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2021 is defining new words in our vocabulary, and ‘vaccication’ is a word you’ll be hearing more and more. So what the heck does it mean? It’s one of those fun word blends – a clever noun referring to the first trip you take after you’re fully vaccinated and travel opens up.

So, have you started to think about your vaccication?

Where is the first place you’re going to vacation after your Covid-19 vaccination? It’s spring here in Canada, and the vaccination roll out is starting to pick up the pace. With hope on the horizon, now really is the time to start dreaming and planning for that fantastic moment when Canadians can safely travel again.

In fact, hotels, resorts and tour companies worldwide have been putting together vaccication packages for eager travellers ready to get going again.

While we all wait to bid farewell to pandemic restrictions, and say hello to traveling the world again, here are a five things to inspire your wanderlust soul and get ready for your first vaccication.

1. Work on your travel bucket list.

You may have been thinking about all the places you’ll go ‘when covid is over,’ but why not write them down and get organized?

Where is the first place you’ll go?

What are the top destinations you want to see in next few years?

Do you have a big trip in-mind, like a worldwide cruise, trek to Antartica, or African Safari that will need more in-depth planning?

Get these destinations out of your head and start a travel planning journal or vision board. Try a digital tool to organize like Pinterest.

The act of planning and dreaming about your future travel destination is good for mental health too! The excitement and anticipation of the future experience means planning a trip gives you a mood boost.

2. Learn a new language.

Have you been meaning to brush up on your Spanish, learn some more phrases in Japanese, or master the Greek language? Now is the best time to learn a second language, so you’ll be ready to go when it’s time to start ticking off those trips on your bucket list. There are many awesome books for learning a second language, like ‘Spanish For Dummies’ or ‘Complete French with Two Audio CDs: A Teach Yourself Program.’ For those who prefer digital courses online or through an app, there are some great ones like Rosetta Stone or Duolingo.

3. Start a travel fund challenge. Watch it grow!

Challenge yourself to see how much money you can save for your future travel. You may be surprised at just how much even a little bit of cash every week adds up.

Have fun with it! Try skipping that Starbucks latte, and put the $5 you save into a jar. For every time you cut the drive-thru coffee, watch how it impacts the growth of your travel fund!

Or set up an automatic transfer from your chequing account every month that puts away a portion of your income into your travel savings account. The automation makes it so easy to set it and forget it – and be pleasantly surprised when you check your account and see how close it is to cover the cost of your hotel, car rental, plane ticket – or even an entire trip!  

4. Practice your photography skills and get ready to take some beautiful shots on your next adventure.

There are so many YouTube videos that you can watch, or virtual courses that you can sign up to learn photography basics and tricks to take better photos. Check out Eventbrite for cool photography talks and classes that may help get you inspired. Even the most amateur iphoneographer will be able to take stellar Instagram-worthy vacation pictures on their next trip! 

5. Sign up for virtual travel talks.

The travel supplier community, and your local travel agencies, have been working tirelessly at providing inspiring travel vlogs, virtual travel talks, and meet-ups for pretty much every destination under the sun.

Virtual travel talks are especially interesting because you get to connect directly with the pros who know destinations inside and out.

Whether you love to cruise, crave active adventures, adore all-inclusive beach destinations, live for everything Disney, or want to trek off the beaten path, there are travel talks, virtual tours, vlogs and pretty much something for everyone, everywhere!

You can hear directly from travel guides and suppliers what they have to offer worldwide right now or in specific destinations in the upcoming years. 

The most important thing to do is be grateful for being able to make it through the first year of the pandemic! Keep optimism and positivity in our hearts and minds, and one day in the future we’ll all be able to enjoy our first vaccication!

Now, more than ever, it’s so important to use a travel agency. Here’s why.

What to do while you can’t travel during the pandemic.

The post Are you ready for your Vaccication? appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

The digital revolution has seen travellers become pros at booking vacations online. There is no denying there are scores of travel deals and discounts to be found on the internet. Who doesn’t love the adrenaline rush when you click ‘book’ and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a flight or vacation? 

The thing is, researching a vacation and finding sweet savings can take hours, days, or even weeks to nail down. The options are endless and can even become complicated for even the savviest traveler. 

