by Jan Mauer | Jan 19, 2018 | International Flights, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
A couple months ago, I wrote a post with tricks for handling airport security lines. Here I’d like to expand on one of those tips. If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve undoubtedly had the near-universal experience of enduring a TSA security line or an immigration line upon re-entry to your home country. Find out how to skip TSA security and immigration lines for good. You may have heard of Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. You fill out a (fairly lengthy) application, pay $100, and if your application passes the initial phase, you’re invited to an in-person interview/screening at a participating airport. If you pass that phase of the application, you are granted a Global Entry ID. In a nutshell, this is how it works: At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit. (www.globalentry.gov) In addition, people who are approved via the Global Entry program can also participate in TSA Pre-Check, which allows people to skip regular TSA security lines at participating airports and go through an expedited line — without having to remove shoes or other clothing items, open laptops, or do any of the other things that take up time in line. Global Entry, and the accompanying TSA Pre-Check, are a good fit for your flying needs... by Jan Mauer | Jan 12, 2018 | African Safari, European Travel, International Flights, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
Historically, January is a great time to plan a trip. In fact, it’s typically the busiest month of the year for travel professionals. This is because families and friends get together over the holidays and discuss their travel dreams for the upcoming year. Have you thought about your travel plans for the year yet? I’m here to help you weed through your choices and save you hours of time researching on the Internet. If I haven’t been there myself, I know someone who has. Further, I have direct lines to people who can add value and extra amenities, thereby elevating your trip from something special to something truly extraordinary. We are trained to cut through the slick advertising and fake reviews so that your dream vacation doesn’t descend into a nightmare. After all, there is a good reason why the people in those Booking.com commercials always look so relieved when they walk into a nice hotel room! Don’t leave something so important to chance. With my family on a dive trip in Cozumel in 2013. It is proven that travel builds and strengthens family bonds in ways that nothing else can. I can tell you first-hand that experiencing a foreign country with your children, whether they are adults or still in primary school, is worth more than any lessons they’ll glean from school. My son and I still reminisce about our amazing family ski vacations in Crested Butte, Colorado and scuba dive trips in Cozumel, Mexico that have made lasting memories. The most important thing is my child will remember those stories and hopefully share them with his own... by Jan Mauer | Jan 4, 2018 | Luxury Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
With the arrival of 2018, I’ve been considering what type of traveler I am. Do I represent only the best qualities of Americans to the locals in the foreign cities to which I travel? Have I become overly reliant on returning to the same places again and again, rather than branching out, and discovering exciting new destinations? These thoughts prompted me to create a list of my New Year’s travel resolutions – 14 of them, in fact – and I’d like to share with you my New Year’s resolutions for avid travelers. If you, too, are an avid traveler, then let’s say this together! Stand up and place your hand over your heart… I resolve to: 1. …be a better global ambassador exhibiting the true spirit of America – not what is on television. 2. …take any and all vacation time I’ve earned…and steal whatever extra days off I can! 3. …go somewhere new in 2018, instead of returning to the old tried and true go-to vacation destinations. 4. …stop saying I’ve “done” a country, knowing deep down that I could never really know a country unless I’ve lived there. 5. …consciously unplug for longer and longer stretches when I travel. 6. …make my politicians see time off for travel as a right, not a luxury; so I can rest, recharge, rejuvenate and reignite my passions by being a more creative, loyal and productive employee. 7. … NOT do last minute “guilt” souvenir shopping at the airport store on the way home. 8. …take better pictures – but not so many that I forget to see what is in... by Jan Mauer | Dec 13, 2017 | International Flights, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons
Christmas is nearly upon us, and now the pressure is high to wrap up (pun intended) all of our gift shopping. If you’re reading this post, it’s likely because you or someone you love is passionate about world travel. So just in time for the holidays, here is my list of seven smart, fun, and downright useful gift ideas for the traveler in your life. And go ahead – grab an item or two for your next trip, as well! The Trtl Travel Pillow is scientifically proven to provide the head and neck support that our bodies need for restful sleep. 1) Trtl Travel Pillow The super-soft fleece, sturdy neck support, and compact design of the Trtl Travel Pillow combine to make it one of my favorite sleep-promoting systems on a long flight. It’s half the size of a typical travel pillow, and scientifically proven to provide the head and neck support that our bodies need for restful sleep. These noise-canceling headphones live up to their name, and are comfortable for hours of continuous wear. 2) AKG Noise Canceling Headphones Easily one of the best travel inventions ever, the AKG Noise Canceling Headphones live up to their name. And if you’ve ever endured an overnight flight or train ride with a screaming baby or loudly-talking conversationalist nearby, you know how blissful it is to hear the sound of silence when you’re trying to get some sleep. Comfortable for hours of continuous wear, these headphones also have excellent sound capacity when you choose to plug in for music or a movie on your smartphone. Never get tangled in overlapping headphone... by Jan Mauer | Dec 5, 2017 | African Safari, European Travel, International Flights, Luxury Travel, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Tips
Almost all travelers have a Nightmare Luggage story. You spent a lot of money on a fancy brand-name bag that broke on the first leg of the trip. You skimped on the price and got exactly what you paid for. The bag that you thought would be comfortable and versatile turned out to be neither as you dragged it over the cobblestones of Florence or hefted it on aching shoulders through the crowded, narrow streets of Kathmandu. Choosing the wrong luggage can waste precious travel time and energy, and can cause a lot of aches and pains. Choosing the right luggage will free you up to enjoy your trip without any unnecessary aggravation. To help you pick the best possible bag for your next adventure, here are five simple questions you can ask yourself to help select the bag that is best for you. Malibu Bay is the most lightweight collection from Ricardo Beverly Hills, combining durable materials and easy mobility. What are the baggage restrictions and limits of all the airlines with which I will be traveling? Some countries have more restrictive guidelines that are more stringently enforced. Smaller airlines in Europe, for example, require smaller and lighter bags than those in the US. Make sure you know what the requirements will be so you don’t get stuck having to pay hefty fines or finding new luggage at the last minute. I am always happy to answer your questions regarding airline baggage restrictions, and will advise you on the requirements of all the airlines with which you will be flying. Am I an over-packer or a shopper? If... by Jan Mauer | Nov 22, 2017 | International Flights, Luxury Travel, Travel Tips
We all know how it is. Any mention of the state of airport travel today — especially the lines and the TSA — will inevitably elicit groans of frustration, eye rolls, and a profusion of stories about airport security nightmares. It’s true in many ways that traveling by plane in the 21st century lacks much of the glamour and carefree, effortless elegance of, say, 50 years ago. We live in a different world with much more complex problems that need to be addressed. But since you have to go through the lines and security no matter what — how about making it as painless as possible? Here are some easy tips to help you breeze through your next security screening, even during the frenetic holiday season ahead. 1. Get organized. Sounds like stock advice, right? Here are some specifics that can shave precious minutes and hassle off your wait time. Check your flight status before you get ready to leave your house, or download a smartphone app like TripIt that will automatically notify you of any changes to your itinerary. Check in to your flight online. This is especially helpful if you are not checking any bags. Ed Hewitt, features editor for The Independent Traveler, offers this sound advice: Before you leave for the airport, put everything essential you need to check in and get through security (identification, credit card, boarding pass, etc.) in an easily-accessible part of your wallet or bag. “This way, you don’t waste your (and other people’s) time fumbling around for them at the moment you need them.” Then, he says, “Pack out... by Jan Mauer | Nov 16, 2017 | African Safari, European Travel, Luxury Travel, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Adventures
It’s hard to beat the once-in-a-lifetime experience of riding across a Greek island on a motorbike. We know that travel comes with a host of unparalleled benefits: You get to spend time with people you love, seeing new things and trying new things; you get to relax away from the pressures of work and everyday life, realizing dreams you may have had for years. As it turns out, studies show that travel is the best way to spend your money. Of all the things you can buy, the experience of traveling gives you, by far, the most bang for your buck. All these great elements of travel have been proven to make people happier. And even more than that, every part of the travel experience — before, during, and after — is more satisfying, more enjoyable, and has longer-lasting positive effects than buying material things. In 2003, Thomas Gilovich published his landmark study called, “To Do or to Have? That Is the Question” – a study that, more than a decade on, continues to influence social psychology and the debate about of what brings us true contentment. Gilovich looked at how economic choices affect well-being, and analyzed the differences between experiential and material purchases on human happiness. His unexpected discovery has changed the way we look at our buying habits: Across the board, doing things makes people substantially happier than having things. Travel gives you the opportunity to spend time with people you love, forging memories that will last a lifetime. The reason for this is that we get to live and then re-live the joys of our experiences.... by Jan Mauer | Nov 7, 2017 | African Safari, European Travel, Luxury Travel, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, South Pacific Tahiti, Travel Adventures, Travel Tips
