upon further review, I realized I was going to have an overnight layover in Rome. While some might see this as an inconvenience and try to rebook, I was absolutely thrilled. It had been years — back to my honeymoon, actually — since I had visited the Eternal City. I was determined to make the most of my 15 hours in Rome, and I managed to make it a fun and memorable ending to an already-incredible vacation!

Here’s how I did it, and how you can do it, too.

1. Have A Solid Transportation Plan

Getting out of the airport and into your layover city as quickly and painlessly as possible is key. 

In my case — arriving in Rome at 5 p.m. local time and having to head out by 8 a.m. — taking a taxi or ride-share wasn’t the best option. I knew I’d be fighting traffic both ways, and that would cost precious time and money. Instead, I booked a round-trip ticket on the Leonardo Express, a direct train that leaves Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport roughly every 15 minutes. It drops passengers off at the Termini station, a centrally located transportation hub in the heart of Rome. It’s budget-friendly, about $30 for a round-trip ticket, and the trip only takes 30 minutes. What’s more, the trains are clean, comfortable, quiet, and largely run on time. Score!

Of course, you might decide a car service or shuttle is your best bet. But have your plan getting to and from the airport nailed down in advance. You’re going to leave plenty of the rest of your layover up to chance — more on that in a moment — but your plan to get to and from the airport should not be one of them.

2. Choose Accommodations Carefully And Strategically

Where you’ll actually call home base during your brief stay in a layover city is also important to determine in advance. I decided I wanted to be in the center of Rome, walk as much possible, and see as much as I could during my evening. I also wanted to stay as close to Termini as possible, so I could quickly ditch my luggage, freshen up, and head out immediately. Last but certainly not least, I also wanted to make sure I was in both a vibrant and safe part of town.

Again, a little bit of research when choosing your accommodations goes a long way in making your overnight layover a success. I ended up going with an Airbnb apartment just a 10-minute walk from Termini. My host — who was highly rated — was in contact with me from the time my flight touched down, kindly met me at the apartment, and gave me a few quick recommendations before leaving me. After that, I unpacked my overnight bag, made myself a bit more presentable, and continued my Roman adventure.

3. Assemble A Shortlist Of Must-Sees

While much of the magic of a quick overnight layover is leaving things to chance, I did find it helpful to map out a couple of must-see spots. Rome is beautiful at night; it truly glows. I knew I had to see the incredible Colosseum and the gorgeous Trevi Fountain. Even at night, I suspected that the people-watching would be fabulous. Another benefit: Like other places in Europe, the Romans love to stay out late. I knew cafes, bars, and, most importantly, gelato shops would all be open while I roamed throughout the evening.

Yes, it was unfortunate that many of the sights were closed during my short time in Rome. It’s also a bummer you can’t see as much as you’d like with extremely limited time. However, seeing a couple of favorites at my leisure — and beautifully lit, by the way — was far better than not seeing them at all. It’s all about the perspective, and I was thrilled to have the whole night ahead of me. I made sure I had navigation on my phone ready to go, and quickly oriented myself before setting out.

4. Be Ready To Walk — A Lot!

Sure, you could hire a car and do drive-bys of city sights during an overnight layover. That’s a perfectly fine choice when your time is limited, or if you have mobility issues. However, I knew I wanted to get my steps in, especially since I had a long international flight the next day. And when I took a look at navigation from my apartment to the Colosseum and then through to the Trevi, I knew it was going to be an ambitious night.

But the weather was perfect, I had great running shoes and comfortable socks on, and I was so psyched to get out there. I’m extremely directionally challenged, so having a navigation app on my phone made all the difference. As I walked along, I paused to peek at different monuments and interesting buildings. I wasn’t on any sort of timetable or in a rush. It was a lovely amble, and I always felt safe, even solo.

At the end of the night, I had logged 7 miles. I was tired but so happy. I easily reached both of my shortlist sites, and worked off a few calories while doing it.

5. Eat — And Drink — Like A Local

Speaking of calories, I absolutely fueled up before and during my evening jaunt around Rome. It was one of the things I was most looking forward to, after all!

At the recommendation of my apartment host, I first headed to a small osteria with outdoor seating and no menu. Instead, my server brought a large sandwich board over to my table, listing all of the pastas and specials for the evening. I chose a simple cacio e pepe, elegant and simple but so tough to make at home. Paired with a lovely Italian red and a green salad, it was the perfect carb-up I needed before my big night on the town!

From there, I headed out for the Colosseum, then zig-zagged my way over to the Trevi. I knew I was getting close as the streets, filled with cafes and shops, became more crowded. After I tossed my coin over my shoulder, I stopped off for a gelato before heading back toward the apartment. Along the way, I stopped at a locals’ coffee shop for a cappuccino. My last stop of the night was at a small grocery store near my apartment, where I grabbed half a bottle of lovely prosecco and some fresh figs for the perfect nightcap while watching just a bit of late-night Italian TV.

For me, one of the best parts of an international trip — no matter its duration — is sampling the food and drink. Be sure to do the same on an overnight layover. No matter if you make a swanky reservation or simply cobble together a late-night menu as I did, you won’t regret it. They’re still vacation calories, after all!

6. Be Open To Whatever Might Pop Up

While I had a good idea of the ground I wanted to cover in Rome, I also left myself open to exploring nooks and crannies as I found them. For instance, as I made my way up to the Trevi, I passed a square crowded with Romans enjoying the evening. I decided to take a brief detour to check it out and found myself in the middle of the charming Piazza della Pilotta, marveling at the music, street performers, and overall vibe of this off-the-beaten-path gem.

That’s the beauty of an overnight trip: You’re not going to have a hard and fast itinerary because you’re not going to be able to actually enter any of the sites. So take your time, mosey along, and soak up the overall ambiance. You never know what you might come across! 

7. Try To Get At Least A Little Rest

A final note. My days of pulling all-nighters are sadly long gone. And I didn’t want to be a total wreck when I got home. So I made a pact with myself that I would get at least 5 hours of sleep. This actually still gave me plenty of time to enjoy Rome, while still feeling somewhat fresh the next morning before making the hike back up to Termini and on to the airport.

It’s a tough balance between wanting to cram in all you can and getting enough rest so that you won’t be a zombie the next day, or worse — oversleep and miss your flight! As difficult as it is, I recommend setting a curfew for yourself and sticking to it. Remember: This sort of overnight trip is simply an amuse-bouche! You can always return to an overnight layover location when you have a lot more time.

Related Reading:

• 8 Fantastic Free Things To Do In Rome
• 9 Amazing Things To Do In Rome, According To Locals
• 6 Luxurious Hotels Worth The Splurge In Rome
• I Spent My Long Layover In A Sleeping Pod — Here’s How It Went
• 7 Essential Tips When Considering A Stopover In Europe

As a female solo traveler, safety is an ongoing priority. For me, feeling safe is about being able to walk along streets without having to constantly check my surroundings, or carrying my camera on my shoulder without concern.

There are several places I’ve felt extremely safe as a female solo traveler. I would add, however, that no matter where you go in the world, you should make an effort to be knowledgeable about your surroundings and have safety protocols. (To this end, I’ve written more about how to safely travel solo.)

Here are the places I’ve felt safest as a solo traveler.

1. Kerikeri, New Zealand

New Zealand is generally considered a safe country. I was marooned there for 2 years during the pandemic so got to explore the north and south islands fairly extensively. I felt especially safe in Kerikeri, a growing town in the north of the North Island, and I chose to live most of my time there. I found that whenever I had the slightest problem, someone was willing to help, and it was as if their life’s mission was to make sure I got what I needed. 

This is the only country I’ve been to where I frequently left my bag, full of valuables, on a cafe table while I went up to the counter to order, and always found everything intact when I sat back down.

Pro Tip: While the South Island is stunning, try to see the more remote parts of the North Island, which are often overlooked by tourists. Less visited places like Whanganui, Whangārei, and the west coast near Ōmāpere offer wonderful views and spectacular natural formations.

2. Hanoi And Hoi An, Vietnam

Though I speak six languages, Vietnamese isn’t one of them. So I worried about how I would figure things out alone in the cities of Hanoi and Hội An. I didn’t need to worry, since there’s a lot of English spoken (though I tried to learn a few words of Vietnamese as I traveled). Vietnam is both a stunningly beautiful country and also one where you can feel safe traveling alone.

The scariest part of Vietnam, at least in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is crossing the street with all the motorbikes. On my first day in Vietnam, a member of my hotel staff came outside with me and guided me through the traffic! I ultimately learned that there’s a rhythm to things and found my moment to step off the curb and into traffic, and nobody hit me. Ho Chi Minh, however, was a different story. I found myself at the corner of a street with 10 lanes of traffic and felt paralyzed. Miraculously, a motorbike pulled next to me and signaled that I should cross the street, using him as my traffic shield! No words were needed, and I felt blessed to have their help.

I rode the night buses and trains from Sa Pa down to Ho Chi Minh City, making stops along the way, and never felt unsafe or worried about my bags. Sa Pa, Hạ Long Bay, Hoi An, and Ba Na Hills were some of my favorite places. 

3. Bangkok And Chiang Mai, Thailand

I wasn’t sure what to expect in Bangkok when I visited in October 2019, but I loved it and felt very safe on foot, on public transport, and even walking in the most touristy areas. In other places I’ve been, crowds have made me worry about pickpockets. One of my tour guides in Chiang Mai explained that part of the reason it’s so safe is that Buddhist values, such as good behavior, are important to people in Thailand. If you go, take a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River and visit all the amazing temples along the way. Floating markets are another must-do activity! 

In Chiang Mai, you’ll want to see the elephants — just make sure you choose a reputable company. This is also an excellent place for a cooking class. Finally, don’t miss the White Temple in Chiang Rai. 

Pro Tip: There’s a train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai that makes this trip very easy.

4. Edinburgh And The Highlands, Scotland

Scotland is another country where people go out of their way to be helpful. I spent 6 weeks traveling around Scotland in 2018 and just returned in October for several weeks this year. On the trains, the staff is exceptionally helpful, even assisting with placing bags onto the overhead luggage rack! 

What made me feel safe is that strangers were approachable, even chatty. Right from the immigration agents to chivalrous men and friendly passersby. Edinburgh also has evening ghost tours, so people are out in the city center later in the evening. 

I traveled around the Highlands, hiked the Cairngorms, sampled Scotch in Pitlochry, Aberfeldy, and Dalwhinnie, and even took boats to islands such as Muck, Skye, and the Isle of Arran. I highly recommend hiking the Cairngorms, driving to Glencoe for its stunning views, and visiting the Orkney islands.

5. Reykjavík, Iceland

The first time I went to Reykjavík, in 2015, I learned it’s difficult to find police anywhere because there’s virtually no crime. Since then, I’ve returned three more times, the most recent in September. People are kind, and due to the northern lights, there are people out at all hours during winter, making it feel even safer to walk around later in the evening.

Iceland is a fascinating country and requires multiple visits to see everything. This last trip, I went to Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoon, which, though tragic because their beauty comes from icebergs melting, are stunning. Must-do activities are the municipal hot pools in Reykjavík (less crowded and more authentic than the Blue Lagoon), the black sand beach at Vik, and chasing the northern lights. 

Pro Tip: The northern lights can actually be seen any time it’s dark, not just in winter. In Iceland, this is generally from the end of August until early April. Iceland’s location provides excellent overhead viewing of the lights, but its unpredictable weather can get in the way.

6. El Calafate And Villa La Angostura, Argentina

While I’m aware that there are places in Argentina considered dangerous, especially in Buenos Aires, I found a different side of the country. During my travel, I met pairs of Argentinian women traveling together who looked after me. One pair of friends I made near Bariloche ended up being in the town of Villa La Angostura at the same time as me and walked me back to the place I was staying. 

I met another pair of women in El Calafate. They were from Buenos Aires, and we met again when I went there. Even when I took a public bus to a beach, others on the bus saw I was alone and invited me to sit with them on the beach! 

El Calafate is the place from where you can hike the Perito Moreno Glacier and take some of the glacier cruises. It’s also an adorable town geared toward tourists, and I felt very safe walking around and dining alone. I recommend trying yerba mate at Elba’r. The staff is lovely and will teach you how to prepare and drink it.

Pro Tip: Of all the places I was in Argentina, the dogs in El Calafate were the friendliest I’ve ever encountered. Be warned, if you pet one, it will follow you around for hours hoping for love and affection.

7. Easter Island, Chile

I had the pleasure of spending a week on Easter Island in 2019. This is the only place in the world I’ve been where, if you rent a car, you’re kind of expected to pick up hitchhikers, and those hitchhikers are other tourists! 

The scariest parts of the island were the giant cockroaches, and some dark streets at night, which were scary because wild horses roam the island. Make sure to carry a flashlight! 

One of the most fascinating sites I’ve ever seen is the Rano Raraku quarry, where the iconic stone Moai were made. I learned all the theories, which included aliens, of how they were transported from that quarry to their current resting places. It’s not cheap to visit, but you’ll never forget it.

Pro Tip: Take at least one tour with a guide. There’s fascinating history to be learned about the island and its people, which you won’t hear about if you resort to self-touring.

8. Zagreb, Croatia

I stayed in Zagreb for a week this summer. I arrived at my hotel after 10 p.m. and felt like I was in the middle of nowhere. Nothing was open, the street was quiet, and the concierge had stayed late to admit me to my room. The next day, I discovered I had lucked into a residential neighborhood, away from tourists, and that it was completely safe to walk around at night. In fact, it felt so safe that I enjoyed having an evening meal in the city center and taking the tram back to my hotel.

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Zagreb, you might want to read more about my experience in Zagreb. Highlights for me were the free walking tour, the Museum Of Illusions, and The Broken Relationships Museum.

Pro Tip: Because Dubrovnik and Split are where most tourists go, you’ll find Zagreb less touristy and less expensive.

For more on the destinations mentioned in this article, read:

• A Visit To The Quaint Town Of Kerikeri, New Zealand
• 10 Best Things To See And Do In Hanoi, Vietnam
• How To Spend Two Perfect Days In Hoi An, Vietnam
• 11 Amazing Hidden Gems In Edinburgh, Scotland
• 7 Reasons I Love Exploring The Scottish Highlands By Water
• 7 Incredible Ways To Spend 72 Hours In Reykjavík, Iceland

Once you buckle in and get ready for your flight, you will undoubtedly hear the familiar PA before the main cabin door closes: “Please power down your cell phones or put them in airplane mode.” Why? 

For many travelers, this may seem silly or unnecessary in 2022. Hasn’t technology progressed beyond this? Aviation has come a long way — it’s common, cheap, and safe — but that old pesky rule of no-cell-phone rule still exists. What’s the big deal?

I’ve been a pilot for 22 years, and I can shed some light on this.

1. Cell Phones Can Cause Interference 

The first hand-sized mobile phones using the 2G network were introduced in the early 90s, and the Federal Communications Commission quickly issued a ban on using them on commercial flights. The primary reason, it said, was that the network could interfere with communications on the ground. The FAA also prohibited their use, stating that cell phones pose a risk to the navigation and avionic systems on aircraft. 

The problem is that cell phones transmit radio waves to cell towers on the ground. Those wavelengths span most of the radio spectrum. Instruments and avionics on jets rely on radio waves, too, similar to the radio waves transmitted by mobile phones. If everyone on the jet turned on and used their phones at the same time, the group of electronic devices might transmit radio waves powerful enough to interfere with the data capability of the aircraft. Flying low visibility approaches requires extremely accurate data that is displayed to the pilots, who interpret the information and fly safely and land. Any disruptions or interference with the instrumentation would require a “missed approach,” most likely resulting in landing at an alternate airport. 

Technology has dramatically changed over the last 30 years, but the rule, archaic as it seems, still stands. The FAA concluded that certain display units and digital screens in the cockpit are vulnerable to interferences that can come from Wi-Fi and mobile phones. Interference from a cell phone during critical phases of flight, like landing in poor weather conditions, could still have catastrophic results. 

In 2013 the FAA softened its position and said you can leave the phone on, but put it in airplane mode, limiting the ability to transmit radio signals to cell towers. Commercial jets supply their own “hot spots” for passengers to connect to their own Wi-Fi router to watch movies, use the internet, and text. 

2. No One Wants To Hear You

Once boarding is complete, the flight attendants have quite a litany of important information to get out to all of the passengers. They need everyone’s full attention and certainly don’t want to see passengers talking on their cell phones. 

People sitting in exit rows have to make eye contact and answer specific questions from the attendants about the responsibilities of sitting in those seats. Without the ban, people might be too distracted by having a conversation on their cell and not listening to directions from the attendants. Heaven forbid a situation happens that requires an emergency egress.

And the elephant in the room is the reality that if people could talk on their phones in flight, their seatmates would dread every second of their conversations. We have all heard people who can’t hear well — they shout into the phone to hear themselves. We would all have to listen to their conversation, and that would make traveling even more unpleasant.

As pilots, in certain jets, we have protocols and specific scripts we must say over the PA prior to performing a very specific approach to landing in very low weather conditions. The best PA I’ve ever heard is when the captain picked up the mike and went off script. We were attempting to land at LAX using a special low-visibility approach procedure. He calmly said, “We are going to attempt an approach into LAX. If you decide to turn your phones on and we get one erroneous indication from our instruments, we are canceling the approach and flying to our alternate airport, Ontario. Once there, all 175 of us are going to collect our bags and get on buses, then head over for the hour-long drive back to LAX. Please, do not turn your phones on!”

It was brilliant! We had an uneventful landing at LAX and didn’t spend the next 3 hours waiting for a bus! 

Pro Tip: If you need to communicate with someone on the ground while you are flying, there is an easy alternative. Every U.S. airline offers you the option of buying Wi-fi or letting you use it for free. You can’t FaceTime each other, but you can certainly send texts and even emails. Once you touch down after landing, you can turn off airplane mode (or turn on your cell phone) and dial away.

While I love exploring new hiking trails across the U.S., experiencing culinary treasures in every state, and visiting historic American sites, I have always wanted to travel overseas, but either the timing wasn’t right or I didn’t know where to begin. The latter was the big stickler.

My wife and I have finally decided to carve out the time to make it happen. We thought we would start with an easy trip across the sea — either a trip to Ireland where my wife’s ancestors are from or the Czech Republic where my grandparents hail from. What we have learned is that there is a lot to know and things to do before boarding that plane.

For those of you who face the same dilemma — wanting to head overseas for a vacation but not knowing where to start — here are eight tips I learned in my journey that I hope will help you.

1. Get That Passport Early

No matter where you will be traveling to, you will need a passport, and the worst feeling is to have booked your dream vacation and then realize that your passport won’t arrive in time. Before you pay for your tickets, make sure you have obtained a passport or renewed your old one.

As of this writing, it takes approximately 6 to 9 weeks to obtain a standard U.S. passport, but remember, that does not include mailing time.

As of 2022, the standard price for a passport book is $130. The price varies slightly depending on if you are renewing your passport, getting a new one, if you are securing one for minor children, etc. And while it could take up to 9 weeks to receive your passport in the mail, you can expedite the process by paying an additional $60 fee.

You can apply for a passport online or at a local Passport Acceptance Facility (i.e. a post office).

The U.S. State Department website is a valuable and easy-to-use resource that can answer all of your questions about obtaining a passport.

2. Choose Your Destination By Asking These Simple Questions

Seems simple enough, right? Where do you want your first overseas adventure to be? For my wife and I, it was a no-brainer. We want to experience the homeland of our grandparents. For others, it’s not as easy.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is your comfort level with interacting with new lifestyles and cultures? 

While I relish the idea of immersing myself in a new culture, my wife, on the other hand, is more the “dip your toe in the water first” type.

• Do you speak a foreign language?

You could feel overwhelmed and frustrated visiting a far-off land where you have a difficult time communicating.

• What interests you most about traveling abroad? 

Determine what you are looking forward to on an overseas vacation: visiting historical sites? Culinary adventure? Sunning on an exotic beach?

3. Find Out If A Visa Is Required

Now that you have determined where you will be going, find out if you need a visa to enter that country.

A visa grants entry into a country by a traveler for a certain period of time. For most countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, a passport is all that is needed, but some countries require an additional visa.

Learn more and find out if the country you are planning to travel to requires a visa on the U.S. State Department Americans Traveling Abroad webpage.

4. Shop And Compare Travel Options

Getting to a country is easy. Once on the ground, that is a different story. How you will move about the country and where you will stay are important considerations when booking your trip.

For the first-time traveler, many travel agencies and national tourist councils offer special packages that make your first overseas adventure much easier and enjoyable. For example, when looking into spending 2 weeks in Ireland, my wife and I found three possible options: guided tour, coach tour, or self-drive. The same options are available for many other travel destinations around the world as well.

A guided tour pairs you up with an experienced local driver who will personally take you to all of the sites you want to see. Generally, your schedule is less stringent when doing a guided tour.

A bus tour allows you to see the sights while traveling with a group of like-minded individuals. The schedule is very regimented on one of these tours.

The self-drive tour is the most leisurely, where you can pick and choose your destination and how long you will visit each one. Just be ready to adapt to completely different driving rules and regulations than you are used to.

What makes any of these tours nice is that they normally include dining packages and accommodations ranging from 5-star hotels in castles to quaint country inns and bed and breakfasts. The hard work of setting up these accommodations is handled for you — one less thing for the first-time traveler to worry about.

