Why Group Travel Is the Best!

Some people have a misconception that group travel means getting on a bus and being herded from one stop to another. Technically, that is a group. In reality, it’s a bunch of individuals who happen to be on the same tour.

My definition of group travel is traveling with people we already have a connection with; friends, family, club members, alumni - you get the idea. Whether you go on a cruise, hang out at a resort, or take a customized trip – the bottom line is enjoying the experience with your favorite peeps.

Let’s be clear. There are occasions when non-group travel is the perfect choice – A reflective solo journey, a romantic getaway, or perhaps a visit to your ancestral home.

But, in most cases, group travel, in my opinion, is the best way to travel. Traveling with like-minded individuals is just plain fun. You share your experiences with your friends or family instead of telling them about it when you get home. I love traveling with a group. Ask my family – I’m always trying to get them to meet on a cruise or visit a destination together. And, I enjoy traveling with others so much, it’s my specialty.

Family travel. Most of us have fond (okay, maybe some not-so-fond) memories of traveling with our immediate families. The family vacation is always highly anticipated and fantastic fun. Now, multiply that by 2 or 3 or more families. Not just the immediate family, but aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents. For the kids, there is immediate companionship. The adults can reconnect and enjoy some adult time with each other. And the whole family will have memories to share for a lifetime.

Friends. Unlike relatives, you get to pick your friends! So, who better to travel with? Whether it is a few couples who share a passion for wine, or a Santa Claus convention. And, yes, I was once on a Caribbean cruise with about 100 Santa and Mrs. Claus’s. Gave a new definition for “Christmas In July”. Seeing Santas in the tropics wearing holiday-themed shorts and tees was very surreal.

Solos. Find a travel group for solos. There are plenty out there. Of course, I’d love for you to travel with me, but maybe the destinations I pick aren’t your cup of tea. Someone out there has what you’re looking for. Not only do you not have to try and talk someone into going with you, you have anywhere from 6 – 20 new instant best friends to travel with. Bonus: all your vacay pictures won’t be selfies!

Value. Depending on where you are headed, there are definite savings in traveling as a group. Most hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators will offer a discount if enough people are traveling together.

Perks. Besides offering discounts, many suppliers will offer some extra amenities to groups such as wine, private entrances and showings, dedicated concierge, etc.

Is group travel harder to plan and execute? Yes. But, you have me to take care of all the details!

Seriously, whether you do it yourself or let me help, group travel is more fun, more memorable, and more value.

Have you experienced travel with a group? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Why is it Called City of One Hundred Spires?

Or, perhaps you know it as the “Heart of Europe”? Or, “Rome of the North”? "The Golden City"?

Prague, one of the most beautiful cities of Europe and a UNESCO heritage site was nicknamed “City of One Hundred Spires” in the 19th century by mathematician, Bernard Bolzano. His math was off. There are between 500 and 1000 spires, depending on who’s counting in this unique and historical city.

Prague’s history dates from the early 9th century as a capital of Bohemia, through its significance as a seat of power of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It became the capital of Czechoslovakia and then when the country split into two, capital of the Czech Republic.

The city emerged from WWII relatively unscathed and has become one of the most visited cities in Europe. Whether you are a student of history, archeology, culture, arts, or fabulous food and drink, Prague has it all.

The Old Town Hall with the famous Prague Astronomical Clock. The winding lanes of the Jewish Quarter, which you know from the novels of Franz Kafka, steeped in the legend of the Golem. Cafes, boutiques and cruises on the Vltava. The Gothic Charles Bridge and Church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Town, the most beautiful Baroque church in Prague. Petřín with a lookout tower reminiscent of a small Eiffel Tower and Prague Castle.

And, last but not to be missed, Czech beer. The first brewery was founded in 993 at Brevnov Monastery (those monks!) and the country currently has 400 breweries.

Are you ready to visit the City of One Hundred Spires? We have a group going in May 2018. Click here for itinerary and more information.

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Is It Christmas Yet? - tips for reserving holiday flights

Holiday travel can be one of those love/hate experiences. You love to connect with friends and family; you hate that everyone else is trying to do it at the same time. Here are a few tips to save money and have the most enjoyable experience during the holiday travel season. Although I specifically refer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, these tips apply to any holiday travel.

Flexibility rules for the holidays. Because so many travelers can’t or won’t be flexible, those who can will score the best airfares while avoiding some of the crowds.

1) Historically, the best booking window for holiday air is between 10 and 12 weeks out. Utilize some of the flight search websites for comparison shopping, but NOT for booking. See #2.

2) Book directly with the airline. Utilizing a third party such as Expedia or Orbitz adds a non-human “middle-man” and can hamper you significantly if you experience problems such as flight delays or cancellations. I’ve heard some customer service horror stories of passengers being batted back and forth between the airline and the booking site when a problem arises. And good luck getting a live person on the phone from one of those booking engines. Additionally, any savings will probably be eaten up in hidden fees or inconveniences.

3) Avoid the popular travel days, if possible. Wednesday before and Sunday after Thanksgiving are the busiest travel days of the YEAR in the US. Can you leave on Tuesday or return on Saturday? And, if it works for you, traveling on Thanksgiving Day is the cheapest.

