People constantly ask me “where’s your favorite place to go?” It’s a natural question. I work in travel and let’s face it – everyone (or most people) like to talk about travel. It’s impossible for me to name a single place. Every country is so different. It depends on if I want city or country, adventure or relaxation on the beach (the latter being rare for me for more than a couple of days). There are so many factors. It’s like that silly question ‘if you could eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?” Who could do that?

So, I’ve decided to go continent by continent (and in some cases I’ve divided them into parts, like Eastern and Western Europe) and list my favorite city and “not city”, which covers anything else basically.

Western Europe
City: Paris. I think. Barcelona is way up there as well. So is Vienna.
Non-city: Positano, Italy. Hands down.

Central/Eastern Europe
City: Prague
Non-city: Every part of Slovenia that’s not a city. Ok, I know this isn’t really a “place” but driving through the country is insanely beautiful, from the coast to the Karst to the lakes. Just drive through it.

Asia
City: Seoul, South Korea. Hong Kong is up there.
Non-city: I’ll admit I’ve not been to too many non-cities in Asia. We did drive (had a driver) through Malaysia and there were some beautiful parts. Also, Busan’s coast is wonderful, though Busan would count as a city – just on the beach.

Africa
City: Cape Town
Non-city: Chobe region in Botswana

Australia
City: Melbourne
Non-city: Great ocean road. Again, it’s not a “place” but it’s a magnificent drive. And a famous one.

New Zealand
City: Queenstown (basically if it’s adventurous, you can do it there)
Non-city: Milford Sound. Take a boat ride on it. Incredible

South America
City: This is a complete tie between Buenos Aires and Cusco
Non-city: This is also a tie, between Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu.

United States:
City: Portland, Oregon
Non-city: Embarrassingly I can’t think of one. I mostly go to cities in the US. Probably Napa/Sonoma.

Canada:
City: Montreal
Non-City: I’ve only been to cities in Canada. Unless you count Victoria, BC. It’s not very city-like.

I’m going to add one more category that doesn’t really fit among any of these: Islands. They’re kind of their own entity. The winner in this category is Bora Bora, without a doubt.

What are some of your favorites? I’m always looking to add destinations to my wish list!

Continuing on the theme of verifying or busting travel myths, here are two thoughts that I often hear. While I can’t say that they’re myths per se, I did want to address them, as they both are statements that I hear often, and ones that I think warrant a different perspective.

Myth #5
It doesn?t matter where I stay; I only sleep at the hotel anyways.

Answer: False, with a little bit of truth. Let me give you a few “what if” scenarios that might have you rethink this:

1. It?s a torrential down pour (or other awful weather) and you really can?t walk around and do much in the city, so you’re stuck at the hotel for a day or two.

2. Your mattress feels like you?re sleeping on coils alone, and you toss and turn all night so are exhausted while trying to visit your destination each day.

3. You fall ill and either can?t go out for the day, or worse, need a doctor and the hotel doesn?t have 24 hour reception or a concierge to call one for you so you have to, in your ill state, find a doctor yourself.

These are just three examples of why where you stay might matter. That being said, there are options between a 2-star motel and the Ritz. But don?t just ?choose anything? – selecting the right accommodations might matter more than you think.

Myth #6
I don?t like to cruise because I don?t want to be herded like cattle during shore excursions, nor do I aspire to participate in belly flop contests at the pool.

Answer: False, with some truth. Cruise line ads often do an injustice to the cruising industry. There are cruise lines that cater to this crowd. However, what about a small luxury river or barge cruise (barge sounds like a misnomer, they are quite upscale)? These may take you along the Rhine, Rhone, Danube where you get to travel through the small towns in France, Bavaria, Austria, and Hungary. You have customized meal service ? often included in your cruise cost – and very small group, or even private, shore excursions each day. Or how about a clipper or yacht cruise, very intimate and incredibly customized? Before you say, ?I don?t cruise? (a caveat being if you know you get violently sea sick), inquire into all of the options. You might be surprised to find something that really fits what you?re looking for in a vacation.

As promised, today I have two more travel tips/myths that I’m addressing. To keep these blogs rather short, I’m doing just two at a time.

Myth #3
Europe is full of crowds in the summer. I?d rather go in the spring or fall.

Answer: True! Europe is a great destination year round, and if your travel dates aren?t flexible (i.e. it?s a business trip, you?re going for your honeymoon right after your summer wedding), you certainly don?t have to avoid Europe. However, you?ll have more crowds and longer lines, most likely. If you can adjust your dates, you?ll have more pleasant weather, and you?ll also have fewer tourists. Prices will most likely be lower as well, since it?s not peak season.

Myth #4
I can get the same products online as I can if I work with a travel professional.

Answer: False. I?m not saying it?s never possible. If it?s a simple flight for a business trip or one night in a domestic hotel, that might be true. If you?re planning two weeks overseas, though, talk to your travel planner. Did you know that many suppliers ? hotels, tour operators, etc ? provide us with opportunities that they don?t offer to the general public? It might be a unique private tour offered only to our clients, or an automatic room upgrade upon arrival at the hotel. We work with experts that are on the ground in destinations around the world, and many times they have in depth knowledge about things to see that you?d never even find in a guide book ? and if you did, you may well not be allowed to access them without on of our on-site tour guides.