5. Give Your Bank A Heads Up

Before stepping on that plane, let your bank know about your travel plans and have them set up a travel alert so that they know when and where you are traveling. That way you won’t be surprised when you try to use that debit card in another country and find out there has been a block put on it for suspicious activity.

While you are talking with your banker, find out about what additional access fees may be charged when you use your debit or credit card in another country. They may be able to direct you to affiliate banks in your country of travel that charges reduced fees for accessing your money.

6. Bring Cash And Two Cards

Your debit card will “probably” work no matter where you travel, but it is still a good idea to carry at least $100 in cash and a credit card just in case.

Many travel professionals suggest that you take a debit and a credit card with you. When you are out exploring, take your debit card with you and leave the credit card in your hotel room. That way you will have a backup in case one is lost or if your wallet is stolen.

7. Prepare For The Dreaded Jet Lag

Even the most experienced traveler will experience jet lag, that feeling of exhaustion one gets after traveling through multiple time zone changes and extended duration flights. Jet lag may lead to extreme daytime sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, and a general feeling of not feeling well.

There is no way to avoid jet lag, but you can reduce its effects. First, get plenty of rest before you leave on your trip. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you start changing your schedule to match that of your destination before you leave. For example, if you’re heading east into an earlier time zone, go to bed one hour earlier each night a few days before you leave.

Also, stay hydrated on your flight by drinking plenty of water. And be sure to plan for a day or two of recuperation when you return home from your trip to relax before getting back to your normal routine.

A great source for tips on beating the dreaded jet lag is the British Airways Jet Lag Advisor. Simply answer a few questions about your upcoming trip and up pops some helpful tips.

8. Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling The World

Pickpockets and petty thefts are common no matter where in the world you travel. Keep these tips in mind for keeping you and your belongings safe:

• Never carry a backpack on one shoulder or hang it on a chair.
• Avoid putting your wallet and cell phone in your back pocket.
• The best deterrent is to use a crossbody bag or fanny pack to carry belongings and valuables.
• When making your travel plans, obtain travel insurance to protect your property and in case of illness.

Register with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This program lets the State Department where you will be in the world and notify you of natural disasters, political unrest, and other emergencies in the area you will be traveling.

Entering The Unknown

You booked your flights, your hotel rooms, and your transportation. You have a whirlwind itinerary of sites to see all lined up. Now you’re standing in the terminal and getting the boarding call. Suddenly you feel apprehension. Nervousness and a bit of anxiety set in.

For the first-time overseas traveler, the feeling is perfectly normal. You are jumping out of your comfort zone and into something completely new and different. By carefully planning your trip, you will alleviate some of the anxiety but still, there will always be a bit of nervousness.

Try doing some mindfulness meditation to relax and think about the joys that the trip you have planned will bring you. It is an exciting moment in your life. As Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Embrace that step and enjoy the world.

As our team reflected back on 2022, it was exciting to revisit the most popular stories from the year and rediscover them with new, fresh eyes. As usual, our writers found a way to share expert advice and tips about their exciting journeys and experiences while inspiring us to try new things. Their experiences included exciting firsts, moments of introspection, and some truly remarkable locations that you’ll want to add to your 2023 travel list. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to many new adventures in 2023!

1. Where You Should Travel As Soon As You Retire

Retirement is a subject near and dear to many TravelAwaits readers. It can open up new paths to pursue that may have been more challenging during the time-strapped years of gainful employment. We polled our readers and asked where they would recommend someone new to retirement consider for their first trip. The answers came rolling in, and these four destinations topped the list. Learn which four places you should travel as soon as you retire.

2. Things I Wish I Knew Before I Booked An Amtrak Sleeper Car

Have you ever considered traveling across the country by train? Overnight travel by rail is a fantastic way to reduce the miles between you and your destination without having to concern yourself with late-night caffeine binges to keep you safely on the road and out of the ditch. Writer Jill Robbins has wanted to do just that ever since she was a child and she finally got the opportunity. This year, she shared the story of her first Amtrak sleeper car experience, and how she plans to do it differently next time.

3. The Things You Should Do Every Time You Walk Into A Hotel Room, According To A Flight Attendant

Flight attendants spend a substantial amount of their time in hotels between flights. And depending on flight times, they may find themselves checking in and out of rooms at unusual times of the day. As someone who has been working in the industry for nearly 25 years, Kentrell Charles knows this all too well. Over the years, he has developed a list of eight things that he does every time he walks into a hotel room, and he graciously shared his list with our readers. Staying safe and healthy is important for anyone traveling, especially if you are traveling alone, so take a look and see if you need to add any of his tips to your hotel check-in process.

4. Beautiful Beach Towns Perfect For Retirees

The rhythmic lapping of waves on the shore; the whistling sound of the breeze off the water; the cacophony of gulls seeking a place to roost. These are just some of the sounds that call out, drawing many a soul towards the beach. Finding a beach town that meets the specific needs of those in retirement is no simple task, but our team is here to assist. Discover what makes these nine beautiful beach towns great for anyone, but perfect for retirees.

5. Amazing Walkable Cities Around The World

What does a city need to be considered walkable, and what makes walking desirable over other modes of transportation? Well, for starters, cities with ample and well-maintained sidewalks make the list while those with narrow alleys or non-centrally located business centers did not. Our team uncovered a few cities that blow others out of the park in the area of walkablity. Wide, uncrowded pedestrian paths, charming storefronts, and stunning views are just a few of the reasons that these cities take the cake. Plan a trip to one of these seven amazingly walkable cities today.

6. Our 12 Favorite Cities To Visit In The U.S.

The Best of Travel Awards give our readers a chance to celebrate their favorite travel spots around the world each year. As part of this year’s vote, our team tasked readers with sharing their favorite cities from around the country. From small and mountainous to metropolises on the coast, these cities stuck out above the rest in the eyes of our readers. Did your favorite city make the cut? Discover all 12 of the cities named as our readers’ favorites in 2022.

7. Packing Tips For A Long Trip When You’re Only Taking A Carry-On

If you are tired of the long lines to check in your luggage just to then have to wait even longer after de-planing to retrieve your bag from the slowly moving carousel — if your bag arrives at all — then you might consider becoming a carry-on-only traveler. Christy Karsten is an airline pilot who has perfected the ability to fit everything she needs in one small carry-on. If you struggle with overpacking, consider these seven tips for packing for a long trip with just a carry-on.

8. The Things I’ve Decided To Let Go Of At 71 Years Old

Louisa Rogers has been all around the globe, adding to and crossing off many great destinations and experiences from her bucket list. Now that she is in her 70s, she has come to realize that it is time to let go of what she doesn’t need and delight in those things — and experiences — that she already has. Discover the seven things Louisa has chosen to give up at the age of 71. Are there any you should consider letting go of yourself?

9. Reasons This Historic Arizona Train Is A Perfect Experience For The Whole Family

The Grand Canyon sits as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Approximately a mile deep, and an average of 10 miles wide, this Arizona wonder is popular among tourists and nature lovers alike. But did you know that there is a way to enjoy the canyon that doesn’t involve standing at the rim or hiking down in? Head for Williams, Arizona, and hop aboard the Grand Canyon Railway for a truly unique way to roll up to the iconic rim. Here are nine reasons this historic Arizona train is a perfect experience for the whole family.

10. The Most Popular BBQ Restaurants In The U.S.

Barbecue has become a staple in the U.S., especially in the South and Midwest. The regional tweaks to how the meat is prepared and served have segmented the country into as many different barbecue regions as there are ways to spell the word itself! Our readers spoke up and shared their favorite places to enjoy amazing barbecue around the U.S. during this year’s Best of Travel Awards. Have you been to any of the top 10? If not, you may have to change that in the new year, if only to keep the drool at bay.

11. How To Pack Your Luggage Perfectly Every Time

Whether you are cramming everything into a single carry-on or filling multiple suitcases, it is important to do it the right way, every time. We sat down with Rashmi Hudson, creator of Alltimate Luggage, and picked her brain for packing tips — and she did not disappoint. Keep her tips in mind to ensure you pack your luggage perfectly every time.

12. The World’s 8 Most Beautiful Train Stations

Train travel was once the way to travel, and in some parts of the world, it still is for some. The stations that have been built over the years to accommodate train passengers were expertly designed to both stand out and simultaneously blend in with the surrounding architecture and vibe of the cities that they serve. Many of these stunning, cathedral-esque depots are found on the European continent, while others are dotted across the globe. Enjoy our picks for the world’s eight most beautiful train stations that you can visit during your next adventure.

13. It’s Not All Hammocks And Margaritas: My Life As An Expat In Mexico

The daily life of a retiree living abroad as an expat may not include a 9-to-5 job, but that does not mean that every day is a vacation. Just ask an expat! Daily responsibilities continue, of course, and it is important to know what to expect so as not to be taken unaware. Louisa shares her take on life as an expat living part of the year in Guanajuato, Mexico, with her husband. It’s not all hammocks and margaritas, after all!

14. Charming Small Towns To Visit On Florida’s Gulf Coast

Pepsi or Coke? Paper or plastic? Atlantic or Gulf? When planning a visit to Florida, this final question is the one that can truly divide. If you prefer white sand and calmer waves, the Gulf may just be calling out your name. When planning your next beach vacation, consider one of these six charming small towns on Florida’s Gulf coast rather than a trip back to the Atlantic. You won’t regret it!

15. My Favorite European Cities To Avoid The Crowds

Europe is a dense area, filled with residents and tourists alike. During the late summer months, the crowds can be truly overwhelming. Traveling off-season is a great way to avoid some of the crowds, but if you can’t get away during the shoulder season — or just need a change of pace — it might be necessary to skip the most popular destinations in favor of some lesser-known gems where you will have freedom to explore. Consider a trip to one of these 13 great European cities if you are looking for a less crowded yet still rewarding experience.

16. How I Made Friends As A Single, 73-Year-Old Woman In A New Town

Leaving everything you know behind and moving across the country can be a scary proposition for anyone. Now imagine doing that at 73…and single. Carol did just that, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Chicago for a more relaxed day-to-day in coastal South Carolina. The move itself turned out to be the easy part; making new lasting friendships was the larger commitment. Learn how she made new friends as a single 73-year-old in a new town, and you might even be inspired to follow in her footsteps.

17. Reasons You’ll Fall In Love With This Quaint Arizona Town

Nestled between — and often overshadowed by — its neighbors Jerome and Cottonwood, this under-the-radar gem is more than just a waypoint in Arizona’s Verde Valley. Stop in Clarkdale for a history lesson on the copper mining industry. Or climb aboard the Verde Canyon Railroad for a comfortable journey through the gorgeous valley. All this and more is awaiting you in Clarkdale, so plan your visit today!

18. Travel Essentials I’m So Glad I Had On My 10-Hour Flight

Peggy was set to take her first long-haul flight in years: a 10-hour flight between Seattle and Frankfurt. She knew that the longer flight could prove to be a challenge for her circulation and wasn’t sure how her body would handle sitting in one place for so long. Fortunately, she came prepared, and the flight was a success! Read her honest reviews of eight travel essentials she was glad to have brought on her 10-hour flight, most of which she plans to never fly without in the future!

19. Key Packing Tips From A Professional Baggage Handler

Have you ever wondered what happens to your luggage between the time you drop it off at check-in to the time you pull it off the carousel at your final destination? For most of us, it is a mystery, and one that we are happy to keep as such. However, these six key packing tips from professional baggage handler Tammy Mendoza shed new light on the baggage handling process, ensuring your personal items arrive as you intended. Do you need to add any of these to your process moving forward?

20. Fantastic Places To See California’s Gorgeous Wildflowers This Spring

California is a state with it all: majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, towering forests, scorching deserts, and acre-upon-acre of delectable produce and fine wine. With so much natural beauty and diversity, it should come as no surprise that the state is a wonderful place to see fields of beautiful wildflowers each spring. With spring just around the corner (wishful thinking for some of us, maybe!), consider one of these six fantastic places to see California’s gorgeous wildflowers.

21. My 11 Favorite Beaches To Visit In The World

Writer Sarah Kingdom grew up near enough to the beach in Australia that she spent a good portion of her weekends enjoying all the fun that comes with the beach life. When she moved to central Africa over three decades ago, she may have lost her ease of access to the beach, but not her love for it, as she has found and enjoyed exciting beaches wherever she travels. If you are looking for ideas for a new and exciting beach vacation, consider her list of favorite beaches around the world.

22. Marriage Ground Rules That Helped My Husband And Me Thrive In Retirement

Louisa and her husband Barry have been married for over 40 years, and have had many of the same ups and downs as any marriage. Yet four decades in, she claims that they are now “healthy, happy, and strong.” Anyone who has been married for more than a day knows that this is no simple task, so how did they get where they are today? She attributes their success in marriage to the ground rules that they have set up to ensure they continue to thrive. Read Louisa’s full list of nine marriage ground rules and see which you can adopt in your own marriage.

23. Customs From Other Countries I Wish The U.S. Would Adopt

Americans often stand alone in the way we approach life when compared to the world around us. We have all but completely forsaken the metric system and confused the sporting world with our own form of football. Whether it’s national pride or stately stubbornness that fuels these differences, one thing is for sure: There are times when being more like the rest of the world would actually be a positive thing, even if we don’t want to admit it. Writer Louisa shares 10 customs from other countries that she would like to see us adopt here in the U.S., and I can get behind each of them!

24. This Quaint Island Town In California Is Perfect For A Romantic Weekend

Two Harbors is doubly quaint: It’s the second largest town on one of the few inhabited islands off the coast of California. Getting there takes some planning, but you will be glad you did once you arrive. The town of Avalon in the southeast is where most visitors arrive, and stay, during their time on Catalina Island. But, for a cozier, more romantic vibe, head north and see why the quaint island town of Two Harbors is perfect for a romantic weekend.

25. Amsterdam’s Red Light District: All Your Questions Answered

The Red Light District — well districts, as there are in fact at least three in Amsterdam — is as iconic as the city’s Anne Frank House, yet for very different reasons. Knowing where to find this notorious piece of Dutch culture is as important for those that want to visit as it is for those who want to avoid it. Whichever court you may fall into, Sage Scott shares her expertise from numerous trips to the Netherlands. She answers all of the questions you may have had about Amsterdam’s Red Light District, and even some you didn’t know to ask.

Planning your next adventure can be filled with excitement and anticipation. You focus on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat. However, one thing you might overlook is your health. Some countries require additional vaccines for your safety. Others may not have the safest drinking water, which can turn a dream vacation into a disaster. I’ve put together a few things for you to consider before you grab your passport and pack your suitcase.

Check Vaccine Requirements

You may be wondering what vaccines you need for which countries. Unfortunately, the requirements can be very fluid and change with current, real-time information. Vaccines will protect you from illnesses that are endemic to foreign countries that may not be common in your home country. Some of those diseases are malaria, cholera, typhoid fever, and yellow fever. Also, check to make sure your routine vaccines are up to date including Tdap, COVID-19, influenza, and hepatitis A/B.

Where To Check For Updates

You can check for the latest information at the Center For Disease Control. When you go to the CDC’s website, type in the country to find vaccination requirements for your travel destination. Don’t forget to also check any additional countries you will be traveling through as some require certain vaccines just to enter their country. You have to make sure you have looked at every single country’s requirements.

Timeline

There is a timeline I recommend my patients follow. Ideally, you want to look into vaccines about six months before you travel just in case you need several vaccines and they need to be spread out, or you could also need an immunization and then need time for a booster. However, if you’re short on time, you can typically get what you need in about two months.

About six weeks before you leave, you’ll want to check the CDC for any updates and then check again about two weeks before your trip.

Recommended Vs. Required

Many times, certain countries might make a vaccine “recommended” but not required. In this case, you should talk with your doctor about whether or not you should get the vaccine. Your doctor will consider your overall general history.

Passport Health Clinic

Your doctor might not always have certain vaccines available. For example, when my family and I planned a trip to Belize through the Belize Mission Society, we visited the Passport Health Clinic in the area we live. There, we found all the routine vaccines but also the unusual ones like the yellow fever vaccine.

Pack Additional Medications

Over-The-Counter Medicine

I have a suggested list of over-the-counter medicines and vitamins I pack for traveling. To protect against diarrhea, take a probiotic daily, like Culturelle. To help protect the gut lining, take L-Glutamine. They help with improving the gut microbiome along with a good diet and integrity of the gut lining. Protecting the gut is especially important if you travel to remote areas or eat foods in places where you have no control over quality. 

To keep your health in check, try modulating your immune system by loading up on vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D.

You don’t want to be searching for a pharmacy if you do get sick. I frequently pack Mucinex DM, Advil Cold and Sinus, Benadryl, Tylenol, Motrin, Pepto Bismol tablets, antibiotic creams, Dramamine, and Kaopectate. 

Prescription Medicine

It’s always good to schedule a visit with your primary care physician before your trip. You can ask your doctor for anti-nausea medication like Zofran. A stomach bug in a foreign country is incredibly hard to handle and can easily lead to dehydration. Also, traveling long distances in the back of a bus usually causes car sickness. A medication like Zofran could help ease those trips.

You want to pack your regular prescription medications. However, make sure you check well in advance to make sure you will have enough for your vacation in case you need a refill before you leave.

For my patients with frequent sinus infections, urinary tract infections, diarrhea, or other illnesses, I may consider prescribing antibiotics to take with them. Since they are established patients, they can call or message me with their symptoms if they have a problem while abroad and we can discuss treatment over the phone. 

Locate Clinics In Your Destination Area

Finally, I recommend locating a clinic in your destination area in case you run into any additional issues. The resource I often use is the International Society of Travel Medicine. 

Being prepared is the best way to enjoy your trip. No one wants to think about getting sick, but it’s something you should include in your vacation planning.

For 3 glorious years, I was the travel editor of the Washington Post. While we had young kids then, my wife and I were still able to take a few international trips, a bunch of domestic vacations, and many quick visits around the mid-Atlantic region, all on the newspaper’s dime. 

Along the way, I picked up quite a few lessons, many hard-won from both delightful and near-catastrophic experiences, and some picked up from our writers, correspondents, and readers. 

I left the Post some time ago, but I’ve made use of those lessons ever since. They’re even more valuable as I’ve become a traveler approaching a certain age, where I want to wring as much engagement, fascination, and joy out of every opportunity — and limit stress and misfires whenever possible. 

Here are the top eight tips I still apply today. I hope they’re helpful to you, too.

1. Ignore The Concierge, Ask The Bartender 

Over the years, I learned that the prime sources of local knowledge work not at the concierge desk, but behind the bar.

Bartenders are gregarious by nature and get out quite a bit. They’ve heard a lot of other travelers’ experiences. They know the bright and the dark truths about other restaurants, bars, and attractions. They have no conflicts of interest. Get to the bar early, be curious and respectful, and drink in all the local knowledge that flows.

Pro Tip: A lot of bartenders are younger than you are. You may need to change “Where do you go on a romantic date?” to “Where do your parents go on a romantic date?”

2. Get Everywhere Early 

My wife and I once had to run, literally, through the Frankfurt airport, up and down far too many ramps and maddeningly long concourses, to catch a plane to Barcelona. This was one of those last-one-through-the-door sprints, both of us heaving and sweating and, once buckled in, properly embarrassed to be those people.

This event became my lesson: Get everywhere early.

This rule applies to, well, everything. Restaurants, bars, museums, shows, national parks, attractions; I haven’t found an exception. Get there near the opening and the staff is clear-eyed, the docents unfatigued, and the good seats unoccupied. Lines are short or non-existent. 

At the Uffizi in Florence, I got the earliest time tickets. There was a modest queue, but the crowd was cheerful and fresh. Once admitted, we had the exhibits nearly to ourselves for a blissful half-hour. I rushed to Michelangelo’s David. There were just three of us quietly admiring it, lingering without having to nudge the competition to see those magnificent (huge!) veined hands and, when viewed in person, that surprising, slight look of vulnerability. Sadly, by the time I backtracked to the Birth of Venus, the masterpiece was surrounded by a scrum of tourists angling their cellphones overhead. The magic was gone.

Of course, the go-early directive applies to airports too. My wife and I get to the airport no later than the recommended 2 hours before boarding every time. We let those hustlers briskly clacking their bags pass us with equanimity. We’re sanguine about security lines. We’re loose and unbothered, comfortably nursing our coffee or catching a snack at an airport restaurant. (Hint: Sit at the bar. The service is way better). We chat about our hopes and dreams for our trip. Sometimes we actually hold hands.

Pro Tip: To ease airport passage, go ahead and pay for TSApre status, even if you fly just once a year. It really reduces tension and lets you capture more time to relax.

3. Bring A Bunch Of Ziploc Bags

I got this one from our readers when we asked for their most useful tips. Bring Ziplocs of different volumes, from one gallon to those the size of a business card.

They take up no room in your suitcase and make life easy in ways you can’t predict. We’ve used them to stow a damp swimsuit, keep earrings paired, bundle medications for easy unpacking, transport the smooth stones we pick up as souvenirs, and, one time, protect a Paul Klee print we somehow found in a small Anguilla shop.

Pro Tip: Keep the unused bags in your suitcase so you never forget to pack them. 

4. Plan For Spontaneity 

Sure, you should prepare for your trip by doing your Internet grazing, reading a guidebook, and poring over a map. Got a bucket list or must-do experience? Book it. But for the rest, pick out stuff that sounds good and make that list your fallback. Your best experiences are likely to come from something you stumble across, or a whim you follow.

