-by Erin

8 Tips for Busy Travelers

Many frequent and hardcore travelers are extremely busy people. One type of traveler crams business and pleasure trips into single junkets. Another type corrals an entire family through an itinerary that would kill a hardy donkey, let alone an exhausted working parent. Another type micromanages their trip down to the minute such that they’re setting alarms at all times of day to keep themselves on schedule. And then there are those who are so busy they can barely find enough time to take their vacations, much less do all the nuts-and-bolts tasks of planning those vacations.

Below, you will find eight tips to make your trips more efficient and to meet the ultimate goal of any busy traveler: to get you there on time and with minimal hassle.

But First: Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

Before we get started here, let’s take a step back and think about slowing down. I appreciate that to do both of those (step back and slow down) at the same time might be tough for some of us, so grab the arms of your chair and take a deep breath first.

Okay.

In some cases, folks just need to slow the heck down. It wasn’t so long ago that you’d take a boat to Europe. Travelers in less hyper-developed countries will continue to experience maddening slowdowns and complete shutdowns; in the nation of the all-night CVS and the 24-hour ATM, some folks are shocked to hear “I’m sorry, sir, we’re closed.”

Time isn’t always going to bend to your will; for your own sanity, you’d better get used to it.

Okay, that’s enough deep breathing and slowing down for a weekday. Let’s put the hammer down and get back up to speed. Here come the tips:

1. Travel WAY light.

This is the one key thing you can do to guarantee easier passage through security, tight connections, terminal shutdowns, backtracking planes, and other serious and mundane hazards of post-9/11 travel. It’s also the best way to avoid the many baggage fees that the airlines are now heaping on travelers who dare to bring more than a carry-on.

2. Dress for success at security.

Your favorite traveling clothes and accessories could cause slowdowns at airport security. Leave the jewelry at home, remove your piercings (if possible) and wear clothing that won’t hold you up in the security line — like slip-on shoes, belts with plastic buckles instead of metal, and simple clothing that doesn’t require elaborate searching.

3. Expect delays.

A truly busy person has learned how to move projects around, make doctor’s appointments from the train platform, walk the dog while the coffee’s brewing. If you’re this kind of person, you’re probably only truly put out if you can’t get anything done at all. Thus, a couple of traveling items to help you cope with those all-too-frequent delays at the airport:

Program the phone numbers of your airline, car rental company, shuttle service and hotel into your cell phone. If you’ve got time to kill during a flight delay, you can make a few calls and provide your new ETA to anyone waiting for you at your destination. (For even more efficiency, check to see which other airlines also fly your itinerary and program their phone numbers in as well — that way if your original flight is delayed, you can start calling around for alternatives.)

Have a to-do list of productive things you can work on during delays. This might be a good time to read that chapter in your guidebook on the history of the place you’re visiting, or to sketch out a detailed itinerary for the first few days of your trip.

4. Use a travel agent.

Why not leave all the heavy lifting to someone else? Consider the difference between scouring countless websites for the best deal and itinerary, then making a purchase, then putting together your own travel itinerary versus placing one phone call or e-mail to your travel agent – this could add up to hours of your life on every trip.

5. Ask for seats near the front of the plane.

You’ll get on last, granting you time to get more things done before boarding lockdown, and you’ll get off first. Many airlines now allow you to select your seat online at the time of booking or check-in (sometimes for a fee) – this is the best way to guarantee yourself the seat you want.

6. Know where the airport gas station is.

If you are responsible for returning your rental car with a full tank of gas, ask where the closest gas station is before you drive off the lot. This way you won’t be driving around looking and hoping for a gas station to fill your tank just before returning.

7. Reuse your packing list.

If you’re the type of traveler that scribbles down a hasty packing list before every trip (and inevitably forgets some vital item each time), get organized by creating a single comprehensive packing list and saving it on your computer. Before each trip, customize the list as necessary and then print out a copy to refer to as you pack.

8. Use these time-tested tactics.

Fly direct. Connections cost time; missed connections cost lots of time. Avoid layovers where you can.
Fly early in the day; there are fewer delays, cancellations and people in the airport.
Consider alternate airports. They’re less crowded and often better located than the big hubs, and they have fewer flights going in and out – reducing your chances of delays.

