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BY Nancy Mueller 22 Comments ON June 8, 2016

Top 5 Travel Safety Tips

Luggage

I’m often asked what I do to stay safe while traveling, either with family or on solo trips. Here are my top 5 travel safety tips to maximize safety, comfort and fun on the road whether you’re an experienced world traveler, or just beginning your journeys:

1)   Avoid being conspicuous.

It’s easy to stand out as a tourist while traveling, but there are a few things you can do to be less obvious:

  • Carry little cash and keep your money, maps and latest tech toys out of sight. I once made the mistake of taking out my money in clear view of my cab driver on the way to my hotel. Once he saw how much I had with me, he charged me an exorbitant rate that the local hotel clerk called – you guessed it – highway robbery. So that’s where that term comes from . . .
  • Avoid making inflammatory remarks (e.g. politics, religion) and don’t take the bait if others goad you into taking a political stand. It’s one thing to enjoy a spirited discussion for the purpose of greater cultural understanding; it’s quite another to feel under siege and have to defend the actions of your government in other countries.
  • Dress appropriately. This includes clothing and accessories. On one of my flights abroad, a kind gentleman advised me to remove my large hoop earrings or else run the risk of having them ripped out of my ears while out and about in the local community. Ouch!

2)   Pay attention to your surroundings.

This is what’s known as “street smarts.” If you grew up in an urban environment, like New York City or Los Angeles, no doubt this was part of your upbringing. But if you’re from a small town like me, learning to look around your surroundings discretely is an acquired skill that’s essential to develop.

  • People – In his book, The Gift of Fear, Gavin de Becker stresses the importance of listening to your intuition when assessing a situation. Listening to and acting on your intuition is a valuable travel skill.
  • Places – Get your bearings quickly. Know where you are and learn where the exits and escape routes are located. If you’re in a tsunami zone, for example, find out where the evacuation routes are and decide on a plan of action ahead of time should a natural disaster strike.
  • Things – By now most of us are accustomed to looking out for unattended bags at airports and on public transportation. Don’t forget other public settings like museums and markets as well.

3)   Read, listen and follow the safety guidelines & procedures provided.

The safety guidelines are in put in place for travelers’ protection. Look for printed copies here:

  • hotel room
  • airline flights
  • cruise ships
  • Log onto the U.S. State Department website for current info.

4)   Stay in touch.

  • Let people know where you will be traveling and your expected arrival times. You might want to get off the beaten path to delve more deeply into the local culture. I hope you do! Just be sure to give your contacts a general sense of where you’re heading in case they need to reach you.
  • Check in from time to time at whatever intervals you decide upon with your contacts before you take off.
  • Keep your cell phones charged at all times. Need I say more?

5)   Travel light.

  • Leave your cultural baggage at home. One of the great joys of traveling is making new discoveries. By leaving your cultural baggage at home, you open yourself up to learning about new customs, cuisines, and communication styles which makes for a much more interesting journey.
  • Pack only what you can carry whenever possible. Do you really want to be lugging around more than one bag if you don’t have to? Trust me on this. You don’t.
  • Stay fit and healthy and be ready to move quickly in unexpected or threatening situations. Whatever you can do to stay fit while traveling, including exercising, will pay off in your ability to participate in as many of the local activities as you desire.

What are your favorite travel safety tips? Drop me a line and let me know.

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Health & Safety Tagged With: Dress, Luggage, Personal Safety, Preparing for Your Trip, State Department Alerts, Teen Travel, Traveling Solo, Traveling with Friends & Family, Worst-Case Scenarios

BY Nancy Mueller 2 Comments ON August 5, 2015

How to Pack Light for Your Luxury Cruise Adventure

Pack Light

Pack Light

Over the last two years my mantra has been “Pack light. Pack light. Pack light.” I ditched my DSLR camera in favor of a small point-and-shoot, then scaled down further with an iPhone 6. I swapped out my paperbacks (because I could never just take one) for a Kindle. I gave up my clunky laptop in favor of a MacBook Air. And I replaced my trusty Travel Pro with a Traveler’s Choice Sedona 21″ Spinner.

