Top 7 Tips for Packing Your Suitcase
It’s taken me several years to perfect the suitcase packing, and I’m almost there! I still take too many books and magazines to read, but otherwise have a very compact suitcase that is easy to lift into overhead bins, rental car buses and car trunks. Here are some tips that have worked for many experienced female travelers: 1. Decide on a color-of-the-week so that only one pair of shoes is needed. I work around one color scheme: Black and gray for the week so that I only need black shoes, or brown and tan with brown shoes. If I leave for the ...
A Spa In Your Hotel Room
It’s challenging to find time for ourselves, especially when we split our time between home and travel. When you’re out of town, it’s all too easy to focus all of your time on work, dinners and hopefully a bit of work-out time. With the spa ideas below, you’ll enjoy an evening of quiet bliss, away from it all! You’re already away from home, so get over the guilt of not being available to your family. Giving yourself the gift of quiet time will present you with new ideas and insights, and you, your family and your work will be better ...
Business Travelers’ Pet Peeves
According to a survey published in USA Today, what irks business travelers' the most when they are on the road are: * Flight delays 51% * Being away from loved ones 33% * Not getting a restful sleep 30% * Airport security 27% The USA Today survey was taken before the Christmas Day 2009 'underwear bomber' incident, so airport security may rate a lot higher now, but the overall pet peeves will probably remain the same. Our own survey taken at SmartWomenTravelers.com showed similar complaints; balancing home with work and travel as women's biggest complaint and flight delays as the next highest travel issue. What are some ...
Relationships and Travel: Top 5 Lessons Learned (Both Good and Bad)
When one spouse or partner travels and the other doesn’t, keeping a relationship can be a challenge. Keeping that relationship long-lasting and healthy when you may be miles apart is an art. It takes mindful effort and the outcome can truly be one of the strongest and fun partnerships you can imagine. I’m very fortunate to be in one of these wonderful trusting partnerships with my husband . . . in spite of some of the thoughtless things I’ve done while traveling. I share my experiences, both good and not-so-good, on what has helped us create and sustain ...
Pearls of Wisdom from a Frequent Business Traveler
Research shows that 40-50% of business travelers are women. Many times each year, women dash out their front doors, luggage wheels spinning behind them, waving goodbye to their loved ones as they head out on another business trip. I am part of this statistic. Last year I traveled 48 weeks of the year. During these 48 weeks, my husband managed the home front. My kids are grown now, but for the majority of their lives I have been a traveling businesswoman. I’ve learned a lot over the years on what works well and what doesn’t when it comes to keeping the ...
Carol on Houston’s KHOU Offering Travel Tips
Carol recently appeared on KHOU, Houston’s CBS station, to talk about Travel Tips for spring break and beyond. Read the article and view the video on their website. Read More →
Travel Gem for March 11th
When leaving your hotel to go for a run, wear a wristband, ankle band or shoe pouch that contains your name, mobile phone and contact information. A great source for these products is at RoadID.com. Read More →
I’m Leaving My Husband … Again!
It’s early morning, still dark outside, and I’m on my way to the airport again. I kiss my husband good-bye saying, “Call you tonight” as I run out the door with my luggage rolling behind me. My busy workweek has begun. I’ll be at client offices through Thursday and then I head back home again. I keep extremely busy all week and the days go very fast – for me anyway. While I talk with... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 10th
I keep learning this the hard way–When you first get into a rental car, find out where these key items are turned on and off: Door locks Headlights Wipers (front and back) Emergency lights Emergency brake It is very unsafe to be fumbling around the dashboard trying to find out where to turn on the headlights when it becomes dark as you are driving. And it is distracting to your driving to... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 9th
Sleeping in a hotel room can be tough. I’ve found a great way to relax and fall asleep to the scent of lavender tucked into my pillow case. Lavender is said to be a great natural remedy for calming nerves and helping to ease you into a sound sleep and the scent is wonderful! This is why a few hotels give out lavender spray upon check-in. Get your very own lavender sachet at Zen’s Purple Garden.... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 8th
When looking for the best deal at a hotel, ask for the concierge floor or bed and breakfast rate. While it may be $50 more a night or so, it will include breakfast, perhaps a light dinner and complimentary water and soft drinks. When traveling with a spouse or children, this can save a lot in meals and beverages. Read More →
Travel Gem for March 5th
Leaving your kids at home while you travel? Keep them busy with creating their own ‘postcards’ of what they did while mom was away. Each day have them take a 4”x6” or so piece of paper and draw a picture about something they did. If they’re old enough, have them write a few sentences on what they learned or what fun they had. Have them address it to mom and draw a stamp on it like it’s... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 4th
Ever have to cram clothes from one bag into another to avoid overweight baggage fees? Don’t you hate doing this on the airport floor with people walking all around you? Now know the weight of your luggage before you get to the airport check-in counter! Check out the Balanzza Digital Luggage Scale. It weighs 10 oz. and can weigh up to 100 pound bags. Other frequent fliers have found this digital luggage... [Read more]
3 Reasons Why You Want to Use SeatGuru Before You Fly
Even though I have flown more than 1.5 million miles, I am always learning something new about travel. This week’s lesson came from a source close to home. My husband flew from Orlando to Los Angeles this week. He was on the upgrade list for First Class and was #1 on this list. Unfortunately there were zero open seats left. Before boarding his coach seat, he asked the gate agent for a ‘better’... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 3rd
Ever feel rushed when reviewing your hotel bill? Here’s a quick way to check hotel or cruise bills for accurate restaurant and other purchases where a gratuity is included: During your stay, adjust the amount of the tips so that each room charge ends with the same digit. For example: Add enough of a tip to end each charge in an odd cent (17.03, 25.43 …. Notice the ‘3’ at the end of each charge). ... [Read more]
Travel Gem for March 2nd
Looking for great facial cleansers without all the liquid? Travel with easy to pack, non-liquid make-up removers. Several to choose from: Olay Make-up Remover Towelettes , Pond’s Clean Sweep Cleansing and Make-up Removing Towelettes with Chamomile and Green Tea and Facial Cleansing Tissues by Olivella are available at Amazon. Read More →
Travel Gem for March 1st
Avoid missed flights and getting stuck in a middle seat. Always confirm your flight info the night before your trip – better yet, a few days before. When booking your flight weeks in advance, the departure time may change from what you originally booked. You do not want to arrive at the airport only to find your flight left earlier than you thought. The plane configuration may also change, resulting... [Read more]