Original source: Independent Traveler

-by Malori

So just how does Amazing Journeys select their upcoming trips?  I get asked this question all of the time.  I like to think it’s part art, part science and part wizardry.  Like anyone who has been working at their passion for over 30 years, I have a system.  It all begins about 18 months prior to the start of the new year – I’ve already been planning trips for 2015 for the past several months!  I read tons of professional and consumer journals, newspapers and newsfeeds on destinations worldwide.  Sometimes they are lifestyle articles, sometimes it is about a newsworthy story and often it is about the beauty or the culture in that destination.  If it piques my interest in some way that I think others will enjoy, I write it down on a list I keep behind my desk.  I then watch to see if a world event such as the Olympics, World Cup Soccer, new movie or something newsworthy of a world figure is in the news. Often times this sparks interest in the traveling public.  I look for new trends such as active travel, culinary interests or river boat cruising.  I watch to see which countries are currently doing heavy promotional advertising as that also works to drive interest to a specific area.  All of these things go into my “huge pot of stew” and many of these places will make it onto my list.

Then December / January comes around and it is time for me to start making decisions on which trips actually will make it onto our AJ calendar.  I set up meetings with some of the sales teams who represent my favorite products and we discuss options and also what new opportunities may present themselves.  (I also get to put my two cents in to the Itinerary Gurus at cruise lines and tour companies as an opportunity to say where I would like to see them plan trips!).

My next step is like a huge jigsaw puzzle.  I have my would-be destinations sorted by continents and also best times of the year to explore each destination.  They are also segmented into cruises and land trips as we try to get an equal balance of both.  We look at our summer trips first, because the traveling public, whether they are teachers, have school age children or just love to get away during the summer months; this is our busiest travel time of the year.  We try to get 4 – 6 trips packed into those three summer months of June, July and August.  Logistically, it’s a challenge with the length of the trips, amount of prep time needed prior to a trip and staffing the tours.  We try to take advantage of holidays so that an extra day off of work can be incorporated into the trip, and we also look at Jewish holidays so that we make sure not to overlap with the major Jewish holidays.  Next we schedule in our New Year’s Eve cruise as the dates of that are what they are – December 31 and January 1.  Once we have that in place, we begin to schedule the cruises because the itineraries are on set dates and cannot be moved.  We may drop one cruise or another and look for another one on the list, if the timing or pricing is not what we believe will appeal to our travelers.  Once the cruises are in place, we fill in with our destination oriented land tours.  I have more flexibility as to dates as I am custom designing these tours. From here, I begin to really narrow down my selections to come up with the perfect, well-rounded travel schedule for the upcoming year.

Just like the fashionista gets a huge rush when walking into a favorite boutique, fun mall or new outlet store, I get that same adrenaline buzz when purchasing travel.

So today, as I write this blog, I am sitting here with a list in one hand and my crystal ball in the other, selecting some awesome travel destination which I hope that everyone will love!

-by Erin

Before you leave for your next trip abroad, take a moment to think dollars and cents – or should we say pounds and pesos? Get the most for your money when traveling internationally by doing a little homework first. 

The most important step is to know your options. In days of yore, traveler’s checks were the most popular way to carry money overseas – but today’s travelers are much more likely to rely on credit cards and ATM withdrawals, which usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees.

What’s the best option for you? And how can you avoid those pesky currency conversion fees when making purchases abroad? Read on for answers to these questions and a comprehensive roundup of all your currency conversion options when you’re traveling overseas.

Credit Cards

Best for: Large purchases such as airline tickets, hotel bills, car rentals and restaurant meals.

Pros: The biggest advantage to using credit cards while traveling overseas is that credit card purchases are exchanged at the interbank exchange rate, usually the best rate you can get for currency exchange. While most credit card issuers charge currency conversion fees each time you make a purchase in a foreign currency (generally 1 percent from Visa or MasterCard plus an additional 1 – 2 percent for themselves), these fees are typically lower than those you’d pay to convert your own currency at a change bureau. And there are a few cards out there (many from Capital One) that do not charge any foreign transaction fees at all, not even the ones from Visa or MasterCard. Check out CardHub.com for a list.

