There was a storm; her flight home was cancelled. She decided as a good citizen it would save her insurer money if she flew instead to her son in N. Carolina. Her claim was denied; she lost $1350, her one way ticket from Europe and another $350 to get home. Her credit card did nothing. For help with your claim, join our list of paid subscribers. Shudda asked her insurer before changing itineraries.

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Some experts advise to delay until 1-3 months pre departure. Fares change based on algorithms, booking patterns, the day of the week flown and capacity. Expedia AirHacks says Fridays or early in the week are usually cheaper than Sundays (not on holiday weekends). Why? Business people leave Sundays on Monday. Vacationers want the whole weekend.

I discovered that a terrorist event which created many cancellations did not lower ticket prices on the route. So don’t wait for Armageddon either.

Using a codeshare airline for cheaper fares is worth a hunt. Airlines form groups called code shares. You might save by booking your flight on a foreign partner airline. Example: Delta flights might be cheaper through its partner, Virgin Atlantic. You get Delta frequent flier miles, not all benefits. Some codeshares need research— KLM and Delta? Singapore Airlines and ITA etc. Airlines sites list their own flights first; work to get the exotic stuff. Know your codeshare list-this is partial. I flew Saudi Airlines in Saudi and saw above check in: SkyTeam Alliance. I got Delta miles, but needed a ticket number and reservation code to recoup miles.

Travel agents rarely hunt around for a codeshare deal, FYI. Only once in my many years did MIR Tours airline staff find ‘the’ deal on a foreign airline codeshare.

Travel search engines like kayak.com show round trips but on different airlines. Kayak and Skyscanner offer mix and match choices. Sometimes it is cheaper to fly home on a different airline. Beware, these sites link to others. Some are third party travel agencies known to be difficult. I booked a one way Mexico City to New York ticket from a company listed on Kayak. It was a Canadian agency which would not assign a seat. Anyway the the one way price was low.

Sometimes you save by using European sites: like opodo.co.uk. Or with the European airline local sites if you can manipulate your computer to show say https://wwws.airfrance.fr/ not .com. The default for US computers is US sites. My secret is to first get www.yahoo.co.uk then hunt around for UK sites. I flew KLM Business Class to the US for less. The seat was smaller, but so was the price, I earned miles and got a little ceramic Dutch house. Months later realized it was filled with booze. If you have a problem, research the rules. European rules are consumer friendly; they also apply to US companies flying into the EU. Current US airline rules are pitiful. Here is a government site for the EU.

Warning on European sites; verbiage can be different. I paid $$ for a bag on Easyjet because did not understand the ‘in cabin and in hold’ pricing.

Last minute auctions for flights. Virgin Atlantic has “Your Bid”, where you bid for upgrades on Virgin. And for neighboring free seats. I upgraded on Air France last minute by asking staff, and on American flying from Buenos Aires at check in. There are many auction choices on Google, but I have not tried them.

And News Flash, a friend used ChatGBT for her Brussels-US flight. Results were a listing of many options, including highly unusual airlines and combinations.

Watch our video about credit cards and mileage deals. You’ll learn a lot. For more detailed help, become a paid surscriber to our Substack.

GHITA

March 2026 was my trip date. My goal was to get from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Penzance in Cornwall, UK as directly as I could. Note: I had heavy luggage, March is Winter in the UK, and coastal Penzance has unpredictable March weather.

Here’s how I did it with only one connection. I flew the Atlantic from MIA to LHR, transferred by car to Paddington Station and rode the train to Penzance, last stop.

ME

Ft Lauderdale is a smaller regional airport so Miami made sense. Penzance, besides its “Pirates” (of Penzance) is more than 5 hours train time from London Heathrow (LHR). **Ft Lauderdale is smaller as Spirit went bust spiritlessly. Yes Paddington Bear ‘lives’ in Paddington Station???? Photo Source: Paddington Station.

GHITA

My first great idea (I had thought!) was a cruise from Port Everglades or Port of Miami to Falmouth or to the nearest port to Penzance. I soon discovered that it was definitely off season, cruise ships do not ‘reposition’ from the Caribbean to Europe until mid to end April. Repositioning cruises can be fun, usually cheap, with special themes for 5-7 days at sea. Next choice: fly to Gatwick (LGW), the 2nd biggest UK airport, then take the train West, to Penzance. Times changed. USA/International flights haven’t flown to Gatwick for the past 6 years or so.

ME

Anyway connecting via Gatwick is awkward…As an Octo, terminal to terminal for tight connections is tough. Gatwick (LGW) caters to discount flyers; carrying duty frees, dragging children. **There are 5 airports into the London area: Heathrow, Gatwick. Luton, Stansted and London City. Luton and Stansted are long train rides from London. London City is a baby airport for short haul smaller planes. It is cute and on an island in the Thames.

GHITA

A car and driver from LHR to Penzance was more than exorbitant. 566 Pounds or $750. Finally I spent hours researching British Rail, namely GWR (Great Western Railway Company started in 1877 and what a regal crest it has; photo source: GRC) which had frequent trains from Paddington Central to Penzance, direct but with multiple stops. Finally I hired a car and driver to meet me at LHR for the drive to Paddington Station. As an Octo who would be tired and jet lagged, this was preferable to shlepping luggage on the Subway/Underground train.

