#TRAVEL ABROAD WITH GUEST AUTHOR KAY HARWELL FERNANDEZ

A longtime journalist, Kay Harwell Fernandez is a freelance travel writer who has visited 56 countries--and counting. She has been published in international, national and regional magazines, newspapers and webzines. She has written two travel-related e-books and contributed to five National Geographic books. She's also working on a cozy mystery and historical suspense. Learn more about Kay here.

Saint Augustine says it all, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." I'm a firm believer that travel broadens your horizons.

I realize how fortunate I am to have been traveling overseas for three decades--both as a consumer and as a travel writer. When I turned 50, I backpacked alone in seven countries. Did that experience broaden my horizons? Absolutely. 

Although my backpacking days are long gone, I still yearn to travel, especially to Europe. As I have gotten older, I have had to adjust to traveling differently. Alas, the physical limitations can't be ignored. I prefer to call it my "new normal."

I wanted to share some of my travel tips and suggestions, while encouraging women of a certain age to travel abroad. That's why my e-book came about.

Sometimes travel books tend to be dry--informative, but dry. My aim was to add a bit of lightheartedness and humor, starting with the title It Ain't Heavy, It's My Luggage: Tips for Older Women Traveling Abroad.

Using a conversational style, the book is geared toward, but not limited to, women in their 60s, 70s and beyond, traveling overseas either solo or with female friends or relatives. I have traveled with my older sisters, friends and by myself. Each trip was distinctive and special. No, this isn't meant to discount our spouses or significant others. In this particular case, however, the focus is on women and cheering them on.

Chapters include Heartbreak Hotel--Glitches and quirks with your accommodations; Big Girls Don't Cry--Expect the unexpected; The Cane Mutiny--Adjusting to your limitations; Over the Lips and Under the Gums, Look Out Stomach Here It Comes--How to keep potential tummy problems at bay; and Dancing in the Street--Finding your inner child.

Inching toward her mid-70s, a colleague recently went scuba diving on a solo trek to Indonesia. A 63-year-old friend is about to go on an African safari. My sister's close friend in her mid-60s has post-polio syndrome and must use a mobility scooter. Earlier this year, she took her granddaughter to Italy. Admiration runs deep for these three women and the hundreds of others who jump out of their armchair traveler status. To borrow from Dr. Seuss, oh, the places you'll go!

Invariably, folks ask me what my "favorite" destination is. Paris. Always Paris. And now a work-in-progress is a historical suspense set in Paris.

It Ain't Heavy, It's My Luggage: Tips for Older Women Traveling Abroad

In a conversational style with tinges of humor, It Ain't Heavy, It's My Luggage: Tips for Older Women Traveling Abroad, delivers practical pointers and encouragement on how women in their 60s, 70s and beyond--whether going solo or with female friends or relatives--can travel overseas smoothly and safely while broadening their horizons. Nix the "I can't," because regret comes from not going at all.

Buy Link 

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST AUTHOR SUSAN OLEKSIW ON TRAVEL TIPS

Lisbon, Portugal

 Today we welcome back Susan Oleksiw with some travel tips. Susan writes the Anita Ray series featuring an Indian-American photographer living at her aunt's tourist hotel in South India. She also writes the Mellingham series featuring Chief of Police Joe Silva. Susan is well known for her articles on crime fiction, and her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine and numerous anthologies. Learn more about Susan and her books at her website. 

All travelers have their favorite travel tips, and I'm no exception. My current mystery series is set in India and features Anita Ray, an Indian-American woman photographer. She lives in a small tourist hotel, and mutters occasionally about the problems tourists get into. Hence, my first rule.

Indian Singers

1. Know where you're going to stay at least for the first one or two nights. If you arrive during a festival or the high season for travelers, you may not be able to find a room. Driving from hotel to hotel to ask is a waste of time and money. Book in advance. I prefer the small guesthouse to the large western-style hotel. The guesthouses in India are called home stays, and to my everlasting amusement, restaurants serve homely meals.

Festival Lane

2. If you don't know the area, take a walk around the center and then book a short tour. You may not like looking like a tourist, but you will get a sense of the area and the sights, and have a chance to relax and enjoy the first part of your trip without worrying about what you should see and how to get there. I've learned a lot from tour guides, and made some wonderful discoveries. I also got to know the city and surrounding area faster.

