• First day of First Grade vs. First Solo Trip

    First day of First Grade vs. First Solo Trip

    My mother walked me across the street to the facade of Public School 9. A stranger directed first graders to a classroom, full of mysterious things. We sat in wooden seats with an attached pull up desk top. I was 5 and terrified and promptly pee’d in my pants. 

    I recall that moment and the extreme relief at going home for lunch. Day two in First Grade was different and wonderful; we learned our first ABC’s.

    This was my first ‘solo trip’.…

     
  • Tipping Trauma-Women’s Travel

    Tipping Trauma-Women’s Travel

    Tipping from The Women’s Travel Group. It seems that each time we turn around, we have to tip someone? Tipping used to be at ‘sit down’ restaurants’, in a taxi, for a porter who actually carries your bags. Now the Dunkin Donuts cashier has a tipping jar. Restaurant bills end with tip suggestions from 15%-25%. Even the cashless bakery, where I buy one lone cookie, now has a suggested tip on its credit card form? 

    Group included meal in Northern Italy 2023

    What is this trend?…

     
  • What I Always Carry on

    What I Always Carry on

    Yes, I arrived in Delhi on a plane which had no luggage. The computer at Heathrow malfunctioned; no one on the BA plane to India had luggage. Here is what I learned below.  PS once I bought basics,had some sleep, it was not a big deal.

    Carry on essentials from The Women's Travel Group
    Santa Fe Ladies October 2023 https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com

    Always carry on:

    Medicine. toss in a few optionals as ‘just in case’: bandaids, ibuprofen type pills, Immodium type liquid, eye saline.  Don’t do what my son did and put all pills in one container then call his mother from Pakistan for information.…

     
  • Cheapskates’ Wifi on Vacation

    Cheapskates’ Wifi on Vacation

    How to be cheap/smart/bargain hunter/whatever from The Women’s Travel Group. Paying for wifi overseas on top of paying a crazily expensive phone bill at home is a nasty burden. Before we start, any public wifi is insecure unless you purchase a VPN line. VPN lines are cheap but might not work on sites like Paypal or your financial sites: Bank, Stocks. Those sites usually need to identify your phone, computer or ipad.

    Most hotels offer what they call free wifi; it is not really free as it is included in your room costs, or in junk fees added to that rate.…

     
  • What are Junk Fees?

    What are Junk Fees?

    So what is this talk about junk fees? The Women’s Travel Group never adds them. Simplifying the definition: hotels are listed by price on line.  The cheapest appear first. (Sponsored ads above them).  We, normal people, are likely to click on the cheapest link if for the same hotel.

    Once you click ‘yes ‘you want that property, you then choose your room type. All good so far. But to book that room you will see a list of extra fees in a shockingly expensive invoice.…

     
  • Are women obsessed with travel clothes?

    Are women obsessed with travel clothes?

    And should women be so wardrobe obsessed? Will I fit in? Will I be respected? Going to fashionable Paris, will I be a dork?   This blog post changed directions after a visit to Chase Bank last week. Apologies up front for being personal.

    Rates are good so I dropped by Chase with my husband. He came along only because I wanted a CD in joint names. I usually work with one banker. He invited a financial adviser to join us.…

     
  • Travel to Cuba, March 2024

    Travel to Cuba, March 2024

    For years travel to Cuba was off limits for US citizens.  In 1999 travel emerged legal for certain groups. Later on Obama issued an executive order loosening travel restrictions, for ‘people to people’ groups. From 2016 onwards. the US government continued to sanction travel to Cuba. US citizens who meet certain requirements can visit. Our group has met these requirements and we are going to Havana in March 2024.

    First to know: Cubans are very friendly towards North Americans; they will often talk to you on the street, mentioning family in New Jersey or just a wecome hello.…

     
  • What You Can and Cannot Do on a Plane

    What You Can and Cannot Do on a Plane

    What you Can and Cannot Do on a Plane

    For Goodie Goodie Ladies: Readers Like You and Me

    Despite our old fashioned training of coloring between the lines and writing thank you notes, our in the air behavior can be questionable. The Women’s Travel Group lists Can and Cannot Do’s on airplanes.

    Five things you can do on a plane and Five things you cannot do.

    You can ask person in front of you to bring up their seats while you eat your meal.…

     
  • More Travel Paperwork

    More Travel Paperwork

    Just as we were ending Covid card carrying… Here is news from The Women’s Travel Group about our European trips next year. Starting in 2024, travelers who currently do not need a visa for the EU will require a new document called ETIAS. US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for the EU. (There are exceptional unusual circumstances for a denial like criminal record).  Visitors are limited to 3 month stays for tourism, business and transit purposes. Work and study visas are not included in the new ETIAS application.…

     
  • Are you a Ninny Traveler?

    Are you a Ninny Traveler?

    Are you a Ninny Lady if you go on group tours?

    The other day a woman called The Women’s Travel Group about our November trip to Paris. After asking about the trip, she announced she had lived in Paris, knew it well and did not need a group tour.  Why she called? Who knows. But bottom line, there are reasons for her to join the trip.

    Award winning group tours for women who are travel ninnies or not. The Women's Travel Group.
    The Women’s Travel Group in India

    A group tour has benefits for either older women or younger professionals overwhelmed by demanding jobs.…

     
 
 
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