Hello to 2021 With Travel on the Horizon (Plus a Special Invitation)!
Welcome to 2021 and oh, how we have been looking forward to this new year.
Hello friends,
Welcome to 2021 and oh, how we have been looking forward to this fresh new year. The good news, with the flattening of the surge and the rollout of the vaccines, is that there is an uptick in travel planning and it’s exciting. Airlines and hotels have extended flexible booking policies which make it much less risky to adjust travel dates as needed. As a travel advisor, I’m keeping up with the latest requirements and recommendations through my travel agency and travel networks. New updates are happening daily so feel free to connect with us for the latest information.
I’m sharing a couple of helpful links for when the time is right and you consider traveling again:
Check out this handy Traveler’s Toolkit from our partner network Virtuoso. You will find it here.
Updates on travel to Hawaii and the latest requirements (and the App you must download) here.
On a fun note:
Join us for a virtual Travel + Cocktails - A Special Mixology Event on February 4th!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, join us in the Cadence Classroom for an exclusive virtual cocktail class! Hosted by expert mixologists and sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, you will learn how to create 3 love-inspired cocktails. Keep an eye out for your confirmation email - there will be a link to a PDF with the ingredients you will need for the cocktails! You will also receive a special travel offer following the event.
Spotted: It was fun to catch our Instagram photo (below) shared by the rooftop hot spot Sky and Vine at the Archer Hotel in Napa. This photo was taken in 2019 but it was fun to relive the sublime moment.
Here’s to brighter days on the horizon!
Stay well,
Heather
Follow Curated Travel on Instagram and let’s be social!
How to Preserve Your Wanderlust Spirit In Uncertain Times
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for travelers as well as the travel industry. With news of the expanding outbreaks of Coronavirus making an impact abroad, and now in the USA, it’s a concerning time. How are you dealing with it? Is it impacting your life and travels at this point? Are you stocking up, scrubbing down and washing your hands constantly? Personally, I had a much-anticipated trip to Northern Italy in late March postponed by the host. It is disappointing and yet understandable.
High above the French Riviera
It’s been a challenging couple of weeks for travelers as well as the travel industry. With news of the expanding outbreaks of Coronavirus making an impact abroad, and now in the USA, it’s definitely a concerning time.
How are you dealing with it? Is it impacting your life and travels at this point? Are you stocking up, scrubbing down and washing your hands constantly? Personally, I had a much-anticipated trip to Northern Italy in late March postponed by the host. It is disappointing and yet understandable.
As I connect with so many of my wonderful travel clients about this turn of events, I’m relieved that most all of them are staying the course for upcoming travels. They are choosing to travel smart, have the necessary insurances in place and stick with their plans.
How do you preserve your wanderlust spirit in challenging times?
One of my favorite things about travel is the anticipation. It's natural for us to want to look forward to something to keep us engaged, energized and (on occasion) daydreaming about the future. In my mind, there is almost nothing better than to have a travel adventure on the horizon.
This current epidemic will calm down and then the opportunities for travel will be huge. What to do for now? Take a breath and be ready to jump on the next wave of opportunity. During this uncertain time, we don’t have to stop dreaming of and planning for future travel adventures.
Here are a few tips to keep your wanderlust spirit alive:
1- Look further ahead on your travel calendar. Rather than focus on a postponed spring break trip turn your focus to summer travel dreams.
2- Rather than a rapid-fire booking, take the time to thoroughly research a destination: scroll through Instagram and bookmark favorite views, points of interest, hotels, restaurants, and excursions. Use Pinterest boards to collect your favorite tips on a destination and refine your travel and packing style in anticipation of upcoming travels. Savor your travel planning experience.
2- Read books set in specific destinations to fuel your wanderlust. Imagining the sensory experience, sights, sounds, tastes, and scents, of a destination, only serves to enhance the anticipation. Best Travel Books from Town and Country Magazine
3 - Refine your long-term travel calendar. Where do you want to travel in 2021? Where does that bucket list trip fit in? Consult your travel advisor (us!) to help create your long-range travel plan.
In the meantime, if you are like us, you are stocking up, ordering groceries online, door dashing dinners on occasion, and eliminating unnecessary running around. It’s a good time to tackle those projects around the house, spring cleaning, and experiment with some new recipes. We find ourselves spending more time reading and watching films about travel and gearing up for our upcoming travel adventures on the horizon for a bit later in 2020. Stay healthy!
