Category: Travel Tips

In 2018 one third of travelers brought their pet or pets. Take your pet with you, it may be cheaper than boarding them at home!

Check Accommodations Policies

As you plan your pet-friendly trip, check accommodation policies in writing. Stay organized as you pick multiple places to stay, distances between places and allow time to stop often if necessary.

Be Prepared

Being prepared is important. After all, it can help you avoid common travel mishaps during all your journeys. Pack all essentials especially if your pet has a special diet and medications. You can order everything you need in advance from Chewy.com- just allow your shipment to arrive well in advance of your travel date. They will also fill any pet prescriptions you need. You may not find a pet store for many miles where you are traveling. Try to stay positive and not stress about planning. Your pet may pick on that. Get them ready for the trip by practicing with a day out somewhere locally. Maybe put them in a pet carrier to get them used to it?

Cost Of Traveling With Pets

I know most people think that it may be a lot more money to bring your pet but there are hotels that have no charge for pets. Some properties may vary on their policy so double check. Some vary on weight restrictions. Kimpton Hotels even has a Director of Pet Relations. They supply pet beds, treats and other amenities.The Standard welcomes pets. Aloft has the ARF pet program which gives your pet use of a bowl, bed treats and toys. LaQuinta allows pets but may charge a pet fee. Red Roof Inn has no pet fee, and many AirBnb’s allow pets. When looking at a destination, go under “House Rules” and choose the filter for “Pets Allowed”. By preparing for the cost of traveling with pets, you can ensure that you stick to your value travel goals.

Pet Welcoming Hotels

When you book your reservation see if there are additional fees when you checkout for shedding dogs or an accidental peeing on the carpet. You don’t want to be blindsided after you planned your budget for the trip.

You also want to surmise if they are “pet-welcoming” or “ pet tolerating”. It is always a nicer experience if they have dog treats when you check-in or a dog bed in the room. Nice touches can make your pet excited to be there and want to return!

Finding Pet-Friendly Activities

When you get to your destination it may be nice that your pet enjoys it as well! Look up the events in that location in advance and you may see events in a park, a festival, or something else that is pet-friendly.

Other good sites to research are Bring Fido and All Trails. Bring Fido shows you choices of hotels, restaurants, activities, events and services for your pet. www.Bringfido.com

All Trails give you pet-friendly trails you can take, trail reviews and can match the distance and the level of difficulty you and your pet are looking for. You also can download the map of the trail so you can’t wander off it. $ 30 /year or $ 60 for three years. www.Alltrails.com

Flying With Pets

If you are planning a getaway outside of driving range, you may have to consider flying with your pet. To plan a flight with your pet, first reach out to the airline and ask if they allow pets in the cabin. Otherwise, you will be forced to put your pet in the cargo section of the plane. If cargo is the only option, consider how your pet will handle being alone inside the baggage compartment. Often, the emotional stress is much too traumatic to put your dog or cat through. In this case, be sure to look for more pet friendly airlines, or make alternate accommodations.

Preparing For Roadtrips

If you are fortunate enough to be able to travel by car, you should additionally take steps to prepare your pet for roadtrip travel vacations. First, prepare your pet for long drives by taking them on short, gradually lengthening time in the car. During the trip, be sure to keep your pets safe using a large, well-ventilated carrier. At the same time, you should prepare an pet-friendly travel kit consisting of water, food, a leash, medication, and first-aid materials. Of course, you should also pack your pet’s favorite toy, blanket, or pillow so that they feel more at home throughout the trip. To help you further prepare, be sure to check out our recent New Mexico roadtrip travel itinerary.

Check For Proper Vaccines & Medications

If you are traveling internationally, you will need to check for the proper vaccines and medications. Any pets that are traveling abroad require documented rabies vaccines. Of course, these vaccination documents will also be required to gain entry back into the United States. Before you travel, be sure to check with your vet to understand all the various vaccinations required. Surely, researching the proper vaccines and medications is an excellent step to prepare for pet-friendly travel.

Bring The Proper Documents

Certainly, it is important to bring the proper documents when traveling with your pets. If possible, you should carry some form of documentation that clarifies that you actually own your met. Similarly, you should get paperwork stating that he or she is completely vaccinated. If you are traveling internationally, you will also need to think about customs rules. As an extra precaution, you may even want to consider microchipping your pet. This way, you can accurately trace their location if something unfortunate is to occur. Of course, these techniques are fundamental to help you master the art of travel planning with pets.

Stick To A Routine

In order to properly prepare for pet-friendly travel destinations, you will need to stick to a routine. Remember that your pets are creatures of habit. Therefore, you should attempt to stick to your pet’s routine whenever you travel somewhere. Give them plenty of exercise, take them on their scheduled walks, and keep a similar sleeping schedule. Simultaneously, it is often beneficial to give them easy access to a door or window to look out of. Of course, this is especially important if you, or your pet is traveling with chronic illness conditions.

Make A Collar & ID Tag

Before you embark on your pet-friendly vacation, it is important to make your pet a collar and ID tag. These forms of identification are absolutely imperative if you get separated from your pet while traveling. On your pet’s identification tag, you should include your phone number, address, and any other contact information. If possible, you may want to get your pet microchipped so that you can find them on your own if they get lost. Surely, making a collar, ID tag, and microchip is an essential step to prepare for travel adventures with your dog.

Have a great time with your pet. With your dog or cat by your side, you never will have to experience a solo travel experience (as enjoyable as they can be). It will be a great time to bond and build some family memories!