Even so, I’m still often asked how I manage to trot around the globe with only one TSA-approved carry-on bag and a personal item, e.g. handbag. Admittedly, some destinations are easier to pack for than others. Hawaii anyone? Just tuck in a couple of T-shirts, a few wrinkle-free dresses, flip flops and a bathing suit and you’re good to go for at least two weeks.

Pack Light Summer

Viking Cruise

When it came to packing for my 8-day European Viking Cruise earlier this summer, I toyed with the idea of checking a bag for the trip. But in the end, I stuck with my original resolve – to pack light and only take a carry-on bag and personal item, which as it turned out, worked just fine.

Pack Light Viking Cruise

Warm-weather Destinations

To pack light for a value luxury cruise to a warm destination (Let’s skip Antarctica for now), here’s how I make the most of my carry-on bag and personal item – and how you can do it, too:

Travel outfit

  • Long jeans
  • Tank top
  • Long sweater
  • Scarf
  • Closed-toe shoes (also recommended for travel safety), i.e. tennis shoes which doubles as my walking and workout shoes (Travel tip: Wear your heaviest shoes rather than carry the weight in your luggage where they also take up too much room)

REI First Aid Kit

Packing List for 21″ Carry-On Bag

Clothing     

  • Underwear
  • Nightie & robe
  • 4 Dresses
  • 2 pairs of pants
  • Yoga pants & top
  • 3 long-sleeved shirts
  • Light sweater
  • 2 tank tops
  • 8 pairs of sneaker socks
  • Rain jacket
  • 2 pairs of sandals
  • Flipflops
  • Bathing suit

Toiletries 

  • Make-up/remover wipes
  • Flat-iron
  • Contact lenses
  • Hand, body & facial lotion
  • Sunscreen
  • Razor
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
  • Deodorant
  • Comb & hairbrush
  • Hair ties
  • Q tips
  • Earplugs
  • Small sewing kit
  • Small manicure kit

Accessories

  • Sunhat
  • 3 Scarves
  • Costume jewelry
  • Small handbag
  • Small fold-up umbrella

First-aid Kit

  • Band-aids
  • Sterile gauze pads
  • Neosporin ointment
  • Lip balm
  • Eye drops
  • Antiseptic towelettes
  • Moleskin
  • Tiger balm

Personal Item (Baggallini Bag)

  • Kindle
  • MacBook Air
  • iPhone 6
  • iPod
  • Canon G-16 point-and-shoot
  • Hard drive back up for downloading images
  • 2 – 3 extra memory cards
  • Chargers/cords/extra batteries for first five items on list
  • International plug adapters
  • Notebook/journal and pens
  • Host/destination information
  • Travel documents/passport/driver’s license (Travel Tip: Carry copies of important documents and passport in a separate place, like your carry-on bag)
  • Small amount of cash and credit cards
  • Emergency contact information
  • Snacks: Power bars, dried fruit & nuts, dark chocolate 🙂
  • Vitamins/medications
  • Sunglasses
  • Prescription glasses
  • Business cards

What I Wish I Had Packed

  • Light jacket
  • Small daypack

Q & A

Q: What about shampoo and conditioner? Facial cleanser?
A: Since TSA applies the 3-1-1 Liquids Rule, i.e. each passenger is allowed 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-lock bag limited to 3.4 ounces or less of liquids, creams, gels, aerosols and pastes per container, and most travel carriers and/or destinations provide small toiletries, only carry the liquids you can’t live without.

Q: What if I want to bring home some souvenirs?
A: Remember: think light! Save the heavier souvenirs for shipping home or purchase on-line when you get home. Jewelry made by local artists, small packs of savory spices (like paprika from Hungary), scarves, CDs (Yes, some people still buy these) and sweets from the region all make lovely gifts.

Q: But how can I stay a fashionista with only two pairs of sandals, flipflops and tennis shoes?
A: Whatever you wear, wear with confidence!

Thanks to my host Viking Cruises for the chance to practice packing for a luxury cruise adventure!

In case you missed these previous posts on packing tips, check out:

Favorite Travel Items to Lighten Your Luggage – Part I
Pack Light with Favorite Travel Items – Part II

For more information, visit:
TSA Travel Information

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What else should I add to my list?

