For those of us who are starting to look forward to a big trip, but maybe dreading the long flight to get there, allow us to share some travel tricks. A clinical sleep educator shares the best tips in her arsenal for successful in-flight snoozing.

It is the bane of travelers getting on a plane for both business and pleasure – difficulty falling asleep in a seat, especially in coach, and the attendant horrors of jet lag after landing. Studies have shown that lack of sleep can decrease brain performance by 20 percent, so it’s crucial to anyone crossing time zones to rest as much as possible during the flight. Washington, D.C.–based clinical sleep educator and RN Terry Cralle shared her tips for powering down (and getting at least a power nap) on a flight.

1. Plan ahead. “Planning ahead, though it sounds simple, can be much harder in practice. However, it can make a huge difference in your ability to sleep well before a flight and on it,” says Cralle. If you take the time to do things like pack, plan your transportation to the airport, and organize the things that need to happen at home while you’re away in the days leading up to a flight—not the night before—you will not be nearly as stressed-out, and sleep will come more easily.

2. Meditate. “Recently, guided-meditation audio apps have been gaining a lot of popularity, and rightly so,” says Cralle. “It has been shown that these gentle talks help the brain to relax quickly, especially so when the listener is prompted to imagine they are using all of their senses. Say, if you are guided to a beach-side scene where you imagine hearing the waves, watching the sky, and smelling flowers and the salt air, it really helps you to disengage and fall asleep.”

3. Pack lavender oil. “I’m a big fan of lavender oil, it’s so calming, and is a great, simple thing to bring along on a trip,” says Cralle. “A small study was recently done that shows that people who inhaled 100 percent lavender oil before and during sleep had decreased blood pressure and deeper sleep patterns than those who didn’t.” Put a few drops onto your travel pillow, apply it to your temples and wrists once you’ve settled into your seat, and prepare to dream.

4. Ignore in-flight entertainment. No matter how much you want to see the latest blockbuster, Cralle says, “Skip the movies and TV—the end result of staring at a screen during much your flight means that light is hitting your retinas, and telling your brain and body that it’s daytime, and sleep will be much tougher to achieve.”

5. Make to-do lists. To train your brain not to race and worry when it’s time for rest, Cralle recommends a simple daily practice. “Write down your to-do list well before bed. You want to get any obligations and important tasks out of your mind and onto paper during the day so that the mind is clear at bedtime.”

6. Bring something comforting. To get great shut-eye on a plane, Cralle says, “You want the environment to be as comfortable and predictable as possible. If you have a travel pillow you love, always pack it when traveling. Its scent and familiarity will give your brain and body a behavioral cue that it’s time to relax and let go.” The same effect can be achieved by a cozy scarf or sweater.

7. Cover your eyes. “Wear a good-quality eye mask on your flight,” says Cralle. “There are many different models, so even if you think you hate them, if you shop around you’ll likely find one that’s comfortable for you. That little bit of light from a fellow passenger’s iPad two rows up can ruin your ability to fall asleep. The blue light from modern devices is very alerting to the brain, and absolute darkness prompts your body to produce melatonin.”

8. Step away from the Scotch. While a relaxing adult beverage may be tempting, Cralle advises, “Avoid alcohol. Having a drink in an airport lounge or on the plane is a reflex for many people, especially those who have anxiety around flying. However, it really messes with the quality of your sleep, so, close to bedtime, be conscious about drinking booze and caffeine, of course. Hydrate as much as possible.”

9. Decrease the decibels. “Though you’ve likely heard this before, earplugs are very important to have for your flight and your hotel stay while you’re traveling,” Cralle explains. “Make sure to pack them in your carry-on, and, again, try different brands and designs until you find the ones that feel good to you.” There is so much ambient noise on a jet—which is something airlines are working on muffling now—that you truly need to block out that sound, as well as screaming babies and unnecessary alerts from the cockpit.

10. Incorporate cardio. “The relationship between exercise and sleep is very exciting—we are finding that the connection between the two is bi-directional; i.e., if you get enough of one, the other comes much more easily to you,” says Cralle. “The reality is that 40 percent of Americans are sleep-deficient. If you work to add an extra hour of sleep at night, you’ll be much more apt to exercise, and, when you do—especially before a flight—you will be able to doze off much more easily.”

11. Bank sleep. If in-flight snoozing is simply not an option, due to your utter inability to rest on a plane or because you simply must work while traveling, Cralle points out that a little bit of prep work can help you stave off jet lag. “You actually can bank sleep,” says Cralle. “Prioritize your sleep before a flight, and spend a little extra time sleeping or napping in the week before you depart. Lack of sleep really effects your immune system—and the last thing you want on an important business trip or a long-awaited vacation is to get sick. Banking sleep beforehand will also mitigate the bad effects of jet lag.”

by Erin

Imagine sitting down at dinner and a waiter already knowing what bottle of wine you like based on past choices. Or ordering a drink on your smartphone and having it waiting at the table when you sit down to watch a show. More and more cruise ships are moving in this direction with the help of technology. Select ships on Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Disney are now offering passengers bracelets or medallions that serve multiple purposes, all aimed to make your cruise experience more enjoyable and hassle-free. Rather than using a cruise card, that has in the past served as your room key and on-board spending account, this snazzy little accessory would replace the plastic card of the past.