Cons: Some restaurants, stores and even hotels won’t take credit cards, so you’ll need to have cash on hand at all times. While you can use credit cards to get cash advances at ATMs, bear in mind that they’ll be subject to any finance charges your credit card company imposes – which can add up very quickly. Plus, if you’re not home by the time the bills come in and you haven’t made arrangements to pay them, you’ll be hit with hefty finance charges on these advances.

One problem for U.S. travelers is the growing prevalence of “chip-and-PIN” credit cards in Europe, Asia and South America. Designed to reduce fraud, these cards rely on an embedded chip that transmits information to a merchant, which the consumer then verifies by entering a PIN. While U.S. cards with magnetic stripes will still work as long as there’s someone to swipe them, many travelers report problems using their cards in ticket vending kiosks, at gas stations or in other places featuring automated payment machines. If you find yourself in this dilemma, your only alternatives are to find an attendant to scan your card or to use cash instead.

These cards are not yet widely available in the U.S. However, several banks, including Citi, Bank of America and Chase, have begun issuing dual credit cards that use both the magnetic stripe and the embedded chip, and Travelex has introduced a prepaid chip-and-PIN MasterCard that works like a hybrid between a credit card and a traveler’s check.

What You Need to Know: The first thing you should do if you are traveling abroad with a credit card, even if you only plan to use it in case of an emergency, is to call the issuer and ask which fees will apply to your purchases, both in local currency and in U.S. dollars. We recommend calling before each trip, as these policies may change without notice.

While you’re on the phone, you’ll also want to let your credit card issuer know when and where you will be traveling – that way the sudden international activity on your account won’t trigger your issuer’s fraud alert system. As a precaution, we recommend bringing two credit cards on your trip in case one stops working. Finally, get a phone number that you can use to call the company from overseas if your card is lost or stolen. (The 800 number on the back of your card typically will only work in the U.S. or Canada.)

Some merchants (particularly in Europe) offer what’s known as dynamic currency conversion, which means that they’ll charge you in dollars rather than the local currency. Because some card issuers will waive the currency conversion fee if your overseas purchase is made in dollars, dynamic currency conversion could help you save a few coins. However, keep in mind you’ll almost always get hit by a conversion fee from the merchant instead – sometimes up to 5 percent – so you may end up losing out on the deal. Be sure you know which fees apply to either option before deciding which currency to use.

A few other caveats to bear in mind: Some hotels and car rental companies may put holds on your credit card for the amount of your total expected bill. This can use up your credit line before you’ve actually incurred and paid for the charges. All merchants are supposed to inform you if they do put a hold or “deposit” on your card. If they do, make sure you clarify that the hold has been removed when you’ve paid your bill in full.

Keep in mind that you may not have as much protection overseas as you do at home when problems arise over inaccurate charges. Incidents are always being reported of travelers being charged twice for the same item or for items they never purchased, and credit card companies have been unwilling or unable to intercede on their behalf. Always watch merchants imprinting your card and keep your receipts. After you get home, check your credit card statement. If you see charges you didn’t make, call your creditor and ask them to dispute the charges.

Debit and ATM Cards

Best for: Getting cash in local currency.

Pros: You’ll get the same great interbank exchange rate when you make cash withdrawals with your debit or ATM card as you do when you make a credit card purchase. With ATMs available in major cities and airports all over the world, this is generally the cheapest and most convenient way to get cash in the local currency.

Cons: Each cash withdrawal you make will usually be subject to currency conversion fees, foreign ATM fees or other charges from your bank and/or the local bank that maintains the ATM. Debit cards work pretty much the same as regular credit cards for purchases, but if your card is lost or stolen you may not have the same protection. By U.S. law, as long as you report your card missing within two business days, your maximum liability for use of that card will be $50 – the same as for a credit card. However, if you wait any longer, you could be responsible for hundreds of dollars in unauthorized charges.

