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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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New Destinations for Women?
Women choose destinations based on 2 factors: intrinsic interest and the strong effect of marketing. Movies like Eat Pray Love or a TV Series like Emily in Paris tempt us. Gorgeous Caribbean blue water ads warm our hearts. Special events, ie King Charles III coronation, gets us packing.
Once we chose our trip, we are again faced with marketing. Paris: Eiffel Tower? Seine river boats? England: Tower Bridge? Crown Jewels?
What about new destinations and what to see in those countries. …
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Airport Walk Through for Women
The Women’s Travel Group was recently asked: Can you ‘walk’ me through the airport? I have not traveled overseas in a long time. Re-entry to travel is daunting. So here is The Women’s Travel Group’s step by step airport walk through.
When you arrive at the airport, have handy your passport and booking information. The latter might be a print out of your flights? An electric pass in your phone? Or just a record locator you jotted down.
Walk to your airline.…
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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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How to Avoid Long Immigration Lines
The Women’s Travel Group helps with advice on avoiding long airport lines. We all know what a passport is. Do you know what a mobile passport is? For eons, passports have been paper, then booklets of paper, then booklets of paper wrapped in firmer material.
A US Passport is only issued by the Department of State. By law, a valid unexpired U.S. passport (or passport card) is conclusive proof of U.S. citizenship.
The Trump Administration cut State Dept personnel more than 10% four years. …
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Is a room share worth $975 for you?
There is a room share available on Northern Italy/ Switzerland trip in July1 Here is how to deal with a room share on a WTGroup trip. Hotels charge exorbitantly if one person is in a room. From their revenue point of view they sell ‘real estate’. One person (versus two persons) takes up the same square footage as two, uses the minibar and room service less, tips porters less and buys a one half breakfast. Thus the single supplement as high as 100%. …
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What Women Want in a Hotel Room
When I was a banker, HR chose 5 star hotels. 5 star business hotels are not always female friendly. If in commercial neighborhoods, streets are dark at night. A majority male population might mean loud guy-friendly bars. Today with The Women’s Travel Group, we chose differently.
A female hotel check list is different; star level can be less important. When I walk into a hotel room here is what I do:
First I want to know how to operate the a/c and lights.…