Liz Hough, Author at LiBT Agents ONLY site

A Great Place for kids.

Lancaster County is a great place to take the kids.

A few weeks ago we spent an entire week at my parent’s house in Reading, PA. When my husband has business out of town and it is easier for him to fly out of the Philadelphia airport, we pack up the family and head to Reading. For those of you who don’t know where Reading is, it is located about an hour north west of Philadelphia and an hour south of Allentown, PA. It is a large city with a fast growing restaurant and micro-brew scene, but other than that not much to do with the kids. So we pack up the kids and head 30 minutes south to Lancaster County.

Yes, Lancaster is very well-known for Amish people, sprawling farmlands, and Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, but it is also full of great restaurants, historic sites, and nice resorts. Not only are there a lot of great activities for adults, but there many places for the kids to have fun also. These are some of my favorite places to visit:

1. Dutch Wonderland – Dutch Wonderland has been around for 60 plus years and even though they have kept some of the same exhibits that I played with when I was a little kid, they have added so many rides for those aged 6 months to 6 years. They have interactive shows, a train ride through a gem mine, and my kids’ favorite: the good old fashion log flume. They have some of the best amusement park food that I have ever tasted, and it is easily located right off of Route 30. They also have their own campground, so if you want to pitch a tent or bring the RV, you can park there overnight.

2. Hands-On House Children’s Museum– The Hands-On House Children’s Museum is not same as the Please Touch Museum which is located in Philadelphia. This is a different museum where children can learn about bugs, making music with household items, face painting, and playing postman. They have their own little grocery store to teach children how to shop and then they can play check out with real machines that add up their order. They also have events throughout the week the kids can attend but it is best to check their schedule online.

3. Strasburg Railroad – This is more than just a train ride, this is an adventure! The station has activities for kids including hand pedaling their own train car, a kids train, or they can even operate an old pump car. They also have some fun stores where you can pick up some Thomas the Train toys are grab a bite to eat before your ride. So don’t worry if you just missed the train, there is plenty to do. You can also add admission to the Train Museum across the road to your train ticket. You will see the history of trains and some very old and interesting engines. Make sure to check their website for when Thomas the Train and his friends are there. This is a fun time but tickets sell out fast.

4. Toy Train Museum and Red Caboose Inn – The Toy Train Museum is very close to the Strasburg Railroad and houses hundreds of toy trains that were played with by many for hundreds of years. Some of the trains date back to the 1800’s and some are old time favorites with pictures of your favorite characters you used to watch on TV. They have a few working models which make the kids laugh and play as they wait for the trains to come out of the model sized mountain and whiz past the tiny town. Once you step out the toys of the Toy Train Museum you will see old train cars parked in a lot. If you take a closer look you will actually find out that it is the Red Caboose Motel, which has converted old train cars into hotel rooms. Each car is its own room equipped with bed and private bathroom. There is also a restaurant onsite with an amazing gift store of all things Lancaster county.

5. Kitchen Kettle Village – Kitchen Kettle Village is a great place for all generations as there are 40 shops and restaurants where you can purchase quality Lancaster county products and foods, and fun trinkets from all over the world. Want to try Pennsylvania Dutch relish, well head over to the The Jam and Relish Kitchen where you can taste all types of jams, relishes, and salsas – all homemade. Maybe the kids aren’t into shopping but the grandparents want to buy some more great finds, well take the kids on a horse-drawn carriage ride through Amish country and to see various farms. They can decorate a Gingerbread man to look like Yummie, the mascot for Kitchen Kettle Village, or get up close and personal with some farm animals at the barnyard.

There are so many things to do and see in Lancaster County Pennsylvania so the next time you are in the area it is worth a stop. Make sure to stock up on some Shoo-fly pie or whoopie pies.

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Is 3 hours enough for a connecting flight?

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Now a days with the variety of flights you can choose from to get you to your destination and the variability in prices, people have been opting for the less expensive flights with a layover. Flying on domestic flights US based airlines make it really easy to choose your departure airport and destination airport and will give you options of layover cities. Thanks to code sharing between airlines, we don’t have to book with multiple airlines and pay the taxes and fees twice, you can book with one airline but you may be traveling on two or three different airlines. Even though you are dealing with multiple airlines, the original airline that you booked the flights with is responsible to get you to your final destination no matter what.

When you are traveling internationally this code sharing between airlines doesn’t always occur, especially if you are looking to fly a particular airline or into specific destinations. I recently had two clients fly to Italy and they wanted to fly on a certain airline out of a specific airport. Unfortunately, that airline no longer flew to the city in Italy that they were visiting. I had to get them into Rome on one airline and then booked them on another airline to their final destination. That is right, two bookings on two separate airlines. If you miss the connecting flight, unfortunately it is on you. So how do you know how much time to leave for connecting flights when you have booked with two separate airlines?