Fresh songs to sing while washing your hands for 20 seconds
What Your Travel Advisor Wants You to Know
A Handy Shopping Guide for Stocking Up During the Coronavirus
If you are refocusing your travel horizon contact us to start planning your next dream getaway.
French Riviera from Chateau Eza in Eze
More Travel Inspiration from Curated Travel:
Curated Travel: Stylish & Savvy Travel Tips from a Travel Advisor
There’s nothing like arriving at your destination and feeling like a hot mess to lessen your enjoyment of a much anticipated trip. I know this from personal experience when my luggage was delayed for 6 LONG days on a luxury travel event in Italy last year. Just imagine wearing sneakers to a posh dinner at Villa d’Este and using the rosegold makeup bag in your purse as a clutch. Yes, it happened to me. Here are a few savvy tricks I’ve learned along the way to keep things more stylish than hot mess while traveling.
Enjoying cafe’ life last month in Paris
There’s nothing like arriving at your destination and feeling like a hot mess to lessen your enjoyment of a much anticipated trip. I know this from personal experience when my luggage was delayed for 6 LONG days on a luxury travel event in Italy last year. Just imagine wearing sneakers to a posh dinner at Villa d’Este and using the rosegold makeup bag in your purse as a clutch. Yes, it happened to me. Here are a few savvy tricks I’ve learned along the way to keep things more stylish than hot mess while traveling.
Packing Strategies
The most effective way to insure your items will arrive at your destination is to pack only a carry-on bag. If that is not an option, create a capsule carry-on bag with all the essentials to get you through several days if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive. Wear a monochromatic outfit on the plane, and include an additional blouse/top and pair of neutral (black) pants in your bag. If possible add an additional pair of walking shoes (and socks). Pack mini sizes of all necessary beauty products, makeup, hairbrush, all-in-one styling products, a hair tool, toothbrush/paste and anti-perspirant. As I learned the hard way, it’s difficult to recreate your skincare and makeup on the fly with little or no time to shop. Pack all necessary medications. Include a swimsuit if you are headed to a tropical or spa vacation. Scarves are also a way to change up your look. A couple of statement accessories can update your look even if you are wearing the same basics for a day (or 3) in a row.
My Packing List for the Plane
Crossbody bag
Capsule collection in my carry-on rollerbag
Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray
Sanitizing wipes (for the seating area)
Travel pillow or neck roll
Disposable toothbrush/toothpaste
Chargers for devices
Downloaded entertainment apps recommended by your airline
A new book downloaded to my devices
My Bejeweled app to keep me occupied when there is turbulence
A healthy snack like almonds, a meal bar or (let’s face it) M&Ms
Bottle of water purchased at the airport
Travel Tips for International Travel
*Passports - Extra pages required and be sure your passport is due to expire more than 6 months from your travel end date. Your passport is your most essential item while traveling internationally. Pack it first and keep it safe!
*Call your mobile carrier and check on international plans. AT&T can roll you into a $10 per day international plan while traveling. Other carriers may do the same. If you are considering a pocket wifi, sim card or data roaming this article discusses pros and cons for you.
*Credit cards are easy to use and are accepted in most places of business these days. Alert your credit card company (and bank if need be) that you will be traveling internationally or they may hold up charges.
*Put a hold on mail if you don’t have a housesitter.
*Charge all devices and carry a universal international adapter.
*Download itinerary apps as needed. I use UMAPPED for my client itineraries. Tripit is a great one for personal travel.
*Download a language translation app like TripLingo or better yet learn the language before you travel. See a breakdown of a variety of language learning programs from Consumer’s Advocate.
*An International Driver’s Permit if you plan to rent a car on your trip. Apply here.
*Bring your state driver’s license if you plan to ride a scooter or drive a car during an excursion.
*A note on tipping: Tips are usually included in the meal price (check the receipt) so it is not always necessary to tip at a restaurant unless service is above and beyond. In Europe, they typically won’t bring you the bill unless you request so as not to rush you. Essentially the table is yours for the evening if you like. That said, Tours/Transfers do not include tips in the pricing. Common practice is in the range of 5 Euros for half a day, or 10 Euros for a full day, per person for gratuity.