What You Need to Know: If the ATM card from your home bank isn’t connected to the worldwide Cirrus or PLUS networks, you may want to look into getting a MasterCard or Visa debit card. While they look and can be used like regular charge cards, they actually debit your checking account the same way your ATM card does.

If you are renting a car, you should be aware that while you can use a debit card to pay for the rental charges, you might not be able to reserve the car with this type of card.

Finally, don’t forget to call your bank and make it aware of your travel plans; as with credit cards, sudden international activity using your debit card could cause your account to be frozen.

Cash

Best for: The first 24 hours of your trip – to tide you over until you can find the nearest ATM.

Pros: It’s often a good idea to get some foreign currency before you leave home so that you have cash on hand to handle your immediate expenses – like buying a meal at the airport or taking a cab to your hotel. This way you’re not stranded without cash if the airport ATM isn’t working or you arrive after the local exchange bureau has closed.

Cons: You typically won’t get a great conversion rate from your home bank, and you may also have to pay fees or commissions. If you’re traveling to a major international airport in a large city, which will likely have multiple ATMs and change counters, getting currency beforehand probably isn’t necessary.

What You Need to Know: You can get foreign currency from your local bank, online or at the airport. Try your local bank first, as they may waive fees for certain accountholders. We recommend bringing $100 – $150 worth of foreign currency.

Traveler’s Checks and Check Cards

Best for: Emergency backup if you can’t find a functioning ATM (checks) or a secure alternative to cash (checks and check cards).

Pros: Traveler’s checks and check cards provide more security than cash because they can be replaced (usually within 24 hours) if lost or stolen. While traditional traveler’s checks have largely gone the way of the dinosaur, Visa and Travelex offer travel cards that are prepaid like traveler’s checks but work like credit cards for purchases and ATM withdrawals. To avoid the aforementioned problems that U.S. travelers have at overseas chip-and-PIN machines, Travelex even offers a chip-and-PIN card (available in several different currencies). Traditional checks are still sometimes useful as currency if you can’t find a functioning ATM.

Cons: The exchange rate for traveler’s checks is not as favorable as the interbank rate you’ll get when using a credit or debit card, and very few merchants accept the checks for purchases these days. You’ll also have to pay commissions, shipping charges and/or conversion fees to purchase and cash the checks. The prepaid cards give you better exchange rates, but there are plenty of fees here too – look out for activation fees, charges for reloading the card, ATM charges or inactivity fees. In most cases, you’re probably better off using your own debit card.

What You Need to Know: Keep your checks’ serial numbers in a secure but separate place from the checks themselves in case they’re lost or stolen.

Original source: Independent Traveler

– by Malori

Ever hear of a river cruise? Are you wondering what all the buzz is about? It’s the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry and 24 new ships are being built by six different companies, all debuting in 2014.

River Cruising opens up a world of possibilities of intriguing destinations. Pulling up right alongside a local dock, the river cruise experience lets you enjoy scenery along the way, and then coming directly in to the city center to explore on foot, by bike or on an array of complimentary guided excursions. According to AMA Waterways, in business since 2002, “there is no better way to experience the soul of a destination than on a leisurely river cruise, immersed in history, culture and breathtaking natural beauty.”

Traveling along rivers, these smaller ships are built with shallow drafts and can navigate smaller waterways, unlike their oceangoing cousins who cruise the high seas. During your journey along the rivers, you can look out from your balcony, window or one of the public spaces and see the ever-changing landscape of the destination you came to see. Many of the “Next-Gen” river cruises use a “long-ship” design that allows more interior space for guest rooms, bars and restaurants, spa and workout facilities, and even a pool with a swim up bar.

Onboard, the experience is more like a small boutique than a large hotel. The staff is dedicated to treating their guests like members of their own families, and several offer a premium experience. With local musicians to entertain, cocktails and dancing, lectures on local history and culture, time on board the ship is spent feeling like you are on vacation, whether it’s relaxing, socializing with other passengers, sunning by the pool, working out or getting a massage.

On most river cruise, complimentary wines are offered with meals, further enhancing your local cultural experience. You get to try wines from the local regions you are visiting, along with regional specialties the chef prepares each night.

