Sunday, February 8, 2015

5 Safety Tips For Women Traveling Alone


5 Safety Tips For Women Traveling Alone
Perhaps more than ever, women are willing to ditch their traveling companions and go solo
when it comes time to hit the road and see the world.
A survey by Small Luxury Hotels of the World revealed that between 2011 and 2012 there was a 53 percent increase in the demand for rooms by women traveling alone.
The London Daily Mail also reports that some hotels have taken steps to make their accommodations more appealing to women traveling on their own, with such features as women-only floors. 

Still, despite the trend, many women may worry that such solitary excursions carry too many risks, making them a target for thieves, kidnappers and other criminals.

“There is no reason to let your fears keep you from the adventures you can experience,” says Barbara Foster, a veteran globetrotter and author of the book “The Confessions of a Librarian: A Memoir of Loves.” (www.threelovestory.com)

“Sure, there are risky places and bad types out there. But with the right precautions, women can travel solo with confidence, visiting the places and meeting the people they always dreamed of and returning home with wonderful stories and memories.”

Foster, who says solo trips can be deeply rewarding for women, offers five tips for traveling boldly while staying safe.
•  Steer clear of the most dangerous locales. Simply put, some places just aren’t worth the risk, so avoid “no go” neighborhoods, cities and countries. For example, if you feel compelled to go to the Middle East, visit Israel, which is the safest Middle Eastern country. Still, if the destination is truly important to you, go ahead and take the risk. India can be dangerous and Foster says she was nearly kidnapped there, saved only by the intervention of a librarian friend. At the same time, she says, the country offers a once in a lifetime experience.
•  Connect with friendly contacts. Make yourself known not only to the U.S. embassy or consul, but also to people in your field, Foster says. During her travels, Foster wrote articles about libraries she visited. Her fellow librarians were a protective group.
•  Learn the language or at least useful phrases. Even if it’s just a few key words, speaking the language can come in handy if you need to seek assistance. Understanding what others are saying also can alert you to potential dangers.
•  Dress wisely, pay attention to manners and spend money in moderation. Essentially, don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself. In her book, Foster recounts a visit to Istanbul where she watched horror-struck as two Turkish men slapped a young British woman for wearing a miniskirt on the street. For added protection against thieves, Foster recommends carrying money and identification in a pouch under your shirt.
•  Travel in the USA. You will miss many of the world’s must-see places, but if the thought of traveling abroad holds too much stress for you, it might be better to stick closer to home. Foster says two of her favorite U.S. cities are New York and New Orleans, both great places to explore.
About Barbara Foster
Barbara Foster has worked as a college librarian and as an associate professor specializing in Women’s Studies at the City University of New York. She has published numerous articles on education and travel, as well as more than 200 poems in literary journals under the name Belladonna. Her latest book is “The Confessions of a Librarian: A Memoir of Loves.” (www.threelovestory.com)

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Spring Break Travel Deals

Looking for some great Spring Break Travel Deals?  From tropical to exotic, here is a list of recommendations you will want to check out before your Spring Break booking!  

Fourth Night Free, South Seas Island Resort (Captiva Island, FL)
Located directly on the tranquil Gulf of Mexico waters in Southwest Florida, spring travelers can escape to South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island to receive their fourth night free with the resort’s new “Spring Getaway” package. When booking the package, guests receive their fourth night free when staying consecutive nights at regular rates. Also included in the package is the resort’s coupon booklet with over $250 in savings at resort outlets such as on cabana rentals, rounds of seaside golf, water sports, island cruises, spa services, dining, shopping and more. As a 330-acre resort village and wildlife sanctuary, South Seas boasts boundless opportunity for adventure and relaxation from guided kayak tours, interactive children’s programs, new painting classes and photography tours, to daily tennis clinics, bicycle rentals and relaxing spa services. The "Spring Getaway" package is available for travel from April 5 through June 30, 2015. Rates start from $339 per night, based on a four-night minimum. Blackout dates may apply. For more information on South Seas, visit www.southseas.com. For reservations, please visit the booking link at https://bookings.ihotelier.com/South-Seas-Island-Resort/bookings.jsp?LanguageID=1&HotelID=13121&killcookie=1&ProdID=598631.


