by Jan Mauer | Oct 18, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
There are, of course, thousands of possible trips out there. There are plenty of great trips to choose from — and then there are trips that are great for you and your fellow travelers. Being honest about what you want and need, and getting to know your own personal travel profile can save you from the but-it-looked-great-on-paper trip disappointment. Here are a few simple things that can help you better understand your unique and personal travel profile. Find Out What Is Your Ideal Getaway Matsumoto Castle in Japan is a stunning and exotic travel destination. 1. Make a quick list of the twenty most fun memories you have of trips you’ve taken in your lifetime. Notice if there are any themes. While you don’t necessarily need (or even want) each vacation to be a carbon copy of things you’ve already done, you can use those larger themes to guide your planning of future trips. That way, if you decide to step out a little from your comfort zone, you’ll at least have a solid idea of what makes the most meaningful moments for you. Is it time with friends or family? A certain type of weather or geography? Certain activities? Quiet time? When you can build some of these elements into your travel, you’re more likely to come home energized and restored. Do stunning views help you to relax? 2. What do you like to do to relax, unwind, have fun, or re-energize when you’re not on vacation? Do you like to be still or active? Quiet or surrounded by crowds? Scheduled or free-form and spontaneous? Simplicity or luxury?... by Jan Mauer | Oct 1, 2018 | European Travel, International Flights, Small Group Tours, Travel Tips
I am sometimes asked how to pack light – especially on an itinerary where you will be moving and changing locations frequently. The benefits of packing light cannot be underestimated. In fact, it can mean the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a miserable one! You will never meet anyone who says, “I wish I had packed heavier” when they return from a journey. Rick Steves, the European travel guru, only allows the members of his escorted tours to bring one carry-on piece of luggage per person…even when the tour is three weeks long! But can it really be done? Yes, and I recommend that you give it a try. I’ve done it myself, and schlepped all over Europe with my family, packing one carry-on each for a month. Why Do I Recommend Packing Light? You’ll be more relaxed, and find your trip more enjoyable, when packing one carry-on for your journey. 1. You can move quickly from place to place. You’ll have no worries about big suitcases and where you can fit your luggage on the train, bus or taxi. A lot of European hotels have no elevator, so lugging heavy bags up and down stairs can be quite a challenge. 2. Having too much luggage “marks” you as a typical tourist. Con artists figure you’re an unseasoned traveler, and you’re more likely to become the target of pick-pockets or scam artists, especially in big tourist cities. 3. You’ll save time and energy. Save time by not having to wait around at luggage carousels in strange airports. Instead, you can be off and starting your adventure while everyone... by Jan Mauer | Sep 19, 2018 | Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Travel Tips
Ahhh…Maui: Almost everybody’s favorite island! It always lands at the top of travel polls in magazines like Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast. The beaches are pristine, the restaurants world-class, and some of the most luxurious resorts in the world are located there. While I will be the first person to take you up on an invitation to lounge poolside at the Four Seasons, or dine at Mama’s Fish House, my favorite way to spend the day on Maui has nothing to do with sand, surf or incredible dining. I always recommend that my clients and friends spend a day exploring Upcountry Maui. Its charms are sure to surprise and beguile. Upcountry Maui is located on the high elevations around the dormant volcano, Mt. Haleakala. The fertile slopes are home to ranches, botanical gardens, organic farms and liquor distilleries that boast soaring views of the sea. It is an easy drive in your rental car from either the Ka’anapali or Kihei/Wailea resort areas. The coastal town of Pa’ia, with its surfer-dude population and “anything goes” mentality marks the start of the drive uphill. If you get an early start, pause in Pa’ia for a cup of coffee and delicious bakery treat, but you will definitely want to stop back through on your return trip in the afternoon when everyone wakes up! Here are some of the best sights in Upcountry Maui: 1. Makawao Town Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Max Wanger Makawao is one of Hawaii’s last paniolo (cowboy) towns. There is a very popular rodeo held here each 4th of July. Makawao retains much of that... by Jan Mauer | Aug 23, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Travel Tips
