ACE TRAVELS AGENCY

The Wonders of Group Travel

9/14/2020

Whether it’s with your tribe or with a group of strangers, group travel quite often gets a bad rap. The thoughts of designing a travel experience suitable for a number of people, each with their own distinct personality, sometimes ominously sounds like any effort crafted by a committee where the highs and lows are leveled out for the sake of group harmony. However, I have found that a group trip can be one of the most rewarding ways to travel given its benefits. Today, I want to share my five top reasons why everyone should consider a group trip at some point in their life.

1. Bonding

1. Bonding –Traveling with a group, though not without its own complexities, provides a special opportunity for bonding and closeness. Nothing brings people together more than experiencing something new together. For me this is the biggest benefit of group travel.

Your experiences will form memories you will share for a lifetime. The small adjustments necessary for everyone’s comfort and enjoyment are minor compared to the social benefit of traveling with a group of companions. Naturally, some groups trips move well outside of the realm of “a few close friends” but even larger group travel experiences provide intimate settings and bonding. When you get together in a group of people sharing common experiences, an almost family-like atmosphere can develop, much different from traveling solo or with a single companion.

2. Make Life Long Friendships

In cases where you are traveling with strangers you may meet new people you can relate to very well. I have made friends during group trips that are still very much a part of my life today. A group tour can be an easy way to find a like minded group of people to travel with. It takes the pressure off having to go out and find travel buddies. And it also allows you to be social and share experiences with people while you’re traveling.

3. Safety and Assurance

I’ll be the first to say travelling alone is never as bad as people make out. Of course, this also depends on the country, but generally speaking it is also a great experience. Wherever in the world you go, you need to know the area and stay safe. There are two advantages of a group travel, firstly you’re most likely travelling out in large numbers rather than alone, especially at night. And secondly your guide (if you have one) will have been to the area numerous times and be able to give you the low down on places to avoid, what valuables to leave behind and how much money you need. This information is priceless.

4. It's Cost Effective

Group tours often create financial efficiencies. Sometimes as few as 10 people count as a “group” and can result in significant savings. Beyond the fare for the tour, even meals out and excursions or side-trips can result in savings when the entire group purchases together. Additionally in certain destinations there are experiences that are much cheaper when done collectively as a group versus individually. For example, in Japan having tea with a Maiko or Geisha is much more feasible when the expense is shared by a group versus just one or two people.

5. Push yourself out of your comfort zone

Don’t get me wrong, any trip can be an opportunity to experience new things, but I also believe that group trips can make this aspect of travel a bit more of a reality. Traveling in a group can give you the chance to explore a place with a local or more seasoned traveler, which means that you’ll gain insider knowledge and learn more about the area. Along with these, you might even be able to visit places or try things that are popular among the locals but aren’t as well-known to the general public.

As I look back on my years of travel many of my most memorable moments have been with groups. I can tell you where we were, who was with me and how we were all feeling in the moment. When done right and in great company, a journey can change the way you see yourself and the people around you. My preference is to travel with others because you can share those beautiful experiences and change together. It’s why I encourage and love planning group trips!

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How to Choose the Right Luggage!

7/23/2020

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Almost all travelers have that 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.

Choosing the wrong luggage can waste precious travel time and energy and can cause a lot of aches and pains. Choosing the right luggage will free you up to enjoy your trip without any unnecessary aggravation. To help you pick the best possible bag for your next adventure — here are five simple questions you can ask yourself to help 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. If I have multiple flights within a trip, I pack using luggage that corresponds to the airline with the strictest luggage requirements. This way I have no surprise baggage fees. In Scotland we took a very small plan from Glasgow to Islay. They had very specific luggage requirements so I made sure to only travel with that piece of luggage. Check out our plane to Islay.

Am I an over-packer 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! I knew when I went to Hong Kong I was going to shop and as such I made it a point to pack an extra foldable bag that I could use to bring back my purchases.

Check this out this product. It's the perfect solutions for those who love to shop while traveling.