These days, anyone can book their own trip using various resources that are great for people with a lot of time and a sense of adventure – as well as a willingness to accept some risks. But how many travelers personally know the staff at resorts in desirable locations, such as Tahiti? How many people feel comfortable calling around to different destinations in hopes of finding useful, honest travel suggestions to help them plan their international trips? In their often exceedingly busy lives, travelers rarely have the time, energy or know-how to do this. Booking a quality vacation with custom-tailored services is not straight-forward for individuals. In fact, Google research has identified that it can take 32 visits to 10 different sites to buy a single airline ticket. And this doesn’t include searching for transport and accommodations. And even if you do the legwork, checking reviews, and confirming travel plans before your arrival, it is nearly impossible to ensure that everything will be as stress-free as it should be during your highly-anticipated vacation. This is one of the reasons my clients – and many other travelers – continue to ask for the assistance of travel consultants when planning their trips. Below are the top five reasons why I believe you should use a travel advisor to plan your vacation or honeymoon: 1. A professional travel planner is your personal advocate. All of the moving parts that comprise an international trip virtually guarantee that something will go wrong. When you’re in a foreign country, often with limited cell service, it is critical that you have a dedicated supporter in America... by Jan Mauer | Oct 27, 2017 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons
A luxurious private picnic at Cocoa Island by COMO in the Maldives Travel is meant to transport you — to other destinations, certainly, but also sometimes to other times, other worlds, and other possibilities. These four utterly unique hotels are full of the magic, mystery, and wonder that travel embodies. These are places that will, without a doubt, remain locked in your heart and mind forever. Lily pond at the Lake Palace – by Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces (Taj images) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons. The Taj Lake Palace Resort, Lake Pichola, Rajasthan, India is an exquisite luxury hotel for the traveler who has ever wondered what it was like to see the world in the Golden Age of travel. This is the place (or palace) to get a glimpse of what it feels like to be royalty. Built in the middle of a lake as a winter palace in the mid-18th century, this huge marble resort features opulent 1930s rooms with intricately carved archways and windows draped in sumptuous fabrics. Gardens, pillared terraces, fountains, and columns line the resort’s lavish courtyards. You can dine al fresco with a view of the surrounding mountains and the warm lights of the shoreline, and then hop on a traditional sunset boat ride with your own personal oarsman. The Nawelpi Lodge, located in the middle of the forest at the Huilo-Huilo Resort, is a place to relax and connect with nature. If you’re a dedicated nature lover who also appreciates indulgence when traveling the world, then staying at one of the luxurious lodges on the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve in... by Jan Mauer | Oct 18, 2017 | European Travel, Luxury Destinations, Luxury Travel, Romance Travel and Honeymoons, Small Group Tours, Travel Tips
Be aware of things that might offend our foreign hosts. Knowing what NOT to wear when traveling abroad can allow you to enjoy closer connections with the locals, and help you avoid uncomfortable situations. We in the United States are used to freedom of speech and freedom of expression in terms of what we wear. It can be a very different climate when we go abroad, especially in countries where such freedoms can sometimes make you a target for reproval by the local government. I want you to have the best experience on your much-anticipated vacation, so let’s discuss what NOT to pack when traveling internationally. Dress to Blend and Not Offend One key to being safe is to not call attention to yourself. I remember visiting Turkey once and wondering how everyone seemed to know we were American tourists. Then I looked down. We were dressed in vibrant colors with camera bags on our shoulders, and bright white athletic shoes on our feet. We looked nothing like the locals around us, who were all dressed modestly and in muted colors. In that environment we weren’t in any danger, but did we have to shout “American” quite so loudly? Just be aware and tone it down a bit. Always respect the local culture, and the locals will, in turn, respect you. Here are 5 things to leave at home when you’re packing to go abroad: If you’re wearing shorts or a tank top, carry a shawl or wrap to avoid giving offense when visiting religious countries or landmarks (such as churches or mosques). 1. Immodest Clothing This is especially... 
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