3. Once you're ready to strike out on your own, ask the hotel to hire a small taxi or, in India, an autorickshaw. You will get a reputable driver with a tourist license. In a busy city you can pick up a taxi anywhere, but if you are taking a long day trip or going out for the evening, ask the hotel for someone reliable.

4. This is my cardinal rule. If you see people gathering, go over and take a look. If it's a festival with music and dancing, as in Europe, join in if you can. If it's a religious festival, which is more likely the case in India, you can stand on the sidelines and watch respectfully. Special events are easy to find in places like India because they decorate the entrances, or put up special stands for performers. Don't pass up street performers. Many of them are professionals. 

Tucson Bario

5. Read the local papers for listings of free events. I regularly find free concerts and plays, and arrange a taxi to take me there and back. During the tourist season in India, local authorities offer free concerts of South Indian music, dance performances, drama, and all sorts of other events. These are easily located in public parks and halls. Don't worry about arriving late or leaving early. Indians are very casual when it comes to performances.

6. If you see a beautiful street or lane, take a walk, with your camera of course, and enjoy the beauty. Sometimes the best parts of a city are the ones tourists are not expected to see. I usually spend several days walking around parts of Trivandrum and other cities just to get a feel of how people live and regard their homes. Since I'm writing about India all the time, I'm always looking for visuals that will enhance the setting or serve the plot.

 

7. Meet people. This isn't easy on a short trip, but I'm always touched by the number of taxi drivers and others who invite me to dinner or to enjoy a cool drink and introduce me to their family. If they ask me to take a photograph, I always do. I don't really understand why Indians often ask this because they don't want a copy, but I do as asked. Over the years I've collected some photos that I know now are unusual, especially the Muslim woman who stopped me in a tiny village in the hills and posed for me, and the parents of a taxi driver.

8. In some Indian cities it's not safe for women to go out at night. This is changing, but unless I'm attending a concert or meeting friends in their home, I am happy to stay in. In resort areas, dinner is late, and sitting under the rising moon can be the best part of the day.

For the Love of Parvati

Prepare rice according to package instructions. Heat oil in pan and sauté onions until they are translucent. Toss in cashews and raisins and stir regularly until onion begins to brown. Stir another two minutes or so. Place rice in serving bowl. Add onion preparation over rice. Serve at once.

In the foothills of South India a man struggles against ropes tying him to an old bridge while the monsoon rages and wild animals forage for food. In the valley below, Anita Ray and Auntie Meena are stopped at a roadblock while their car is searched.

When Anita and Meena arrive at their destination, Lalita Amma's household is in turmoil. During a break in the rain, Anita discovers a body washed into the riverbank. The police whisk away the corpse and refuse to answer questions.

For the Love of Parvati brings Anita Ray face to face with a killer determined to exact revenge for a code of honor broken, a lover determined to rescue his beloved, and a woman desperate to build a new life.

Buy Links

hardcover 

ebook 

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--VACATION TRAVEL TIPS

photo by Jorge Royan

Travel Tips

Summer vacation will be here before you know it. Here are some handy tips to make getting to your vacation destination more enjoyable:

Back when airlines still offered free services to coach passengers, I always used to grab one of those complementary little pillows as soon as I entered the cabin. They can be back-savers, especially on long trips. However, most airlines are no longer offering this fluffy little perk (along with all other perks, unless you’re traveling business or first class.)

So I suggest you pack a small pillow in your carry-on. Place it between your lower back and the seat, and you’ll find your flight far more comfortable, no matter how packed the plane. This works for train trips as well.

And don’t cross your legs! (Not that most planes give you enough leg room to do so nowadays.) When you cross your legs, you put stress on your pelvis and hips. This contributes to lower back pain.

Although the airlines stress that it’s important to remain seated with your seatbelt securely fastened at all times, if you’re taking a long flight, it’s imperative that you walk or stand every two hours to keep your blood circulating and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs.

If you’re traveling by car, stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk around. It’s also not a bad idea to do a bit of stretching and/or walking prior to starting your car journey.

Be prepared. No matter how you travel, make sure you pack everything you need. I keep a list of must-haves on my smart phone. Before I take any trip, I check the list against what I’ve packed, making sure I’ve remembered such essentials as prescription meds, sunscreen, hair care products, all necessary clothing (underwear, pj’s, etc.,) and emergency items such as band-aids, aspirin, etc.

