Travel Tips Archives - Page 5 of 11 - LiBT Agents ONLY site

Lost Luggage : It happened to me.

When packing your carry-on bag for your next vacation, a good rule of thumb is to have two days of clothes packed. The thought is that if your checked baggage would be lost, you would have two days’ worth of clothes, and the clothes you were wearing, until they found your luggage.

After many trips to Europe, I learned that two days’ worth of clothes in your carry-on is the perfect amount. It gets me through the first two days without having to open my larger luggage. On the other hand, I decided that I wasn’t going to lug around that huge suitcase anymore. I was tired of herding around the luggage carousel like a cow at feeding time. After a long flight waiting for my luggage to come out was even more tiring. I learned to go to Europe having only my carry-on allowance and never checking a bag again. Since having kids, I now have to check my luggage because it is impossible for me to lug suitcases and kids through an airport. So now my worst fear when I travel is that the airline will lose my checked luggage.

Questions run through my head like: What if they lose my bag? Will I have to find a store to buy the kid’s more clothes and shoes? How long will it take for them to find it? What if they don’t find? How long before they let me know if they have no idea where my luggage really is? Will I be reimbursed for these precious belongings?

Well, my worst fear happened to us. We didn’t lose a piece of our luggage but they lost our car-seat. Yes, the one thing that you truly need when transporting a child, the airline misplaced it. What did we have to do? It was actually quite simple and painless, and exactly what you would do if they lost a piece of your luggage. You need to go to the airline’s customer service counter located in the baggage claim area. Talk with their representative and tell them your baggage did not come out of the carousel. This is where you will start to fill out paperwork so you can start your claim. Most airlines will reimburse you for any checked baggage fees you had paid. For us, they provided us with a car seat that they had.

If your carry-on baggage was flagged to go under the plane and it was misplaced, do the same thing. Thanks to the US Department of Transportation, if an airline loses your carry-on luggage they are required to reimburse your carry-on fees for all flight segments and any “reasonable expenses” if they completely lose it, damage it, or it is has been delayed.

Remember to make sure to put your claim paperwork in a safe spot. Better yet, take a picture of the paperwork on your phone so even if you misplace it you still have a digital copy of it. Having piece of mind about what to do if your luggage is misplaced and two days worth of clothes in your carry-on makes Life Better Traveling!

Fill out the form below to get started planning your next European Vacation. Looking for a motor coach tour, self-drive, or private tour, we can easily put together the perfect European vacation for you and your family’s needs.

When you book your vacation with a member of the Life is Better Traveling Team, you are supporting local families and business. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past 4 years, we have become an AMAZING travel agency due to your support!

New U.S. Travel Advisory Reaffirms Mexico’s Major Tourist Destinations are Safe to Travel

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We would like to take this opportunity to highlight the important updated U.S. State Department Travel Advisory system, classifying Mexico’s major international tourist destinations as safe for travel.

This week, the U.S. State Department introduced a new system for alerting Americans about possible security risks while traveling abroad. This system classifies every country based on four different risk levels, as outlined below:

Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Level 3: Reconsider travel

Level 4: Do not travel

We are pleased to share that the following major international tourist destinations in Mexico, where Life is Better Traveling offers as destinations packages to customers, have been explicitly listed as having no travel restrictions:

Baja California Sur: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo
Quintana Roo: Cancún, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Riviera Maya,
Isla Mujeres
Jalisco: Puerto Vallarta

The de-escalated warning confirms our consistent position that we consider the above tourist areas of Mexico a safe destination for you to enjoy. In fact, more than 35 million travelers come to Mexico each year, often as repeat visitors.

As part of this new system, different states such as Guerrero and Jalisco, can carry different warning levels by region. That considered, it is worth noting that despite the overall state’s higher advisory levels, there are no restrictions on U.S. government employees staying in the tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta falling within the same classification as major travel destinations such as Rome, Paris, and Bali.