ME

Smart fashionable weight lifting lady. Here are car services in London. Uber , Keen Car, and Black Cabs. Keen is expensive; cabs less and Uber usually lowest. **If you are ever at Paddington, ask Phyllis in the Paid Area of this Substack for local sightseeing. Paddington is on a man made lake; the area is gentrified into Little Venice. Here is the UK Rail Service website for assistance

GHITA’S RESPONSE TO PHYLLIS:

My most important goal was to catch that train to Penzance. So I allowed myself a generous 4 hours between a possibly delayed landing at LHR, traffic en route, elusive Uber/cab drivers and on time departure on the GWR. Turned out very well!

GHITA

MAIN POINT of all this is what transpired at Paddington. Phyllis you may know about this, but I didn’t. In my GWR train research online I read about Passenger Assistance at Paddington. That one has to book assistance 48 hours ahead of need. So I did that using WhatsApp (they actually have a separate phone number for WhatsApp callers), or you can book online at https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/passenger-assist, and I hoped for the best.

The driver at LHR wanted to drop me off at the Underground (ie subway) entrance to Paddington. I objected, that I needed to be in the “Platform” area. Fortunately I had the Passenger Assistance phone number and asked him to speak with them.

ME

Sometimes you need to be firm. UK rail stations are large, old and can be, like Paddington, on many levels. Good job Ghita.

GHITA

Passenger Assistance WERE expecting me, gave my driver the correct directions and were waiting for me with a golf cart buggy. Passenger Assistance staff loaded me and my luggage and reassured me that I would be on time to catch my train (also pre booked online with a seat assignment using a US credit card). They drove me and another person in the buggy to a waiting room lounge (a scene from a 1940s movie but safe with watery coffee, fresh fruit, WIFI and a toilet!) They returned for me 2 hours later, drove me to my train, escorted me to my reserved seat on board with luggage. Off I went for a 5.5 hour ride west and across the country to Penzance (last stop).

It was great. Had a lovely local lady as a travel companion for most of the way. Loved the change of scenery from blustery Atlantic coast to rolling English countryside: green even in March.

The trip back east to LHR was with family in a 10 seater van….scenic again, past Stonehenge because the road is basically over the Roman roads built 43-400AD.

Safe and uneventful but well planned trip!

ME

Reading your wonderful story, I come away with terrific Octo lessons.

1—Don’t always go for expensive options. Hunt around for official assistance. European countries have older populations and often have assistance for us seniors.

2—You might not need a travel agent for Europe. Trains are bookable on line; Uber uses your US app and charges in Dollars (at a high rate). Sites can easily text a US cell phone.

3- As you did smartly, have local phone numbers ready to call for help, without fumbling paperwork.

4- Get invited to fancy parties in Britain.

SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US BY EMAILING PHYLLISNYCITY@GMAIL.COM

Ask for more details in the Paid Section of our Substack.

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I use Clear but dislike paying a private company, with sometime clueless staff. But the Clear line is shorter with faster access to security. You are likely nervous as bags disappear into scanners. Clear gives you a front row seat to watch your valuables disappear. (Relax at security; my bag disappeared ONLY ONCE into the scanner.)

2—-Treat yourself to an airline lounge. Lounges can be busy or even full. Services like Priority Pass allow lounge pre booking. What you get in a lounge: cleaner bathrooms, shorter food lines, wifi. Staff is likely to fuss over you more. I love a fuss. You’ll eat junk food; but sugar is vaca-allowed. Airline lounges cost $40-80 per visit; some credit cards offer entry. An airport meal in a major city is $25-30. Do the math and relax in a lounge.

(Istanbul Airport has ultimate lounge amenities f(or certain classes). My friend, Maggie, had hours an Istanbul layover when we went to Saudi Arabia. She booked 5 lounge massages for 5 hours.Cheaper than a hotel. I had my hair done in Heathrow’s Virgin/Delta lounge.

3—-Another budget option is a capsule hotel with rooms priced hourly. Robin, going with us to Ixtapan Resort, arrived in Mexico City at 3AM for her 10AM transfer. She booked a capsule with tv, bed, toilet, wifi, desk. Some capsules have shower facilities. (Capsules are safe with staff, security cameras and usually single gender areas. Minute Suites discounts with Priority Pass. Warning they are only single occupancy. Benefit you get away from your needy traveling companions for a spell. Similar to a capsule, was the Ibis at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport: a mini room with bed, desk, wifi, bathroom and shower.

4—-Getting to the gate early and upgrades. My experience on upgrades is as follows: Pre flight, check ‘upgraded wanted’ on your reservation in the airline app. Monitor empty seats on the seating chart. At the gate and very close to departure, airline staff has an idea of no shows. Go to staff with your name showing on the upgrade list; ask if there is a chance for a better seat. My experience, they might offer one but call your phone. Make sure you can hear your cell phone. Don’t ask, don’t get.