Along with keeping medications and valuables in my carry-on, I also pack at least one outfit, an extra pair of shoes, and several pairs of undergarments in my carry-on bag. Why? Because in 2012 nearly 1.8 million pieces of luggage were lost, stolen, or damaged on domestic flights alone. That’s 3.09 bags for every 1,000 passengers heading to DisneyWorld, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or anywhere else you’re planning to take your family this summer. If something happens to your luggage, you don’t want to be stuck without a few basic necessities before your luggage is found and returned to you.

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST TRAVEL EXPERT KENDRA THORNTON

Full-time mommy to three Kendra Thornton was the former Orbitz director of communications and has traveled to 28 countries on 6 continents. She loves to write about travel and offer travel tips. Today she joins us to share some of her favorite tips on traveling healthy with your kids.

Family Fun In The Summertime: 5 Travel Tips

Summer is on its way. That means road trips and days at the beach with the kids. Before you soak in those rays, though, you have to get to your destination. That can be an adventure in itself! What do you do when the kids are hungry and screaming in the backseat? As a full-time mom who's roamed all around the country with her husband and kids in tow, I've put together some tips on keeping your family healthy, safe, and happy while traveling.

1. Eat Breakfast

If you're headed out for a full day at the amusement park, be sure your family eats a healthy breakfast beforehand. During sleep, your body is hard at work making repairs. All that energy needs to be replenished in order to function the next day. Aim for a serving of healthy protein, such as scrambled eggs, and complex carbohydrates that provide sustained energy. If you're staying at a hotel, take advantage of the continental breakfast offered. Eat foods like whole-grain toast, oatmeal, and fresh fruit. Steer your family clear of sugary cereals and pastries. These provide little nutritional value and won't satisfy hunger for very long.

2. Pack Healthy Snacks

The munchies can hit hard while you're on the road. Instead of settling for greasy, salty convenience store snacks, pack your own healthy food. Keep a cooler stocked with juice, water, low-fat string cheese, Greek yogurt, apples, and celery and carrot sticks. Keep bags of trail mix and pretzels, too. Kids always hungry on road trips? Instead of constantly stopping for food, I like to surprise mine by packing their favorite cookies or candy. Keep in mind that if you must stop for something on-the-go you should still take the time to make healthy decisions at fast foods places!

3. Keep Hand Sanitizer Handy

Here's something to think about the next time your family uses a public bathroom at a rest stop or airport. According to an SCA survey, four in ten adults have admitted to not washing their hands after sneezing or coughing. Fifty-eight percent have seen other people walk out of restrooms without having washed their hands. Gross, right? Teach your children to lather up on the soap and wash their hands for at least twenty seconds under running water. Keep sanitizer on hand when soap and water are not available.

4. Maintain Regular Sleep-Wake Schedules

You know that crying baby on the airplane? Chances are, he's probably traveling during the hours when he's usually asleep. Disruptions in children's sleep-wake cycles can lead to episodes of crankiness. As much as possible, schedule flights, meal times, and rest periods around the usual times your family engages in them at home. There are a bunch of Orlando hotels in Walt Disney World that offer quiet hours to ensure their visitors get the proper night’s rest they need.

5. Make Time For The Adults

Mom, Dad, this is your vacation, too. Fit some grown-up time into your days. Enjoy cocktails at the bar or have a couple's massage at the spa. Many hotels have childcare options that you can utilize for a few hours. This way, you and your spouse will come away refreshed from the vacation instead of frazzled.

Use these tips to plan for a healthy, safe, and fun vacation with your family!    

TRAVEL WITH SERENA - SCORING UPGRADES

When it comes to travel reservations, it never hurts to ask. Many a traveler has received an upgrade to a better room or a lower price just by asking. If you don't ask, you'll never know if it was possible, and you could lose out on a nice perk.

Even if you've booked a great online deal, check the rates again before you leave on your trip. If the rates have gone down, call the hotel and ask if they'll match the lower rate.

Is it your birthday or anniversary? Sometimes if you mention that, you'll get a complimentary upgrade. You increase your chances of an upgrade if you arrive later in the day. That way, you can benefit from any cancellations the hotel has received earlier in the day.

Always smile and be nice to the desk clerk. It's not her fault if the computers are acting up or the rooms didn't get cleaned on time. Let her know that you appreciate her efforts on your behalf. If another customer has just reamed her out, she might just reward you with an upgrade.

