Category: Travel

Top Travel Apps

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Phone tips, Phone travel tips, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I use many different travel apps so that my adventures go smoothly. I thought I would share my favorites to help you too. I’ve included websites for many apps below so you can check them out and decide if they will work for you. Then, download the app to your mobile device to use while you are travelling. Embrace technology and enjoy the journey!

PLANNING THE TRIP:

OVERALL PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION

OneNote–I use Microsoft OneNote, which is a digital note-taking app where I can jot down ideas, make to-do lists (my fav!), and more. OneNote is part of Microsoft 365 and you can sign in with your Microsoft account. Using OneNote, I can access my travel notes/files on my laptop AND my mobile device while travelling. I have a separate notebook for each trip. Within each notebook, I have sections/pages for every place, flights, hotels, etc. I will put in screenshots and download files for any tickets and travel confirmations. This way I can travel paperless, quickly pulling up anything up on my phone (even without Wi-Fi or cell service-which happens to me a lot!) that I might need while travelling. You can also share the OneNote with fellow travelers on your journey. That way you can collaborate on all the details!

TripIt – Highest-rated trip planner and flight tracker is very popular. I tried TripIt out on our last two trips and it’s best feature is that when you book a flight, hotel, car, or other reservation, you can simply forward it to plans@tripit.com, and they automatically add it to your trip file. You can also add in other details yourself like tours you are taking, concerts, etc. I liked that you could click into a trip item and it shows the address and then you can click on the address and get mapping to get there. Try it!

AIRLINES

Once you know the place and the dates, you will want to start looking at airline prices. Tip: set up an alert (see apps below) to track how the prices are fluctuating. If you know you definitely want a particular airline, make sure you download their app and set up a search on that site. Hot tips: Book on a Sunday to save up to 15% on average according to Expedia data and book at least a month before domestic flights and six months before international travel to save 10% on average. Depart on a Wednesday to save up to 15% on average.

Download the brand app-I fly Delta primarily so I have their app downloaded. They will notify me of any flight changes and push notifications to my phone about gate changes, boarding announcements, etc.

General airline search for flights and pricing:

Skyscanner: Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner

Google: https://www.google.com/flights

SeatGuru: Airline Seat Maps, Flights shopping and Flight information- Best Airplane Seats – SeatGuru (owned by Tripadvisor) Find out details on your airplane seats (do they recline, are they close to bathrooms,etc.) and book flights.

TRANSPORTATION & GETTING AROUND

Rome2Rio: discover how to get anywhere is an app that I have used in many different European places and all across the US. My favorite app! You just input that you want to go from Point A to Point B and it searches any city, town, landmark, attraction or address across the globe with thousands of routes to easily get you from A to B. It gives you timetables and estimated pricing for all types of transportation-tram, bus, subway, train, taxi, etc. If you decide to walk, it tells you how long it will take and helps guide you around that way too.

Citymapper – The Ultimate Transport App Citymapper is a free public transit app with mapping that displays transport options, usually with live timing, between any two locations in a supported city.  Similar to Rome2Rio but very helpful for getting around by any means of transportation from e-scooters to walking to biking to subways. I like this app best for getting around by foot.

Google Maps can be used to navigate around town. This is the app my husband likes best.

Uber is great to get around if it is available in the city/country you are visiting and your cell service works. Check here Uber Cities – Rides Around the World | Uber before you go and download the app. I’ve used Uber in many places around the world and sometimes it works like a charm and other times I’ve had to figure out a back-up plan (like bus or walking) when you just can’t get a driver to accept your ride.

FREE NOW – Europe’s best mobility app. Available in 100+ cities (free-now.com) is handy because Uber not available in all countries. This app covers taxis, scooters, scooters and electric bicycles, or rent a car in sharing.

Subways are a great way to get around town. Download the subway app for the city you are visiting to get all the information on fares, how to pay (tap to pay in NYC/Europe which you do with your smart watch, phone with Google Pay or Apple Pay or credit card). Want to know which stops are accessible with elevator in case you can’t do stairs? It should be on the app.

TRAINS

We have travelled by train and trams all over the UK, Italy, Switzerland and, in the Fall of 2023, we will be in France. Europe has far superior train systems than the US. Every country has their own train systems so too numerous to mention. Here are some aggregate sights to research train travel no matter what country you are going to be in:

Book, search & compare trains, buses & flights (GoEuro) | Omio

https://www.seat61.com/

HOTELS

Brand app-I stay in Marriotts (when not using Airbnb) if at all possible because I have Platinum Elite status and get all kinds of nice upgrades and late check-out. Download the hotel app where you are staying and make sure you are getting points for spending money there! We are on a trip to Switzerland right now and almost all of our hotel stays are free using points accrued from our trip last year to the UK.

APARTMENTS

We often stay in an Airbnb when we are in one place for more than a few days. I’ve written a separate blog post Top 5 Tips to Book an Airbnb you can check out. Download the Airbnb app on your phone and best of luck finding the perfect place to stay on your next adventure!

TOURS

Viator/TripAdvisor (same company-different sites) research everything there from hotels to tours to general things to do. You can read traveler reviews to determine if it seems like a good fit for you. This is my “go to” place when I start to research a location to visit.

SEEING THE SIGHTS

Audio Tours for Europe by Rick Steves-use for research and also while travelling vs. taking a tour-free! Download to your phone and bring your ear buds (don’t forget your power source to plug into when your battery dies).

Homepage – Smartify: When you visit a museum, you scan the piece of art and hear all about it. Available on iOS, Android and mobile web-app. Smartify delivers tours, way-finding, object-recognition and much more. Super excited to try out this app again when we visit NYC and see exhibits of Warhol and Banksy.