On a guided group e-bike tour in Costa Rica, my wife and I had an “on our own” night to kill. We’d planned to hit the recommended genuine-Tico restaurant the gang was headed to. But in a gametime reversal, based on a random tip from the hotel staff, we chose to hit a hot spring that was a manageable walk away. Not on our itinerary, and somehow not even on our trip planner’s radar screen, it delivered one of our most spectacularly romantic nights.

The place comprised a dozen or more semi-private pools of different temperatures, fed by a natural spring cascading down a hillside. Flowers and ferns lined some pools; cabanas and privacy tents surrounded others. We felt like we’d parachuted onto the set of The Bachelorette. (We later learned that, in fact, an episode had been shot there.)

If we’d followed our script, we’d have missed one of our most memorable travel experiences. 

Pro Tip: Leaving a few blank slots on your schedule creates openings for spontaneous exploration.

5. Engage Locals Directly

This is harder than you might imagine. Most people you encounter are in the hospitality industry, merchants, or strangers who briefly give you directions on the street. But it’s worth the effort to be more real.

When our kids were very small, we visited a Jamaican resort, complete with a guardhouse, a private beach patrolled by security, and a tall fence on both sides. That was proper for a family vacation. But I got restless. One day, I prowled the perimeter fence, slipped through a gap, and walked to the adjacent beach where a few vendors chatted quietly in the heat. 

A lanky local guy saw me and, sensing opportunity, offered me some ganja (cannabis). I declined but sensed an opportunity too — to see a sliver of Jamaica our resort vacation would never provide.

He offered, for $10 USD, to give me a tour of the immediate beach area. The tour included a former hotel wrecked by a hurricane 3 years before, the blue-roofed mansion of a rich guy of suspect income sources, a tidal pool for harvesting crabs, and a path to the topless beach. Along the way, I got bits of his tough life story; kids he rarely saw, two women he never married, a family that farmed up in the hills, a lot of bad luck, and a few bad choices. I did my journalist thing, just asking curious questions, and he opened up.

Sure, there was some risk, but I made sure we remained in view of others. I gave him $20 and a beer. We shook hands in a near-hug before I slid through the fence back to our resort.

I’d had at least a small taste of life in Jamaica far more real than we got at the resort.

Pro Tip: Ask questions and show interest in locals’ lives. You’ll be surprised how much they share — and how it enriches your travel experience. Of course, all the travel safety rules apply: Stay in daylight, in a public location, where others are around; carry only part of your money, and in a hidden belt or sealed pocket; let others know where you are.

6. Carry-On Bags Only

If you fail to fit your travel wardrobe in a single carry-on, you’re traveling into a headwind. The benefits of single-bagging are plenty. You speed through airports, never suffer lost luggage, simplify transfers, and avoid agonizing over what to wear. The only downside is you won’t impress anyone with your favorite outfit — a small price to pay.

How to pull this off? You’ve heard all the tips. Invest in a wardrobe of lightweight, wrinkle-free fabrics that hand-wash and dry quickly; stick with garments that layer, in colors that mix and match; two pairs of shoes only, and stuff each with small belongings. Sure, there are exceptions — weddings or visits to polar climates, for instance.

Pro Tip: Make full use of that “personal article” allowed on the plane. A Dopp kit works nicely.

7. Headed To A Challenging Place? Get Professional Help 

When my son and I planned a family heritage trip to Russia, I did all my research, read a bunch of guidebooks, watched some videos, talked to the Post’s former Moscow correspondent… and quickly realized I was overmatched. We had no clue how to navigate such a difficult destination. 

I put my pride and my cocky yeah-I’m-a-travel-journalist persona in time out. I found a Russian travel agency and let them do all the work: flights, transfers, accommodations, train tickets, museum passes; the whole thing. 

When we got there, I knew I’d made the right decision. Moscow’s tough to visit, disjointed, dense, and surrounded by a 12-lane ring road with highly creative drivers. It’s a metro teeming with masses propelled by elbow thrusts and a populace that even 10 years ago was disinclined to show much generosity to baffled Americans. While challenging on the ground, our trip was much easier thanks to the knowledgeable agents greasing the skids on the big stuff.

Pro Tip: Always seek out a U.S.-based agency that specializes in the specific country you’re visiting, and has an office in that country. (When utterly confused one day, we visited that office for a bailout.) How to find the right agency? Look for native-born and -speaking staff members.

8. Travel Like A Journalist

Travel journalists are always looking for the pointed story others will love to hear — vivid, memorable, distinctive experiences that by anecdote convey the essence of the place, or an experience you have there.

When visiting friends in Vermont one recent summer, our hosts offered us the choice of a tour of the town or a ride up the ski lift to the peak of a nearby mountain. That was an easy call. The ride up offered a delightful view of the verdant terrain. We think we spotted a bear, but who knows? But beyond the peak, up a trail 100 vertical feet higher, stood a fire tower. We’d never scaled that sort of structure and were not quite sure it was legal. We committed anyway.

The ascent, which involved a jury-rigged wooden ladder missing a step that led to the top platform, was breathtaking in the literal sense, and the view was in the figurative sense. You could see the whole magnificent sweep of the region in 360 degrees, including two other ski resorts, a jarring clearcut prowled by yellow heavy equipment, and in the other direction, a hazy emerald swath that merged with the horizon. We looked down on the town we skipped, where we might have been nosing through the inevitable candle and maple syrup shops. I had my “story,” and our trip was richer for it.

Pro Tip: Ask locals for the one or two distinctive attractions or experiences found only in their area, the ones that make their home turf singular — but where visitors rarely go. Push past the quick replies and ask the who, what, where, when, why, how, and why not. Let the answers guide your adventure.

For more travel tips like these, check out these articles:

• 8 Key Tips For Experiencing A Stress-Free Multi-Gen Vacation
• 7 Packing Tips For A Long Trip When You’re Only Taking A Carry-On
• 6 Travel Tips For When Getting Around Isn’t As Easy As It Used To Be

Our family does a lot of Walt Disney World trips and Disney Cruises. For us, that means flights from our home in San Antonio to Orlando International and Miami International Airports, MCO and MIA for short. My husband’s limited vacation days are the reason for choosing flying over driving; otherwise, we’d probably road trip, at least some of the time.

Since exploring theme parks or getting on a cruise ship for a week doesn’t involve a lot of vacation driving, we usually opt to use a rideshare service to get from the airport to our hotel, from our hotel to the port, and so on. We’ve used both Lyft and Uber and have been mostly satisfied with the results.

On our most recent trips to Miami and Orlando, I decided to go completely bougie and booked a car service. I regularly listen to a cruise travel podcast where the host says car service was not “that much more” than a rideshare, so I decided to test this for myself. Here are six things I learned from booking a car service versus taking a rideshare. Blacklane provided me with complimentary codes to try their service. I’ve also researched and communicated with two of their competitors and may use them on future trips.

1. It Actually Was ‘That Much More’

The value of our ride with Blacklane was $189 each way. Because we were four people with four bags, we had to take a business-class SUV/van. We could have saved a little money if we’d been a smaller party, but we wouldn’t have all fit in a sedan. Likewise, if we’d wanted a more upscale sedan or had a larger group, we’d have paid more.

If you’re a party of six or more or if you have lots of luggage, I recommend cost comparing rideshare versus car service. It probably won’t be less expensive than hiring multiple Ubers but it would be a nicer experience and everyone could stay together.

2. You Won’t Get Away From Downloading An App

…but that wasn’t a big deal for me. I booked my car service via a website but after I entered my info, I was prompted to download the app. I didn’t really use the app because after I’d booked my ride, the driver communicated with me via text. The app allows me to have a record of my rides with that company if I choose to use it again, and I can use it to store my payment information.

3. You Have To Read The Fine Print 

If rolling up to your hotel in a Mercedes-branded car or SUV is important to you, be advised that this is probably subject to change. I told my 12-year-olds we’d be riding in style and our car service subbed a Chevrolet Tahoe to transport my family of four. I didn’t think it was a big deal, but I lost some cool points in the eyes of my tweens. Also, check to see how long your driver will wait at no charge and if your driver will be monitoring your flights and adjusting for early or late arrivals.

4. Customer Service Goes The Extra Mile 

When I made my reservation, I accidentally entered the wrong flight number. Our flight connected in Dallas before we arrived in Miami and I mistakenly entered the flight information for our first flight. My driver texted me while I was in Dallas and flagged my flight information. I gave him the correct info and he was in constant communication after that. When we landed, I had a text from our driver letting me know he was waiting for us at the baggage claim.

5. The Little Rockstar Touches Are Pretty Sweet 

From the suit and tie-clad driver with our name on a sign to the cold bottles of water waiting in the car to being shepherded to the curb, the whole elevated experience set the tone of our trip. We managed our bags but the driver did offer to help with our luggage. The whole experience was a huge departure from waiting anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes for an Uber, refreshing the app, and trying to figure out which car was ours.

6. You’ll Know Exactly How Much Your Ride’s Going To Cost

I liked knowing how much I’d be spending and liked the when/where/how aspects of our trip. For some travelers, knowns versus unknowns matter. Uber and Lyft fees are variable and if you’re riding during peak periods, you’re subject to surge pricing.

While I’ve never paid $189 for a one-way rideshare, I have waited 30+ minutes standing on a hot, dirty sidewalk outside the airport wondering what was going to happen next. Sometimes, eliminating uncertainty as you plan your travel is a stress reducer, especially if you’re anxious or a less experienced traveler.

While my budget does not allow me to sub a car service for a rideshare every time we need a ride, I would consider using a car service again depending on the circumstances. I’d splurge for a special trip, if we had a tight timeline, or if we were traveling in a group that included others who were less used to the bustle of airports and traveling in general than we are.

Sample Car Service Rates: MIA To South Beach, One Way 

I compared service for four people with four bags between the same two points on the same date. Your mileage will vary, but this gives you a little peek at comparing rates across different companies.

• Blacklane: Starts at $189
• Legacy Car Service: Starts at $138
• Black Car Service Miami: Starts at $144

I’m not sure why Blacklane was more expensive than the others, so that leaves me very curious about what my experience would be with their competitors. I had a great experience and zero complaints — aside from my kids’ disappointment over having a Chevy subbed for a Benz. Nothing about the other services I researched would lead me to believe I’d have a lesser experience.

There are many others and since companies like these may be locally owned and operated, they’ll vary by location. I encourage you to read reviews and compare services across different companies. Many companies have fee scales depending on the make of the vehicle or how new the vehicle is, so if having a late-model Mercedes is important to you, most of these services can accommodate that if you’re willing to spend the extra money.

It’s one of those airport codes we all know off the top of our heads: LAX. Los Angeles International Airport is a California landmark in its own right, with the iconic arched legs of its Theme Building right up there with Hollywood Sign and the Santa Monica Pier. But look beyond the Tinseltown façade and what lies beneath is an airport the travel company Frommer’s calls the third worst in America — behind only Newark Liberty International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia. 

Travelers bemoan LAX’s brutal traffic, long security lines, disjointed terminal structure, and general shabbiness. Luckily, Southern California boasts five major airports, giving flyers the chance to skip LAX. John Wayne, Hollywood Burbank, and Ontario often top the list of LAX alternatives. But Long Beach (LGB) is quietly rising as one of the best options for an LA-area arrival.

Long Beach Airport has roots in private aviation. It was first known as Daugherty Field, made famous as the intended destination of Douglas “Wrong Way” Corrigan, who ended up in Ireland instead. Its commercial airline offerings started out humbly enough, just serving passengers headed to Los Angeles (specifically the current Hollywood Burbank Airport), San Diego, or Catalina airports. But the airline boom of the 1980s and ’90s brought major carriers and commercial flights from markets around the country.

Today, LGB hosts four airlines (American, Delta, Hawaiian, and Southwest) with a fifth (Breeze) starting service soon. Southwest Airlines carries about three-quarters of the passengers here, serving 15 of the airport’s 17 nonstop destinations. 

Thinking about grabbing a flight to Southern California through Long Beach? Here are five reasons why you should:

1. Enjoy Short, Sunny Walks With Lots Of Elbow Room

One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive at LGB is just how small it is. The airport has just 11 gates, all lined up along one concourse, with an outdoor courtyard in the middle. Walking from even the furthest gate to the outdoor baggage claim facility in the main terminal building will take less than 10 minutes. Along the way, you’ll notice a distinct lack of crowds. At its pre-pandemic peak in 2019, LGB served about 3.5 million passengers — fewer than 10,000 people a day. Compare that to LAX, which that same year served 88 million — nearly a quarter-million people a day. 

Long Beach Airport’s concourse is tall and has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the tarmac and runways, letting Southern California sunshine fill the space. When it’s time for departure, the gate lounges have plenty of seats, with the walls opposite the windows filled with restaurants and shops serving up typical airport items and fare.

Even though the airport is small, there is one important note for those with mobility issues: Long Beach does not use jetways to board and deboard its flights. Passengers must walk outside to and from the planes, using a ramp to gain access to the aircraft. The airport does have wheelchairs to assist those who need help.

2. Grab A Rental Car Right On The Property

One of the most frustrating parts of flying into LAX is the hassle of getting a rental car. Once you get your luggage, you have to line up for a bus that fights the LA traffic to get you to individual rental car centers located miles from the terminal. But LGB has its rental car facilities on site, literally across the street from the terminal. Once you grab your bags in Long Beach, it’s less than a 5-minute walk to the rental car counters.

Six national companies rent at Long Beach (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National), with their cars parked right in the garage where the counters are located. Prices from these major companies are similar to what you’d pay at LAX, running from the same for small cars to a few dollars more per day for larger cars. Long Beach does not host the local deep-discount car rental firms found at LAX, like Fox or Kyte, but wary travelers often avoid these companies due to legal problems with the state.

3. Hit The Road With Better Options For Your Drive

One of the biggest headaches getting in or out of LAX is the dreaded San Diego Freeway, Interstate 405. Locals joke it got its number designation because you’ll go “4 or 5 miles an hour” when using it. Federal officials declared it the busiest freeway in America in 2013, and the traffic has only gotten more congested. What that means to visitors is a miles-long jam of drivers all seemingly headed the same place you are — with LAX stuck right in the middle of it. 

Long Beach Airport lies right next to the 405, but the beauty of its location is that visitors have other freeway choices. The 710 (Long Beach Freeway) and 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway) run north and northeast from the airport, giving access to downtown LA and the San Fernando Valley beyond. Those headed east to nearby attractions like Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm can use surface streets for quick access. Travelers headed further east out of LA proper to the Inland Empire cities of Riverside, San Bernadino, or Palm Springs can use State Route 91 (Riverside Freeway) to bypass LA traffic snarls. 

Travel times are generally better from Long Beach to many Southern California destinations. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are both about a 25-minute drive from LGB (outside of rush hour), while the same trip from LAX runs more like 45 minutes. Downtown LA is about 30 minutes from Long Beach Airport; the drive from LAX can be the same, but it can easily balloon to more than an hour in peak traffic. Heading from Long Beach Airport to Palm Springs will save you at least 15 minutes over leaving from LAX — and possibly an hour or more during the heaviest traffic. 

4. Returning To The Airport Is A Breeze

All good things must end — but your trip to Southern California needn’t end as badly as a return to LAX. The heavy traffic you found leaving the airport is nothing compared to what you’ll find returning there. LAX is currently in the midst of a 5-year plan to make it easier for travelers and employees to just get to the airport. Until that is complete (and maybe still after), approaching LAX on the ground is a headache. Once you return your rental car, you have to reverse the trip you made by bus, fighting the thousands of cars trying to gain access to the tiny horseshoe called “World Way” that threads past all eight terminals. 

Long Beach has none of that hassle. The roads into the airport are generally clear, with no heavy bus or taxi traffic blocking the way. You’ll park your rental car right back in the garage where you got it and then walk across the street to the terminal building.

Once inside the terminal, there is one security checkpoint serving all gates with regular and TSA Precheck facilities. (LGB does not currently have CLEAR services.) The typical wait time at security in Long Beach is 6 minutes. Peak demand happens in the 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. hour and the noon to 3 p.m. hours, with wait times averaging around 30 minutes. Once through security at LGB, your gate is less than a 5-minute walk away. By contrast, LAX has nine security checkpoints spread across its terminals, with the average wait running from 13 to 15 minutes and peak times running as long as 40 minutes — more when systems break down. 

5. Competitive Prices On Non-Stop Flights

All these benefits sound great, but what about the cost to fly to Long Beach? Small airports often lack the competitive pressure of multiple flights across carriers that can drive prices down. But the number of airports serving Southern California helps travelers to LGB and other LA-area airports enjoy cheaper fares. 

Travelers coming from continental U.S. cities with non-stop service to Long Beach (Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Phoenix, Reno, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, and San Jose) will find fares on par with the costs of other Southern California airports. For instance, at the time of this writing, a mid-month, non-holiday flight from Dallas to Long Beach on Southwest Airlines is running just $210 roundtrip. The same flight to LAX costs $200; to Hollywood-Burbank, it runs $260; and to John Wayne in Orange County, it rings up at about $360. A roundtrip on American Airlines from Phoenix to Long Beach totals $138 — the same fare as Phoenix roundtrips with LAX, Hollywood Burbank, and John Wayne.

If you’re coming from a city that doesn’t have a nonstop route and need to make a connection, LBG’s prices stay competitive. From the New York area, that mid-month, non-holiday roundtrip flight to Long Beach on American Airlines costs just more than $300 — if you’re willing to make a connection in Phoenix. A nonstop on the same airline will put you into LAX for about $25 less. Southwest can do the roundtrip from New York LaGuardia to Long Beach for just over $200 if you don’t mind stopping in St. Louis or Las Vegas. You’ll pay the same to fly to LAX, and you still can’t get a nonstop with Southwest (needing to change planes in Chicago, Denver, or Houston).

Pro Tip: Long Beach Airport is 2 years into a terminal improvement plan that will expand its ticketing area and improve its baggage handling systems. Travelers arriving at the airport will see temporary walls, behind which the construction is taking place. That means a little extra noise and dust around the place, but operations are running smoothly despite the construction. The improvements will ultimately add to your travel experience in the future and not get in the way of enjoying this small gem of an airport now.

To flesh out your Southern California stay, read:

• 7 Incredibly Charming Small Towns To Visit In Southern California
• 9 Fabulous State Parks To Visit In Southern California
• 10 Beautiful And Affordable Palm Springs Vacation Homes

As a retired flight attendant, I’ve learned a few travel tricks along the way. Now as a passenger, I continue to use many of those same hacks. One I always follow is packing portable snacks. These have saved me more than once during long layovers or hunger pangs on a long flight.

One of my absolute favorite snacks to pack is powdered peanut butter. It travels well, is high in protein, and keeps you satisfied. So I was game to try Flavored PB Co.’s all-natural peanut butter powder. This small, family-owned business’s infused peanut butter powder. has an almost cult-like following. When they say it tastes like dessert, they are right! And better yet, you can save up to 40 percent right now on these must-try snacks.

Flavored PB Co.’s Flavors

They offer so many different flavors, it was hard to choose. I ended up with the Snickerdoodle, Cookies and Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip. The Salted Caramel Crunch and Birthday Cake might be in my next order!

On my recent trip to Vancouver, I brought the Snickerdoodle. It spread well, was full of flavor, and was very creamy. Honestly, I didn’t even need to put it on anything. It’s great to eat by itself.

How To Use Powdered Peanut Butter In Shakes

(And Favorite Flavor Combinations)

I typically use powdered peanut butter in protein shakes. Flavored PB Co.’s powder is great because it’s low in sugar and has 90 percent less fat and 75 percent fewer calories than traditional peanut butters. I tested out the cookies and cream after a high-intensity workout and I have one thing to say: This will now be a staple in my house! 

It’s fun to experiment with, too. I combined the Snickerdoodle with a banana for a protein shake. It was nothing short of fantastic! I did use extra powder in the shake for a little extra shot of deliciousness. The mint chocolate chip also mixed well with bananas. I’m happy to report I have some new shake options to add to my repertoire. 

Powdered Peanut Butter For Homemade Cookies, Pancake Mix, And More

If you want to impress your family and friends, I highly recommend adding the powders to cookie mixes. I added the Snickerdoodle powder to my cookie batter and then topped it with the Cookies and Cream spread. Again, it was amazing and took my cookie game to the next level.

You can also try adding any of the powders to pancakes, using them as fruit dip, or sprinkling over yogurt or oatmeal. You can adjust the consistency with the amount of water you add. I think I’m going to try making ice cream next!

The only thing that was tricky for me was sealing the bag. But you can put it in a larger sealable bag or use a chip clip. Problem solved! 

For a low-carb, low-calorie protein option, Flavored PB Co.’s offerings are the way to go. You can add their powdered peanut butters to just about anything to take the flavor up a notch. This would make a great stocking stuffer!

Layovers can really put a damper on your travel plans. But a recent study suggests there are some airports where you might actually want a long layover! ParkSleepFly recently released a survey of the busiest U.S. airports to enjoy a layover. Their criteria included food and beverages, hygiene, service, customer satisfaction, shopping, and hotel availability. 

The list included, in order: 

• Seattle-Tacoma International
• George Bush International in Houston
• Denver International
• Miami International
• Los Angeles International
• J.F.K. International in New York
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International
• Charlotte Douglas International
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
• O’Hare International in Chicago

We decided to ask our airline experts their thoughts on the survey, which airports should stay on the list, and which ones should go. Let’s take a look at what they said.

