Previously, on Smart Women Travelers, we discussed a fantastic hotel to stay at in the Montego Bay area. The Iberostar Grand Rose Hall provided a great all inclusive base for our Jamaican adventures. But if I’m on vacation, I’m not one to sit around the hotel all day long. There were many adventures to be had, and here is my rundown on a few attractions that made my Jamaican trip unforgettable.

Braco Stables

My favorite adventure in Jamaica was the Hike and Bike tour at Braco Stables. Tucked away on an old Jamaican plantation, the property also offers horse rides and river rafting. From the moment we arrived, we were treated as old friends rather than just tourists.

The Hike and Bike tour begins with a leisurely 30-45 minute hike up in the hills. Our tour guide Jerry was knowledgeable about the history of the plantation as well as the local fauna. If you are feeling more adventurous (and in great shape), you are offered the option of biking up the mountain in lieu of hiking. Tour guides will still accompany you, but you’ll be more focused on gears and loose rocks than the history of the plantation. However you reach the peak, you take a break at a gazebo 300 feet up overlooking the coast. You’re greeted with some cold towels to freshen up while you enjoy the view.

After the trek back down the hill, those without bikes mount up and it’s off to the beach. The route is a straight shot out on mostly even ground, meaning you shouldn’t worry if it’s been a while before you’ve been on a bike. On the coast, fresh coconuts were served. Bring along your swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the Caribbean. The tour concluded with some lemonade poolside at the Great Home located on property. A very relaxing end to a fun adventure.

Island Routes Catamaran Tour

We boarded the Island Routes Catamaran Tour at the Sandals Resort in Negril, located about an hour’s drive west of Montego Bay. This tour involves lots of sun and swimming, so make sure to bring your swimsuit and waterproof sunblock!

Just off of the coast, snorkeling gear was handed out and we had 25 minutes to explore a coral reef. These little ecosystems teeming with life are one of my favorite features of our wonderful planet and I love being able to swim over them! You’ll see the coral featured in the above video. Back on deck, the open bar starts flowing and the activities are a bit more relaxed.

Cruising west along the coast, we also stopped and swam in to a cave that has a bar built in it, we took a moment to watch cliff divers at Rick’s, and had some time at Jimmy Buffett’s to get out and swim some more. In between stops, food and drinks were included (I became addicted to the tuna salad wraps!) and most of the passengers took the time to soak in some sun. The boat also had a DJ, and when you mix music and free drinks, the dancing was sure to follow. The 2+ hour cruise was a relaxing way to spend the morning.

Chukka Ocho Rios, Good Hope, and Sandy Bay

Chukka Caribbean Adventures has many properties all over the island. We visited three of them for three very different adventures.

Our first stop was at Chukka Cove in Ocho Rios to visit the Jamaican Dog Sled Team. Yes, you read that right. Jamaica has a dog sled team that has participated in famous dog sled races like the Iditarod. The program, with the help of co-founder Jimmy Buffett, rescues stray dogs from around the island and they are well taken care of. We got to meet and play with the dogs, see a brief video about the inception of the team, and got to experience some of the dog sled training with a practice run.

Over in Good Hope, Zip-lines dart through the rainforest. If you’re new to zip-lining, the crew is very safety conscious and will help you step by step to make sure you have fun during this thrilling experience. If you’re a zip-line veteran, Good Hope has some of the longest lines I’ve ever been on! There are seven zip-line stations that take you over a river, down the mountain side, and even right through a tree canopy!

An ATV adventure was on deck for Sandy Bay. The two hour tour takes you through a small village and up the rocky trails to the fields of an old plantation. The view from the top was beautiful, and although we got a bit dirty, the real fun was had on the ATVs.

Mystic Mountain

The most hair-raising adventure in Jamaica had to be the Jamaican Bobsled Adventure on Mystic Mountain. You already know that Jamaica has its own take on the bobsled, and here you are able to experience it firsthand.

After taking a ski-lift up the top and passing through a museum about Jamaica’s sports accomplishments, you board the Jamaican bobsled in a recreation of an old railroad station. Once you’re off, you twist and turn through the rainforest at up to 40 mph. You have control over the brakes, but it’s more fun to just let go! After what seemed like an eternity (but probably more like two minutes), you slow down and are brought back up to the top of the mountain. Afterwards, there is a large water-slide in to an infinity pool to cool off and a restaurant for a bite to eat. This is a fun way to break up a business meeting and see what your colleagues are made of!  The stories around the water cooler would be so entertaining!

