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The Caribbean is (STILL) Calling

Swaying in a hammock between two tall palms. Frolicking in warm, clear ocean water. Savoring a pampering morning at a seaside spa or an afternoon on a golf course with gorgeous views at every turn.

The Caribbean has long held the allure of idyllic destinations designed for rest and relaxation. Yet a recent string of extreme weather—most notably Hurricane Irma—has left devastation in its wake, casting a serious shadow on these notoriously sunny locations.

So, what can you do to help?

The first thing to do is donate to legitimate recovery efforts like the Red Cross, Global Giving, or Hurricane Relief Fund. More than clothes and water, those most hard-hit areas need money to rebuild infrastructures, rebuild communities, and rebuild lives.

The second thing to do is travel to the Caribbean. Tourism is vital to this region, so if you’re considering a trip this winter or anytime next year, now is a fantastic time to book your escape to any of the following destinations:

In the Caribbean, Aruba, Barbados, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Grenadines, Jamaica, and St. Lucia are all open for business; Antiqua, St. Kitts/Nevis, and Turks & Caicos escaped heavy damage and are ready to welcome guests after completing clean-up efforts.
In Mexico, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun/Riviera Maya, and several Pacific Coast resort destinations like Huatulco, Ixtapa, and Puerto Vallarta are all open for business.
And don’t forget Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama are also tropical options that survived the recent hurricane season without damage.

When planning your Caribbean vacation, there are a few special considerations to make—for instance, if you plan on traveling during the 2018 hurricane season (July – October) you might want to focus on destinations that are typically outside of hurricane paths, like Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenadines, and St. Lucia; and before booking your hotel, check on its current status—here’s a great resource for individual hotel updates.

Feeling worried or finding it hard to choose which destination is right for you? I’m here for you. As a Travel Specialist, I’ve spent the last 20 years helping people just like you plan and enjoy dream escapes. I’m up-to-date on your best options throughout the islands and Mexico, and I’ll match you with the destination and resort that best reflect your needs and budget; and I’ll calm any concerns along the way.

Contact me today (call 603-418-8698 or send an email to me at info@travelbydarcy.wpcomstaging.com and let me know how I can help!

Bridal Show Tips

Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time! You get to pick out a dress, a gorgeous venue, select your flowers, find a DJ, oh and an officiant, how will you get to the venue? What kind of food should you have? Do you want a 7 tier wedding cake or dessert table?

Wait. This is overwhelming. Where to begin?

Bridal Shows & Expos are a great way to meet top vendors in your area that specialize in weddings! The size of the show can vary greatly from a boutique show offered by a venue to highlight their preferred partners to a mega expo with 80-100+ vendors in a convention center.

Here are my top 8 tips to help you prepare for your next bridal show:

Come prepared

Have a list of the “to-do” items you still need to plan for your wedding. Still need DJ? Great! Make it a point to stop by every entertainment booth to see what they have to offer. Haven’t planned your honeymoon yet? Come see me! If you create a short-list it will help you focus on the areas you need the most.

Look for clues

When you approach a booth is that vendor sitting in a chair and making no attempt to connect with you? Chances are if they can’t get it together for a bridal show they won’t bring their A-Game to your wedding. Move on. On the other hand if the booth is overflowing with people, make it a point to swing back by a little bit later. These events can be chaotic for vendors too. We try hard to make eye contact and greet everyone with a smile, making sure you leave with our literature in-hand and a good impression of our business. But sometimes its just not possible to meet everyone. Don’t take it personally especially if they seem earnest about greeting everyone.

Bring labels

Labels printed with your names, wedding date, phone and email address will make filling out interest forms and prize drawings quick and painless.