Voluntourism is a fast growing sector in the travel industry. It is a combination of travel and volunteering. You get to meet new people, experience a different way of life and possibly have a life-changing experience. Simply put, it is a fantastic way to deeply immerse yourself into a foreign culture. These incredible experiences can even be a great opportunity for family vacations or solo travel vacations.

Timing

The most important point to realize is that you do not have to take up your full vacation time allotment. It can be for hours, days, weeks or months. It can leave you with plenty of opportunity to explore on your own. You also don’t have to go to the end of the earth to do this. There are plenty of domestic options as well. By giving yourself enough time, you can avoid the most common travel mishaps on your next vacation.

Where To Volunteer?

In most of the areas with the most need, they will not be popular tourism destinations. That being said, you should not expect to find volunteer opportunities in French Polynesia Tahiti, or the Bora Bora islands. However, this is a great thing. You may be able to spend time in an area that is not overrun with tourists and overcrowding. Really getting a chance to spend time with the locals in a village or small town somewhere can be a memory of a lifetime. By spending time like this you may go back home very much appreciating the life you have a little bit more.

Types Of Volunteering

Depending on your skills, experiences, and preferences, there are dozens of different volunteering travel opportunities to experience. If you are looking for a fun, rewarding, and unique experience, consider event volunteering. Here, you can lend a hand at charity concerts, fairs, and festivals. Of course, there are a number of opportunities volunteering in teaching, environmental, health, and animal causes.

Selecting Volunteer Opportunities

So how do you go about selecting the right volunteer trip? Are there certain causes that are near and dear to your heart like animals? schools? environmental? medical and diseases? Is there a specific country you have always dreamed of visiting? India? Africa? South America? Do you have budgetary concerns? Are you open to something completely out of your comfort zone?

If you have a skill you can share or teach, that can help guide you into the opportunity you can do, like teaching music, english, or carpentry. In other cases they may just need a helping hand on a project.

Take Some Time To Unplug

Voluntourism is a great opportunity to disconnect from the world for a while. If you are lucky you may not have cell phone service where you are! Maybe you will spend more time connecting with other people and having conversations. Totally unplug! Maybe it can get you out of your routine at home. Having a project that may involve walking or building something can get you back into prime physical shape again.

Build Your Resume

By volunteering for an international project, students can build their resume for a future job or for a college application. You may even make valuable business connections that can help you in the future. It is very desirable to show your willingness to expand your horizons and understand better how the world works.

Speak With Your Employer

Check and see if your employer allows paid time off to volunteer for an organization elsewhere. Many do allow it.

Ask Yourself Some Key Questions

When you are selecting an organization to work with, ask them some basic questions:

• What is a typical day like for your volunteers?
• Are there past or current volunteers that I can talk to about the project?
• What does my placement or program fee go towards?
• What language skills do I need to have with the project?
• What should I wear during work? During time off?
• Are there any safety concerns of living and working in the area?

Work With A Reputable Global Volunteer Travel Organization

GVI, or Global Vision International, is a great company for volunteering opportunities abroad. Currently, the program runs dozens of programs in over 20 locations, stretching across 13 countries around the world.

Travel With a Challenge is a web-based magazine that addresses the older traveler( ages 45-80) who wants alternative vacationing. It offers travel options that offer ecological, cultural and volunteer options.

Discover Corps is another great volunteer option to consider. This program collaborates with a number of community based organizations. Here, they create hands-on projects that have a direct impact on the people, wildlife, and community you are serving.

Using AirBnb Social Impact Experiences you can work with nonprofits to create transformational interactions for notable causes. With these opportunities, you can create a unique volunteering experience that supports your cause.

Children’s Global Alliance is open to any teenager in the world. It offers large-scale volunteer experiences for students ages 12-18. It also offers international service-learning trips and a leadership development program for students from the U.S. to work in other countries with the objective to create global minded future leaders.

GoEco is one of the best eco-tourism volunteer companies out there right now. GoEco supports over 150 volunteer opportunities helping environmental initiatives, wildlife, and local communities.

Pre-Departure Planning For Voluntourism

Pre-departure preparations will vary depending on the destination of your volunteer travel opportunities. Of course, if you are traveling abroad, you will likely need to obtain a passport and visa at least six weeks prior to departure. Then, depending on your destination, and the nature of your programs, you may have to seek vaccinations and health recommendations. For example, for voluntourism opportunities in South Africa, you may be required to produce proof of a yellow fever vaccine. Follow these precautionary measures, you can better prepare for post COVID travel and volunteering.

Ethics Of Voluntourism

Before you book your tickets, it is important to clearly understand the ethics of voluntourism. While the idea of volunteering generally sounds like a good thing, which will always yield a positive impact, this is not always the case. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the work you will be doing is ethical. Many organizations seek to bring Western ideas and volunteers into countries where they end up doing more harm then good. To avoid this, look of volunteer travel organizations that have received support from the local population. All volunteer organizations should be committed to trying to work with the communities that they serve. To learn about more value travel trends impacting tourism today, be sure to check out our latest guide.

Make Your Experience Rewarding

As you prepare for your voluntourism travel adventure, be sure that you make your experience rewarding. First, ensure that you clearly understand everything about your project. This way, you can guarantee that you fully support and show passion for the cause. To make your volunteer tourism experience even more rewarding, make certain that you embrace the culture, discover the country, appreciate the opportunity, and have open expectations. This way, you can truly relax and enjoy the power of slow travel vacations.