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted travel in ways that have never been seen before. As the year goes on, the entire travel industry has been working around the clock to develop new ways to get people traveling again. Travel agents have been kept informed every step of the way. Behind the scenes, there are numerous updates, video calls, training sessions and hundreds of emails every day. Travel agents have access to first-hand information about how destinations and travel suppliers are changing and adapting to keep people healthy and safe. Even though traveling has come to an almost standstill, the industry has definitely not shut down, in fact, everyone has been working even harder!

Before the pandemic, the pendulum definitely started swinging back with more and more people choosing travel agents to book their trips. Now it is even more important and helpful to use a travel agent. Why? Read on!

Using a travel agent supports local business and helps your economy

This is more crucial than ever! With economies trying to recover from the pandemic induced recession, keeping your dollars local is necessary.

When you book online, the commission or fees incorporated into your flight, hotel, package, or tour goes directly to the corporate head office. That office can be in a different city, province or even country, meaning you support an economy distant from your own community. 

If you want to help your economy, support local business and use a travel agent in your own town or city. The commission or fee is on par with what you would pay if you booked online. Sometimes the total cost will even come out to less, and you’ll be a supporter of a person or business right in your community. 

A travel agent has experience and resources that can’t be found online.

Travel agents have a ton of experience with booking trips, and they are backed with a huge network of people who have worldwide inside information that you may not find online. Travel agents have access to an array of tools that are not visible to the average consumer.

Especially with navigating the Covid-19 pandemic, finding the safest destinations, and knowing the protocols for all aspects of your trip, a travel agent is your right-hand person.

Of course, a travel agent can bring you bonus incentives as well. If you are looking for a better seat on the plane, room upgrades and other hidden incentives, a travel agent can often bring you added value for your trip. 

A travel agent saves you time.

Searching and booking a vacation online takes a lot of time. Your time is valuable – a travel agent can match you to the right vacation from start to finish. An agent can put together a complete package from transportation, hotels, flights, and excursions, giving you peace of mind that everything is done and in order. Also, as more people travel with friends, families, and large groups, a travel agent can help define what everyone needs from their trip and customize it, saving hours.

A travel agent is your supporter and advocate.

A travel agent is there for you when you need help. Not just for booking, but for those rare occasions when things go wrong, an agent is there to advocate for you and get your vacation back on track. Usually a phone call, email or even text message away, an agent is there to give you peace of mind.

The travel industry is thriving and millennials are using travel agencies.

A travel agent can save you money.

Travel agents can often save you money based on supplier relationships or having access to hidden savings that are not displayed online such as transportation or transfers. They also know when there are sales or promotions that are coming up because of their relationships with hundreds of travel suppliers.

Travel suppliers communicate with travel agents often before going to market, giving them the advantage on pricing and promotions. Suppliers will often match online prices as well – so if you find a better deal your agent can find ways to either price match or provide incentives for booking locally.

Access to the best destinations and exclusive products.

Travel agents have a wealth of knowledge on worldwide destinations. They know the best times to go and perfect spots that will be the right fit for you. Again, because of their huge network of supplier and travel relationships, travel agents often have inside information on the hidden gems or up and coming hot spots. Many travel suppliers offer tours, treks and exclusive experiences only through travel agencies. As mentioned before, travel agents are also the first to know about low risk Covid-19 destinations and safety protocols of resorts, cruise ships and more.

Sure, there are still tons of folks who love the process of researching and booking a trip online. However, recent data from the American Society of Travel Agents shows 55 percent of Millennials are more likely to hire travel experts followed by 42 percent of Gen Xers. As the decade unfolds, trends are definitely pointing to these statistics increasing.

Happy travels – when it’s safe to do so again!

• 3 Tropical Countries you can travel to right now without Covid-19 border requirements.
• Are you ready for your Vaccication?
• Why Use a Travel Agent?
• What to do While You Can’t Travel Due to Covid-19
• Travel Anxiety: 5 Ways to Beat Airport Stress

The post Why Use a Travel Agent? appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Millions of people around the world have canceled their travel plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In hopes of slowing the virus transmittal across borders, not traveling is a necessary precaution. For many of us, travel means freedom, exploration, education, social connection, and healthful living. Putting these personal pursuits on hold is jarring, but a mild sacrifice compared to what some countries in the world are dealing with. It is very human to feel natural disappointment from having to cancel a trip, and we do need some strategies to cope.