Airline Experts’ Airport Criteria

While the survey took certain things into consideration, our airline experts have their own criteria for choosing the best layover airport.

Kentrell Charles retired after almost 25 years as a flight attendant. He traveled internationally and spent plenty of layover time at U.S. airports. He rates accessible transportation, available hotels, and great restaurants high on his list.

Heather Earl retired from commercial airlines after 20 years of being a flight attendant. She still flies on corporate jets as a flight attendant and personal chef. She rates great layover airports high if they have easy access to lounges because she knows she might get stuck somewhere. Cheap, nearby hotels are next on her list, and she is always on the lookout for a quiet space like a yoga room.

Christy Karsten is an airline pilot who flies all over the world. When she travels personally, she has a list of what makes an airport stand out. Christy looks at how close the hotels are to the airport and how many there are. Food options take the next spot, including what type of food is sold. She also considers how far she has to walk, the floors, and distance from the gate to the curb. She pulls her Rollaboard everywhere and dreads dragging it over a carpeted terminal. Carpet makes for the ultimate bag drag, and that makes this pilot an unhappy traveler.

Her number one criteria is hotels and their availability as well as the number of properties and distance to the terminal. She has found any airport with just a few hotel options is going to mean a more expensive stay. More hotel properties generate competitive pricing, more amenities, and scheduled free van service. 

Lara Ketterman has worked in the airline industry for more than 38 years and is based out of Phoenix. For layovers, she feels one must look at comfort, food options, and ease of maneuvering the airport. Food is the top priority. She’s looking for good food fast. 

Airline Experts’ Favorite Airports

LAX

Kentrell’s top of the list is Los Angeles International Airport. “It just has so much to offer while you’re waiting for your flight. For me, layover means overnight stay. So you will want easy ways to get to your hotel. Public transportation is easy to access and convenient at LAX. 

There is an In-N-Out Burger at the end of the runway that’s within walking distance outside the airport. It’s nice to watch the planes, eat, and relax. If you have more time, you can visit Trader Joe’s or even a nail salon. 

LAX has several terminals but my favorite is the international terminal. You will find lots of high-end shopping, a very large duty-free shop, and lots of restaurants. My next favorite terminal is the American Airlines terminal. It’s great for a walk outside the airport. There is public transportation just minutes away from the terminal.”

O’Hare

Kentrell also gives O’Hare a nod. “I’ve also spent many hours at O’Hare. I found that there are many attractions close to the airport to enjoy during your long wait.”

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta 

For Heather, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International is the hands down winner. 

“They have great lounges, good transport into the city, lots of affordable hotels nearby, and a straightforward train system to help you make your connection safely.”

Miami

Christy definitely noted three that score high on her list. “Miami (MIA) airport has a great, streamlined terminal. Drop-offs by car, bus, Uber, or hotel vans are all centrally located. The terminal is basically in a line and above the terminal is a people mover train as well. The floors of MIA are polished marble, and my suitcase glides effortlessly. The food options are a hit too. Amazing Cuban-inspired food tops my list of grab-and-go. There is nothing quite like having a cortadito Cuban coffee first thing in the morning when catching a flight!”

Lara also sings Miami’s praises. “I love Miami for the food! La Curretta Cuban by gate D38 is the absolute best Cuban in Miami proper. The ropa vieja is a solid 10 with black beans and fried platanos. My mouth is watering just writing about it. On the chart, this airport deserves a higher score. You can get just about anything here. Nathan’s Hot Dogs, hoagie sandwiches, Cuban, empanadas, and the absolute best Cuban coffee in the world.

I usually order a café Cubano con leche sin azucar — without sugar, or they’ll add a quarter cup of sugar — but with milk. The airport tries to decorate with cute ideas, like a huge wall with red flowers grouped together to spell out LOVE.

The train is upstairs, which can make it a challenge for those with mobility issues but keeps the foot traffic moving quickly as it is a HUGE airport with many gates. They also seem to have an abundance of golf carts zipping around to transport passengers. Customs and Immigration moves quickly as well in this airport. I would give them a 10 for that! This factor is very important for international travelers, and this is a fabulous international airport. You can go anywhere from here.”

Phoenix

Christy is also a fan of Phoenix (PHX) airport because you can get in and out in minimal time. “Hotel vans pick up just outside of the main entrance of the airport. The design of the airport incorporates fingers off the main terminal where people movers connect each finger should you need to connect to another gate. All the fingers of the terminals offer local flavors of Tex-Mex food and American staples as well. There are lots of choices.”

Lara is partial to Phoenix, too. “It’s my hometown airport. Their motto is ‘The world’s friendly airport!’ They have an army of retired citizens called ‘Navigators.’ They wear purple dress coats and they are everywhere! No one gets lost at this airport.

When designing the original airport, the city failed at determining how large Phoenix would be, and Phoenix ended up with three separate terminals without the ability to walk between and only bus service. Thankfully, we are down to two with a great light rail system to connect with them and to the car rental center and the downtown area.

The food options haven’t totally opened up but they are completely staffed and everyone seems to be happy and cheerful. If you need help walking, there are a few more options than I have seen at other airports. Customs and Immigration seem to move quickly as it is almost all digital now. They are well staffed also so that helps passengers connect. No shortage of chairs or restrooms. There is always a Navigator around to help.”

Pro Tip: Christy does add one more that’s not on the ParkSleepFly list. ‘“I am a little biased about Orange County, California (SNA) since this airport is in my backyard, but this airport has it all! It’s made up of one long terminal, super easy access to centrally located Ubers, hotel cars, valet services for your own car, hotel vans, and even a bus heading to and from Disneyland! I don’t think I’ve ever seen cleaner, polished marble flooring. There are farm-to-table eateries and fast food-style restaurants available all along the entire airport concourse.”

The Airports Our Experts Would Vote Off The List

Denver

Kentrell would take this one off the list. “I don’t find anything rewarding there. You must rent a car if you need transportation. Uber is out of the question because of the cost (similar to a down payment on your first home!). Hotels are not close — and pack a snack. I usually try to avoid this airport if I have a layover.”

Heather is not a huge fan of Denver, either. She agrees there is not adequate lodging and it’s definitely not inexpensive. 

Seattle

Heather admits Seattle is a nice airport, but if you’re trying to make a connection, she says, Try again. “Last time I connected there, I had to sprint between trains and throw myself through the doors, landing in a heap with everyone on the train clapping at my successful attempt to avoid getting squished in the door.”

Lara also wondered why Seattle made the list. “Yes, you can walk to most of the airport hotels, and I love the downtown train you can pick up right there. But — and this is a big but — they used to have an Ivars seafood restaurant but no more. It disappeared before COVID. Industry gossip suggests they will have a kiosk operation soon. Fingers crossed! I have also been there recently and worked the first flight out, and nothing was open for the 8 a.m. departure — no shops and very little food. There was a huge line for the only restaurant open in Concourse D.”

A SEA representatives responded to the lack of openings in May. “In May, the Brew Hall and some locations were still building up full staffing from the pandemic. Airports were not immune to what was happening outside and we’ve spoken about travelers having the grace to understand those temporary situations, much like airlines requested the same consideration from travelers for their staffing shortages. Our hometown airline at that time cancelled dozens of flights with little notice due to a pilot shortage.” In addition to the other concourses, D has several options: Camdenfoodco opens at 4am, Starbucks is two gates away and opens at 4am, Poke to the Max opens at 6am and Ballard Brew Hall opens at 6am.

As you can see, our experts picked their favorite airports based on their own criteria. But I know I might book a trip through Miami just to try a Cuban coffee or dine at one of the fabulous restaurants during my next layover!

Editor’s Note: Ready for Cuban eats beyond the airport? Don’t miss our picks for Best Authentic Cuban Restaurants To Try In Miami.

I grew up watching Love Boat, an American television show that was on every Saturday night for 10 years. I still remember the names of all the characters — Doc, Julie, Gopher, and Isaac — but I mostly remember Captain Stubing. And don’t even get me started on singing the song. So imagine my delight when I had the chance to meet a real-life sea captain; this time named Captain Angelos Vassilakos.

My husband, Jason, and I were aboard the Celestyal Crystal for 7 days cruising the Aegean and exploring the Greek Islands. I had the chance to meet the captain on the bridge and asked him to share his tips for cruising the islands. A few days later, we had dinner and continued the conversation.

To set the scene, Captain Vassilakos has spent his entire 35-year career on the sea. He started working on cargo ships, then served in the Hellenic (Greek) Navy, and finally moved into the cruise industry. He’s a proud Greek citizen and resides with his wife and family in a small seaside town.

1. Choose A Small Ship That Can Visit Smaller Islands

The trend in cruising has leaned toward larger ships, some accommodating over 5,000 passengers. These mega-ships have added basketball courts, climbing walls, and water parks to attract a wide audience. During our recent cruise, we sailed past a few of these extra-large ships and I admit that those extra amenities looked intriguing. 

But on the flip side, as Captain Vassilakos pointed out, larger ships aren’t allowed to visit smaller islands — and there are hundreds of small islands in Greece. All cruise ships will visit the wildly popular islands of Mykonos and Santorini, but smaller gems like Milos, Patmos, Kavala, and Volos can only be enjoyed with a smaller ship.

Captain Vassilakos recommends ships no longer than 220 meters (about 722 feet). Our ship, the Celestyal Crystal, was just 160 meters (525 feet), so it could easily reach many of the smaller islands in the Aegean.

Pro Tip: If you have the chance to cruise the Greek Islands, I highly recommend an itinerary that includes Milos. This is the place where the famous Venus de Milo statue was discovered in 1820. And because it isn’t on the itineraries of larger ships, there are far fewer tourists than on the better-known islands.

2. Eat As Much Local Food As Possible

The Celestyal chefs offer Greek specialties for all meals. One night, I was fortunate to dine on a generous portion of moussaka, a traditional Greek eggplant casserole. Another night, I opted for the sweet and sticky baklava for dessert. And not a day went by that I didn’t enjoy a Greek salad. 

But the ship can’t possibly offer specialties from all the different ports, so Captain Vassilakos encourages passengers to seek out some of these hyper-local dishes while on land. One of his personal favorites is a cheese pie called bougatsa, available only in Thessaloniki.

Jason and I took the captain’s advice to heart. During our excursion in Milos, our guide recommended we try the island’s specialty — karpouzopita (watermelon pie). Never one to pass up dessert, Jason and I immediately headed for the local bakery to try this pie. It was delicious. 

While exploring Mykonos, we popped into the oldest bakery on the island, Gioras, and sampled local versions of cheese, spinach, and potato pie — all tasty.

Pro Tip: If you’re a wine lover like me, I’ll add to the captain’s tip and recommend that you try all the local wine. There are many grape varieties in this region that I had never tried but found that I really enjoyed. I was also pleasantly surprised to find wine throughout Greece to be very affordable.

3. Let The Cruise Line Help You Enjoy The On-Board Food

Much of the food served during our cruise was Greek, a cuisine I’ve long loved. But like any international cuisine, it has ingredients we may not be used to or aware of compared to our home foods. To help passengers best enjoy the Greek food served on the ship — and stay healthy — the captain recommends getting in touch with the cruise line prior to your departure to notify them of any dietary restrictions or allergies. They are more than happy to accommodate all types of diets and want passengers to thoroughly enjoy local cuisine.

Pro Tip: I enjoy a pescatarian diet. Fortunately, Greek cuisine is well-suited for anyone who prefers this. The range of dips, salads, and fresh seafood is not only delicious but also very healthy.

4. Learn All You Can About Greek Culture

The history, language, and culture of Greece have had considerable influence on the rest of the world. Captain Vassilakos encourages all of his passengers — and anyone cruising through the Greek Islands — to take the time to learn more about his country. Fortunately, this process can begin right on the ship.

On the first day of our cruise, a short class was offered to passengers who wanted to learn common words and phrases in Greek. Before our first excursion to the ancient city of Ephesus, we attended a lecture about these ruins. A few days later, I attended another lecture about olive oil, which was originally cultivated on the Greek Island of Crete 3,500 years ago. 

In between, there was a cooking demonstration, Greek dance lessons, and another lecture about Santorini. All of these learning opportunities augmented our experiences on the islands, so I couldn’t agree more with the captain. Take advantage of them.

5. See As Much As Possible On Each Island

I was constantly in awe of the layers of history we saw during all of our shore excursions and have never seen a place with such a density of ruins and archeological sites. It’s for this reason that Captain Vassilakos recommends seeing as much as you can while visiting each port. 

Do some research before your cruise and decide what sites interest you and how best to see them. At times, these sites may be within walking distance of the ship in port. We opted to skip a tour in Mykonos since the famous town of Chora and its centuries-old windmills were easy to walk to. 

But in some ports, the top sites aren’t nearby, so an organized tour will be the best option. One of the highlights of our cruise was a tour of the Acropolis of Lindos which is a 45-minute drive from the port.

Pro Tip: Much of our time on the Greek Islands involved walking over uneven, slick surfaces as well as navigating slopes. If you have any mobility concerns, be sure to check in with the staff at the excursions desk for guidance on the best tours or sites for you.

6. Consider A Cabin With An Ocean View

One of the many attractions of cruising is affordability. With inclusive food and beverages and nightly entertainment, it’s a great way to know exactly what your trip will cost. And for people really looking to save, reserving an inside cabin (one without a window) can be perfect.

However, Captain Vassilakos encourages guests to think carefully about their cabin choice. Some people regret not having a window to watch the ship sail between the islands, especially on longer itineraries. While an ocean view is nice on any cruise, the Greek Islands are exceptionally beautiful, and the joy of seeing them from your cabin as you wake in the morning can’t be overstated.

Oceanview suites with balconies are the priciest accommodations on the ship and inside cabins are the most affordable. We had the in-between option, an oceanview room, which I highly recommend, and found the pricing to be reasonable, especially considering how much is included.

7. Don’t Forget To Bring Nice Clothes For The Gala Night

Most cruise lines, including Celestyal, offer a gala night — a designated evening when guests are encouraged to dress up. This is typically cocktail dresses for women and a suit jacket for men. The captain says that guests who bring only casual clothes may find themselves sitting awkwardly in the dining room in shorts and flip-flops surrounded by elegantly clothed passengers.

For the gala night on our ship, the captain and his senior crew — all dressed in their finest attire — were introduced to all the passengers. It was fun to learn where each of the crew members came from and to hear that most of them are native to Greece.

Our gala night began after departing the island of Rhodes on our way to Crete. It was a lovely scene as guests dressed for the evening gathered on the decks enjoying drinks and recounting stories from their day. You could feel the excitement after a great day of excursions and anticipation for more to come.

8. Don’t Leave Home Without This One Accessory

When I asked the captain about recommendations for what to pack on a Greek Islands cruise, he surprised me with the answer, “A good watch,” and then laughed. He understands that as passengers are strolling through the streets of Mykonos or admiring the views from Santorini, it’s easy to lose track of time. He’s often heard guests talk about lingering a little longer over a meal while dining next to the ocean. He’s passionate about his home country and understands these sentiments, but whenever someone is running late, it leaves him in a dilemma: leave that passenger behind or get to the next destination late. Neither is a good option.

Be sure to bring either a good watch or check your cell phone, but be courteous to the many other passengers who are on board and ready to set sail for a new island.

Pro Tip: If you will be relying on a cell phone for time, be sure it is reflecting the local time. While this should happen automatically, I have occasionally found glitches with our phones. I’d hate for this to happen and find out that the ship sailed without us.

Explore the beauty of the Greek Islands in articles like these:

• My 7 Favorite Experiences Cruising The Greek Islands
• Why These 6 Beautiful Greek Islands Are My Favorite In Greece
• 17 Reasons Why Cruising The Greek Islands Is My Favorite Way To Island Hop

I thought I was super prepared for my first trip to Greece. I did lots of research and read all sorts of blogs. I had visions in my head of ruins and seas and delicious food. Yet, there were still a few things that surprised me once I finally started exploring the country.

1. The Beaches Aren’t Sandy 

Are you dreaming of beautiful crystal-clear water and sandy beaches? They exist, but a lot of them don’t have the super fine sand you might think of when you think of Greece. Instead, many beaches in Greece have pebbles. 

At first, I was disappointed. This wasn’t the image I had in my head of what a beach is supposed to be. Sandy beaches were all I knew. However, after a few days on the shores of Greece, watching the sun set on those pebbly beaches, I was sold. 

The pebbly beaches in Greece often also came with quite a different landscape than I was expecting. On the island of Kefalonia, for example, many of the beaches I visited were surrounded by forests. I remember hearing bells and searching through the trees to find a herd of goats making their way toward the beach. I’m not sure I ever would have expected to see goats on a beach, but I wasn’t mad about it. 

Pro Tip: Not all of the beaches have pebbles. In fact, one of the top-rated beaches in the world can be found in Greece. Elafonisi Beach, located on the island of Crete, is famous for its pink sands.

2. Free Dessert And Ouzo

As a solo budget traveler, this was a very welcome surprise. Turns out, many restaurants, mostly tavernas, offer you free dessert and/or ouzo at the end of your meal. My first reaction was a very confused look accompanied by a hurried explanation that I didn’t order dessert. 

The friendly waiter gently responded with an idiom I’m sure he was quite proud to have learned, “It’s on the house.” Well, well. A budget traveler’s favorite words. 

These desserts ranged from a simple fruit plate to baklava to Greek yogurt with local honey to lemon cake. There wasn’t one I didn’t happily eat up. The ouzo, on the other hand…

I’m simply not a fan of anything licorice flavored. Ouzo and raki, the latter found mostly on the island of Crete in lieu of ouzo, are licorice flavored. Not to worry if you aren’t a fan, or if you don’t drink alcohol. I found that most waiters usually asked if you would like the small drink, or if you might prefer, say, a small coffee instead. 

Of all the surprises I encountered during my time in Greece, this surely was the most delicious and wallet-friendly. And while I wouldn’t expect this from every restaurant you dine in, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a waiter approaching with a plate full of yumminess on the house. 

3. The Cats

There are a lot of cats in Greece. A lot. They are everywhere — in the streets, in the shops, on the chair across from you at a taverna, lounging on top of a motorcycle. Everywhere.

These cats are mostly strays, though they have found their “home” in the various shop and restaurant owners who set food and water bowls out for them (nearly as plentiful as the cats themselves). 

I never encountered an unfriendly cat in my 35 days in Greece, and because I was missing my cat back home, I found their presence comforting. But if cats aren’t your thing, it’s easy enough to ignore them. They will quickly find someone else to befriend and leave you alone. 

The sheer number of cats in Greece can be a surprise. Being aware of this phenomenon before you go can help ease the shock of it.

4. Different Showers

I’m sure I’ve encountered these showers elsewhere. Perhaps it was the length of my trip that made me come to immediately inspect the bathroom upon my arrival at my hotel room. I’d do a little happy dance any time it contained a shower I was used to at home. (Note: I only did that happy dance twice.)

Showers in the Greek hotels I stayed in nearly always consisted of a very tiny space, often not delineated from the rest of the bathroom, and a handheld showerhead. Sometimes there was a hook from which to hang the showerhead, but this often did not keep the water inside said tiny shower space. 

Showering in Greece, for this reason, was not a pleasant experience. I may have flooded my bathroom and entire hotel room a time or two. No curtain was sufficient enough to keep the unruly water from escaping its meager boundaries. 

I’m certain I only took one enjoyable shower while in Greece. It had a rainfall showerhead that was fitted above where one stands. It was hot. It had great water pressure. It was the longest shower I took on my trip.

The rest of the time, I experimented with different ways to hold the showerhead above my head whilst trying to rinse the shampoo out of my hair. I tried turning the water off while I lathered up so I could use both hands. I froze. I tried the hook. I tried angling it. Nothing worked.

Pro Tip: While it’s unlikely this would ever stop someone from visiting Greece, it is something to be aware of before you go. Perhaps in the nicer hotels, they have showers like you are used to. But, as a budget traveler, I wouldn’t know.

5. Freddo Cappuccinos

I am not a coffee drinker. I’m not a tea drinker either. I don’t like hot beverages. Enter the Freddo: the loveliest of coffee concoctions and the drink that made me a coffee drinker.

In my research and blog reading before traveling to Greece, I learned a lot about these Freddo guys. Every blogger that ever went to Greece recommended drinking a Freddo in a crowded sidewalk coffee shop. I resisted. For two weeks, I resisted.

Then, whilst in Kalamata, I decided I’d give one of the numerous coffee shops filled with mostly older Greek men a go. I brought my book and I ordered a Freddo cappuccino with sugar. Here’s the thing — it comes over ice, so it’s not a hot beverage. Win number one.

That first sip through the straw was a shock to the system to be sure — it is two shots of espresso, after all. That strong espresso is mixed with cold, frothy milk. Over the length of the drink, I realized I was enjoying my Freddo, along with my book and the people watching. Win number two.

You can also get a Freddo espresso if that’s more your fancy. But here I go, just like those bloggers: I really must insist you enjoy the coffee culture in Greece and treat yourself to a Freddo or five. You won’t regret it. 

Pro Tip: If you find yourself in Kalamata, Greece, and want to check out the coffee shop that changed everything for me, go to Blossom Owl Coffee Shop. You can linger there for hours people watching and Freddo drinking.