Life is Better Traveling is committed to sharing information. As the new system continues to evolve and updates are received from the Mexican Tourism Board, we will endeavor to share the information.

Thank you for your supporting our family owned travel agency, and we look forward to continued success in providing the highest quality of service.

For more information about the U.S. State Department Travel Advisories, visit their website for ongoing up-to-date information.

Warning! Is your PA Driver’s License good to get through TSA?

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I probably get one person a week ask me if they will be able to get through TSA with their current Pennsylvania driver’s license after January 2018. For a few months I had to say no, and they would be required to either bring their passport booklet or passport card with them to get through TSA. (Click here to read my article on the Booklet vs Card) If you don’t have a passport booklet or passport card, and you don’t plan to fly out of the United States, then purchasing one of these seems like a lot of wasted money. So, what is the big deal with our PA driver’s licenses and why can’t we use them to do board domestic flights?

Per Wikipedia, the REAL ID Act of 2005, enacted May 11, 2005, is an Act of Congress that modifies U.S. federal law pertaining to security, authentication, and issuance procedures standards for the state driver’s licenses and identity documents, as well as various immigration issues pertaining to terrorism. Part of this Act is to establishes new federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards. With these new standards, comes better security measures. So why is Pennsylvania not up to code with their driver’s licenses especially if this act went into effect in 2005?

Until May 2017, Pennsylvania law prohibited PennDOT from complying with the federal REAL ID Act. Act 3 of 2017 repealed this prior legislation and allowed PennDOT to seek REAL ID compliance, hence the extension. Pennsylvania is now looking into ways to be compliant with the REAL ID act, and it appears that compliant documents will be available to Pennsylvania residents by Spring 2019. So, what happens after January 2018 and until Spring 2019?

A few weeks ago, Pennsylvania and 19 other states were granted another extension. Now Pennsylvania residents can continue to use their current issued Pennsylvania driver’s license to board domestic, commercial flights until October 10, 2018. What happens after October 10, 2018? If Pennsylvania is not granted another extension, then to board a domestic, commercial flight you will need another form of identification such as your passport booklet or passport card to get through TSA.

Please Note: This article is only pertaining to domestic flights. If you plan to fly internationally, you will need a passport booklet to be able to through TSA and board your plane. Passport cards are not an acceptable form of identification for any international flights including Mexico, Caribbean, and Canada.

CLICK HERE for some Q & A for PA residents

Inside tour of Buckingham Palace

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The best time to visit Buckingham Palace is in the summer months…

A visit to London wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of England’s most famous landmarks, Buckingham Palace. This royal palace has served as the official London residence and administrative office of the British royal family since the 19th century. However, access to the public is limited and exclusive but worthwhile for those who arrange a visit.

Year round you can always view the palace’s opulent exterior through the gates. The best time to visit Buckingham Palace is during the legendary Changing of the Guard ceremony when the royal guards change shifts. This tradition that dates back from 1689, and eventually moved to Buckingham Palace in 1837 when Queen Victoria started to use the palace. The best time to see this 45-minute ceremony would be on a Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, or Friday at 11:00 am but can be canceled in bad weather.

If you are visiting London in the summer months, you can get a peek into some select state rooms. See the Throne Room, stroll through the palace gardens, and admire masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt and Canaletto in Queen Victoria’s Picture Gallery. The palace interior is only open to the public during summer, from late July until the end of September, with tours running daily from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (until 6:30 pm in September). You’ll want to book this coveted experience in advance with our travel agency.

Things to Know Before You Go from Viator.com

The palace is a must for history buffs and royal enthusiasts.
Pair a stop at Buckingham Palace with the Changing of the Guard ceremony and afternoon tea for a quintessential London experience.
Tours of the palace interior are only available in summer from late June to late September, while the queen is on holiday in Scotland.
If the Royal Standard flag is flying atop the palace, it means the queen is in residence; otherwise, the Union Jack flag is flown.

Tips to surviving a Hurricane

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Would you know what to do during a hurricane while on vacation?

