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Women travel groups.

Women travel groups.

by | Jul 4, 2021 | 0 comments

Women make up a significant amount of the travel space.  They are also the ones who make most of the travel decisions.  In recent years, however, there seems to be a trend of women taking a break from life to travel, not with their families, but with other women.  These trips are often seen as retreats and an aspect of self-care.  I recently made a group trip with a group of women and felt the benefits wholeheartedly. Here are a few ideas on women’s group travel.

One of the most significant benefits of women’s group travel is that it allows women to feel safe traveling. With women group travel, there is a built-in network of women you know and trust. Traveling with other women provides a supportive space.  In addition, sharing the experience with other women helps to create a bond and a feeling of less vulnerability.

You are most likely to be traveling with other like-minded women.  Even though the group may have different personalities or backgrounds, the experiences gained far outweigh the possible drawbacks. Traveling in a group improves your self-awareness.  With group travel, you can be motivated by other women and feel validated by the other women travelers.

For women, travel has become another form of self-care.  Travel tends to lead to more open minds, and it pushes the travelers’ boundaries.  Traveling with other women seeking similar experiences leads to a sense of camaraderie that positively affects the traveler.  When traveling, it is often difficult for our minds to be consumed by the future as the present circumstances demand our attention.  Therefore travel, like meditation, has a soothing effect on women.

Although the women group travel is often done to escape, traveling in a group can lead to a better appreciation of the things and people left back at home. Even though it takes you away from home, traveling is a way to center yourself and re-establish your base.  When women choose themselves, the effect tends to have a ripple effect on their families and lives.

Traveling, in general, can be inspirational and spark creativity.  Being able to interact with other women and share similar experiences can be eye-opening. Any unexpected changes and uncertainty of relationships during travel can help to improve personal relationships overall.

Have you taken or encouraged a women group travel experience? How was it? I’d like to know.

How to thrive with group travel.

How to thrive with group travel.

by | May 25, 2021 | 0 comments

I wrote an earlier blog post about choosing your travel partners wisely.  Travelers may not always be able to select their travel partners with group travel.  However, there are ways to ensure your journey is pleasant and that you thrive with group travel.

Recognize your individuality.  No two people are alike. While there may be majority decisions or even unanimous decisions, all travelers have different needs.  For some travel group members, the desire is for escape, while it might be an adventure for others.  The reasons for travel are far too many, so embrace yours.

Be respectful of group members.  Even though your travel needs may be different than others, respect their needs.  Acknowledge their thoughts and ideas but state your own opinion.  If the group plans work for you, join in, and if they don’t, politely decline.

Be mindful of the advantages as well as the disadvantages.  For many, group travels can be a way to save money or provide a feeling of safety. However, it can also infringe on your privacy. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages ahead of time will prepare you for the realities of group travel.

Embrace similar interests.  Most group travels begin with a goal or interest that everyone shares.  Taking part in group tours or events with like-minded people can be exhilarating.  Sharing an experience with friends or family is much more enriching than telling them about it.

Know your travel goal.  Does the group travel involve a trip or a vacation?  For many, a trip usually has a purpose, while a vacation is about the experience.  If you consider the group travels a trip, you most likely will have a plan in mind.  If the travel involves a vacation, usually it entails rest or relaxation. Knowing your expectations from the group travel experience allows for travel that won’t disappoint.

Have you been able to thrive in group travel experiences? How? I’d like to know.

Travel and the ex-pat experience.

Travel and the ex-pat experience.

by | May 23, 2021 | 0 comments

I’ve lived as an ex-pat in London, Germany, and Singapore. The experience of living in different places temporarily taught me valuable lessons in how to make the travel experience a great one. Here are a few ways my ex-pat experience has enhanced my travel experiences.

Making connections

Living in a foreign place as an ex-pat forces you to connect with people you don’t know. When traveling, networking can be particularly useful in meeting and creating new relationships. The benefit of connecting with people when vacationing is that you may get to explore places your new acquaintances genuinely enjoy. Friendly people are happy to give recommendations, and the sites recommended are great because your new friends only want to share the best of the local area with you.

Traveling with flexibility

In a previous blog, I discussed how travel and organization are essential to having a great travel experience. However, being flexible with your travel plans is also necessary for memorable experiences. I try to be as relaxed in my travel plans as I learned to be while living abroad. Whether long-term or a weekend, traveling with flexibility allows you to have unique and different experiences that are usually unplanned. With flexibility, your trip can be enjoyable and insightful.

Be a foreigner but travel locally

Living as an ex-pat taught me to travel like a foreigner yet be local at the same time. Connecting with people while on vacation is very similar to living in an ex-pat community. Often, you connect with people who are familiar to you, live locally, and want to give you an experience similar to that of a tourist. Usually, they will encourage seeing and doing things you had not thought of doing. Your vacation will include local but different travel experiences.