Each technology works a little differently depending on the cruise line and the ship, but each version offers some pretty cool options.  The most obvious feature is the ability to unlock a stateroom without digging around for your cruise card. Passengers will be able to pay for merchandise and excursions with their bracelet. They can get information on how to navigate the ship’s amenities by interacting with digital displays on the walls. On select ships, guests can make reservations at the spa or specialty dining restaurant, view photographs, learn about the destinations they will visit and more. And of course it will alleviate the confusing and sometimes stressful check-in process for a cruise. The bracelet contains a person’s sailing information, so passengers will not need to switch back and forth between printed bar codes and key cards to check in, embark, disembark or buy something on-board.

by Malori

I was walking this morning in my hometown and in the window of Lululemon on Beverly Drive, a sign caught my eye.  It said, “Where do you go to let go” and it got me thinking, where is my happy place?

Of all the places on earth, heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies is where I let go.  On my personal bucket list for over 25 years, I had a chance to experience this magical vacation spot myself a few years ago.  Then I went back the next year with a group so that others could experience this magic.  For three days, a helicopter transports me to the mountaintops where I am far away from everything.  There are literally no people except for a few others staying in the lodge.  There are no buildings, traffic lights or roads.  I spend my days hiking along the mountain ridges, overlooking the bluest lakes and come face-to-face with waterfalls.  One day we may be walking among wildflowers through a meadow, and the next on a glacier.  I’m in heaven.  I de-stress.  I’m happy.  I’m going back again this summer.  Want to join me?

by Erin

Well, we are back from India and let me just say that it was truly an amazing journey!  Personally, India has been at the top of my list for years.  This is the 4th trip that Amazing Journeys has sent and I can’t tell you how excited I was to be able to experience this country for myself.  The people are so warm and inviting, the colors are so bright and vibrant and the architecture is so intense and intricate and the food is so unique and delicious!  We had countless experiences that really let us feel the Indian culture – from a naan making class to learning how to make inlay marble and wearing saris and henna to visiting a weaving village, the things we did on a daily basis will stay with us for years to come.

by Malori

It’s a delicate balance. When does experiential travel change into exploitation? We want to explore our world, yet we want to be fair to nature and to those with whom we share the planet.

Swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel, riding an elephant in Thailand, dog sledding in Alaska, whale watching in Hawaii, shark diving in South Africa are but a few experiential opportunities travelers are seeking.  Year over year, animal encounters for passengers on cruises and tours are growing by leaps and bounds.  But with more opportunities comes responsibility.  Tour companies world wide are taking a stand against the commercial exploitation of animals.   “We know there is still a growing demand”, said Julie Middlekoop, global head of the “Wildlife – Not Entertainers” campaign at World Animal Protection, the advocacy group that has been putting pressure on travel companies to drop programs which exploit animals.  They launched a petition earlier this year which had over a half million signatures.

Several tour companies over the past year have limited their participation in such events. Amazing Journeys dropped our elephant riding in South Africa and India this year.  It’s a start.  Collette Vacations, G Adventures, Costco Travel, Mayflower Tours and Intrepid Travel are but a few who have signed on and have stopped offering elephant rides and other exploitative tour options.  Just last month, Trip Advisor announced it would stop selling hundreds of animal attractions.  They became the largest travel brand to take a stand.  It’s hard to explain why your company doesn’t offer these options when other travel companies do.  But with a growing concern from individuals and tour providers worldwide, along with organizations like World Animal Protection and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are tipping the scale in favor or a greater understanding which is influencing the travel sector.

But when is an animal experience considered exploitation?  Is horseback riding abusive to the animal or was it breed for this purpose?  What about dog sledding in Alaska?  The dogs love running and actually get very excited to be outside in the snow.  Whale watching out in the open waters, if a whale is not being lured to the tourist boat with food and if the boat isn’t approaching the whale is observing nature. There’s the balance.

With growing demand for experiential travel opportunities, it’s a hard choice.  Companies who were profiting from selling these options see dropping these experiences as a money-losing endeavor. But the hope is that animal experiences will be replaced with visits to animal rehabilitation centers, learning opportunities and other educational programs.  Although tour companies and travelers in North America are being educated and have a greater awareness, there are emerging markets, especially in Asia where the demand for “tiger selfies” and the like are growing at alarming rates.

We at Amazing Journeys love this planet.  We want to show it to you the way it should be seen.  We want it to be here for future generations. We work hard to make the right decisions, so that you can have the best travel experiences possible.

by Malori

We get all sorts of passport questions here at Amazing Journeys.  Let’s see if we can clear the air on some for you…

When is the proper time to renew my passport?