Let me start by saying that I recommend taking a minimum of three days in Rome. This much-loved Italian city boasts nearly 3,000 years of incredible history, art, religion and philosophy that have heavily influenced the world. All of this translates into a wealth of inspiring sights that draw millions of visitors every year. With that said, there are times when your schedule simply cannot accommodate a longer visit to this vibrant city. When that’s the case, here are my top sights to see with one day in Rome. Before You Go Please note that I recommend scheduling a Colosseum tour in advance of your visit, ideally for the mid-to-late morning. In addition, if you choose to follow my suggestion for lunch at Divin Ostilia Wine Bar, make a reservation for 2pm the day of your visit to Rome, as this desirable restaurant has limited seating. If you are working with a travel agent, these are bookings that your agent can easily take care of for you. Now, prepare for a jam-packed day! Rise and Shine Get lots of sleep the night before you tour Rome. Set your alarm clock to 6:30am, giving yourself plenty of time to get ready. You’ll want to wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring along a bottle of water. In the summer months, be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat. Cappuccino and a Pastry – The Breakfast of Champions A quick and delicious breakfast to start your day. Ask your travel agent or hotel concierge to call you a taxi for a 7:30am pick-up, and then take it to the quaint Caffe dei... by Jan Mauer | Aug 2, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
Vacations, even simple weekend getaways, can be full of adventure — that’s part of the great appeal, after all. If you’re a foodie who values a delicious, high-quality meal to go with your adventure, you may find yourself asking how to find the best food when you travel. Check out these four apps that can direct you to the ideal spots for savoring the most delectable food around. Each app serves a different purpose, so take a look through the list below, and select the option that best meets your own travel needs. GateGuru: Find the best food when you’re stuck at the airport. Enjoy delicious food while you wait for your flight. Usually, airports are not known for their culinary quality, although that’s changing in some places. GateGuru is an app developed by TripAdvisor that is a full-on airport genie for your phone. With this app, you can get lists of restaurants in the airport and see reviews from fellow travelers. In addition, GateGuru helps you check in, check your flight status, get a rental car and see maps of individual airports. (Available for iOS and Android) OpenTable: Let technology choose the best food option for you. Get great eating options based on previous dishes you’ve enjoyed. App developers have a knack for creating complex algorithms that essentially “get to know you” by analyzing your previous food choices. OpenTable delivers up choices based on specific dishes you’ve previously indicated you loved (or hated). (Available for iOS and Android) ChefsFeed: Let the experts help you find the best food around. Get recommendations from top chefs. If you’re searching for... by Jan Mauer | Apr 13, 2018 | European Travel, International Flights, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Travel Tips
Planning for your dream vacation can be so exciting—choosing where you’re going to stay, what you’ll see, which shows you’ll take in, and imagining the amazing food you’ll eat. But what about all your travel documents? Are they in order? When you find yourself asking, “Which travel documents do I need for my international trip,” here’s the complete list of items, plus practical tips on how to keep these documents organized, safe, and accessible. Your passport is the most important travel document you possess. Your passport. This is the big one. Make sure it hasn’t expired and is will not expire within 6 months of your travel period. And don’t forget passports for your kid(s)! Any visas that can be acquired in advance, including those for countries you’ll only be traveling through. If you can’t get a visa in advance, bring the letter from the consulate stating that your visa will be granted upon your arrival (the UAE and Oman are two countries that don’t issue visas outside their countries, for example). A copy of the picture page of your passport, and extra passport photos. Your airline miles card A copy of your itinerary Originals and paper copies of your tickets (plane, train, bus, etc.) and confirmation numbers (hotel reservations, car rental, etc.) and all contact info for these companies. Travel insurance card and accompanying information Bring physical guidebooks, or save them to your Kindle. Guidebooks for the countries you are visiting and maps of your driving route — plus discreet city maps if you’ll be exploring a new city. Your international driver’s license if you plan to drive... 