6. Anywhere Is A Good Place For A Swim

On an early morning walk in Nafplio, Greece, I stumbled upon one of my favorite memories of my trip. Walking along a sidewalk by the water in full view of Bourtzi Fortress, I discovered a sort of natural swimming pool in the sea. Rock wall dividers created the boundaries, while pool ladders into the sea provided easy entry. I admired a handful of Greeks in swimming caps having their morning laps. 

For some reason, this filled me with joy. Who needs a pool when you have an entire sea? Throughout my trip, I would see this occurrence over and over. Not the natural pool, but the swimmers anywhere.

I would ask my hotel owners where the beach was, and they would point me in all sorts of directions. Turns out the beach is really just anywhere you can swim. And it turns out, you can swim pretty much anywhere. 

I saw people dipping in off hiking trails, near boats and harbors, and from secluded rocks. So I joined in, and you can, too. While in Greece, don’t hesitate to take a swim whenever and wherever you fancy.

7. You Don’t Need A Car

As a budget traveler, this was pretty important to me. While I understand that it’s pretty easy and relatively cheap (but not cheaper than a bus ticket) to rent a car, if you’re hoping to travel Greece without a car, you’re in luck. 

In Athens: Buses, Ferries, And The Metro

In my 35 days in Greece, I traveled to the islands of Crete and Kefalonia, as well as the mainland Peloponnese. I did this all via buses and ferries and the metro while in Athens. I never even had to take an expensive taxi.

While it’s certainly not as convenient as having your own car to take off whenever you want and stop wherever you want, it was still easy enough. Schedules were easy to find using the KTEL bus website. Times and frequency were very decent in the shoulder season and I imagine even better in high season. 

Bus stations were often located near the center of the town. I found it easy enough to find accommodations within walking distance of the station. The accommodation owners, as well as employees in the bus station, were always friendly and helpful with any questions I might have about locations or schedules. 

Greek Coach Buses

Buses I traveled on were always big coach-style buses with comfortable seats. There was usually air conditioning and they were very clean. There were often two doors to enter and exit and there were stairs to climb. I never saw one with a functioning toilet, though this was never a problem as the longest ride I took was only 3 hours.

If you’re hoping to travel Greece without a car, rest assured, it is possible and easy. 

If you are planning your first trip to Greece, these are a few of the most surprising things to be aware of. Some are good, some not so much, but they’ll all add up to give you an unforgettable experience in Greece. 

While I normally avoid flying during Christmas week, last year I took a quick trip to Denver, leaving on December 22 and returning home on the morning of December 25. While my trip went smoothly and the things I feared going wrong did not go wrong, it opened my eyes to a variety of issues travelers could have when they fly during the holiday season.

My son and I decided to go skiing relatively last minute and flew from San Antonio to Denver. Our big family celebration is on Christmas Day and I booked the 7 a.m. flight home on December 25, which would get us home in plenty of time for the festivities.

My holiday flight experience, plus the experience I had a few months later when I did get stranded, inspired this piece. Here is what I wish I’d known — and what I want other travelers to know — before booking a Christmas flight.

1. You May Be Compensated If Your Flight Is Canceled Or Delayed

Read the fine print and make sure you understand what will happen if the airline cancels or changes your flight or if you cancel or change your flight. Will you get a full refund or credits toward a future flight? That’s important to know, especially if you rarely travel. Double and triple-check the fine print if you’ve booked a basic economy fare or a low-budget carrier.

I recommend having travel insurance or adding trip protection coverage to your flight. Whatever you purchase, understand what it does and doesn’t cover before your trip. I also recommend steering clear of booking flights through Expedia, Hotwire, and similar sites. While you can get some killer deals, it’s often a hassle getting customer service when something goes wrong. The airline might direct you back to the agency and the agency might direct you back to the airline, resulting in more work on your part to get rebooked or refunded.

The Department of Transportation has an airline customer service dashboard that’s a reference for what various airlines will and won’t compensate for in the event of a flight delay.

The bottom line is, don’t travel with expectations that the airline will put you up and feed you in the event of a flight cancellation or long delay. It doesn’t hurt to ask for hotel or meal vouchers but don’t rely on getting them.

2. Download The Airline App And Turn On Notifications

If you haven’t embraced the use of travel apps, this is a good time to start. The airline’s app can store your boarding pass, eliminating the need to print it at home or stand in line to have someone print it for you. Most airlines have links to terminal maps and “Where’s My Plane” and chat features. Many airlines have entertainment portals with movies or television shows to watch in flight. You can also store payment information, which is handy for buying food and drinks on board, as many airlines are moving away from accepting cash.

Also download hotel apps, rideshare apps, and apps of other airlines. In other words, all the travel apps you hope you won’t need. You can delete them when you get home but if you have to scramble to get another flight or an unexpected room for the night, using the app is probably going to be faster than standing in line or waiting on hold.

Pro Tip: Make sure the airline knows how to reach you. Sign up for text and email alerts and turn on notifications in the airline’s app. 

3. Don’t Wait For Sales Or Bargain Fares

Holiday airfares are usually higher. While it is possible to snag those last-minute deals, most people desire to solidify their Christmas plans early. Travelers don’t want to risk not getting a seat on the plane so they book early, which doesn’t usually result in savings on airfare. 

I’m not saying you’re never going to snag a good deal on holiday airfare, but airlines are typically going to take advantage of the demand for peak season and not roll out their bargain fares between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. My family and I are flying a few days before Christmas this year. We booked our December flight in mid-October, after watching the fare for two months. We kept hoping for the fare to decrease but it maintained and then went up. 

While airfare deals are always out there, seats on planes are in high demand during the holidays and high demand can drive up prices.

4. Have Flexible Holiday Plans

If you’re flying to attend a holiday celebration or family gathering, I recommend making sure your plans are flexible. In other words, being late for church or missing dinner won’t feel like the end of the world. I recommend padding your travel schedule to get there a day early. This usually mitigates delays. If your plans to get there early result in getting there on time, it’s a win.

Our Christmas Day flight arrived at 9 a.m., which was plenty of time to get out of the airport and get where we needed to be. If we’d been late, my son and I would have missed a family lunch on Christmas Day. I accepted the risk of missing the gathering as the flip side to going skiing right before Christmas. We live near family and it wouldn’t have been catastrophic if two of us had missed lunch but if you’re traveling a distance to see loved ones you rarely get to see, a day-of arrival might be cutting it too close.

5. Nonstop Flights = Less Risk Of Delays

Adding layovers to your travel ups your odds of getting stranded somewhere you don’t want to be. When you take a direct flight, you only have to worry about one flight being on time. You’ll also reduce your risk of lost luggage, which is especially problematic if you’ve packed gifts in your checked bags.

Also, make sure you understand the difference between nonstop and direct flights. A nonstop flight is exactly what it sounds like — a flight between two points that does not stop. A direct flight is a flight between two points that stops for passengers and/or fuel. Passengers may or may not be required to deplane, but the flight number, boarding pass, and seat remain the same.

6. Scout Potential Perks

Look at your airline loyalty accounts as well as credit card perks to see if points or status may earn you an upgrade. This is also a good time to see if you have any benefits that are close to expiring, such as drink coupons or airport lounge passes. Think about cashing in your points for something that might make your flight more comfortable such as cabin upgrades to get more legroom or priority boarding. Some credit cards also offer discounts on pre-screening programs, such as Clear, to help get you through security faster.

7. Invest In TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Or Clear

TSA PreCheck and Clear are pre-screening programs that allow travelers access to shorter security lanes and exempt them from certain requirements, such as removing shoes and taking electronics out of their bags. Global Entry is a program that expedites entry into the United States for prescreened travelers. These programs can reduce the length of time you stand in line to get through security or immigration.

According to the TSA, approval for precheck typically takes three to five days but in certain cases, it can take as long as 60 days. TSA PreCheck is valid for five years and costs $78.

Clear registration is quicker and more expensive. The entire Clear process took me about five minutes at the airport during a non-busy time. If you’re signing up for Clear with the intent to use it over the holidays, I recommend starting the process online and completing it at one of the Clear stations in the airport. Clear is $189 per year but many credit cards and mileage loyalty programs offer discounts.

Global Entry’s application process takes around 90-days and requires an interview. The price is $100 for five years and grants access to TSA Precheck lanes as well.

While Clear’s price doesn’t make sense for someone who doesn’t travel frequently, I have seen them do on-the-spot free trials in the airport, so if the line is long and someone asks if you want a 30-day trial, say yes. Just don’t forget to cancel the membership if you don’t want to pay for the full year.

8. The Number Of Carry-On Bags May Vary By Fare Category

There’s no good time to have an airline lose your bag (or tell you it went somewhere different than you did) but the holidays are an especially inconvenient time to deal with the headaches that go with lost or delayed bags. The airlines cannot lose your bag if you do not give it to them.

Minimal travel is not for everyone. You may need to carry medications or other items that aren’t permitted in a carry-on bag. Make sure your fare category allows a carry-on roller board suitcase. If you book a bare-bones economy fare, you may forfeit the right to bring your suitcase on the plane. 

Skipping the lines for check-in or baggage drop and bypassing the baggage carousel saves time, a huge benefit when the airports are busy.

Pro Tip: If you’re flying a budget airline, such as Spirit or Frontier, make sure you are aware of the dimensions for carry-on bags and whether you’ll be charged extra to bring one on board.

9. Airport Restaurants May Not Be Open 

If you’re flying on a major holiday, don’t rely on airport restaurants and shops being open. No one plans on skipping a meal due to a delay but it happens. While a stash of granola bars and beef jerky might seem a poor substitute for turkey and pie, being hangry while you wait out flight delays will only make your situation feel worse.

Pro Tip: Grab a water bottle — make sure it’s empty when you go through security — and fill it at a bottle filling station inside the terminal.

Believe it or not, the holidays are upon us. Many of you are probably spending time with loved ones for the first time in 2 years. As a retired flight attendant with almost 25 years under my belt, I can confirm: The holidays can get a bit hectic when flying. This stressful time can move us from Cindy Lou Who to the Grinch quite quickly. I have discovered a few tricks that might make your holiday travel experience a little less stressful and a whole lot more cheerful!

1. Don’t Wrap Gifts

If you are going to carry any gifts onboard, you might want to hold off on wrapping them. This will save you any frustration at security if TSA needs to open them to see what’s inside your package. I would use this rule of thumb: if it’s larger than a shirt box, ship it. The more you ship with FedEx, the more you can save.

Remember you must still adhere to the carry-on rules. Another idea is to pack the unwrapped gifts and bring along wrapping paper or bags and tissue to wrap when you arrive. 

2. Arrive Early

Yes, you’ve heard it before, but the holidays are not the time to play beat-the-clock at the airport. In recent years, I’ve noticed the least stressed passengers have downloaded apps to help with things like online check-in, luggage tracking, and flight statuses. Also, weigh your bags before leaving home if possible. I typically double-check with the airlines to see what’s allowed so I don’t end up paying extra. 

Pro Tip: Most airline apps allow you to select your seat, so be sure to choose wisely. Southwest Airlines only has open seating but you can get bumped up to an earlier boarding by paying more. Sitting together may be important if you’re traveling with a small child or older folks who need more assistance.

3. Pack Smart

You don’t need to overpack, but you do need to pack smart when it comes to your clothes. Think about your activities and the length of your trip. Find things that can be worn multiple times, used indoors and outdoors, or see if there is a washer and dryer in your hotel or rental.

I enjoy clothing from KUHL. It can be used in any climate. It’s wash and wear, lightweight but stylish. My favorite item is the men’s Interceptr Zip. After holiday outings, don’t forget something to lounge around in. I enjoy my WUAI onesie hooded jumpsuit. Don’t knock it until you try it!

4. Carry-On Bag Essentials

Due to more people traveling during the holidays, plan for interruptions. You should pack extra snacks, entertainment, medication, cash on hand, battery chargers and cords for your electronics, and your empty S’well bottle. Once you have cleared TSA, you can fill your bottle up at one of the hydration stations.

I recently purchased a charger, myCharge, with cords already attached and now I don’t leave home without it. Make sure you pack all keys: car, home, and luggage, in your carry-on and not your checked bags. One of those little toothbrush sets you get at the dentist’s office will come in handy for keeping those teeth white and your breath fresh. Disposable wet wipes are also useful. Basically, just be prepared for anything out of the ordinary.

5. Checked Bag Tips

Again, if you packed any gifts inside, be sure to keep the receipts with you. I highly recommend that your bags are identifiable. They should be well tagged on the outside with your information: name, address, phone, plus some personal attachment. Use something that you will recognize immediately when the bags begin to show up on the carousel. Most airline apps now share your bag location with you within the app. This year, I will use the AirTag by Apple inside my checked bags.

It’s also a good idea to have identifiable labels inside the lining of your bags for extra security and identification. I just had these made at my local copy store on a little plastic plate that I glued to the frame.

I hope these tips will help you have a relaxing and stress-free visit with family and friends. My best piece of advice: Remember to always live in the moment and create lasting memories. It’s your chance to leave footprints for others to see your journey.

Get more travel and packing inspiration from:

• My 11 Favorite Women’s Wardrobe Basics For Thrifty Travelers
• My 15 Favorite Budget-Friendly Amazon Basics For Travelers
• 7 Things To Pack In Your Carry-On, Plus How To Pack Them
• 14 Things Our Expert Flight Attendant Always Has In His Carry-On

The folks at Expedia know a thing or two about saving money when booking air travel. Now, just in time to help as you make travel plans, they have shared some money-saving tips in a new report.

Expedia’s “2023 Air Travel Hacks Report,” created with Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), leverages insight from its global air ticketing database to offer suggestions about key information such as the best day of the week to book airfare as well as how far in advance tickets should be booked.

“As we head into the holidays and a brand-new year, many travelers have already expanded their travel plans and aspirations,” Expedia’s writers note. “But, if we’ve learned anything from 2022, traveling isn’t always so simple, as we encounter unpredictable flight prices, delays, and cancellations.”

Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, adds that using the new report along with the Price Tracking and Predictions feature on the Expedia app does more than save users money.

“It’s about the time savings and peace of mind that comes with knowing you have machine learning informing your booking decisions and a tool at your fingertips that does the work of price tracking for you,” Gieselman said in a statement.

So, let’s get right to it. Here are some ways travelers can save time and money when booking airfare.

The Best Time To Book Airfare

To save money, the best day to book airfare is Sunday, according to Expedia’s 2023 Air Travel Hacks Report. The research found that over the past four years, travelers who booked airfare on Sundays instead of Fridays saved, on average, about five percent on domestic flights and 15 percent on international flights.

The research also found that while people generally plan a trip to begin on Sunday or Monday, they can save money by not starting their trip at the beginning of the week. That’s because travelers who traveled on Wednesday rather than Sunday or Monday saved, on average, 15 percent on domestic flights. For international flights, travelers who departed on Wednesday saved around 10 percent by not leaving on Saturday or Sunday.

Next, travelers should plan to book tickets for domestic flights at least a month before, which typically saves around 10 percent over booking two or three weeks before departure. What’s more, the “sweet spot” for getting the best airfare price tends to be between 28 and 35 days before departure, the report continues.

Finally, if you like to make plans in advance, try to avoid the temptation to book airfare too far in advance.

The reason why is that although you may be able to book your preferred flight far in advance, Expedia’s research found that domestic airfare is most expensive between 3.5 and 6 months before departure.

How To Avoid Flight Disruptions

If you’d like to do as much as you can to mitigate the risk of flight disruptions, Expedia’s report offers two key suggestions.

First, avoid planning travel during peak travel periods.

“Data shows that avoiding the peak travel periods can have more benefits than just cost-savings,” the report explains. “Historically, flight delays were shorter during March and April compared to the busy summer months, dropping by about 40 minutes. As summer wound down, delays began to shorten again, making fall an appealing time for air travel.”

Travelers who want to minimize the chance of flight disruptions should also plan to travel early in the day.

“Based on year-to-date flight status data, flights that depart after 3 p.m. have the highest chance of being canceled,” the report continues. “Those flights have a 50 percent higher chance, on average, of being canceled than those that depart earlier in the day.”

The sauna that came with the Airbnb my husband Barry and I rented in chilly, rainy Bellingham, Washington. A view of both the cathedral and nature from the balcony of our Airbnb in Girona, Spain. The view of the ferries coming and going from the Airbnb we rented in Stromness, on Orkney Island, Scotland. A bottle of wine and cooked dinner generously provided by our Airbnb owner in Bandon, Ireland.

It doesn’t get any better! Like many people who travel frequently, Airbnbs have become a joyful part of Barry’s and my life. They offer more space to spread out than a hotel room, a kitchen to cook in, frequently an outdoor area, and good value for money.

We started renting apartments during the sabbatical we took in 1999, long before Airbnbs became popular. Believe me, Airbnb has made renting dramatically easier. In the year 2000, we found a rental in Tbilisi, Georgia, purely by accident. The grandmother of an employee of the city’s only English-language bookstore had recently died, leaving an empty furnished flat. The only problem was, it needed “cleaning.” It turned out that was a euphemism for a backed-up toilet. The employee’s uncle fixed it, and within a day, we had a downtown apartment for a month.

Thanks to organizations like Airbnb, you no longer have to wander around towns asking locals who speak English if they know of apartments for rent. Also, Airbnb owners now have to maintain a minimum level of standards, unlike the woman whose apartment we rented in Morocco, who turned off the utilities during the day to save money!

Despite Airbnb’s high standards, unpleasant things can still happen. After staying in rentals in 15 countries, including the U.S. and Canada, we’ve accumulated our share of wild successes and frustrating disappointments. Based on our (at times hard-earned!) insights and experiences, here are eight suggestions for maximizing the success of your next Airbnb stay.

1. Know Your Priorities

What matters to you most, and what can you live without? Make a list so you know what is non-negotiable. For example, Barry’s and my priorities include light, quiet, a kitchen, outdoor space (like a patio, balcony, or garden), Wi-Fi, and walkability. We like a view, but it’s not as important as the others. A TV? We never watch it.

2. Look Closely At The Photos To Make Sure They Match Your Priorities

We learned the importance of this the hard way! As our hostess showed us the second-story apartment we had rented in Innsbruck, Austria, I suddenly realized it lacked a kitchen. This was our mistake. There had never been a kitchen; I had just assumed it. Fortunately, our owner did provide a microwave, and I soon learned that microwave cookery is a whole sub-cuisine. We made do, but I sure missed a stove.

3. Make Sure You’re In The Airbnb You Booked!

I doubt this is common, but it has happened to us that we ended up in a different Airbnb than the one we rented. We arrived in Mexico City one evening and took a cab to the address, where the owner’s employee showed us around. Something seemed a bit “off,” but we were jet-lagged and spacy, so we didn’t think much of it. Later we checked the Airbnb site, and sure enough, we were not in the apartment we had rented, which had a balcony. Instead, we were in a dark, gloomy place on the ground floor, and we never book a ground floor flat if we can help it.

When I called the owner, she said, “Oh, but you’re in a better apartment than the one you rented. I was sure you’d be thrilled.” (Yeah, right!)

“Senora, we want the one we rented,” I said firmly. To our frustration, it was no longer available. We left the next morning.

4. If You Find A Problem, Complain Before The Deadline

In the first Airbnb we rented in the U.S., the Wi-Fi went off and on. The owners were traveling in Spain and had asked the neighbor to be their proxy. She agreed that the Wi-Fi was intermittent. When we emailed them with our complaint, they replied, “But it does work! We know it does because we checked before we left!”

They refused to give us a refund, and unfortunately, we waited too long to write to Airbnb. We had not read the fine print on the website. Currently, you have 60 days to submit a complaint.

A few years later, we booked an Airbnb in Rhodes, Greece, for two weeks. It was supposed to be in the center of town, but in fact, it was 3 miles south of the center. We told the owners we felt we had been misled, but they disagreed, saying that they wouldn’t be able to rent the apartment the second week with such late notice.

We sent Airbnb screenshots of maps of Rhodes showing that the apartment was nowhere near the town center, as advertised. Within a few hours, the second week’s rent was refunded.

You can cancel and get a refund if you reach an agreement with the owner by 2 p.m. the day you bring it up.

5. Don’t Assume All The Basics Will Be There

We’ve been surprised sometimes to find kitchens without such basic items as a can opener or a corkscrew, so we’ve learned to bring them with us. We also bring our favorite spices and teas and a Tupperware container for leftovers.

We’ve found, too, that different cultures provide different kitchen items. You’ll always find an electric kettle in the British Isles, and in Mexico, a blender.

6. Ask The Owner To Buy Things You Need

Occasionally an apartment will lack something that is really important. The owner of the Airbnb we rented in Verona, Italy, was working in China the hot July we spent in her apartment. We emailed her, asking if she’d pay for us to buy a fan, which she was happy to do.

7. Leave The Apartment Clean

When we left the apartment we’d rented in Merano, Italy, we suddenly realized we were short on time to catch the train, so we rushed to pack. In our haste, we didn’t have time to move the standing plant and lampshade back to their original places, and we left a towel on the bathroom floor. I didn’t think it was that big a deal, especially since some Airbnb owners charge a hefty cleaning fee.

But after we left, we read on the Airbnb review that the owner had written a scathing review of us, stating what a mess we had left the apartment in. We were mortified. The only saving grace was that she wrote it in German (we had to translate it to read it), and maybe for that reason, it has not caused us any damage to our reputation. But lesson learned: Leave enough time to clean up!