Many thanks to the Jamaica Tourist Board for hosting an awesome trip! I can see why my friend Pam absolutely loves Jamaica and gets there with her husband every chance she gets. I’m ready to go back and am planning how some of these great activities could be team events at a corporate meeting.  After all, why not combine a bit of fun team-building with a bit of business?

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in early 2012.

I no longer felt the need to just retire to the room as soon as I got back to my hotel!

I wasn’t done with my Marriott experience yet. Flying out of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental airport (Terminal E), I got to experience Courtyard Marriott’s new Airport Lobby Zone. What they are doing is giving business travelers their new Lobby experience in the middle of a busy terminal. Comfortable seating and a few outlets let me recharge (my body and my laptop) before flying out. Outside of Houston, the Airport Lobby Zones are also in Phoenix and Baltimore through December .

To celebrate the Courtyard Lobby redesign and the Airport Lobby Zones, Marriott is giving away two free nights to any continental U.S. Courtyard! This contest is open just to Smart Women Travelers and our blog (Pearls of Travel Wisdom) readers, and it’s really easy to enter.

1. Post a comment below and tell us what you look for most in a hotel lobby.
2. “Like” Smart Women Traveler’s on Facebook.

I also came across this interesting video on Marriott’s design process if you’d like to see a little behind the scenes on how they put together the new lobbies.

Courtyard by Marriott has offered these nights for the contest. They’ve invited me back for a complimentary stay, as well. Maybe I’ll see you in the lobby!

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

I’m still on “Island Time”, but look forward to articles on great activities that you must do in a Jamaican visit, as well as another Smart Women Travelers’ “Sights From” video. First things first, I’d like to share with you one of my most pleasurable hotel stays at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall.

The Hotel

Located just outside of Montego Bay, and just a quick jaunt from Sangster International Airport, the Iberostar Grand Hotel offered a great location for my visit. The hotel itself is, of course, on the beach, and close to some of the more adventurous activities to the East and the more leisurely attractions to the West. The Montego Bay Convention Center, the largest convention center in the English-speaking Caribbean, is a mere five minute drive away. And if you’re looking to get some golfing in, a round at nearby Cinnamon Hill Golf Course is included in your stay.

Don’t let the simple exterior of Iberostar Grand deceive you! The interior design of the hotel must be seen to be believed. From the lobby to the beachside bars, the little details all over the property were fantastic.

The Grand is just one of the three hotels on site. With 295 rooms that limit occupancy to only two people, it is the more adult friendly of the three. The other two hotels are The Suites and The Beach, with the former offering larger rooms and more amenities than the later. All three hotels are all-inclusive with both fine dining options alongside casual ones.

The Room

My home away from home at The Grand was wonderful.  The bathroom included two sinks, a jacuzzi bathtub, and a rain shower head. The hallway had a daily stocked mini-fridge, as well as more storage space than I could use. Each room comes with a butler (yes, a butler!) who had no issue with me requesting more apple juice in the fridge or ordering a firmer pillow off of the room’s pillow menu.

Room Service is included at no additional charge, just in case getting out of the comfortable bed proves too taxing. My view overlooking the courtyard and pools was slightly obstructed by palm trees, but I still enjoyed some time out there on the comfortable patio furniture.

Even though it would have been nice to fully unplug from a busy life for a few days, I would have gone through withdrawal.  I did find that electrical outlets were hard to come by. I had to unplug a lamp or iPod dock to power up some of my gadgets. Internet is the room is free of charge, though wired only. My butler brought me an ethernet cord and my login information, but it’d be nice if they told me during check-in or offered wi-fi that went past just the lobby.  (I still can’t believe I had a butler!)

The Restaurants

The Iberostar offered three different ways to dine; the previously mentioned room service, casual dining, and a la carte dining. Aside from a few quick trips to the breakfast buffet and some late night snacks at the after-hours buffet, all of my meals were at the a la carte restaurants. A casual dress code is enforced (so don’t look like you came in right from the beach), but the fare was worth getting “dressed up” for. I wined and dined on seafood, hibachi grilled chicken, and filets, all with delicious appetizers and desserts.

The a la carte restaurants weren’t as crowded as I thought they would have been. I assume that the dress code and 24 hour advance reservations needed turned off a few guests who were in full-on relaxation mode.