Foldable and Water Resistant Duffel Bag 30"

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 thieves, 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, gorgeous elevator-less buildings, you’ll be praying to the luggage gods for a simple backpack with padded shoulder straps.

I am very particular when I shop for luggage and am often asked for recommendations on luggage. I highly recommend Samsonite. My go to for all almost my trips is my Samsonite Carry On. It has traveled with me all ove the world and it holds up in every possible scenario. I can pull it when I need to since it has wheels but if I am walking on non-flat surfaces it is light enough to carry. It has enough room for all my belongings regardless of the type of trip I am taking. And it is sturdy enough to withhold a beating given its been on well over one hundred trips with me. Here is the exact model I have.

Samsonite 20 inch Solyte DLX Softside Expandable Luggage

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. If you are ready to start planning your next adventure and need some assistance contact me by clicking here.

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Want to Lighten Your Load? Here are 5 bright packing ideas.

6/1/2020

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As states across the United States and countries across the world start to open up, people are salivating at the idea of getting back on a plane to their next destination.

These days, it costs a lot of money to check bags on a flight — even just one bag. Check two or more, and you can easily start racking up fees that are half the price of a plane ticket. Not sure what this will be like post pandemic, but I cannot imagine it will be much cheaper.

And if you are traveling internationally you will find that huge suitcase on wheels that rolls effortlessly through airport hallways suddenly becomes a major hassle and backache on uneven, narrow sidewalks, in tiny taxi cabs, or in utterly charming 17th-century hotels with no working elevators.

I know…..I know……sometimes it’s tough to break the over-packing habit but its possible. I have become the master at traveling with just a carry on regardless of the number of days I am traveling. My only challenge in this area has been when traveling to colder weather climates but I am working on it.

Recently I shared five ideas, ranging from easy-peasy to unconventional, that can save you money and help you travel lighter.

1. Always think “multi-use.”

In order to achieve this I pack with a color palette in mind. Yes, I know it seems a bit cheesy but it helps to keep me from packing one-offs or clothing I won't end up wearing. It’s tempting sometimes to just pack that one extra sweater because it’s so great. But are you going to wear that sweater more than once? Does it go with the pants you’ve packed, or the skirts? Does it work with the shoes you’re bringing? What inevitably happens is that you wind up packing other things to go with that one extra thing — and that’s how over-packing starts.

If you stay within a color scheme everything you wear now works with each other. Make a list. Find tops, bottoms, and shoes that are versatile and that you can easily mix, match, and layer. Accessorize with light, easy-to-pack things: scarves, neckties, fabric belts.

Here is an example of this approach from when Miguel and I went to Scotland! Everything I packed was green, pink, black or white. I was able to travel through Scotland with only a carry on making moving around the various cities and traveling on a puddle jumper much more manageable. And not to toot my own horn but I think I still looked cute ?

Strolling Through Glasgow

Whiskey Tasting in Islay

Posing in Edinburgh

Matching the Hotel Furniture (by accident)

2. Ladies Always Consider Rompers

I am the queen of one-piece outfits and/or dresses. They are easy to pack, and I don’t have to think at all about what bottom or top I am going to wear together. Combine with some cute accessories and some comfortable sneakers, booties or sandals and voila......you are on your way to taking some amazing Instagram worthy pictures.

Check out one of my rompers and a dress I got on Amazon. Yes, Amazon!! I take them on almost every trip and receive compliments on it everywhere I go. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Here I am wearing my romper in the desert of Peru! And the dress in Instanbul!

Women's Jumpsuits - Crewneck One Off Shoulder Short Sleeve Elastic Waist Romper Playsuits with Pockets

Women's Sleeveless Racerback Loose Plain Maxi Dresses Casual Long Dresses with Pockets

3. If you must bring bulky things, don’t pack them — wear them

While this can be an admittedly uncomfortable option if you’re traveling between two very different climates — it still is easier than over-packing for one outfit. The bulky jacket, the long sweater, men’s dress shoes, the knee-high boots, the shoes with chunky heels, the big purse, the hiking boots — these are great candidates for wearing rather than packing. They take up a lot of room in a suitcase, they’re unusually heavy, and they’re not worth the extra heft and money.