If you are over 75, ask to pre board.

5—Airplane noise creates stress. Buy $30+ noise cancelling earphones. Load your devices with fun. The best entertainment was on Emirates in economy class. The TV section- ‘binge’ had American shows. 12 hours of Big Little Lies kept me happy in an economy seat for 12 hours to Dubai.

Our Substack is for anyone who loves to travel, especially for active travelers who have accomplished 80 years of life. Our next trip is to Ixtapan Resort where both 8 and 80’s enjoy the experience.

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We start our story with a may 11 cancelled Delta flight. We were protected by Delta which means we had double reservations to get us home. The optional flight was LAX-JFK Flight 991. (Ask your agent for protection if you have serious doubts about a flight). The pleasant Delta phone agent instructed us to notify baggage if we changed flights. I now have a wrist tattoo for the secret 800 baggage people. Side note: veteran travelers on a weekend trip only check luggage if 1-going to Los Angeles for 2-dress up parties given by 3-your son, a movie producer for 4- his lovely Bat Mitzvah daughter.

On announced flight cancellation, we ran, Octo style which is robot meets pain, to the other gate. Flight 991 was closed; but our bags were sadly now flying on Flight 991.

The technology part. I tried to book an airport hotel via smart phone. Hyatt did not have an easy way for a travel agent to book agent rates. I called Hyatt in Manila. Technology failure number one. I accepted a senior fare which was $4 more, and waited for a text confirmation. Not received. Technology failure number two.

We took the free shuttle to the LAX Hyatt Regency. They had our reservation, whew. In the room collapsed on the Hyatt bed, I poked the Delta site for information on their responsibility. With hunting, I found that the airline was required by law when their fault, to offer us hotel and meals. Technology failure number three.

I called Delta reservations to claim the payment. I love the announcement: This is on a recorded line because you can ask for that recording if needed and generally you can get it -state depending. Delta confirmed our vouchers for hotel and meals. Note you have to call and do the work, even through the law states airlines will contact you. Bummer, the vouchers were for 2 specific hotels not for the Hyatt we had just booked non refundably. Technology language failure number four. Meal vouchers were not usable at the Hyatt. Technology failure number four and a half.

Here is the text message minus the url. From Delta Air Lines: We’re sorry for the delay. You can claim your hotel and meal vouchers here: https://xxxx

Looking for a good/junk meal, I scanned the Door Dash QR Code on 2 hotel room mirrors. Five Guys Fries fixes all, maybe not what we now call a “mini war”. Neither worked. Technology failure number five. The Hyatt operator explained they no longer use Door Dash but offer ‘Room Dash’? ‘Room Dash’ was room service from the hotel restaurant we were trying to avoid. PS to Hyatt People: expired adhesive labels selling Door Dash in Hyatt hotels can be removed with Goo Gone, vegetable oil, peanut butter or mayo. Room Dash likely has available veg oil, peanut butter and mayo.

We ate in the Hyatt restaurant. We asked for bar food. Our 2 quesadillas+ one beer came to $54 but the bill was $77. A 20% bar food surcharge had been added which we saw at check out. This is not Technology failure but a simple secret surcharge.

I kept receipts. Once home, I used the Delta claim/complaint link and submitted our information. Here is a suggested first sentence of a claim: We understand that flights can be cancelled. We are, however, writing….. Kill with kindness before you kill with details.

We were quickly recompensed the full $258.10 by Delta via a linked deposit into our bank account. Alas, the JP Morgan link was broken- Jamie Dimon, where are you when we need you? Technology failure number six.

I called Delta a third time or was it fourth, about the link. After some dancing with various representatives, the original Sara in Atlanta worked for a new link. Life was good again…. until we received this voicemail. I am no longer counting Technology failures.

Good morning, uh this call is for Christine, Christine, this is Sarah, custom care supervisor with Delta Airlines, calling in regarding to a complaint you submitted, uh, with your recent flight, on uh, May 3rd and May 4th from Johannesburg to Boston, uh, via London, and | 1st and foremost want to apologize for the disappointing meal experience you encounter, particularly given that you were traveling. in 1st class.

Uh, these meals you prescribed, um, fell short of our standard, and we aim to provide, especially for customers who have pre, uh, we requested uh, special dietary, accommodations to uh, prevent these similar occurrences in the future. And just know that I have forwarded your concerns to our leadership teams for review and consideration to better serve you in the future. And I see that Delta uh Virgin Atlantic, however, have uh addressed these issues on their side, so now on Delta side, on your flight uh DL 59, we have noted those details as well. And just so you know, as a good little gesture, for your inconvenience. I, 1, l’ve issued a, a $75 credit voucher, for you as a good little gesture and as a tangible form of apology, etc etc.

We are home, never went to South Africa. Delta paid us and apologized appropriately. The only lasting negative is 4 pounds gained from $96 of chocolate, cookies, Chex Mix and Potato Chips. Our meal vouchers did work at the candy counter of the Hudson News Store in LAX .

If you have an airline or travel insurance problem, I will try to help you with insurance or advice.