With so many hurricanes this season, it seems like as soon as one moves through we are concerned about the next one. We are watching various weather outlets to determine if the path will be near us or even go through us. We are all concerned for the people in those areas who have been affected and wonder when they will get help.

I personally have never been through a hurricane. Yes, the aftermath storms, but an actual 200mph, heavy rains, damaged buildings hurricane, no. It does make me think that I could be in the Caribbean, Florida, or Outer Banks on vacation with my family when a hurricane does come through. So if that were to happen, what would I do? Do you know what you would do?

I think most people try to get out of the area that hurricane is projected to come through. Unfortunately, if you are on an island or a long peninsula, this may not be an option. You also may not be familiar with the area to know where to go or worse, you don’t speak the language. So what are your options?

Many resorts and hotels are now implementing inclement weather precautions into their policies. They have plans to evacuate people from resorts and move them to parts of the island that may not see as much force come through. They are also working with the local governments to provide additional shelters throughout the island to shield you and your family. If you are “stranded” at a resort due to a hurricane, they are also offering reduced rates for those extra nights.

It is best to make sure the whole family stays together the entire time. Remember, that you are your voice for your family. Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to be separated.
Here are some tips in case you run into an emergency hurricane situation while on vacation:

1. Start to charge all cellphones, smart tablets, computers, and charging blocks as soon as there is a threat

2. Try to get a flight or rent a car so you can get out of the area if you don’t have a car or flight

3. Order bottled water and non-perishable food to be brought to your room

4. Organize a bag that is filled with 2 to 3 days’ worth of clothes for everyone in your family in case you are moved from your resort/hotel. Make sure to pack all medicines into this bag.

5. During the hurricane, make sure your shelter is away from any glass windows.

6. Call your travel agent/travel protection concierge services for additional help in getting to a safe place

Remember, hurricane season is considered June through November. If you are planning a vacation in the Atlantic region, our travel agency high recommends purchasing travel protection.

Tips to Traveling Safely

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Are you becoming nervous to travel?

Here are some tips on how to feel more confident when you travel

We recently had a booth at the Wine and Food festival showcasing wine-themed river cruises. I love talking about Europe, as we have traveled to 19 countries in Europe, and I love talking about river cruising. I was surprised at how much I ended up talking about the “fear” of travel. With the recent events in Spain, England, and France, I had a lot of people tell me that they wouldn’t travel over there anytime soon because of “all the things that have happened.” It is not uncommon for people to feel a bit uneasy at the thought of going to a place where something bad has happened to innocent people. Eventually, time heals and people start to feel more confident in traveling again, but it does take time.

What if you don’t have time to heal and you are traveling soon after an incident has occurred? How do you prepare yourself mentally to travel? Have faith, hope, and believe! Here are some tips with helping increase your confidence to travel.

Tip #1: Lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place. This is also typically true when it comes to attacks. Once a city or area has been attacked, a large amount of security surrounds that area to make sure it is secure. It becomes very difficult for anybody to try anything suspicious because everyone is on edge and quickly responds by contacting the appropriate authorities. This is typically the best time to travel to these places because you have added security, and you get to experience a city or area come together like they have never done before.

Tip #2: Set up private tours and transfers. With a private tour or transfer, you have less people to worry about if something goes wrong. You have your own personal concierge or chauffeur that can get you away from the area quickly and safely, rather than having to worry about a large group of people all trying to get on a large motorcoach. Private tours also take you behind the scenes of some places so your guides will know the in’s and out’s of the place.

Tip #3: Each day make sure you have your smart devices fully charged. Information is key! If you are feeling unsafe, then you need to be connected to the world to find out what news outlets or bloggers are saying is going on where you are. Also make sure you have data and voice plans available for your phone.