River Cruises offer many themed cruises as well. From Chocolate Cruises to Wine Tasting Cruises to Jewish Heritage Cruises, there is a theme that fits nearly every taste and taste bud!

Amazing Journeys is joining in on the River Cruise fun on our Jewish Heritage River Cruise next summer. Sailing from Vilshofen, Germany on August 6 and ending in Budapest, Hungary on August 13, we will transport you along the Danube River through the magnificent landscapes of the Sound of Music Country and along the shores of our Jewish culture and our legacy. From synagogues to Jewish districts, modern museums and historical monuments, this cruise will be one you will surely remember. For more information on our Jewish Heritage cruise, click here or call us for information on any other river boat cruise at 412.571.0220.

-by Erin

Within the past few years, passengers have been hit with airline fees for seemingly every part of your trip.  From booking your flight with an actual person on the phone to checking your suitcase to enjoying an in-flight snack, each transaction had travelers opening up their wallet again and again.  It was maddening how things that were once included in your day of travel are now a la carte with additional costs.  With that being said, airlines are now introducing a new slew of fees, but this time passengers might actually like them. Unlike the first generation of charges which dinged fliers for once-free services like checking a bag, these new fees promise a taste of the good life, or at least a more civil flight. Extra legroom, early boarding and access to quiet lounges were just the beginning.

Airlines are now renting Apple iPads preloaded with movies, selling hot first class meals in coach and letting passengers pay to have an empty seat next to them. Once on the ground, they can skip baggage claim, having their luggage delivered directly to their home or office. In the near future, airlines plan to go one step further, using massive amounts of personal data to customize new offers for each flier.

Carriers have struggled to raise airfares enough to cover costs. Fees bring in more than $15 billion a year and are the reason the airlines are profitable. But the amount of money coming in from older charges like baggage and reservation change fees has plateaued. So the airlines are selling new extras and copying marketing methods honed by retailers. Technological upgrades allow airlines to sell products directly to passengers at booking, in follow-up emails as trips approach, at check-in and on mobile phones minutes before boarding. Delta Air Lines recently gave its flight attendants wireless devices, allowing them to sell passengers last-second upgrades to seats with more legroom. And just like Amazon.com offers suggested readings based on each buyer’s past purchases, airlines soon will be able to use past behavior to target fliers.

Other airlines are experimenting with tracking passengers throughout the airport. In the future, if somebody clears security hours before their flight, they might be offered a discounted day pass to the airline’s lounge on their phone. Airlines have yet to find the right balance between being helpful and being creepy. So, for now, most of the data is being used to win back passengers after their flight is delayed or luggage is lost. “We want to get back to a point where people feel like travel isn’t something to endure, but something they can enjoy,” says Bob Kupbens, a former Target executive and Delta’s current vice president of marketing and digital commerce.

Southwest has held off charging for most checked bags. But it sells plenty of other add-ons. Recently, it introduced a way for people at the back of the boarding line on some flights to cut to the front for $40. Airlines now alter fees based on demand. United Airlines used to sell its Economy Plus extra legroom seats for one price per route. Today, aisle seats cost more than middle seats; prices are higher on popular flights. Airlines are also starting to bundle items. Passengers purchase items they might not necessarily buy alone; it also simplifies the dizzying array of offers. American offers a package for $68 roundtrip that includes no change fees, one checked bag and early boarding. Delta is experimenting with a $199 subscription that includes a checked bag, early boarding, access to exit row seats and extra frequent flier miles on all flights a passenger takes between now and Jan. 5.

Airlines say the fees bring a sense of fairness to the system. Why should a passenger with a small carry-on subsidize a family of four, checking suitcases? Jamie Baker, an airline analyst with JP Morgan Chase, likens it to a meal at a restaurant. “The sides are not included in the price of a steak,” he says. “Airline ticket prices should reflect the costs incurred by the individual passenger.”

Original article can be found here

-by Erin

Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-time sailor, there is a whole new language to use when it comes to setting sail. Add to that the fact that you may be sailing around countries where you may only know how to say “hello” and you may be in for a challenge on what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation.