The rule of thumb is that you leave AT LEAST 3 hours from arrival to departure for international flights and 1.5 hours for domestic. You still have to get your bags, clear customs, re-check your bags and then go through security for your next flight. All of this can take a couple of hours. Also, there is always mother nature we have to worry about too. She can delay your flight which will delay your arrival.

Now if you are flying internationally, flights back to the United States only have one or two departure times per day. You don’t want to miss that last 4pm flight back home because if you do then the next flight is the next day.

If you do decide to be on the safe side and take the flight itinerary with the longer layover, you may want to mill around for a couple of hours in the airport. Go shopping, eat something, have some coffee, or wear yourself down so you can get some rest. Consider purchasing the airline’s lounge pass. They have areas where you can get some rest, and recharge your cell phone and other smart devices. This can really be well worth the money, especially if you were unable to sleep on that overnight flight and your connecting flight is another couple of hours. Drinks, food, and a nice chair or couch to spread out on for a few hours can really recharge you.

Remember with connecting flights, you may think that you can make it to the next flight no problem, and you may just be able to do it. But throw in some obstacles like slow people deplaning, long security lines, concourse changes, customs, and security and you will miss your flight. Be on the safe side and give yourself extra time. Life is Better Traveling when we are relaxed and on-time.

Is convenience always better?

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When you travel you always try to make it convenient for yourself. Some of the things that I have purchased over the years to make travel convenient include a blow up neck pillow, a blow up cushioned seat, smart tablets, versatile clothing, RFID blocking purse, belt with hidden compartment for money and credit cards, foldable shoes, various pieces of luggage and bags, etc. Some of these items were amazing and others were a complete waste of money. Now that I have two little kids to travel with, traveling seems like a huge task! Anything I can do to make it more convenient on myself and my husband, I will pay for it!

If you have or had little ones, you remember how getting through an airport, an amusement park, or even getting on a bus at Disney was a difficult task but the one thing that you bring for convenience is a stroller. Nowadays, there are some many strollers on the market and when you find that one you like, you take it everywhere with you including anywhere you travel. The problem with most strollers are that they are beasts! Even folded over they are bulky and weigh over 20 pounds. Now, if you have ever been to Disney then you know that the buses to take you to and from your resort are crowded with people, but most of the space taken up is by strollers. Those people with older children are the envy of the bus, and those of us with our beast of a stroller just give each other the sympathy nod. Same holds true when you are folding the beast at the end of the runway before getting on a plane.

Well, lucky for us we are at that stage with our kids where they don’t really need a stroller, but it is still a good idea to bring one along, especially for the toddler who likes to run away from us in the busy airport. With so many trips coming up this year I didn’t want to buy another stroller, but our umbrella stroller broke on our last trip. Out to the baby store we went, looking to pick up another umbrella stroller but instead we were intrigued by a new stroller on the market. Weighing in at 9 pounds and folding up to the size of large book, how could I not resist checking out this stroller. I had a huge smile on face at the thought of how this would make my life so convenient on our upcoming trips!

The lady at the store, Kathy who needs to be mentioned for having such patience, got out the box from the storage area in the back. Excited to see the product first hand as she had only seen the video of how to use, she came down the aisle with a huge smile on her face. The box for the stroller was the same size of the box that my laptop computer came in. All excited, we started to gather a crowd of employees who also wanted to see the world’s smallest folded stroller. Kathy opens the box that says no assembly required, and takes it out of the bag. As she says watch this, she tries to open it as she had seen in the video, nothing happens. She tries again, and nothing. Another employee takes the stroller and tries to open it, nothing. At this point, we have about 8 employees and 3 customers all around this book size, folded up stroller and none of us can figure out how to open it. My excitement for a stroller with such convenience has turned into frustration and concern about whether I would be able to figure out how to fold this stroller quickly. After losing several employees, the original Kathy, myself, my husband, and two other employees had figured it out after 25 minutes! Even though we watched the video several times, it took us 25 minutes to figure it out. After getting it open, I was disappointed by the lack of a sun screen/visor to protect a child and the stability of the stroller. I also did not like that the seat did not recline for the child. If you are interested in finding out which stroller I am talking about I have conveniently hyperlinked the video. You will be impressed, just like I was. Click Here for Video

I am impressed by this stroller company in general. They have several one touch foldable, light-weight strollers. We did purchase the stroller called the Qbit and it folds up small enough to go into bag that is provided by the company, and is around 15 pounds. Both kids have found it very comfortable to be in and me and my husband have found it very easy and convenient for all of our travel needs. I look forward to using it in a few weeks on our next trip. In the meantime, I am definitely going to be using it around town to check out the stability.