By the same token, if you have a problem with your room, complain nicely. Hotel staff put up with a lot of bitchiness from customers. If you complain in a calm manner, letting the staff know that you know it's not their fault that the toilet keeps running or the ventilation system has two settings - Antarctica or Sahara - you may just find yourself moved to a better room or have your night comped.

These tips also apply to car rentals and in (very) rare instances, flights. Just remember what your grandma used to tell you -- you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

TRAVEL WITH SERENA - VACATION DOLLARS & SENSE

Serena is back today with a money-saving tip for those of you booking family vacations. -- AP

Taking your family on a vacation this summer? When you think about the cost of a hotel room, think about breakfast. Look for hotels that provide complimentary breakfasts. Many provide more than just juice, cereal and coffee. I recently stayed in a Springhill Suites, owned by Marriott. Their complimentary breakfast also included scrambled eggs and waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, hardboiled eggs, and an assortment of breads and pastries.

Breakfast, even at a fast food restaurant, can cost a family of four at least sixteen dollars. If you head for a pancake house or another restaurant that serves breakfast, expect to pay upwards of ten dollars per person. Over the course of a weeklong vacation, that can add a substantial cost to your trip.

So don’t book the least expensive hotel room until you factor in the cost of breakfast. Often a more expensive hotel that serves a complimentary breakfast will be less expensive in the long run. 


Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA - FAMILY ROAD TRIP TIPS

School is out and many families are packing up the kids and hitting the road. Here are some tips from travel editor Serena Brower. -- AP

Are we there yet? How many of you have heard that at least a gazillion times? That long car ride to the shore, the mountains, or Grandma’s house can create lots of headaches for mom and dad unless you plan ahead.

If you’re one of the millions of families who doesn’t have a video player built into your car and can’t afford a portable system, it’s wise to think ahead and pack lots of diversions for the kids. After all, how long can anyone play the license plate game? And Punch Buggie will devolve into a backseat brawl within five minutes.

If your kids don’t have their own iPods, invest in one for each child and load it with audio books and their favorite music. The audio books are great for kids who get carsick reading in a moving vehicle.

For kids who like to color and draw, provide a lap desk and a supply of crayons, colored pencils, paper, and coloring books.

Are your kids competitive? Supply a Rubik’s Cube to each and see who can solve the puzzle quickest.

Remember Mad Libs? They’re still around and come in all different themes, including Star Wars.

And don’t forget lots of snacks!


Great tips, Serena! Readers, do you have any to add? Post a comment to enter the drawing for a book from our guest author on Friday. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA -- GUEST TRAVELER, AUTHOR ANGELA HENRY

Author Angela Henry took a solo trip to Paris several years ago. Today she offers some common sense travel tips. Angela is the author of the suspense thriller The Paris Secret as well as the Kendra Clayton mystery series. For more info about her and her books, please visit her at her website. -- AP

Paris Pour Un: Tips for Traveling Solo

By Angela Henry

In 2007, I took a solo trip to Paris, France. I was apprehensive about going alone to a foreign country where I barely knew the language.  But I did my homework before I left, discovered some very valuable tips, and had a wonderful time. Here are five things i did to make sure I had a safe trip.

1. Research, Research, Research-Before I left for Paris, I researched the city and its culture and customs. For example, did you know it’s considered rude to enter a shop in Paris and not greet the shopkeeper or to stare at people on the metro? I didn’t. I also researched the area around my hotel for the closest metro stations, restaurants, and ATMs. Doing your research before you leave will go a long way in helping your trip go smoothly.

2. Learn some French-It’s also a good idea to learn some basic French before you go. Fodor’s has a French language page with 150 phrases you can use on your trip. Even if you mangle the French language, the French will appreciate that you’re trying.

http://www.fodors.com/language/french/

3. Don’t look like a tourist – Sweatshirts, tracksuits, and white tennis shoes will instantly mark you as a tourist and a target for pickpockets. Wear comfortable and casual clothes that will help you blend in and not draw attention to yourself. Leave your flashy, valuable jewelry at home. The Paris Escapes website has excellent advice on what to wear while in Paris. http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear.html

4.  Make Copies Of Important Documents-Leave your passport in your room. Also, make photocopies of all your important documents and credit cards to keep on hand in case they get lost or stolen.   

5.  Know where to go for help-You are subject to the laws of the country you’re visiting while you are there. If you do your homework on the culture and customs before you arrive, you shouldn’t have any problems. But if by chance you encounter legal trouble, seeking help from your country’s embassy or consulate would be your best bet. Just make sure that you’re aware of their hours and make an appointment.

