Five Destinations to Avoid in 2018

Are you planning a bucket list adventure for 2018? There are so many places to see and experience and some are destinations we wait an entire lifetime to visit. But, some places might be better visited in a year other than 2018. Here are five destinations that I do not recommend for 2018 travel. The reasons range from ethical to photographic.

1. Balancing the desire to help oppressed populations with tourism dollars vs the support of questionable regimes with those dollars can be a dilemma for any well-intentioned traveler. Myanmar (Burma) is mysterious, rich in history and has had an uptick in tourism since the country reopened its borders in 2010. While travel is a great bridge between cultures, the current human rights violations go beyond political or cultural injustice. The atrocities committed against the Rohingya by the Myanmar Army is being compared to the genocide of Rwanda.

2. Normally, I don’t dissuade clients from traveling because of potential crime in other countries. Media outlets love to sensationalize criminality in other countries and frequently blow things out of proportion. Of course, judiciousness is important, and you should consider all factors when deciding on a destination. But, would you not visit Chicago because of their murder rate? Of course not. Unfortunately, Honduras is experiencing a crime wave to which local law enforcement is a faction. Not only are they of no assistance, but often are the perpetrators. For the time being, I am recommending that you consider voting with your wallet and withhold your travel dollars until the situation improves. One of my favorite dive sites, I hope it will be soon.

3. Once again, the US government has made traveling to Cuba an exercise in red tape. It’s not that you can’t do it, it’s just they make it so confusing and add so many extra hurdles. I wrote an article a few weeks ago about how the changes might affect you. But, in addition to the hassle factor, the questionable assault against US diplomats is still unsolved and concerning. Until we know more about who, what, when, where, and why, you might want to wait a bit to take a spin in a vintage convertible in this Caribbean hotspot.

4. The Taj Mahal makes the list because it is getting a face lift in 2018. Literally! A mudpack is being applied to remove the yellowing stains and restore the white marble. So, unless you want your once-in-a-lifetime photos of the monument to include scaffolding, mud, and tarpaulins, you might want to wait a year or so before visiting this iconic site.

5. Beautiful, dangerous, a natural wonder. Once pristine, Mt. Everest is now littered with trash and dead bodies. While you may be brave (or foolish) enough and rich enough ($50,000+) to embark on an Everest Climb, consider the damage to the environment. Even if you make it back, your garbage won’t. If it isn’t safe enough to retrieve corpses (over 200), who do you think is going to pick up your trash? Your mother? Consider an Everest Base Camp Trek as an alternative. Not only is it more achievable, it is kinder to the environment.

There you have it. My “naughty list” for 2018. Are any of them on your list for this year? If so, I’d love to help you manage the challenges or find an alternative that will exceed your expectations.

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Why Group Travel Is the Best!

Some people have a misconception that group travel means getting on a bus and being herded from one stop to another. Technically, that is a group. In reality, it’s a bunch of individuals who happen to be on the same tour.

My definition of group travel is traveling with people we already have a connection with; friends, family, club members, alumni - you get the idea. Whether you go on a cruise, hang out at a resort, or take a customized trip – the bottom line is enjoying the experience with your favorite peeps.

Let’s be clear. There are occasions when non-group travel is the perfect choice – A reflective solo journey, a romantic getaway, or perhaps a visit to your ancestral home.

But, in most cases, group travel, in my opinion, is the best way to travel. Traveling with like-minded individuals is just plain fun. You share your experiences with your friends or family instead of telling them about it when you get home. I love traveling with a group. Ask my family – I’m always trying to get them to meet on a cruise or visit a destination together. And, I enjoy traveling with others so much, it’s my specialty.

Family travel. Most of us have fond (okay, maybe some not-so-fond) memories of traveling with our immediate families. The family vacation is always highly anticipated and fantastic fun. Now, multiply that by 2 or 3 or more families. Not just the immediate family, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. For the kids, there is immediate companionship. The adults can reconnect and enjoy some adult time with each other. And the whole family will have memories to share for a lifetime.

Friends. Unlike relatives, you get to pick your friends! So, who better to travel with? Whether it is a few couples who share a passion for wine, or a Santa Claus convention. And, yes, I was once on a Caribbean cruise with about 100 Santa and Mrs. Claus’s. Gave a new definition for “Christmas In July”. Seeing Santas in the tropics wearing holiday-themed shorts and tees was very surreal.

Solos. Find a travel group for solos. There are plenty out there. Of course, I’d love for you to travel with me, but maybe the destinations I pick aren’t your cup of tea. Someone out there has what you’re looking for. Not only do you not have to try and talk someone into going with you, you have anywhere from 6 – 20 new instant best friends to travel with. Bonus: all your vacay pictures won’t be selfies!