Don’t be afraid

No one expects you to sign up or buy anything the day of the event. It’s a day to make connections, for us to learn about you as a couple and what your expectations are. It’s a chance for you to meet vendors you may want to work with and come away with some amazing ideas for your wedding. Make eye contact, it’s OKAY. We don’t bite 😉

Stop at every booth

You may pass a booth thinking “oh, I already have one of those” but you never know what other ideas that vendor might have or they might offer a service you like even better. For instance you might already have a photographer but then you see an amazing photo booth vendor at the show. Why not have both? Renting a table or booth at a bridal show isn’t cheap. These vendors are investing time and money to connect with you. Give them the opportunity to show you how they can enhance your special day.

Bring a tote

There will be tons of material available and some will come in tiny little bags. Instead of holding on to 50 bags, bring one giant tote you can put everything in and sort through later.

Hydrate and bring snacks

There is nothing worse than a cranky bride. There will likely be samples at various booths but bring a bottle of water and a snack especially for the longer events so you don’t have to leave early or start morphing into bridezilla. Many shows that have prizes require you to stay until the end of the event to qualify.

Come with the right attitude

You’re getting married! This is super exciting and planning your wedding is supposed to be fun!! Try to keep an open mind and stay relaxed especially at the big shows where it’s not unusual to have 500+ people in attendance. Need to take a break? Totally fine. Don’t feel like you have to run through the entire event in an hour. Make it a day to spend with your partner, parents and/or bridal party. Smile, be friendly and ready to mingle.

So go ahead and wear that tiara or bridal sash. Every single person you meet today is THRILLED for you. We want you to have the best wedding ever!

Check out my list of events to see where I’ll be. I’d love to meet you face to face and talk about your upcoming honeymoon or destination wedding!

This important decision can make or break your next trip

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. Or you skimped on the spending and got exactly what you paid for. Or 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 humped it on aching shoulders through the crowded, narrow streets of Kathmandu.

Choose the wrong luggage and you may waste precious travel time and energy cursing your sore back and inadequate bags, 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 you decide which type of bag is best for you.

**What are the baggage restrictions and limits of all the airlines I will be traveling with?**

Some countries have more restrictive guidelines that are more stringently enforced. Smaller airlines in Europe, for example, require smaller and lighter bags than 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. Your Travel Agent is a great resource for information on airline baggage restrictions.

Am I an overpacker or a shopper?

If you know that you tend to bring more than you need and buy when you get there, opt for an expandable bag as your carry-on, and slip in an empty, durable nylon bag to bring back new things with you. (Note: be prepared to pay any additional fees that might apply for additional bags, or if your bag becomes too large/heavy as a result of over-packing!)

How much attention do I want my luggage to get?

Yes, sometimes it’s tempting to get the stand-out, fashion-forward luggage set in fuchsia — but if you’re heading to a destination that’s known for theft, sometimes the better option is to pick a suitcase that blends in with the crowd. There are always things you can do to help with identification — a colorful ribbon, a sticker, a unique tag — but if you don’t want your luggage to be a target for opportunistic travelers, just opt to keep it simple.

How much transferring will I be doing on this trip?

Are you heading to one main location that will be your “home base” of travel operations? Or will you be constantly on the move from city to city, hopping trains, getting taxis, taking buses? Will someone be available to help you lift your bags if you need assistance (partner, children, tour assistant), or will you be the one fully responsible for handling your luggage at all times? The more you’ll be moving and hefting, the more you should aim for simple, lightweight, durable, and versatile. Pack only the essentials, and look for bags that offer more than one transport method — for example, a carry-on with hidden pull-out straps and can be transformed into a comfy backpack for hands-free movement.

And in that vein of questioning:

Does my luggage match the type and terrain of the trip I’m taking?

Wheeled suitcases are great — if you have lots of flat floors and smooth sidewalks along which to roll them. But after two days of lugging a heavy suitcase through bumpy streets, broken sidewalks, dirt paths, or up endless flights of stairs in old elevator-less buildings, you’ll be praying to the luggage gods for a simple backpack with padded shoulder straps.