Check out the following books for more info and have a wonderful trip!

Bon Voyage!

Women Travel Tips

http://www.womentraveltips.com/tips7.shtml

Journeywoman

http://www.journeywoman.com/gfc/paris_solo.html

Single Minded Women

http://singlemindedwomen.com/women-travel/top-5-cities-for-single-travel-in-2010/

Solo Travel

http://www.solotravel.org/women-travel-tips.htm

Naughty Paris (For the Daring!)

http://www.naughtyparisguide.com/the-naughty-paris-guidebook/

Thanks so much, Angela! Your tips for Paris can be used no matter where we travel and whether we’re going solo, with someone else, or in a group. Readers, have any of you ever been brave enough to travel alone to a foreign country? Let’s hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author this week. -- AP

TRAVEL SAFETY TIP OF THE DAY

Travel editor Serena Brower is here today with a travel safety tip for staying in hotels and motels. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! Have you ever stayed in a motel or hotel where you worried about how secure the locks on your door were? Many hotels have those safety bars you swing into place after locking the door, but many motels don’t.

To make your hotel or motel room door more secure, use an inexpensive rubber doorstop under the doors. Keep a few in the pocket of your suitcase so you’re never without one.

Excellent tip, Serena! Thanks for sharing. Readers, do you have any travel tips you’d like to share? Let’s hear from you. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA -- QUICKER FLIGHTS

Travel editor Serena Brower is here today with some tips that will help you zip through the airport. Well, maybe not zip through, but you’ll get through sooner than the people not heeding her advice. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! This has been the worst winter for travel I’ve ever experienced. Every flight I’ve taken has either been canceled or delayed due to weather-related problems. There’s not much any of us can do about the weather, but there are things we can do to cut down the time we spend getting from the airport entrance to the flight gate.

First, if your travel is flexible, fly on a Saturday morning. Business travelers want to be home for the weekend, so they book return flights for Fridays. Next best days? Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Airports are usually less crowded those days. And always try to book the first flight out in the morning to avoid the ripple effect of flight delays. The later in the day you fly, the more chance of a delayed flight.

Don’t forget to print your boarding pass at home before you leave for the airport, especially if you’re not checking luggage. More than half of all travelers don’t do this. With boarding pass in hand, you have one less line to stand in and can head straight for the security checkpoint.

Want to zip through security? Make sure you’ve complied with all the rules. Avoid wearing lots of jewelry, heavy belt buckles, underwire bras, and hair clips. They set off the metal detectors. Make sure all liquids adhere to the TSA quantity limit and are in a Ziploc bag. Remove your jacket and shoes, take your cell phone and camera out of your pockets and your laptop out of its case. Most of the holdup at security checkpoints is from people not following the rules and having to be rescreened.

If your carry-on luggage contains items with electrical cords, make sure they’re neatly wound. Lots of tangled cords causes suspicion on the part of the screener, and you’ll be pulled out of line for an inspection of your luggage. Same for wrapped gifts. Pack some wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape, and wrap the gifts once you arrive.

Thanks, Serena! Great tips as always! -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA-- TRAVEL TIPS FOR PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES

Whether you’re planning a trip by plane, train, or automobile, travel editor Serena Brower has some helpful tips for you. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia. When I take a plane trip, I always used to grab one of those complementary little pillows as soon as I entered the cabin. They can be back-savers, especially on long trips. However, most airlines are no longer offering this fluffy little perk.

My first tip today is to pack a small pillow in your carry-on. Place it between your lower back and the seat, and you’ll find your flight far more comfortable, no matter how packed the plane. This works for train trips as well.

And don’t cross your legs! (Not that most planes give you enough leg room to do so nowadays.) When you cross your legs, you put stress on your pelvis and hips. This contributes to lower back pain.

Another tip -- make sure you walk or stand every two hours to keep your blood circulating and prevent blood clots from forming in your legs. This is extremely important the longer your flight.

If you’re traveling by car, stop every couple of hours to stretch and walk around. It’s also not a bad idea to do a bit of stretching and/or walking prior to starting your car journey.

Be prepared. No matter how you travel, make sure you pack everything you need. I keep a list of must-haves on my smart phone. Before I take any trip, I check the list against what I’ve packed, making sure I’ve remembered such essentials as prescription meds, sunscreen, hair care products, all necessary clothing (underwear, pj’s, etc.), and emergency items such as band-aids, aspirin, etc.