ETC…

Speaking of relaxation mode, the hotel wasn’t full of “early-riser” guests. You won’t see a lot of people walking the grounds until after 8, when most of the shops and restaurants open.

At night, the hotel offers theaters, music clubs, karaoke (if you’re feeling adventurous), and a nightclub. The theaters offer a new show every night, and the music clubs have different themed nights. The karaoke was held in a bar that was a little smokey, but still fun. The nightclub was full of young people dancing way past my bed time and everyone looked to be having a great time.

Overall, the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall comes highly recommended.  You get all-inclusive amenities, tasty restaurants, a great staff and fantastic Montego Bay location.  Oh, and did I mention the butler?

Many thanks to the Jamaica Tourist Board for hosting an awesome trip!

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

I often feel like Goldilocks searching for just the right bed and all its fixings.

Well, I’m happy to report that Goldilocks has achieved success!

A friend recommended the Marina Bay Sands resort in Singapore. While not a place that I’ll be traveling to for business very often (unfortunately!), it is a wonderful place for first-time and repeating guests to stay.

What makes this hotel fit my Goldilocks standard? You can say it all started with Hello when I first entered my room:

• Large bathroom with a walk-in shower and stand-alone bath tub, decent towels and good lighting
• Thick shampoo and conditioner
• Chaise lounge, perfect for reading in the evening
• A balcony where I can open the doors to let the fresh air in (ok, so the air is a bit humid here) with flowers on the balcony!
• Wireless internet where I can have both my phone and laptop online, with no drops in connection
• Easy access to a good number of electrical outlets
• Quiet from the neighboring rooms … even with the balcony doors open

Add to this:

• A fitness center with lots of machines and a bonus drop-dead gorgeous view of the city
• A spa with a full menu of services
• Onsite restaurants that offer lots of variety
• A connected shopping mall with numerous upscale stores as well as a grocery store, wine store, pharmacy and food court
• A casino for when I feel a few bucks burning a hole in my pocket
• Theaters , a museum and ice skating rink
• A skydeck that I could live at, including an affinity pool, hot tubs, outdoor dining and lush greenery – all from the 57^th floor overlooking the city.
• Nearby vicinity to the business district, tons of shopping and a free shuttle bus to/from the airport.

Can you see why I call this “Success”? There is so much to do here that it would take many visits to say that you’ve eaten in every restaurant and enjoyed every amenity.

It’s such a shame I’m only here for three nights. I definitely need to find a reason to get back here again. Lucky are those who can stay here for repeated business travel, meetings and conventions, and especially a leisurely holiday.

While my minimum room requirements haven’t changed, this sure pushes the bar up higher.

The Marina Bay Sands definitely gets 5 stars from Goldilocks!

Rates for a deluxe room: SG$489.00. Compare to nearby Marriott SG$420.00, Ritz Carlton SG$550, Hilton SG $391.

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com. Watch for my new book, Business Travel Success – How to Reduce Stress, Be More Productive and Travel with Confidence, being published by Morgan James in 2011.

We spent two weeks navigating the Hawaiian isles. Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai … I don’t know if I can pick my favorite. It truly is a beautiful state, and with the six of us bringing along nine cameras, the trip was throughly documented.

See our Sights from Hawaii video below, as well as some snapshots from the trip!

They all offer business lessons to be shared, challenges of competing in an international environment, opportunities to forge new relationships and a business travel environment like no other.

Oh, did I mention that they’re all in France? And that they are a part of The Ultimate Wine Fantasy Experience? Yes, really.

Leadership, marketing, communication skills, motivation, client retention and pricing were the topics of today. Ok, the topics were interspersed with a few glasses of wine and the venues for these discussions may not be the norm. However, these business discussions and sharing of ideas are amazingly interesting and impactful. And of course you know how important relationship building is. The relationships are already growing strong after 24 hours of our group being together. After a week of sharing wine, amazing food, history and business ideas, these relationships (and memories) will last a lifetime.

Today we started with a visit to a chateau and a not-seen-by-the-public tour by Count Stephan and Max, the chateau’s Black Lab.Along with amazing tastings of wine, we learned of smart business tactics that have resulted in the wine estate being in the top 10 in the Saint Emilion wine region. My favorite lesson learned is the method in which the Count recognizes that the grapes are ready for harvest. The method is not very high tech, but is very accurate in its simplicity.

It’s all up to Max, you see. He routinely chases rabbits through the 65-year old vines.