So next time you go to purchase that travel gadget that you will think will make your life so much more convenient, weigh the options, definitely try it out, and check for durability. If it breaks during your trip, then it won’t be so convenient.

A amazing article I had to share.

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When you find something that resonates with you, you just have to share it!

Find out why I had to share this article….

My heart goes out to the small country of Belgium where their trusting and easy going nature, was taken advantage during the attack back in 2016. When we had an attack on our own country almost 18 years ago, we were probably in the same place, trusting and easy going. We have adapted to understanding that even though the world is a large place, we must now be suspicious and ask questions of all activities that make us uneasy. However, it doesn’t stop us from traveling! Taking the children to Disney World, driving to Colonial Williamsburg, shopping in Manhattan for a long weekend, or even taking that Caribbean cruise. We have learned that if we want to do or see anything, we have to adapt and turn that fear into confidence that if something were to happen, you would be able to stand up against it.

I recently read an article by a travel journalist named Wendy Perrin who wrote about why we shouldn’t fear traveling after an attack and the likelihood of becoming a statistic of a terrorist attack. She called it 7 Keys to Traveling Without Fear Despite Terrorist Attacks. I wanted to share this article because it was so well written and empowering that I hope it makes you feel the way I did after reading it, ready to TRAVEL.

Here is an intro to Wendy Perrin’s article:

1. Grasp how minuscule the statistical probability is of getting caught in a terrorist attack abroad.

According to the U.S. State Department, the number of U.S. citizens killed overseas by incidents of terrorism from 2001 to 2013 was 350. If you’re thinking home is safer, compare that number with the 3,030 killed in the U.S. by terrorism during the same period. More recently, of the 132 lives lost in the Paris attacks, only one was an American; and of the 15 people killed by attacks in Istanbul this year, two were of dual U.S.-Israeli nationality. In terms of street crime and gun violence, most of the U.S. cities we live in are statistically more dangerous than the places we visit abroad. Your risk of being killed in a car crash (one in 19,000), drowning in your bathtub (one in 800,000), or being struck by lightning (one in 5.5 million) far exceed your risk of dying from terrorism (one in 20 million).

2. Don’t confuse the probability of a terrorist attack with the probability of becoming the victim of a terrorist attack.

Is it virtually certain that there will be another terrorist attack in Europe in the next 12 months? Yes. Does that translate into a high degree of risk for the individual traveler to Europe? No.

Click here to read the entire article

NOTE: I am not endorsing Ms. Wendy Perrin, nor am I taking any credit for her article. She is a travel journalist who wrote an amazing article that I wanted to share with all of my friends on my Newsletter.

Oh No, I can’t go! Now what…

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Is it worth it?

You plan all year for this vacation, sometimes even two years of planning went into that big trip. You have been saving for years and right before you are supposed to go on this amazing journey something happens. You can’t go! What are you going to do? You read through all the cancellation policies and most of them say “100% non-refundable 6 days prior.” Oh no, you are within that time frame. No refund! All those hard earned dollars down the drain.

Most of us are lucky that this scenario does not happen to us. However, life has a way of throwing curve balls so you want to make sure that when that curve ball comes your way you know exactly where to hit it, with insurance.

There are many insurance companies out there selling travel insurance. The question now becomes, Which one works best for you? Your travel agent is the best guide as to which company will provide the most coverage for your needs. You don’t need to purchase the “Platinum Plan” to get good coverage. Most times their basic plans, or gold plans will cover up to 100% of your non-refundable costs and give you very good health coverage too.

Some things you want to make sure you do when buying travel insurance:

Tip #1: Buy travel insurance within 15 to 21 days of your initial deposit to ensure coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

Tip #2: Only buy “Cancel for Any Reason Coverage” if you really are on the fence about going on the trip. Most medical issues, for both travelers and immediate family members, are covered under their reasons for cancellation. The Cancel for Any Reason is an added cost that you may not need to pay.

Tip #3: Check what your medical insurance covers for out of country visits. Don’t buy additional medical coverage if you already have good medical coverage.

Tip #4: Renting a car? Check what your credit cards and car insurance coverage for any damage to vehicle overseas. Consider buying additional coverage if you already have high premiums here in the states or you don’t have enough coverage.

Tip #5: Make sure to get a comprehensive copy of your purchased policy from your travel agent. Each state has different policies so make sure you have received the correct one for the state you live in.

Tip #6: READ OVER YOUR POLICY!!! The more you know before you go the better. If you have any questions about the policy call the insurance company for a full explanation.

Make sure to cover your hard earned dollars by purchasing travel insurance. It really will give you Peace of Mind!

Remember our agency has the ONE Phone Call Guarantee! If something were to go wrong and you need to cancel your vacation, you make one phone call to our agency. We take care of the rest! On average, if you book your vacation on your own, you will call 5 different suppliers to cancel your vacation plans! We save you the time and the hassle with one call!

