Packing essentials
My mom used to always tell us we only need 4 things with us at all times when traveling - A passport, money, airline ticket and a sense of humor.
~ Christa, Toronto
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Tipping tips
Tipping etiquette can vary from city to city in some places of the world. Do your research ahead of time so you don't come off looking cheap or an easy mark.
Check the bill before you tip. In some countries the tip is automatically included. In poorer places of the world, it's okay to go overboard - the extra money will go to people who need it.
~ GG Staff
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SimpliFLY with TSA
It may seem like Security has it out for you after you've submitted to an under-the-breasts-pat-down and belt-opening, emptied your carry-on for the third time and stood in line for hours waiting to do it all over again.
But the TSA does want you to arrive safely, and compliance with regulations gets you where you want to go faster. Being nice helps too.
Not sure if your carry-on is TSA approved. Can you bring your lighter? What about the breast-milk you've just pumped?
Get yourself over to their brand-spanking new site, SimpliFLY for a complete rundown of all the rules and regulations. Security will have no reason to flag you and you'll be able to keep your cool.
Transportation Security Administration SimpliFLY
~ GG Staff
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Shoulder Season Travel
Travel during shoulder season, and you'll avoid the crowds of peak season. That means less kids, more parking and a greater chance you'll have your sanity for the trip home. Often B&B's hotels and resorts will have reduced rates that are between peak and non-peak rates.
Clearing a Path for TravelI like autumn, wherever in the world that may be, because the snow hasn't started falling (in huge quantities at least) and the weather can still be pretty nice.
Spring is ok but when I went to Banff in May, the lakes that were still snowed over and one was in accessible (Lake Moraine). When we went back the next year in late Sept, we saw the beautiful aqua colored lakes.
Maybe late May is the best shoulder time when it's right before peak season starts. We'll find that sweet spot for Banff eventually!
Optimum timing of when to go during shoulder season will vary by location and personal preference. Check out: Travel & Leisure's Around the World List.
~ Jenny, Ontario
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Get Your Passport, Nix the Hassle
Leave your passport update to the last minute? Instead of standing in line for hours, get online and get the support you really need.
- Passport Express promises a passport within 24 hours.
- U.S. State Department provides information on travel registration, foreign laws and customs and consular information sheets.
~ GG Staff
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Healthy Travel
The difference between a great trip and a great travel story should never be a trip to the hospital. Go ahead and ask St. Christopher to keep you safe, but follow up your prayers with some good old fashioned planning. These sites will give the information you need on vaccines and health concerns in different countries:
~ GG Staff
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Transform Yourself from Tourist to Traveler
Being flexible is the one common trait of all avid travelers. When you venture somewhere new, open yourself up to all that's new and different - the sights, sounds and flavors you can't get anywhere else in the world.
Live like the locals, visit the places they visit - eating at their hangouts, tobogganing down that great hill you see all the kids are on, shopping at the markets, hitting the off-the-beaten-path beaches and crawling the bars most tourists miss.
Sometimes you need to do the touristy stuff - it would be a sin to visit Egypt without seeing the pyramids - but you'll never feel the vibe of a place until you live it like the locals do.
~ GG Staff
Have a travel tip to share with your Go Girlfriends? Send us your tips, tricks and strategies and we'll publish them here. Email us today!
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