Tips

I bet that three years ago most of us were not even considering travel insurance. Then bang! Covid hit and everyone was asking the question, “Do I need travel insurance?” Fortunately, during the height of the pandemic, most airlines and hotels allowed for cancellations. But as Covid rates slowed down, those cancellation policies ramped up again. So before we dive into the world of travel insurance, let me tell you a few personal stories.  My…

True confession: I’m a diva when it comes to travel. I like full-service hotels, I like to have a very detailed itinerary (that’s why I created this site – to share my OCD planning tips), and when I fly overseas, overnight, I must have a lay flat seat. Who the heck sleeps sitting up? But I’m also not a millionaire or lottery winner. So I guess that makes me a champagne flyer on a water…

True confession: an African safari was not on my bucket list. Not because I didn’t want to go, but the logistics of planning such a trip were dizzying for me. Long (and expensive) flights. Health and vaccination requirements. Logistics of getting around in a foreign country. Not to mention finding someone to mind the pets for an extended period. But when my brother suggested this as a special family trip, I acquiesced. And we ended…

I recently packed for my first trip since COVID and realized how many different things I chose. I used to travel so much that I kept a “go bag” of my essentials that never changed. I just threw it in my suitcase each time – you know, all those sample-sized bottles of everything even when I was following tips for packing light. I had a minimal first aid kit. But boy have things changed. I…

This is a personal story about hotel room security. A few months ago, I was invited to a new resort in the Caribbean to write about it. My husband tagged along (every chance he gets!). We arrived at the resort and I was struck by the beauty. And the newness. And the emptiness. I believe there were fewer than 100 guests at a resort that has almost 500 guest rooms. Granted, it was in the…

Let’s face it. Cruising took a big hit during the pandemic and a lot of travelers are hesitant to book a cruise these days. On my last Carnival Cruise (pre-pandemic), I was really focused on wellness and trying to reset my mental and physical health after a very trying period as a caregiver. So I went into the trip with an agenda for focus on my health each day through a range of activities. Here…