This country’s crown is crooked.

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Favorite Place #1 – Budapest Hungary

I am so excited that we have finally reached my favorite destination. But first, I want to say thank you to everyone who read my last three favorite destinations and has shared them on social media to all of their friends. We have had an amazing response to each of them.

Now this last destination is not going to be a country like the others. Though I did enjoy the country side, there was so much to see and do in this city that I have to share my top five favorite places in…Budapest! If you have been to Budapest, you know how amazing this city is with its’ various periods of architecture, delicious food, interesting culture, and endless entertainment and shopping. Because there is so much that I loved about this city, it was hard for me to pick my top five favorite spots, but here they are.

Top 5 Favorite Places in Budapest

#5 Heroes’ Square or in Hungarian, Hősök tere – The square is surrounded by the Museum of Fine Art and Palace of Art, but to me it wasn’t about what surrounded it, it was about what it stood for: Freedom. In the front of the monument is a large stone dedicated to the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of their people and their national independence for over a thousand years! That is right, a monument dedicated to those who fought in wars and battles a thousand years ago. A country that didn’t forget anyone and built a monument to remember everyone. It really is something amazing to be standing in this semi-circle of statutes and monuments that was built over a 100 years ago.

#4 Matthias Church – If you didn’t know Budapest is actually split by the Danube river into two parts, one side of the river is the Buda side and the other side is the Pest side. Matthias Church on the Buda side in the Buda Castle District. When you come upon the church you are expected to be in awe by it’s massive steeple and architecture, but what catches my eye every time is the multi-colored roof. This orange and yellow roofing stand out on top of the light gray, almost white façade. This church was where coronations of Kings, and burials of royalty took place, and when you walk into the church you can see why it was the chosen venue. Ceilings so high you think they touch the sky, and ornate stained glass windows, and a large amount of seating.

#3 – Fisherman’s Bastion – Believe it or not, the Fisherman’ Bastion is actually a terrace on the Castle hill. To me it appears to be an ornate wall protecting the Castle hill, or what we typically call the wall to a fort. This wall does get its’ name from the guild of fishermen that were responsible for defending the stretch of land in the Middle Ages, and the seven towers represent the seven Magyar tribes who settled into the region in 896. There are several stairways, and walking paths that boast the most beautiful views of the Danube river and the Pest side. On a clear day you can get amazing pictures of the Hungarian Parliament building. Since you will be doing a lot of climbing stairs and walking, just down the way is a mascarpone shop that showcases amazing edible art and demonstrations on how to make some of their pieces.

#2 – Bridges of the Danube – The Bridges that connect the Buda and Pest sides are each different. Some have enormous rock statues in front of them and other are more modern with large gateways as an entrance. When we took our tour we were told that during World War II throughout Europe several bridges where destroyed, but Budapest was one of the few cities whose bridges were not destroyed.

There are eight bridges in total, and my two favorite bridges are the Chain Bridge and the Liberty Bridge. The Chain Bridge is very close to the parliament building and gives easy access into the main cultural center of Budapest. This stone bridge was built in the early 1800’s and was the second bridge to be built over the Danube river. Stone lions guard over the passengers who come and go, and at night they light the bridge up beautifully so that you can get really good pictures of the bridge in the foreground and Castle Hill in the background. The Liberty Bridge acted as a toll bridge for some time and this can be seen by the houses that were built at both ends of the bridge. There are four Turuls statutes, one on each pillar of the bridge. If you don’t know what a Turul is that is ok, neither did I, they are falcon-like birds, prominent in ancient Hungarian mythology.

#1 Hungarian Parliament Building – I had seen pictures of the inside of this building prior to actually going into it, but seeing it in person was absolutely breath-taking. You first walk up a grand staircase fit for a king into an area where all the walls are gold! That is right, gold! It is absolutely breath-taking and unfortunately, my pictures won’t do it justice. Guided tours are the best way to get around this building as there are so many rooms, and some of them are very long with nothing in them. They are called waiting rooms, but I could fit two of my house into this long, wide room. I must say I was a bit surprised when we came upon the Holy Crown of Hungary. A beautiful crown with a slightly crooked cross on top. We had asked our guide if that was symbolic for something, and he told us no that someone has either dropped it or knocked slightly resulting in the cross tilting to one side. It surprised me that no one wanted to fix it but after 300 years of it being this way, I guess it is now a tradition.

I love ending my newsletter about the food of the country. Hungary is known for its paprika and this bright red colored pepper is used in every dish. It may appear to an outsider that the Hungarians even worship this pepper as it is embroidered onto table clothes and proudly displayed in shops. Make sure to buy some to bring back with you. If you are used to the paprika here in the states then it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it is sure to make your tastebuds dance! I was pleasantly surprised how flavorful fresh paprika is and when properly used, can really make a dish pop in color, flavor, presentation.

