Simply Juicy Travel

Finding the "Perfect Gift"

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

'Tis the season...that we drive ourselves nuts looking for the "Perfect Gift," one that's unique and meaningful, and reflects how we feel about those we love. 

Searching for the elusive "perfect present," we daydream about the delight our gift will bring when opened. More often than not, we put so much pressure on ourselves that we lose perspective on the intention behind the season and miss out on the joy of giving. We forget that our best memories are created through shared experiences and time spent together.

Instead of spending hours on the computer, or at the mall ,searching for something that may or may not fit, give the gift on an experience. An experience that will be remembered long after the shirts, scarves, trinkets or toys have been shoved in a corner in someone's closet. 

The best news is that you can create an adventure on any budget as long as you make sure to customize the activity to fit the age and interests of the giftee. Whether you choose a manicure or spa treatment, theater tickets or vacation destination, the gift is about setting time aside to share special moments with someone you love.

For their 16th birthday's I gave each of my kids a trip to their destination of choice. My son opted for England, while my daughter picked Italy.  Both trips were fantastic opportunities for me to connect with my children as individuals. (Dad stayed home.) Because we took family tours, I able to give each child my full attention, while enjoying the benefits of a fun, low-stress vacation. The memories we created are ones I will cherish always.

So next time,instead of  agonizing over a gift for that special person/people in your life, pick an activity or destination that you can share together.   Unlike an object that is soon forgotten, the experience will be a gift that will last long after the Holiday Season.

All the Best,

eileen@simplyjuicytravel.com

p.s. JUICY TIP FOR HOLIDAY TRAVEL: Never put wrapped gifts in checked or carry-on bags.  They WILL be unwrapped during the screening process.  For an alternative to wrapping , pack plenty of gift bags and tissue paper. You'll be able to prepare your gifts quickly without sacrificing the holiday tradition! 

Top Ten Travel Tips: 5 More

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

This is the second installment of my Top Ten Travel Tips.  These tips, you might even call them  insider "secrets" were born as a result of my own travel mishaps.   But, as all girls know, good secrets aren't any fun unless shared with others.  By taking a few extra precautions, you can help ensure that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons!

6.  Keep a small flashlight in your luggage, preferably a flashlight that doesn't need batteries. You never know when you'll need it!  (I used mine in Florence when I blew a fuse, and Niagara Falls during a blackout.)

7.  Give a friend or family member a copy of your itinerary.  Include all pertinent information such as travel dates, flight numbers and any hotel/ship/tour contact information.  This way they can contact you if a problem arises at home.  Conversely, the itinerary may be helpful if you run into complications while away.

8.  When traveling overseas, carry a photocopy of your passport in a location separate from the original.  This copy will become your backup, in case you loose your passport.  (My son left his passport on an aircraft in London two years ago, and was allowed through British customs with the backup photocopy...without it, we would have been on the next flight back to New York!)

9. Don't SUPER-SIZE your bag!  Pack two smaller suitcases instead of one big one. Smaller bags are easier for the TSA to screen and faster to process. Chances are, you'll have fewer problems with your luggage. Your bags are more likely to make it on the plane with you and their contents less likely be stuffed back in (remember the recent surge in baggage complaints?) With two bags, it's also less likely that you'll go over allowed the weight limit.

10.  Use GALLON sized zippered plastic bags to organize and store items in your suit case. (Note:Carry-on liquids need to be contained in a QUART sized zipper bag)  With the knowledge that someone is physically touching my clothing during the screening process, I choose to pack certain personal items like my underwear, pajamas, and bathing suit in clear plastic bags.  (By the way, pack ALL jewelry, medication and film in your carry-on baggage.  I found a favorite silver necklace broken after my check on was searched.)

I look forward to sharing more travel secrets in future posts. If you've got a tip that you'd like to share, send it to eileen@simplyjuicytravel.com for us to post.  You may actually help make someone's trip a happy one!

All The Best,

Eileen@simplyjuicytravel.com

Top Ten Travel Tips

Dear Simply Juicy Traveler,

A recent travel poll conducted by American Express Travel revealed that the week between Christmas and New Year's - not Thanksgiving weekend - will be the most popular time for holiday travel.  Because of the increased holiday traffic and heightened security, I wanted to share my list of top travel tips. You may know some of these, and some may be new. The important thing to remember is that being prepared will go a long way to making your trip enjoyable.

Here are my first five travel tips:            

1. Fly non-stop.  There are too many pitfalls to consider when booking a connecting flight, especially during the holiday period. Is the connection time too tight? Will you be connecting into a huge airport where it may be difficult to get from one gate to another? Is your connection through a major hub(like Chicago's O'Hare) with a disastrous history of delays?  Also remember that by taking a connecting flight you increase the odds of ending up in a different destination than your luggage!
2. Check in online!  Most carriers allow passengers to check in from their websites as much as 24 hours prior to departure. After logging in and entering the required information, just print out your boarding pass at home. Once at the airport, unless you need to check a bag, you can go straight through security. If you do have luggage, you'll still need to stop at the skycap or front counter to check your bag, but you will have already confirmed your seat.
3. Arrive at the airport early. I can't stress this enough. Get to the airport AT LEAST 2 hours prior to domestic and 3 hours prior to international flights. Even if you check in prior to arriving at the airport, you and your luggage have to pass through security. With flights @ 95% capacity and recent changes to carry-on regulations, more baggage is being checked on, leaving less room in cargo and requiring more time for the TSA to screen it.
4. Pack a spare set of clothes in your carry-on. Don't let lost luggage ruin your vacation! NBC news recently reported a 90% increase in complaints of delayed, damaged, and stolen luggage. Pack enough in your carry-on to last 24 hours, including an exra pair of underwear, a bathing suit (for beach destinations) and set of clothes for day and evening.  Because it can take upwards of 48 hours for the airline to reunite you with your bags, you can make due by hand washing your garments or using the hotel laundry service.  (I was once stuck on a business trip, in the Dominican Republic, for 48 hours with just the clothes on my back.)
5. Carry anti-bacterial wipes.  Minimize the chances of catching someone else's cold, flu or virus by wiping down your arm rest, snack tray, head rest and anything else another passenger may have touched. Bring the disinfectant wipes with you to the bathroom and use to open and close the door. Studies have shown high levels of e-coli lurking in airplane lavatories that have been cleaned before take-off. (Pack extras for fellow passengers - instead of thinking you're nuts, they may want to borrow some!)

Check back tomorrow for the second installment of my Top Ten Travel Tips.  And don't forget to click on the links for some useful and interesting websites.

All the best,

Eileen

Simply Juicy Travel