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Cruising, Travel Tips Tagged With: baggage, carry-on bag, checked bag, Cruising, DSLR, first aid kit, Luggage, Souvenirs, TSA, value luxury

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON March 15, 2013

Travel Tips: Snack Packs for Your Journey

Maria'sLunch (387 x 450)

My 14-year-old daughter inspires me daily. Whatever she takes on, she does so with strategy, focus and determination, whether it’s her academics or extracurricular activities like music or sports.  She’s even taught me how to pack my own luggage and carry-on bag, methodically removing whatever she thinks I should be able to live without for two days or two weeks.

Lately I’ve been watching what she packs for lunch before school each morning, forgoing the sweets in favor of more nutritional snacks like fruit and vegetables. She even passed on the slice of pie that her math teachers offered in honor of “Pi” Day yesterday. Once again, I realize how much I can learn from my daughter.

Snacks (425 x 450)

Now when it comes time for my travels, I take along a snack pack for the ride, whether for a road trip or a flight. Here’s what I might include:

  • a mix of fruit and nuts, like dried apricots, raisins, cranberries, almonds, walnuts or cashews
  • an assortment of small vegetables like carrots and broccoli
  • pecan nut and rice crackers
  • protein bar
  • small pack of roasted seaweed

SnackPacks (450 x 260)

And sometimes – shhh! – promise not to tell – I even sneak in a little cookie, because unlike my daughter, I still enjoy just a tiny taste of something sweet to cap it all off.

For more fun Friday photos, be sure to check out Delicious Baby.

How about you, Wanderboomers? What are your favorite take-along snacks when you travel?

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Business Travel, Food & Dining, Travel Tips Tagged With: almonds, broccoli, carrots, carry-on, carry-on bag, cashews, cranberries, dried apricots, fruits, Luggage, nutrition, nuts, packing, pecans, raisins, roasted seaweed, snack packs, snacks, travel tips, vegetables, walnuts

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON November 5, 2012

European Travel Tips from Rick Steves and Friends

I’m spending the day in Edmonds, Washington to attend a free European Travel Festival (“Teach-A-Thon”) hosted by travel expert Rick Steves and and his Europe Through the Back Door team to kick off their 2013 tour season. With 10 classes to choose from – ranging from Steves’ session on “Travel Skills” to “Packing Light & Right”, from “1000 Years of European Art & History” to country-specific information, here are a few travel tips I picked up along the way:

Rick Steves

To get off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds . . .

  • Tour the most popular sights early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Then plan to spend the night.

Spice Market in Istanbul, photo by exfordy, courtesy of Flickr
  • Get into the markets. Buy something even if you’re not hungry. Talk to people.
  • Go to local sports events. You’ll learn local swear words (but be sure you’re wearing the right [team] colors).
  • Think of the cruise ships or buses as your base and then go off on your own. Be independent in the context of the big tour operators. Get out and stroll and meet people. Travel is about connecting with people.
  • “There are two IQs of European travelers: those who wait in line and those who don’t. If you’re waiting in lines, you’re screwing up.” For example, go to Versailles any day but Tuesday when the museums are closed because that’s when all the tourists head to Versailles.

Tourist Information Office in Hunstanton, photo by Ell Brown, courtesy of Flickr

To find out what your options are at your destination . . .

  • Look at TripAdvisor for sightseeing, tours and entertainment possibilities.
  • “The first place I stop is the Tourist Information Office no matter how well I know a town. I can find out what’s going on this week and get free passes.”
  • Guided tours sponsored by the local tourist office are always time and money well spent.
  • If you use a local tour guide, you’ll have much more value in your sightseeing trip. Prices can range from $200. for half a day in the most expensive cities like London to $100. a day with a car in less expensive countries like Poland.

Ramiro’s in Lisbon, Portugal, photo by crystalmartel, courtesy of Flickr

To be an adventurous eater while minimizing the risk  . . .

