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Five Steps to Get Through Delays and Cancellations
Five Steps to Get Through Delays and Cancellations
Some of us do not use travel agents or our agents are not available at the moment of crisis!
1. Immediately call your travel insurer and ask verbal permission to change flights. Often if a flight is cancelled or delayed, they will give you this verbal permission even if the price is high.
2. Know which number is the 24/7 number of your agent or tour company. Often when the glitch happens, we realize we have not jotted down this important number!… -
Are Women 'Travel Victims'?
News about crime abroad seems to focus on women. Though rape in India is less frequent than in most developed countries, the press covers it disproportionately. The latest article about an unfortunate American woman in India, who was raped, includes that she got into a truck with three strange men. Obviously she did not deserve to be raped or hurt anyway, but would you get into a truck with strangers of any type and anywhere?
My issue with the coverage is that the media uses her case to publish endless articles about women and safety, describing us victims.…
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Cancelling your Vacation to Turkey?
The question is always the same: is news on a headline or a reality that will prevent you from a safe trip? Here are some guidelines to follow:
—–Find out if your travel insurer has qualms or is no longer insuring trips to Turkey.
—–Ask your operator if all their departures are going ahead as planned.
—–Look up UK, Canadian, or other English speaking Foreign Government advice on the area for tourists. Each country will have a different take on the situation.… -
Icky Cruising? New regulations!
New cruise regulations are here. Below is a post from 2013 in which we were helping you decide if a cruise is for you. It is time to edit this post with 2020 cruise health precautions. Firstly you should know that cruises are ‘regulated’ by an international organization of which a US organizationn is one of 9 members. However, most cruise lines are not licensed in the US, so regulations apply because they dock here or because CLIA has been so effective.…
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Shorter Trips for Women
Some of you requested a shorter trip to Argentina.
Here it is! (click on the name for details)Argentina Aug 8-16 from $2460
Argentina 8-20 from $3369Room shares guaranteed
$100 gift for former WTClub members
Phyllis chose this trip until August 20 for her vacationFox News says our India Trip is a ‘Trip of a Lifetime’
India: Pushkar Camel Mart & Bride Experience (Click for prices) Nov. 7-21 From $5095+air
Best weather so festivals abound.
We avoid long drives and fly.… -
What Travel Insurers Do Not Tell You About Terrorism
They do not necessarily fly you home if there is a terrorist act in your destination, if your itinerary can skip the one area. Read the small print please!
They do not tell you what to do if the act is before you leave and the US State Dept has not issued a warning yet. Learn the difference between a warning and an advisory and the other vague language used by officials.
So how do you decide if you should go ahead with your trip?…
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The Angst of Tipping for Women
Tipping is always angst for women. We have trouble putting a monetary amount on a service and worry about under or over doing it. Before you travel, check what is included or not included in your tour package. Usually guides and drivers gratuities are extra. Usually porterage is included.
So how do you handle it when the luggage porter stands outside your hotel door , heavy bags in hand waiting for the second tip?
I give in, dig deeply and tip again usually a dollar if in a non European area!…
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Warning on International Cruises as Carnival Goes to Asia
The news that Carnival Cruise is going to leave from Singapore brings up another pitfall with choosing a cruise. Will you feel isolated when other guests are speaking Chinese? Ask us here.
Last year I took a river cruise on which 85% of the passengers were German ( it was marketed as ‘an international departure’). This mix meant announcements in 2 languages, only 10-15% of the passengers spoke English and we were segregated at all meals. We found out we paid much more than the Germans.…
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Women & Choice on Worst Seat mates in the Air
Peter Greenberg in his blog writes about the Ten Worst People to Sit Next to on a Plane (www.petergreenberg.com).
We are adding the hairy tank top guy.
And we have to add the guy who was found all over one of our travelers as she flew on El Al and was under an Ambien. Nothing against El Al but heh, guys are you that desperate?
Who was your worst seat mate? Share with us.…
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Women only airplane bathrooms
This issue has come up in the past and as I recall one Austrian airline had segregated bathrooms for a short while. The pros and the cons:
Pro: Men leave bathrooms messy, toilet seats up and sinks full of soapy water ( thank heavens for the evidence they wash hands). We will not even talk about the floor situation.
Con: Women spend more time with make up and hair in the airplane bathroom. Women also use Purell more often than men.…