When he has one of his rabbit chases in the fall season and returns back home with stickiness on his fur, it’s time! It is the stickiness from the juice of the grapes that is the magic sign that the grapes are ready for the all-important harvest. Sometimes it’s the low tech methods, tried and true, that are better than all the advanced technology in the world.
In the middle of the day, while utterly enjoying a picnic lunch under a bright blue sky alongside the chateau’s grapes, we learned some of the struggles of a new business. The chateau owner, host and chef of our lunch, began his winery along with his parents in 2006 — a very new business by French wine standards. He left a career in finance for the love of the vine. Topics of moving from a salaried career to entrepreneurship, imports to European and African countries, how to provide a quality product in a mid-price range and the struggles of a family business were shared over bottles of wine, incredible food and scenery that was jaw-dropping.

After lunch we wandered through the streets of the 2nd century village of Saint Emilion, a village with narrow cobblestone streets, outdoor eateries and cafes, a stunning Monolithic Church, Collosseum-type walls and numerous shops offering wine and wine tastings, colorful macaroons and local handicrafts.

As our group continues on this amazing journey through the southwest of France, traveling by bus through small villages and forest roads, the sharing of business ideas is even more profuse than the wine tastings. I sit back, very comfortable in our Mercedes bus, in awe of the people, the history, the lessons and the hospitality, and full of gratitude for this very unique travel experience.

Our group tour continues to the Castle of Poudenas next, so come back tomorrow to experience this 14^th century castle, the lessons to be shared and the adventures that await!

Now this is business travel at its best!

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.

Why are you on the road and how often do you travel?
I travel about 2-3 times per month for both work and pleasure. I am a consultant in emergency management and travel frequently to meet with clients, conduct trainings, or facilitate emergency drills and exercises. I am fortunate that my job takes me all over the US and the world. My most frequent destination is Washington, DC.

Where else do you like to visit and do you use any travel websites to help you?
I love going to places where I have never been—it’s the thrill of discovery!  I was in India recently for vacation and travel occasionally to the Middle East for work. San Francisco, Washington, DC, and New York City are perennial favorites for the good food and great running trails.

I am a vegetarian, so I like to research my destinations carefully to find good places to eat. Vegdining.com and HappyCow.net are my go-to sites. I’m also a dedicated runner and Krav Maga enthusiast (Krav Maga is an Israeli-developed hand-to-hand combat system), so I research good running trails on the USA Track and Field web site (USATF.org) and Krav studios (kravmaga.com) for my destination.

What are some of your travel challenges you would like to reduce?
My biggest challenges are finding restaurants with healthy food and safe places to run or workout. Fortunately, the proliferation of Wholes Foods is a godsend. Whole Foods is often my first stop in a new city. Workouts can be tough, though. When traveling, my work days start very early. It is too dark to run in a strange city before dawn, so I cherish hotel gyms that are open 24-hours. I’m the crazy girl on the treadmill at 4:30 AM.

What are some Pearls of Travel Wisdom you would like to share with other women travelers?
I think many women fear traveling alone for safety and security reasons, which is a valid, but not insurmountable, concern. There are a few tips I provide to my female colleagues and my students of the self-defense classes I teach.

1. Be observant
If I could recommend one thing only that would help people stay safe it would be this: be observant.  Being observant helps you recognize potentially dangerous situations early, so that you can avoid them or prepare for them. So, put down that cell phone, send the text when you are in a safe location. Observe your surroundings.  Know where you are and who is around you.  Be aware.

2. Be confident
Pickpockets, muggers, and sexual predators are like lions: they like easy prey.  So, don’t be easy prey!  Be observant of your surroundings (see tip #1), and most of all be confident!  (Fake it if you have to.)  Project power and confidence, and you are less likely to be a target.  No one wants to mess with a woman who is calm, cool, and collected.

3. Trust your intuition
You know that little feeling in the back of your mind that tells you something is just not right?  This feeling is valid.  Trust these feelings and learn to act on them.

4. It’s okay to be “mean” when you have to
Know that when someone is trying to hurt you, it is not the time for being sweet and nice.  Do not be afraid of hurting someone or being considered “mean.” Use your voice to warn a potential attacker to back off.  Use your fists and feet if you have to — make your attacker regret the moment he laid eyes on you.

5. Take a self-defense course
The military has an expression: you fight how you train, so train how you want to fight.  In other words, by training soldiers in a way that simulates a real battlefield, they are better prepared to fight in real battle.  There are fewer surprises, and they have educated their bodies and minds how to react under the stress of battle.  The same is true for personal self-defense and safety.  If you take the time to train in self-defense — even if it is only a course or two — you better prepare your body and mind for the real thing.  This will make the event less stressful and increase your chances of getting away safely.

