Summertime is a busy travel period, especially with schools on break and folks wanting to take advantage of the long days and sunshine. Busy airports and hot weather can also cause travel headaches, though, especially this year with the early heat wave paired with...
Tips During Travel
A Successful Plan to Beat Jet Lag
As someone who loves to travel, I’ve experienced my fair share of jet lag. The fatigue, insomnia, and general feeling of being out of sync can really put a damper on a trip. So when my son and I planned a trip from Toronto to Perth, involving three different flights,...
It’s hot outside! How to travel safely during a heat wave
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the extreme temperatures in much of the northern hemisphere. Traveling in the summer has its perks – generally it’s peak time for tourism so everything is open and running, but you do need to be weather-aware....
Unwritten rules for flying: Travel etiquette to make everyone’s experience better (Part 2)
With summer travel just around the corner and air travel demand expected to come back in a big way, a few small steps can make the experience better for everyone. We’ve all heard of folks making some really bad decisions while flying which can result in jail time and...
Unwritten rules for flying: Travel etiquette to make everyone’s experience better (Part 1)
Air travel is increasingly stressful, but being aware of some simple etiquette tips can avoid meltdowns and make everyone’s experience just a little bit better.
TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and Clear – Are they worth the time and money?
Airports are busier than ever and with that comes the potential for long wait times at security and U.S. customs. Fortunately, there are several programs that allow faster access through the lines - TSA PreCheck, Global Entry (which includes TSA PreCheck), and Clear,...
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...
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,...
My flight was cancelled, help! Denise explains your passenger rights
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....
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...
Recent Posts
Is family vacation a joy or a headache?
Are you thinking about taking a family vacation? If this evokes images of defeated families, cranky kids, and folks looking like they’d just rather be home, we’re here to say it doesn’t have to be like that! A well-planned family vacation is an ideal way to grow...
Summer flying tips for in-the-know travelers
Summertime is a busy travel period, especially with schools on break and folks wanting to take advantage of the long days and sunshine. Busy airports and hot weather can also cause travel headaches, though, especially this year with the early heat wave paired with...
U.S. State Dept. unrolls online passport renewal for a limited time – Here’s what you need to know
In June 2024, the U.S. government announced a beta release of an online passport renewal system. If you're eligible, the system will open for a limited midday time window daily where eligible U.S. citizens can start their application. After the system's limit for the...
French River Cruise on the Seine – A sample of excursions
Sunset Vacations and Travel Planning is taking a river cruise in France, roundtrip from Paris, October 5-15, 2025. This is a chance to immerse into French culture, delve into history, and absorb beautiful scenery along the Seine. We hope you’ll consider joining Denise...
Sunset Groups to Normandy, France October 5-15, 2025
Take a journey down the river of dreams, October 5-15, 2025 11 days/ 10 nights – Roundtrip Paris onboard the Scenic Gem There are few superlatives that do justice to Paris, a city that oozes romance and is home to world renowned architectural wonders and iconic pieces...