Heads Up originated here.

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Are you ready to pack your bags?

Favorite Place #3 – Great Britain

Many Americans prefer that their first visit to Europe be to Great Britain because the main language is English. It is an easy transition and the most people feel comfort in knowing that if something were to go wrong, they know the language and can communicate easily. One thing that we tend to feel a bit uncomfortable doing in Great Britain is driving, as they drive on the opposite side of the road and some of the lines on the roads are confusing (have you seen those squiggly lines?). A great way to get around easily, and quickly is by train. There are also several motorcoach tours with various activity levels and timeframes.

John, did you know that Great Britain is actually made up of four countries? Well, it is actually called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The island of Great Britain itself is comprised of England, Scotland, and Wales which is where I am going to pick my top 5 favorite places.

Top 5 Favorite Places in Great Britain

#5 York – York is about a four-hour drive north of London, but it is worth the drive! When you think of England and a tour with Tudor style buildings, this is that town. You can easily walk around to the various shops, enjoy a meat pie, or walk along the castle wall. My favorite part of the town is the oldest street in all England called Shambles. This street was even said to be mentioned in the 1086 book DomesDay, but to me it felt like I was walking down Diagon Alley, for all you Harry Potter fans. Crooked buildings, tight streets, crowds of people, and tiny stores make up this street and it is really something to see.

#4 Highlands – The Highlands is not a city but a region of Scotland that contains a lot of hills, lochs, and mountains. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Great Britain, and on a clear day you can really enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. We were there in October, typically the rainy season, but each day we had beautiful weather and clear skies, which gave us the most amazing pictures. Seeing Loch Ness was really something that I always wanted to do so standing next the Loch getting our picture taken seemed so surreal and exciting. Unfortunately Nessie decided not come out that day. Taking a boat ride on Loch Lomond was another highlight as the surrounding area is so lush and beautiful. When in Scotland, make sure not to miss out on seeing a Scottish Cow, pronounced Coo by the Scottish. Also keep an eye out for jewelry made out of Heather.

#3 London – There is one thing that I clearly remember I loved about London: the public transportation. It was very easy to get around whether we took the iconic red bus or the Underground, we were able to easily get to our destination. We decided to do all things Royal so we visited the Tower of London to see the royal crown and jewels. As much as I appreciated the jewels, I was more interested in the armor and weapons that they had cached 300 years ago! Room after room, it felt like it was never ending. We also opted to take a tour of Kensington Palace to see the Princess Diana collection. So many beautiful dresses to see but the building itself was a bit outdated and plain inside. While in London, you must take a walk in one of their many parks. You never know what type of art or activity you may come across, but on a beautiful, warm day there are plenty of activities to do. Grabbing a pint at a local pub is a must, and this was where I was introduced to Strongbow a “dry” cider produced in Great Britain. Having this on draft was a smooth as a lager and not sweet like a hard cider you would get in the states. Since we have been to London, you can now purchase Strongbow here in the states and it is now produced in several flavors. I have not had it since London, as I am afraid the formulation has changed to suit the American taste buds.

#2 Bath – Bath has been a bucket list item for me since I was a teenager. The white townhouses all lined up in a half circle, the beautiful country side, and of course, the Roman Baths. Seeing pictures of people in the early 1900’s in their bathing suits soaking in the baths hoping for some healing or enjoying the warmth of the water, is something that had me curious. The Roman bath building is quite large containing the main bath area, but there are also several springs that are equally fascinating. The water is so clear that it is hard to believe that it is unfiltered. I will warn you that there is a sulfur concentration in the water so there can be an unpleasant smell while you are there, especially in warmer weather. You can also taste the water from a special fountain found in the restaurant on site. I did not as I was told it tasted really bad, and was a darker color than they had expected. There are several archaeologists that have been digging and uncovering artifacts from hundreds of years ago. You can also view and even touch some of these pieces.

#1 Edinburgh – Edinburgh is my second favorite city in all the places that I have visited. You sense the great things that happened in this town, and because the façade of the buildings has been virtually untouched, you get this feeling of going back in time. It is very easy to get around Edinburgh but make sure to bring good walking shoes, as the Royal Mile is something to really see but hard on the feet. I really enjoyed walking through “Closes” which are alleyways that sometimes underground. Many people hang their clothes out to dry in these areas, and this is also where the saying “Heads Up” originated as they would throw their bed pan material out the window to the street below. My favorite tour was of Mary King’s Close which is an underground city that has been untouched since medieval times. Seeing how people lived at that time is sad but a good reminder of how much we have progressed in the world. Edinburgh Castle is a must and if you are there when the Military Tattoo is being held, I highly recommend seeing this show. Once you are done at the castle a stroll down the Royal Mile to get in some shopping and/or whiskey tasting is must. Once at the end, make sure to visit Holyrood Palace, home of the Queen of Scots!