Thanks, Serena. I won’t be traveling anywhere any time soon, but these are great tips for our readers who do. When I did travel, I usually forgot one essential item each trip.
What about the rest of you? Have you ever forgotten to pack something important? How did it impact your trip? Post a comment to be entered in our giveaway from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--GUEST RAYNA VAUSE ON DISNEY WORLD

Travel editor Serena Brower has invited a guest for today’s post. Author Rayna Vause is our go-to gal on all things Disney. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World for the upcoming holidays, she’s got some great suggestions for you. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! I’m thrilled to be here. And thanks to Serena for inviting me.

Have you ever wanted to ride a Segway? From the moment I saw EPCOT Center employees zipping around the park on the futuristic looking vehicle, I was determined to ride one. On this Travel Thursday, I wanted to share a few suggests on some fun things to do at one of my favorite places to go, Disney World. 

Being a huge Disney fan, I make multiple trips to the resort in Florida. I regularly peruse Disney’s website in search of new and fun things to do. After all, Disney World has more to offer then just the rides in the parks. During one of these searches I stumbled across it – The Fort Wilderness Backtrail Tour. Disney once again worked it’s magic and granted my wish. For the price of a ticket (magic isn’t free after all) I could spend three hours cruising around on a Segway. Woohoo!

We had to arrive early, a down side since I don’t like mornings. Still we got there almost on time. The staff fitted us with safety helmets, gave us bottles of water, then got us up and running on one of those awesome machines. They spent twenty minutes teaching the group how to maneuver, stop, start, and safely get on and off. Once the lesson ended, off we rolled, gliding along the paths and trails of Fort Wilderness campground. We traveled around a beautiful lake and along shaded tree lined paths. As we went, our guide shared some Disney history and trivia. We even stopped by the stables and met some of the horses. I had a great, but exhausting time. You’d be surprised how sore your legs are after three hours on one of those things!

Perhaps, riding a Segway isn’t your thing. There are a ton of other options that will take you behind the scenes and into the inner workings of the Disney theme parks and resorts. Another great tour I went on was the Backstage Safari at Animal Kingdom. Again, we had to arrive early, but it was worth it. It’s not everyday you get to pet a white rhino or watch an elephant get a bath, but those are just a few of the things you might see and do while visiting the animal pens in the backstage areas of Animal Kingdom. Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park is huge. In fact, it’s actually the largest of the four theme parks. Hence the reason we were driven from area to area because walking was so not an option. This tour is packed with a ton of information. We learned everything from the types of diets the animals are fed to how they are bred to how they are trained to respond to sound cues to leave the attraction and return to their pens. At the end we got our own private ride through Kilimanjaro Safaris and received a unique trading pin and travel mug. I love trading pins so that was a nice little perk for me. 

The creativity and ingenuity used to create this fabulous world is fascinating. Being a frequent traveler to Disney, I like to partake of the multitude of activities that can be found outside of the theme parks away from the crowds and lines. Going behind the scenes and learning how some of magic that surrounds you at Disney is conjured up is such fun. The many tours offered are definitely something worth looking into for your next trip to the House of Mouse.

I love Disney, too! Wish I were there right now. How about the rest of you? Have you been to Disney World or Disneyland? Any other special vacation spots you want to share? Let's hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in this week's book givaway from our Friday Book Club Author. -- AP    

TRAVEL WITH SERENA -- CAR ESSENTIALS, PART 2

Travel editor Serena Brower is back today with more don’t-leave-home-without-them essentials to keep in your car at all times. -- AP

Thanks, Anastasia! These six essentials are in addition to the 10 listed last week.

1. A GPS or smart phone and charger. If you can inch toward an exit, you need to know how to get to your destination via a detour. You can’t study a map as you drive, but you can listen to the sultry tones of the Garmin gal as she directs you around that interstate mess. GPS devices have dropped drastically in price. Trust me, they’re worth every penny, and you’ll soon agree the first time you use one.

2. Water. Never go anywhere without a bottle of water in the car. You don’t want to risk dehydration. That traffic jam you’re sitting in might not have any shade.

3. Snacks. Always have a box of crackers or pretzels handy. If you’re stuck for hours and can’t detour off the main road, you’re going to get hungry.