By now, my readers have realized that I like doing things in series. Truthfully, it’s often because I have so much to say about travel and the industry as whole that it would make for a ridiculously long read if I put it all in one blog.

This next series is going to address travel myths. These days you see travel tips and tricks virtually everywhere you look ? from online travel companies, twitter, Facebook, blogs, numerous travel books, not to mention personal stories from those that you know. It can be tough to tell fact from fiction. Furthermore, what works for some destinations and some travelers doesn?t necessarily work for others. Travel is highly personal, and it varies greatly depending on the type of trip you?re planning, experience you?re looking for, where you?re headed, the time of year, and numerous other factors.

In this blog series, I?ll address some travel myths, based on my knowledge and experience as a travel industry professional, to give some credence to the truth, or lack there of, behind these commonly utilized travel tips. This blog includes two of the most common myths I hear about booking travel.

1. It?s cheaper to buy an airplane ticket on Tuesday nights because they up the prices on Wednesdays. (I?ve also heard this about Wednesday night to Thursday).

Answer: False. I?m not saying it?s never cheaper, it may be. However, air prices are based on availability, fuel costs, and a whole host of other things (some that we understand, some that bewilder even us). Fuel prices could jump at any time. Seats could be taken up on any day of the week, and then you?re paying for a higher class of seat. There are seat classes even within coach class – it?s a long explanation but the short version is that if the lowest seat class is sold out, you go to the next class, which is pricier. When that class is sold out, you go up to the next, which is even pricier, and so on.

2. I don?t need to buy travel insurance.

Answer: False. A big resounding false! I have had numerous clients have to cancel trips due to unforeseen circumstances, or come home from a trip due to illness. Did you know that international flights cost $250 per person to cancel or change (plus any difference in the new flight price if it?s higher)? For domestic it?s $150 per person. Tours, hotels, transfer companies and the like vary in their cancellation policies. Travel insurance will run you, probably on the high end, up to a couple of hundred per person. Often, it?s less. Is it worth losing the $4K, $5K, $8K you spent on your trip over not spending that small amount on insurance?

Have a travel myth you want verified or busted? You can comment here, post on our Facebook page, ask me on twitter, or send me an email!

What?s the craziest activity you?ve done while traveling? I?ve jumped out of a perfectly good plane over a glacier in New Zealand with a parachute (and a professional) strapped to my back. I?ve had an extremely large rubber band tied to my ankles and jumped off a bridge over a gorge? twice. Did I mention I?m afraid of heights? I am. However, my sense of adventure and desire not to miss an experience propels me (literally, in this case). My travels through six continents have held a lot of ?firsts? and probably just as many ?never agains?, but there are still numerous activities I?ve yet to try and hope to.

1. Dog sledding. I dislike the cold, but I love dogs and I think this is just such a unique experience as there are probably only a few places where one can experience this (at least as a tourist).

2. Balloon safari. Yet again I?m a glutton for punishment on the heights fear. There are resorts and tour companies in Africa that offer sunrise and sunset hot air balloon safaris and I can only imagine the feeling that accompanies this.

3. Camel ride in the desert. Most likely in Northern Africa though Mongolia would be incredible as well. Let me specify that I don?t want to do one of the 10 day camel rides where you sleep in tents overnight. A day trip, an overnight if necessary, is plenty for me. I just want to experience it. Again, one of those things you can only enjoy in select locations.

4. Swim with (or near) turtles in the Galapagos. I?m not a huge swimmer. I have a bit of a fear of being underwater too long due to claustrophobia (I?ve never SCUBA dived though I?ve snorkeled). This, though, is a situation in which I?d make an exception. I?ve swum with sharks and rays, which was less terrifying than it sounds. The history of these creatures, however, must be respected and being near them would humble me.

5. Swimming with dolphins. I plain just think this would be fun. I would only do this, though, in a setting that I thought was fair to the dolphins. I don’t want some resort where they’re penned in a pool smaller than the size of the kids swimming pool.

6. Hang glide. Can you imagine hang glide off of a towering sand dune? I hear this is a tricky undertaking, however, and I suspect I might get frustrated.

I?m sure there are plenty more. Almost virtually every day I see a twitter post or a Facebook photo from one of my fellow travel enthusiasts and I think ?I have to try that!?.

What are your bucket list activities? What incredible adventures have you already had?

I love to add in image galleries once in a while, and I think most of my readers know my affection for cities. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite scenes from cities around the world. They may not all look “city like”, but that’s the beauty of experiencing different cultures – every destination has its own unique style. Enjoy!

Everyone knows the obvious things to check – what size is my bed? What’s the view? Is there a restaurant/bar in the hotel? How close is it to the sites/area I want to be in? These days, wifi is also a top question, and definitely something to mention when you’re looking into hotel options.

There are other things, though, that unless you’ve been to a destination, you may not be familiar with. Still, they can change your experience, for better or worse, and if they’re important to you, best to consider before putting down money on your accommodations.

