Travel Smart With Jodie

Archive for the ‘Travel tips’ Category

If you are a skier then arguably you already know how to dress for cold weather activities. But if still seeking the secret to staying warm during a Chicago winter or are visiting friends and relatives in Minnesota or northern Michigan, you probably could use some tips.

• You may just think you know the warmest winter jacket and best gloves to buy or how to layer. But before buying such items, talk to the experts at a sporting goods store such as Erehwon,  Dick’s, Sports Authority or REI. They can talk to you about how an ultra-thin, long-sleeved shirt under a thin sweater will keep you warm without the bulk. Same goes for thin tights under jeans or slacks.
• Take advantage of sales. Even though January has come and gone, don’t put off buying cold weather clothes until next winter. The good stuff that costs hundreds of dollars in December typically is marked half price in late January and in February.
• Plan outdoor activities near or around a place to get an indoor snack or take a meal break. It doesn’t take a lot of exposure to below freezing temperatures to get frost bite or breathe in too much icy air. Your ears and insides will thank you for that hot chocolate break. In addition, try to do healthy calorie loading and not over-eat before heading out.
• You already know a well-dressed traveler has a handy cell phone. Now, go one better and charge it before leaving and remember to pack two chargers, one for a regular outlet and one for a vehicle.

Enjoy winter, it is easier than you think.

Yes, security lines will probably be long this holiday season and you will have to adjust your packing to what can be brought on board. But that doesn’t mean the flying portion of your holiday trip is something to be endured instead of enjoyed.

Airports have changed over the past decade as they have become more aware of travelers’ needs.

Taking advantage of the changes is easier today than even a few years ago thanks to electronic devices that tell you where the good stuff is.

With a click of an internet link you can find out about an airport’s amenities before you leave home or from touch screens and information specialists when you arrive.

Here are five suggestions that can up the level of your airport experience:

1. It’s child’s play. If traveling with children, go to the airport’s website to see if and where there is a play area.

In Chicago, O’Hare International Airport has an airplane and other airport related build-outs for let’s pretend and role-playing. They are in the Children’s Museum area of Terminal 2 across from the Travelers Aid Office. The area is accessible to Terminals 3 and 1 after going through security.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport has a McDonald’s Play Area in Terminal D near gate D33 and another children’s play area at D10.  DFW also has a Pepsi Junior Flyer’s Club in Terminals B and C.

2. Sometimes it’s about the food.

Although this traveler does not miss the often strange and limited plane food service that once was part of the ticket price, now that airlines charge extra a good option is to plan to eat or buy food to go at the airport.

The problem is if you don’t know what food kiosks or restaurants are in your terminal  or near your gate you might merely snag something at hand and find out later there was a better choice.

Many airport websites list food kiosks and restaurants so you can think about options and know the locations ahead of time.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airportis so traveler friendly it has everything from food and shopping to parking options on its website and at vertical touch screens at the airport. It also has goHow, a free, downloadable application.

In addition, food coupons can be downloaded and printed for some choices.  The touch screens are at either end of the shopping and food mall in Lindbergh, the airport’s main terminal.

3. Speaking of shopping

It’s OK to leave some shopping to the last minute. After taking care of work deadlines you had to squeeze family and packing time into the few minutes left.

Fortunately, major airports and even mid-sized ones stock jewelry, clothes, books and sports items that make good gifts for others and yourself.

This veteran flier and shopper recently found Native American items at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, electronic devices at DFW, CDs and Elvis memorabilia at the Sun Studio booth at the  Memphis International Airport, jewelry and books at O’Hare and an extra travel bag at the tiny John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA.

4. Relax

Go to your airport’s website to see if it has a shoe-shine or massage chair station.

Sometimes merely treating yourself to a service you don’t have time for at home is all it takes to make a trip’s airport portion feel like the first leg of the holiday getaway.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport has massage chairs near seven gates. It has shoe shine stations at The Mall and Concourses C and D.

5. Bring your electronic devices and their chargers and down load a free application. Several airports now have apps that have all the information travels need.

Airports also now have WiFi. At many of them the WiFi connection is free. Wait time before boarding or between connections is also a chance to go online to learn more about where to visit and eat when you arrive.

It is  also an easy opportunity to recharge your Blackberry or other devices so they will be ready to use at your destination. End tables in some of DFW’s seating areas have outlets.

Whether it is for fun such as ski slopes or sunny sands or to visit family, your holiday trip will likely include stress hazards.

They may be airport hassles, crying toddlers a seat away, late trains, weather delays or road construction.

No matter what the cause, the result can be tight neck and forehead muscles, headaches or back pains.

Instead of living with it or taking two aspirins and not calling the doctor in the morning, slot in some spa time.

Family and friends may sympathize with the pain but you and they will have better togetherness time if you feel well. And that is the point of spa treatments today.

No longer considered an indulgence, spa experiences are typically categorized as wellness treatments.

Many resorts and vacation destinations feature spas. However here are a few I have personally experienced and recommend.

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA

You don’t have to stay at a Peninsula Hotel to book a spa treatment there. ESPA combines Oriental, European and Ayurvedic approaches. Because I live near Chicago, I book treatments at the Peninsula Chicago. But the hotel and its Spa by ESPA are also in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beverly Hills, New York, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai and Manila.

Burke Williams Spa

If traveling to San Francisco, San Jose or to Los Angeles or Orange Counties, lucky you because there is probably a Burke Williams Spa near your destination.  

Joya Spa

A spa experience at the Joya Spa at Intercontinental Montelucia Resort and Spa, Scottsdale, AZ is a vacation. You don’t have to stay at the resort to use the spa. However, you may have to book a session before leaving home because local spa enthusiasts have found Joya.

Coldwater Creek Spa

Maybe the idea that a popular woman’s apparel store also has a spa may dissuade some people from trying it. But I have repeatedly gone to the one in Southlake, Texas for a pedicure that is pure bliss. The problem is there are just not enough Coldwater Creek Spas. There are two in Texas and on each in California, Oregon, Illinois, Colorado and Florida.

Whether in or out of town, the next family Thanksgiving or winter holiday get together is also a chance to record old traditions and start some new ones.

Best, is to ink in some of the suggestions on the calendar so the holiday does not jump up before you are ready. Early November is not too early to start your planning.

1. Cell phone cameras are OK but if you want a high quality photo to save don’t forget to pack or have on hand a decent point and shoot camera. Some of them, such as Casio and Canon have movie capability. Digging into the turkey or ham, curling up on sofa or floor to play a board game or gazing at a tree or menorah lighting are memorable moments when someone says oops, who has a camera?

2. Add a new place to check out or a new activity to try. Sure it is tough to squeeze in research time before everyone comes or before you leave for the visit, but just adding a new adventure each year adds an element of excited anticipation. Chances are there are new exhibits at a museum you haven’t visited for ages, a nearby town that celebrates the holidays Dickens style, a forest preserve to hike or a family show, musical or ballet to see.

3. Seek an agency that is collecting gifts or food and where to bring the items. Family members can add the items to their shopping lists and increase the season’s joy by sharing.

4. Start a new tradition of trading reading material or recommendations during the visit.  It will give people something new to read on the way home or even during down time while visiting. Donate finished reading material to libraries and senior centers.

5. No question holiday time is also eating time which makes it a good excuse to try a new restaurant. The place may even become a new family tradition. Consider ethnic eateries, breakfast places and some that are outside the neighborhood or town. Definitely make a reservation.