Bimble Your Favourite Places. Share & Get Place Recommendations to share the sights you see with others! Save travel places and easily refer for yourself and others. You can create a Bimple or discover Bimples from other people to get inspired.

FOOD

I don’t claim to be a foodie, but many people are so making reservations to eat while you are travelling is important. Research places before you go and make your reservations through one of the many apps that are available:

Book the best restaurants nearby | OpenTable make your restaurant reservations in the US, UK, India, Australia and Mexico.

Book the best restaurants in Europe | TheFork for your dining in Europe.

Yelp is always a good resource to research restaurants and direct you to their website to see how to make reservations depending on where it is located.

PACKING

I only travel with a backpack and a carry-on. My motto is “never check a bag” so that you can arrive in your destination ready to go! Whether one week or a month, it’s only a carry-on for me. See my separate blog post on packing here Top 5 Travel Packing Tips – Travels with Melinda.

Packr – Travel packing list app for each trip  is popular free travel packing list app for iPhone and iPad. Packr will organize your luggage and suitcase for each trip depending on weather and activities.

TAKING THE TRIP:

COMMUNICATING

Many people ask me about what to do with their phones while they are travelling abroad. There is so much information around this topic that I wrote a separate blog post here My Top Phone Tips for Traveling Abroad – Travels with Melinda Please check it out!

Google Translate-When you go to places where English is not spoken or menu/signs aren’t in English, Google Translate comes in very handy. It’s a free app that instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. We landed in Florence for our girls’ trip and the first restaurant we went to in the Oltrarno had no menus in English and no waiters who spoke English so we learned how to translate everything quickly so we could order. Of course, I still wound up with soup instead of the pasta I thought I ordered but everyone else did well!

WhatsApp–I have found that some restaurants in Europe use this app instead of other apps to book reservations. Airbnb hosts may use this vs. text/call. You can also stay in touch with friends and family for free no matter where you are vs. using international phone service because WhatsApp uses Wi-Fi not phone data. If you don’t want to use your cell (usually $10 a day for international use) then just use WhatsApp. You can message, chat and video chat for free. Just make sure whomever you want to connect with back home also has the app and, of course, you will need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use it but it’s free!

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Check your medical insurance policy before you travel. You may not be covered when you are outside the US. If you are on Medicare, it doesn’t cover healthcare during international travel. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover certain emergencies if they occur outside the United States. Check out any travel insurance plans and compare before you buy. Here are a few sites to research:

Travel Insurance Quotes Online – TravelSafe

Buy Now | iTravelInsured Travel SE – IMG (imglobal.com)

Travel Medical Insurance (betins.com)

STAYING SAFE

Travel Advisories (state.gov) Are there any travel advisories where you are travelling? Good to know before you go. To receive updated travel advisories and alerts while you are travelling, sign up at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected for one of the ways to stay alert. One of these ways is to sign up for the STEP Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (state.gov) which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Official list of embassies from the U.S. Department of State (usembassy.gov)– good to have this list handy in case you are travelling and lose your passport or need assistance from the embassy.

While you hope it doesn’t happen to you on a trip, it’s better to be prepared in case you lose or have stolen your wallet. Take a picture (and keep it in the cloud where you can access it if you have to with WiFi) of the contents of your wallet including:

  • Fronts and backs fo credit, debit, and insurance cards
  • Passport
  • Driver’s license

Download a locator app for your phone in case it is stolen and know how to lock it so a thief can’t access your information.

Most credit card companies and banks say they don’t need to be notified if you are travelling but my travel companions and I have all had our credit cards locked the first time we use them outside the US so I still try to reach out and alert them. Usually you can do this online.  My husband and I also keep one credit card and passport separate from other credit cards and driver’s license. That way if you get a pickpocket, they get one or the other. Also consider using hotel safe to keep one or the other. As long as you have a copy of your passport with you, you can keep your passport in the safe. Just don’t forget items that you stash in the safe!

WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO GO

Apps to download and use when you have to go NOW and you are out and about (on Android and iOS) I was in Central Park in NYC, pulled up my Flush app which uses your location to find the nearest public bathroom and quickly found the closest facility. Lifesaver!

So many apps to help you enjoy the journey!

My Top Phone Tips for Traveling Abroad

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Phone tips, Phone travel tips, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized2 Comments

As much as you might dream of getting away from it all while travelling and not using your laptop or mobile device, the reality is that these devices are really a vital part of our lives now. There are so many phone apps just to make travel easier! I want to share my top phone tips for travelling abroad based on my experience so you can be better prepared for your next trip. The classic red phone booths in the UK are great for picture taking but don’t count on them to phone home. Enjoy the journey!

How do I use my phone when I travel outside the U.S.?