It is also a way for you to make the world a better place to live in, creating memories along the way. You may even make some lifelong friends while doing it.

RV Travel seems to be on the radar now as a preferred method of travel. It has been one of the top performing sectors in travel for 2020 and probably will be again in 2021. Trip planners prefer to have their own space with a self contained trip. They want to spend more time outside enjoying the open road , nature and national parks. Interaction with other travelers are controllable. They don’t have to use public bathrooms. It is a great opportunity to spend focused time outside, with family or friends, and maybe the family dog.

Changing RV Travel Demographics

The old misconception that most of the RV travelers are retired senior citizens has changed dramatically. They now only make up 20% of the demographic that travel by RV. There are now larger groups of families going to national parks and other family friendly destinations. With all these new destinations and experiences, RV travel journeys are an excellent opportunity for family vacations.

Brand New Experiences

Where are these new groups of RV travelers going? National parks, music festivals, exploring I-10 or Route 66, rodeo’s, and out-of-the-way events.

It also has turned out to be a brand new experience for most. Only 35% of the RV travelers this year have ever done it before. Where are all these RV’s coming from to be available for rent? Owners of RV’s are seeing this as another stream of income just like people do with AirBnb and spare rooms in their house. Even better, RVing encourages you to visit a new realm of travel destinations. Think less cities, and more small communities, mountain towns, and camping trips. If you are looking for some exciting destinations for your first RV trip, be sure to read out all-season Jackson Hole Wyoming travel and recreation guide.

RV Travel Cost

So how much does this type of travel cost? The base cost of the rental depends on if it is driveable or towable. Towable is less expensive, you have your own car with you but you will need to set up in each location you go to. It also matters what you expect in amenities. Do you want hi-tech or luxurious accommodations or are you okay with basic amenities and you are more concerned about getting from point A to point B?

Believe it or not, some of the best deals are last minute. If you are not particularly selective in what you are looking for, you may hit a home run and save significant dollars on a rental.

Overnight Accommodations Fees

Overnight fees vary as well. Do you find a Walmart parking lot for free or do you go to a RV Park which offers you facilities to use? If you want free you will be boondocking. It is basically where overnight parking is allowed. That may include rest areas, truck stops, hotel/motel parking lots, and visitor centers. Look for signage in those locations. Allstays.com can list options for you in all your destinations for $35/year.

Of course long drives can be affected cost-wise by the RV you select and miles per gallon.

Remain Spontaneous

When you plan your trip try to stay spontaneous since you are not tied down to hotel reservations anywhere. If you are expecting multiple overnight stops it is important to at least lock in a reservation at your final stop before heading home.

If you are looking for a one way RV trip and fly home from there, it is possible but harder to find.

Specialized Driving Requirements

The best thing about it is you don’t need a special drivers license. You can rent a class B van or a class C  U-Haul truck to attach to your vehicle. How to pick up your RV? If you are going to a destination, the owner delivers it to the campground and sets it up for you. They make sure they follow guidelines and sterilize it for you prior to your arrival. If you want additional cleaning measures you can hire someone from a company like TaskRabbit who offers a disinfectant cleaning service.

Roadside Assistance & Customer Support

Most organizations that you rent RV’s from also offer 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support on any questions you may have on your journey.

Travel Insurance Requirements

Travel insurance is imperative to avoid common travel mishaps on your motorhome vacation. It is recommended that you purchase adequate travel insurance like driveway coverage. Most likely the auto insurance you have as your primary will not be enough or even cover RV vehicles.

Campground WiFi

It is also important to inquire about WiFi at your selected campground, especially if it is rural. Check into Skyroam to purchase or rent a WiFi booster if it is necessary for you to have connectivity.

Check out a website of inventory like RVshare.com as a great place to start. Before you book your reservations, talk to the owner about logistics on how to receive your RV, MPG for long drives, policy on bringing your pet, and most of all, read reviews on previous rentals with that owner. If this excites you, be sure to read more in our guide on the top pet friendly travel options.

Future Of RV Travel

The future of RV travel is bright. You will see upgrades in technology with improved WiFi, larger work spaces for remote workers, fuel efficiency, and cooking functionality. You will see more options for one way travel. You will also see it not just as a mobility asset to go anywhere but also a hospitality asset with more comfort while you travel.

Packing

Before you embark on your RV travel journey, you need to familiarize yourself with what to pack. Remember that motorhomes tend to be fairly limited when it comes to storage space. Therefore, it is highly recommended to strategically pack in order to avoid running out of space or feeling claustrophobic. For U.S. RV travel, you should not pack too many kitchen and cooking supplies. You probably also do not need to pack an abundance of food, toiletries, and hygiene products. After all, you will be able to purchase most of these products at RV sites, camping stores, and rest stops along the way.

Timing

Obviously, it is beneficial to learn about the best time of year to go RVing. Fortunately, with the diverse climates across the United States, you can always find somewhere for your RV travel adventure. Some destinations like the Western United States or California, are notoriously enjoyable for RV travel year-round. Similarly, U.S. States like Florida have been coined the ‘Sunshine State’ for their warm weather all year. Here, you can take your RV throughout Orlando, the Florida Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center. For RV travel lovers in the Northeast United States, vacations are likely only possible throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Outside of these seasons, most RV campgrounds remain closed for the Winter.

