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...
Insider Advice
Need to renew your passport? You may be able to accomplish online
Starting in August, the U.S. State Department is rolling out a pilot program allowing up to 25,000 individuals to renew their passports online rather than through the U.S. mail. People who meet the requirements can sign up on a first come, first served basis. August...
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,...
Traveling to Europe soon? Avoid these common scams
It’s an unfortunate fact especially in tourist-heavy areas of Europe, that scammers take advantage of even the savviest travelers. Some are virtual pros at extracting money and passports, which can spoil a trip in an instant. Most scams have a common purpose – to...
Skip the security and immigration lines with these 5 strategies
Effective immediately, the CDC no longer requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test for inbound travelers entering the United States. This removes another hurdle that prevented some folks from making the plunge into travel again. With this change, expect to see an...
Small ship versus large ship: What type of cruise do you prefer?
After being shut down for 15 months, cruising is finally operating with some level of normalcy while still following safe protocols. After all, the cruise lines have had 9 months of practice getting it right. This was further confirmed when the CDC lifted all travel...
Want to avoid getting bumped off your next flight?
Flights are once again full as travel demand has soared and airlines try to play catch up. This means more competition for every seat, and therefore the old headache of falling victim to an oversold flight. Unfortunately, a paid-for ticket in hand doesn’t always...
Can taking a vacation cause more stress than staying home?
You’d think it would be straightforward – we love taking vacations, we’re stressed, therefore taking a vacation results in lower stress upon return. Unfortunately, research doesn’t always support this claim. In fact, one study in the Netherlands found that most people...
Give the gift of travel with your frequent flier miles
Can you relate to this? You work hard accumulating airline miles, but with all the recent chaos they’ve mostly remained stacked up. If you don’t use them fast enough, they might expire or devalue with the airlines’ ever-changing redemption rules. This year, why not...
A patchwork of rules: The latest on airline mask policies
Face masks have become the norm on airplanes and likely will be required for the foreseeable future. While airlines are following CDC guidance around mask policies on flights, each carrier has their own rules and interpretations they abide by. This includes especially...
Peak Versus Off-Season Travel – Choosing Your Perfect Getaway
If you’re like us, the past year has provided plenty of time to update our travel bucket list. It seems to grow longer by the day! As we think about all the places we want to visit in 2021 and beyond, one important question to consider is the pros and cons of peak...
Travel makes you richer: Here are 5 reasons to travel when ready
Well 2020 was a wild ride! Now that we’re into the New Year, it’s time to consider one of the best purchases you can make for you and your loved ones – the investment of travel. With the vaccine rolling out, we’re confident that travel will make a big...
Relive cherished travel memories right from your armchair
It’s surreal to think how quickly the world of travel has changed from a few months ago. For us explorers, seeing the quiet streets and shuttered ships is a struggle! At the same time, we have a unique opportunity during this travel intermission to reengage with...
Stay-cation ideas once the quarantine is lifted
We’re all dreaming of the day we can go explore as before, and while we can’t wait to travel the world again, simply leaving the house seems exciting at this point! Taking a “stay-cation” in your own town can bring about similar feelings of adventure and rejuvenation...
Travel like an expert: Knowing the ideal time to book
One question we often hear is, “When is the best time to book my trip to get the best price?” The answer to that question varies according to the circumstances of what you’re booking, how flexible you are, and whether you’re content or not with leftover...
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
Looking to travel in 2024? Safeguard your booking with these tips
Travel is a worthy investment in yourself, helping you disconnect from the stresses and 24/7 connectivity of daily life and reconnect with what’s important. You’ve worked hard to carve out this time, so protect it! Here are some essential tips to consider that dispel myths and scams and highlight the importance of a travel advisor.
Consider joining a travel group for the getaway of a lifetime
This week we focus on more hand-curated getaways that dig deeper on a specific interest or are catered to certain people. This is a great way to deepen your perspective and develop lifelong connections and friendships
Cruising in 2024? Updated tips for first-time cruisers and important reminders for everyone
Make 2024 the year you take a much-needed cruise vacation! Whether you’re a newbie or experienced cruiser, these tips will help make your vacation as stress free as possible.
How to have an enjoyable river cruise: A first timer’s guide
If you’re considering taking a river cruise as your next getaway, – great idea. Here are some of the top ways to maximize enjoyment while on board and during your stops.
Give the best gift of all this Holiday season, the gift of travel
Are you wondering what to give yourself or your loved ones this Christmas? How about a gift that you already own; one that’s better than any item you could buy? This week we describe the benefits and many ways of giving the gift of travel including using your...