The last thing you want to be focused on while you’re on the trip of a lifetime is some annoying, avoidable luggage irritation. With a little investigating and preparation before you pack up and head out, you can make sure your luggage fits seamlessly into your travel plans.

Ready to plan your dream vacation? Want an experienced Travel Advisor to advise you about the best luggage for your upcoming trip? Contact us to schedule a Let’s Get Acquainted Session today!

Turn your red-eye into some shut eye

Sleeping well on a plane has developed into a certain kind of art — and into a healthy business — with savvy travelers constantly scoping out new ways to make long flights more conducive to actual rest. Here are a few that really seem to have some payoff.

Splurge on a better seat

Sure, not everyone can afford a premium seat in first or business class, where you can take advantage of fully- or almost-fully-reclining seats and loads of leg room. But for long-distance flights, it can still be worth it to spend the extra money on an exit-row seat, a bulkhead seat, or a window seat. Flying on off-peak days, like a Tuesday evening, will also increase the likelihood that the flight will be less crowded and quieter.

Do the best you can with flight times and direct flights

While crossing many time zones always poses its own sleep challenges, do your best to pick a flight time and schedule that will sync up most naturally with your sleeping and waking times. Leaving in the evening will work better than trying to get REM at three in the afternoon.

Know your cues

Which side of the bed do you sleep on at home? Book on that side of the plane. Do you usually have a cup of tea before bed? Bring a few packets of your favorite herbal. And grab your own small travel blanket and comfy slippers while you’re at it (the airline pillow or blanket can be used for extra cushioning or lumbar support if you like). Spritz your pillow with a mild lavender essential oil. The more familiar things you can do, the more your brain will recognize the cues that it’s time for rest.

Sweet darkness, sweet silence

On most trans-oceanic flights, you’ll see the blue glow of nearly every seatback screen flickering, no matter the time. We know that the type of light emitted by screens is proven to disrupt sleep. For any rest at all — let alone good rest — keep your screen off. Bring an eye mask or cap to block out as much light as possible. Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to create the quietest environment you can.

Buckle up over the blanket

When the plane hits turbulence, flight attendants are required to make sure people are safely buckled in. If they can’t see that your seat belt is fastened, they have to disturb you to check. Make it easy for them and for you — simply click the buckle over the blanket.

Rather than paying more for less in the airport, do some quick research before you leave to find the best travel pillow for you

There are dozens to choose from, and they range widely in price, portability, and visual quirkiness. Check out reviews like this one from the Wall Street Journal — and note how the reviewer knows what kind of sleeper she is, which informs her choices and how well certain pillows work for her. Chances are, there’s a pillow out there that will support your head and neck and give you the rest you need.

What are your best tips for getting good sleep on an airplane? I’d love to hear them. And if you’re ready to plan your next (well-rested) journey, I’m here to help! You can reach me today by clicking here.

The Adventure Mindset and how it can change everything

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 I do know people who love to travel, door to door — not just when they arrive at their resort. I know 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.

So what’s their secret? 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 what 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.

The Perfectionist focuses on what isn’t working and is often impatient and critical. The Adventurer sees what’s going well and what there is to be grateful for and is quick to offer appreciation, flexibility, and help in tough situations.

As author and coach Naomi Teeter points out, the Adventurer knows how to ask “quality questions” when faced with a challenge, questions like:

What’s the best thing that could happen from this?
Hasn’t everything worked out just fine in the past? Aren’t I OK?
What if I chose to be happy and carefree about this instead?
What is this teaching me?
How can I use this experience to support others?
How could I turn this into a great story?
What can I do differently next time so that this doesn’t happen?

If I’m honest with myself, I know that there are times I fall into the Perfectionist Mindset, in travel and in life. But I also know that at any moment, I can choose something different. I can always choose an attitude of adventure. And as a lifelong traveler, that has made all the difference.

If you’re ready to plan your next great adventure, I’d love to help you get there. You can contact me today by clicking here.