Sleeping, Naps, & Rest

It goes without saying that sleeping, naps, and rest will be much different on your RV travel journey. Before you embark on your motorhome vacation, consider the sleeping habits, ages, and abilities of those you are traveling with. If you are unsure in your ability to get a good night’s rest, consider purchasing sleep aid or gear beforehand. If you are traveling with small children, measure the RV living space to see if a crib or ‘pack and play’ can fit inside. You may also want to look into a rail or bumper for your kid’s beds. This way, you can ensure they do not roll of the bed while driving.

RV Travel Maintenance

Of course, it is additionally important to learn about RV travel maintenance before your first big trip. While RV renters will not have to worry too much about maintenance, this will be essential should you ever want to purchase your own rig. At a minimum, you will need to create a preventative maintenance schedule where you analyze your tires, brakes, and electric systems. At the same time, it is important to regularly clear your roof of any debris. In addition, successful maintenance additionally requires changing fluids, deep cleaning, as well as checking batteries. In fact, you may even want to regularly test your safety equipment, run your generator, and clean out your AC unit. Once you are confident in your RV upkeep capabilities, you are ready to begin experiencing family camping vacations in the United States.

“Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone.” — Buddha

Dreaming about traveling after the pandemic? Now is the time to think about who you want to travel with. But wait….maybe I should go alone?

Why not? It is one of the fastest growing segments of travel. There are so many advantages when traveling solo. When you go with others you will have to compromise around everyone’s likes and dislikes. If you do not want to travel completely alone, check out our guide on the best pet-friendly travel options to explore with your dog or cat.

Center Your Trip Around Yourself

The best reason to go is that it is all about you! You set the pace and you set the schedule. YOU decide if you want to run around seeing attractions in a city or relaxing and experience a slow travel vacation. Do you want to join a tour where they select where you go each day or do you want to make decisions each morning about how your day will go? If you meet people there you will be flexible to change your itinerary and hang with them.

Meet New People

No matter what decisions you make as a solo traveler, there is a very good chance you will meet new people and fellow travelers. You are more open to meeting others when you are alone. I cannot tell you how many friends I have made traveling solo. A great way to meet people is to offer to take a picture for them. You can also ask people to take a picture of you. Selfies never turn out to be a nice picture. Take a look at the app TRIPR. It lets you see and match with travelers who will be in the same place at the same time as you.

Discover Yourself

You may discover things about yourself when you are a solo traveler. You may uncover strengths or weaknesses about yourself. Are you a suitcase person or a backpack traveler? You may not consider yourself outgoing. Traveling may involve problem-solving due to unexpected circumstances during your trip. You also learn to be comfortable alone. You may learn what pace you enjoy. Fast moving where you see as much as possible or you may just want to soak in a couple of activities and see what develops and allow for surprises.

Learn New Skills

This may be the opportunity for you learn a new skill on your trip like a group scuba diving lesson in the Caribbean, sign up for a golf lesson on one of the beautiful golf courses in Scottsdale, joining a photography tour, taking a local cuisine cooking class in Italy or learning the Salsa in a Latin American country. I ended up going to a couple of Improv comedy shows in Chicago and now I am hooked on it. Second City is the mecca for Improv and now I take classes from them virtually because I went to see it.

Get Outdoors

No matter where you decide to go, you can look into a walking tour on day one. You will get a good orientation on your destination right away and meet fellow travelers. It may lead to meeting up for lunch or a drink later in the day with someone you meet on that tour.

Sometimes I mix it up. If I know someone, even if it is an acquaintance or a distant relative, in a destination I am heading to, I spend some time with them and also split off for some time alone exploring. Great to get some local flavor with someone who lives there.

Be Sure To Stay Safe

There are definitely some measures you can take to make sure you are safe traveling alone. Be careful if a stranger offers to buy you a drink. If you accept one make sure your drink is always in your sight. Make a plan with someone back home like a close friend or family member where you have regular check-ins. Maybe text them to say you had a great day and that you are safely in your accommodations for the night. If you plan on spending overnight with someone make sure you are telling someone where you are prior to going. Same goes for an evening date.

Leave A Digital Trail Wherever You Go

You may feel completely safe but being alone it is always good to leave a trail of where you go. It may not be a good idea to share a taxi with a stranger. Don’t walk alone late at night. Better to UBER or hop on public transportation. None of this is meant to scare you but it is just smart planning and traveling. It is better to be careful so you have a fantastic solo trip. Speaking of planning your trip, it is probably best to arrange an arrival into your destination during the day. Try to avoid a late evening arrival, especially if you plan on public transportation and being unfamiliar with the location.

Here are some options for you to look at to give you additional peace-of-mind as a solo traveler…….

• BSAFE:  it will alert pre-selected people back home of a problem. It offers SOS alerts, location and tracking details, live streams a recording, you can request someone to walk with you when you are alone by tracking your walk, and it even offers you a “fake call” at a preselected time if you are out with a stranger on a date. There is a free version or a premium version of the app. In order to access all the different features you can choose from $ 2/month, or $ 20 dollars/year www.getbsafe.com
• Another one to look at is CIRCLEOF6. You can add up to six people for contacts, they can call you to interrupt something or if you just need to tell them something. Choose people who realize they need to pick up quickly if you are contacting them. www.circleof6app.com

Be Prepared For Emergencies

Whether you are planning a solo travel journey domestic or abroad, you will need to be prepared for any emergencies. Start off by making copies of all the credit cards and documents you will need during your trip. At the same time, save the address of your accommodations in a place other than your mobile phone. This way, you can always know where you are going if your device dies. To further prevent this, consider purchasing a portable battery to get your smartphone travel ready for your trip. Furthermore, you may want purchase a local SIM card if you are planning on traveling internationally. Needless to say, this will be imperative to make emergency calls without relying on WiFi connection. By following these precaustions, you can stay safe and avoid the common travel mishaps on your solo travel journey.