Value. Depending on where you are headed, there are definite savings in traveling as a group. Most hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators will offer a discount if enough people are traveling together.

Perks. Besides offering discounts, many suppliers will offer some extra amenities to groups such as wine, private entrances and showings, dedicated concierge, etc.

Is group travel harder to plan and execute? Yes. But, you have me to take care of all the details!

Seriously, whether you do it yourself or let me help, group travel is more fun, more memorable, and more value.

Have you experienced travel with a group? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Six Tips to Sleep on a Plane

Slumbering for several hours on an overnight flight is the ultimate way to travel. The flight passes quickly and you’re fresh and ready to roll upon arrival. Better focus for navigating a strange airport and getting through immigration, not to mention starting a vacation feeling like a human being.

As airlines continue to reduce the width of seats and distance between rows (pitch) in coach, it has become more difficult to truly sleep on long haul flights. Even if you’re fortunate enough to be in business or first class, the noise, lighting, temperature, and time zone changes can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle.

A good night’s sleep and air travel may be a wishful dream for many (pun intended), but even a few snatches of sleep on an overnight flight can make a huge impact. Here are seven, non-medicinal tips for catching a few zzz’s to start your vacation reasonably refreshed.

1. Wear pajamas. OK – not literally. But clothing should be loose and comfortable, not tight or binding. And dress in layers to accommodate fluctuation in temperatures.
2. Remember your tootsies. You’ll probably want to remove your shoes for the overnight, so bring an extra pair of socks or slippers in case your feet get cold. And clear as much foot space as you can. Remove items you’ll need from your under-seat bag so you can stow it above, temporarily, to make more room to stretch your feet out.
3. Bring your own blanket. Even if the airline provides you with one (and for overnight flights, they frequently will), they’re small. An extra blanket can give you more coverage if the cabin is cool, wedged between the window and seat as an extra pillow, or propped as a makeshift barricade from your neighbor.
4. Replicate your routine. Remove your glasses or contacts, read, rub on hand lotion, drink a little water – whatever you do at home as part of your bedtime ritual, try and repeat to let your body know it’s sleep time.
5. Eye mask. First, it’s never completely dark in the cabin. And second, this is a life saver if your seat mate wants to stay up all night watching movies or reading.
6. Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones. If you use headphones use silence or white noise. Even soft music can distract. Personally, I use earplugs because I inevitably turn my head to a position that causes the headphones to dig in.

Have a great flight. Goodnight!

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How I Survived 7 Days Without My Luggage

Last week, I left you while sailing past the Statue of Liberty and wondering if my checked bag was aboard the ship. Here’s Part 2.

The last communication from the airline was that the bag was en route to the ship and would make it before sailing.

Even though the purser’s desk hadn’t located it on board, I did still hold out hope, because 1) I know from experience that it can take a long time to get all that luggage delivered to staterooms 2) it wasn’t going through the usual checked baggage process, so might be kept in the hold until after sailing, and 3) the ship was late departing due to a customs issue so that meant more likelihood of the airline getting it to the ship before sailing.

I’m such an optimist!

Late evening, the crew confirmed that the bag wasn’t on board.

The ship’s staff were extremely helpful – especially considering it was not the cruiseline’s fault. One member of the purser’s staff, Reyna, was assigned to liaison with the airline and keep me informed. She offered an amenities kit (which I appreciated, but didn’t need) and free laundry/dry-cleaning until I was reunited with my clothes (this was a life-saver!).

I won’t go into a day-by-day, blow by blow of trying to connect me with my bag while we went island hopping. That’s a story unto itself. Let’s just say that Reyna and I became very close over the next few days! It finally showed up on the 6th day of an 8-day cruise!

Here’s how I survived. Some was good planning, some was just dumb luck:

1. My carry-on bag held two changes of clothes. I usually recommend one, but in this case, I had packed the outfit I planned to wear for the wedding plus some causal clothes for meeting up with friends my first evening in New York.
2. Therefore, I had three changes of clothes – jeans and shirt I wore on the plane, dressy wedding outfit, casual skirt and blouse.
3. All my underwear was in my carryon. This was just plain lucky. At the last minute of packing, I was “filling available space” and basically stuffed underwear in all remaining spots.
4. Swimsuit and toiletries were in carryon – this is part of the put everything in your land luggage that you may need in the first 24 hours rule!
5. Travel insurance. Yep. This was great. I went shopping in the ship’s boutique and picked up another skirt and blouse to round out my wardrobe. Of course, I could do this anyway, but it was much more fun shopping on someone else’s dime!