  • WhatsApp–You can message, chat and video chat for free. Just make sure whomever you want to connect with back home also has the app downloaded and, of course, you will need to be connected to WiFi to use it but it’s free! This has worked great for people I know who want to avoid any additional expenses when travelling.
  • Physical SIM card– If you have an unlocked phone, bring along a SIM remover tool (safety pin works too). Assuming your phone meets the usability criteria, you can purchase a SIM card when you land (most airports have kiosks selling these but they are usually cheaper once you get in a local neighborhood and can go to a convenience store). Check for:
    • How many GB? Local phone #? Lasts for how many days/months? Includes texts, phone calls and internet? Example of cost: 10£ for 21g of data.
    • You switch out your SIM card (keeping it safe somewhere while you travel) and pop in the new SIM card to have mobile access while there.
    • Safety tip: if a cell phone or any store offers to unlock your phone for you and install the SIM or asks you to leave your phone so they can do it, do not let them. All kinds of scams with that type of service. Do it yourself.
  • eSIM cards are another option to get a local number without having to hunt down a physical SIM card after you arrive. You can purchase and download an eSIM on your phone to connect to cell networks and get data. Tons of providers sell eSIMs online with options and prices depending on where you’re going and how much you’ll need to use your phone. I would recommend going to Amazon and search “international esim card” to see the options. So, make sure to dig around and check reviews before purchasing.
  • International plan activated on your mobile device-this is what I use. For my AT&T phone, it costs $10/day to use. When traveling with your family that are on your cellular account, if everyone is using the International Day Pass, one line is $10 a day and any additional lines are charged at 50% off (so my husband would be charged $5 a day).  Most carriers have similar services and fees. Very easy-you will automatically get charged the international fee when you use data, talk or text in another country and off you go! I use my mobile to call, text, tap to pay (very popular in Europe as way to use public transportation and pay for everything) and leverage Google directions to get around. On your next cell bill, you will see the charges. If there is a day you don’t use the mobile, you won’t get charged for that day. Other tips for international plan usage:
    • To use cellular data, make sure Data Roaming is turned on in your device settings.
    • To call or send a message to the U.S., dial +1 followed by the 10-digit number. The “+” sign usually appears if you press and hold the “0” key on your dial pad.
    • To call or send a message to another country, dial + (country code) followed by the local phone number.
    • Some devices have settings that automatically add the correct prefix or country code when you’re calling numbers in your contacts. For iOS, turn on Dial Assist in your device Settings.
  • Note: T-Mobile has a $100 International Monthly Plan that includes 250 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data for 30 days. This would be a good plan for trips of 10 days or more.

What do I do if misplace or lose my phone? (test these before you go so you know what to do)

  • Android: Use a laptop and go to “Find My Device (google.com)” With this feature, you can:
    • Locate where it is-map is displayed
    • Play a sound (to help you find it-we used this feature when my husband’s phone fell out of his pocket at the playground when we were with the grandkids-it works!)
    • Secure your device-locks the phone and signs you out of your Google account. You can also display a message or phone number on your lock screen so that if someone finds your phone, they can contact you. You can still track device if you do this action.
    • Erase all content from the device. Only do this if you know you aren’t getting it back. You can’t locate it once you take this action.
  • iPhone: Use your Apple device to track your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, Mac, AirPods, AirTag) Sign in to iCloud.com/find or use the Find My app on another Apple device that you own. With this feature, you can:
    • Locate where it is-map is displayed
    • Play a sound
    • Lock the device
    • Mark it as lost: When you mark your device as lost, you remotely lock it with a passcode, keeping your information secure. This also disables Apple Pay on the missing device. And you can display a custom message with your contact information on the missing device.
    • Report your missing device to local law enforcement. Law enforcement might request the serial number of your device and you can find it through the link above.
    • File a Theft and Loss Claim here on this site.
    • Remotely erase everything if you don’t think you’ll get it back.
  • For both Android and iPhone, report your missing device to your wireless carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) asap. Ask the carrier to disable your account to prevent calls, texts, and data use.  Here are some of the major carriers contact info:
    • AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
    • T-Mobile: 1-877-746-0909
    • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204

I hope these tips have been helpful and allow you to enjoy the journey!

Top 5 tips to book an Airbnb stay

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Airbnb, Europe, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized, vacation2 Comments

Gazing out the window at the lively Montmartre cafes, I truly felt a part of the Parisian culture on a recent trip. This is one of the reasons I book an Airbnb for our stays that are a week or more. While I love my Marriott hotel stays, those work best for just a few days. An Airbnb is great for longer term stays and for groups like for our girls’ trips because we need more bathrooms and beds than a hotel room can provide. In Florence, we rented out an apartment in a villa (see top left pic below) where the family lived in one section, and we enjoyed three levels of living in a separate wing of the building. When my husband and I travel, often I will be working remote for a month or longer, so having strong Wi-Fi and a washer are necessary. I just booked our stay in an apartment in Strasbourg, France for a month, where I’ll be working remote during the week and taking day trips all over France on the weekends. My girls trip this year will be a stay in Paris on the Ile Saint-Louis Island in an amazing Airbnb with a water view. So much to look forward to!

Doing research before booking your Airbnb is crucial to having a happy stay so please read my tips below before you hit that “reserve” button and enjoy your journey!