Clients often ask me about my favorite new must-haves for travel and I’m happy to dish. My most important tech accessory has become my external charger for my iPhone. I like the built-in cables on this one. It’s sleek, compact and will charge your iPhone and another device at the same time. It’s all in one so there are no extra cords to pack.
As for adapters, you will need a universal adapter (or two) if traveling internationally. This Universal Adapter is a great option. Most European countries have the same style so this universal adapter should work as well in Italy, France, Spain, etc.
I’m a new convert to noise cancelling headphones, and they make a huge difference in noise fatigue/exhaustion on the plane and jet-lag recovery upon arrival.
Travel packing cubes are my new obsession! If you tend to wear lots of neutrals while traveling (black), your suitcase can look like a tornado hit and it’s hard to find what you are looking for. Packing cubes will keep you organized AND keep your clean and dirty clothes separated. I’m a fan!
Strategies for Beating Jet Lag
Pack eye shades, a travel pillow (my favorite brand is Savvy Sleepers founded by my friend Dale Janee') or neck roll, and download an app for ambient music to help you sleep on the plane. I also take melatonin, but you can take whatever sleep-aid works best for you as needed. As always stay hydrated.
Upon arrival, I adjust to my new time zone immediately. I used to leave my watch set on my ‘home’ time zone but that made me even more tired. My advice is to freshen up at your hotel and head out for a little exploring and a great meal on the first day. Try to stay up for a typical bed time in your new time zone if possible. This will get you acclimated more quickly. More melatonin and doses of vitamin D sunshine are also helpful to reduce jet lag.
What to Purchase While Traveling
While traveling, I often bring home the sensory experience of my destination. Flavors, fragrances, candles and fine linens are the perfect consumables to bring to your home or as gifts.
On my recent trip to Paris and the French Riviera I purchased Caudalie serum and day creme from the fabulous French pharmacy (like a candy shop for us French skincare and makeup fans).
In the charming mountaintop city of Eze, I visited the parfum shop and purchased a locally made fragrance by Fragonard, ‘Soleil’. It’s a sunny fragrance that transports me to the French Rivieria with each delightful spritz. Tours of the Laboratory are offered at the Eze location. During our trip we also collected truffle mustard, regional flavored salts and Herbs de Provence. I’m a fan of local linens. They are essential for the home but have that local vibe to remiind you of your travels.
Purchasing items that transport you to the sensory experience of your destination is a wonderful way to relive those special moments of travel.
My best advice, since travel is always an adventure despite our best preparations, even if you end up feeling like a ‘hot mess’, is to lead with a smile. If your smile is bright enough maybe no one will notice that you are wearing sneakers at a fancy event at Villa d’Este at Lake Como.
Learn more about what I learned when my luggage was delayed for 6 days in Italy here.
Today I’m pleased to be joining this fabulous group of experienced bloggers. Stop by their links and learn about their tips for stylish travel:
"How to Pack Your Suitcase Like A Pro" by After Orange County
"How to Take the Stress Out of Packing When Every Outfit Counts" by Brenda Kinsel
"Steps To Plan An Unforgettable Large Group Vacation" by Classic Casual Home
"Stylish & Savvy Travel Tips from a Travel Advisor" by Curated Travel
"How to Pack for a Weekend Getaway" by Most Lovely Things
"How to Rock an Over 50 Travel Wardrobe" by Rough Luxe
"Footloose: Shoes For Spring and Summer Travel" by Une Femme D'un Certain Age
Feeling inspired like I am? Contact me to get started planning your dream getaway here.
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Five ‘Life-Saving’ Items to add to Your Regular Packing List
You’re getting ready for your next trip. The suitcase is open on the bed, and you’re going down the list of everything you’ll need to take with you.
Toothbrush? Check. Walking Shoes? Check. Sunscreen? Check.
Packing Tips!
from Curated Travel
You’re getting ready for your next trip. The suitcase is open on the bed, and you’re going down the list of everything you’ll need to take with you.
Toothbrush? Check. Walking Shoes? Check. Sunscreen? Check.
Duct tape? Wait….what?
You read that correctly. A small roll of duct tape takes up a tiny bit of space, but can save you in tons of different ways. Patch a tear in your shoes, jacket, or trusty bag. Baby proof a hotel room in ten seconds by covering outlets and taping drawers shut. Hem your pants. Use as a bandage in an emergency. The list goes on and on.