Dining For One

Solo travelers sometimes feel anxiety about mealtime and eating alone. Choose the restaurant you want to go and eat at the bar. There are always people who want to talk there. Some restaurants offer a great Happy Hour menu that is only served at the bar. Another great option is to eat outside at a café’. It is a great place for people watching. If you choose not to be approachable, especially if you are a female, put a fake wedding ring on for your trip. You can also check out EAT WITH. Join a group for a meal, cooking class, or a food tour. www.eatwith.com. If you are looking to experience new foods on your next travel journey, there are plenty of authentic, cultural options to choose from. Be sure to check out our Native American travel food guide to learn more.

Where To Stay

When you are traveling alone, you should stay open to shared accommodations options. Lets face it, a single occupancy hotel, B&B, or apartment can be both expensive and incredibly lonely. Staying in local hostels or AirBnBs are an excellent way to reduce your expenses and meet new people. These shared housing options make communications with your hosts and fellow travelers much easier. In many cases, you will feel like you are being welcomed into someone else’s family. After a long day of exploring the city, these housing accommodations can feel as if you were coming back home. Even better, these reduced rates help you keep up with your value travel ambitions.

Start Off Early

To maximize your solo travel experiences, be sure to start your day off early. The sound of going to nightclubs or bar hopping alone does not sit well with many solo-travelers. Therefore, why not be an early bird instead. Especially in large, bustling cities, there are dozens of completely safe opportunities to sightsee by yourself. In many cases, getting up early can help you avoid the large crowds surrounding popular destinations. Before you plan your trip, consider the benefits of starting your solo travel journey off early.

Experience A New Type Of Travel

Of course, solo travel journeys empower you to experience a new form of travel. Consider soaking up the beach with tropical, French Polynesian spa treatments. If you are looking to experience historical, cultural travel on the other hand, consider partaking in Native American travel experience or slavery education tourism. At the same time, you may even want to explore food travel, solo stopovers, or nightlife getaways. Other popular excursions include self-reflection, road trip, and solo camping travel. Certainly, solo travel journeys empower you to experience a new type of travel.

There are several easy travel tips to prepare for your solo travel journey. First, there is a very good chance you will meet new people and fellow travelers. Secondly, you may discover things about yourself when you are a solo traveler. Even better, this may be the opportunity for you learn a new skill. No matter where you decide to go, you can look into a walking tour on day one. At the same time, there are definitely some measures you can take to make sure you are safe traveling alone. Needless to say, you will need to be prepared for any emergencies. You should additionally plan out dining ahead to avoid feeling anxiety about mealtime and eating alone. Moreover, you should stay open to shared accommodations options. Finally, be sure to start your day off early. Follow the points outlined above to learn about the top tips for solo travel destinations and experiences.

“Don’t be scared to walk alone. Don’t be scared to like it.” — John Mayer

“Tourists went on holidays while travelers did something else. They traveled.” Alex Garland

The idea of travel is exciting and dreamy. What lies underneath the broad term, “travel,” sometimes includes mishaps. If you travel often, you are bound to have things not go as planned. Hopefully nothing terrible like losing your wallet or getting very sick. Either way, these stories stick with you forever and become something you can learn from or laugh at in the future. It is all part of travel and adventure!

Dad and I arrived in Banff, Canada and rented a car the morning of our planned trip down to Bow Valley Parkway and visit….

At Avis Car Rental, the employee asked us if we would like to get roadside insurance with our car. We turned it down since we would not be doing a ton of driving. The employee then gave us a second chance to buy it and warned us that due to slippery winter weather conditions, that it may not be such a bad idea to have it.

We understood the risks of not getting roadside insurance, but we politely turned her idea down again.

About an hour or so after we rented the car, Bow Valley Parkway was such a scenic and lovely drive. We had spotted a herd of elk, and just enjoyed nature all around us. We decided we had to pull over to take some pictures to capture the moment. There were not too many cars on the road at the time but had to pull over a little bit to let cars go by us. All the cars were going very slowly also to observe the scenery but felt we could not stop on the road.

Guess What Happened Next?

Our car got stuck on the… side of the road! Our passenger-side tires sank in the deeper snow caused by snow plows pushing the snow to the side of the road. No big deal we thought because the driver-side tires were still on the road and in no risk of being in that snowpile. It was 3 PM and we started to wave down cars to help us get out. A couple of cars stopped and helped shovel around the tires but to no avail. We then realized we needed something more like ropes. By 4 PM we were getting nervous. It gets dark early in the winter and we only had another hour of daylight.

A van pulls over and tells us he will call the local towing company but they will probably charge us a pretty substantial amount of money but we didn’t care. He said just hold tight and maybe they will come in an hour. Soon after he left, a couple from Kelowna, Canada stopped and had EVERYTHING in their car that would help. They had ropes, chains, shovels and anything else that would come in handy in an emergency. Within minutes we were out and were so thankful we offered to take them to dinner in Banff. We had such a great time with them we met up with them the next day and went hiking at Johnston Canyon. To this day we talk to them often and plan on visiting them in the future and we are friends for life.

