Gateway Destinations

European Train Tickets

erika — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 22:14:50 +0000

Riding the extensive rail system in Europe is a great experience, but navigating how, when and where to purchase your tickets can be confusing. Not all trains are created equal, and they vary from country to country. If traveling during summer months, a train with air conditioning is a must and if traveling during high season (May – October), tickets for high speed and long distance trips should be purchased well in advance to save money and ensure a seat for your preferred date and train. Seat reservations are required (and helpful!) on high speed trains. If possible, non-stop trains or ones with the fewest changes of train should be selected.

10 Reasons to Travel in a Women’s Group

blog — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:47:20 +0000

Experience

1. The experience is extraordinary

2. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

3. Tours, day trips, excursions, and activities are designed with you in mind and offer a unique perspective of the place you are visiting

Companionship

4. You are likely to meet other women who will become your lifelong friends

5. You can feel comfortable asking questions and lots of them. Being in a close group makes it easy to ask questions and share experiences.

Safety

6. Know that you can travel safely in a group even if you don’t know someone else ready to buy a plane ticket

7. Nervous about traveling? Sit back and let the experts take care of it. Group leaders have experience in travel and often in the place you are in. They can point out unique spots, great eats, and expose you to a side of the place you are visiting that you would otherwise miss.

Save Money

8. Group prices are often cheaper than individual. You can often save lots over individual pricing for normal traveling expenses such as airfare, entry fees, and transportation.

FUN!

9. The more the merrier. We know this well. Traveling alone or in a pair is rarely as much fun as with a group.

10. Memories, laughter, great photographs, and unforgettable fun.

Medical Assistance While Traveling Abroad

erika — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:27:04 +0000

If in need of medical assistance while traveling abroad, there is a referral service for English-speaking doctors and clinics available in 90 countries. You pay the doctor directly for service provided. Go to http://www.iamat.org/index.cfm to register for one year at a time - membership is free. They also offer medical-related travel planning advice such as immunization requirements. Don’t forget to purchase your travel insurance before you leave.

Credit/Debit Card Foreign Transaction Fees

erika — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:19:49 +0000

If you travel abroad frequently or for an extended period of time, you may want to apply for a credit card that has a lower transaction fee. Capital One credit card is the only that currently does not charge this fee. Most Visa and MasterCard issuers charge 3%. American Express charges 2.7%. Discover Card charges 2%, however, their card is not commonly accepted worldwide. If you qualify for a card issued by USAA, they currently charge 1%. Fees for the use of a debit card in ATMs abroad vary considerably as well, ranging from a zero to 3% conversion fee and zero to $5.00 flat fee, or combination of both.

Airport Lounges

erika — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:19:01 +0000

Make extended airport stays more comfortable by using airline airport lounges. Formerly reserved for First or Business Class travelers, they are now available to all airline travelers on a daily pass or annual membership basis through several sources. Cost and benefits vary but information is available on each airline’s website or membership websites such as Priority Pass, American Express or Delta Reserve Card by American Express. Lounge benefits include comfortable seating, business services, food and beverage, and often times shower facilities.

Holiday Travel Ideas

erika — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:18:14 +0000

When buying gifts for a traveler, I have found these ideas helpful; airline gift cards, Baggallini travel bag, travel hair dryer, TSA luggage lock, luggage scale, small foreign dictionary or phrase book, language DVD or CD’s, GPS, sound canceling headphones, and electronic books. Happy shopping and Happy Holidays!

Travel Climate

erika — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:17:38 +0000

Undoubtedly, you have noticed lots of promotional offers for travel this last year- especially with cruises, but also flights and land tours. Even luxury travel suppliers are offering deep discounts to spur travel and get their ships, planes and tours filled. These promotions are working as planes are full and cruises are booked well into next year and even into 2011. Have you considered taking advantage of this unprecedented pricing? Now is the perfect time to plan that exotic vacation, anniversary trip or family reunion you have always wanted and let your travel dollars stretch farther.

Wine and Chocolate?

erika — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:06:11 +0000

Provence, France holds many treasures to be discovered throughout its varied rich landscape, but a lesser known delight is a decadent afternoon of wine and chocolate tasting. Flavorful wines can be explored after nearly every bend of the road, however, Bernard Castelain in Chateauneuf-du-Pape pairs chocolate with wine in a very informative and delicious way. This rocky region produces some of the best wines of southern France which are a delicious complement to the rich delicacies of this chocolatier.

A recent visit there as part of Gateway Destinations Belle Provence women’s only tour proved what a delightful afternoon these two tastings are! Spending a morning exploring villages and enjoying the colorful autumn scenery made for a perfect day in Provence. After a delicious lunch in a village café, we ventured to this beautiful area in the Rhone River valley. Not only were the tastings delicious, but there was an informative explanation and demonstration of how their chocolates are made.

Join us next May (or October) for our Belle Provence, France’s Southern Jewel tour as we return to this rich region to explore, taste and delight in all that Provence has to offer.

Small Women’s Tour Group Means Flexibility in Travel

erika — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:52:06 +0000

Have you ever had a fantastic vacation planned but once you got there weather wasn’t cooperating and you felt your only option was to stay inside and sulk? Well, that almost happened last week on my women’s travel tour in Provence, France. Autumn is a wonderful time to be in Provence as you can admire the vibrant colors of leaves as they turn to wonderful golds, oranges and reds. Days are often sunny with temperatures usually in the 60’s, and there are fewer tourists.

The first day started out just that – mid-60’s and sunny. However, a strong wind known locally as the “mistral” started to blow through the Rhone Valley the next day. What’s a tour leader to do with weather like that? Our expert local guide, Eric, had the perfect solution! We boarded a beautiful boat in Avignon and cruised the Rhone River for three relaxing hours to Arles to enjoy the scenery, live music and delicious 4-course lunch while protected from the elements. Our guide met us in Arles where we did a guided walking tour of this intriguing city with its ancient Roman influence still visible today. Our afternoon was rounded out by a countryside visit where essential oils are extracted (such as lavender) and sold worldwide. All in all, it was a perfect day in Provence in spite of the uncharacteristic weather.

Being a small group allowed our women’s tour to be flexible and adjust our itinerary when needed – a great way to travel!

International Driver’s Permit

erika — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:16:27 +0000

If you are planning to drive in a foreign country, you may need an International Driver’s Permit. This requirement will vary depending on the rental car company and country, and is being required more in Europe. It is simple and inexpensive to obtain one through your nearest AAA office. No written or practical test is required if you hold a valid state driver’s license and you are at least 18 years old.