Here are 5 things that may help cope with canceled travel plans due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Travel Blogs

Find some interesting travel blogs or travel guides to get inspired. Reading is a great way to relax, pass time and be transported to another world! Here are some of my favorites:

Family Fun Canada
Nomadic Matt
Frommers
Tripasista
Oyster

Instagram

Follow interesting travel accounts on Instagram to check out their cool pictures and read about their adventures. Instagram is really fun for engaging with fellow travel addicts and uplifting spirits with jaw dropping photography from around the world.

Facebook Travel Groups

Join travel-related Facebook Groups to stay connected with a like-minded community. Search local area or look for groups that are focused on a particular destination of interest.

Photo Albums

Take some time to finally go through those thousands of vacation photos! Print off the best ones and put them in albums or scrapbooks. Relive previous trips by going through the photo memories.

Plan a Staycation or Road Trip

Only if it’s safe to do so, plan a staycation at a local hotel. If it’s not advised to go to a hotel, plan a road trip or even a few. Take the day to explore the local countryside or even find a great hiking spot or scenic view to enjoy the great outdoors.

If you have any ideas of how to survive not traveling during Covid-19, please comment below and let’s build this list! We are all in this together. 🙂

How to avoid germs on the plane.

The post What to do While You Can’t Travel Due to Covid-19 appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

For many travelers, the airport can be the most stressful and frustrating part of the journey. Starting with the worry of getting there on-time and then standing in huge lineups. Or feeling anxious if you’ve forgotten something, frustrated with going through security checkpoints, and then navigating large terminals to find the gate. The list of airport stressors can go on!

Fortunately, many modern airports are creating ways to reduce stress for travelers and make time spent a more pleasant experience. For example, better signage, bright and airy atmospheres, automated technology, musical entertainment, and even having really cool programs like animal therapy for travelers!  Not every airport is like this, and even if they are, pre-travel anxiety can still be a big part of the journey.

Here are a few things you can do on your own to keep your stress in check while you’re going through all of the airport checkpoints. 

How to combat travel anxiety at the airport.

1. Listen to your favourite songs

Before you go to the airport, take some time and download your favorite music or even create an airport playlist. Whether you like music that gets you pumped, or prefer something more mellow, popping in your earbuds in can have a real calming effect. In fact, a recent study shows music helps reduce anxiety by up to 65%. 

2. Lavender oil

Lavender oil is renowned for calming anxiety by impacting the limbic system, the part of the brain that is in control of emotions. You can use it any time by simply inhaling the aromatherapy or placing the oil inside your wrists or on the back of your neck.

Many people note the immediate calming effect when they smell lavender oil. Lavender oil is easy to find at any big box store, pharmacy, online or specialty aromatherapy shops. Look for travel-friendly lavender oil options like inhalers or roll-on.

3. Use a meditation app

There are literally thousands of meditation apps to calm anxiety. If you find yourself with time on your hands at the airport, pop on your headphones and relax with a guided meditation. If you have noise-canceling headphones, they will help you be able to really block out the noise of the airport and focus on the meditation. One of my favourite apps is Calm, which has meditations and stories that are designed specifically for travel. Here is a great list of meditation apps to check out.

4. Reduce caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant and can make you jittery and trigger anxiety. Especially in stressful situations where you are already on high alert, caffeine in your system will make it much harder to stay calm. I recommend avoiding coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages a few hours before going to the airport. Opt for caffeine-free options at least until you get through situations that cause you stress and anxiety. 

5. Take a brisk walk

Being at the airport means there can be a lot of waiting around. Especially if you have a long layover or flight delays, sitting around with not a lot to do can trigger boredom, which leads a lot of space for anxious thoughts. Get up and take a brisk walk. Go find some stairs and do a few sets. Channeling your anxiety into exercise will help your brain release endorphins that will trigger that positive and upbeat feeling in your body. 

Other ways to reduce stress at the airport:

• Many airports offer chair massage or even full spa treatments. A great way to de-stress while waiting for your flight.
  
• Make a point of taking in the beautiful and interesting art installations that are popping up at airports around the world. Some airports also have art galleries!
  
• Enjoy some retail therapy by checking out the airport shops. Some of the bigger airports actually feel like shopping centers.
  