It’s not personal

While creating new relationships can be fulfilling, new connections can also be problematic. The ex-pat experience will teach you that not everyone you reach out to will respond or be available. Not everyone you meet or encounter will be cheerful and accommodating. Being open, understanding, and conscious of other people and their truths will allow for more pleasant travel experiences.

While living in Singapore, I met Terry James Johnson, an ex-pat performing under the stage name “the real TJ.”  He wrote an article that accurately discusses some of the ex-pat experiences.  You will find it a great read; check it out here.  Do you have any ex-pat experience? Has it enhanced your travel skills? I’d like to know.

Travel preparation

Travel preparation

by | May 19, 2021 | 0 comments

You can never be too prepared for travel.  There are plenty of things to consider before you travel to make your travel experience a much more pleasant one.  I discussed a few ways of travel preparation in a prior blog post. Here are a few more ideas to think about before you travel.

Cell coverage

When traveling internationally, mobile phone charges can be an unexpected expense.  Remember to turn off cell service roaming before you leave the country to avoid roaming charges.  If you try to do this in an international destination, you may be charged for the time trying to complete the effort.  Try to arrange for a global cell service plan with your carrier before you leave the country.  You can often use a phone for dollars a day rather than dollars a call if you choose an international package for the duration of your time out of the country.

Notify credit card companies

Without prior approval, using your credit card in another country can be problematic. Your card can be flagged for fraud, and you may not be able to use it.  To prevent this, notify your credit card company before you travel to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of having your credit card declined.  Additionally, getting in touch with your credit card company from another country and verifying yourself will be a hassle you can avoid.

Currency exchange

Try to have some local currency before you enter the country.  Currency conversion fees can differ where you choose to convert your money.  Also, converting before you leave on your trip will give you an idea of the exchange rate, so you know before you go.  If you plan to take local transportation, having local currency can be helpful. Knowing and understanding foreign currency also prevents you from being taken advantage of as an unaware tourist.

ATM fees

Using an ATM in a different country can be expensive with built-in foreign conversion fees and daily changing exchange rates.  Research what bank or system your bank card or credit card is affiliated with before you go so you can avoid unnecessary expenses.

Carry small currency

Having local or foreign currency in small denominations can be a lifesaver when you arrive at an international destination.  Some businesses and people will prefer the US or other foreign currency rather due to instability with their currency.  It is also safer to have cash in small denominations than trying to get the correct change back in your own or foreign currency.

Have you had any unexpected hiccups with forgetting to plan for international travel? I’d like to know.

How I packed for a weekend trip in a carry-on.

How I packed for a weekend trip in a carry-on.

by | May 13, 2021 | 0 comments

Packing well for travel is a skill that comes from practice. Recently I traveled on a weekend trip that included a wedding and was able to do this with only a carry-on. Travelers can consider a few things that will make their packing easier and improve their ability not to overpack and fit in just a small bag or suitcase.

Check the weather for your destination. As I discussed in a previous post, pack for the realities of your destination, not what you expect it will be. Therefore, think in layers. Weather is not always predictable. When packing for a warm, sunny destination, consider the cool evenings by the beach or weather changes that can cool considerably as the day progresses. Similarly, when thinking of cold destinations, remember that you can become overheated if dressed too warmly.

Limit your footwear. For travel to any destination, you can almost always limit footwear to three pairs of shoes. Consider one set of footwear for walking, one for evenings out, and flat footwear. These three pairs of shoes will cover almost all types of travel itineraries. Your initial traveling outfit should include one of those three types, which means you will only need to pack two pairs of shoes.

Plan your travel. If you organize your trip, you will know what activities you plan and can pack accordingly. Think of how many changes of outfits you will need. How many times will you go to lunch or dinner? Will your plans call for business casual or comfort? In most cases, one pair of bottoms can be made unique with a different top or jacket.

Try different packing techniques. Rolling items rather than packing flat can allow for more things to fit into your carry-on. However, your outfits may need to be ready to wear and will not be suitable for rolling. Think of what items will be best rolled, such as jeans and tee shirts, or folded flat such as dresses or suit jackets.

Pack in advance. Packing in advance allows you to consider what you are packing rather than rushing to pack at the last minute. Preparation also will enable you to determine better if you are over packing or packing according to plans. It also limits forgetting items you will need, such as pajamas, socks, workout wear, or underwear. Advance packing helps in packing light.

Are you able to pack for a weekend with just a carry-on? What’s your secret, or what prevents you from packing light? I’d like to know.