Author: 1girlwhotravels

The world is waiting for you!

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This week I said a tearful goodbye to one of my dearest childhood friends who was tragically killed in a car accident.  It has been an urgent reminder that life is short and we should live each day to the fullest.

My advice to you this week is simple in the words of Dalia Lama:

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before”. 

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This world has so much to offer us and we need to take time to explore new places.   This could be a grand adventure to a continent, country, city; or simply a visit to the city zoo, museum or theatre.  Take the opportunity to experience new places especially those in your own backyard.  The world is waiting for you…get out there!

 

Seek your adventure!

Let’s sail away

1girlwhotravels Destination ideas, How to 2 Comments
Let’s sail away
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Getting ready to board the Queen Mary 2

Let’t take this opportunity to talk about the unique travel option of cruising.  There are an endless amount of options available for cruise trips.  I have taken several cruises in my day and I have never been disappointed.   For several years on my annual flip flop trip  I took cruises that left from Florida.   I celebrated a special birthday with several close friends on the Queen Mary 2 which was absolutely divine!

 

 

 

Here are some major advantages to taking a cruise:

  • You are staying in a “floating hotel”  and you unpack your suitcase once yet you get to experience new destinations on a daily basis
  • All of your meals are included with several different dining options on the ship
  • You can truly escape technology as you go “off the grid” with no wifi or mobile phone coverage
  • While you are onboard you do not have to carry any cash or credit cards as everything is charged to your cabin number
  • Nightly live entertainment including music, theatre, lectures which are all complimentary
  • Live art auctions where you can pick up some excellent artwork at discounted prices
  • Spa services  & gym are typically available
  • Take a stroll on the boardwalk
  • Enjoy the lounge chairs and watch the world go by
Wow this is a big ship!
Queen Mary 2: Wow this is a big ship!
Twin balcony room...
Queen Mary 2: Twin balcony cabin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some things to take into consideration before you book:

  • There are usually additional fees added onto the basic cruise price including: port fees, beverages, tips,
  • Take notice of the room size, layout, configuration as the rooms can be quite small
  • For anyone concerned about getting sea sick; investigate the size of the ship, if the ship utilizes stabilizers, typical weather  for time of year will all play into the smoothness of sea

Cruising can provide high end amenities at a low cost travel option if you find the right deal!

Seek your adventure!

 

Free currency exchange

1girlwhotravels How to 1 Comment
International Bank of 1girlwhotravels
International Bank of 1girlwhotravels

For anyone traveling away from home here is a quick reminder on the basics of currency exchange.    Before you go check out the exchange rate on xe.com website or download their app.

First Place:  The best exchange rate you will get is to utilize your credit card but first confirm the credit card has no foreign transaction fees before you leave home.   The Chase Sapphire Preferred  is a great choice to use while traveling.

Second Place:  The second best option is withdrawing cash from a local ATM once you arrive.  Consider the duration of your visit or take only small amounts of money to avoid having a surplus of foreign currency when it is time to return home.

 

Consolation Prize:  Unless you are desperate never purchase currency at the airport because they give you a crappy rate and usually charge an additional fee.

Don’t even ask me about traveller’s check;  we have moved on from the 1970’s folks.

Seek your adventure!

Around the world in business class on $100!

1girlwhotravels Airlines, Destination ideas, How to, Trip report 0 Comment

Anyone who has ever gone to dinner or shopping with me knows that I purchase everything on a credit card.  

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View from Micronesia Island Hopper flight!

I want the points!   I am obsessed with earning points so that I can travel for free. The travel industry reports that over 75% of all airline points are NOT earned from “butt in seat” flights.

Last year was my best airline points redemptions ever, which was on my Micronesia Island Hopper trip with all flights in BUSINESS CLASS from Chicago – Honolulu – Kauai – back to Honolulu – Micronesia Island Hopper UA154 – Guam – Palau – Seoul – Tokyo – Chicago. I paid under $100 in taxes; yes you read that correctly.

The magic my friends is all in the credit cards. Now we could literally spend months talking through all the intricate details of how to earn points and the best way to spend points. However there are several amazing blogs dedicated to these topics so I would suggest visiting some of them. I have attended conference to hear these bloggers speak and they all have incredible travel tales.

I want to share with you my favorite credit card for earning points currently is Chase Sapphire.

Chase Sapphire benefits:

  • Earn 2X points on dining at restaurants from fast food to fine dining*  
  • Earn 2X points on all travel from airfare and hotels to taxis and trains*
  • Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases*
  • 1 to 1 points transfer to the following airlines British Airways Executive Club, Flying Blue AIR FRANCE KLM, Korean Air SKYPASS, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards®, United MileagePlus®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • 1 to 1 points transfer to the following hotels:  Hyatt Gold Passport®, IHG® Rewards Club, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®.

Check out these great blogs: 

The Points Guy

Million Mile Secrets

Johnny Jet

Seek your adventure!

 

People over Profit: Fly POP

1girlwhotravels Airlines, Destination ideas 0 Comment
Sikhs admiring the temple
2008 visit to Amritsar:  Sikhs admiring the Golden temple

There is a new airline in town.  People Over Profit officially known as Fly POP airlines which is committed to providing 51% profits to their charity partners.  POP will begin regular scheduled flights this autumn with very limited service.  The airline will start with 2 non-stop long haul flights on state-of-the-art Airbus A330-300s.    The new low-cost flights that are offered will be from London Stansted to Ahmedabad, India or Amritsar, India.