Smartphone to the rescue! Celebrity Cruises has created a cell phone app that helps cruise passengers get instant translations of foreign phrases while on a ship or out on a shore excursion.

Included in the app, called Cruise Lingo, are 56 stock phrases that cruise passengers might need, such as “How do I get back to the port?” and “Is there a nice restaurant in town?” Stocked with 11 languages, including French, German, two versions of Spanish, Hindi and Japanese, you can hop off the ship feeling confident and ready to explore!

-by Stacey

“Sir, I’ve already requested that all electronic devices be turned off”
“Wait, hold on, I’m just finishing this email”
“That is anything with an on-and-off switch”
“Please, I’m almost done”
“Sir, now please.”

We’ve all heard this conversation. Sometimes we are the ones having this conversation. We are so connected to our devices that it’s hard to disconnect during flights. Soon it will be a little easier to maintain your tech fix while you travel. You read that right, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is expected to relax restrictions on in-flight devices.

While phone calls, texts, email, and use of Wi-Fi will still be off limits, the FAA is considering lifting the ban of reading tablets, listening to previously downloaded podcasts and music, and watching videos. That way you can keep reading that page-flicker (is that the modern version of the page-turner?) from your home town gate all the way until your arrival.

So read, listen, and watch on, my fair travelers. You may now sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.

-by Erin
In addition to taking the guess-work out of your travel arrangements, we are happy to share information to help you make the travel process as fast and smooth as possible.  Most of your vacations include a plane ride (or 2 or 3) and with increased safety precautions, security now takes longer and longer.  Not for long – enter Pre-Check!  Pre-Check is a special quick security line that allows you to breeze through while keeping your shoes and belt on, your liquids stored away and your laptop snuggly in your carry-on. How nice is that?

There is an application process but we think it’s worth the work upfront, knowing how much time it will save at the airport. And now, the TSA is expanding its speedy Pre-Check screening program to 60 more airports, in addition to 40 where it was already available. The new airports should have the expedited checkpoint lanes by the end of the year – Click here to see a list of airports that now have Pre-Check.  There is a one-time fee of $85 for five years, to cover a background check and fingerprinting. Click here for more information on Pre-Check.

-by Erin
For many travelers, anticipating a trip is almost as thrilling as actually taking it. Oh, the wonderful places you’ll see, the amazing memories you’ll create. In your mind, it’s all ahead of you; nothing will go wrong. Then why is it we almost always end up with that familiar pit in our stomach, those clenched teeth and voices raised in frustration at least once during our trips?

Vacation stress strikes for a variety of reasons, usually when we’re caught off guard in unfamiliar surroundings. While it can be difficult to avoid every situation that might cause anxiety, you can anticipate some common problems and give yourself relief from the worst of your hassles. Read on for solutions to stressful scenarios that could affect your next trip and know that by traveling with Amazing Journeys, we will be there to make the journey as care-free and relaxing as possible!

Overhead Bin Space
Source of Stress: I’m in the final boarding group. Will I find enough room in the overhead bin when I get on the plane?
Your Stress Reliever: In May 2013, American Airlines started a policy that allows passengers who gate-check their bags to move ahead of others in the boarding process. (It remains to be seen whether the policy takes hold industry-wide.) But no matter which airline you’re flying, it never hurts to ask the gate agent whether they will gate-check your bag. CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg says, “The assumption is that the oversize compartments will always be full.” He notes that when that is the case, most airlines offer to gate-check your bags at no cost. You’ll often retrieve your bag on the gangway after your flight.

Be aware that even if you don’t plan to gate-check your bags, you may have to if you’re in a late boarding group. Airlines often will announce a full flight before boarding to let people know they will probably have to gate-check luggage. If you’re affected, make sure you move any crucial items from your carry-on to the personal item that you will bring onboard — such as medications, keys, tablets and other valuables — to safeguard against having them lost in a checked bag.

Another tip: When you get onboard and make your way to your seat, keep your eyes open for any open bin space you pass. You aren’t stuck using only the spaces near your seats. If you are among the last to get on, any open space will do, and if it’s toward the front of the plane, you can easily snag your bag as you file off. Carry on softer luggage — rather than hardside or roller bags — if possible, so you can squeeze your gear into tighter bin spaces.