• Take advantage of exclusive airport lounges that are designed with the comfort of travelers in mind. Some credit cards or loyalty programs include airport lounge access as part of their package, or you can purchase a membership or one-time access. Check out Lounge Buddy which is a great app that can help you navigate the world of airport lounges.

How to get over fear of flying

Always pack these medications when traveling

The post Travel Anxiety: 5 Ways to Beat Airport Stress appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Traveling with friends can strengthen the bond or break the friendship. Whether you plan a trip with a friend, couple, or group, being together for so much of the time is a real test of friendship strength. 

Best case scenario? You all return home from your adventure and reminisce for years about the good memories. Worst case? You come back home feeling bitter or never speaking again. 

How to Travel With Friends and Stay Friends!

Friendship breakups often happen after traveling, so if you’re planning on taking a vacation with friends, here are a few things to avoid.

Avoid letting your friend(s) make all the travel plans.

Avoid taking the easy route and let your friends make all the travel plans. Sure, it’s pretty awesome if you trust them so much to take care of everything from choosing the destination, booking flights and hotels, and planning the itinerary. It’s definitely like having your own personal travel agent. 

Still, you should really take an interest in what you are doing right from the get-go. After all, this is your time, money, and adventure too! Being involved in the planning process will avoid conflict later. Especially if your planning friend makes some questionable choices that aren’t a good fit for your budget, interests, and travel style. 

Avoid not discussing what you want to do ahead of time.

Everybody has a different travel style. If you meet a friend with the exact same style as you, it’s a bonus! But even if you think you are on the same page, some things can come up that be surprising if you haven’t talked about it before-hand. Things like your friend wanting to opt-out of an excursion you’ve been so excited about. Or you looking forward to sleeping in til’ noon every day, but your friends are up at the crack of dawn ready to go.

Be upfront about what you want to do on your vacation. For example, some people like to be ‘go-go-go’ when on vacation, packing in as many things as they can from dawn-til-dusk. Others want to go at a slower pace and savor the time away. Most friends can find a balance of adventure and relaxation – but it’s good to be really open about what everyone wants. Have a conversation before you go and state the things that are really important to all who are going. Also, be transparent if you are planning on taking time on your own. The key is to avoid surprises and let-downs.

Avoid letting your friends handle all the maps and directions.

Sometimes getting lost is part of the adventure, but why waste time not knowing where you’re going? There are so many resources at our fingertips, so it’s a good idea to have a little awareness about how you’re getting from point A to point B and beyond.

Avoid putting all the trust with others for knowing the directions. In any foreign country, routes can be really challenging for even the savviest navigator, and getting lost can definitely raise tensions between friends.

Do some detective work on the internet before you leave and figure out where you’re going when you get there. Google Earth and Google Maps are always super helpful as it can give you a snapshot of your planned location. You can even take a peek at the street-views if you really get curious about where you’re going.

If you’re going to be driving or taking local transportation, be sure to plan your route for arrival and be sure the Google Maps App on your device. Get an international roaming plan on your phone, as this will save you until you can get a local SIM card if you choose to do so.

Don’t be ignorant about your destination and its culture.

If you and your friends are traveling to a country you’ve never been to, you will be at a huge disadvantage if you don’t take time and learn more about it before you go. There are so many websites that can help give you an idea about language, culture, rituals, food, tipping, and so on. Also, check out the surroundings of where you’ll be staying – where is a pharmacy, doctor, grocery store, restaurants, and so forth. 

Having some ideas about your destination will save you from having culture shock and feeling entirely out of your element. This will help alleviate any stressful feelings that could spill over into the communication between you and your friend(s).

Avoid not putting serious thought into the kind of friend (s) you’re going with and if they will be the right fit for you.

Planning a trip can be so exciting, especially if there is the potential to go somewhere amazing with friends! Don’t get caught up in the excitement of traveling with friends without giving it some really good thought first.

Think about things like – do you genuinely get along with this person (or people)? Are you willing to overlook questionable or annoying behavior? Are you okay with seeing these people at their worst (tired, stressed, culture-shocked)? Can you talk openly and respectfully? Are you able to take breaks from each other without anyone getting hurt? Can you discuss what you will do if there is a disagreement? Here are a few more things to think about when wondering if traveling with friends is a good idea.

So, should you travel with friends?