Another option to hefty coats are down feather jackets or vests that you can fold into itself, compress and pack into your suitcase or in your hand baggage. They literally take up no space. Now a days they are extremely fashionable, affordable and will keep you as warm as that chunky winter jacket. Looking for some options? Here are two jackets I own.

Women's Lightweight Packable Hooded Coat Outwear Puffer Down Jacket 

Uniqlo’s Women Ultra Light Down Hooded Jacket.
If you use this Uniqlo referral link https://refer-us.uniqlo.com/s/amariliscorrea you will get off your purchase of $75 or more.

Men you may want to consider these options. Miguel’s own both os these and loves them.

Men's Packable Insulated Light Weight Hooded Puffer Down Jacket
Uniqlo Men Ultra Light Down Vest. You can use the same referral link mentioned above to get $10 off your purchase.

4. Roll Your Clothing Or Use Compression Bags.

Perhaps, your go-to packing method involves haphazardly shoving clothes and shoes into your luggage and sitting on top of your suitcase to make it close? I know a few people who pack this way. It’s quite comical to watch.

I, my friends, am more of a roll your clothes type of person. I do believe it creates more space and allows me to pack just a tad bit more. This form of packing will also help reduce wrinkles.

However, some folks swear by compression bags. While I haven’t fallen head over heels in love with them, I can see their value. Packing cubes help organize your outfits, compress your clothes, and let you isolate dirty clothes from clean ones.

If you want to give the compression bags a try here are some I would recommend:

Compression Packing Cubes, 4pcs Expandable Storage Travel Luggage Bags Organizers

5. Use technology to your advantage.

You likely know that you can bring a library’s worth of books and magazines on an e-reader or iPad. But a tablet can also house handy travel apps that can make your trip more efficient and can store vital information. For example, you can scan copies of your driver’s license, passport, or credit cards and securely email those images to yourself, for easy access in case they are lost or stolen. There are apps for reservation and flight information, train schedules, best gas prices in your area, best food where you’ll be staying — all right at your fingertips, which can save you the weight and hassle of hard-copy documents and folders.

Finally, before you pack, you can check out a site like Clothes Forecast which allows you to check the forecast of your destination and can help you plan what to pack based on the temperature and conditions that might await you upon arrival.

So there you go!! I hope these five tips have been helpful and you are looking forward to the challenge of just flying with your carry-on during your next adventure.

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Four Ways Travel Can Help Bring Groups Together Post-Pandemic

4/15/2020

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As you already know in its current state, the world we live in can feel like a scary place. Every ounce of normalcy in our day-to-day lives has been uprooted, and many of us fear to leave our own homes for essential items, let alone for travel. And while the days of social distancing and extended school closures may not be over yet, there will come a time when things will go back to normal.

There will be many things that we’ll get back in our lives and the ability to move around freely and begin traveling again is certainly one of them. This I genuinely believe. Travel can be a great way to reconnect and bring your tribes back together after weeks of panic and uncertainty.

Here are four ways that travel can rejuvenate your tribes dynamics and help them to re explore the world.

1. Travel is a brilliant way to celebrate milestones

Do you have a major milestone in the near future? Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, retirement, family reunion, or any number of special celebrations, traveling outside of your norm can help provide meaningful memories that will stay with you forever.

2. Reignites Family and Friendship

Everyone is always busy. It’s hard for families and friends both near and far to make time to see each other and before you know years have passed. When individuals travel together their relationships are strengthened and deepened. By disconnecting from routine and indulging in new experiences, memories are made that will be taken many decades into the future, often outliving some of the older generations.

3. Turns Friends into Teammate

There will come a time during any journey or excursion where you and your tribe may find yourselves in new and unfamiliar environments and situations. These are the moments where the dynamic can shift from friends into teammates. Simple scenarios like finding your way around a big city, navigating a new public transport system or figuring out a menu in a foreign language, brings people together and has them working like teammates.

