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... by Jan Mauer | Apr 4, 2018 | Travel Tips
Traveling can make it hard to keep up with your exercise routine, so here’s a 20 minute travel workout that will help you stay fit when you can’t get to the gym. Whether you’re hauling bags through terminals, sitting for hours and hours on a plane or bus, or sleeping in different (and sometimes uncomfortable) beds – the toll that traveling can take on your body is significant. It’s not uncommon for frequent travelers to experience back and neck pain, or to return home carrying a few extra pounds with which to contend. Some hotels have gym areas, but not all do. Further, quality and availability of equipment can vary greatly. Add to that the fact that you’re usually away from a kitchen, are probably eating (delicious) calorie-packed foods, and are totally out of your normal routine, and it’s easy to see why so many travelers return from trips feeling a little sore, and maybe a lot less healthy. So how do you stay healthy and pain-free while away from home? The thing is, we tend to make working out an event. If you belong to a gym or studio, you pack your bag, drive there, find your locker, get dressed, go to a class or do your workout. You might shower afterwards if you have somewhere to go directly. All of this takes time. Our workouts start to feel like a 2-hour commitment, because that’s what we do when we’re at home and have that time available. The truth? You can work out your whole body in about 20 minutes, anywhere, with zero exercise equipment. You don’t need... by Jan Mauer | Mar 29, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
Christmas at Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, France Many people opt to not travel during major holidays for a variety of reasons. However, when clients ask me, “Are holidays a good time to travel?” I give them these five reasons why a holiday away makes PERFECT sense: 1. Use Fewer Vacation Days Extending a holiday that most people already have off minimizes the amount of time needed off from work. You’ll automatically get more bang for your buck. Now you can save those valuable vacation days for another getaway! 2. Step Away from the Hustle Bustle Kick back with a pool-side resort vacation – and take the stress out of holiday planning. Holidays can be a source of major stress for families (especially moms) as they juggle preparations, strong personalities of relatives, coordinate meals, shop for gifts and more. A luxury getaway helps them put the “pause” on all the planning. Sure, there’s preparation involved, but when the major decision of the day is deciding between the beach or the pool, it doesn’t seem too terribly taxing. Plus…I’m here to help with the planning and preparation…you just pack and go! 3. Create New Memories to Share Forever Make wonderful new memories to share with your family! Wake up early to watch the sun rise over the horizon. Visit a volcano. Explore the local music scene. Try new foods. Visiting a new destination can awaken the possibilities and a sense of adventure in any traveler. Sharing a unique, common experience is one of the best ways to strengthen bonds and create memories that you will cherish forever! 4. Leave... by Jan Mauer | Mar 16, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
I am often asked, “What are the things you need to know before you visit Italy?” Italy is, by far, the European country requested the most by my clients. In fact, over 46 million tourists visit this amazing country every year. They come from all over the world, for many different reasons, and many will return again and again for that magic that only Italy can deliver. Italians are very kind, outgoing, family-centric and extremely patient (unless they are driving!). The Italians realize how blessed they are to be the safe-keepers of some of history’s most magnificent relics and art treasures, and they are happy to share them. However, there are a few things that most Italians want Americans to know before we arrive in their country. Here is my list of the 10 Things You Need to Know before You Visit Italy: 1. Slow Down: You will NOT see it all! When in Italy, slow down to enjoy the experience. Trust me, the reason that the 46 million tourists descent upon Italy each year is because there is so much beauty to see and experience: culture, art, vineyards, food, museums, and the amazing people. A lifetime isn’t even enough time! So, slow down, take it all in, appreciate what you DO see…and then plan to return! 2. Dress more conservatively than you do at home. Miniskirts, short-shorts (they are for the beach only, in my opinion), halter tops and saggy jeans will not live up to the classic fashion taste of Italians. You don’t have to be formal and uncomfortable. You just have to appear neat, put-together and... by Jan Mauer | Mar 9, 2018 | International Flights, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Travel Tips
This couple missed their flights – but not all was lost. Like a lot of dramatic stories, this one starts with a couple in love. They’d just gotten hitched and were set to depart the next morning on their dream honeymoon to Bali. With their travel agent, a colleague of mine, they had planned for six months to make sure this was the trip of a lifetime. A stunning blue lagoon in Bali. For these honeymooning clients, she had booked ten incredible nights divided between the beach and a culturally-rich main city, complete with a private driver, 5-star resorts, VIP access to special honeymoon perks, and exciting excursions. For the honeymooners, this was not only a dream trip that represented a ton of planning time; it also was a significant financial investment for which they had worked and saved for months. Imagine their agent’s shock when she got a call on the morning of their departure: they’d uncharacteristically overslept and missed their flights to Indonesia. People think that the perks of hiring a travel agent begin and end with the planning, but that’s not true at all. The real benefit of hiring an agent is something you discover when an emergency arises and you’ve got to figure out what the heck to do. This travel agent saved the day! Their travel agent immediately moved into action. Here’s what she did: 1. She re-booked them on different flights that would get them to Indonesia as soon as possible without costing them another small fortune. Instead of paying $6,000 for new flights on the same carriers and through the same destination,... by Jan Mauer | Mar 5, 2018 | Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
