​Gone are the days of American Express Traveler’s Cheques and having to find a convenient place to cash them when you run out of money in a foreign country (thank goodness)! Today, there are more ways than ever to make sure you always have that foreign cash handy when exploring the world. But…not all Euros or Caribbean dollars  are created equal! Here is a short guide to obtaining and dealing with foreign currency on your next vacation​

​For those of us who love solitude and escape, avoiding the crowds is an essential part of enjoying our travels.  The best-known places are always going to draw lots of people, and usually with good reason. So how can we see the sights without feeling like we’re stuck in a herd of sheep? I take great pride in carefully scheduling a great travel plan…designed to minimize crowds and time in line and maximize your enjoyment.Here are my top ten tips for avoiding the worst of the vacation crowds:

As travelers, it's easy to get in a rut, or stuck in one particular way of thinking. As we face a new year of adventure, let's vow to look at the way we travel and make a few resolutions. Let's all say this together! We resolve to...

...be a better global ambassador exhibiting the best aspects of America.

...take any and all vacation time we've earned...and steal whatever extra days off we can.

When it comes to taking a cruise on river or ocean, it’s pretty tough to go wrong. Both offer incredible views, luxurious amenities, and the opportunity to explore interesting ports.
 
But each one comes with its own unique perks, and depending on your specific needs for your next trip, you might find that one is a slightly better fit than the other. So what are the major differences?
 
The big difference can be summed up in one word: intimacy. River cruises tend to be much smaller (190 max vs. up to 6,200 on the largest ocean cruises), and as a result, you’re much more likely to be interacting with other passengers and crew members. ​

​Our news feeds are filled with stories of flights cancellations, delays, and lost baggage right now, Having just returned from Europe with some rather "adventurous" flights of our own, I'm glad I could experience travel firsthand to see what the conditions are really like. Based on my experiences, I wanted to share 5 insights with you on how to best prepare for travel right now. I definitely think it's still worthwhile to get out there, but adjusting expectations and planning appropriately are an essential part of it.

Prepare to be Entertained
Pack something to watch. Most flights will have in-flight movies, but your choices will be limited. You might want to bring your own tablet, or laptop loaded with a few movies that you know you will enjoy. Movies that you love and want to watch again or new movies that you have been dying to see — or both.

Pack something to read. Here again is where a tablet, or even your phone or laptop, shines! Make sure you have downloaded some books to read. I recommend more than one book, just in case you get bored of one, or finish it!

​The world is full of wonderful destinations, many of which require a substantial plane flight to get to! Those long haul flights can feel a bit daunting, but with the right planning they can be not just tolerated, but enjoyed. It's important to be prepared to be comfortable, healthy, entertained and rested. Today, I'll share with you my hints and tips for the first two categories, then finish up the list in part 2.

Prepare to be Comfortable

• Wear comfortable clothes. Try to avoid clothes that are too tight, that bunch or ride up in funny ways, are made of materials that irritate your skin or are otherwise bothersome in any other way.

​I love all things Disney, and souvenirs are no exception! Just the mention of the word and I envision myself browsing gift shops looking for the perfect item to bring home. However, while many trinkets call my name, I buy very few things at the parks. Instead, my favorite souvenirs are free ... or should I say, included.

You see, my favorite Disney souvenirs are character photos.

One very magical aspect of our trips to Disney is saying hello to Mickey and his pals. Over the years, we have met hundreds of friends, in many variations of costumes. In the process, we have created precious memories with conversations had, the antics that took place, and the mishaps that occurred. (Yes, Donald, we know you didn't mean to poke MJ in the eye!)

​​It's National Travel Agent Day! For me, that means many emails  from various suppliers, expressing gratitude for the work that I do. I am thankful to be part of such a dynamic industry, doing a job that I love and look forward to daily. I truly believe I have the best career in the world. However, as I reflect on my business, I realize that many people still don't really understand my role as a travel planner. As such, here are 5 things your travel agent wants you to know.

​1. My Services are Complimentary Yes, free. No charges, no service fees, no hidden costs. I have tried and tried again to make this known, telling anyone who will listen, posting it on social media, etc. Yet, not a week goes by when someone doesn't comment that they thought I charge a fee. Or, sometimes I'm in dialogue with a potential client and she asks me when I will be sending my bill. Friends, suppliers pay me to help you. I don't charge a cent.

​​While I have been privileged to explore many places, there is much more of the world that my heart longs to see. I venture to say I'm not alone. Most people I know have a list of places they'd like to visit, and experiences they'd like to have, but they aren't quite sure how to afford it. Today, I'd like to encourage you that it may be more doable than you think, by offering 10 simple ways to save for vacation. ​​These aren't magic money makers, but a way of looking at your life and refocusing your priorities.

​People could easily look at me and say, "Of course you can travel a lot, that's your JOB!" While that is true, it still requires resources, and a focused effort on my part to save what we need. My husband has a fabulous job, and I contribute with my business.  However, we live in San Jose, which Business Insider calculated to be the 6th most expensive place to live in the world.  Therefore, while we are financially stable by all definitions, we don't have excess cash to throw around. We make choices in our everyday lives which allow us to take some incredible trips. By sharing some of my strategies with you, I hope you'll be encouraged that you, too, can save up for that dream trip.

​Let's face it: as parents of little ones, a vacation sounds completely magical. An opportunity to get away from the normal routine and escape the responsibilities of home for a few days would be delightful.  The thought of it is enough to carry us through those sleepless nights or toddler tantrum episodes. That is, the THEORY of family travel sounds wonderful. Reality, however, may seem a bit daunting. After all, there's so much gear. And unpredictable schedules. And eating habits. And mood swings. Need I go on?

Today, I'd like to encourage you that enjoyable vacations ARE possible for parents with little ones. All it takes is some good decision making and adequate planning. To help set you in the right direction, I have a few helpful hints and tips to share.
Without further ado...how to travel with little ones and LIKE it:

Location, Location, Location
Yes, I recommend you choose one, and only one. (Two at the most, if you are feeling ambitious!) With so much gear to haul, and settling in to occur, you don't want to spend multiple days packing and unpacking.  That's more time spent working and less time enjoying your destination.