Tip #4: Be open minded about changing your travel plans. If you feel so uneasy or find out information that makes you more concerned about the area you are in, then try to change up your destinations. Make sure to have your travel consultant’s information on hand and give them call to make a reservation at a hotel in another city or country and arrange a private transfer. Yes, it is going to cost more money to change your plans, but hopefully you will feel much more relaxed.

Tip #5: Be aware of your surroundings. This sounds like something you know you should be doing but it easy to forget where you when you are walking around an amazing place. Knowing where you are and making sure you understand where to go in case you have to get somewhere quickly, is key! Every day, when you plan out where you are going, make sure you know exactly how to get back to your hotel or the US Embassy quickly. Like James Bond, have an escape route.

Traveling is a part of life for everyone. Whether you go a museum on the weekend or travel abroad to visit 1000 year old sites, it is part of who we are. The best way to protect ourselves and make ourselves feel more confident about travel is to be prepared. If you have trip coming up, consider trying out some of these tips to help make you feel more at ease so you enjoy your time traveling.

Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?

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Disney Dining Plan, Is It Worth It?

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, several family trips with the dining plan and hundreds of clients who have been on the dining plan, the verdict is in, and we all think YES!

For my family we choose the Disney Dining Plan which includes 1 quick service, 1 table service, and 2 snacks per person per night of stay and 1 resort refillable mug. The refillable mug can only be used at your resort but a nice tip is to take it with you to the parks to hold your Free ice water. 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, fried rice, Mickey soft pretzels, 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. On the other hand, if you have members of your party who do not eat a lot of food, not including small children, any dining plan might be too much food for you and your family. We always advise our clients to know what is best for you and your family, so we can make sure to fit your needs.

So are you ready to find out if the dining plan is worth the money? For a family of four ( 2 adults and 2 children under age 9) going to Disney for seven nights, who elect the Disney Dining plan, it is a little over $1100. 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 around $40 per person per day. One character meal is around this same cost, if not more, 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 two snacks 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. Also on your bill will be the total remaining allotment of your meals. 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 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!

The “Mom Guilt” of Traveling

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Should I feel the “Mom Guilt” traveling for work?

I was recently honored to be chosen as a contributor for the Pittsburgh Moms Blog℠ in Pittsburgh, PA. I am able to talk about all things mommy related, but I really wanted to stick to my experiences as a Travel Agent Mom. I help plan so many amazing vacations for families, but the moms are the ones that confide in me about anxieties they have taking their kids on vacation.

This week I wanted to talk about a business trip I took a month ago to a family friendly Orlando destination without the kids! Oh boy, did I feel guilty for not taking them but I did learn a big lesson. Read my article to find out what it was.

Take a look at my article on Should I feel the “Mom Guilt” traveling for work?….CLICK HERE

Must-have car items for kids on longer trips.

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You may not be flying anywhere, but traveling by car is a must for family trips this summer. Our family travels all over the Tri-state area during the summertime, which means long car rides. So what are my must-have items every time we have a car ride? I am about to give away my favorite, must-have items:

1. Smart tablets. I am a huge proponent of bringing along the Smart tablet or DVD player for the car, if your car doesn’t have a built in system already. Since so many phones can act as hotspot, why not bring the Smart tablet and let the kids play some educational games or watch some movies.
2. Snacks. As soon as we leave the house, the first things I always hear is “what is for a snack?” Pack a cooler with their favorite snack and drinks. I even pack a few bottles of milk for the kids to help curb their appetites until we are able to stop for a meal.
3. Blanket and Pillow. It may be hot outside, but inside the car the air-conditioner is blowing full blast. My kids are always telling me they are cold, so I pack a small blanket for each one of them, and they bring a small pillow to lay their heads against in their car seats. Sometimes they even fall asleep and the silence in the car is so relaxing.
4. Dollar bin items. It is amazing what you can find at your favorite stores dollar bin. Some of my favorite items to grab for less than $3 are the coloring items. At one of the stores we go to, right in the front they have their $5 and under bins. They change the items seasonally but it also seems weekly. There have been various bags with the kids favorites characters and in each bag there are coloring pencils, pads of paper, stickers, and erasers. This item is great for the car, the restaurant, and the hotel room.
5. Games, Games, Games. There are so many games you can play such as “I Spy with my Little Eye…” or “License Plate” where you don’t need any additional materials to play. One of my favorite games to make is Car Bingo. You can make your own version using cardboard paper or buy one at the store, but there are various items you need to see such as a cow or a food truck. You either close the flap on the board, or but an “X” over the item, and the first person to get to their items crossed off either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally wins Car Bingo.