If you decide to be brave and go solo, you spend time and money on YOU. Back in the day, I was polite and traveled with shopper friends. Travel time was spent in markets not museums. For a roommate in China I hunted Diet Coke. Solo you don’t waste time pleasing someone else. You are the Chief of Staff for the hotel room and the itinerary. Skip breakfast or read late at night, Bingo. You are the Secretary of the Treasury. Avoid $$ taxis and walk, Bingo. For individual requests: see link below.

Side benefits of solo-ism is you meet people at meals, the hotel bar, or just sitting in the airport. The photo above is of ladies I met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We connected by getting lost on the sidewalk, spent the afternoon and parted with selfies.

If at a hotel you have a Board of Directors or Team . Use the Concierge but tell him/her to avoid ‘private’ as in chauffeur’d cars. Be aware— concierges usually offer luxury level advice. Next: read English language newsletters by ex pats. As an ex pat, I wrote for one which years later was found to be a CIA front. My expat article on Italian Hill Towns was accurate, spy editor notwithstanding.

Your alone team? Concierge, Front Desk Manager, Hotel Manager, Housekeeping, Airline staff and Travel Insurance hot line. Hotels can secure a doctor. Front Desk Managers can be life savers. When our client fell in Paris, a Manager at Hotel Nuage packed her bags, stored them and returned all, when she exited the hospital. Speak to the actual manager not just accept a business card. Address the person by the name on the card to double check.

The US Embassy in your Team: my experience is 50/50. More on US Embassy assistance; ask me in the paid section of this Substack.

Negatives of going alone: you have no friends’ team if ill, lose your money or are brain frozen. Sometimes, you need to share feelings, because the Klimt drawing in Vienna reminds you of a lost friend? You are the type to panic? Don’t go alone if you are Anxious Annie. Take a group tour and plan to ruin 20 others’ trips with your nerves.

Onerous for me is airport schlep, as you must have eyes 24/7 on valuables. Its a squeeze in the bathroom stall. You drag weight thru security, shops, airport lounge, restaurants, water fountain, to the gate and onto the plane. For a smooth ride, pray to Ophanim Yes, there is a Biblical wheel god, sort of. Check out the chariot:

Afraid of eating alone? That is a separate topic. You’ll stay hungry until I cover that.

How to protect yourself and your trip: Use a check list before leaving hotels: money, key card, lip gloss, credit card (Visa if overseas), small change and separately: a few bills. Lock the safe? Move pjs off the bed so they don’t disappear with hotel laundry? Have a map with the hotel number and location? My list is on real paper and checked off with a real pen. That forces my attention.

Count luggage: bag, carry on, bagged lunch, water bottle, money belt. 1 2 3 4 5. Yes I left a bag at our front door, taxi’d half way to JFK before realizing it. Now I count and count and count. The night before moving from the hotel, open the safe, empty it. You do not want metal filings from the engineer/safe cracker in your earrings.

When solo, pay for wifi. For GPS, e-tickets, airline notices, and general sanity. So you no ticket for the Blah Blah Museum, wifi allows you to snag one on the spot - often when staff states the museum is full. You need wifi for WhatsApp. I often chat with my husband when solo overseas; it is a way to share a favorite Indian restaurant, Dishroom in Kensington, London.

Don’t want to pay for wifi, stand outside a MacDonalds and pilfer their wifi. I did this outside a Norwegian bank. Many parks and museums have free wifi as do train stations, airports, shopping malls, department stores, government buildings. Borrow but beware, public wifi not secure. Interesting free wifi was in a South American park; you had to listen to a health message before accessing the hot spot.

Then, make your choice: solo, with a friend, in a group. In all 3 cases and world wide you can always find someone to whine to.

Here are reasons guides rush you.

They follow a set itinerary, no matter the demographics of the walkers.

They cover too many highlights. If the tour brochure describes seeing highlights, guides have to deliver. There might be the person who complains: But I booked this tour only to see storks roost in Rothenberg!

Too long a walk? Most walking tours are 2-4 hours, a stretch for jet lagged Octos or really anyone. Museum tours are usually 90 minutes. 2 hours gives the walking guide time for a route so you don’t see anything twice. 4 hours is for hikes with stops at scenic places.

Too many people in the tour? The travel industry defines 24 as a ‘small’ group. Stretch 24 adults along narrow cobbled streets? There is no way for everyone to hear, see the guide’s maps, ask questions. Because of the cost, whisper sets are usually included only for groups of 10+.

Too much standing around in full sun or unshaded rain? A mystery is why guides do not escort groups into shade when possible?

You cannot hear the guide? You cannot understand the accent? In areas new to tourism; few locals speak English, guides are inexperienced.

Don’t get this wrong, I like a walking tour, if choreographed for normal people. Heaven forbid, you re-tie sneakers or take a photo, you are now in Oz.

