The Christmas and New Year’s holidays were stressful for airline passengers, with thousands of flights cancelled or significantly delayed. It was the perfect combination of bad weather, strong customer demand, staffing shortages, and a lack of operating aircraft....
From the Desk of Denise Koranek
Long flight? Here are 5 stretches to help you through aches and pains
Reference: Cleveland Clinic If you’ve ever set off for a faraway destination, you probably know the feeling of “snap, crackle, pop!” as you get off the plane. Being confined to a small space can be difficult on the body, possibly causing pain and stress, both of which...
Best ways to help prevent identify theft on your next vacation
Getting your identity stolen while on vacation may not be on your top list of worries, but we’re here to place it on your radar. Nearly a half million items are pickpocketed every year, much of which includes valuable documents and IDs that can cause major headaches...
Is bad weather threatening your flight? Here’s what to do and what to avoid
The holiday travel rush is behind us for another year, but there’s still a lingering nuisance that can really cause some air travel headaches: bad weather. Winter and springtime are particularly apt for snow, ice, and thunderstorms that can cancel hundreds of...
Why can’t I bring it back with me?
Even the most seasoned traveler will scratch their head when it comes to bringing food products back into the U.S., and it seems the rules are always changing. It’s confusing and frustrating to have food or a souvenir taken away by a customs agent! The reason for...
10 Major Travel Scams and How to Avoid Them
We travel for many reasons - reconnecting with loved ones, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people – but in every country, scam artists lurk around looking to spoil your trip. Common sense goes a long way, but many scammers are pros that can steal from even the...
Fly confidently with our 5 favorite travel-savvy apps
Long lines of cranky people, shrinking legroom on planes, folks sprinting to their connecting gate only to see the flight pulling away…what if air travel could be easier? With more and more people taking to the skies, having an...
Tipping when you travel – here are the latest guidelines
Generations Riviera Maya One expense that is commonly overlooked when traveling is tipping. We all know to tip at a restaurant in the U.S., but there are other situations that aren’t always so clear, both in the U.S. and especially abroad. Don’t let tipping leave you...
How to travel without looking like a tourist
Tourist taking selfie at a tropical beach at Maldives Islands Few things are more exciting than being in a completely new place. Think of your first trip abroad – how great it was to experience the new sights, smells, customs, and language. It’s practically addictive!...
Do you know your rights as an airline passenger? Denise answers your top questions.
United Airlines landed in some hot water recently because of the way they handled an overbooking situation on a flight from Chicago to Louisville. In short, four people were required to involuntarily give up their seats after they had boarded. The...
Five Tips for Taking Vacation Pictures Like a Pro
Photography is a great way to weave together the story and spirit of your vacation. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a famous artist to create a wonderful photo album! With these five tips to keep in mind during your next trip, you’ll be transporting your audience...
Boosting the brain, body, and bonding: The health benefits of taking a vacation
Beach Hammock under palm trees American culture places heavy importance on work ethic, which has been particularly evident during the last 18 months. For many this has meant juggling childcare, remote learning, and endless Zoom meetings. We just aren’t wired to be...
Travel rejuvenates mind, body, and spirit: Here’s your go-to guide
As 2020 comes to a close with all its twists and turns, we’ve seen how important physical and emotional well-being are, with travel providing the golden opportunity to refresh and unwind. Bringing an intentional element of wellness into your getaway can be a primary...
What to know about travel insurance in a post COVID world
You’re dreaming about the vacation you want to take: whether it’s waking up to a picture-perfect beach, a tour of Italy, the Alaska frontier or a cruise around the world. You are dreaming of the chance to reconnect with family and friends in a learning, experiential...
Travel insurance is complicated. What to recognize about pre-existing conditions
You’re planning a vacation and I bring up travel insurance. Should you purchase it? Absolutely! In addition to offering a plethora of coverages, Travel insurance ensures a smooth, worry-free experience that protects your investment. However, what happens if you have a...
About Denise
My goal is to simplify travel-planning through an equal exchange process where I acquire your ideas and expectations for your trip relieving you of the worry, hassle, stress and time that accompanies Do-It-Yourself planning. Recent Posts
Hurricane in the Dominican Republic: Our vacation experience
Like many during the pandemic, we were grounded entirely for longer than we liked. When my husband and I contacted Denise to help us plan a much needed vacation, we said we wanted an All-Inclusive in the Dominican Republic and September worked best for our schedules....
Considering booking a short-term vacation rental from an app? Read this first
In recent years, companies such as Airbnb and Vrbo have grown exponentially across the world. Travelers looking for something other than a hotel room are understandably attracted to these options, which appear to offer a larger space and more authentic experience. But...
New DOT Dashboard Explains Air Passengers’ Rights
On 9/1/2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled a new dashboard that explains the services each airline provides to passengers in the event of a controllable cancellation or delay. This provides one location where travelers can quickly and easily...
South American cruise 2023: Highlights of the trip (Part 2)
In February 2023 near the end of South America’s summer season, Sunset Vacations & Travel Planning will be hosting a group cruise to the end of the world: Santiago, Chile around the southern tip of the continent to Buenos Aires, Argentina. This will take place on...
Did the airline lose your luggage? What to do when it happens and how to reduce your risk
It’s a tough reality of travel that your luggage doesn’t always get to the same destination that you do. With the surge of folks getting back out there paired with employee shortages, lost luggage is becoming unfortunately more frequent. While still pretty unlikely,...