  • Always order a different dish from your travel partner and share.
  • Find places that specialize in local clients. You can tell if the menu’s handwritten in one language and not extensive which shows that it’s seasonal and changes daily.
  • Ask the people in the tourism office where they go for lunch.
  • Department store cafeterias or government subsidized cafeterias for workers are a relatively good bargain.
  • “Eat in a good restaurant but eat sparingly. Share small plates.” Have a salad and a glass of wine, tapas, or antipasto spreads.
  • Pick up food at a local market and have a picnic.

Passport and Luggage, photo by Sean MacEntee, courtesy of Flickr

On packing light . . .

  • “If there’s one thing you can take home that translates to travel happiness, it’s to pack light.”
  • You want to be mobile.
  • Only take carry on bags.

On accommodations . . .

  • “The more you spend, the higher the wall you build between you and what you came to see.”
  • When you stay in a B & B, you have a friend, and as a bonus, you get your own local mother. You don’t have to, but you can.
  • Smaller towns also have hostels, not just for younger travelers.

Euros, photo by patola, courtesy of Flickr

On money . . .

  • You will have more versatility if you get a credit card with a chip in it. Ask for one at your local bank.
  • Flights within Europe have come down in cost. Investigate pricing of air travel before taking the train or bus.
  • “Wear a money belt tucked inside your shirt for security.”

The bottom line . . .

“If you expect yourself to travel smart and you’re equipped with good information, you can travel like a pro.”

For travel writing advice from Rick Steves, be sure to check out my earlier post here.

What are your favorite travel tips, Wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Entertainment, Europe, Food & Dining, Hotels, Travel Tips Tagged With: antipasto, armchair traveling, B & B's, cafeteria, Europe Through the Back Door, European art and history, European Travel Festival, Euros, hostel, Istanbul, London, Luggage, off the beaten path, passport, Poland, Rick Steves, spice market, tapas, tour guide, tourism office, travel pro, TripAdvisor, Versailles

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON December 21, 2011

3 Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for Travelers

The Chocolate Traveler (450 x 299)

Just in case you’re on Santa’s Team this year, here are a few items guaranteed to fit into the Christmas stockings of any travelers on your list:

1) If you followed the blog posts of my stay at Termas Papallacta this past summer, then you already know how I feel about chocolate. So is it any surprise that I would urge Santa to plant one in a traveler’s Christmas stocking? In the interest of research, mind you, I sampled the Tiramasu Dark Chocolate wedges in the nifty tin from The Chocolate Traveler’s International Collection. With eight small pieces, this little gift offers just the right amount to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard – unless you eat all eight pieces in one sitting, of course (and for the record, no , I didn’t.).

Where I Found It: REI – a package of 2, milk/dark chocolate, $8.50

That'z Your Bag (450 x 299)2) Here’s another handy stocking stuffer: a specialty hand wrap to help world travelers identify their bag as it comes whizzing around on the luggage carousel. Assuming it makes it to the carousel, that is . . .

Where I Found It: Wide World Books & Maps, That’z Your Bag, $4.99

3) While the world does not start and end with chocolate, I always seem to circle round to it again when it comes to gift-giving. And, gosh darn it, I discovered this great palette of exotic flavors that was too good to pass up. While you might not be able to stuff all eight bars into one stocking, even including one or two is enough to inspire a future trip.

Trader Joe's Chocolate (450 x 299)Where I Found It: Trader Joe’s, under $10.00 for eight bars of chocolate from Venezuela, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, Dominican Republic, Peru, Ghana, Ecuador and São Thomé. Such a deal!

Of course, another stocking stuffer that will endear you to this traveler’s heart is a ticket to a surprise destination, like Australia, Antarctica – almost anywhere .  . . Are you listening, Santa?

What stocking stuffers for travelers do you recommend, Wanderboomers? Santa needs all the help he can get!

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, Gifts, Holidays, Travel Gear & Gadgets Tagged With: baggage claim, carousel, Chocolate, Christmas stocking, Chrsitmas, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and São Thomé, Ghana, Luggage, luggage tag, luggage wrap, Papua New Guinea, Peru, REI, stocking stuffers, Tanzania, Termas Papallacta, The Chocolate Traveler International Collection, Trader Joe's, traveler, Venezuela, Wide World Travel & Books, world, world traveler

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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