A year ago, I went on a Tufts University cruise- go Jumbo. The theme was History of the Mediterranean. The trip was marvelous; the itinerary unusual with areas important to early civilizations. In Sardinia, one choice was a walking tour. The town was hilly, with cobbled streets, large plazas with ornate buildings. It was easy to lose the guide as she turned up a hill or into a courtyard for the famous whatever. Walking tours do not backtrack even it means taking a longer way home. Some participants gave up and lodged themselves in cafes. Not a bad option in Italy.

Is there a way to navigate a walking tour, not get lost and learn something? Yes Ahead of time, make a list of expected highlights, map them electronically as on google my map or put pen to paper. Your guide will likely include these highlights. (Warning guides often add one unexpected spot to make you feel you are an insider).

If the walk is too fast. Catch up, ask for a slower speed and point to the number of ‘back of the bus’ people. I guarantee you need to ask for slow downs many times. Remember guides usually have backs to you; they are restricted by a schedule. Some guides begin talking and/or answering questions before the full group is assembled. Don’t speak up, don’t learn.

Most guides begin their patter with “If you get lost, please be at xxx at xxx time. They might flash a city map. Take a photo of that map. If you have Gothic church blindness, ask the guide for a second landmark; a large shop name is useful. Ask the guide to mark the tour’s end on your map. If the guide is willing to give you a short list of highlights, and timing, great. Timing might be involved if there are admission tickets to a site.

Also, with permission, photo the guide. Why? In tourist mobbed towns (very likely in Florence, Rome, London, Paris you name it), you might join the wrong group. All of us traveling Octos appear to be in the same tribe. Recently one of our group heard others on her flight were also going to Ixtapan. She did not check the group name, boarded their bus, then sat in the only available seat. It was a horrid jump seat. In the meantime, we searched the airport for her…. Consider photographing your bus license, logo or driver unless you want to continue on with new friends from Finland.

Ask the guide where she/he adds a brief stop. Often there is a halt, for instance, to enter a church or taste a pastry. To leave you with a special memory, the biggie stuff is often at the end of the tour. You might be able to wait for the group at the biggie. In hill town, Orvieto, steep streets were lined with gorgeous stores. We lost some of our shoppers. They knew the cathedral was the biggie, so they shopped then waited there.

In areas new to tourism you might get superficially rosy pictures of the area; new guides follow scripts and speak fast. Without being rude, request slower speech or deeper explanations. Guides might not have sufficient English or sophistication to answer questions. In a small Moselle River town, I read a historic sign. In German, it memorialized a famous bookstore, destroyed in 1937. I asked the guide to explain ; she responded it was bombed in the War. Nope, it was burned down by local fascists 2 years before WW2. I said nothing.

Finally if you absolutely cannot manage the walk, ask for a taxi or help returning to the end point. Ask for the name of the best cafe or gelato spot near the end point. Oddly guides count clients on a bus tour, but not usually on a walking tour.

Good luck on your next trip. Do send us your lost in Oz stories!

Below is a walk I created from google my map. Highlights are listed on the left.

It is ok to be a be shot at the office, but when you travel, be invisible.

Lets start with social media. Photos that vacationing friends put on Facebook reveal where they are and when. Facebook time stamps the photo. My neurosis shouts OMG their homes are empty. Then I suffer again through the time when my home was empty. I told a broker and his gang robbed us…. too long a story for this substack.

Back to sharing vacation photos? You can alter date of posted photos. Facebook Help Center tells you how. If you are like most of us and a moron, wait to post your photos until you are home. If you are not a moron, but arrogant enough to think everyone wants to see you in front of the Eiffel Tower, then follow instructions below.

Go to the Facebook page where you put the photo. Locate the photo. There dots in the upper right corner of your photo. They indicate a drop down menu. Find Options. Select Edit then click Date. Choose a new date and time then hit Done. Facebook allows you to change the date to sometime in the past. But not past 1905? I actually looked up why 1905. No printed reasons. The founding of Las Vegas? Presidency of Teddy Roosevelt?

Instagram for date changes is trickier. You delete the photo, adjust the date as above, and reload it. Warning many of you forgot you linked Instagram to a Facebook page; so please take care.

PS an unwritten courtesy is to secure upfront approvals before tagging friends in a public photo. There are personal reasons people want anonymity. I had a client harassed by a neighbor; she asked not to be in trip photos. Another paid her trip in cash to hide it from an ex. A third lost weight and hated the photo. Worst is the lady who did not forewarn us. She covered her face so she looked like a jewel thief in closed circuit camera.

Tour companies have written policies about using client photos for commercial purposes. If a photographer takes your photo on a trip, that person owns the photo not you. But you also have to give permission ie. a release. Read the small print of your tour company. Good companies have written photo permission policies.

Don’t put a home address on luggage tags. While you stand at check in, anyone can photo luggage tags. Recently, Delta check in for my trip to Ixtapan Resort asked me to add a Delta paper tag to a checked suitcase. I put name and cell phone indicating US with the + sign instead of a street address. The agent was satisfied. Tour company or cruise baggage tags with a cabin number or other personal information? Add personal information after the flight and only before meeting your group or cruise.

Don’t use public wifi for anything sensitive or secure. Don’t lend your phone to a stranger; if they need help, you do the dialing and talking. I just met a taxi driver who told me a client asked to use his phone. Rider took it and ran away.