Absolutely! Traveling with friends – the right friends – is truly a gift filled with memories you’ll hold on to for life. If you take these tips into consideration, the likelihood of your friendship growing stronger through the experience of traveling together will be even higher! 

The post Traveling with Friends? Avoid These Mistakes. appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Where to go in the Caribbean?

Speaking of vacation deals, do you notice that we always seem to have the same vacation package options like Mexico, Cuba, or the Dominican Republic? Yes, these places are totally gorgeous and very easy to get to with direct flights and cheap vacation packages. But, maybe you’ve already been to these vacation spots and are really wanting to find somewhere a bit different? Well, here are five really cool spots in the Caribbean that you should consider. Yes, they may be slightly more money, but don’t give up on finding great deals to these Caribbean destinations! They are out there.

5 places in the Caribbean to check out for your next trip.

1. St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a beautiful, tropical island located in the Eastern Caribbean. The second you set sight on the island from the window of the plane, you’ll see beautiful, jagged mountains, lush tropical rainforests and stunning white sand beaches paired with turquoise waters. When you hit the ground running, you’re in for a true tropical paradise vacation. The island offers many all-inclusive resorts for a range of budgets. The people of St. Lucia are friendly and polite, and the travelers that go to the island are generally more laid back – looking for adventure and eco-tourism, beach vibes, quality time with family or a romantic getaway.

Learn more about St. Lucia.

2. Costa Rica

Okay, I know Costa Rica isn’t a Caribbean island but it does border the Caribbean Sea on the east side and is definitely worth checking out! Costa Rica is more accessible than ever with many airlines and tour companies from Canada offering packages to explore the lush tropical jungles, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Located in Central America, a quarter of Costa Rica is made up of protected jungle. Travelers will be exposed to the raw, untouched beauty of nature and unique wildlife like monkeys and parrots. Costa Rica has beautiful beaches, although generally, travelers go to this area of the world more to explore the culture and eco-tourism rather than spending days on the beach.

Learn more about Costa Rica.

3. Roatan

Many people have never heard of Roatan. It’s a tiny island in the Caribbean located off the coast of Honduras and is part of a chain of islands called the Bay Islands. Roatan is a popular stop for cruise ships – in fact, a cruise-ship stop is how I discovered the island and realized it is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets! Roatan is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world and the biggest barrier reef in the western hemisphere making it a snorkeler and diver’s paradise.  From some of the pristine white sand beaches, you can swim into the water just a few feet of the beach and start exploring the gorgeous coral reefs.

Learn more about Roatan.

4. Turks and Caicos

The beaches and waters of Turks and Caicos are some of the best in the world thanks to the islands being home to one of the best barrier reef systems in the world. Like Roatan, Turks and Caicos is a snorkeling and diver’s dream. The water is crystal clear, turquoise blue and extremely warm, and the barrier reef is healthy and thriving with stunning coral and colourful tropical fish. There are many mega-resorts on the island but there are great options for private beach house rentals too.

Learn more about Turks and Caicos.

5. Jamaica

Jamaica is one of those islands that you hear about all the time but maybe have never been to. I had the chance to check it out last year and fell in love immediately. The people of Jamaica are some of the warmest and friendliest I’ve ever met. From the music, culture, food and stunning tropical landscapes to the gorgeous beaches, water and overall laid-back vibe, a trip to Jamaica is definitely one to put on the bucket list. Jamaica goes above and beyond when catering to tourism and has so many resorts to choose from for every type of budget.

Learn more about Jamaica.

To find the best deals for these Caribbean destinations, I recommend working with a great travel agent or setting some alerts on travel websites. Many carriers such as Sunwing, Transat, Westjet Vacations and Air Canada Vacations offer great deals on all-inclusive packages or airfare/hotel packages to some of these Caribbean islands.

5 Easy Ways to Save Money for Vacation.

The post 5 Caribbean Island Vacations to Put on Your Bucket List. appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Traveling is exciting!  I would guess that 99% of the time, a trip will go as planned and, even if it doesn’t go perfectly, the experience will still be wonderful and fulfilling. However, some stressful things can happen while traveling such as illness, an accident, theft, security issues, or even political turmoil.

Most travelers are caught off guard when things take a turn for the worse, being unprepared for how to navigate the scary or stressful situation they are faced with. If you’re in your home country, dealing with a challenging or upsetting situation may be easier than if you are in a foreign country. 