I always like to end these segments with food of the region! Fish and chips can be purchased everywhere throughout Great Britain, but the best Fish and Chip places that we found were those where the construction workers would eat. Once place was just a Fish and Chip store with no seating, and it was the best Fish and Chips that I have ever had. Another interesting food that is easy and quick is the meat pie! You don’t have to get meat as there are cheese and vegetable options, but these great to get when you are hungry but want to still walk around to take in the sites. Let’s end with some Haggis! A food staple in the Scottish culture and one of the most flavorful dishes I have ever had. If you don’t know what haggis is or how it is made, skip knowing, and try it. Believe me, your taste buds will thank you!

Country with the best food.

Liz Hough on

Are you ready to pack your bags?

Favorite Place #3 – Italy

Italy is a must when traveling to Europe. Most people want to visit Italy for its culture, history, and of course, the wine and food! I am no different than most people. Some of the best food dishes that I have ever had were in Italy, and it is the one place where I will actually drink wine. I have been lucky enough to have traveled to Italy on several occasions, even one time when I was in Switzerland we were so close to the border that it felt like we were in Italy. It truly is an amazing country to visit and these are the places that I enjoyed the most.

Top 5 Favorite Places in Italy

#5 Pompeii – This ancient civilization, that is unearthed more and more each year, is absolutely breath-taking. Going through people’s homes and seeing how they lived, the interlacing of the city streets, shops, and actual relics that have been unearthed gives one an understanding of how people lived at that time, and it is so well preserved. Now each time I have visited, we have taken a 3 to 4 hour tour just of Pompeii. If you really want to see all of Pompeii, you really have to give yourself a good 8 hours or more. Most tours take you to the known sites, but Pompeii is quite large and you may want to find a tour that will take you to the lesser known areas.

#4 Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo – When I heard that our cruise ship was stopping in Sicily, all I could think of was the Godfather movies and the opera house, which we did see and go inside. But there was something else that I really wanted to see, Rosalia Lombardo. Who is this person? She is an extremely well-preserved two-year girl who died in 1920. It is unknown why she is so well-preserved, but she is prominently displayed in her own section of the Capuchin Catacombs. Catacombs aren’t for everyone as they are a reminder that life is short, but I had seen several shows on this particular one in Palermo, so I booked us a tour. I was pleasantly surprised that most of the Catacomb was not underground and plenty of natural light was coming in. The paths were clearly defined and the layout of the bones was very well-preserved. Once we reached Rosalia and saw her in the small glass casket, it seemed surreal and one of the most mysterious things that I have ever seen.

#3 Sorrento city center – Sorrento is usually a stop when traveling the Almafi coast. It is a beautiful town on top of some cliffs that really give you some amazing views of the sea. The town center is filled with small alleys leading you to amazing store fronts, and seems to be decorated with the most amazing flower displays. There are three things that are a must when you go to Sorrento. First you must consider purchasing some wood art. This is where the artists use wood to make various scenes of Sorrento and is beautiful and quite unique. Anything with lemons! Limoncello is hugely popular in Sorrento and a good place to purchase some really amazing versions of it. They also have various candies with lemon, which are amazing and not too sour. Gelato! When in Italy, gelato is a must! This is one of the foods that I must try in every Italian city I visit, and Sorrento didn’t disappoint with their gelato. There is one store right down from the main square that resides in a building right in the middle of two streets. You can enter from either street and the walls are filled with famous people who have stopped into their store, and when we tried their gelato, I can see why!

#2 The Forum – Rome is a city that has so many amazing historical sites that you won’t be able to see them all in one visit. We decided to do a private 10-hour tour of Rome to see most of the well-known sites including the Forum. All I really wanted to see was the Colessum but the first thing we did that day to beat the summer sun, was walk around the Forum. Immediately I was impressed by the Arch of Titus which is the original arch that the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France is modeled after. We walked around this ancient Roman civilization for 3 hours seeing mostly city buildings and some homes. The most impressive part of the forum was when we reached Circus Maximus, where they used to race the chariots. Looking at this massive site and picturing chariots racing around while people cheered on their favorites, was very impressive to me. We did visit the Colessum, but I was unimpressed at the size after seeing Circus Maximus.