Cab Rides in Unfamiliar Places
Source of Stress: How do I know this cab driver isn’t long-hauling me? I’m not familiar with this city, but the ride seems to be a lot longer than I anticipated.
Your Stress Reliever: Do a little research before your trip to get a basic knowledge of the main roadways and routes around the city you are visiting. Use the GPS on your smartphone to track the expected route. If you know you will be using a cab for specific trips during your stay (to your resort, then back to the airport), you can easily map it. Don’t be afraid to tell the driver you want the quickest route.

Airport Security
Source of Stress: I can breeze through the airport security process when I know what not to pack and have my documents ready to go. But sometimes, long lines (“Will I make my gate on time?”) and the screening process itself leave me totally frazzled.
Your Stress Reliever: The best way to alleviate the anxiety is to make sure you get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Most major airports provide estimated screening wait times on their Web sites, and several apps provide the info too, including GateGuru and My TSA. A general rule is to make sure you get there at least 90 minutes before your flight is scheduled to depart. (Arrive even earlier for travel on busy holidays, and show up three hours ahead of your flight time for international trips.) If you end up with extra time, plan to get in some reading, Web surfing or noshing — all things that can help you relax as you prepare for your trip.

As for the security screening itself, keep in mind that you can request a pat-down instead of a full-body scan if you’re concerned about radiation from the machines — just leave yourself a little more time for manual screening.

Packing
Source of Stress: Making sure I have enough, but not too much, without forgetting anything.
Your Stress Reliever: Make a list. We’ve all overpacked at times, forgotten something essential at others. Learn from these errors. Brainstorm ahead of time and keep a tally of items you know you’ll need as the countdown to your trip begins. When it’s time to pack, take a good hard look at the list and assess whether you really need everything on it. (Gone for two weeks or more? Maybe it’s better to plan a laundry day while you’re away.) Then think about what you absolutely must bring (medication, toiletries, swim trunks, passports, other documents).

Look it over again before you zip up your bags. The key is to devise your best system. Once you find one that works — remember to save your list to use again and again! — you’ll maximize your packing efficiency and minimize your stress.

Getting Sick
Source of Stress: I seem to always get sick on my trips. I don’t want another ruined vacation.
Your Stress Reliever: Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated and keep clean. Airplanes, buses, trains and shuttles are packed with people all carrying their own germs and hygiene habits. Do your best to control your environment. Keep your hands clean and use antibacterial wipes on surfaces you’ll be touching on the plane. During your vacation, do your best to get enough rest and eat regularly. Sure, you’ll often be on a different schedule (maybe you want to enjoy an afternoon nap to ensure you can stay up late). You also will be enjoying more exotic foods — in perhaps larger quantities — but be wary of food preparation conditions to ensure they are safe.

Losing Photos
Source of Stress: Oh, no! I lost my camera/cell phone on the last day of vacation. I think I just lost about 1,000 photos!
Your Stress Reliever: Get super-organized with a good personal cloud storage or social media service, and upload your pictures at the end of each day of shooting on your trip. Make it a routine right before you tuck yourself in for the night to upload your snaps to a service such as Facebook, Instagram, Apple’s iCloud or Google Drive. Amazon also offers 5 GB of free cloud storage service. Not going to have Internet access during your trip? Stock up on smaller-capacity SD cards for your digital camera and use one for each day of your trip. Remove it each night and put in a new card for the next day. Store them separately from your camera.

Screaming Kids
Source of Stress: That child behind me on the plane/train/bus just won’t stop crying.
Your Stress Reliever: The sound of a screaming youngster — especially when it goes on for any length of time — can certainly lead to heightened stress levels for everyone within earshot (including the parents). Kids on planes usually will stop crying once the flight gets off the ground. How you deal with it depends on your personality, but consider that the child’s parents probably feel more stress than you in these circumstances. Maybe you’re an outgoing person. Sympathize with the parents and ask whether they need any help. Try to interact with the child to help calm him down. Not up for chatting? Carry noise-canceling headphones, an MP3 player or earplugs. Also, do a little deep breathing to relax while you think about your exciting travel adventures to come.