Many travelers don’t think about renewing their passport until planning their next international trip.  But you really need to think about it in advance.  Most countries will not allow a traveler to come into their country unless they have at least 6 months beyond their travel date.  Many-a-traveler have been turned away at the gate because they don’t have sufficient time left on their passport. Bottom line – check your passport before you plan your next trip.  If you are reading this now and are not sure of when your passport expires, go check it right now!

Do I need a passport when traveling to Canada or the Caribbean?

By air – yes.  By cruise – no.  We recommend you always bring your passport when traveling outside of the US. Let’s say that you are on a cruise in the Caribbean and you officially do not need a passport.  But there is an emergency situation at home and you need to fly home right away.  Without a passport, you may not board a flight.  You would have to get to a US Embassy and apply for a passport or get a replacement passport there.  There may be an embassy on the island you are on or you may need alternative transportation to get to a different island, because you are officially grounded until you have a replacement passport.

If I get a new passport, will my Global Entry expire at the same time?

Global Entry, the program that allows you to use “fast-lane” privileges through US airport security and when re-entering the US after traveling internationally, has a shelf life of 5 years.  Passports are good for 10 years.  But if your passport expires prior to your Global Entry expiration date, no worries.  Membership will remain valid and active if the passport expires, however, you will not be able to use your account until you update your new passport number in the GOES system, The Global online Enrollment System in which you created when you applied for the program.

How can I avoid running out of pages in my passport?

That’s a great problem to have and we love hearing travelers say they have run out of pages –that means they are off seeing the world!  Some countries require that you have several empty pages in your document before entering their country.  You could run out of pages very quickly with a visit to Southern Africa or South America. They use many pages on one trip!

The traditional passport book has 28 pages but there is an option to get 56 pages from the get-go. It used to be that you could ask for more pages, and the Passport Office would sew in additional pages and send it back to you, without a charge!  There is no such thing as a free lunch anymore and you now have to order a new passport (at the full renewal fee)  when you run out of pages.  When renewing your passport, you should always ask for the maximum number of pages.

Are there better times than others to renew a passport?

2017 is going to be a banner year for passport renewals, according to the State Department.  Do you remember when you were able to travel to Mexico and Canada and all over the Caribbean without a passport?  Well, all of that changed in 2007 and many Americans applied for a passport during that year. What that means is that all of those passports are now coming up for renewal and the wait times could be longer than normal.  Although they are not expecting to have the 3 million passport accumulation and three month wait time they had in 2017, they do expect more Americans to renew this year.  In general, summers and holiday travel times are what create the most back-log.  So it’s best to plan early and not stress about running out of time before a vacation or business trip.

I don’t have a passport and would like to get one now.  How and where do I apply?

Whether you need a new passport or want to renew an old one, this link will walk you through the process. For those first-timers, you will need to apply in person.  Most US post offices can do this for you.  Just follow the steps in the link above.

Whether with new passport or old, we look forward to traveling with you soon!

by Malori

The High Holidays are a time for reflection.  Looking back over the past year, I took stock of what brings me happiness, where my strengths and weaknesses are, how I can improve upon those areas and what has made me the most proud over the past year, as well as a myriad of other thoughts, hopes and wishes.  As always, I had a lot to think about.  Amazing Journeys has been instrumental in creating so much happiness in my life and the lives of others, that I wanted to share these thoughts with you.

I look at the opportunities to share the world and all of its goodness with those who travel with me.   Together with others, we can explore the world to find the beauty in nature as well as the beauty in experiencing different cultures.  Once you have an understanding of another culture and meet people from other countries face-to-face, you have uncovered a treasure that can never be ignored.

I look at the friendships that have been cultivated. When I see people on our trips who never knew one another before, building camaraderie  and having so much to talk about during a trip, it warms my heart.  We have created a place where this can happen.  Then long after the trip is over, many of these relationships build.  I love seeing on social media and hearing stories about friendships that had begun on an Amazing Journey and I see pictures of friends joining together for dinner or a visit or to see a show or concert together.  I see that those who are in need of a “virtual hug” when illness hits, disaster strikes or there is a death in the family, the AJ community comes out to offer words of kindness and offers to share that journey.  Just yesterday, we hosted an AJ friend who was passing through Pittsburgh, and she was able to share our holiday meal with our family.  Wonderful bonds between friends are created and fostered.

Our AJ community has been so gracious in giving when asked.  We have shared with others around the world by bringing clothes, school supplies, toiletries and shared religious experiences.  Those who have been the recipients of these “gifts” have been so thankful to our travelers for thinking of others while traveling.

Understanding diversity in the world, building friendships and sharing with others are three attributes that make me so proud of what I do.

We all do it sometimes – tell ourselves little whites lies while traveling. Some of them are designed to make us feel better about our choices, and some are just delusions we choose to believe out of convenience (even if we know deep down that they’re not true). How many of these lies do you make yourself believe when you’re traveling?