#1 The Island of Venice – My first European experience was Venice and from the moment I stepped onto the taxi boat, I fell in love. As we circled the island you can see the beautiful colorful structures and you are amazed that a city can thrive right in the middle of the water. Once on the island, there are alleyways following canals, more bridges than I have ever crossed in my life, and around each turn you have the opportunity to take an award winning picture. As we love our private tours, we opted for one through Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square and Basilica. Our private tour of the palace allowed us to go into rooms that aren’t seen by the general public and in the old days were the private rooms of the Doge’s. Crossing through the Bridge of Sighs was eerie and surreal but I have to say one of the most memorable moments of my life. When on the island of Venice, one must purchase a masquerade mask. They are pretty much sold in every store on the island, but the ones you are looking for are made of Paper Mache and not porcelain. There are a select few artisans on the island who still make them out of paper mache so you will have to ask around where the closet on to your hotel is located.

I only briefly talked about the food in Italy, but if you have been there you already know that eating anywhere in Italy is a culinary experience. Portions are large, and the wine seems to flow like water. My husband and I always like to find out where the locals eat and eat with them at night. Eating dinner in Italy means that you will be eating dinner at 10pm, but it is worth the wait. Every dinner is as least a five course meal including an appetizer, salad, pasta, entrée, and dessert, usually in this order. Yes, pasta is a course and not the main meal. You have to also realize that dinner is enjoyed slowly over 2 to 3 hours so there is plenty of time to digest each course. Like they say, when in Rome, eat like the Romans!

Disney Dining Plan, Is is worth it?

Liz Hough on

Disney easily comes up in conversations with random people I meet, but when they find out I am a travel consultant they always ask me if the Disney Dining Plan is worth the money. I have read so many different opinions on various Disney blogs, Facebook pages, and travel agent outlets about people’s views on this subject matter. It seems like people are split, some love it and some say it is a waste of money. Well, we recently went to Disney and I decided to add the Disney Dining Plan to our package so I could see if it is worth it.

Before I go into if is it worth or not, I must explain that there are several dining plans available through Disney. Because of the variety, I am wondering if those who feel that the Dining Plan is not worth the money may have been talked into the wrong Dining Plan for their family, see chart below for quick reference. Why so many options? It is easy to understand, there are many cultures and different types of families that go to Disney so they are really catering to everyone. One family may say that a particular plan has too many meals for their family while another may say this is the perfect amount for us. I will tell you, that no matter which plan you choose for your family, it will be perfect.

For our family we choose the Disney Dining Plan which includes 1 quick service, 1 table service, and 1 snack per person per night of stay and 1 resort refillable mug. The refillable mug can be used at your resort. You cannot use this mug in the parks to get refills, but I will tell you that we did take our mugs along with us to the parks and asked for ice water, which is free. We then transferred our ice water into the mugs. With each table service meal, we were able to choose one entrée from the menu, one dessert, and one non-alcoholic beverage. When you choose an entrée you are not limited to a select menu specifically for those on the dining plan. You receive the same menu that everyone receives and get to choose any of the entrées including steak or salmon. Dessert at Disney is fantastic! It is gourmet and no matter what you choose it will not disappoint. However, having dessert every day could be a lot for some people, as it was for me. There is a little known fact that isn’t shared by the wait staff, but some restaurants now allow you to substitute your dessert for an appetizer. You have to ask your server when you sit down if this is one of the participating restaurants and which appetizers are included, but you may have an option of a salad instead of the that rich chocolate cake.

Quick service meals are just like the combo meals that you get at any of your local fast food places, and snacks include a variety of foods including popcorn, cookies, cupcakes, a banana, or the famous Mickey Mouse ice cream bar.

Now the Disney dining plan was the perfect amount of meals and snacks for my family, but some families have teens or growing, hungry children who eat a lot more or need more snacks, so purchasing another plan to fit their family’s needs would be a better option. I have put together some additional information in the chart below that shows the various dining plans available and what is offered with each dining plan. This will help make it easier to find what will work best for your family.

When you purchase a dining plan that has several table services with it, you must make your reservations in advance. You can start to make your dining reservations up to 180 days prior to your arrival date for the entire length of your day, but not to exceed 10 days of stay. What this really means is on the 179th day you can call to make your reservations. I would recommend calling to make your reservations. It is much faster and you will also be able to make any additional reservations such as Pirate’s League or any tours, all with one phone call. If you don’t make a reservation in advance, you could be told that the restaurant is full for the day or you may have a two-hour wait. A two-hour wait with hungry children is not fun for anyone!

So are you ready to find out if the dining plan is worth the money? For a family of four going to Disney for seven nights, who elect the Disney Dining plan, it is a little over $1000. (Now that is just for the Dining plan, not including park tickets or resort stay.) For four people on this seven day Disney vacation, it comes to between $33 to $40 per person per day. One character meal is around this same cost, so if you do one character meal you have paid for your entire day right there! Even if you are doing non character meals, your meal cost with entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage can easily reach the $40 to $50 range per person. When you look at the numbers you really see that you are paying for table service but getting a quick service meal and snack for free. I, personally, find that the dining plan is worth the money and saves me time when we are there. My meals are planned out, they are paid for, and everyone is happy because the food is so good.