4. Pre-moistened wipes. They’ll clean your hands and keep you cool inside a hot car. After all, if you’re stuck for any length of time, you’re going to want to turn your engine off to conserve gas and won’t be able to run your AC. Wipes also come in handy when you make pit stops and find the restroom is out of soap.

5. A book. I was once stuck behind a serious accident for 3 hours. I could see my exit about a mile up the road but had no way of getting to it. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to bring a book. Believe me, those were a very long 3 hours.

6. A first-aid kit. With aspirin. You’re going to need it for the headache you’re sure to get while you wait and wait and wait and wait…

Thanks, Serena. I’m off to add these items to my trunk. What about the rest of you? Ever get stuck for hours? How did you deal with it. Let's hear from you. Post a comment to be entered in this week's drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday guest author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA-- FRONT, BACK, OR MIDDLE OF PLANE?

Today travel editor Serena Brower explains why it's best to sit toward the back of the plane. -- AP

Most people like to fly as close to the front of the plane as possible. That way, they’re the first ones off once the plane lands. I used to be one of those people. Not any more. Here’s why:

Ever notice how many people now have “elite” boarding status on any given flight? After the first class and business class passengers are boarded, they’re the next group to be allowed to board. It’s not unusual to find half the passengers in the waiting area queuing up for the “elite” status boarding. By the time your row is called, guess what? There’s no room left in any of the overhead compartments for your carry-on luggage.

If that carry-on happens to be hard-sided with wheels and a handle, no way is it going to fit under the seat in front of you. Now you’ve got to hand it over to the flight attendant to be added to all the checked baggage. And that means a long wait at the other end at the baggage carousel.

The easiest way to avoid getting caught holding your bag is to book a seat toward the back of the plane. Since planes board from back to front, once all the privileged people are boarded, you’ll be one of the first to board when they finally get around to letting the lowly masses down the jetway. This will guarantee you an overhead spot for your carry-on.

However, as in all things in life, there’s give and take, and sitting toward the back of the plane does mean you’ll be one of the last off the plane. So you might not want to choose a seat toward the rear if you have a connection to make. However, if you’re not switching planes, just remain seated when the plane lands and finish the chapter you were reading or the crossword puzzle. Better to wait an extra 10 minutes to leave the plane than a half hour at the baggage carousel, right?

Thanks, Serena, another great travel tip! Got some travel tips or horror tales you'd like to share? Let's hear from you. Everyone who posts a comment this week is entered in the drawing for a book from our Book Club Friday author. -- AP

TRAVEL WITH SERENA--PACKING TIPS

Serena Brower is our travel editor at American Woman Magazine.  I have to admit, I’m green with envy at times because she gets to explore the world on an expense account.  Serena will stop by from time to time to share travel tips and discuss vacation ideas for those of you (unlike moi) with the time and funds to have a vacation.--AP

Benvenuto! Willkomen! Beinvenue! Welcome!  Serena Brower here, and today I’d like to share a couple of great packing tips with you.  Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, overnight or a week, to a world class resort or cabin in the mountains, you need to pack for that trip.  And you’d probably like to do so in such a way that you don’t have to spend the first few hours at your destination ironing the wrinkles out of all your clothes, right?  So here’s how you keep those wrinkles to a minimum:

First, hold on to any large pieces of cardboard that come your way.  Cut them to fit inside your suitcases, several sheets per suitcase.  You can store the cardboard right in the suitcases.  They’ll be out of the way and handy when you need them.  Next, go out and buy a large box of gallon size plastic zip bags and a package or two of tissue paper. 

Fold your garments and wrap each in a couple of sheets of tissue paper.  Place the wrapped garments into a plastic zip bag and seal, but don’t squeeze all the air out the way you would for freezing food.  Leave some air to act as a cushion.

Pack your shoes and any hard items in the bottom of the suitcase.  Place a sheet of cardboard over these items.  Lay your bagged items in one layer on top of the cardboard.  Place another layer of cardboard on top.  Repeat layering bagged garments and cardboard layers until your suitcase is full.  Following this packing method may not eliminate all wrinkles from setting into your garments, but it will reduce your ironing time to a bare minimum.

What a great idea!  Thanks for sharing Serena.  So dear blog readers, do you have any travel tips or stories you’d like to share?  Let’s hear from you.  Remember, anyone who posts a comment this week is entered in the book giveaway from our guest mystery author on Book Club Friday. -- AP