Fall travel
Fall is a great time to travel. Leaves are changing colors, and it can be an excellent time for a road trip. However, the weather can be a bit unpredictable, and temperatures can drop unexpectedly. Here are a few ideas to consider as we head into the fall if travel is in your future.
Packing light.
Packing for a fall trip can be a bit tricky. Sweaters, hoodies, and jackets can be bulky to pack. One way to pack light is to think of dressing in layers. Layering long sleeves, vests, button-down shirts, and jackets make it easier to take on or off and adjust to weather changes. In addition, varying different items can refresh outfit choices leading to packing less.
Be prepared for weather changes.
Fall weather can be unpredictable so prepare for rain or sunshine. An umbrella or poncho will often come in handy. However, sunscreen and sunglasses might also be necessary. Mornings are usually cool and crisp while the afternoon warms up. In addition, rain is often in the forecast.
Off-peak deals.
Fall travel is much less hectic than summer travel as many destinations are much less crowded. In addition, fall can be one of the cheapest times to travel, and prices on airfare, hotels, and activities tend to be lower. Food also tends to be more affordable as fall festivals and seasonal changes in food make fall dining an incredible experience.
More hotel perks.
The hotel industry tends to slow down in the fall season. There are far fewer crowds, so hotels and other places offer more perks to attract business. It is easier to receive hotel upgrades, and hotel points go further than in peak season. Hotel staff is usually more attentive as they have fewer guests to serve, so the service tends to be better.
Fall sickness.
Temperature drops, more rain, and humidity tend to increase people’s risk of getting sick. Due to the change in weather, fall is often a time many people experience colds and cases of flu. This trend, along with the realities of Covid, means fall travelers should be more careful of fall sickness and try to stay as healthy as possible. Getting more exercise and sleep is a great way to enjoy a fall vacation while maintaining your health.
Do you have any plans for fall travel? I’d like to know.
Are you ready for travel?
After being confined for more than a year due to Covid, many people are eager to travel. However, travel, as we have known it in the past, is almost nonexistent. The thread of the Covid virus is ever-present, and people are even more stressed than the everyday stresses of travel. Here are a few things I think will prepare you for this new travel normal and help you decide if you are ready for your journey.
When headed to the airport, be reminded that while realities of 9/11 made you take things off at the airport. Covid facts will make you put on masks. Remember that the airport is federal property, and masks are required. It’s also a busy and, at times, loud place. So, speaking with a cover on and hearing things clearly because the person you are interacting with also has a mask on can be complex. Prepare to repeat yourself repeatedly. Also, know that you may be asked several times to comply with the mask mandate, whether you agree with it or not.
Airlines have cut back on their offerings and services while at the same time increasing prices. Previously, you would be offered a beverage service on some longer flights, followed by a lunch or dinner service. Currently, you may be offered a plastic bag with a small bottle of water, a cookie, and a hand wipe. Others may provide a shelf-stable snack or snack box, often for purchase. As limited as these offerings are, the reality is that there is never enough variety or supply for everyone on the plane. In addition, the offerings are often way overpriced but the only thing on offer.
In addition, the airplane can now often resemble a small cafeteria. Savvy travelers know in advance of the limited supply of food onboard the aircraft, so they bring their meals and snacks. The airplane, a closed tube, is filled with the aroma of fried chicken, tuna sandwiches, cobb salads, and any other smelly food passengers bring to consume. During this food buffet, other passengers who may have had a challenging day without the opportunity or means to get an airport meal often sit by hungry and with increasing frustration.
Travelers need to be aware that their expectations will often not meet reality. Therefore, people should question if they are ready for travel, especially as it is today. The best advice is to prepare for your trip, not only for the destination but for the journey in reaching your destination. How do you, or are you prepared for travel? I’d like to know.
Travel planning with Levantr.
Hot air balloon ride in Tanzania
I’ve written much about group travel. I love to travel and sharing it with people I also love is a passion. Part of what prevents a lot of group travel is coordination. I recently found a new way to plan and share my trip with Levantr. Check out my Tanzania itinerary and explore my trip and travel planning benefits with Levantr. You can even download my itinerary and customize it to your trip later. Here are a few reasons why you should try the tool.
There are many moving parts to planning a trip. Designing it with a group that may have different ideas and visions of the trip can be stressful. Having an itinerary helps you outline how you envision a trip. You can summarize places, things you’d like to visit, and any other trip ideas in one place on Levantr. This pre-planning gives the group a better and more visual way of organizing your plans and a more collaborative way to brainstorm for more effective group decisions. Levantr also has sample itineraries if you aren’t sure where you want to travel next.
I like group travel, but I’m not a fan of group texts. I’m also not too fond of the constant notifications that often come in at the most inconvenient times or provide no information or context. With Levantr, group texts are no longer necessary. Participants can go onto the site and plan with surveys that can show what’s preferred or not preferred. You can ask questions and summarize the responses to make the group travel planning easier. Best of all, you only see information when you choose to go online to view the itinerary instead of whenever someone decides to respond.