8. Give Feedback Tactfully

We distinguish between private and public feedback. In private, we share sensitive thoughts or opinions that affect us but might not bother others. For example, at an Airbnb in northern England, we suggested the owner place the microwave on a shelf above the counter, leaving more space below. But in an Airbnb in Bellingham, Washington, after discovering to our dismay that the windows didn’t open, we felt it was a serious omission on the part of the owners not to mention this detail, and important for future guests to know, so we put it in the public section.

9. Don’t Worry Too Much If You Get a Negative Review

The owner of the Airbnb in Merano was not the only person who criticized us. An owner in Porto, Portugal, wrote that we “asked too many questions,” because we wanted to know where the recycling went. (We finally got an answer from a neighbor!)

I doubt Airbnb owners read way back through the past reviews of guests, and I say this partly because Barry and I also rent our home in Guanajuato, Mexico, when we’re not there, and we don’t bother. We’re far more concerned about the prospect of a large, rowdy group of young adults than a single individual, couple, or family.

10. Reduce The Possibility that Neighbors Will Complain

Rental properties have become controversial in some cities because certain neighborhoods have become Airbnb “ghettos.” This is true where Barry and I live, both in Eureka and in Guanajuato (where we are part of the problem, since, as I wrote earlier, we rent out our home when we’re not there). 

According to Airbnb Tips, neighbors complain about three main areas: parties and excess noise; rude guests; and parking on a neighbor’s property.

So use common sense and do what you can to avoid complaints. Don’t play music too loudly, host late parties, or block driveways. If you’re going to be there for a long time, try introducing yourself to the neighbors.

11. Get To Know Your Hosts

At our initiative, we’ve gotten together with owners during our stay, and without exception, we’re always glad we did. Airbnb hosts are like readers of TravelAwaits — curious, enthusiastic, interesting, and interested in others. We’ve even occasionally discovered friends we had in common!

We usually invite the owners over to their own apartment, a funny twist on the situation (but, er, making sure we clean it up first)!

If you stay in enough Airbnbs, you’re bound to rent some that are superb and others that are less so. But if you follow these tips, you’ll maximize your positive experiences and, more often than not, enjoy a terrific base for experiencing another area of the country or the world.

Related Articles:

• 11 Reasons Boomers Should Consider Staying In An Airbnb
• The Ultimate List Of Oceanfront Homes You’ll Want To Escape To ASAP
• 7 Castles You Can Rent For Your Next Family Vacation
• Ultimate List Of Cabins To Rent In Winter

Planning a Mediterranean cruise packing list when you are traveling for an extended getaway can be daunting. My plus-one and I were cruising for 17 days in August across the sunkissed shores of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. It was hot, hot, hot! As a seasoned traveler, I have honed my packing skills fairly well. I had all my must-haves, but I overpacked just a smidge and tossed in a few things I really didn’t need.

What To Bring On A Mediterranean Cruise

We were cruising on Oceania Cruises’ Riviera Ship. The dress code on-board during the day was casual but evening wear was listed as “country club casual.” In reality, guests ratched the evening wear up several notches to “country club chic with a healthy dash of fashionista.” Additionally, tourists along the Mediterranean dress in casually fashionable outfits which adds to the packing conundrum. Conceivably, you could need three or four outfits each day — workout wear, pool wear, a touring ensemble, and fashionable attire for dinner. I packed 30 outfits in one checked bag. And, I wore almost all of them.

Pro Tip: There is laundry service and self-serve machines on-board many ships that offer extended cruises. It was extremely hot, so I needed to do laundry twice to freshen up some of our outfits.

There are items I pack for every trip regardless of whether it is a weekend getaway or a month-long journey.

On Sale Now!

1. Great Walking Shoes

Buy Now

On the top of the list, a great pair of walking shoes is crucial to keeping your feet happy. I like to have two pairs that I know will be comfy. White sneakers are a fashion must, I love LifeStride’s Accelerate Sneaker. They are washable, always look bright white, super light weight and don’t add too much to your suitcase, comfy and fashionable.

I also pack sandals that I can walk in all day and also wear for dinner. You want something sturdy, comfortable, and fashionable.

2. Small Backpack Or Fanny Pack

Buy Now $52

Fanny Packs are back from the ‘90s; their small size and ease of use are hard to beat. The gender-neutral carry-all keeps your wallet, phone, etc. safe and easily accessible.

Small leather backpacks were everywhere and made totting heavier necessities like cameras, water bottles, and purchases manageable.

Of course, you don’t want to wear both of them at the same time!

3. Packing Cubes

Buy Now $30.99

When packing cubes came out, I was skeptical. How can adding more fabric to your suitcase help you pack better. Now, I don’t even start packing until I have my cubes lined up.

When you roll up your clothes and zip (or cram) them into the cubes, you can easily increase your packing capacity. The cube keeps the rolled items nestled tightly together. Once you have your cubes packed, you can organize them in your luggage in the most efficient arrangement.

I have three sets of packing cubes. You can find them at any big box store. I need a set and a half to pack a large suitcase efficiently.

4. Money Belt

Buy Now $23.99

When you don’t want to fuss with a shoulder bag or backpack, a money belt is a great alternative. I use StashBandz Unisex Travel Money Belt.

The best place for your valuables is in your stateroom safe, however, when you need to carry your passport, credit cards, and cash, this belt offers peace of mind. It is slim fitting and sits under a loose shirt easily. Just remember to keep a card or some cash in your pocket so you don’t have to fish through the money belt just to enjoy a gelato.

5. Fedora Or Hat

Buy Now $21.99

A hat is a must and Fedora’s are the popular option along the Med. White, airy woven hats with a brim just wide enough to shade your nose are worn by men and women alike. You will find them in shops from Provence to the tip of Italy’s boot.

Pack a baseball cap if that’s your style or treat yourself to a fashionable fedora in your first port of call.

6. Slim Water Bottle

Buy Now $35

I am a dedicated Yeti fan, but their insulated water bottles are too heavy to carry on a long trip and too big for the economy seat back pocket on most airlines. For travel, I prefer an inexpensive insulated water bottle; If I lose it, I don’t want to feel bad. Fill it up at the ship’s water station every day and you will have cool sips while touring.

7. Pill Case

Buy Now $7.99

I don’t want to miss out on my daily vitamin intake, and let’s face it, most of us have a med or two we need to take daily. I like this 7-day case because it has three compartments for each day. I only need one compartment per day, so my 7-day case is actually a 21-day case. I fill each compartment with 1 day’s worth of vitamins — it’s perfect.

When I’m going away for a long weekend, I only need to slide 1 “day” sleeve into my case instead of a myriad of bottles.

Pro Tip: Pack your prescription medicine in your carry-on luggage. You definitely don’t want them to go missing.

8. Folding Carry-On Bag

Buy Now $22.99

On long-haul flights to my destination, I prefer to only bring one carry-on item. I can stash it in the overhead bid leaving room under the seat to stretch out my feet.

I do, however, pack an additional nylon duffle bag — carry-on size — in my checked luggage. On the return trip, I know there will be extra coming home and repacking never seems to be as successful as the initial effort.

9. Portable Charger

Buy Now $34.99

Even on airplane mode, traveling can take a chunk of juice from your phone and tablet. Long flights where the outlets don’t work, extended touring days, and filming tons of videos can leave your battery drained.

I always pack two Fuel Rod chargers in my carry-on. They are a must have on every adventure. Recharging them overnight has them ready to go when I’m packing for my day. Many airports have a drop station where you can exchange your uncharged rod for one that is fully charged. Although I have never used one, it is a nice benefit that many other portable chargers don’t offer.

10. Rain Jacket

Buy Now $49.99

A lightweight rain jacket that can roll up into a small pouch is always welcome when it’s needed. I typically pack a disposable rain poncho when the weather looks iffy. They take up so little space, they are inexpensive, and they keep you fairly dry. Look for one with a hood for extra protection.

11. Pashmina

Buy Now $139

In the evening, a decorative pashmina can dress up an outfit with a simple wrap around the shoulders. It is perfect for guarding against the dining room air conditioning chill. You will also be happy to have it when you stroll around the deck watching the sun go down as you set sail for your next port of call.

Things You Can Leave At Home

Packing For Cruise Ships

Small-ship cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel. Packing for an extended cruise can seem overwhelming, but if you plan carefully and pack strategically, you will have everything you need to sit back, relax, and watch the world float past your veranda.

For even more cruise packing tips, check out:

• How To Pack For A Shoulder Season Alaska Cruise
• Top 11 Items To Pack For Your Cruise’s Beach Excursion
• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

When we got married over 40 years ago, the internet didn’t exist, and smartphones were confined to the realm of science fiction. So when we traveled, we had to rely on paper maps and guidebooks specific to our destinations.

Over the intervening years, smartphones have become part of our reality, and have evolved into indispensable travel tools upon which we rely for trip planning, destination details, booking accommodations, and spur-of-the-moment changes in the itinerary based on changing circumstances.

Today, there are so many clever and useful smartphone apps that it’s impossible to cover all the ones we use — so we’ll share some of our favorite and most utilized apps. We work exclusively with Apple devices because of their instant accessibility for people who are blind and vision impaired. Many of the apps we mention here are available for Android devices, but we’re not familiar with apps for this platform.

1. Travel Smart

When we travel overseas, we need to know that if we require medical attention we have adequate health insurance. We purchase an annual plan from Allianz that covers both of us. Claims that we have had to submit have been handled efficiently.

2. AirMed

Fortunately, we’ve never needed medical evacuation, but we have a friend that used the service of AirMed when his wife fractured a hip in Costa Rica. AirMed handled everything involved in a transfer to a hospital in the U.S.

3. SmartTraveler

SmartTraveler from the U.S. State Department is an essential app we consult before overseas travel, and sometimes while on the move, since it provides critical information on visas, safety and security, local laws, and how to contact the closest embassy or consulate in an emergency.

Pro Tip: You can use this app to confirm you can legally carry your medication (even prescription medication) to the countries you are visiting.

4. Waze

Many rental cars today have onboard navigation systems. The problem is that each brand of vehicle is different and may be awkward to program, particularly if you have to use your non-dominant hand to type on the screen. When renting cars in Europe, the navigation system is set up in the native language, so we rely exclusively on a smartphone for navigation.

Our app of choice is Waze, which actually uses Google maps as its base, but is crowdsourced for changes in road conditions in real time. A downside is if you lose cell signal, you also lose mapping capability.

Pro Tip: When traveling outside the U.S., it’s best to change out your SIM card for a local one. Using your U.S. SIM card in another country could be costly.

5. Rome2Rio

With Rome2Rio, you enter a starting point and a destination, and the app provides recommendations on different forms of transport that connect the two locations. For example, we were in Sicily on the night we learned Italy was closing its borders due to COVID. We used Rome2Rio to look at outbound destinations around Europe and to identify the airlines serving each city and the range of prices to expect.

Pro Tip: Download apps for the airlines you might use on your trip. They definitely helped during our evacuation from Italy by enabling us to consult several budget airlines flying from Sicily.

6. FlixBus

Moving between countries In Europe, we frequently travel overland because it is often less expensive than flying and you get to see the changing countryside en route. One-way car rentals are not practical, so we’ve used FlixBus because of their extensive network and reliability.

7. Trainline

We use trains much less than buses, but when we have chosen this mode of transport we have used Trainline to find schedules and approximate pricing. A reservation can also be completed using this app, but we prefer to go to the station to confirm schedules, pricing, and the need to reserve seats.

Pro Tip: We add subway and/or local bus apps as we travel to new cities.

8. Booking.com

We make many of our lodging arrangements through Booking.com prior to departure, but sometimes plans are more fluid, or we need to make last-minute changes. An example is being unable to negotiate several flights of stairs with a broken ankle. 

Pro Tip: Sometimes we look for alternative arrangements using hotels.com, Airbnb, and Hotel Tonight.

9. NPS App

If you are a devotee of the National Park System in the U.S., they have a great app (NPS) where you can get information about many, if not all, national parks. We use this app to search for information by several different criteria including state and facilities available. Beyond providing basic information, there are self-guided tours for many sites.

10. Rick Steve’s Europe

This app has an extensive list of self-guided walking tours in cities and towns throughout Europe. We’ve used them in Florence and Venice and have really appreciated the detail provided.

11. Get Your Guide

The Get Your Guide app is a great source for finding guides that fit the type of walking or driving tour you are seeking. Each sets their own itinerary and the associated cost.

Pro Tip: Many cities are now developing their own walking or driving apps showcasing the highlights of their downtown or suburban areas. The VisitJax app for Jacksonville, Florida is just one example. Check with the local tourist office website to see whether your chosen city has an app.

12. XE

When traveling outside the U.S., it’s important to understand how much things cost, so having an app that will do currency conversion is essential. We use XE to help with this, but because of exchange rates and fees, the ultimate amount you pay may vary slightly from other currency conversion apps.

Pro Tip: Download apps for each of your credit cards and your bank to track charges and if necessary, pay bills online.

13. Global Tips

Tipping customs vary in different countries so. We use this app to ensure we fit in with local customs as much as possible.

14. NordVPN

We strongly advise against using any public Wi-Fi, especially when doing financial transactions. Using your phone’s data plan is far more secure. For an added level of security, we highly recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) app that anonymizes your connection and significantly reduces the risk of being hacked. There are free VPN apps, but we use NordVPN, a subscription that allows multiple devices for a single price.

15. Speak And Translate

When traveling, the ability to communicate is essential, but there are times when you won’t find someone who speaks any of the languages you know. When we were in China, the concept of using a translation app was introduced to us by a hotel clerk. You select your native tongue and the language of the other party then you ask your question verbally into the app and it provides immediate translation both verbally and in the local script.

Pro Tip: We also used Google Translate in China to crosscheck translations.

16. WhatsApp

To be able to communicate with friends and family while on international travel we use WhatsApp as an effective tool for video calls, voice calls, and texts using Wi-Fi and/or our data plan. The other party must also have the app on their smartphone.

Pro Tip: The time to test how it works is before you leave home.

When people think of Germany, they tend to think of mountains with castles clinging to them, cows grazing on high-altitude meadows, and lederhosen-clad men swigging beer. Yet, the north of the country, where I am from, has none of the above.

The two German cities of Hamburg and Munich might lie at opposite ends of the country, some 375 miles apart, and have very differing surroundings, languages, food, and attitudes, but both are beautiful cities full of history, art, and plenty of things to do and see. Both very much represent a slice of the country, with 16 very distinct states, that would not be Germany without the differences and similarities.

So, if you want to really get to know Germany, don’t just head to the iconic and somewhat stereotypical south, but have a look at the north, too.

Here are some ideas of what makes the cities so different, and why you should put both on your itinerary.

1. Size And Getting Around

After Berlin, Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city with around 1.8 million people. Munich is the third largest with roughly 1.5 million. There is not much of a difference in population, really. Both have a major river, the Isar in Munich and the Elbe in Hamburg, but where water is concerned, Hamburg wins every time. It has three rivers, two lakes, an enormous port, and countless canals, all crossed by more bridges than Venice, Amsterdam, and London combined. That said, in Munich, you can go surfing right in the center of the city.

Both cities are served by a superb network of public transportation, making it easy and cheap to get around, with no need for a car. In both cities, an all-day pass for use within the city center, valid for all modes of public transportation, costs at most 8.20 euros — roughly $8.30.

The airports differ in that Munich is Germany’s second largest and busiest airport, whereas Hamburg is a much smaller and quieter affair, with far fewer international long-distance flights. When you want to visit Hamburg, chances are you will have to travel through London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or indeed Munich, which would allow you to catch two birds with one stone, as they say.

2. Language And People

German is German, right? Not so. At my school, we had to speak high German, an accent-free, pure version of the language. The best style of high German is reportedly spoken in Hanover, just south of Hamburg. But step outside of school and Germans speak with often thick regional accents very distinctive to their states, or even cities. 

In Hamburg, there used to be Plattdeutsch, a local quasi-language that is now nearly forgotten. In Munich, they speak Bavarian. Watch TV in Hamburg when a Bavarian is interviewed, you often get subtitles on the screen to help the poor northerners to understand better. So, while the locals may well understand you, whether you will understand the response or not is another matter altogether. Your chances are infinitely better in Hamburg.

The people are another matter. We northerners are famously reserved and quiet, not as loud and welcoming as the Bavarians. When you are on public transportation in Hamburg, you will probably see that if there are single travelers on the train or bus, each one will sit in their own compartment or at least away from others. In Munich, the chances are much higher that people will sit next to each other and start a conversation. But don’t let that put you off, we Hamburgers are not arrogant, just a little shy and more introverted than those sociable Bavarians.

3. The Weather

The climate is officially the same in both cities; after all, 375 miles is not such a long distance. While the overall temperatures vary little between the cities, Hamburg has far fewer sunshine hours than Munich — 210 fewer hours in fact. In Hamburg, we talk about Schmuddelwetter, which is something like grubby, dirty weather that’s grey, damp, if not downright wet. It’s the weather where you’re a bit miserable and you end up probably wanting to change your clothes once you get home. 

In Munich, on the other hand, they have the Föhn, a local phenomenon bringing dry, warm air across the Alps. The Föhn brings a static-charged atmosphere that seems to cause headaches or dizziness to locals, but also brings very clear air and great views.

4. Things To Do

When it comes to touristy things to do, both cities are again quite different. Munich has world-class museums, including places such as the Pinakothek and the Deutsche Museum. Hamburg is all about the port area where a myriad of boats bustle along the famous Philharmonic sitting on top of the UNESCO-rated warehouse district and the old tunnel that takes you under the river. Where Munich has the beer-drinking attractions such as the annual Oktoberfest, Hamburg has become Germany’s top musical and theater city. 

There are plenty of parks, art galleries, and superb shopping and eating in Hamburg and Munich. Both cities also have examples of wonderful churches and architecture, each lending itself to a city break that lasts at least a long weekend. As for the winter season, both cities are superb during Christmas time, with markets all across each city, on every square, and done properly, the traditional German way.

5. Outside Of The City Limits

It is outside of the city limits that you notice the biggest differences between each city. Around Hamburg, the land is flat, so flat, indeed, that I had to learn about hill-starts during my driving lessons in a multi-story car park. In Munich, you have the Alps on the horizon. Hamburg has two seas within an hour’s drive, the North Sea to the northwest, and the Baltic Sea to the northeast. Both seas are dotted with superb islands that are worth a side trip, from Rügen in the Baltic to numerous North Sea islands not far at all from Hamburg.

Bavaria, the German state where Munich is located, has long been a favorite with travelers from around the world. There is much to see and do, magical castles to explore, and an entire huge mountain range to discover here.

6. Eating And Drinking

While there are many similarities in restaurants and dishes served across the two cities, there are also distinct differences. For example, we Germans are famous for our love of sausages, but a sausage in Hamburg is very different from a typical sausage you get in Munich, or even Nuremberg, for that matter. Germany has very distinct and typical food items and dishes and discovering the local specialties is what makes travel so interesting. Well, not only, but food always plays a big role in my travel experiences. In Hamburg, you absolutely need to start the day with a franzbrötchen, a cinnamon roll only available in Hamburg. Head to the harbor and enjoy a fischbrötchen, a fish filet roll, and then, try the local labskaus, admittedly, not an appealing-looking dish, but pure comfort food.

In Munich, on the other hand, the first thing to accompany some typical food, like a gigantic salty pretzel, is a stein of beer. A weisswurst sausage and leberkäse, a meatloaf, are a must. To round off the meat-heavy local delicacies, try your hand at a schweinshaxe, a pork knuckle that is, quite honestly, something of an acquired taste. It’s just like labskaus, but the locals love it. Guten Appetit!

7. Further Afield Day Trips

There are so many ways to extend a city break from either of these cities. Hamburg is roughly an hour’s drive away from the Danish border, with the capital Copenhagen closer than Munich, a mere 4.35 hours by train. The German capital of Berlin is even closer. One experience not to miss is the seal sanctuary on the North Sea Coast, where they nurse orphaned baby seals before releasing them back into the sea. It’s cuteness overload. Hamburg is also a great setting-off point for a trip across former East Germany with its amber-strewn Baltic coastline and cities such as Leipzig and Dresden.

In Munich, on the other hand, you have Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czechia, and Austria practically on the doorstep, making it a perfect starting point for an alpine road trip. These getaways are perfect for taking in some truly stunning sights along the way, maybe toward Italy. Bavaria itself is beautiful and the castles alone can keep you busy.

So, which city wins? Neither. Because they truly are so different, in such polar opposite settings, you just have to put both on your to-visit list. It’s a great excuse to look a little deeper at what Germany has to offer.

Pro Tip: To connect these two cities and traverse the length of Germany while you are at it, hop on a train that, in under 7 hours, takes you from the north of Germany to the south, with spectacular views along the way.

Related Reading:

• The Best Experiences In Each Of Germany’s 16 States
• Eating Local In Bavaria, Germany
• 9 Best Things To Do In Munich During Christmas

As much as you might love getting together with the different generations of your family, taking a trip and spending more than a couple of days together in close proximity does have its challenges. Multigenerational vacations are an amazing opportunity to bond and make shareable memories, but there can also be tensions if you don’t plan correctly and manage your expectations. 

To help you make the most of your multi-generational vacation, here are some key tips for making it stress-free.

1. Involve Everyone In The Planning

This is one of the trickiest parts of the whole trip. Someone has to take charge, make the bookings, and organize the trip, but you need everyone’s input to make sure everyone is happy about where you’re going, where you’re staying, and what you’ll be doing. 