Here are a few things I didn’t have:

1. Formal wear – fortunately, there are always dining options that don’t require formal wear. But, for the record, Reyna told me I could eat anywhere I chose – that they would alert the maître d’s so I wouldn’t have any problem with the dress code.
2. Flip flops. I wore sandals or tennis shoes to the pool and beaches (on port days). Very stylish!
3. Dress shoes – I had some nice sandals that were OK for the pinch I was in, but I would have picked a different pair had I known.
4. Shorts. I was a little overdressed on a couple of occasions! I did check the gift shop, but they didn’t have anything I liked in my size.
5. Hat. Did I mention gift shop?

There you go - 1 night in New York and 6 of the 8 days of my cruise without my checked bag. Believe it or not, the experience was fun. Once I came to terms with my missing wardrobe, I relaxed. Never had to worry about what to wear! I learned I could make do with very little and what was important (underwear!!). Now, I have set myself a goal to deliberately take a traditional cruise with just a carryon. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Have you ever spent part or all your vacation without your luggage?

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Your Luggage Is On Its Way!

A few years ago, my brother and his fiancée had their wedding aboard ship before setting sail on an 8-night Caribbean cruise with family and friends, departing from New York City. And, yes, I was the travel planner for the event. – thank you!

My flight was delayed and then rerouted due to weather but I wasn’t particularly concerned as I was flying into New York a day early. So, while I might miss dinner or some down time with friends and family, I knew there was no problem making the sailing.

Which turned out to be true – for me. Not so true for my checked bag. I flew into LaGuardia instead of the originally scheduled JFK. After deplaning and watching the “last bag” sign make its revolution on the carousel, I proceeded to the airline’s lost luggage desk. That isn’t what they call it, but we all know that’s what it is.

My bag went to its original destination – LaGuardia. The agent assured us that the bags would be sorted out that evening and delivered or held for pick-up, depending on traveler request. I was neither upset nor concerned as I could see that bags might end up at the wrong airport due to the circumstances. I requested the bag be delivered to my hotel. No problem!

Upon check-in, I apprise the hotel staff of the situation and they assure me they’ll let me know as soon as it is delivered. Wonderful! Now I’m off for a fun-filled evening in Manhattan with friends. Later that night, when I return to the hotel, I am informed the bag has not yet arrived.

I call the airline for a bag status and get my first dose of telephone un-service. First, there is the ubiquitous prompt menus – why is it that my choice is always way down the menu? And requires two or three different menus? Then enter the claim number – and if you enter it incorrectly too bad. You get to start over! When I finally get a live person, they need my name, claim number, and promise of my first born. OK, just name and number. But, why did I enter it if they are going to ask me anyway?

I am informed that my bag went to Newark – wait, what? I thought it was at JFK. And they’ll deliver it to LaGuardia. I very politely inform the agent that no, the bag is supposed to be delivered to my hotel, not the airport. She acknowledges this is in my “record” and that yes, indeed the bag will be delivered sometime tonight.

Wedding Day. Embarkation Day. Yay! I wake up very excited for my brother and his fiancée, plus anticipating a wonderful cruise vacation. I call the front desk to have the bag delivered. Yep. No bag.

No worries – I’ve got this. I have everything I need to get dressed and ready to go in my carryon. I’m forever telling clients to pack 24 hours’ worth of clothes in their carryon, just in case. Glad I followed my own advice. All is good.

Call to airline. Prompt menu. Claim number. Hold 5 minutes. Live person. The bag is still at Newark. Umm. I’m leaving on a cruise. How are you going to get the bag to me? No problem. We’ll deliver it to the ship.

OK – now I’m starting to get a little concerned. But, I have my wedding clothes with me, so if I don’t get the bag until we’re aboard, no harm no foul.

We get to the pier and checked into the ship (early boarding for wedding party and guests) and I notify the purser’s desk of the lost bag and planned delivery by the airline. They’re very gracious, tell me not to worry, that it happens all the time and when it arrives, they’ll deliver it to my stateroom. Feeling better.

The wedding and reception are beautiful. After the non-sailing guests disembark and we complete the muster drill, I check back with the purser’s desk about my bag. No joy.

Top-side to call the airline (better cell service). Prompt menu, request for claim number, 10-minute hold, etc. This time the agent tells me the bag is on its way to the pier and will be delivered prior to departure. I’m skeptical, but hopeful.

You know what’s coming, don’t you?

One, last call to airline as we set sail. Prompt menu, request for claim number, hold, I’m losing bars as we sail. Yikes!

Have you ever sailed past the Statue of Liberty while on hold with an airline’s lost baggage department?

Well, I wasn’t going to miss this, so I hung up and enjoyed the view. And it was a magnificent one. One of my sailing bucket list items: Sydney Harbor past the Opera House, under the Golden Gate Bridge, New York Harbor past the Statue of Liberty, past Piazza San Marcos on the Grand Canal of Venice. I’m lucky, I’ve hit three of the four!

Did I ever see the bag again? How did I manage without it?

Tune in next week to find out. Same bat time, same bat channel!

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