My scariest travel experiences.

Four stressful travel experiences have changed me profoundly. No, these experiences have not slowed down my wanderlust and I’m still an avid traveler. I do recognize the reality that travel isn’t always ‘ponies and rainbows’ and how quickly things can change.

When kids get sick abroad.

On two separate trips abroad, each of my kids got very sick and spent time in the emergency room. Both trips were in foreign countries where there was very little English spoken. My husband and I were struggling to understand the nurses and doctors and caught off-guard by the vastly different hospitals, medical systems, and procedures. One of the hospitals we visited was very run down with no soap, toilet seats or toilet paper in the washrooms. The other one was very modern, yet we could barely understand what was going on due to the language barrier.

Fortunately, in both countries, my children were treated appropriately and recovered fully from their illnesses. For me, I will never take medical care at home for granted again!

Traveling to a country where war erupts.

When I was a child, I was traveling abroad with my parents when a coup broke out in the country we were visiting. The government was overthrown by radicals and the entire country was on a curfew. People were looting, airport on lock-down and gunshots happening 24/7. The trip quickly went from being a fun-filled paradise vacation to a country in war. My parents were distraught and focused on getting us out of the country as soon as they could.

Thankfully, the Government of Canada sent flights to pick up Canadians, including my family, who were stranded in the country. Three decades later, the memory of this experience is still etched in my mind.

Getting sick on a cruise ship.

I had the unfortunate experience of needing medical attention on a cruise ship. Sadly, while we were at sea I started having a miscarriage. The cruise ship doctor was able to provide the medical attention I needed until we reached the next port where I was sent to the nearest specialist.

What I learned from this experience is that cruise ships are very well equipped for medical care and emergencies, however, when you are out at sea and something scary happens, you quickly become aware of how isolated you are from the comforts of civilization.

What I learned from my scary travel experiences.

Things can change in a heartbeat, and being a naive traveler is a huge disadvantage. Fortunately, there are things we all can do be a little less caught off-guard.

1. Be aware! 

This seems like a no-brainer, but taking the first step of being aware that emergencies CAN happen while you are traveling is a massive step toward not being so naive when being away from home. Learn about the country you are visiting! There are many things online you can read such as their travel and tourism websites, local newspapers or even TripAdvisor.

2. Keep a list of medical facilities and contact information.

Do a Google search for medical facilities and hospitals near where you will be staying or along your travel route. Find out the emergency numbers (many foreign countries do not use 911 as we do in North America). Put these numbers in your phone or write them down and tuck them away safely in your luggage. 

3. Record contact information for the Canadian Consulate, Travel Agent and Airline.

Should an emergency occur while you’re visiting a foreign country, you may require the assistance of Canadian Consular Services. Canada’s consular services provide updated information on safe travel abroad and 24/7 emergency assistance to Canadians. You should also find the contact information for the Embassy in the country you are visiting and keep it handy just in case. Be sure to have your travel agent and airline emergency contact info tucked away in a safe place too.

4. Always buy travel insurance.

Always, always and I mean ALWAYS buy travel insurance! If your workplace benefits plan offers travel insurance, double-check it to make sure you the best plan possible to cover large expenses such as the cost of hospitalization or medical evacuation.

5. Consider trip change, interruption and cancellation insurance.

If you are able to, buy travel cancellation insurance which will cover you for any changes or cancellations you are forced to make due to unforeseen circumstances. The likelihood of you needing to use it is rare, but it will save you a huge expense if you do need to change or cancel your trip.

The Best and Worst Travel Insurance Companies

6. Make sure your credit card has a high limit. 

In many foreign medical systems, you are required to pay upfront before receiving medical care. Even if you have a good travel insurance policy, there could be instances that you don’t have time to make the call to the provider or there is a delay in funds coming through. By having a credit card with a high limit will ensure there are no delays in getting the medical attention required.

Aside from medical expenses, having a high limit credit card will ensure you are prepared to cover additional costs for any other unexpected expenses that come up.

7. Put a translation app on your phone.

If you are going to a country where you don’t speak the language, a translation app will come in handy. Simply install the app on your phone and you’ll be ready to go. Here is a great list of the best translation apps for travelers.