Pro Tips For Avoiding Rental Car Travel Mishaps

When traveling somewhere without a reliable public transportation system, renting a car is a viable option to get around. However, there are dozens of inherent risks when renting a car in an unfamiliar location. While we were fortunate enough to meet local people who turned out to be a great friend, this will not always happen. Instead, you need to take several precautions to prepare yourself for any roadside vehicle travel mishaps. First, you should map out mechanics, gas stations, and rest stops ahead of time to avoid breaking down in desolate areas. At the same time, you should always keep a back up tank of fuel in the vehicle in case you unexpectedly run out. Whether you are visiting with friends, your spouse or on a family vacation, these rental car tips will help protect you on your upcoming trip.

Travel Mishap #2

It was the start of a great day touring beautiful Lisbon. We went to the Fado Music Museum and then headed by taxi to the spectacular San Jeronimos Monastery. Once inside, my Dad was reaching for his camera (iPhone) to take some pictures there. Could not find the phone and then realized it must have been left in the taxi since he remembered looking at it in the taxi. Panic set in knowing we were leaving the city for good at 4 PM. At that point, we realized the rest of the day was only to pursue finding the phone. We found a group of Portuguese guys who called the taxi company, got in touch with our driver, and the driver agreed to meet us at a designated spot somewhere else in the city.

We came to the conclusion we will be back someday in Lisbon and have a stress-free experience next time. The result was so much better to have the phone to take pictures the rest of the trip.

Expert Solution To Avoid Lost Or Stolen Items Travel Mishaps

Next,  missing phones are one of the top travel mishaps. When you are traveling with essential tech like your smartphone, you will need to plan on how to keep them secure and safe. Ideally, you want to keep your phone close to you at all times. Some travelers even wear custom belts that provide convenient access to your smart phone and other important travel documents. To most reliably protect your phone, you need to take several precautions before you travel. Consider purchasing a tracker that allows you to trace your phone’s known last location. In addition, you may even want to consider purchasing a back up phone to bring on vacation with you. If you do lose your phone while traveling, you want to be able to locate or restore a backup to another device quickly.

Travel Mishap #3

Upon arriving in Glendale, Arizona, I checked into my AirBnb. The instructions were to open up the lockbox to get the key for the front door. When I entered I saw two people walking toward me extremely puzzled and alarmed. He asked, “are you Greg?” I said, “yes! Hi!”

He said, your arrival date is tomorrow! We both laughed. I could not believe I mixed up my dates. This would have been a major problem if the room was rented out for that evening. Fortunately it was vacant and he allowed me cash to pay for the extra night. I did not want to search for a place to stay. I wanted to get out and enjoy Glendale!

Pro Tip On Avoiding Miscommunications And Travel Arrangement Mishaps

There are several expert recommendations on how to avoid travel arrangement miscommunications and mishaps. Booking a vacation by yourself can be incredibly stressful. You have to remember tons of critical information like flight times, lodging details, daily itineraries, and required travel documents. You should always print out all of your confirmation documents. Highlight important dates, times, and locations that you will need to reference later. At the same time, you can try to book your accommodations with a travel itinerary app that organizes all your details in a centralized location. Ensure that all your arrangements are clearly in order so that you can relax and enjoy the most out of your slow travel vacation.

Travel Mishap #4

We took the Route 675 bus an hour west from Minneapolis to Wayzata. The temperature was below zero. It was a blizzard, and no words can illustrate how cold it was.

I had no feeling in my body, but being out on the lake in these temperatures was exhilarating. I was facing the true Minnesotan winter.

We learned once we arrived at Lake Minnetonka ice fishermen go deep onto the frozen lake far from land. I’m not exaggerating when I say far!

Dad and I met two ice fishermen in the parking lot who greeted us to “join” them. We then needed to walk with them on the lake to find an appropriate spot for us to set up the tent and the equipment. We were just thrilled we could have this first-time experience with people who knew exactly what they were doing.

Walking against the wind in blizzard conditions with poor visibility was ambitious but stimulating. We hoped we were sharing the tent with the two gentlemen once the odyssey was over.

When we arrived they suggested we can hang out right outside of the tent, but we didn’t fully get it until that moment we couldn’t fit inside with them.

We decided to head back to land and warm up and have a nice lunch somewhere. We chuckled. I presume you can now label us “ice fisherman” just because we stood on a frozen lake with fish beneath it!

It turned out to be a great travel story and experience on a freezing cold day in a Minnesota winter blizzard. Dad and I were prepared for just about any level of severity of cold weather after our standing outside of a closed tent watching an “ice fishing” adventure. We ended up getting a lot of exercise and walking through Wayzata.

Expert Recommendation On Avoiding Unpreparedness Travel Mishaps

Of course, this is one of the toughest unprepared travel mishaps. If you are traveling in severe weather conditions, you must have the proper equipment to survive. While we were lucky to have been “ice fisherman” for a day, it could have been a dangerous adventure without the proper clothing, gear and tent. There will always been unforeseen circumstances in your trip. Ask questions before embarking on a trip, tour or fishing adventure. Take the proper gear and equipment so that you will be safe throughout your journey. While you purchase gear, try to purchase from our list of the best sustainable travel products to reduce your carbon footprint while vacationing. By preparing for the worst, you can avoid injuries and other dangerous mishaps while traveling.