Don’t let anyone see your boarding pass. It contains information that allows strangers to cancel your flight: it reveals your last name and Record Locator which can allow a stranger to change your reservation. After all flights, peel off the tiny baggage tags glued to bags. They also hold information.

Don’t share airplane reservations with transfer or limo companies. 1—Your destination is none of their business. 2—-Your return trip should NOT be booked when you leave home. Too much information in too many strangers’ hands.

Do not share your name and hotel with strangers. I was upgraded to First Class by Air France then seated next to an American businessman. He was in the perfume business, en route to the Grasse. We chatted about work. He asked where I was staying in Paris. I told him Hotel Jolly Lotti. He asked for my name. Something clicked in my Nicolas Feuillatte champagne’d brain. I responded “I have to finish paperwork now”. It was dumb to give him the hotel. It would have been dumber to give my name.

OR maybe not? I might have had Chanel No 5 for life?

Because someone is in First Class does not mean they are one of the good guys.

Part of this Substack was also published on The Three Tomatoes site, a great one for women over 55.

The who, what, where, when and how of river cruises.

The What and Where: River cruises hold about 180 passengers. They navigate major rivers. In Europe some are Seine, Rhine, Danube, Rhone, Moselle, Douro. In Asia, they sail The Ganges, Mekong, Irrawaddy and Brahmaputra. They dock daily at ports for sightseeing widely varying interest and importance. The operative word is ‘varying’. River cruises are branded as ‘leisurely’. We will show you why this is not true.

The Who Some 400 ships sail European rivers, with 60 more being built. Sadly, river cruises are also part of over touristing. Demographics are mainly American, secondarily German, then other Europeans and increasingly Asian. River cruises attract an affluent older crowd, who want convenience, minimal flying, inclusive pricing, no packing/unpacking. Another trait of this group never mentioned in brochures is that sightseeing is limited and therefore, quite superficial.

I read one national newspaper which stated you make friends due to fewer passengers. This is not true if your departure has private groups. If a charter by a private group, you remain an outsider. If passengers do not speak English, you might eat silently. I took 3 cruises not knowing there were partial charters. For the Seine, the cruiseline staff defined the passengers as “international’. There were 15 English speakers and 165 Germans. When North Americans toured WW2 Normandy Beaches, Germans sun tanned at Honfleur beaches. Awkward? You betcha. On another trip down the Rhone, there was a corporate awards group. At inner we learned who sold the most insurance.

The Why How to know if your departure is chartered or non English speaking? First, ask the company and your agent. Don’t be a wuss.

1—Ask what languages are spoken on board for all announcements.

2—Put the name of your ship and one port into google. I experimented with Heart of the Delta, a Viking cruise and found a 40 person Florida group traveling on one date. On a second google search, I found private UK groups on a different cruises. The Moselle cruise I booked was 99% Brazilians, nice people, but my Portuguese is limited to piri piri hot sauce. I had booked it for the dates and was a wuss not to ask the right questions.

Note on traveling with a non US group : I lived in the UK for ten years. My children were born there, best pals are still there. I sailed the Danube on UK based Noble Caledonia to the Black Sea. It was an unusual and excellent itinerary. Americans are chatty; Europeans less so. My husband and I struggled at dinner conversations. He defined our experience as dining with Colonel Mustard (the Clue Game). But for historians, British shore tours cover more history, World War sites, classical literature. Their walks are more academic and less jokey. I(f that is a word).

The How Walking No matter how they are marketed, you need to walk. Ships dock usually in or near towns. When there is a bus transfer, watch out. Example: Strasbourg is a 45 minute drive from the Rhine. You are bussed then given the walking tour. Typical walks go like this: a guided walk, a refreshment (as if you need another refreshment on a cruise) then ‘free time’ which is veiled shopping time.

1- Guides walk too fast. 2- Walking tours can end farther from the ship than expected. On the Moselle trip, I enjoyed a guided vineyards hike. It ended in town, but 1/2 mile from the ship. My husband, who cannot walk well, had to rush the same 1/2 mile from the ‘free time portion’ to the dock.

Cannot walk? Study the map of the ports or skip some ports. The concierge might have exact docking positions. Ask. Beware of walking the ‘plank’ from ship to shore. It can be daunting if you use a cane or it is dark. We left Lyon at 3AM to catch a flight to London. It was pitch black and the gangway was harshly lit.

The How choosing a cabin: These are expensive: $400-500 minimum per night. I’v cruised in luxury and budget cabins. River cruise cabins are usually 150-170 sq ft. All have windows or balconies. My cheapo cabin was fine. It had a permanent window above the bed. Since I was on the Rhine, with its hills and vineyards, topped with castles, I could view scenery looking up from bed. My opinion: if you want a budget cabin, sail the Rhine. On a Christmas cruise, I was upgraded to a top balcony cabin. Warning: in winter, balcony cabins can be drafty. Lesson: don’t pay for a winter balcony unless you are into icicles. Second lesson, rivers are busy; while docked, you might be sandwiched between ships. Your balcony might be climbable to another balcony.