  1. Read the reviews. If there are complaints about noise and the beds being uncomfortable, look elsewhere. You need a good night’s sleep when you travel. If there are no reviews, don’t book it. The listing may be new and that’s the reason for zero reviews but let somebody else try it out first. The host should disclose any issues with the rental in the description (one posting I just read stated that “If you are 6-feet +, consider other bookings because one area of the ceiling has a clearance of 5’11”) but sometimes hosts aren’t so forthright so reviews are where you will discover the truth.
  2. Choose a Superhost if at all possible. They will care more about providing a clean, consistent experience because they want good reviews. If something is amiss, they will be more likely to make it right. We checked in to one apartment in London and the cleaners hadn’t shown up yet, so we had to drop our bags and leave once they did come. However, the host gave us a full night’s credit back to our Airbnb account which was absolutely the best outcome of a situation that can happen.
  3. Check out the neighborhood before you book. Some hosts provide the address up front, and others will only show a location in the general neighborhood “exact location provided after booking”. Either way, do your due diligence and investigate. We got a super deal on a place in Lisbon, Portugal but the neighborhood was a little rough, so we didn’t feel comfortable going out at night so now I go to Google maps and look at street view level to get a feel for the neighborhood before I book. Usually, the host will include details in “Getting around” section about what you can walk to like a market and public transportation nearby. Is accessibility an issue for you or members of your group? Is the neighborhood hilly or are there stairs to climb to the local market? All good thinks to know in advance.
  4. Consider the cancellation policy. Cancel policies vary by property so make sure you check. You will usually see for each listing either: “Free cancellation before (insert date)”, which is usually 30 days prior to start of reservation OR “Free cancellation for 48 hours”. Believe me, life can happen and with a restrictive cancel policy you will lose your entire payment. My husband had a heart attack, and we couldn’t go to NYC on a planned trip. Even after explaining the situation to the host, he refused to refund our money and he was within his rights to do so given that apartment’s published cancel policy. I was still upset, and, after that incident, I now refuse to book a place that doesn’t have a more lenient policy where I can get a 100% refund within 30 days of start of reservation.
  5. Check amenities and accessibility. I have stayed in Airbnbs all over Europe. Many places have steep stairs to not only get to the apartment but also within the unit. Elevators are as rare as air conditioning, dishwashers and dryers in many countries. If these are important to you, check to make sure the place you have picked to rent has them. Even small details like having a coffee pot for me are important. One place we rented had nothing but an electric kettle which is fine for tea. We had a lovely time shopping in the local neighborhood for a french press and coffee, leaving it all behind after our week’s stay so the next renter might enjoy it. If you will be working remote and need strong Wi-Fi, check the reviews to see if other renters have had any issues and check with the host. Where we stayed in London recently not only had 5 flights of stairs inside the unit but the Wi-Fi and cell coverage was weak and only worked in a few places inside the unit, which was just inconvenient for us. At our New Zealand cottage on the water, the host provided free use of kayaks and we had an amazing paddle around the bay. Our France rental this fall has use of bikes to get around the city which I am sure we will use on our month-long stay.

I hope these tips help you book an amazing place. Safe travels!

Top 5 Travel Packing Tips

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, packing tips, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized2 Comments

I recommend you pack only a carry-on for whatever length of time you are travelling. Seriously, I went all over Europe last fall for 30+ days with only a carry-on. And this was a multi-purpose trip for me-I work remote, so I had to look business-like on virtual meetings and also had personal time off to enjoy sightseeing with my husband. If I can do it, so can you! Don’t be disappointed by lost baggage or sustain injuries caused by dragging around and lifting heavy luggage. If you follow my best practices, learned from travelling all over the world with only a carry-on, you will thank me. Enjoy the journey!

Here we go: (downloadable travel checklist here Packing Checklist – Travels with Melinda)

  1. Pick a color palette and coordinate your outfits around it. I use black as the base and plan pops of color with scarves and jewelry. I envy people who can wear white shirts but mine just end up with stains so white is a no go for me.
  2. Try out the clothes in advance of the trip to see if they are comfortable and won’t wrinkle. When you wear them, are they comfortable and do they make you feel good? If so, take a picture to remember the look and put it in your packing list file. I’m a planner and start updating my basic packing list months in advance of any trip depending on where I am going and expected weather conditions.
  3. Lay out your 5 outfits (this is for any length of trip over 5 days) on the bed-tops, bottoms, underwear, socks, jewelry, scarves, etc. Then, see if you can mix and match them to create new looks. When you have your outfits picked, I recommend you roll all your items, sorting them into packing cubes by function, i.e., underwear/socks in one, tops in one, bottoms in another, etc. I use a hanging organizer for my jewelry and a hanging toiletries bag. Any clothing that is heavy or bulky won’t make the cut.
  4. Wash the chosen travel outfits in the sink and hang them to dry to test their worthiness before the trip. If they don’t dry overnight or dry but with terrible wrinkles, don’t pack them. That includes socks and underwear too. You may have the luxury of a washer at an ARBNB, but you probably won’t have a dryer at least in Europe and, if you’re at a hotel, you may be washing in the sink using handy laundry soap sheets that are easy to pack.
  5. Check the weather right before you go and adjust outfits as needed. Don’t need that umbrella and poncho? Great! Do need hat and gloves? Pack them. You don’t want to be cold, wet and miserable, so better to be prepared.

 More details on exact items I recommend for the best travel experience can be found on my website: Travel Essentials – Travels with Melinda.

Top 10 travel tips for flying

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, airline best practices, flying, Indiana, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling1 Comment

As I head out tomorrow on my 5:30 am (boarding at 4:50 am) flight, I am thinking to myself, “WTF WAS I THINKING!!!” It always seems like a good idea at the time you book, but these AM flights are killer even if they do get you from the West Coast to the East Coast before dark. I would just caution you to really think through your flight times as well as your layover times before you book. If you are going to arrive tired and cranky or have to run through a crowded airport to make a tight connection, maybe rethink your flight plans.

If you haven’t already, download the airline app on your phone for whatever carrier you are flying on. Use the boarding pass on your app to get through security and onto the plane. Set up push notifications to your phone within the app for any change to your travel plans. Gates change, flights are delayed or cancelled, and you need to be the first to know. Heads up-more and more airports are not making overhead announcements so the notification on your phone from your airline might be your only warning. If you have a flight cancel or are delayed too long that you will miss connections, jump on the airline’s app immediately while walking to the customer service desk to rebook. If you are travelling with a companion, have them call the airlines customer service at the same time. You never know where you’ll get the fastest service, so you have to try several options simultaneously because everyone else on that delayed flight is also trying to reschedule. Below are my top 10 travel tips for flying, accumulated from personally travelling all over the world. Enjoy the journey!

