Travel Tips

 

As 2017 comes to a close, 2018 stretches out ahead of us, with 365 days of potential and possibility. My suggestion? Fill in some of those days with unforgettable vacations. Whether it’s a far-flung escape with friends, a close-to-home weekend getaway with someone special, or a memory-making adventure just about anywhere with your kids or grandkids, a well-planned, personalized vacation is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

In 2018, imagine finding a favorite new wine in South Africa—or New Zealand . . . being as active, or as chill, as you desire in Hawaii . . . strolling along Bermuda’s famous pink sand beaches . . .

These are just a few of the (many) experiences waiting for you in the (many) destinations around the world. Rather than feeling overwhelmed, defaulting to your same-old travel haunts, or crossing your fingers that the information you find on-line is accurate, entrust your planning to Travel by Darcy.

I’ve spent my life traveling the world, and my passion is matching people with their ideal vacations. Here, I help narrow down your where-to-go list to just those places that are prime for a first visit, or revisit, in 2018. Of course, this list represents just a taste of what’s out there; once I get to know your travel style and budget, I can recommend a destination that’s just-right for you.

IRELAND

The Emerald Isle is a gem of a destination, any time of year, especially if you’re looking to experience a blend of boisterous cities and bucolic countryside. A self-drive adventure is one of the best, most personal ways to explore the country (but between us, expect to take several wrong turns along the way, as road signs in Ireland are notoriously confusing . . . consider getting lost part of the adventure!). With so much to see and do here—from touring a fairytale castle to sipping Guinness in a proper pub—plan on a minimum duration of 10 days to maximize the fun, and plan on expert guidance from me to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

SOUTH AFRICA

A travel “wow”, South Africa is one of those everything’s-here destinations. Famous for its sunny days, vibrant culture, and always-warm climate, this year-round hot spot is a must for birding and big-game enthusiasts, city slickers, oenophiles, and adrenaline junkies (and those who are a bit of each) with offerings like wild-life safaris, cosmopolitan cities like Cape Town, toast-worthy wine country, and outdoor pursuits that run the gamut from traditional (hiking, surfing, and sky-diving) to unique (dune-boarding, canopy tours, and para-gliding). Since it’s a bit of a haul getting here, consider a 10-day stay to be the minimum; depending on your travel style, I can match you with a travel group or I can completely customize your trip.

ITALY

A perennial favorite, this European country tempts with delightful diversity, from the snow-covered Alps in the north to the sunny shores of Sicily in the south—along with only-here spots like the rolling hills of Tuscany, the watery streets of Venice, and the breath-taking vistas of the Amalfi Coast. If this is your first trip to Italy, make sure to visit cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence while also getting a taste of rural life by renting a villa in the country; if you’ve been to Italy before, considering revisiting favorites and trying new areas (I have insight on some places you may not yet know about). Note: Now is the time to book a trip to Italy for summer 2018, so start planning today.

BERMUDA

A mere 600 miles off the coast of North Carolina, the 21-square-mile island of Bermuda is a semi-tropical paradise with British flair and famously pink-sand beaches—it’s a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a week-long retreat. Despite its small size, you’ll find a plethora of boutique hotels, full-service resorts, and luxury condo properties on the island (though all-inclusive accommodations are not an option)—trust me to recommend one that meets all your needs. There are also plenty of activities to experience in and around the surf and, unlike some Caribbean islands, its food and drink options are safe to enjoy without concern. For those seeking a Zika-Free tropical escape, Bermuda should be at the top of your list. Bonus: Instead of flying to Bermuda, considering cruising there from Boston or New York—of course, I can tell you how.

NEW ZEALAND

Just about everywhere you turn here, there’s a sight that takes your breath away—a mountain of blue ice at Fox Glacier, emerald-colored lakes at Tongariro National Park, black sand beaches along the West Coast. Just as impressive? The country’s range of experiences, from outdoor adventures like thermal mud baths and hiking to getting a literal taste of its world-class wine country. New Zealand’s summer is North America’s winter, and their peak travel season is December through March; the crowds may have descended, but the weather is so perfect, you won’t mind. Whether you join an organized tour or take a self-drive trip (and I can help you decide which is best for you!), make sure you set aside at least two weeks to experience New Zealand.

HAWAII

A beautiful beach that seems to stretch on to infinity. A lush jungle lit by dappled sunlight. A golf course with unfairly distracting Pacific views. A once-in-a-lifetime meal in Oahu. Welcome to Hawaii. This year-round, tropical destination is comprised of eight major islands, and each one offers its own personality (from vibrant to almost sleepy) along with a unique selection of accommodations (from boutique hotels and full-service resorts to self-catering condos). Together, we’ll narrow down the options and match you with your ideal Hawaiian escape—whichever island or islands you choose, expect to relax and recharge with all sorts of natural pursuits, from snorkeling above a school of rainbow-colored fish to hiking lush tropical rain forests to stargazing with your feet nestled in the still-warm sand. For those seeking a Zika-Free tropical escape, Hawaii should be at the top of your list.

ST. LUCIA

This Eastern Caribbean island is a top pick for 2018 for the same reason it made my 2017 list: it’s simply perfect for families, friends, and couples. St. Lucia offers plenty of activities in the mountains (rainforests, waterfalls, and the dramatically tapered Pitons which define the island) and the beach (sleeping fishing villages, world-class diving sites, and volcanic beaches); it also has a wide range of resort and condo options. In other words, once I get to know what you want from a Caribbean island vacation, I can most likely make all your wishes come true on St. Lucia.

RIVER CRUISING

Many travelers think cruising means taking a ride on a massive ship that’s more of a floating city. There’s something to be said for size and diversity, but I encourage you to consider a different type of cruising: a river cruise along the waterways of Europe. You’ll absolutely love the intimate boat size, slow pace, and interactions with locals. Especially hot right now are cruises along the Danube with Viking River Cruises and the new “U” by Uniworld, known for adventure for social-minded 21-45 year old travelers—but trust me when I tell you that there are cruises out there that are just right for couples, families, friends, everyone, and I can match you with the cruise line, ship, and itinerary that’s best for you. Some cruises book up to a year in advance, so if you’re thinking of taking the plunge this year, get in touch with me soon.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or R&R (or a bit of both!) in the year ahead, let me match you with your just-right vacation.  I look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

P.S. You’re not a travel agent, so stop acting like one. Trying to plan a perfect trip with the information you find on-line is risky at best. Get in touch with me, and enjoy the absolute pleasure of having a travel professional ask the right questions and match you with your ideal experiences—as an added bonus, I’ll help you save time and money. Together, we’ll plan one once-in-a-lifetime trip after another.

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!

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.

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.