Are you traveling during the holidays? In general the holidays can be stressful enough but even more so if you are traveling during this time. If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try to pick days/dates that are less busy. The busiest days to travel are: the day before Thanksgiving (in the US) and the Sunday after Thanksgiving and two days before Christmas and sometimes the day after depending on the day of the week it falls on.
No matter what day you are traveling during the holidays, these 5 tips can help reduce your stress.

1) Allow extra time. If you are driving, allow more time. If flying allow more time to check bags and go through security check points as there are more people on the road and at the airport.

2) Change your mindset to accept that there will be delays and/or cancellations. Prepare for this possibility mentally and also consider a plan B as backup.

3)Bring food, snacks and an empty water bottle. Stay hydrated and fueled. Plus you never know when or where you may be able to get food, especially if you are stuck somewhere.

4) Have pleasurable activities on hand such as; reading materials, music, movies downloaded, crosswords, knitting-whatever you enough during to pass the time. Sitting and waiting with nothing to do can create more anxiety.

5) Breath and stretch! Smile while you are at doing this too.


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Every country has a passport system to identify citizen of that country. Most of what I am sharing here relates to US citizens, but everyone should has a passport for international travel.

What is the difference between a Passport book, Passport card and the new Real ID requirements?

Passport book is best for international travel and for identification in the US.
The Passport card, which is the size of a credit card and fits inside your wallet can only be used for land travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders. The Passport card cannot be used for international travel nor can it be used to acquire travel visas.

With the deadline of May 3, 2023 for all US citizens to have either a Real ID or Passport to even travel domestically, you will want to begin the process of obtaining your passport now.

Security Checks: TSA Precheck vs Global Entry vs CLEAR

TSA Precheck allows you to go through security check points in the US at airports much quicker. You get to leave your shoes on and keep laptops in your bag through security. It costs $85 and is good for 5 years.
CLEAR is a privately run company that uses eye recognition technology and fingerprints to go through security quicker. However, it does not allow you to skip removing shoes, belts and laptops in the security check lanes. The cost is $189 per year.
Global Entry is a program that provides quicker entry when traveling internationally returning through a US port to bypass the long customs lines. The fee is $100 non-refundable 1x cost and includes a 5 year TSA Precheck authorization.

Let's get you ready for that next or first international trip by obtaining your Passport.
If you already have a passport, go check on that expiration date. If you are due to expire within the next 6 months to a year, you should begin that process to renew now. You are not allowed to travel internationally if your passport will expire within 6 months of your travel dates.

Get prepare so you can take that leap and have an ADVENTURE!

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Is fear holding you back from traveling solo? Discover 4 ways to overcome these fears.

1) Change Your Mindset. If you are consumed with worry and fear, you will become frozen and not move forward to travel. By looking at things from a positive mindset, can erase those fears and combat all the "what ifs" . I call it "Flip the Script". In most cases we are thinking of the worst case scenario. What if we "flipped the script" and thought of the best case scenario. How much better we would see the world and our situation. Penn State University determined that only 8% of what people worry about comes true. Practice with your everyday life. When you have a worrisome thought, think of the complete opposite.

2) Start Small. Go somewhere local. Take a short day trip somewhere you have never been and see how you do in unfamiliar environments. If you like being outdoors, maybe try a day hike by yourself. Beyond that try an overnight trip.

3) Learn to enjoy being alone with yourself. As a solo traveler, you will be spending a lot of time with yourself and your thoughts. If you don't love yourself, you will be miserable on a solo trip. Find solitary activities you enjoy, such as; reading, listening to music, writing/journaling or reflecting. Test out eating out alone in a restaurant to become comfortable with this scenario.

4) Take a bigger step and book a trip with a tour group or weekend retreat.
There are some tour groups that cater to solo travelers and others strictly for women too. These can be a bit pricey, but if money is not an issue, then this is an excellent step in dipping your toe in the water of solo travel.
3 Groups I recommend that cater to solo travelers and exclusively women:
Jump Adventures
Sisterhood Travels
Solo Female Travelers

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What is solo travel and why would anyone want to travel alone?
Solo travel can be arranged with group tours, cruises or completely on your own.
If you are overwhelmed and fearful of solo traveling, you may want to start with a group in which they will do all the planning for you. Or start small with a day trip by yourself and drive somewhere close to home to test it out.
Why do people want to travel solo? There are a number of reasons. Many women find themselves needing a trip to heal from a divorce, breakup or loss of a spouse/partner. Or maybe you can't find anyone that is available to travel with you and you want to go anyway.

Not sure where to stop but have the desire to travel solo? I offer travel coaching to first determine what type of trip is best for you.

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Solo Travel Adventures: Equipping Women Over 50 to Safely Travel in Confidence

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