4. The Importance of Time

Unlike at home, where there are both mental and physical distractions to keep us preoccupied, traveling makes it essential to truly live in the moment. This makes it easier for individuals to catch up and spend quality time with one another. While vacations might seem to fly by, time really does slow down making those special moments string together into days that won’t be forgotten.

There’s truly no better feeling than getting to explore new destinations with the ones you love. Whether it’s your biological family or the people you choose to call family, travel can help bring these relationships closer together. While it most definitely is not the time to travel right now, it is a perfect time to start daydreaming and planning your next big vacation. Reach out to us if you’d like some destination inspiration and unique ideas for your group.

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The Quarantined Tourist

3/22/2020

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These days everyone is feeling the effects of the coronavirus. A large majority of us are stuck at home trying to decide how we can either make the most of this current situation or going stir crazy with anxiety. For avid travelers like myself, having to stay put is very frustrating. To relieve my “Fernweh” (an ache to get away and travel to a distant place). I came up
with some ways we can travel without having to physically leave your immediate area.

Backyard Destination Glamping
This first idea works well for those who live in warmer weather. If you live in colder weather, you can add a bonfire to make it more comfortable for yourself and loved ones. Set up a tent in your backyard with décor, music and food from a destination you love or have always wanted to visit. Spend a day or night in Morocco, India or even Japan. It will get you out of your house while still practicing social distancing. You will also get to experience something new and different. Who knows, you may even find it fun and want to continue glamping when this is all over.

Go Abroad with a Movie
If you are looking to be transported to a foreign land than look no further than your television or Ipad. Movies like 7 Years in Tibet, Amelie, Indiana Jones, and Lost in Translation will take you from the Far East to the streets of Paris in a matter of minutes. And did you know that now Netflix has a virtual movie theater? There’s a new system called Netflix Party which allows you to connect with friends and sync streaming video. You’ll all drop in a sort of virtual movie theater where, at the time chosen by the host, a movie or show will begin. There, you’ll all be able to chat (in a text sidebar) while the movie or show is playing. Voila!! Take a quick 2-hour trip with your travel buddies!

A Taste of a New Country
Close your eyes. Think about a place you would like to visit. Now, imagine some delicious food. I’m sure you felt that little smile in the corner of your mouth while you had these two visions. Everyone knows the best way to learn about a countries culture is through its food. On the website allrecipes.com you can find a section called World Cuisine Recipes. Here your taste buds will go to faraway places before you even get to visit. How amazing will it be to try a new recipe at home and several months from now experience that same dish in the country where it was born?

Drink in the Sights and Sounds
Are you into wine and want to learn more? How about setting up a wine tasting at home? Research a specific region you have always wanted to visit and then find the wines associated with that region. VinePair has a website dedicated to sharing the 101 of drinking and enjoying wine. They even provide details on different types of wines and grapes. As you find wines you like you can start planning your Wine River Cruise or land trip through countries like France, Spain or Austria.

Social Travel
While physical connections are limited these days, social connections continue growing. People are craving engagement and the number of social groups on Facebook are evidence of this. You can find a group for any topic these days, and there are no shortage of travel related groups. From forums for Solo Women Travelers to Adventure Travel or Singles Travel you can connect with so many people around the world and discuss your passion for travel. In many of these groups people are sharing funny travel stories and/or daydreaming about their future travel plans. At a minimum, it will help you escape the coronavirus news for a little while.

Regardless of how you choose to get your travel fix in make the most of it and have a blast! If any of these activities inspire you to plan a future vacation I would be thrilled to help you out. Contact me by clicking here.

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Blog

The Wonders of Group Travel

How to Choose the Right Luggage!

Want to Lighten Your Load? Here are 5 bright packing ideas.

Four Ways Travel Can Help Bring Groups Together Post-Pandemic

The Quarantined Tourist

Amarilis C.

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