20% Off Special Re-Opening Promotion, Smuggler’s Cove Resort and Marina (Islamorada, FL)
After a three-month long $500,000 renovation, Smuggler’s Cove Resort and Marina, a 12-room waterfront boutique hotel and full-service marina in the Florida Keys, is now accepting guests to enjoy its fully revamped guestrooms and new food and beverage offerings including its new unique ‘Hook N’ Cook’ experience. In celebration of the renovation, the hotel is offering a special re-opening promotion for travel through the end of March with rates starting at $135 per night – a savings of 20 percent. Open to the public, Honey Hole is a new contained area of the hotel’s marina fully stocked regularly with more than 300 fish available for catch. Fresh local seafood can be caught for immediate dining preparation or filleted to take home. The Wheel House offers new food and drink menus, at the heart of which is the freshest local seafood such as Honey Jalapeño Yellowtail Snapper and Tequila Lime Fish Tacos. For promotion reservations or more information, please call 305-664-5564.


$100 Resort Credit and Daily Breakfast, Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico
With stunning picturesque beaches, breathtaking views and natural surroundings, El San Juan Resort & Casino and The Condado Plaza Hilton are the ideal spots to unwind this spring with their vacation escape packages. Guests who book a stay now through April 5th, 2015, for travel through April 30th, 2015, enjoy a $100 resort credit per stay to be applied toward anything from resort dining outlets to exciting beach excursions. In addition, guests receive daily American breakfast each morning of their stay. Rates start from $264 per night at El San Juan Resort, and $249 per night at Condado Plaza Hilton. A four-night minimum stay is required. For reservations or more information on El San Juan Resort, please visit www.elsanjuanhotel.com. For reservations or more information on Condado Plaza Hilton, please visit www.condadoplaza.com.


All-Inclusive Family Vacation Package, Mexico’s Velas Resorts (Vallarta-Nayarit and Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Fronting the glorious beaches along Mexico’s stunning coastlines, the “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All-Compare” Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico are ideal for a fun-filled family vacation this spring. With unparalleled all-inclusive family vacation packages, families enjoy beach adventures from swimming with dolphins to complimentary tickets to local area attractions. At the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit, children are never bored with everything from scuba diving lessons and kite flying to eco-friendly shows, a teen’s lounge, dedicated Baby Concierge and kids’ spa treatments. At Puerto Vallarta’s Velas Vallarta, the extensive Kids’ Club program now features a newly designed brightly painted area with cozy spots for reading and games, and scheduled activities such as crafting with beads, sand castle making and Mexican bingo. Each evening brings quality entertainment with special shows including a Mexican folkloric night with live music and native arts and crafts. Rates start from $220 per person per night. Children ages 5 to 16 years old start with rates from $75 per child per night. For reservations or more information, please visit  www.velasresorts.com or email reservations@velasresorts.com.


Four-Course Dinner, Suite Upgrade, Daily Breakfast & More, Tower Club at lebua (Bangkok, Thailand)
For a distinctive fine dining experience, The Tower Club at lebua, a five-star luxury hotel in the heart of Bangkok, welcomes guests to indulge in a culinary-focused escape with its “Back to Bangkok with Breeze” package. Included in the package, diners indulge in a four-course meal at Breeze, an award-winning restaurant where Chef Sam Pang artfully presents innovative Asian cuisine. Accommodations are upgraded from a one-bedroom City View Suite to a one-bedroom River View Suite providing a spacious balcony with breathtaking panoramic views of Bangkok’s River of Kings. Also included in the package are daily buffet breakfast; access to the Tower Club Lounge which includes continental breakfast, light lunch, afternoon high tea, canapés, drinks and more; a complimentary in-suite mini-bar; complimentary Wi-Fi; one-way airport limousine transfer; and late check-out. Available now through April 30, 2015, the “Back to Bangkok with Breeze” package starts at $269++ USD per night. A two night minimum stay is required. For reservations or more information, please visit www.lebua.com/tower-club.