How to come out ahead with all-inclusive resorts

All-inclusive resorts are very popular and most of them are located outside of the United States. Most people traveling to Mexico and destinations in the Caribbean find all-inclusive resorts to be exactly they are looking for to relax and enjoy.

Booking an all-inclusive takes a lot of the stress out of planning and budgeting for your trip. You can sit back and be assured that your transportation, lodging, meals, drinks, and on-site activities are taken of before you get on the plane! You have already paid a pre-determined price so if you stick to included activities and dining and drinking options, you don’t have to worry! The Family Vacation Survival Guide indicates that all-inclusive vacations can cut the cost of your trip by 25 percent versus pay-as-you-go! That’s some savings!

When vacationing in a foreign country, it is hard to know how to tip. All-inclusive vacations often include tips and gratuities alleviating uncomfortable interactions with staff at your resort and keeping you on budget. Beware, however, that tips are often expected by certain types of staff members even on a “tip included” all-inclusive. Always ask which tips are included and make sure you ask if the staff will be receiving the gratuities as many resorts take a portion of those monies. Don’t assume your highly regarded maid or wait person will be receiving the full tip so budget accordingly.

Dining and drinking packages also vary between resorts so do your homework before you book! At some resorts all meals are included at resort restaurants, others include snacks as well – some even have all you can eat options. Unlimited drinks are also generally included, but make sure you ask if that includes all alcoholic (usually domestic to the region) soft drinks and water.

Check into the activities that are included at your resort. Beachfront resorts usually have snorkeling gear and non-motorized watercraft. Some may even include fitness classes or yoga. If you want to go off the property on a tour, you may even receive a discount through your resort so be sure to ask.

Finally, a study published by the U.S. News and World Report stated that the pain center in your brain is activated every time you make a purchasing decision! I know mine is! That means that every time you pull out your wallet on vacation, you are struggling to relax, just the opposite of the reason you are traveling! When you pre-pay for an all-inclusive vacation, your mind and emotions respond as if the meals, drinks and activities are free, stimulating a relaxation response. What a great reason to consider your next vacation to be all-inclusive! #travelforless

Image by Kyle Bedell, used with permission.

Watching the news is scary – travel shouldn’t be!

The stunning Rio Celeste waterfall in Costa Rica is one of Marci's picks for safe travel.

No doubt there are places that are not safe to visit, but there are lots of beautiful, exciting travel destinations that are safe and offer opportunities to really experience the world. Let’s look at a few.

Japan – Tokyo is ranked one of the safest cities in the world. Tokyo is the capital city of Japan and offers a mix of attractions from ultra-modern to traditional historic temples. The Imperial Palace is surrounded by 17^th Century parks and is surrounded by walls and moats. The Imperial Royal family still live there, and it offers an amazing visual with its incredible gardens. These are some of the most famous gardens in the world, truly a site to see to believe!

Iceland – this small island country roughly the size of Alabama has experienced a tourist boom since 2010 due to its peaceful ambience and dramatic landscapes. You will see volcanoes, geysers and even lava fields! Tour operators like Hidden Iceland can set you up to enjoy amazing sites off the beaten path that are thrilling and certainly nothing you will see in this part of the world!

Chile is one of the safest countries in South America. Chile is geographically diverse being home to deserts, glaciers and of course, the Andes Mountains. The capital city of Santiago is an urban center that offers both urban and historical attractions. Seafood is abundant in Chile due to its location and don’t forget the famous Chilean wines!!

Costa Rica, no matter what you may have heard, possesses a very low crime rate and is widely regarded to be if not the safest place, one of the most safe places in Central America. It is also the happiest country in the world according to the Happy Planet Index!! Costa Rica is a lush paradise for nature lovers. More than 25% of the country consists of national parks and protected areas. Costa Rica is a peaceful and politically stable country. This is THE destination for eco-tourists because of its biodiversity. You can experience the plethora of tropical plant and animal species. Some of these include huge ficus trees as well as approximately 1,500 different species of orchids! Costa Rica is also home to animals such as jaguars and green and scarlet macaws! Wow! I sure makes sense that bird watching is one of the most popular tourist activities in Costa Rica being home to more than 800 species of birds.

These are just a few of the amazing safe world travel options for you to consider. Happy Traveling!! #travelforless

Image by William Berry, used with permission.

Don't be SAD. Go find the sun!

SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder – is a type of depression that affects millions of people during the winter months. Lack of sunlight and the resulting lack of Vitamin D lead to this debilitating condition. Here are a few of the symptoms of SAD:

1. Having low energy
2. Having trouble sleeping/needing to sleep all the time
3. Feeling depressed most of the day, every day
4. Not enjoying activities that you have always enjoyed in the past
5. Appetite changes

In people suffering from bipolar disorder, SAD can intensify periods of depression. Experts recommend a number of treatments some of which are anti-depressants, light therapy, counseling, Vitamin D supplements, and regular exercise. Another way to deal with the suffocating feeling in winter is to get away to a sunny destination.

Consider a winter vacation to help control SAD or just cope with the “winter blues.” We have all heard so much about the effects of the sun’s warm rays being harmful to the skin, but the right balance can give mood-lifting effects. Sunlight cues special areas in the retina that trigger the release of serotonin. Serotonin helps us feel calm and focused. Sunlight also is known to assist people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease to just name a few.

Traveling is known to relieve stress and boost mental health, and a winter getaway for those who suffer from SAD can be life changing. There are many foreign and domestic destinations that are affordable and have the sun and warmth that will get those serotonin levels up and your mood up with them!

The long-lasting effects of travel far outweigh the costs and time, especially if you are experiencing either SAD or just a case of the “winter blues.” After being away from winter and the routine at home for a week or two, you will return with renewed energy, and a new mental outlook. You can reboot your life with a better attitude. Remember, an unknown author once said, “No one comes back from a journey the way they started it.”. What a great outcome for all of us! #travelforless

Image by Igor Vetushko, used with permission.

Will TSA and the shutdown wreck your travel?

They're still working... most of them. Some agents are staging a 'sickout' but we don't fly without Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ensuring air passengers safety. During the shutdown as well as 'normal' times we need to be up to date on how to comply with the TSA regulations. Let me share some tips.

Show up early. The general rule is to show up 1 ½ - 2 hours early, however, with the lines and staff shortages during this shutdown, you should probably give yourself 3 hours just to be on the safe side. If your airport has multiple checkpoints, ask airline ticket-counter agents or airport customer service reps if one has a shorter line than another. Sometimes walking to an alternate checkpoint can save time. Operations all over the country are running smoothly and quickly as this is written, but the consensus remains better safe than sorry. One good way to get through quicker, regardless of the shutdown, is to sign up for TSA Precheck. If interested, click this link www.tsa.gov/precheck.

Check your airport’s website to see if it posts TSA wait times. Many do now, although the information can be dated. You may see no wait when you leave home but encounter a long wait when you arrive at the airport. In the best of times, it is important to be mindful that the items you are packing are quickly scanned and in compliance with TSA guidelines. You can go to their website to see a simple and straightforward list of items that are prohibited.

Remember to dress for traveling. It always is smart to wear easily removable shoes and leave the heavy metal jewelry at home! Belts will need to be removed as well as jackets and hoodies so be prepared by wearing appropriate clothing.

Thankfully, January is a slower travel month after the busy holiday season. Travel starts to pick up with the President’s Day Holiday and spring break vacations. You may be asking yourself if it is safe to travel during the shutdown? Quite frankly, it is as safe as any other time. Much of the screening is done by dogs that detect explosive materials leaving the human decision making less vital. The machines are equipped with software that can flag things for the human screeners to look and evaluate.

Technology is our friend while traveling and downloading the TSA mobile app is a must. It is free and offers a 24/7 air travel guide as well as airport delays, security wait times, videos and weather. You can also type any item in the “Can I Bring” section and get an instant answer.

Happy traveling! #travelforless

Image Teri Virbickis, used with permission

Two unique tactics to save for the dream vacation

'To travel is to live,' is not just a marketing line. It's a commitment to a type of lifestyle that opens your mind and heart to the amazing world! Of all the resolutions you make this New Year, why not make the promise to travel the one you keep? I’m sure your first answer would be something like, “I can’t afford it.” Money is usually tight for most of us, so we must be creative on how we save for travel. Here are two clever ways to fund where you dream of going.

1. A dedicated travel account is like the Christmas account many banks or credit unions pitch This is a good way to keep track of exactly how much you have when you are planning a vacation. The trick of course, is to fund it just the way you would pay a monthly bill. Set up a monthly transfer of a realistic amount that you will not miss. For example, a goal of $15 per week ($2.50 per day) would give you $780 at the end of a year. There are many packages available to great places in the world this would cover.