  1. Try to get on the first flight out in the morning even if it means getting up early (but maybe not as early as I’m getting up tomorrow!). These flights are far less likely to cancel. Later flights are subject to weather issues and cascading flight cancels as delays cause flight crews to take breaks every 16 hours they work. Getting TSA Pre-check for US travel is worth the time and $78 expense. I would never consider travelling without it as I typically get through TSA much faster and without taking liquids out or shoes off. For frequent global trips, get Global Entry for $100 that includes TSA Pre-check. More info on these programs here: Official Trusted Traveler Program Website | Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov)
  2. If you have a major event to attend like a wedding, funeral or perhaps a concert, try to arrive at least a day or two in advance to allow for flight delays/cancels. Delays happen! If they do, try to buy a day pass to one of the airline member lounges if you don’t already have a membership. They offer comfortable seating (and even beds at some airports-see pic above of Thom reclining at Delta club in Paris!) and free food/alcohol. I spend extra to have this luxury (look at those big seats in pic above!) because it makes delays and long connections bearable when travelling. Tomorrow, I have a 3-hour layover in Minneapolis, and I’ll be checking out the new Delta club that I hear is fabulous.
  3. When booking, allow for several hours between connections. You may think that the airlines sites are showing connections that are 30 minutes when you do searches so it must be alright but that is not the case. Especially at large, busy airports and those in other countries that may require you to go through customs, you need three hours minimum between flights. Really anywhere for both foreign and domestic flights, allow 90 minutes at least between connecting flights.
  4. Always check out carefully where you are sitting on the plane. Don’t be near the bathrooms or in seats that don’t recline. Speaking of awful seats-see pic above of weird wall that was in front of my husband’s seat instead of a video screen on the seat back in front of him. This wall wasn’t showing when on the map when seats were booked. On overnight flights, try to be halfway between bathrooms and galley so that it is quieter. If you need to get up frequently, get an aisle seat. Want to lean while you sleep, then get a window seat and hug the wall.
  5. Being drunk on a plane is a federal offense so don’t overdo it. Jet lag is bad enough but jet lag+hangover will negatively impact your trip. If another passenger gets drunk and rowdy, discretely go to the flight attendant and let them handle it-they are trained and will be better equipped than you are to take care of any situation.
  6. If flights are full and people have to get bumped (yes, it happens and it’s not fair if you have a ticket, but it happens), the first people to get bumped are those who paid for the tickets not directly from the airline site. So, for example, you book your ticket through a third-party site like Expedia vs. a person who bought through the Delta site, then you, as the Expedia customer, will probably be bumped. Even better, if you are a loyal frequent flyer on one airline and get status, you have the edge over others with no status. Be loyal! Sign up for the frequent flyer program at the airline you will use most often. For me, it’s Alaska for regional travel and Delta for everything else. As far as the low-cost carriers like Southwest, you get what you pay for. Southwest has had multiple systemwide issue failures causing travel havoc. Save up and fly on a better airline.
  7. Don’t bring stinky food to eat on the plane. Not only will those around you hate you but the flight attendants will too. Don’t be that person eating the taco or tuna fish or a hardboiled egg. Yuck! P.S. Also bring along Lysol wipes and thoroughly clean off your tray table and armrests-you know the plane crew doesn’t probably have time to do a good job on every single tray table for every flight. I have a vivid memory of seeing a mother bounce her baby (clad only in a diaper) on the tray table to get them to calm down. Think about that-the residue left behind from that bouncing diaper-clad bottom….and clean, clean, clean before touching your tray table.
  8. Drink water to stay hydrated. Don’t get ice in your water or drink. Various studies show ice can be contaminated with bacteria. I don’t chance it. Your choice.
  9. Bring noise cancelling headphones OR listen to the guy next to you snoring or telling you conspiracy theories or the baby crying for hours. Also, some airplane still use the headphones with jacks to watch free movies. Carry a spare pair just in case.
  10. Dress in layers to fly. I always wear pants (shorts on a plane are just stupid-sorry), a l/s top, jacket and scarf. BTW, keep your shoes on while you fly. Please for the love of God. Wear compression socks to increase circulation and reduce swelling in your legs and feet. P.S. That’s not water on the bathroom floor on the plane in case you take your shoes off and decide to use the facilities.

I’m off to go to bed at 8 pm so that I can rise at 3 am and get to the airport for my unholy early morning flight tomorrow. The good news is that I probably won’t have a travel delay and I’ll get to Indianapolis for my family visit before it gets dark. I’m homeward bound to walk down memory lane.

Europe Train Travel-UK, Eurostar, Italy

On By Travels with MelindaIn Edinburgh, France, Glasgow, Italy, Liverpool, London, Travel, UK, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Travelling by train all over the UK was on my husband’s bucket list so off we went in September 2022 after several years of Covid lockdown, his open-heart surgery and resulting lengthy recovery. It was great to get on the road again or should I say “rails”! We flew into London and then we were off to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bath and then the Eurostar from London to Paris and finally several trips in Italy-all by train. Hopefully, I can help prepare you for your train travels. Remember, enjoy the journey!

UK TRAIN TRAVEL

We love travelling slow and looking out at bucolic grassy slopes of cow and sheep grazing on the green grass without the worry of driving in a foreign country. With good wifi, you can also get some work done (me) and catch on social media (my husband) along with the perks of a convenient café car and bathrooms. We sometimes bring along our own food and beverages and grab a table seat on the trains. In the UK, Pret and M & S Food are our go-to spots for readymade sandwiches, pastries, fruit and salads that make up an excellent train picnic! You’ll find these chain shops either in the train stations or nearby.