I’m an organizer, and I like organizing trips. However, I wouldn’t say I like the minutia of travel planning. I want to create a trip that I would enjoy. I then invite others to the trip. If they are willing to go along with my plans, then fine, we go. My trip is exactly that, mine. With Levantr, you can share your trip with others. They can see the trip plans and itinerary in one place. If they decide to go along, they can. If they choose to modify the trip to their needs, that’s also an option. The group can all go on the trip but have or create their itinerary to suit their needs.
My trip to Tanzania had many moving parts. It was a safari, and I stayed at five different locations during the trip. The trip included many game drives, walking safari’s, dinners, and sightseeing opportunities. Much of this entailed early morning times, such as my 4 am departure for my hot air balloon ride. It also included late evening/night events such as sundowner drinks and a Boma dinner with Massai dancers. While I prepared mentally for the trip, I realized that many would not be. Therefore, choosing a travel companion was important.
While Levantr will not help you choose your travel companion, it may help prevent some unexpected issues with differences of opinion before the trip. I invite you to check this option out for your next travel plans. Let me know what you think.
Airline tickets.
I was an international flight attendant for 23 years. After learning this fact about me, many people assume that I have or know how to get the best deals on airline tickets. No, I do not get to fly for free. The reality is that I research and use some of the same methods most people do when purchasing flight tickets. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind in getting the best flight deals.
Compare flight costs. Airline reward programs have changed significantly over the years. So, loyalty to a specific airline does not provide the benefit it once did. Your favorite airline may not have the best deal, and the only way to find out who does is to shop around. Very rarely does an airline have a monopoly on a destination. It’s best to consider all options if the cost of airfare matters to you.
Timing matters. Sometimes circumstances do not allow for the best timing for making a ticket purchase. Try not to purchase your flight tickets too far in advance or right before you need to fly. Keep in mind the peak season flying months of the summer or popular holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, or Thanksgiving. With these in mind, you might want to make your purchase well in advance. However, last-minute flight deals are also possible, and there is no rule as to when airlines will unexpectedly drop their prices.
In addition to timing your flight ticket purchases, the days you choose to fly also can make a difference in airline ticket prices. Historically Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper days to fly. Most people want their travel to extend over the weekend, so those days tend to be more expensive. Fridays and Sundays usually cost more to fly. Sundays are always hectic as people want to return from travel to start their workweek.
Flight times also can make a difference. Early morning or overnight flights tend to be cheaper as most people prefer more convenient flight times. I tend to prefer early morning flights. They are often more reliable as the airlines need them to be on time to keep their daily flight schedules on time.
Finally, choosing a non-stop flight or a connecting flight can affect pricing. Only the traveler will know the value of a lower price compared to an inconvenient or long travel day.
As air travel resumes, travelers must consider pricing and what they value most from their travels. As always, I encourage research on the different options available. I hope these ideas help as there is no one solution for everyone. I’d like to know.
Travel souvenirs.
I’ve spent more than half of my life traveling. Through the years, I have amassed my share of travel souvenirs. My collection has ranged from T-shirts, magnets, coffee mugs, keychains, art, and furniture. Having also lived as an ex-pat, moving with your collection of souvenirs can be a hassle. Now I prefer a photographic memory or a small trinket that evokes special memories. Here are my thoughts on travel souvenirs.
You can find magnets almost everywhere you travel. For novice travelers, they can be a great souvenir from your travels. They can also be a great way to keep track of all your destinations. However, magnets can soon overwhelm the spaces you are displaying if you are or become a prolific traveler.
Destination coffee mugs are another excellent travel souvenir. However, they are fragile and take up a bit more room when packing. Like magnets, they can also become overwhelming as you can only use them sparingly. Choosing your morning coffee mug often becomes a chore when you have so many choices.
T-shirts are one of my favorite travel souvenirs, and I still collect them everywhere I go. Like magnets and coffee mugs, they too can become overwhelming. However, I have started creating T-shirt blankets and throws. These allow me to keep the memories the tees invoke close to me in a much more visible way.
Art is a great souvenir, but getting it home can be a challenge. As a souvenir, art requires much more thought than handheld souvenirs. It usually has to go with your home décor, and you need space for display. Packing art to carry home can also be a challenge as it often does not fit into your luggage, so transporting it can be a hassle.
Furniture is a great way to bring memories of a place with you. As a travel souvenir, however, like art, it is a thoughtful investment. Furniture usually requires shipping to your final destination, and often the costs can be prohibitive. But it will be a cherished memento that you will have for many years.
Whether a novice or expert traveler, I encourage everyone to grab a travel souvenir. It not only supports but can be a great way to keep your travel memories alive. Do you collect travel souvenirs? What are they? I’d like to know.