Christmas and New Year’s Day are on Monday this year. Two long weekends to challenge you! Try to avoid Friday/Saturday before and Tuesday after. And, as with Thanksgiving, flying on the actual holidays can save you a lot of money.

4) Alternative airports. Are you traveling to or from an area with multiple airports? There can be some significant fare differences within the same market at different airports, so it’s always worth checking. Just make sure you factor in any additional ground transportation costs, if applicable.

As a bonus, smaller or alternative airports are usually much less crowded making security lines shorter and the airport experience more pleasant.

5) Try to book first flight out. If weather or mechanical issues pop up, you’ll stand a better chance of getting to your destination the same day on a later flight. And, if you don’t care what time you arrive, you may be able to score some free vouchers or extra miles if the airline needs volunteers for overbooked flights.

Have a wonderful time. Yes, it’s crowded and yes, holiday travel can be trying, but it can also be a lot of fun. Airports are the best for people watching. And folks, overall, are in a good mood. Friends and families reuniting, military personnel returning home, business travelers taking a much-needed break. It’s all good.

Will you be flying this year during the holidays? I'd love to know!

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Five Important Safety Tips

No one wants to think about something going awry while vacationing. After weeks or months of anticipation, the last thing you want to consider is something bad happening. And you know what – most of the time nothing bad happens.

My motto is ‘expect the best (because that is the norm), but plan for the worst (just in case)’. You wouldn’t not take malaria prevention medication if you were going to a known malaria zone, would you? So, why not take a few easy safety precautions, as well?

1) Buckle your seatbelt. If you pay attention to no other part of the pre-flight safety briefing, at least observe the “seatbelt-buckled-at-all-times-while-seated” suggestion. Unexpected turbulence can hit at any time causing the plane to dip, fall, swerve, or otherwise move in an unexpected fashion. If severe enough, passengers can be tossed from seats. In-flight turbulence is the leading cause of serious injury to passengers and flight attendants. So why leave your seatbelt unbuckled if you are in your seat?

2) Same song, second verse. Unfortunately, vehicles have accidents in other countries, as well. Don’t get into a taxi or Uber that doesn’t have seatbelts. You’re not in that big a hurry – wait for the next one. If you’re on a self-drive, make sure all the seatbelts work in your rental before driving away.

3) STEP. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows you to register your trip with the State Department. This small step (pun intended!) can provide you with valuable information during an emergency while abroad – terrorism, weather, or other natural disaster. Or help facilitate friends and family contacting you if something urgent comes up at home.

4) Keep your phone put away in public places. You’re in a foreign country and distracted enough already. Being engrossed in your phone gives thieves an excellent opportunity to swipe a purse or billfold – or even the phone. If you need to make a call or look something up, find a quiet place where you can give attention to your call and your possessions.

5) Learn the local version of 9-1-1. For example, in London you would dial 9-9-9. Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But, if you do, you don’t want to waste precious time looking it up.

So, there you go. Not too onerous, and you need only give minimal thought to add several degrees of safety to your valuable vacation.

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Where is Bratislava?

Do you know where to find Bratislava? Here is a mini quiz to test you!

Question - Bratislava is:

1. A European capital city
2. A small island in the Mediterranean
3. A volcano in Southeast Asia
4. A tasty sausage popular in Germany

Answer: 1. The capital of Slovakia, or more correctly the Slovak Republic, has a long and storied history. One of the Imperial cities of the Hapsburg and Austro-Hungarian empires, it was also a regional capital of Czechoslovakia before its dissolution into the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993.

A determined and planned renaissance has been in force since the re-establishment of Slovakia’s independence. After years of communist indifference, restoration of historical buildings, new and creative architecture and artworks, as well as a teeming nightlife have turned the city into a popular destination.

Aside from being a fun city with a thriving night scene, there are many historical and cultural things to see and do.

Bratislava’s Old Town is an attractive place to visit and stroll. Charming cobblestone streets full of shops, restaurants, and cafes. Musicians, artists, and street vendors abound. But, the quirky sculptures throughout the city are one of most fun public art displays around. Scattered throughout Old Town, they appear with no rhyme or reason. Just fun.

Old Town Hall, the former seat of government is home to the Bratislava City Museum. And don’t miss Maximilian’s Chocolate Shop for a break. Schokocafe Maximilian has, arguably, the best hot chocolate anywhere. It is so thick, you can eat it with a spoon. Mmm it was yummy. We went back twice!

Bratislava Castle sits high above the city – once the coronation castle of the Hapsburgs and Austro-Hungarian empires and home to the coronation jewels. The spectacular view is not just of the city, but three countries: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia.

For modern art aficionados, the Danubiana Meulensteen Art Museum rests on a peninsula on the Danube and houses a new collection of Dutch and Slovak masterpieces, as well as a sculpture garden.

Devin Castle is a great place to enjoy a picnic, hike or bike after exploring the ruins of this strategically located fortress that has been controlled by Hapsburgs, Napoleon, Nazis, Soviets, and numerous medieval forces.

Now you know not only where to find Bratislava, but you have an introduction for your visit!

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