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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’.…
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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?
What is this trend?…
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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.…
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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.…
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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.
A group tour has benefits for either older women or younger professionals overwhelmed by demanding jobs.…
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6 chores pre Paris hotel check in
The 6 things to do when you arrive in Paris. And before hotel check in. Our early November 2023 Paris trip has limited space left. $100 off until Aug. 15, 2023.
Study a map and figure out where you are. Paris has obvious landmarks: Eiffel Tower, the river etc. The Tower changes lights often.
Use the ATM for Euros and to know asap your ATM card works. There are 45+ ATM’s in the airport also.
Ask of a cafe has free wifi.…
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Packing list for older women.
Today I started packing for Europe: specifically England, Italy and Switzerland. Although packing is no big deal for me, many women asked for my ‘system’. There are no fancy gadgets, no newly acquired clothes. There is no $1,000 cashmere scarf, which travel magazine writers tout as an airplane coverup.
Here goes THE SYSTEM.
Start at the bottom of your body, literally.
- Shoes: 2 pairs only, sneakers with which your feet are old friends AND one pair of light weight flats. Mine are black Allbirds.
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‘Just in Case’ Information for Women Travelers
Recently I experienced a flight cancellation. The cancellation was announced after a long delay and various updates. It was due to weather. So no yelling at the airline or getting unduly upset. Weather is not the airline’s responsibility. It changes minute to minute so delays can linger before a formal cancellation.
I returned home by taxi and flew out on the same flight next day. Here is what I learned.
- If a flight is delayed, stay around the gate in case it departs without much notice.
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Smile. You are on Image Recognition
Most of us hate our passport photos; most of us at The Women’s Travel Group do. We take them in a vending booth, Staples, Fedex office or some other commercial space where we muster up a smile in front of strangers. Now here is the news: paper identification like a passport or license is moving to image recognition. Some of you already use images to open your smart phone.
Image recognition might also be familiar if you use Clear.…
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What to Expect in Europe this Summer
First of all check out our Summer Specials and last minute Savings
If there is a special event, restaurant or museum exhibit you wish, book it now. Europeans are raring to travel; so far a 14% increase. A Vermeer exhibit in Amsterdam was sold out months in advance. A revival of Guys and Dolls in London same situation. I am not a believer of Skip the Line tickets; seems elitist. If the ticket relates to your dreams, then go ahead.
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