5 Medications You Should Always Pack When You Travel.

The post Scary travel experiences (and how to be prepared) appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

Seat Guru

Seatguru.com takes the guessing game out of choosing the best seats on the plane. With over 1,200 aircraft listed, this website has comprehensive layouts of seat configurations and you are able to click on the seats or rows to learn about any challenges that might make you uncomfortable. Perhaps the seat your assigned doesn’t recline or it’s right across from the washroom, you will know this ahead of time and can make necessary changes if you are able. Each seat map also shows the best seats and rows on the plane arming you with the best information to make your seat selection.

Oyster

I love using Oyster.com to read reviews on pretty much every hotel. Oyster is dedicated to hotel and resort reviews and gives you a concise list of pros and cons of each resort. It also gives a great summary to help you make your decision if you want to choose a particular hotel. There are always great articles and advice about worldwide destinations and the website is extremely easy to navigate.

TripAdvisor

I’m a huge fan of TripAdvisor and have used it for years. This is a super powerful website and booking engine. There are traveler reviews on pretty much every destination and hotel worldwide. You can see professional photos of the resort, as well as photos that real travelers upload from their visits. There are also excellent forums where people post questions and get advice from others on where to go, what to do and so forth.

AirfareWatchdog

AirfareWatchdog is a really cool travel website that scans more than 20,000 routes for the best airfare prices. You can create a search for the route you are interested in or scan through the lowest fares each day. There are so many tips on this website such as best days or cheapest months to fly and much more. You can also set up an alert that will email you when the fare drops to a destination that you’d like to fly to.

Travel.gc.ca

It is so important to know your health and safety risks when traveling. The Government of Canada has a comprehensive travel website that lists reports for every country in the world and also provides a wealth of advice for traveling abroad. You can read if there are any travel advisories for the country you are planning to visit, as well as learn about any travel health risks or what you need to do to be prepared such as getting vaccinations before you go.

What are your go-to travel websites when planning a trip? Leave me a comment below and I’ll check them out!

Do you love to travel and want to share your tips and advice here on Work Travel Repeat? Write for us!

The post 5 helpful travel websites that make trip planning easier! appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.

If you’re a new parent, thinking about traveling with a newborn or infant is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Many new parents assume their days of travel will be put on hold when the baby arrives. Obviously, there are many reasons for this, with the major ones being the amount of care and attention a baby needs! Any parent can attest that the sleepless nights, endless diapers and mammoth amount of gear that a baby requires are enough to make taking a holiday to seem like an unattainable dream.

Of course, there are many other reasons why new parents will put travel on hold, and not everyone is in the position to take their baby and fly off to an exotic destination! But for those of you who believe that taking a baby on a trip is too hard, there is hope!

If you are thinking about going on a vacation with your baby, you are likely wondering what the easiest age to travel is. After all, babies change so quickly! Every day, week and month bring many developmental milestones, so to pinpoint the perfect time to travel can make your trip much more relaxed!

So, what is the best age to travel with an infant?

Speaking from personal experience, I think the easiest age to travel with a baby is between 4-6 months old. By this time, you’ve gotten to know your child’s personality and nailed down most of his/her needs. Plus, you’ve likely gotten the hang of all of the equipment you need to get through those days and nights!

The ‘potted-plant’ stage of babyhood.

A friend of mine refers to the early infancy stages of babyhood as the ‘potted-plant’ stage! How he explained it made sense. Up until about six months old, your baby doesn’t really move too much and, in his opinion, this is the easiest stage. Like a plant, you always know where your baby is!

The ‘potted-plant’ stage is the most comfortable time to take your baby on vacation because they are not mobile. Pop them in the stroller, crib, playpen, bed, Bumbo seat – you name it – wherever you set your baby down is where they’ll stay! No worries about your little one wandering off, getting into mischief, rolling off the bed, climbing out of the playpen and so forth. Also, if your room has steps or hotel has a long flight of stairs, you don’t have to worry about them taking a tumble.

Finally, germs are always a worry for new parents. At 4-6 months old, your baby’s hands are not crawling all over the floor or touching everything! Cringe!

Sleep for baby (and you) has returned…maybe a little?

Babies between 4-6 months are likely on a pretty good sleep schedule, and still napping at least two times a day. Also, most babies this age are sleeping for longer durations. For some lucky parents, their babies may even be sleeping through the night!