2. Buy and sell sites, Ebay, CraigsList, et al, are great ways to add to that travel fund and get rid of clutter! Just about everybody I talk to has a plan to clean out closets, garages, etc… but haven’t quite gotten around to it. The thought of a great vacation can certainly be motivation to finally keep that resolution to yourself! I have a friend that partners with her sisters every year for a family rummage sale and she has never made less than $500 selling items she has no more use for. That is quite a bit of money not missed from her monthly budget that she always uses to treat herself to a getaway.

In today’s chaotic times, traveling to clear your mind and expand your perspective is as important as it has ever been. Getting away gives us time to take stock, reflect and learn more about ourselves. This is just as important as taking care of the other financial responsibilities in our day to day lives. Exploring new places gives you a fresh perspective on your 'real life' so when you get back, you will value the fact that there is no place like home!

Martin Valigursky image, used with permission.

The most wonderful travel time of the year?

The most wonderful time of the year?? Yes, in many ways, however, traveling during the Holidays can certainly be stressful. Let me share some tips to relieve some of the expected bumps if you are traveling this season.

Be flexible about travel dates. Avoiding the crowds (or at least the worst of the crowds) will be a stress reliever. The first and last flights of the day are typically the least crowded and cheapest because who really wants to wake up or arrive anywhere at 3am? If you are willing, however, you will not only save money, you will save a lot of time at the airport.

Plan for bad weather. Have a backup plan in your pocket just in case. This time of year, it doesn’t matter where you are traveling, everyone can be impacted by flight delays in other parts of the country. Research alternative flights in case yours is delayed or cancelled. Always remember to save your airline’s phone number in your phone so you can call immediately to rebook a separate flight in case yours gets cancelled.

Extend your arrival time at the airport. The general rule is to arrive at the airport two hours before the flight. Well, during the holidays leave earlier to arrive at least three hours before your flight is due to take-off. This may feel silly, but long lines are common and at least you’ll be through security and can unwind while you wait. The priority is to get to your destination with as little stress as possible and being early is key to this goal!

Ship gifts – don’t pack them! You can wrap them when you get there and avoid a lot of TSA hassle.

Use those travel apps. Airline apps on your smartphone give you access to up-to-date flight information, so you will know about delays ahead of time. Apps like GateGuru give you gate information, close dining options, and security wait times.

Most important, keep a positive attitude! It will all work out in the end and you are traveling to enjoy your holiday – not arrive like a Grinch.

Image by Nikolay Dontsk, used with permission.

Four not to ignore when trying to pack lightly

When I travel for a week or less, I like to take one carry-on because I know I’ll get to my destination with all I need and without the worry of my checked luggage being lost. Most airlines are charging for checked bags today and that is an additional expense. In addition, it also makes the most out of those few precious vacation days – not spending any extra time waiting for my bag means I’m out of the airport and getting to my hotel that much faster.

I’m not saying it is easy, but the key to light packing for your seven-day trip is organization! First tip before you even start – cut everything you think you need in half, proceed from there.

1. Remember you get your carry-on and a personal item. That personal item can be a large duffel or a satchel, as long it fits underneath the seat in front of you, its all good. Ladies, a small purse can be put inside this item for use when you arrive at your destination. I recommend choosing something that is pliable enough to fit as much as you can in it and be able to squeeze it to fit! Backpacks are an excellent choice. Pay attention to size limits. Airlines are usually diligent about checking... some budget or a' la carte carriers are charging for any size carry-on now, too. 

2. Space saver bags really work! They can be purchased anywhere (WalMart, Target, Amazon) and don’t require a vacuum, just put in your clothing, roll, and get all the air out. They are reusable and much less expensive than checking a bag (or two)!!

3. Make a list! Obviously, underwear, pants and shirts are critical, however, I suggest buying toiletries at your destination to save room. If you absolutely can’t leave home without your toothbrush, all the big box stores or Amazon will carry travel sized products. If you are going somewhere that you will need a coat and boots – wear them! It’s a lot easier to pack tennis shoes than boots. Electronics are another essential, you don’t want to forget your tablet and all needed chargers.

4. Finally, your paperwork such as your passport, identification, and boarding pass, should be easily accessible in your personal item. You will also want to be able to grab your paperback book or Kindle for enjoying on your flight. 

 Try traveling light on your next trip – enjoy the freedom of less really being more! 

Photo by Ralf Cornesse, used with permission.

 #travel4less