1. Other countries don’t have the same ADA (American Disabilities Act) laws that we do in the U.S. Elevators often aren’t required, and if they are they may be big enough for just you and your suitcase. Your name brand chain hotels will almost certainly have them, regardless of location, but your smaller boutique hotels, especially historic ones, may not.

2. A double room in other countries often means a double bed or two twin beds. Sometimes it means two singles pushed together to form a larger bed. It’s very important to know what bed type and room size you’re looking for in advance – this helps narrow down options and find the hotel that fits you best.

3. Most foreign countries include a Value Added Tax, or VAT, for travelers and this can be quite pricey. When considering room price, remember that you will be paying hotel tax and VAT on top of that, in addition to any other extras such as internet, breakfast, etc.

4. Hours of operation for services. Check if the concierge, room service, business center, etc are open 24 hours. What are the hours of the hotel restaurant/bars? Many people say “oh I never order room service, I don’t need the concierge”, but it can’t hurt to look. If your plane is delayed and you get in at 11 PM and are starving, room service may not sound bad – and depending on the area, it may be one of the only options for food at that hour.

Traveling can be one of the best ways to get to know oneself, as well as your travel companions. It can send you through ups and downs, excitement and frustration, and introduce you to experiences completely out of your comfort zone. I’ve personally learned a lot about myself throughout my travels. I’ve also learned a lot about life. I thought I’d share a few of these with you, as I suspect I’m probably not alone in at least some of these.

1. The best way to conquer a fear is to push yourself through it. I am afraid of heights. Quite afraid, really. When I was in Australia someone bet me that I wouldn’t bungee jump. I don’t like to lose bets. I bungee jumped twice (once in Australia, once in New Zealand on a jump about three times as high as the first). I then when skydiving. I’m still not a huge fan of heights, but I now know that I won’t let it stop me. I’ve transferred this to other fears as well.

2. Differences are glorious. I avoid restaurants that say “tourist menu”. I don’t take group tours filled with other Americans. I’d rather stop and try to talk to locals, or at least observe them and pantomime if verbal communication fails. You can learn so much from other cultures if you only watch closely (in a curious way, not a stalker-like way).

3. Nothing ever goes exactly as you’ve planned. Have a plan B, or be happy to go with the flow. A combination is probably best. This pretty much can be said translated into all areas of life.

4. Sometimes, it’s a good to let down your guard and allow yourself to really get to know you. When you shed the busy work day persona, your normal routine, and usual habits, you might be quite surprised at what you discover.

5. Simplicity can be a nice respite. When I travel overseas I check email maybe once or twice a day, I return only emergent or time sensitive phone calls (i.e. client traveling very soon), I can live for several weeks on whatever I can fit in my suitcase. It’s a refreshing break from the usual over-stimulation of my day to day life.

I often wish I that when I return, I could be more like my traveling self. The world around me doesn’t seem to cooperate at times, but I’m making strides.

What lessons have you learned from your travels?

The day that you take off for a trip can be hectic. In the rushing around, it’s easy to leave the house in a hurry without some important steps. Here are the last set of “Before You Go” tips – the day of departure.

1. Turn off/unplug unnecessary appliances – coffee pots, fans, hair dryers, toaster over, etc.

2. Check the status of your flight to make sure there are no changes, as well as the departure gate.

3. Adjust your thermostat to keep your electricity/heating bills lower while you are away. If it’s winter, don’t turn the heat all the way off – pipes could freeze and burst. If you turn air conditioning completely off in the summer, indoor plants might not be alive to welcome you home. If you have important plants, adjust your air conditioning accordingly.

4. For international flights, arrive at airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight; domestic flights arrive at least 1-2 hours before flight. IMPORTANT: Check with airport for suggested arrivals as this may change. Leave additional time for traffic, parking, and other issues that could delay you. Mornings, especially early in the week, are busy times for business travelers so allow for extra time at security if traveling during this time.

5. Make sure all items in your carry-on are allowed on board. Airlines require some items to be in your checked luggage. You can find a list of permitted/prohibited items on the TSA website. There’s also now a TSA app that you can download for updates.

6. Make sure you have not packed any important documents/necessities for your trip in the luggage you plan to check at the airport. This includes passport/identification, tickets or confirmations, medication, money, or anything with personal details on it. The same goes with items that are either monetarily or sentimentally high in value. If it’s something you that you can’t easily replace, or will cost you a lot to do so, keep it in your carry-on, assuming it’s allowed.

You’re trip is in just a day or two! It’s a very exciting and busy time. Here are some tips for the day or two before you take off.

1. Check your flight on the airline website to make sure there are no last minute time our routing changes. Generally you (or your travel planner) will receive notifications via email, but this just serves as an additional check. Most flights will also let you check in online 24 hours prior to your flight time.

2. Call airlines to confirm/add any special meal requirements. IMPORTANT: This must be done AT LEAST 24 hours before. If possible, do this at time of booking.

3. Check packing list and make note of things that still need to be packed.

4. Confirm arrangements made for your pets/home.

5. Check to see if you have any bills that are due while you are away or right after you come back and if so, pay them before you leave. If you are unsure of how much your bill will be, call the company and ask or check online.