When we took our first-born daughter to Mexico at five months old, she slept a lot. Between the fresh air, heat and visual stimulation, she would crash for at least 2-3 naps per day and slept at least 6-8 hours in the night. We had plenty of time to enjoy our vacation while she snoozed away in the stroller, beach lounger or Baby Bjorn carrier.

A solid sleep schedule also helps with flying with a baby (or going on a long road trip). If you plan your flights or drive around your baby’s sleep schedule, it makes for a much smoother journey.

Breastfeeding or bottle feeding when traveling with an infant makes it so much easier!

No strange foods or water = no worries!

At 4-6 months, babies are still breastfeeding or bottle feeding; this makes everything so much easier! Bottle feeding is a bit trickier, as you have to pack bottles, formula and have access to filtered water and something to heat it, but it’s still much easier than worrying about what your baby will eat or drink in a foreign country. Once you start introducing solid foods, traveling with your baby will get trickier (and messier!)

Colic has ended and teething hasn’t started.

Between 4-6 months old is really a sweet spot for most. If your baby is colicky, it usually subsides by this time. And for most babies, the treacherous phase of teething likely hasn’t quite started. Traveling with a colicky or teething baby is enough to make you never want to leave your house again! Take advantage of this sweet spot and enjoy a vacation with your little family. You will have memories for life – even if your baby won’t remember – they travel for free anyway!

Have you traveled with a newborn or young baby? When do you think is the easiest time to take them on vacation? I’d love to hear about your experience. Leave me a comment below!

Flying with Baby: Here are tips for an easier journey!

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Let’s face it – travel connects you with people (and their germs!). I’m loving this great #packlist from Tripasista to keep it clean while you’re on an adventure.

Never expect that the country you are travelling in to have the same “hygiene standards” that you would find at home.

Warning – this story is not pretty!

There is nothing like a pilgrimage through India to break down a Westerner’s expectation that toilet paper and toilets “go hand in hand”. Indians consider the use of toilet paper to be unhygienic and douche instead. I had packed my own supply, however, when the bus driver pulled over for a toilet stop some 5 hours in to our trip – I discovered that I was NOT prepared at all.

So violent was the explosive case of diarrhoea that overcame me – women gathered around me to create a modesty curtain of sarongs. You see, the toilet stop was roadside. Technically the toilet was “the bushes”.

If you’re properly prepared, you’ll be ready for whatever trial comes your way: stained and rumpled clothes, showers without water, sleepless long haul flights and clogged pores.

Here is Tripasista’s #Packlist to keep it clean!

1. Always travel with tampons, toilet paper and a sarong or shawl – these are indispensable.

Many women have been surprised by irregular timing of their menstrual period. Remember – tampons and pads are not readily available in all countries and sanitary disposal bins not always available.

2. Buy a travel water filter bottle.

The world is drowning in plastic water bottles – buy a travel water filter bottle instead, and avoid Bali belly!

3. Pack Imodium.

Anti-diarrhoea medication. If you need it, you’ll be thankful you have it!

4. Pack rubber flip flops.

For public showers.

5. Try body wipes.

Body wipes cleanse skin and remove odor with no water or rinse required. Safe for the face, body and feminine area. Also safe for sensitive skin.

6. Antiseptic wipes.

Great for wiping down seats, tables, menus, hands as you go.

7. Pack a towel.

We highly recommend a lightweight towel or sarong.

8. Even small nicks and cuts must be promptly cared for to prevent infection!

Pack band-aids, Tea Tree antiseptic lotion, antibiotic cream, anti-inflammatories and pain medication.

9. A stain remover pen such as Tide To Go.

Tide To Go stain remover pen does a pretty amazing job of eliminating unwanted stains.

10. And finally!

Remember – if you are eating street food – join the queue of women and their children rather than eat at alone at a “Western” restaurant.

Written by Susan from TripaSista.

Susan is an avid traveler, trained architect and co-founder of TripaSista. Her working life has inspired global travel with lengthy stays in London, New York, Sydney and recently Glasgow. Susan has lived with Buddhist nuns, worked on organic farms and sailed the seven seas (well the Pacific).

TripaSista is an online directory, shop and community that helps women planning a travel experience connect directly with female focused tourism operators.

The post Travel Hygiene for Women appeared first on Work Travel Repeat.