Getting Lost
Source of Stress: I always seem to go off course while driving or walking in a new city.
Your Stress Reliever: Stay calm. Locals — especially those in countries that thrive on tourism — are usually willing to help. Before you set out on your trip, make sure you know how to ask for your destination in the local language (if you are likely to encounter non-English speakers) or write it down on a card. That way people can at least read it and point you in the right direction. A good place to stop and ask for help is at a hotel, where staff are more likely to speak English.

Make sure your cell phone or GPS device has updated maps of your destination. Carry along a guidebook or map of the city. (These often are available at hotels.) If all else fails, embrace being lost for a little while. As long as you aren’t facing any danger and aren’t pressed for time, this is a chance to get in some impromptu sightseeing.

Original source: IndependentTraveler.com

With Hanukkah right around the corner, we are all racking our brains, trying to decide on that perfect gift for friends, family, or what to tell others we want… Amazing Journeys to the rescue! Here is our Top Ten Travel Gift Idea list! Buy for others or share the list to hint at what you want! Click on the pictures for more details or search the web for other similar options.

 
10. Lightweight fleece

It’s always a good idea to have an extra layer when you travel – you never know when the temperature might drop or the rain clouds may roll in. Throw a fleece in your suitcase and you will always be prepared for unexpected weather.

9. Neck wallet

When traveling in foreign countries, it’s smart to keep your money, credit cards and passport under your clothes and out of plain sight. This neck wallet is thin and won’t be bulky under your clothes, and allows you to carry everything with you without looking like a tourist.

8. Luggage scale

Avoid paying overage charges at the airport by making sure your suitcase is the right weight. You can even pack it so you know how many souvenirs you can bring back with you!

7. Electric adapter set

Plug in your appliances in any country you visit. Pick an adapter set that has many options so you will always be able to charge up those trusty electronics, no matter what part of the world you are in.

6. Longchamp purse

As worn by AJ staffers Malori, Erin and Stacey, it is a favorite travel accessory. Black is our “go-to” color, but it comes in many shades as well as sizes. We think the large shoulder tote is the perfect size. Although there are a lot of knock-off’s of these brands, we’ve tried many, so trust us when we say that the one made by Longchamp will hold up where the knock-offs have lasted anywhere from a day to a year.

5. Baggallini travel bag

Great for exploring, this bag can be used across your body, allowing for more security while still providing easy access to everything you need. These bags come in a bunch of fun colors so not only are you traveling safely, but stylishly too!

4. A good travel book

Whether you’re reading up on your next destination, learning about a new culture or just escaping from reality, its always great to travel with a book. And who knows? When you’re done with your book, you can always trade with a friend on your trip and read their new favorite, too!

3. Toiletry case

These cases allow you to be super organized. You will be sure to pack everything you need while making sure you don’t schlep those huge bottles of shampoo for a week long vacation. When you get home from your trip, just refill the used items and put the bag away until your next trip. It will be all packed up and ready to go, saving you hours of prep time for your next journey.

2. Global Entry pass

Global Entry is a program that allows pre-approved travelers the opportunity travel easier at the airport. Once you have been approved for Global Entry, you can use this for Pre-Check, a special quick security line in most major US airports, allowing you to breeze through while keeping your shoes and belt on, your liquids stored away and your laptop snuggly in your carry-on. How nice is that? There is an application process but we think it’s worth the work upfront, knowing how much time it will save at the airport. Available for US citizens only.

1. Packing cubes

This is the very favorite of our AJ staffers. If you’re looking for an easy way to pack and unpack while on tour, here is your answer! Throw all of your socks into one, your accessories in another and your shirts into the larger one. When its time to unpack in your stateroom or hotel room, you know where everything is and you’re done in 3 minutes. Simply unzip the cube, open the top, and lay right inside of the drawer. When it’s time to pack it up again, zip it all up and throw it in the suitcase. Only staying at the hotel for a day or two? Leave it all in the suitcase and reach right in to easily find what you are seeking!

Enjoy your holiday shopping, happy Hanukkah and hope to travel with you soon!