Ever feel yourself stuck in a vacationing rut? Maybe you try out different places, but they all kind of seem the same. Maybe you find the planning exhausting. Maybe you stress out over small things so that your energy gets sapped. Maybe you cram too many things into too little time, and you come back more tired than when you left. Maybe you bring work with you, even when you say you’re not going to, so that you wind up giving away precious vacationing hours to your job. I’m going to be bold and say: This is not what a vacation should feel like. Here are five tips for a stress-free, relaxing vacation. Trust me — you’ll never regret taking these on. Pick something to do every day that gives you a burst of activity. 1. Move a little bit every day you’re on holiday, especially if your job is the kind that has you sitting at a desk all day long. This isn’t about working out; it’s just about doing what your body and brain want you to do, which is move around a little. Lounging is great — there should definitely be time for lounging — but only lounging for days on end has an ironic de-energizing effect on the body. (It’s part of why desk work can be insanely exhausting, even though you technically didn’t do anything physical all day long.) Whatever your level of mobility or fitness, pick something to do every day that gives you a burst of activity: walking, swimming in the ocean, going for a bike ride, playing with your kids, doing... by Jan Mauer | Feb 23, 2018 | Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
Nobody loves standing in long security lines, and I don’t know one person who is thrilled by the fact that most airline seats only recline about four inches, if you’re lucky. But what’s the best mindset to have when traveling, so that the issues you encounter don’t ruin your trip? I know people who love to travel, door to door — not just when they arrive at their resort. They are the people who almost always have a great flight, no matter what. I’ve talked to people whose trips got rained out, or who missed connecting flights, or who got lost, or who even had passports stolen — and when I ask them how their trip was, they smile and say, “It was great!” and proceed to tell me the full, exciting tale. The best mindset to have when traveling is one of adventure! So what’s their secret? What’s the best mindset to have when traveling? I’ll tell you: They’ve let go of the Perfectionist Mindset and adopted the Adventure Mindset. The difference between these two paradigms changes everything. The Perfectionist sets unrealistically high expectations for themselves, others, and situations — and when things don’t go well, they often fall into self-blame or blaming others. The Adventurer makes a plan and is prepared, but is willing to roll with whatever comes along that might not fit with “The Plan.” The Perfectionist often avoids risk and only goes with the obvious path in an attempt to avoid “failure.” The Adventurer is less concerned with control, and more interested in creative approaches and critical thinking when it comes to problem solving.... by Jan Mauer | Feb 16, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Travel Tips
So you are finally going to Paris and fulfilling a life-long dream. I bet you have people coming out of the woodwork giving you advice on things to do there: “See the Mona Lisa;” “attend Sunday services at Notre Dame;” “be sure to take a Seine River sightseeing cruise.” The list can go on and on! So I am not going to bore you with more suggestions… I am going to give you my top 7 things NOT to do in Paris. Because, while a holiday in Paris is always worthwhile, there are lots of ways to waste your time and money while there. So I hope you enjoy, and take my suggestions to heart. They come from my own experience and the experiences of many clients I have sent to Paris over the years. Lines to the Eiffel Tower can be up to two hours long – don’t wait in line 1. Don’t wait in line at the Eiffel Tower The Eiffel Tower is not one of the world’s most visited monuments for nothing. However, waiting in long lines is not the ideal way to spend precious vacation time – and you don’t have to. Active visitors can walk the 328 steps to the tower’s first level and take the lift from there. Quite honestly, the view above the first level is not very good. Since Paris is so flat, if you go any higher, you are basically looking at the rooftops instead of the buildings. You can also easily go online to the Eiffel Tower website (click here to open the site in a new tab) and... by Jan Mauer | Feb 8, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Travel Tips
Are you one of those modern couples who already has all the pots, pans and china that you could ever use? One of the latest trends in honeymoon and romance travel is the use of a Honeymoon Fund Registry. As a luxury travel consultant, I work with you to choose the perfect honeymoon and, once the reservation is made, I set up an online honeymoon fund registry at TheHoneymoon.com through which you can have your wedding guests contribute to the cost of the trip—instead of purchasing you yet another silver vase. I’ll create your honeymoon fund registry at TheHoneymoon.com so that you can share the link with your guests. I recently had a bridal couple who requested honeymoon fund registry gifts in lieu of traditional wedding gifts. They ended up raising the funds to pay for 85-percent of their total trip cost! When you’re ready to print your shower and wedding invitations, you’ll have your own personalized honeymoon registration link that you can include with your invitations, so that your guests can easily contribute to your fund. Conveniently, you’ll receive an email notification whenever someone gives a “gift,” so you can stay up-to-date on those Thank You notes as well. There is no cost for the service as long as Exciting Vacations books your honeymoon trip. What’s more, your honeymoon fund registry can be customized as a landing page on your own wedding website, or linked to your own TheKnot.com site as well. Want to see an example of what other engaged couples have done with their honeymoon fund registry? Click here to view the registry for a couple... by Jan Mauer | Feb 1, 2018 | European Travel, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
Most people want to take at least a few photos on their vacation, but not everyone wants the fuss of packing and keeping track of an extra piece of electronic equipment. My digital SLR camera takes beautiful, crisp photos, but when I’m exploring a new city, or going to a fancy dinner in Paris, a bulky camera bag is the last thing I want to carry around. With that in mind, have you ever wondered if a smartphone is the best camera for your vacation? Recently, Apple and Samsung have released smartphone cameras that are capable of capturing incredible detail, even in low light. For me, seeing what is possible with these advanced new cameras has finally pushed me to take the plunge, and abandon my DSLR when traveling. Have you considered leaving your digital camera at home and simply using the built-in camera on your smart phone, too? Here are a few reasons why a smartphone is the best camera for your vacation. It’s always with you. Always. When you travel, your smartphone is likely already serving several purposes beyond just being a calling device. It’s a watch, a GPS, a weather-checker, an email and social media connector, and even a music library. It’s unlikely you go many places without your smartphone, and it’s second nature to always have it on hand. (If you’re like many people, the challenge of owning one of these devices is actually limiting how much time you spend on it.) How many times have you gone somewhere and accidentally left the camera in the hotel room or in the car? Using your phone... 
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