After a few days to enjoy London, we boarded our train to Edinburgh, a city I had been longing to see for awhile. I recommend you sit on the righthand side of the train for this trip to enjoy some coastal views along the way. Edinburgh was magical-see my blog on our visit there: Edinburgh – Travels with Melinda

As with any kind of travel, it’s best to be prepared for anything to happen. On our one hour scheduled trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow, we experienced having to exit two trains due to flooding on the tracks ahead on a very rainy (even for the UK) day. Finally, with no alternative, we quickly downloaded a local taxi app, booked a car and had them drive us the final 20 miles to Glasgow for $25GP rather than be stranded at the local train outpost standing outside during a thunderstorm. We were fortunate to be able to afford to do that but many of the fellow passengers were going to be forced to wait for another train or for the train company to get them a bus to transport them to their final destination, turning a one-hour ride into an all-day nightmare. So, while there are great pluses to train travel, stuff can happen. Be prepared. Technology is your friend. Use it.

Glasgow to Liverpool was a four-hour train trip. We saw mile after mile of sheep laying in the fields! Wind turbines are everywhere. With an energy crisis due to the Russian dependency, the UK will have to put up even more turbines to support their needs. At one stop, our driver must have exceeded his work shift, so we had to wait for his replacement to show up-about a 20-minute delay. Unlike airplanes, trains cannot make up time if they get delayed. You will just show up past the arrival time scheduled. Build in some time on your agenda for possible delays if you are making any connections.

Booking tickets can be confusing but take it one step at a time. Research going from Point A to Point B on a travel app like RometoRio, which is my favorite transportation app. There are many different train companies within a country. For our UK train travels, we used Linr (London Northeast Rail), ScotRail and GWR. When you book using their online platforms, the tickets will be accessible in your app and it’s a barcode or QR code. You scan this code on the machine to get into the platform. When you get to the train station (most don’t have a lot of seating so don’t go too early-30 minutes prior to departure is about right), go to the board listing all the train rides and, about 20 minutes prior to departure, your trip details will post with the platform #. As soon as the platform # is assigned, you can go to the entry, scan your ticket and board the train. Most of our rides had assigned seats. In the car, you’ll see red or green lights to indicate whether a seat has been booked in advance. If you want to change your seat, you can go to any seat that is green. Luggage is stored overhead (carry-on) or there are luggage racks in each car. We only travel with carry-on (even for a month-long trip!) so we keep ours in the overhead where we sit. I have heard of luggage being stolen so keep an eye on your possessions! Helpful UK links:

Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets (thetrainline.com)

LNER | London North Eastern Railway

Train Tickets | Times & Timetables | Fares in Scotland | ScotRail

Buy Cheap Train Tickets | Great Western Railway | First Great Western (gwr.com)

EUROSTAR TRAIN FROM LONDON TO PARIS

I always thought that taking the Eurostar would be totally cool and I was right! It’s fast and much more fun than flying from London to Paris. Hints on taking Eurostar from London to Paris:

You will leave from St. Pancras international terminal in London and travel 150 miles per hour (224km) for 2 hours and 17 minutes arriving at Paris Gare du Nord station. There is free WiFi on the train and outlets by seats (UK or EU adapters) to recharge your devices. There is a club car with food and beverages to purchase. Everyone has assigned seats-book here: Book Europe Train Tickets and Holidays | Eurostar.com

Plan to arrive two hours before your departure. We had standard tickets but, in retrospect, we wish we had paid the extra and booked business class to skip the long lines and wait in the comfort of the business class lounges. Next time! Lots of restaurants and shops to check out at St. Pancras while you wait or buy food there and bring it with you on the train. No restrictions for bringing food and beverages on the train.

Boarding Process:

  1. 90 minutes before your departure time, you are able to queue and start to proceed to scan your ticket to enter the platform. Note: you can scan earlier if you want though the signs say otherwise but there is limited room to sit once you go through so best to just be in queue when they tell you.
  2. After scanning ticket to go through the gate, you then go through security. Everything goes in the trays. No need to take off shoes or separate liquids  Just backpack/purse/anything in your pockets in one tray and luggage in another. You will have to take off coat or jacket and put in try as well. Saw someone put their coffee cup in a tray as well.
  3. After security, then you go through passport control stations. First show passport (no need to show ticket) to UK control and then you have to show passport to EU control. Then, put away your passport. You won’t need to show again when you arrive in Paris.
  4. Try to find a seat to wait. Good luck-seats are limited! Your platform # will be announced 20 minutes prior to departure and the masses will all move to a moving sidewalk that goes up to the platform. Watch for people holding signs for where you go based on your seat.

For really in depth Eurostar details, check out this site: https://www.seat61.com/trains-and-routes/london-to-paris-by-eurostar.htm#check-in-london

ITALY TRAIN TRAVEL

Within Italy, we took the train from Florence to Venice for a weekend and also day trip to Lucca and finally train to Rome to end our trip. Please don’t think about driving in Italy. The roads are as narrow as the drivers are crazy. Just being a passenger in a car in Italy is stressful!

Arriving in Rome, the Roma Termini is a massive transportation hub. From there, you can use the metro system, buses and trams to get around the city or, even better, walk!

Pay a little more and get the Executive Club seats on the train. On our train from Florence to Rome, they even had private salons that had sliding doors to close for privacy. Great for families that need 4 seats. Make sure you know where the bathrooms are and don’t book a seat by them. Trust me. You do not want the toliet traffic or smell.

Also with Executive Club, you get to wait in the lounge. In Florence, this is really important because there is no place to sit for anyone and only pay public toliets. Now in Venice, the station has adequate seating especially in the upper food court  Florence needs to add a second floor! The lounge has a coffee machine and packages snacks and a nice water closet aka WC. Helpful Italy train links:

High speed train (we took from Florence to Rome): Italy high speed train tickets| Italotreno.it – Official website

EN – Trenitalia

Senior Offer – Trenitalia

Can non-Italian residents get the Senior discount?