Now, one thing you must know is that tip/gratuity is not included. The suggested tip is based on your total meal cost prior to deducting your plan. It is up to you, how much you want to tip unless you are a party of six or more than 18% is automatically added to your bill. When you receive your bill it will tell you how many of that service you have left. So if you had six table services to start and just finished eating, then your bill will show that you have five remaining. You can always get your entire amount of allotted meals from the concierge or guest services area at your hotel. It is important to note that meals do not roll over after your stay. If you don’t use them up you will lose them so I highly recommend planning out your meals for each day you are at Disney. Also, the meals are to be used at your discretion. If you want two table service meals on one day and two quick service meals another day, it is up to you how you use them, but again, use them up!

Next time you are at Disney, consider using one of the dining plans that will work best for your family. It is well worth the money.

Don’t forget that at Life is Better Traveling we have a whole Disney Concierge service available for your next Disney vacation. For a small Disney stress-free vacation planning fee, we will set-up everything for you including your My Disney Experience, dining, FastPasses, tours, Magical Express, and spa services. You don’t have to plan a thing, we will do it all for you with our daily itineraries that are specific to your family’s Disney needs and wants. Planning a multi-generational family Disney vacations? No problem, we will have the whole family enjoy together time and some alone time, that it will be your best Disney vacation yet! At Life is Better Traveling, we want you connecting with your family and friends and enjoy more of the vacation and less time planning it! Call us today about your upcoming Disney vacation planning.

Free Wi-Fi, how to get it when traveling!

Liz Hough on

Are you paying for Wi-Fi when you travel?

How to get Free Wi-Fi…

Is Free Wi-Fi important in your hotel stay decision? I recently read an article about how having free Wi-Fi in your hotel is becoming an increasing popular demand among guests. Surprisingly, it is not just the millennials who are demanding it but Generation Xer’s and Baby Boomers. I have to be honest, as I am very connected to my email, internet surfing, Facebook, Twitter, and text messages as it is all right on my phone. I try to do everything over a Wi-Fi connection so I can keep my data usage down for the month and I get faster downloads. But I do find every time I stay at a hotel that download speeds are much slower and I am constantly having to sign into the Wi-Fi connection only to be kicked out a minute later. I can see how easily one can become frustrated and if I were at any of these hotels for a week and needed to do business, I would be very frustrated.

So how about hotels where you have to pay for the Wi-Fi? I have paid for Wi-Fi once when I was at a travel conference and it was very expensive for a day’s use. I have to admit though that I did have faster speeds compared to when I have used free hotel Wi-Fi. I think this is why more people are willing to pay for their Wi-Fi upfront in packages that the hotel offers when booking your stay with them. Yes, I said it. Hotels are offering packages that includes the room and Wi-Fi use in the pricing. A packaged deal that more and more people are wanting to buy upfront because it is cheaper to buy it as a package then get to the hotel and pay per day. Some hotels have a pricing chart for you next to the bed along with the card that says “our company is green and saving water….”.

Some places want to charge you as much as the cost of a steak dinner just for a one-day use!

So how do you get around paying extra for Wi-Fi at a hotel? Find a Panera or local café close to your hotel that provides free Wi-Fi. Head over there for a cup of tea or coffee and take an hour or two to get some work done or surf the internet. Also, look for hotels that provide free Wi-Fi. When you go to book a hotel, check the amenities section of the that specific hotel. In this section they will tell you if free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the hotel, in their café area, or just in the rooms. When the hotel has specific areas that it provides Wi-Fi they will typically provide you with a password or passcode to login. Some hotels will give free Wi-Fi to their rewards members, so consider joining some of these programs, especially if they are free to join.

When it comes to Wi-Fi on your next cruise, I would skip paying for it. Several cruise lines now offer internet minute packages that can be purchased prior to your cruise. Packages are anywhere from one dollar per minute to five dollars per minute, which means for 60 minutes of internet you can pay up to $300. Download times are painfully slow and by the time you get the pages you need you have used up your allotted minutes. If you must do work, consider not taking an excursion and head to a local café that provides free Wi-Fi. You may want to just forget work all together, after all you are on a cruise!

Here are some tips to remember about Wi-Fi on your next vacation:

1.Check the hotel or resort amenities section before booking to find out if they provide free Wi-Fi and where in the hotel/resort they provide it.

2. If your hotel or resort doesn’t provide, look for local Panera’s or cafes that provide free Wi-Fi beforehand.

3.Compare internet package pricing vs. internet day pricing. If you are at a conference and need internet, then consider a package if it is much cheaper.

4. Skip the internet packages on your next cruise. Slow download times leads to frustration and no work done.