Location of your cabin is also a big decision.

The What Food is included. Some is fake gourmet as in the Ube purple yam on your plate. The nationality of a chef is important, impossible to uncover. European companies offer different menus. Many Octos adore a hedonistic ‘vaca only’ American breakfast. European breakfasts have more toast less French toast. Portions are smaller; desserts, limited. On a British ship’s Gala Charles II coronation party, there were pink petit fours, hundreds of them. But nothing else. Where was my brownie and ice cream? Wines are usually included at lunch and dinner. If you are an oenophile, ask about choices: by country in port? or the same at every meal? There might be upgraded “House offerings” at $$$. Some ships do not allow bringing your own alcohol on board. Again ask.

The When European rivers are shrinking. They are higher with melted snows in Spring, they are shallower late Autumn and in Winter. Special folks will still not be able to walk on water. Rivers use locks which take time due to traffic. From your cabin you stare at the lock wall, or are driven to the next site. Usually you cannot lounge on sun decks while transversing a lock. You will be guillotined. Cruises are doable all 4 seasons.

There is much more to cover. Ask us for opinions on a cruise you consider. We’ll try to get answers or solutions. These cruises are still a great option for Octos. They are madly popular. I have enjoyed most, knowing limitations. I have a system for enhancing sightseeing for a more fulfilling trip.

Other considerations for your cruise?

Are there waves on rivers?

Do you have enough time on shore?

Are there cheaper non American cruises?

Are river cruises priced the same in Euros, Pounds and Dollars?

Can you be left behind if you get lost or cannot keep up on a tour?

Should you book the cruise pre and post options?

Should you book the cruise line’s air?

Which departure cities are best and worst for Octos?

Are there short cruises?

Dress code on river cruises? Can you be a slob?

Are river cruises hurting our rivers?

Thank you for reading my Substack.

Due to its limited space and huge popularity, the museum always has lines. Facing the museum and the long lines, here is what I saw. A 35ish woman, phone cocked upward in hand, was fretful, inpatient. She stormed the pavement then barked at the guard: What the hell is going on here? It was pretty obvious: the lines were clearly sign posted.

Why do I mention this brat? Spoiled entitlement can ruin your trip. We are older, to some folks we are invisible. In my experience, Millennials’ behavior can be clueless, rude and even dangerously disruptive to hospitality staff. There was the seat mate, who refused to share the electrical outlet; her work was more important than an old ladies’ ‘casual’ phone usage? Then the passenger who spilled a 24 ounce drink on my seat? There is no law about bad behavior. But you can act so it does not ruin your trip.

The shared outlet? No law controls sharing the outlet. It is illegal and dangerous to use multi-plug adaptors or power strips on a plane. HP says most of its computers need 30 minutes to charge from 0-50% battery. A Mac recharges 0-100% in 1.5 to 2 hours. If your seat mate hogs the outlet; time their usage, then announce it is your turn. Young people are shocked when we act as NOT invisible.

The drink thing? It seems everyone under 40 is thirsty. Federal law prohibits drinking alcohol on a plane, unless served by staff. Having said that, supersized non alcoholic drinks are a hazard. Only Americans consume 30 even 64 oz drinks. 64 ounces is a half gallon? Giant drinks are marketed in fast food deal meals. Ask for the camel to cover the drink and be careful with it. My opinion: it is long overdue for drinks sold at airports to include more secure tops. Airports are essentially part one of pre boarding; let’s get some regulations about selling 64 oz drinks.

Dirty shoes or feet on seats? I watched a young woman put sneakered feet onto the adjacent airplane seat. This is considered a big breach of airplane etiquette, it is filthy, but not illegal. Some airline staff will say something, but reluctantly. One airline banned bare feet. Staff might enforce shoes before and during take off. I find this ironic: we used to travel in heels, we were told to remove them during emergencies. If someone has their shoes on your seat, say something to staff; ask for some towels or protection. If they make an angry fuss, bingo they might tossed off the plane. I often see guests with shoes on hotel lobby seating. Definitely get security or Front Desk; after all your $$ is also paying for cleaning.

Loud talking, music, games? Recently I flew first class Delta One, from London to JFK. A group of business people were aisle socializing, an increasing phenomenon. I was trying to sleep. No rules apply except if the seat belt sign is on. Good news: airlines are adding noise rules. In February, United put a noise law in its contract of carriage. This is the first such regulation by any airline. Expect more as airlines cut costs by eliminating entertainment systems. The future is that entertainment will only be from your devices not from a seat screen.

Let us know if difficult situations you’ve experienced. and we’ll come back with either the law or a lesson on how to be a visible Octo Traveler.

Boarding planes can be a stampede and one in which Octo’s can be pushed to the point of danger. The rush to board is due to absurd passenger worry, crowded waiting areas, and piggish behavior. Take these factors, toss in total lack of airport behavior laws an you have AAA: anger, aggression and anxiety.