I suggest setting up a group chat on social media or organizing regular meetups with everyone present. Make it clear that you need everyone to be a part of this. Trying to speak to everyone individually will get confusing, and if you’re the one doing the organizing, it can be stressful. Make sure everyone understands that you need their approval for anything in the itinerary. You don’t want to be the one being blamed if it turns out someone isn’t happy.

2. Don’t Overdo It

It’s easy to get carried away and plan a whole bunch of stuff to do, perhaps trying to give each person something they like. But this approach can lead to a trip that’s too packed, too messy, and ultimately, exhausting. 

Find a few things to do that everyone on the trip can enjoy. It’s better to keep it simple and focus on enjoying a laid-back vacation where you can all just enjoy being together. The memories you make will more likely come from the unexpected moments, the spontaneous jokes, and the simple joy of being together than from trying to see and do everything in your area. 

This is also where those meetings come in handy. If someone in your party strongly desires to do something or see something, they can bring it up here for the approval of everyone else.

3. Talk About Money

It can be a tricky subject, but you need to discuss the financial elements of any trip you take together. One of the main issues facing any group traveling together is how much each party can afford or wants to spend. 

You might all have different budgets, but you might also all place financial importance on different things. Luxury accommodation might be important to one person and not at all important to another. Talk about this, and make sure everyone can afford to pay their share and that everyone is happy with the costs of activities and eating out. No one should feel uncomfortable about costs or pressured into spending amounts they can’t afford or don’t want to spend. Equally, no one should be left carrying the can.

4. Choose The Right Accommodation

Think carefully about where you’ll be staying on your trip. Villas and cottages will be cheaper in the long run, as you all share the cost, but be realistic about spending all that time together in the same house. If you’re not certain you’ll all get along just fine, another option might be better for you. Cruises, for example, are perfect for intergenerational travel, as you are all in the same place but can enjoy your own privacy. You can meet up for dinner and for drinks, or you can do your own thing. 

Consider any mobility issues any member of your party might have. There are practical things to think about when booking accommodations, such as the number of stairs and whether there are ground-floor rooms. This also applies to any activities you plan — make sure everyone can either join in or doesn’t mind watching. And if young children or babies are part of the trip, consider their needs and the needs of their parents. 

5. It’s Everyone’s Vacation

It’s important to remember this is a vacation for all of you. If there are young children on the trip, there’s going to be some sharing of responsibility when it comes to caring for them. I took multigenerational trips when my own children were small, and having their grandparents there to help out and babysit sometimes gave me a breather. That said, it shouldn’t be assumed that anyone in your party will babysit. It certainly shouldn’t be something that’s taken advantage of.

It’s also important to remember that sometimes couples want some time alone and might want to go off for the day and do their own thing. No one should feel pressured to be somewhere or to do something. It’s everyone’s vacation.

6. Be Mindful Of Everyone’s Routines

While some of you might leap out of bed as soon as the sun rises, others will sleep in ‘til mid-morning. This can cause some friction if you don’t plan it out properly to make sure no one is being forced out of bed or kept up too late at night. Be considerate of other people’s routines and try to make sure everyone has the opportunity to follow their natural rhythms as much as possible. 

To avoid any frustrations or tensions over this, you could suggest other things for early risers or night owls to do while others are asleep. Maybe there’s a nice walk nearby for early risers, or perhaps there’s a cool bar for night owls. If anyone from your party is heading out before others are ready, make sure you’ve arranged a meeting place.

7. Think About Food Before You Travel

Food can end up being one of the most contentious aspects of any multigenerational trip, especially if you all eat different things or anyone has any special dietary requirements. If you’re staying in a villa or rented house, there may be some self-catering to deal with. This can mean making sure you have the right milk in the fridge and those cookies the kids like. 

Even if you are the one doing all the planning, you don’t have to take on this responsibility by yourself. If members of your family need their own bread or like a certain cereal, make it clear that it’s up to them to bring it. There’s also the question of eating out. There’s nothing worse than standing outside restaurants trying to come to a mutual decision about where to eat when everyone likes something different. Look at what’s on offer in the area before you travel, and make sure everyone knows what the options are. Coming to a decision before you go will make life much easier.

8. Communicate

There’s nothing more stressful on a trip than small squabbles that turn into big arguments. Make sure you are all communicating with each other and expressing your feelings. If someone needs some time alone, give it to them. If someone has an issue with something, be ready to hear it. And if someone needs assistance, make sure you are all being observant and are ready to help. 

If you’re the one who organized the trip, resist the urge to manage everyone and all situations. You might feel like you need to keep control, but you’ll have a less stressful vacation if you can let go and let everyone do their thing. Give everyone the freedom to relax, and you’ll relax too. After all, it is a vacation.

I didn’t realize how much I depend on electricity until a few months ago when I woke up without power. There was no Wi-Fi, so I couldn’t meditate using my Headspace app. Then I couldn’t do yoga, since I also use an app for that! Okay, this is no disaster—I can meditate and practice yoga unplugged. But then I realized I can’t boil the water for my coffee. And I couldn’t work, since my work-from-home laptop job kind of depends on, you know, the internet.

It gets worse: I couldn’t even brush my teeth since our well pump requires electricity. What kind of breakfast could I make without using the stove, microwave, or toaster oven? I didn’t dare make cereal. Opening the refrigerator to retrieve the milk might let out what cold was left, and I didn’t want to risk that. Thank goodness for granola bars! I ate one and went back to bed until the power came back on a few hours later.

Now, obviously, my power outage saga is trivial compared to many natural disasters. Nevertheless, it’s important to be prepared for any sort of power outage. Apparently, we have an old generator, but it’s not hooked up because (according to my husband) we don’t have a transfer switch to shut the power off and a receptacle to plug it into. Plus, it’s huge, hidden in our garage somewhere, and uses gas that we probably don’t have on hand. In summary: Not exactly convenient in an emergency scenario.

But you know what is convenient in an emergency? The Geneverse Solar Generator. Simply take it out, turn it on, plug in your devices, and you have power! Read on to find out more about this reliable, versatile, and portable emergency power supply.

Why Do You Need A Solar Generator?

From natural disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, hurricanes, or icy winter storms to blackouts and power grid problems, the Geneverse Solar Generator is a reliable power source when you need it most. This reliable, durable, and portable solar generator was actually born out of the devastating California wildfires that left thousands without power and even homeless in 2019.

A tech and energy entrepreneur found himself at home with a newborn and mom who really needed a fridge, regardless of the aftermath of the wildfires, which left them without power for 4 days. Inspired by this crisis, he named originally named the company Generark after Noah’s Ark. Now families like his can have peace of mind, a reliable source of home backup power, and security in any emergency situation.

How Does The Geneverse Solar Generator Get Its Power?

Forget about fuel, oil, and filters. The Geneverse Solar Generator gets its power from the sun, not gasoline. Portable solar panels convert sunshine into solar energy, which gets stored in the generator’s backup lithium battery power station.

Solar panels are great for recharging the system when there’s no electricity, but the battery can also be fully charged via AC outlet and can hold its power for at least a year. If solar or AC energy isn’t available, you can even charge Geneverse with your car!

Another leg up that solar-powered generators have over gas-powered: They are much cleaner and run much more quietly.

What To Look For When Buying A Solar Generator?

Fast Recharge

With 1000-Watts of ultra-fast charge time speed, it only takes the Geneverse a little over 2 hours to recharge the lithium-ion battery power bank completely with an AC wall outlet. Using solar panels, it takes the Geneverse 3-4 hours to fully charge.

100% Safe For Indoor Use

Gas generator exhaust contains high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), a silent, invisible, deadly gas that you can’t smell. But Geneverse Solar Generators won’t give you carbon monoxide poisoning — they don’t emit any gas or harmful substances at all!

Every Geneverse unit goes through 52 tests for reliability, energy efficiency, and safety. Feel confident knowing that your solar-powered generator’s energy efficiency and safety have been tested and certified by the U.S. Department of Energy, California Energy Commission, Federal Communications Commission, and the United Nations 38.3 Transport Safety Standard.

Provides Up To 7 Days Of Power

A single charge will power your essential devices for up to one week. This charger will run your home appliances, phones, tablets, and computers, medical devices, lights, and more. Geneverse’s latest model, the HomePower 2, provides 1800W-2200 wattage continuous high power output and features two USB ports (A), two USB-C ports, four AC outlets, and a car outlet.

Affordable Backup Power For Your Home

A whole-house backup battery power system can cost up to $100,000! Geneverse’s solar solution costs one-tenth of the price that Tesla and other industry suppliers charge for a battery system, solar panels, and installation. This is an incredibly affordable way to make sure your home has backup power, no matter where you live.

My dad recently moved to senior living apartments in Connecticut and was upset that they didn’t have a generator for the entire facility. Instead, when the power goes out due to inclement weather, residents gather in the common area where there is a power backup. Geneverse Solar Generator to the rescue! With the best portable battery-backed solution, Dad doesn’t have to congregate with all the other seniors while they wait for the power to come back on. He can take care of all his power needs from the comfort of his “center of the universe,” aka his easy chair.

Perfect For Modern Family Life

Geneverse has a portable solar generator for every home and every need so you can select the perfect one based on your household’s size. Plus, it’s a lot prettier than other portable generators on the market. Geneverse’s HomePower 2 Series design is visually elevated to fit perfectly with other premium accessories found in modern homes today. Standing about waist-level, this generator can stay on the ground, eliminating the need to bend over, pick it up, and place it on another surface.

Off-Grid Portable Power Station

Wheels on the bottom make the Geneverse HomePower 2 easy to move from place to place, so it’s perfect for a camper or camping trip. It’s also got a handy handle to make it easy to pick up. Inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, this portable solar generator is ready to go! Its portability and compact design also make it super easy to store and get out once needed.

5-Year Warranty

Not only does a fully charged Geneverse help overcome disasters and accidents, but it also comes with a warranty. Other solar generator companies may offer a two-year warranty, but Geneverse provides a 5-year warranty on its products.

Don’t wait for a natural disaster to leave you powerless, prepare your home in advance and order the Geneverse Solar Generator now!

My husband and I aren’t exactly big spenders, nor do we look like international jet setters. But, we’ve managed to pull off not one but two round-the-world trips on points and we’re on the cusp of booking a third. We truly think anyone can do it. All it takes is research and lists! Here’s how we made it happen — twice.

1. Card Hacking Isn’t Necessary

My husband and I each have a Visa Aeroplan gold card. In case you’re wondering why we chose it, the answer is simple: Our bank offered it to us! We don’t spend a lot to get points. In fact, being mindful of credit card debt, we try to do the exact opposite. Still, over time we did slowly accumulate points. We initially debated cashing them in for a short-haul flight. Eager to go as far as we could, we started researching different routes. That led my husband to FlyerTalk.

2. All The Research Is Already Out There

FlyerTalk is a forum where people who love travel, aviation, and rewards hang out. They’re the kind of folks who pass along cool tidbits like how our measly short-haul points could have taken us outside Canada — but we might want to hold off because we were in a good position to collect enough points for a DIY round-the-world trip.

We were enthralled by this knowledgeable community and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. We modeled our first trip in 2013 on routes others had successfully booked. When we got a bit more creative with our itinerary in 2018, this is where we went to double-check all our research.

I should point out that, while I’m not into credit card hacking, I did go on a points spree in 2013 when I learned how easy it was to string together a round-the-world trip. It was thanks to FlyerTalk that I easily accumulated bonus points for visiting a certain gas station multiple times in a month — because each “visit” was simply any time you put $3 of gas in your car! 

3. Fine Print Is Your Friend

When booking big trips, the fine print is your friend. That’s how we learned we could enjoy two layovers on the reward flights we were looking at. On our first trip, the main destination was Sydney, Australia, and we enjoyed layovers in Brussels and Bangkok. So long as they’re part of your flight path, adding layovers is allowed.

The fine print is also how we learned that you can take multiple stopovers of 24 hours or less. Some travelers might consider this a trip from hell, but for us, it was the foundation of our round-the-world trips.

4. Fees Are Your Foes

In our first round-the-world trip, we incorporated wonderful stopovers in New York City, Istanbul, Singapore, and San Francisco. That trip took us from our home in Ottawa to Newark (and into New York City), Brussels (we added our own side trips to Paris, Liege, and Bruges), Istanbul, Bangkok (with a side trip to Myanmar), Singapore, Sydney, San Francisco, and then back home, all in three weeks! 

We each paid $350 in taxes, surcharges, and fees. This is about as thrifty as it gets. We made avoiding extra costs a priority and my husband had a chart to track what airports had improvement fees and what airlines had fuel surcharges. That’s why, even though we collect Air Canada’s Aeroplan points, we did all of our flights on other airlines with Star Alliance. It was more frugal that way!

5. Think Outside The Box For Booking

Including Star Alliance flights in our planning was an absolute game-changer. It allowed us greater flexibility and even easier planning. When we started planning our second trip in 2018, we couldn’t find all the routes we were interested in via Air Canada. We knew they existed, but we couldn’t see them online. Without an official flight number, we couldn’t go too far in our planning. Then, we realized we could sign up for free memberships with all the other Star Alliance airlines and do research via their systems. Some had the information we needed. 

Yep, it really helps if you research!

In addition to being a pro-researcher, being organized helps tremendously. You’ll need to triple-check everything, from flight times and confirmation codes to visa requirements and vaccine rules. We did our best to embrace all the research, telling ourselves that it was all part of the travel fun. 

Pro Tip: If you and your spouse have different last names like we do, make sure your booking agent links your reservations. If something is changed for one person, it should be for the other.

6. Round-The-World Versus Seeing The World

Technically, we’ve never booked an actual round-the-world ticket. We’ve booked Australian reward flights and maxed out all our options for layovers and stopovers. In our particular circumstances, our final destination (Australia) was about equidistant from our starting point (Ottawa) and it didn’t matter if we flew east or west to get there or return home. That allowed us to circumnavigate the globe in 2013.

On our second trip, we didn’t go around the world, although we could have. Instead, we came back the way we went. We started in Ottawa and our first stop was in Newark. From there, we went to Milan, Victoria Falls (our first official layover, with side trips to Botswana and Zambia), Johannesburg, Singapore, Perth (our official destination), Bangkok, United Arab Emirates, Istanbul, Rome (our second official layover, with side trips to Tuscany, Siena, and Umbria), and finally to Zurich before heading home. We paid about $500 each in taxes and fees and did the trip in six weeks. 

Start earning points for your round-the-world trip today!

7. Sometimes, You Can’t Do It All 

When you start planning out your possible routes, you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with some spectacular layovers. At one time or another, the Cook Islands, Columbia, and Togo were all on my list! However, pragmatic considerations knocked them off. All were replaced by equally wonderful destinations. We flew to Milan to see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper and eat gelato. One morning in Johannesburg, we visited the Apartheid Museum and saw jacaranda trees in bloom. Zurich’s old town was an unexpected delight, full of elegant architecture.

Know that sometimes things just don’t work out. We missed adding Yangon to our second trip by a matter of minutes — quite literally, as the stopover was just longer than the allowed 24 hours. There are rules about how many flight segments you can take and how many total miles are allowed. Sometimes, you just can’t do them all. 

8. Prepare For Jet Lag, But You Might Not Get It

People often ask us about jet lag. It was no better or worse than any other trip. There are a lot of overnight flights involved, which are not comfortable in economy class. Plus, I can’t sleep on planes. However, we like to joke that if you fly enough, you can stay one step ahead of the jet lag. Between the adrenaline and all the walking we did, we slept soundly at each destination.

9. Love Light Luggage

We’re also asked about luggage. We wouldn’t dream of doing this kind of trip with checked bags. Ultra-tight schedules and multiple airlines are not your suitcase’s friends. So, yes, we did both trips with just one carry-on bag each. We explored while wearing our backpacks and we enjoyed bus tours. We scoped out museums and galleries with luggage storage. We even booked cheap airport hotel rooms for a day so we could securely leave our bags, go explore, and return for them (and a hot shower).

10. Embrace Every Moment

Sometimes the toughest question we get isn’t how we made a round-the-world trip happen on points, but rather the short amount of time we allocated for our trips. People question if such an intense trip can be enjoyable. After all, there is a lot of time spent in, around, and getting to airports. Can you really have a meaningful visit on a stopover of fewer than 24 hours? Is a trip to Australia worth it when you’re just there for a week? The answer is yes!

On a practical level, we’ve learned that if you have a stopover, focus on the one thing that is your priority and build everything around that. Book a hotel next to that dream art gallery or wine bar you can’t wait to see. Don’t spend your precious day crisscrossing the city to see the top ten sites, but instead explore everything you can around your one main priority. Embrace activities that do double or triple duty. Our cooking class at the Bangkok flower market combined an incredible meal of local cuisine with a chance to chat with local chefs, meet other travelers, tour the market itself, and grab some helpful transportation advice from the staff as we left. So, embrace the madness! After all, you can always return on your next round-the-world trip, right? What’s stopping you from planning another?

Read about the fine points and the inspiration behind our 2013 trip and our 2018 trip to start accumulating points for your travel dreams.

Your bags are packed and you’re ready to set sail. But are you ready for the days you get off the cruise ship? Chances are, you’ll explore a port or two, and those stops will include a beach. There are a few things you’ll want to include in your beach bag to make the day fun, convenient, and comfortable. 

To find out the important beach items to include in your luggage, we talked with Rashmi Hudson. Rashmi launched Alltimate Luggage after she retired to keep her mind active and to keep out of the kids’ hair! She had a successful 22-year career with a Fortune 200 company as a marketing executive where she did a lot of traveling! She’s had some practice in knowing the best things to pack to make the most out of her trips.

We talked with Rashmi about the top items to pack for a beach cruise excursion.

1. The Best Beach Bag

Shop Now

Let’s be honest, we usually overpack when we go on a trip, especially when that trip includes the beach. There’s a lot to think about! You need something to hold all of your gear, minus all that sand. Rashmi likes The Alltimate Luggage 3-in-1 Carry-On Travel set. It includes a day pack that has a double layer of water resistance because of its high-density nylon exterior. The sand just pops right off! It also has a tear-resistant Diamond ripstop technology lining. Plus, it comes with leather glides for comfort carrying whether you wear it on your shoulder or carry it in your hand.

Another helpful feature is the full-sized zippered pocket. This is great for keeping valuables like your passport, room key, and phone secure and dry from the wet bathing suit or towel you’ll throw in there.

2. Reusable Water Bottle

Shop Now

Staying hydrated is so important on a hot beach. It’s also key given you’ll want to enjoy a great island cocktail! Rashmi likes the Survivor Filter Collapsible Water Bottle because it gets lighter as the day goes by, and you won’t be throwing away more plastic. Keep in mind, many of the islands do not have recycling. This is great because you can fill it up on the boat and then fill it up again when you see water fountains. We love enjoying the beach, so let’s keep it as clean and pristine as we found it.

3. Toilet Paper. Yes. Toilet Paper.

Shop Now

While at first this seems like an odd thing to throw in your beach bag, you’ll thank us later. Keep in mind, many places right off the port will have restrooms, but they’re not tended to frequently. This means they’re likely not stocked properly. The further you go away from the port, the chances are even more slim you’ll have toilet paper. Grab a roll from your cabin, or pull some off and fold it flat to pack in your bag.

4. Hand Sanitizing Towels

Shop Now

Another easy thing to pack in your beach bag are hand sanitizing towels, or even diaper wipes. If there’s no toilet paper, you can assume there may not be soap, so this is an easy way to keep your hands clean. Plus, it’s nice to have them as you explore. And, you know you’re going to buy those fresh papayas, mangos, or coconuts. You’ll need something to wipe the juices running down your chin! Rashmi likes these wipes not just for the sanitation, but also because of the bulk packaging. It creates less plastic and a lower chance of littering.

5. Safety Pins

Shop Now

This is a good thing to throw in your suitcase for any trip. We don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions on vacation! Rashmi suggests this pack of safety pins. It’s affordable and you will have some for several trips in the future. Sharp safety pins make smaller holes without snagging your clothing. Toss two to six of them in your bag and rest assured you are good to go.

6. A Good Pair Of Shoes

Shop Now

Beach excursions call for a lot of walking. Whether it’s off the boat to the port, shopping around the port, or taking a tour, you’re likely going to be on your feet at some point. Get a comfortable pair of walking/swimming shoes. Rashmi says to find a pair that you can wear on the sand and in the water. That way, you’re not constantly on and off with your shoes. Some places like volcanic beaches in Hawaii are very rough. Maybe you want to do some shopping and then relax on the beach. Shoes that are comfortable and wearable in the water are a game changer on a beach excursion.

7. A Good Old Plastic Bag

Shop Now

Whether you’re lounging at the beach or tubing in Belize, keeping your items dry is so important. You’ll have things like your phone, keys, passport, and cash on you. A reusable, sealable, plastic bag will keep your items dry and safe while you’re off the ship. Again, Rashmi likes to reuse so we’re not creating waste, and this one is large and has a leak-proof, air-tight, seal design. She suggests blowing air into the bag to help it float. It’s also great if you’re keeping items separated between family members.

8. Sunscreen, Sunscreen, Sunscreen

Shop Now

We know it’s important to wear sunscreen anytime we leave the house, but remember when you’re on these beach vacations, you’re closer to the equator. Sunscreen needs to be high-caliber and you need to remember to reapply. You won’t want to spend the day in your cabin with a sunburn. Rashmi likes this sunscreen because it is SPF 50, water-resistant, lightweight, and oxybenzone-free. This brings up another important point: Be sure to check the rules about sunscreen. Some areas have bans on certain sunscreens to protect reefs.