 

There is an opportunity to support the airline in their initial crowdfunding which will provide you with a Gold Pass for the next 5 years.  The first 7,000 participants will have the option to be included to have their “name-on-a-plane” with the other distinguished roll of honor.    WOW!  That is a once in a lifetime offer and for one girl who travels that is a very tempting offer!

Seek your adventure!

 

 

 

Momondo.com saves you big $$$

1girlwhotravels Flights, How to, Technology & Apps 0 Comment
Sunset dance in Palau
Amazing sunset in Palau

This past weekend I was able to put my travel knowledge into action to save hundreds of dollars!  My neighbor was in a dilemma for booking flights on an upcoming international business trip.  While his employer has no required airline carrier,  he has a personal preference and wanted to surprise his wife with a ticket to join him.  The flight prices were on a steady increase, ideal flight times were quickly diminishing and his preferred airline seemed impossible.

Here I come to save the day with my travel acumen and of course I am wearing a cape!

I encouraged him to try utilizing the travel search engine called momondo.com.  Well within 2 hours he stopped by to tell me he booked the flights on his preferred carrier, with excellent departure times, and it was over $400 cheaper than he had seen anywhere else.

Momondo.com found the perfect flight and I enjoyed the victory lap as a dinner guest at the neighbor’s home.

Seek your adventure!

How to avoid Montezuma’s revenge & travel gear antidote

1girlwhotravels How to, Travel gear 0 Comment
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Iguana Falls: Argentina side

I am so excited to share with you my latest travel gear purchase because I have never seen anything like this before!  As you can imagine my travel gear collection is quite extensive which has a dedicated closet in my home.   I have extremely stringent criteria for any new travel gear to ensure it will stand the test of time.

Without further ado let me introduce you to….my new travel gear item is The Grayl water filter.  You may recall from previously posts that I am a strong advocate for always carrying a packable water bottle so that you can get drinking water anywhere and most importantly save your money for margaritas.  Well that solution does not work in all countries especially where the tap water is not safe to drink.  In most instances the locals are immune to the many issues associated to the water and it only affects us delicate travelers. You may be familar with a few terms “Montezuma’s revenge” or “Delhi belly” for common illness that many travelers endured from drinking water or food washed in the local tap water.

 

Alas, the Grayl water filter eliminates 99.9999% disease-causing bacteria, virus protection and protozoan cysts in addition it has been tested according to NSF/ANSI standards 42 + 53.

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Iguazu Falls: Brazil side

The water filter is extremely easy and quick to utilize transforming stream or tap water into pure drinking water in mere seconds.  This avoids the countless trips to the local corner store then carrying heavy bottles of water back to the hotel.  In addition you no longer have to continual monitor your remaining water supply.  There have been numerous times I was ready to collapse into bed after a long day of travel only to realize that I don’t have any water left.  Ugh another journey out to search for water!   While the Grayl device is a little expensive I anticipate that after 3-4 trips it will have paid for itself and the luxury of convenience is worth every penny.

Seek your adventure!

 

 

 

Pill packing technique

1girlwhotravels How to, Travel gear 0 Comment

IMG_6739Well friends,  I am guessing that most of us over the age of 25 have daily medications that you take even if that might only be vitamins. For many years I had been traveling with the 7 day pill organizer which worked perfect for short trips.   However for longer trips I would load up the 7 day pill pack then carry extra medicine to refill at some point during the trip.  UGH!  Who wants to be spending precious vacation time in a hotel room reloading pill organizers?

So I got creative and got super organized!  I now fill a teeny tiny plastic bag for each day with any pills that I need to take; which makes them very transportable to take anywhere including the airplane.  You can even find teeny tiny plastic bags with different designs if you need to keep morning and evening medications separated.   I previously carried a small bottle of aspirin, Alleve, Tylenol, etc when I travelled or even on a daily basis in my purse.   I have even replaced that small bottle with these teeny tiny plastic bags to save space.

I have found that these teeny tiny plastic bags can be recycled to be utilized for many other purposes:

  • SD card or SIM card
  • hair ties
  • stamps
  • foreign coins
  • little sea shells
  • hydration tablets

Please remember that medications should always be packed in your carry-on luggage!

Seek your adventure!

The 5 tantalizing sensations of Quebec City

1girlwhotravels Destination ideas, Trip report 0 Comment

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You can have the perfect European vacation without the long flight or expensive plane ticket right here in North America.  It is true!  Quebec City, Canada has a multitude of alluring options to entice all of your senses yet leave you wanting more.

See: Historic District of Old Quebec City was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.  The architecture is stunning and you will be instantly charmed by it’s beauty.

Touch: The “pitter patter” feeling while walking the old cobbled streets will have you reminiscing of any European vacation taken or future wish list.

Hear: Parlez-vous français? You can practice your French!  Or at least be immersed in a world where French is the primary spoken language.  Nobody panic…everyone is bilingual in French and English.

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Taste: There are many restaurants where French influenced food is available.  The most common is the classic French crepes with a little side of Canadian maple syrup to P5280059remind you that you are  not in Paris.

Smell:  There are several cafes and bakeries in Old Quebec City so the scent of fresh bread and baked goods seems to waft through the air in every direction.  Pair that with a nice cafe au lait and you have yourself a true delight.

 

 

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Quebec City is so quaint and charming that you simply want to embrace it!

Seek your adventure!