Travel Mishap #5

Expert Travel Solution On Avoiding Packing Or Luggage Mishaps

Of course, there are plenty of common travel mishaps that can occur when trying to pack your suitcase and prepare your luggage. When traveling by air, one of the most common mistakes is packing too many liquids, valuables, or other prohibited items in your carry-on bag. Keep in mind that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict regulations on fluids, cosmetics, and weapons. If you are traveling with anything that may be classified as restricted, be sure to contact the airport you will be flying out of immediately. This way, you can travel safe and incident-free on your next journey.

How To Avoid Other Common Travel Mishaps

As a frequent traveler, some form of mishaps are inevitable. Well some are unavoidable, there are several ways to avoid falling victim to these common tourism mishaps. Being prepared for travel mishaps is essential to enjoy your trip and stick to your value travel itinerary. When traveling to different foreign and domestic destinations, many travelers are worried about pickpockets and robberies. To avoid these incidents on your upcoming vacation, avoid appearing overly-friendly or helpful in potentially vulnerable situations. At the same time, you could consider investing in theft-proof clothes or storage devices.

At the same time, you need to prepare yourself for risks associated with intoxication, illness, and dehydration. Check out our guide on how to prevent altitude sickness in Colorado to learn more about this. To effectively protect yourself, never except alcohol from strangers, always monitor your consumption, and constantly keep an eye on your drink. In addition, you may want to consider purchasing medical travel insurance in case you have to visit a hospital or doctor on your vacation. This will protect you in the event of a travel safety mishap.

Other common travel mishaps include getting lost in big cities, losing your luggage, or important forms of ID. As mentioned before, there are plenty of potential mistakes associated with rental cars. However, there are plenty of additional mishaps that can occur if you are planning on renting a large van, camper, or recreational vehicle (RV). If you are planning this type of getaway, be sure to check out our RV travel guide. Of course, with the proper levels of planning and research before hand, you can effectively avoid all of these potential mishaps as well.

I rarely write about places like Disney because I focus on Value Travel destinations. I focus on ways to do the best things in travel for a fraction of the cost. Disney is a top dollar trip, very expensive, but I appreciate it for what it means to the world. Factor in admission, possible upgrade experiences, food and drinks all day long, and gift shops, it will cost a small fortune.

Despite all that, it is without a doubt something you should do once or twice in your life. Here is the big question. How do you relax and enjoy your dream day at the theme park if you don’t know for sure you are not interacting with people with the virus? All it takes is one person there out of the thousands who you come across. The rules state you should not enter if you have any of 11 symptoms listed. Do you really think that will stop someone who has planned this trip for a long time? Does anyone really know if they have been in contact with asymptomatic people in the past 14 days? The Coronavirus has changed everything. From the Disney theme park experience all the way to the COVID-19 version of the 2020 Kentucky Derby.

Disney During The Virus

Let’s face it- Disney may never be the same. Will it be magical? It is everything we DON’T want it to be right now. NO social distancing, people walking around you, by you, with you, waiting in line somewhere near you. Wearing masks all day long is tough in brutally hot and humid weather. Young kids are exhausted running around the park all day as it is, with a mask on they will be miserable. Yes, it is the happiest place on earth, but is it when you are always thinking about the virus? When you park how will you get to the park entrance? Shuttles normally are packed. Monorails and buses will have the same issue. Will the wait times be much longer for transportation , food and rides due to limited capacity? As parks prepare to open, more Disney vacationers are stressing about travel plans amidst pandemic conditions. Many travelers are unsure whether to feel safe, if they should still travel, and what precautions they should follow. Without a doubt, Disney wants to capitalize now on the summer season when families usually travel. Not so sure it is the right plan considering public safety issues.

The Return Of International & Out-Of-State Travelers

As you prepare for post-COVID travel, you need to know about the return of far-traveling visitors. Will the international customers come? Will out-of-state residents fly to Orlando? Florida residents seem to be a safe bet to return early on. Expect aggressive marketing campaigns to draw those locals back early and often.

We need to analyze how this is all going to work. Disney keeps talking about reopening plans but always needs to prepare to delay that based on current health conditions. The trends for illnesses change by the week. They not only have to be concerned about the safety of the visitors, but also the thousands of employees potentially exposed at all the theme parks, gift shops, restaurants and offices.

Disney Cruises & International Destinations

There seems to be more questions than answers at this point. The situation is fluid and can change many times. Virus conditions in Florida, California, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris, Disney cruises out of Florida and all of the other Disney locations are all different, which make it very complicated. All Disney cruises have been suspended until September 15th at the earliest. 255 people on the Disney Wonder have tested positive for COVID since March 1st. As cruises are experiencing shut downs nationwide, many Disney-goers are wndering about the cruise travel predictions post Coronavirus. Each individual location will have to make its own decision. No decision will be uniform corporate-wide.

The Possible Return Of Disney Parks

The great news is that Disney fans have pent-up demand. They want to get out and have fun again, they want to do family vacations again. Disney is normally the choice for all of that. Expectations will also be very high for the same or similar experience that they are used to.

When the Disney theme park of your choice finally reopens, you may not recognize it. Disney World and Disneyland Paris just opened up in mid-July. Mobile ordering of all food and beverages needs to be done instead of standing in long lines. Mask wearing is mandatory while you are running around in less than ideal weather conditions on most days. Enforced social distancing with signs everywhere telling you where to stand in line, even in the bathrooms and gift shops. Limited capacity in all areas, including the parks. Limited dining options? Maybe 25% to 50% capacity instead of packed to the gills?

They are planning “rest areas” where you can have a drink and take off your mask for a few minutes. You will definitely see hand sanitizer and hand washing everywhere.