Here are four more things that should become part of your regular packing list:
External USB battery charger. Nothing is more exasperating or panic-inducing than finding yourself lost and needing to pull up that email with directions, or that map to your hotel, or make a phone call — and having your smartphone conk out on you. Save outlet space in airports, hotels, train stations, and other oft-traveled places. Always have a way to charge up your phone, tablet, or other USB powered electronic device, even if there are no outlets available. This is a gamechanger!
The humble safety pin can be an amazing asset. Aside from the usual functions — holding your pants or shirt together, for example, when you lose a button — they also can serve to bundle small items like jewelry or keys, to keep everything organized and in one place. Discretely place a pin on the inside hem of a slip or satin jacket lining to eliminate static cling. Use them to attach easily-lost things like mittens to the zipper or hood of your kids’ jackets.
A few strips of chamois (or other absorbent fabric) in different sizes. You can keep them all in a zip-lock bag (along with a couple of other bags for temporarily storing used cloths until you can wash them) — but having different sizes helps for different situations, and it’s best to choose fabrics that are also quick-drying. Small squares for cleaning glasses. A washcloth for bigger spills or for freshening up on a train, plane or automobile. A long, narrower strip can serve as an emergency belt, hair tie, ace bandage, or even a way to tie a bag closed if a zipper breaks. They even make fantastic travel towels, because they roll up into a compact size, suck up the liquid, and dry completely in no time at all.
My contact information. As your travel advisor, my job doesn’t end when your trip starts! It’s not common, but sometimes complications arise while you are traveling, and I am always available to you to assist with sticky situations you might find yourself in. (This is, of course, just one of the many perks of working with a travel advisor!) Before your trip, you can make a “favorites” list in your phone of all trip-related contact info — my number and email address, hotel, car rental, reservations, etc. — for easy access. That way, I’m always just a text or email away. If I have created a UMAPPED itinerary for your trip, you will find all contact information in the app at your fingertips.
For more Tips for preparing for international travel.
Tips for Prepping the House and Packing.
My new Must Have for Long Haul Flights.
To learn more about how I survived in Italy when my luggage was lost.
To learn 5 Easy Ways to Boost the Joy of Every Trip You Take.
To find out more about the benefits of working with me and to plan your next trip, contact me today. Click here now.
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Holiday Window Displays Around the World
One of my favorite reasons to book a visit to the city is to indulge my affinity for festive holiday window displays. San Francisco is our go-to during the holiday season and the city by the bay always puts on a brilliant holiday display.
One of my favorite reasons to book a visit to the city is to indulge my affinity for festive holiday window displays. San Francisco is our go-to during the holiday season and the city by the bay always puts on a brilliant holiday viewing. Over the years I’ve also enjoyed the holidays in London, Paris and NYC. I don’t have the photos on my computer but someday I will share photos from the merry holiday season in Salzburg, Vienna and the Christmas markets in Germany-pure holiday magic!
Enjoy this vibrant collage of holiday window displays (and decor) from a few of my favorite holiday destinations. Scroll down for a link to the best of the best from Condé Nast Traveler.
LONDON
PARIS
SAN FRANCISCO
NEW YORK CITY
Read more from Condé Nast Traveler:
Wanderlust Inspired Holiday Gifts for the Traveler in Your Life
There is nothing quite like the right travel accessory to make a difference during travel. We discovered just that during our recent trip to Italy.
There is nothing quite like the right travel accessory to make a difference during travel. We discovered just that during our recent trip to Tuscany. My husband and I both purchased noise-cancelling headphones in preparing for our trip and I can’t tell you what a difference it made in our comfort level during the flights. The headphones made listening to music, podcasts and relaxing much more enjoyable. We even slept better without the constant drone of the jet engine in our ears. This is my new must have for long-haul flights. There are many decent brands and varying price points. Be sure to read the reviews before purchasing.
These are just a few of the travel accessories that caught my eye for gift giving this holiday season as I explored some favorite sites on the web today.
There is nothing quite as creative as giving the gift of travel to someone you love. Contact us at Curated Travel for ideas on travel gifts here.
Noise cancelling Headphones
My must have for long haul flights
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
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