There are so many fun ways to make your car trip exciting, and these are just a few of my favorite must-have items to help the time pass on our car rides. I hope you can tell us some of your favorite must-have car items, and remember…Life is Better Traveling!

Flying with kids Pt III

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How to Keep Your Sanity

You survived preparation and you kept them occupied at the gate. Now comes the most challenging time, keeping them occupied on the plane. In parts 1 and 2 of my series I talked about how I get the look of “you better keep those kids quiet on this flight or I am not going to be happy” and how to keep them occupied at the airport terminal. But each time we fly, we get complimented on how well behaved our children were on the flight.

I know it is not easy flying with kids, but I want to give you some tips that may help you get those same compliments on your next flight.

Don’t rush to board the plane. The sooner you get on the plane the sooner the kids start to ask when is the plane leaving. If it is a large flight and you have per-arranged seating, then take your time boarding.
Talk to the flight attendants as you step foot on the plane. There is always at least one flight attendant there to welcome you, ask them how their day is going or if this is their first or last flight of the day. My husband always makes good with the flight attendant so if we ever need anything, they are much quicker to respond to us.
Make sure you have everything you need in the bag you are going to put under the chair in front of you. You can easily get to the bag under the chair but not the one in the overhead bin.
Let the kids sit where they want to. Even if you have assigned seating and you are assigned the window but they want it, give it to them. If you have two or more kids that want the window seat, then tell them that each of them will have the seat for a certain amount of time.
Wipe down the tray tables, arm rests, and seat belts with antibacterial wipes. Once the kids start asking for their toys, you will feel better giving it to them to play with on a clean surface.

Tips for keeping the kids occupied:

Get out those window clings I talked about in Part 2 of this series. While waiting for everyone else to board the plane and/or during take-off they can decorate the window and the underside of the tray table.
Books are always a good thing to have on the flight. I personally find that small coloring books, sticker books, and/or wipe-down books are fun for the kids and keeps them occupied for some time.
Yes, I dare say it… SMART TABLET! Before you leave your house, load movies onto their or your smart tablet. Nowadays, when you purchase a DVD of a movie you sometimes get the Digital HD version too. Download them so the kids have a movie or two to watch. You can also download some of their favorite games to play, but just make sure that they won’t need WiFi to play them.
When the flight attendants bring drinks, this is usually a good time to give the kids their favorite snack. Even though they may have eaten a meal at the airport, giving them a snack helps keep their energy up and you won’t have that hunger meltdown during landing.
If your child is still using a binky or pacifiers make sure you bring plenty along. This helps to keep them calm, and it will also help with their ears for altitude changes. I find that my children fall asleep with having their binky and the gentle sway of the airplane. This makes me happy because now I have time to relax and take in a movie too.
Bring a small blanket and pillow. We have a small blow-up pillow that helps the kids get more comfortable in the seat. They like the sense of cozy with a blanket around them.
Get out their favorite toy. At some point during the flight they may get antsy and start to kick the seat in front of them. A good way to keep your child from kicking the seat in front of them is by putting their favorite toy in the pocket in front of them. They will think you are being silly by putting it there but if I tell my child that her toy needs to be secured in a seat, just as she is, and that the pocket is her toy’s seat, there are no questions. This eliminates kicking the seat and an angry person in that seat.

I hope some of these tips will help you and your family the next time you fly with your little ones, and as always…Life is Better Traveling with SAFE TRAVELS!