CartaFRECCIA (senior discount) member-If you do not have a domicile in ITALY you can ask for a CartaFRECCIA by sending an email to the e-mail address cfreccia.application@trenitalia.it indicating name, surname, date of birth, place of birth (in case of birth in a foreign country indicate which) , an e-mail address and a telephone number and attaching a legible PDF copy of your valid passport.

Within 30 days you will receive your personal code, a password to access the dedicated online services and the CartaFRECCIA, immediately active, which will have to print and take you on your journeys when using trains operated by Trenitalia. Shipment of the CartaFRECCIA plastic card is not possible under any circumstances.

One Day in Taipei

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Asia, China, Dog, expat, Taipei, Taiwan, Travel, travelling, Uncategorized, vacation, walking, wanderlust, work tripLeave a comment

Jet lag be damned!  With only one day off, I needed to make it count.  So, I set out on Sunday to explore Taipei and found a delightful city filled with temples, art, shopping, easy transportation and friendly folks.  What’s not to like?

WP_20180415_14_44_05_Rich

I always love to just walk a city to get a feel for the people and culture.  Taipei 101 is THE building in downtown so off I went to get a view of this famous building.  Along the way,  many shops had opened and the shoppers were out in force.  As in many China cities, there are little clothing boutiques and drugstores (no OTC meds just beauty items) everywhere along with the high-end luxury brands like Gucci, etc.

I was first struck by several differences between Taipei and Shanghai, where I lived a few years ago:  drivers of cars and scooters seemed to actually obey traffic signals and stay on the roads vs. driving on the sidewalks as they often did in Shanghai.  Crazy! I felt a little safer in Taipei though I still was cautious crossing streets.  The streets were clean yet I didn’t see the street sweepers that you would on mainland China who cleaned up after everybody.  I’m thinking the Taiwan citizens seem to be very tidy and I’ve yet to see the many smokers or public spitting/urinating that I got used to after living in China.  Not knocking my former home in Shanghai because it was awesome but the differences were noticeable.

After seeing Taipei 101 in the distance and it is a lovely unique skyscraper, I jumped on the blue line subway and off I went to Longshan Temple.  The subway was clean, staffed and signed in English.  For less than 50 cents, I arrived across town and walked through a lovely park where groups of men were playing games and socializing, very similar to Shanghai life on a Sunday.  Packed with locals burning incense and praying at the Temple, I was one of the few Laowai’s enjoying the experience.

A fellow traveler from Warsaw, Poland was nice enough to snap my pic at the koi pond, where a cat stalked from the roof above.  I love meeting new people on my adventures.  On the subway, a mature lady smiled as I sat next to her and, though not an English-speaker, she gestured at my map and seemed excited when I got off at the Temple stop.  Another lovely gal in the subway was toting her pup in a front-facing backpack.  I need to get one of these for Thor!  He would love to be carried around to see the sights.

After taking in the Temple, I was off on the subway again-first the blue line, then transferring to the red line and finally taking a cab the rest of the way to the National Palace Museum which was on the outskirts of Taipei by the mountains.  Tour groups of China tourists dominated the galleries where for only about $12.50 US, you can view three floors of treasures from jewelry to vases to calligraphy, all ancient and beautiful.  The only gallery not packed with people was the Tibet exhibit.  Hmmm…  Every item was behind glass to protect from the hordes taking it all in.

The jet lag finally kicking in, I jumped in a cab to get to the red line, then the green line and arrived back at the Westin ready for room service and a good night’s sleep.  Wish I had more time in Taiwan to explore-a vacation with Thom is definitely now a necessity!  Monday we start meetings and then off to Hong Kong on Tuesday-the journey is just beginning!

 

Back Home Again in Asia

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Asia, Beijing, China, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Taiwan, Travel, travelling, Trips outside Shanghai, Uncategorized, walkingLeave a comment

I didn’t realize how much I missed the Asian culture until I landed in Taipei last night.  The sounds, the smells, the friendly people!  Waking up to a cloudy view of the mountains and the local neighborhood after a 20+ hour journey to get here from Boise to Seattle to Tokyo to Taipei, I couldn’t wait to get out on the streets and explore!

 

WP_20180415_09_05_22_Rich
Hat courtesy of caution cone/vest?  Staying safe on the crowded streets of Taipei!

 

This is a business trip, hopping to a new city every 2-3 days for meetings, so hubby Thom is not along for the adventure.  I’m on my own and, after lengthy conversations with the Westin staff and maps in hand, I started to just wander.  Of course, the hotel team tried to talk me out of walking around “too far!” but I like to walk and they aren’t used to visitors wanting to do that.  I get it and just smile and keep on walking.

Originally, I had planned to book straight to the National Palace Museum via the subway but a combination of uncertainty and self awareness that I get lost easily plus a desire to absorb the local culture vs. art, I decided instead to try and find a temple nearby.

Got the time?
Wedding?
Alice where are you?

First, though, I noticed a Alice in Wonderland theme in the Westin lobby bar and checked out the adjacent gardens where it looked like a wedding might be taking place today with decorations everywhere.  How fun!  Wonder if the bride had an “Alice” dress to walk down the aisle?  She will definitely need a parasol as it is quite wet here today.

Instead of a temple, I found a delightful street market where I was the only Laowai, aka foreigner, in sight.  Fish, fruit, meat, pigs feet, dry goods and handmade noodles in stalls lining the narrow alleyway-it was packed with shoppers and very reminiscent of my old neighborhood where we lived in Shanghai.  I thought of my friend Patti when I saw the cherry tomatoes merchandised in the fruit stalls next to the apples and oranges.  Yes, Patti, tomatoes are considered fruit.