9. Hats

Shop Now

While we’re on the topic of protecting the skin, don’t forget a hat — especially one that covers your ears. That’s typically where we forget to put sunscreen and, unfortunately, it’s a spot that can develop cancer. Rashmi loves this hat because it’s collapsible and comes in many colors so she can be spotted in a crowded place. Plus, it has a built-in UPF 50, a sweat-wicking headband, and a mesh vent panel that helps keep you cool in hot places.

10. Tech Gear

Shop Now

You’ll be taking more photos than you can imagine, so make sure you gear up! Bring a phone charger with you since you’ll be using it a lot. If you’re interested in taking some underwater photos when you’re snorkeling or swimming, get a camera that can accommodate. Most iPhones are good underwater these days, but you can also invest in a GoPro to get some really cool shots.

11. Snorkel And Mask

Shop Now

Many of these beach excursions take you to gorgeous places to snorkel. Why not take your own gear? This will also make you feel comfortable about the fit and, of course, germs. Rashmi is a surface snorkeler and she likes this snorkel set because it comes with a great video on fitting and use. If you’re new to snorkeling, breathing can be difficult. You’ll want to get some information to make the experience worthwhile.

Packing a few extra things to make the overall experience more comfortable will enhance your trip overall. Most of these items you’ll need for the cruise as well, so it’s just a matter of packing your beach bag and enjoying some sun and sand.

Here are some other tips to get ready for an upcoming cruise:

• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
• 6 Tips For Saving Money On Drinks During Your Disney Cruise
• 6 Physician Tips To Prepare For A Cruise To Antarctica

If you are a frequent traveler looking for optimal organization and less frustration, packing cubes are the way to go. Stop getting frazzled when that last pair of capris just won’t fit in your suitcase, and shed that overwhelmed feeling you get when your clothes are in disarray in the hotel room.

Packing cubes are the best way to ensure you are able to travel with all of your essentials without compromising. This list has five styles of packing cubes so you can find the set that suits you the best for your travels.

Best Overall Packing Cubes

ebags Classic Packing Cubes

Shop Now $49.99

Cube Dimensions

• Large: 17.5″ x 12.75″ x 3.25″
• Medium: 13.75″ x 9.75″ x 3″
• Small: 11″ x 6.75″ x 3″
• Slim: 14″ x 5″ x 2.5″, includes set of 3

For the overall best pick, here is the ebags packing cube set. With six cubes of various sizes, you won’t be running out of space in the middle of packing for your adventure. The set comes with one large, one medium, one small, and three slim cubes. The sizes optimize space in luggage so you know where everything is at all times. One of our team members traveled across Italy and France with this set, and they made all the difference.

The ebags cubes are made from Techlite poly fabric with mesh that provides ventilation for your clothing. The mesh also allows you to see what is in each of the cubes so you know which one to pull out when you need to. The material won’t catch on any clothing, and there are six colors to choose from.

Best Basic Packing Cubes

Baggallini Clear Travel Pouches

Shop Now $27

Cube Dimensions

• Small 8″ x 4″ x 1″
• Medium 9″ x 6″ x 1″
• Large: 11.5″ x 8″ x 2.25″

For those who dont need any flashy designs or fun colors, the Baggallini clear travel pouches are perfect. They are simple, come in a three-size set, and are completely clear. After packing, you will be able to see exactly what is in these pouches. For travelers who need to pack liquids, these pouches are easy to clean in case of leaks.

This set is also great for a traveler who wants to combine packing cube organization with traditional packing. If you haven’t decided if the packing cube life is right for you, this set is a great starting point.

Best Packing Cubes For The Serious Traveler

Tripped Compression Packing Cubes

Shop Now $49.95

Cube Dimensions

• Large: 14″ x 10″ x 3.5″
• Small: 10″ x 7″ x 3″
• Cinch Bag: 13.5″ x 18″
• Tube: 4.5″ x 3″ x 12.5″

The Tripped compression packing cube set is no joke. This set aims to eliminate any wasted space in your luggage with a compressing two-zipper system. If you plan on taking a long trip but can’t find a way to pack the extra week’s worth of clothing, these packing cubes were meant for you. You can get the most out of your limited space and not have to leave anything behind.

This set comes with a cinch bag that is perfect for storing dirty laundry or even beach towels separately from the rest of your clothes. With this set, you are able to completely organize your luggage, duffle, backpack, and more. For example, one of the large bags can hold more than a week’s worth of shirts. The only thing to keep in mind is that this set has no mesh or visibility as to what is in the cube, but that doesn’t hinder the organizing one bit.

One other reason this set is best for the seasoned traveler is the material. The ripstop polyurethane fabric stands up to nonstop travel. Not only are the cubes light and made to last, they are also water resistant and have reinforced zippers.

Best Splurge Packing Cubes

Calpak Packing Cubes

Shop Now $68

Cube Dimensions

• Envelope: 13” x 10” x 1.5”
• Small: 12” x 8.8” x 3”
• Medium: 15” x 11” x 3”
• Large: 17” x 12” x 3”

Once you start using packing cubes, there’s no going back. If you’ve used them for some time, then it might be the perfect time to upgrade. This Calpak cube set is perfect for those who want to add a bit of pizzaz to their packing. With five special colors/designs and nine classics, one is sure to catch your eye. These cubes are pretty enough to be used in your drawers to continue your organization from your travels to your home. Be ready to go at a moment’s notice with your socks, shorts, and tops already sorted using these cubes.

While the small, medium, and large cubes are a mesh fabric and include a water-resistant envelope-style pouch. This set is just right for the traveler who wants to journey in style and puts a premium on efficiency and optimizing space.

Best Bargain Packing Cubes

Shacke Pak Packing Cubes

Shop Now $21.99

Cube Dimensions

• Extra Large: 17.5″ x 12.75″ x 4″
• Large: 13.75″ x 12.75″ x 4″
• Medium: 13.75″ x 9.75″ x 4″
• Small: 11″ x 6.75″ x 4″
• Laundry Bag: 20.5’’ x 15.75’’

Some of us are Goldilocks and need a middle ground. The Shacke Pak cube set is a great medium when it comes to getting what you want and what you need. The variety of cube sizes offers flexibility when it comes to how much or how little you have to pack. This set also includes a laundry bag and has breathable mesh fabric. You’ll be able to see your belongings and keep anything that needs to be washed separate.

These cubes aren’t compression cubes; however, they have reinforced stitching that ensures you’ll be able to get every item in. The set is designed with a 14-day trip in mind.

The material is also easy to clean, and the zippers are snag-free for any floating items in your luggage. This set is made for a traveler who needs a flexible option that won’t break the bank but still offers the same results as some of the other sets.

Get To Cube Packing

If you haven’t used packing cubes before, now is the time. Stop letting disorganization stress you out on your adventures. Pack everything you need and more on your journeys. Don’t go anywhere until you know all your things will be packed neat and safe.

For more packing tips, check out:

• 6 Key Packing Tips From A Professional Baggage Handler
• 8 Ways To Pack Your Luggage Perfectly Every Time
• Best Carry-On Luggage: Top-Rated Pieces Of 2022

Technically, it wasn’t really my fault. 

Everyone knows that going through security at the airport can be hectic, especially an airport as large as Tampa International. So when I was making my way through the line shoeless, beltless, trying to negotiate all of the items I had to put in the bin back into my pockets, and grabbing my carry-on, it didn’t occur to me that I’d placed my laptop and iPad in a bin of their own. It had been, after all, several (well, maybe 2 or 3) minutes since I left those things to get in the body scan line. Who can remember that far back? Plus, it was a tad chaotic. It was truly, as Jerry Seinfeld has said, a madhouse. 

Now heading towards my family, I had already refilled my pockets with all the things I deem necessary to keep on my person at all times — insert your own clever Bobby Brady visual here — and proudly announced to the entire family and anyone else listening that gravity was taking over as I struggled to reach the bench before getting my belt back on. Proud of the embarrassment this brought to everyone, I made it just in time. Belt on — check. Shoes on — check. Zip up the carry-on that I opened to remove my laptop and iPad at security… ut-oh.

Panic.

I glanced around, checked the bench, turned around looking to see if I saw them anywhere, and finally resigned myself to this fact — I didn’t retrieve them from the bin at security. Being only about 10 feet from the end of that line, I left my things with my family and rushed back to the conveyor to see if I could find them. Nothing. At this point, I started the obligatory, “Sir, sir,” to the TSA agent who was pulling empty bins from the end of the line to ready them to go back to the front of the line. 

He came over, I explained my situation, and he did a quick glance-around before going to ask the other agents working that line. Nobody had seen anything, and my things weren’t still working their way through the scanner, destroying my one-half of one-percent hope that for some reason they never made it all the way through security at all — that I hadn’t left them as much as they just never came out. No dice.

His instruction to me was to go tell “one of them” — a group of agents on a raised platform overseeing the entire area, watching cameras, doing all the things you’d expect security folks to be doing as they overlook the security at an airport. Upon doing so, it took a minute to get anyone’s attention. This podium was raised several feet, making it a neck-straining conversation, to be sure. I explained what happened, and the gentleman lucky enough to hear my story was disgusted, to say the least. I guess I cannot blame him, but come on, I need a break here. I’m not exactly thrilled with the situation at this point either. 

All this said, here are some of the things I learned the day I left my laptop and iPad behind at security.

1. Slow Down

I suppose an argument could be made that had I just slowed down a bit, none of this would have happened. 

To be fair, the chance of gravity creating chaos with my shorts via my Bobby Brady–filled pockets was a real risk at this point. Never mind that I was carrying my shoes along with that belt and my computer bag/carry-on. I also got the (surely false) impression that nobody in the family was all that interested in waiting on me as they headed toward the gate, but that’s another subject entirely. At the end of the day, we were a good hour from boarding time and I had the time to catch up to them (at the gate that was less than 50 feet away). A little more turtle and a little less hare would have benefitted me a great deal, and I likely would not have left behind two somewhat expensive items to begin with.

2. Have Each Other’s Backs

In this section, I blame everyone else for what happened. Had they just waited for me I wouldn’t have been in such a rush! Why was it up to me to make sure I had all of my things? 

All joking aside, though, this is something I will do in the future — keep an eye on my traveling party and their things. Even if they’ve never done what I did, it can happen. And if it does happen, you’ll want to make sure you know what they may have left behind. To that point…

3. Have A List of Everything In Your Carry-On

I was actually pretty lucky in that I only had to remove two things from my computer bag. Cords, chargers, wall boxes, et cetera — that all stayed in the bag. But on the off chance you ever have to empty a bag and your things end up in multiple bins, you’ll be glad you took the time to write down everything in your bag so you know what you’re looking for. The new 3D TSA scanners that let you keep more in your bag are helpful, for sure, but for now you might still have to empty your bag. Know what’s in there if you do.

4. Notice Who Is In Line Near You

This turned out to be very important. While the TSA can review security footage, if you notice who is in line both ahead of and behind you, your own eyes can be helpful, even if the security cameras are able to spot the same people. Because my wife, Tera, had a keen eye and was aware of her surroundings, we were able to help move this process along, whether the TSA wanted our help or not. More on that soon.

5. Follow The Directions Given By TSA, And Offer To Help

Once you’ve gone to all the trouble to create this self-inflicted chaos, you are now officially at the mercy of the TSA. As noted earlier, the particular gentleman who was tasked with helping me seemed rather annoyed at the entire thing. Me too, buddy, me too. His first step was to come down from the TSA perch and start going through the bins at the end of the conveyor belt. It turns out that “most of the time,” flat items like I had left behind aren’t noticed and those bins are simply picked up and put back into circulation. Given the time frame I gave him of “a few minutes ago,” he wanted to check those bins first. All of them. Every single one. At this point, my wife has come back to see what was going on. I told her, so she asked him if this was really likely — that everyone in charge of the bins would not notice them. 

This line of questioning seemed reasonable to me, but I’d already asked this, so… not so much to our friendly TSA agent. He again noted that “most of the time” this is where things are. Tic, tic, tic goes the clock. We offered to help go through the bins (the aforementioned help offer), but he gave that a big no. In the end, the iPad and computer weren’t there, so now we go review the security cameras. Back on his perch, our agent asked me again about what time I left them behind and began to review the footage until he finally found my sagging shorts–wearing self go through. The next thing he said was the big break in the case: He told us who had picked up my items. It turns out it was the people right behind us, who my wife had already described to him in great detail as they were a recognizable group (not famous, just had certain characteristics that made them stand out in a completely generic but noticeable way). 

This subheader says to follow the directions of the TSA, and after all of that backstory, I can now disclose his directions: He told me to wait here. Do nothing, he said. Again, an offer to help was extended. My wife said that she would be able to recognize this group if she saw them — and as she walked away I mentioned to her what he had just mentioned to me: wait here. Do not, he explained, approach them. Do not, he added, do anything. His agents, he sternly advised, would take care of this. Tic, tic, tic goes the clock.

I turned to my wife only to find her and another member of the family had already left. Huh, that’s odd. So I texted her the following: “He said do not go looking for them and do not approach them. Making sure you heard him say that.”

No response.

Several minutes later, I received the following reply to that text: “We found them! We have your stuff! Heading back.”

Ut-oh. Good, but also ut-oh. Being the fine, upstanding, rule-following citizen that I am, I was still standing at the TSA counter and doing a great job, several feet below my guy, who continued to look at cameras. Given that I was fairly sure he was still working on my case, I thought it best to tell him that the Scooby-Gang had solved this mystery, but I couldn’t help but wonder how that was going to go given the previous instructions that included the very clear “don’t do anything” advice.

Right as I was telling him that this particular fun part of his day was coming to an end, here they were with my things — along with a TSA agent who was with them. It’s good they showed up, too, because when I started the story with, “Sir, my wife just texted and she found the items and she has them,” he seemed to think they had ignored his instructions. As he glared my way, I kind of shrugged, and just in time his agent went up and started telling him something — so at this point, we’re done. My wife filled out a customer satisfaction card, and that was that, but I’ll admit to this day that I’m not actually sure how that all went down. 

In the end, I had everything I had lost. And for the record, the items were picked up by accident — no trouble at all retrieving them — as one person in that party was simply helping someone else and thought that bin was their bin. I believe this. Pretty much.

6. Next Step: Find Out What Happens If Your Items Aren’t Found Before You Board Your Flight

Right before Tera, TSA, and the rest of the Scooby-Gang got back, I asked one of the agents if they had a process in place for what to do if my items didn’t make it back. As he started to explain to me what came next, they arrived. 

So do I know what this process is? No, I do not. But it did appear to me he was about to tell me what it was, and it may be different at any given airport. Even so, I would encourage you to ask as soon as you can what you can do, what happens next, and the entire process. Luckily, my things made it back and I never had to find out. It was close, though, because had my flight or the flight of those who had my things taken off, we definitely would have needed a plan B.

But seriously, I don’t see how this was my fault.

I’m a water baby, through and through. I was born in Juneau, Alaska, and have relished digging my toes in the sand on beaches all around the world. When it comes down to it, I really just want to reach the beach, and this summer, that necessitated renting a car.

This year, my family determined to vacation in Asbury Park, New Jersey, my sister’s favorite beach town on the Atlantic Seaboard. The problem? She’s a city dweller with a tiny hatchback, and our family of three (including a 1-year-old who needs all the things) was flying from Saint Louis to Philly to meet her before driving out to the shore.

I tried this way and that to figure how we could make the trip happen without renting a car, but road tripping was not a viable option, and neither was public transportation. Eventually, we booked a small sedan with a traditional rental car company. While I wasn’t feeling excited about the vehicle or the cost of the rental, the beach was calling, and we needed a rental car to get us there.

Enter Kyte — An Innovative, App-Based Rental Car Experience

A few weeks before our trip, I got an email about Kyte, “The best way to get a car” with legit rental cars delivered to your door. As a travel editor, I get emails about a lot of products and experiences, and I was skeptical.

I wasn’t interested in driving someone else’s vehicle a la carshare company Turo, but I was impressed by Kyte’s rental offerings in Philadelphia, where we could book an SUV for a day longer and over $100 less than we were planning to spend on a compact with the other rental company.

Also, Kyte would deliver the vehicle to my sister’s apartment in Center City. She could use it to pick us (and all our luggage) up from the airport, no shuttle rides or waiting around for a rental car required. She could even install baby’s backup car seat, already at her place from a previous visit, before we arrived.

I felt my stress about the rental car (and how we were going to get everything in it) melting away. I decided to take a chance on Kyte.

Pro Tip: It’s worth pricing out a Kyte rental even if you’re already booked with another company. I was able to cancel my traditional rental reservation less than one week before its start date with just two clicks and no penalties or other fees.

How Does A Kyte Rental Work?

I was sure to read the fine print as my sister and I navigated the Kyte rental. For example, you need to decide what kind of insurance coverage your rental will require depending on whether the drivers are personally insured or not (we are, so we didn’t have to pay those additional fees). Likewise, do you need unlimited miles? All Kyte trips come with 300 miles per day, but if you’re going to put more than that on the vehicle, you need to upgrade. The drive from Philly to Asbury Park is only 80 miles, and we didn’t plan on any additional driving, so we didn’t.

Kyte’s website makes it clear that the booking needs to be in the name of the person who’ll be receiving the vehicle and the keys. Since baby, my husband, and I would be in flight when we wanted to have the car delivered, it needed to be in my sister’s name. Easy breezy. We FaceTimed as she followed all the necessary steps to establish herself as the primary on the rental, entered my credit card info (I’d agreed to pay for the rental, and this didn’t present any problems), and picked a 30-minute delivery window.

As soon as we booked, we had the option to add drivers via a link that collected the necessary information and took a photo of my driver’s license followed by (hilariously unflattering) “selfies” that were used for ID verification. A few minutes later, I got a text that I’d been approved.

Pro Tip: You’ll have no control over Kyte’s ID verification selfie cam. Prepare to be amused and/or horrified by the pictures it takes in quick succession to compare against your driver’s license.

As promised, on the day our rental started, my sister got a text notifying her when the Kyte “Surfer” (delivery and pick-up driver) was on the way and again when he’d arrived. She popped outside of her building, he verified her ID, they snapped a happy photo, and the keys and a beautiful, perfectly clean, fully-equipped, like-new GMC SUV were all hers. She took her time installing baby’s car seat and picked us up from the airport a few hours later. No shuttles, no standing around, no paperwork required.

Pro Tip: Unlike some other rental car companies, Kyte does not offer car seats, but you can install your own. If you’re considering a Kyte rental, you’ll want to travel with one or consider having one shipped to a travel companion or initial destination ahead of time. This was a godsend for us that alleviated a lot of stress.

Since I was approved as an additional driver, I had the pleasure of cruising out to the shore after picking up a Target curbside order. Baby fell asleep in her familiar car seat and my sister, my husband, and I found ourselves chatting and listening to music comfortably even as the SUV we didn’t think we could afford was packed to the gills with luggage, coolers, groceries, a beach tent, and even the portable high chair that wound up keeping us sane during beach house meal times.

Parking Our Kyte Rental Car

When we got to Asbury Park, we lucked out with a free parking spot right in front of our vacation rental. We unloaded our Kyte and forgot about it as we soaked up the sun, played in the waves, went to beach yoga, and strolled the boardwalk. The perfect car rental, am I right?

Note that my sister did pay for parking in a private lot while she had the car in Center City, Philadelphia.

No Need To Refuel — Let Your ‘Surfer’ Do It For You

When it was time to go home, we packed the vehicle and drove from the shore to the airport. My sister dropped us off and drove herself home. A few hours later, during the window she’d scheduled, a Surfer texted to say he was outside my sister’s building to pick up the vehicle, and she handed over the keys.

Given Kyte’s local market rate refueling option, we decided not to stop for gas as we still had over half a tank. Passively agreeing to let our Surfer refuel for us (which involved our card on file being charged market rate, but no penalty, additional fee, or service charge whatsoever) made our trip that much more relaxed.

‘Nobody Ever Says Nice Things About Rental Car Companies’ (Until Now)

When I got back to work, I found myself gushing about our Kyte rental experience. “Nobody ever says nice things about rental car companies!” my boss chuckled.

The Kyte rental really did make our beach vacation, so I can’t help but think it might be the end of the stressing-about-renting-a-car era — and encourage you to try a Kyte rental, too.

Who Is Kyte Good For?

Obviously, if you’re comfortable road tripping in your own vehicle or will be traveling with someone whose car can accommodate everyone comfortably, renting a car isn’t an issue. But if you’re planning a trip during which you’re going to need a vehicle and want a deal, and a more streamlined, innovative rental experience, Kyte is for you.

It’s also a great option for folks who want to get away from home without putting miles on their own vehicles (or who need something larger or more reliable) and those who can ride share during part of their vacation but then want to hit the road (say you’re beginning your vacation in San Fransisco, then want to head to Napa Valley).

Kyte currently operates in the following cities:

• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• Boston
• Washington D.C.
• New York City
• Jersey City
• Brooklyn
• Chicago
• Miami
• Seattle
• Portland
• Philadelphia

Note that you can enjoy a Kyte rental even if you’re flying in and need a rental immediately, but you might have to take a Kyte-covered ride share off airport property before being handed the keys.