Current Disney Reopenings

One place that opened months ago is Disney Springs. Masks are required and they check your temperature. You have to wait to get into stores based on occupancy. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Disney in Shanghai has opened up with online reservations only with limited capacity. They are doing temperature screenings and have closed down all interactive activities, children’s play areas, shows in their theatres, and no photo opportunities with characters. Shanghai Disney, which is 43% owned by Disney, will have contactless payment solutions, masks for everyone 11 years and older, sanitizing and hand washing stations everywhere, and online reservations for admittance to the park. Disneyland in California cap capacity as well. For Disney World you will have to make reservations for dining by phone. No more online. Cashless payment options are now preferred. Germ-filled currency is high risk and unnecessary to take.

Disney Water Parks

Walt Disney World has reopened one of the most popular water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, two years after being shut down due to COVID. Disney visitors will be able to enjoy the lazy river, wave pool and water coaster. However, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park still remains closed. At this time, you do not need to reserve a spot to visit Typhoon Lagoon, though, requirements may change as COVID continues.

Predictions For The Future

In the future, will you have to make reservations to go to a park? Will your entrance ticket be for certain hours instead of all day- all night? That might be the way Disney can make money by charging many customers with turnover throughout the day. How does this affect annual passes and multi-day passes? They will probably have to extend the dates of the annual passes because of all the closures. Special events like the Halloween and Christmas events are up in the air. For those to be profitable you need to fill the park and you know that can’t happen. Parades and fireworks shows may be eliminated to avoid massive crowds at the end of the night all leaving at the same time. Character Meet and Greets are history. Of course, Disney has health restrictions just like there are COVID health restrictions in Miami.

Pricing Concerns

Here is the BIG question. If you charge regular pricing will the customer come? They are definitely getting a more subdued experience and definitely not the experience they have been accustomed to. Can Disney afford to discount if they are only filling half the park? Disney parks historically do not discount at all.

Rides will need to go half empty for distancing. Normally the on-premises hotels offer incredible perks like early admission and if you purchase in gift shops they delivered to your room. How will all this change?

Obviously if Disney still plans to charge full price that may be a risk. They may discount ancillary items like hotel rooms, and other discounts when you are out of the park and in a Disney hotel. They will need to get creative and aggressive. They have just come out with a 4 day pass for $ 49 per day for Florida residents. Attendance must be disappointing if they are willing to be that aggressive.

Face Covering Regulations

With more Disney parks planning on opening up again very soon, it is essential to research the specific face covering restrictions. Being that Disney is an incredibly busy, high traffic amusement park, there are several restrictions you must follow. The thin, flimsy mask you wear to the grocery store still may not be enough to enter the Disney park. If you plan on visiting, familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines. First, anybody over the ages of two, including Disney staff members, must wear a face covering. The mask must fully cover your nose and mouth. Coverings must fit snugly so that you can be fully covered, while remaining hands-free. Required masks must be secured with ties or ear loops to ensure they are secured and fastened at the same time. Disney World had to change their mask policy soon after opening. Now you cannot take off your mask to eat or drink while walking around.

Should You Feel Safe?

Even with the stringent rules and regulations in place, many travelers are still worried on whether or not they should feel safe. Ultimately, deciding on whether or not to vacation during the pandemic is at the discretion of the traveler. Of course, Disney parks, hotels, restaurants, and travel companies are taking the required precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. However, these daily precautions can never fully eliminate the chance of contracting the virus. If you are contemplating visiting the Disney parks, beware that employee temperatures are checked prior to the start of their shift. If employees have a temperature exceeding 100.4 degrees, they are immediately sent home. At the same time, employees that have displayed any flu-like systems are additionally required to stay home. Furthermore, Disney Park officials are committed to wiping down railings, rides, and other frequently touched surfaces as frequently as possible. Before booking your vacation, consider whether or not you will feel safe in the park.

Remember that if you do not feel safe, you should leave immediately, regardless of if you already paid. Ultimately, your safety and peace of mind is more valuable than the cost of a ticket. If this is the case, try experiencing some other local attractions as well. For example, you can always visit Florida Space Coast and Kennedy Space Center.

COVID Character Interaction

Amidst the virus, there are changing regulations for character interaction at Disney Parks. Meeting Mickie and Minnie Mouse, along with all the Disney Princesses has always been a favorite for children visiting Disney Parks. These character interactions were an essential component of family vacations visiting Disney. Unfortunately, up close interactions have been placed on hold throughout the Coronavirus. You will still be able to see your favorite Disney characters from a distance. However, you will not be able to receive the same up-close interactions, hugs, high-fives, and signatures. Currently, at Disney Springs, only the Storm Trooper characters are available performing these modified interactions.

Positive Changes At Disney

Of course, there are many positive changes that can be expected at Disney after the shutdown reopening. First and foremost, the Cinderella Castle has gone bold, flashing new colors of purple, regal, and gold. To help you remember, the castle used to be mainly light grey and pale blue. This was done in honor of the Cinderella movie turning 70 in 2021. Certainly, the royal makeover of Disney’s staple castle will be a positive change to look forward to as you prepare for the post-COVID theme park experience.

You see many more questions than answers. Time will tell over the next few years how this will play out. You may even see Disney locations close and reopen a few times based on the threat of the virus affecting their immediate area. The virus will decide how many years the happiest place on earth will be affected. Ultimately the consumer will make that decision. If demand is lower than expected due to COVID spikes and COVID-19 travel advisories, the company will have no choice but to shut down again.