Julie Barron Morrill
Milton, MA USA

Twitter.com/jabmorrill
linkedin.com/in/juliemorrill

I love training in Krav Maga (an Israeli hand-to-hand combat system), teaching self-defense to local community groups, and running the wooded trails of Massachusetts with my husband, Jeff.

If you’d like to be a Featured Smart Woman Traveler in an upcoming edition of Pearls of Travel Wisdom and on Smart Women Travelers, get details at Be a Featured Smart Woman Traveler.

Why are you on the road and how often do you travel?

I travel for work about once a month because I am a college speaker on Safe Dating.

Where else do you like to visit and do you use any travel websites to help you?

I LOVE to travel, especially to beautiful warm places, like the Greek Islands, California, the Caribbean, Mexico, and anywhere with warm sunny weather and a beautiful beach. I have done so much traveling in my lifetime that I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel all over the world. Before I usually go to a destination that I have never been before, I will research the area to find out sightseeing spots, restaurants, hotels and read about other people’s experiences.

What are some of your travel challenges you would like to reduce?

My main travel challenge is the fact that I travel alone for business. As a woman and a date rape counselor & speaker, it makes me very nervous to go out alone in a strange place, even if it is just to have a nice dinner. It is a shame that we have to worry about that risk, but it is a real life fear that women deal with every single day.

What are some Pearls of Travel Wisdom you would like to share with other women travelers?

After traveling for so many years, I have made friendships in all parts of the world. When I know that I will be in a specific place, I will connect with people I have met over the years and enjoy a great meal and some good conversation. I feel that is much safer than going out alone.  My motto is to be better safe than sorry!

- Dari Dyrness-Olsen

Succasunna, NJ

SafeDatingCoach.com/

Facebook.com/daridyrnessolsen

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.

I currently work for a company called InStyleSwimwear.com, which is an online retailer specializing in designer swimwear, beachwear and accessories. In our industry, it’s extremely important to travel to different beach towns around the world in order to analyze the different trends in swimwear and to stay on top of the game. I travel as much as time and money allow, which is usually about 3-5 times out of the year.

Where else do you like to visit and do you use any travel websites to help you?

Although I love to explore the beaches of the world, I also enjoy the adventure of exploring big cities. I love TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Jetsetter.

What are some of your travel challenges you would like to reduce?

I absolutely hate the long lines at airport security. I understand that the need for safely and security are at an all time high, but sometimes I end up standing in line for hours! I think a lot of this has to do with people packing and dressing incorrectly for the airport. I always seem to get stuck behind that one person with tons of full bottles of liquids or that person with complicated lace-up boots!

What are some Pearls of Travel Wisdom you would like to share with other women travelers?

No matter where you travel to, don’t forget to pack a swimsuit!  Your hotel may surprise you with a hot tub, Jacuzzi or indoor pool, and you never know where your travel adventures may take you.

-Susan Bodack, Philadelphia, PA

http://www.instyleswimwear.com/ (InStyleSwimwear.com online store)

http://www.facebook.com/instyleswimwear (company fan page that I manage)

http://twitter.com/instyleswimwear (company twitter account that I manage)

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel – Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.

Valentine’s Day is approaching – a day that women who are not in a relationship, and want to be, really do not look forward to. Add in frequent travel to the equation and many of these women send me pleas of, “How do I find someone when I’m traveling all the time?”

So I asked professional relationship coaches, online dating gurus and other women travelers for their advice.

Joyce Morley, Ed.D. of doctorjoyce.com starts off with a great point of it being “imperative that traveling professional business women first have a sense of what they are looking for in a partner, before they start the search for someone to engage in a relationship. If she is not clear within herself as to what she is looking for, traveling can bring about feelings of intense loneliness and a sense of desperation. Desperation will put her in a position of believing that she has to look for and have somebody, causing her to settle for anybody, without stability and commitment.”

I couldn’t agree with Dr. Morley more. Men can sense the desperation in a woman a mile away. And it doesn’t bode well for a relationship when a woman just wants to find ‘somebody’ without really knowing the characteristics that would match what she’s looking for.