As I reviewed my map, still hopeful I could find the temple, a 20-something young man walked by me, stopped and considered, and then came back to offer his assistance.  How kind and friendly he was to help me plus he spoke English!  Even with his guidance though, after a few more blocks, I gave up and just enjoyed the journey.  Glad I did too or I wouldn’t have seen the quiet neighborhoods or the lovely lady in the “cautionary” hat displaying her lovely fruit or the antique noodle maker cranking out the sheets of pasta.

 

WP_20180415_08_43_35_Rich
Making noodles

 

Ahh, to be back again in Asia is indeed a beautiful thing.  After a few business meetings, I’m off to Hong Kong (TurboJet to Macau at night for fun!), Shenzhen, Shanghai (home!) and Beijing.  Two weeks of work and fun!

WP_20180415_08_41_49_Rich
If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a scooter!

 

Foy Vance takes the stage

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Music, Seattle, Seattle Nightlife, Travel, travelling, Uncategorized, VinylLeave a comment

Foy Vance is a brilliant artist.  His vocals soar and lyrics inspire.  Moving from piano to ukulele to guitar, Foy without a band at The Triple Door was a totally different experience than when we last saw him at the Columbia City Theater.  Less rocking and more talking.  He opened the show with Free Falling, a Tom Petty tune, and finished with a haunting Irish song in acapella.  Awesome.

A Northern Irish musician and singer-songwriter, he was signed to Glassnote Records in 2013 and has been touring non-stop.  The Triple Door gig was his next to last U.S. stop before a well-deserved break to go home.

Clink, Clink, Clink.  W.T.F.  Foy was not amused.  Clearly used to playing larger venues opening for artists like Ed Sheeran, Elton John and Josh Groban, you could tell it was painful for him to sing and endure the irritating noise from the audience dining.  “Are you still on the first course?  Entrée? Dessert?”  Will it never end?  Clink, Clink, Clink.

Inspiring singalongs on a few songs, the sold out crowd knew the words and didn’t want to stop being Foy’s back-ups.  When one patron yelled out “More”, Foy let him know that he was not a “fecking jukebox” and that was that.

WP_20171008_19_55_36_Pro

I do love The Triple Door because the seats are comfy and they pour an amazing strong and plentiful Old Fashioned.  However, the crowd can be noisy when enjoying their food and tend to chat as most tables seat 4-6 and encourage groups.  Of course, we were at one of the counter tops and the guy next to us thought we had paid to hear HIM sing not Foy.  Wrong!  I quietly protested by covering my ear closest to him with my middle finger to block out his musical stylings.  I wonder if he saw or cared.  Probably not but it made me feel better.

WP_20171008_20_07_51_Pro

Next time Foy needs to share his artistry at The Moore or The Paramount.  No delicious shrimp noodles but better acoustics and focus on the really important thing.  His gorgeous voice and storytelling.  Until next time, Foy, cheers!

WP_20171008_19_25_35_Pro (2)

 

 

 

 

 

Japan to Italy in One Seattle Morning

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Festivals, Gardens, Seattle, Seattle Neighborhoods, Travel, Uncategorized, vacationLeave a comment

On a sunny fall Seattle morning, it was time to visit different cultures without leaving downtown.  Thom and I love to experience new places so, from Japan to Italy, we decided to get out and savor the warm weekend weather.  Time to explore!

I’m hungry
The koi are hungry

First stop-Seattle Japanese Gardens in the Madison Park neighborhood is a 3.5 mile oasis of tranquil ponds and flowering trees.  Now, parking is scarce especially as the garden parking lot sits next to soccer fields filled on a Saturday morning with cheering/jeering parents coaching their little ones on ferociously.  Be quiet, Mom and Dad, and let the tykes play.

After driving by and circling back with no spot in the lot, we just parked on Madison St. and walked down.  For only $6 per head, you can achieve zen and see some very hungry koi.  Bring your camera as everywhere you look is an Instagram moment.  They have a teahouse where you can buy tickets for an authentic Japanese tea, which I’ll have to try sometime.  Winding through waterfalls, streams and bridges over the ponds, I was so happy to see lots of turtles (I have a fascination with these ancient creatures) sunning themselves on the plentiful rocks in the pond.  The koi were colorful and hungry, being fed by the small children visiting the gardens.  A few of these koi may want to consider eating less carbs and swimming a few more laps around the pond-they were HUGE!

After wandering back by the soccer fields (we can’t wait until Mia starts playing!), we enjoyed putting the top down on Sexy Beast and driving back home to check out the Festa Italiana Seattle at the Seattle Center.  Oh my holy Hell those meatballs were delish and I rarely eat meat.  I didn’t even take a pic of them because I ate them so fast.  Swimming in lots of spicy sauce, my “tub of meatballs” went down quickly-tub being an overstatement as there were only five so I refused to share with Thom.  Waddling down to the exhibits where they had music, dancing, a wine garden and lots of vendors, we quickly sought out the Borracchini Bakery table and purchased cannoli’s, biscotti and other treats to take home to enjoy later.  When in Italy and all.  To be honest, they didn’t last long after we got home so I just might have to visit the Festa Italiana again tomorrow for another bakery run.  So. Good.

Serious bocci ball going on!
Kicking their heels up!

In another building, there was a fierce bocci tournament going on.  Such a game of finesse.  A show with elaborate puppets for the kids was enchanting and well attended.  The festival also showcased Italian dogs, Cirneco dell-Etna, small, wiry and high-strung Sicilian hound that hunts rabbits, as well as cute Vespas and classy Maserati cars.  Oh those Italians know how to live!

I love living in Seattle and going from zen to festa in a matter of minutes.  I’ll never take living here for granted.  Now it’s time to lift a glass of vino to toast the start of another great Seattle weekend.  Cheers!