Jasbina Ahluwalia Founder & President Intersections Match is a lawyer-turned entrepreneur, dating coach and matchmaker. Her recommendations for meeting someone while traveling include:

• Instead of viewing those inevitable travel lines (checking in, customer service, security, dining establishments, hotels, cab lines, etc.) as wasted time, turn lemons into lemonade and seize the opportunity to confidently and warmly initiate conversations while in line.
• Do the same with your plane/train fellow passengers–you never know!  The gentleman or lady in 5C may be (or know) a great person to introduce you to…and travelers guards tend to be lowered while outside of their day-to-day

Sue Richter of www.SeraPublishing.com is an author and travel writer. Sue says that “one of the best places to meet people is in a coffee shop. I can’t tell you how many men have come up to me and started talking to me, even with a ring on my finger. If you’re single and looking for companionship, find out from the locals where the hot spot coffee shop is and go work from there. Bring your laptop, set up shop and look around. You’ll be amazed!”

I know someone who created a business partnership with the guy standing behind her at Starbucks, so Sue probably has something here!

For frequent female travelers who long for connection in far-flung locales, here are some tips from relationship advisor and psychologist Dr. Terri Orbuch (known as the Love Doctor) at drterrithelovedoctor.com:

Contact your alumni association. Alumni associations have clubs and events in most major cities. It’s an automatic “in” for you, and you’ll find yourself among like-minded people. If you don’t feel connected to your own college, check out the parent networking groups for the college/university your child attends.

Meet up with fellow worshipers. If you’re a member of a church, synagogue, or mosque, find one in the city you’ll be visiting. These organizations often offer social events, discussion groups, and talks – and they’ll welcome a fresh face from out of town.

(Another traveler, Casandra Roach of www.InspireMany.com, agrees with this. Casandra, always on the go, still finds time to be active in her church. Says Casandra, “I believe church is a perfect place to find someone “safe” . . .Someone who can share in core values.”)

Go to college. Find the nearest college or university in the town you’ll be visiting and check out their free activities online. They are rich places for interesting lectures, teas, films, theatre events, and more — and you’re apt to meet interesting people.

Be a culture vulture. Look at the calendar of the city you’ll be visiting for interesting events. Try to find ones that list “reception following” the film, talk, tour, etc. The less sitting and watching, and the more doing and interacting that’s involved, the more likely you are to meet fun and like-minded people.

Use your network. Social networking isn’t just for armchair travelers. Post a notice on your LinkedIn or Facebook page that you’ll be in Houston on such-and-such a date and are looking to for an interesting dinner/hiking/museum companion.

Join a tour. Go to a museum or zoo or historical attraction and join a tour that features a docent. By the end of the tour, you’ll have met others with similar interests, and you might be able to strike up an introductory conversation, such as, “Hi, I’m here on business by myself. Have you lived here long? Where’s a good place to eat and a fun place to walk around?”

No matter where you may search for and find a relationship, Dr. Joyce sums it up with more important points for a traveling woman looking for a relationship, and answer the question as to where the ideal partner will live:

A woman should choose a partner who is secure in himself, is willing to sacrifice time with each other, and is willing to compromise in order to go beyond what might be usual and customary, in order to be together. He must be willing to drive or fly to where she is on many occasions.

It is important that the traveling woman seeks a partner who is either at her home base or her most frequently traveled destination. Having a partner at home or one who will be at the most frequent destination allows for a greater level of continuity and consistency in the relationship.

I’d add to Dr. Joyce’s great advice with choosing a partner who has full trust in you, even when you’re on the road. It’s a very special person who can be comfortable in a relationship when one partner may be away for many nights in a year.

So get clear on what you’re looking for, spend time detailing out your ideal partner’s characteristics, and follow these tips to find the love of your life – even with frequent travel!

Resources:

Joyce Morley, Ed.D.
JMorley Productions, Inc., Decatur, GA
Author, Radio/TV Show Host; Motivational/Keynote Speaker; Psychotherapist; Relationship Expert; Executive/Relationship/Life Coach
www.doctorjoyce.com

Jasbina Ahluwalia
Founder & President Intersections Match
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Intersections

Sue Richter
Author/Travel Writer
www.SeraPublishing.com

Terri Orbuch PhD
Research professor and psychologist, known as The Love Doctor.
A popular love advisor on radio, TV, and peoplemedia.com, seen on NBC’s Today.
Her newest book is 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage from Good to Great (Random House).
www.drterrithelovedoctor.com.

Casandra L Roache,MPH
WellCoach
www.InspireMany.com

To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.