Some airports have small or walled off waiting spaces. Fly from Heathrow in London, proceed to your gate, pass American security a second time at the gate, and enter a walled off area. You are lucky to find a spare seat, in what is ironically called a ‘lounge’. Tip: do not let people claim empty seats. Once they say my friend is coming; announce you will sit and move when mystery man arrives. There is no law about saving seats. In contrast, JFK has wide corridors, but insufficient staff. Once the boarding announcement is made, there emerge wobbling lines of different classes of passengers. At the front, an airline employee shouts which line is which line. You cannot work out what line you are on or should be on until you reach the gate. Leave your line to find out? You just lost your place.

Boarding seems longer and messier; the only law in place is for passengers who self identify as disabled. Usually you next welcome the military and, yes, they deserve it. Then boarding is by airline status. By this time, chaos is status. FYI, this year I have Delta Diamond status. I am relaxed at the airport, enjoying the privilege of knowing I am privileged.

The reality is even Diamonds fight the ‘gate lice’. These are the people who crowd the gate before assigned boarding times. They crouch, ready to be first. My favorite ‘gate lice’ are passengers (young being 40-50 and mostly men), in athletic brands, carrying sports equipment. They stroll up front onto the plane. They self identify as wounded Olympic athetes? They are not the pilot’s family; they are just selfish. There is no law but in my experience, no one has ever challenged this group?

Shockingly there are no rules to control Pre Boarding nor to make it safer. Some airlines are experimenting with boarding pass scanners and humiliation alarms.

Some Octo’s ask for wheelchairs only to be assured of Pre Boarding. If you are an Octo, you should certainly self identify to gate agents. Just go to gate agents, and inform them you need extra time. Even more than not challenging gate lice, no agent would dare challenge grandma.

There are real and emotional advantages to boarding early.

You take time to the plane,often on an incline, while manipulating a suitcase. Tip: a suitcase for Octo’s should have spinner wheels. They are easier on the palm and arm and won’t escape on an incline.

You secure overhead space. Tip: lock overhead luggage even if above you. Use outside pockets for anything- not valuable- you use on the flight. Place the case with pockets up and the zipper towards you. Some planes have wheels out preventing that. Your expensive coat can be carefully folded above the case, away from dirty suitcase wheels.

Pre Boarding gives you assurances of sufficient time to use bathrooms. Airport bathrooms are cleaned hourly so use them. With Pre Boarding, you do not have to stand on the anxiety line. You also have early access to the plane’s facilities. (Plane bathrooms are cleaned after each flight, but best at the beginning of the flight).

You have time to check your seat and seat belt. Most seat problems are solved in minutes. For some like a sharp edge on a corner armrest, you might have to tolerate it but request apology ff miles. Typical issues are entertainment needs rebooting, seat back pocket has garbage, seat is stiff or does not recline. If you are in seat 11A on some planes, you won’t get a window in your window seat. That will not be solved in minutes or ever. I once informed staff that the tv map was broken; it said Gulf of Mexico not Gulf of America; no one laughed.

You possess the seat. Seems obvious but, as readers know, I boarded early on a flight from Paris, then settled in. A lady had the same assigned seat; there was a nasty fuss with French speaking security and with her. You don’t need physics to know possession is 9/10 even on a plane and I won. Tip: if your flight is overbooked; definitely Pre Board. An airline can force you off the plane if no one offers to surrender enough seats. They owe you but at that stage who cares.

Tip: A major caveat as a Pre Boarder, you might have to forfeit th exit row seat. Staff will question your ability and strength to function in an emergency.

So Octo’s don’t be shy. Your 80 years earned you a front place in the boarding process. For those who still think they look young, get over it and ask to Pre Board.

We would love to hear your stories; send us comments. I might reply even though I am a Diamond Delta person.

The article says the ultra luxury market is $1.77 trillion in 2025, to be $2.1 trillion this year. How much do we guess the over 80 travel market is? Ironically no one has bothered to quantify us Octo’s. One travel insurance company’s estimate is that 65+ senior travel sector is growing at 9.2% compound rate and will reach $14.84 billion by 2030. This is less excitng than the ultra brats but significant.

I argue we should be fussed over that the 80+ market is ignored for the following:

We are not glamorous to quote or photograph. We are into comfort and familiarity. Tired, jet lagged, we don’t want to ‘learn’ a hotel room. We don’t want ambient lighting from a hotel room pole amp we can’t turn off. We enjoy a boring bathroom. I am befudded at a Roman hotel with square toilets? We learned in school you cannot fit round into square. Tip: have your room query list ready for the porter and do not tip until you get answers. Here are some room questions: how to operate the a/c, the lighting, and the safe. How to open the windows, mini bar, and unopenable free mineral water bottles. Check shower amenities, toilet paper supply and remote control battery. Definitely have the porter show how to call the Front Desk. I was in the Amsterdam Airport Hilton when a fire alarm sounded. The Front Desk did not answer. Naturally I was concerned. After a few minutes I called the local Dutch phone number on a US cell phone.

We are an ignored demographic because we are easy to satisfy. Once you are 80 and healthy enough to travel, you dismiss the small stuff. I have found it is the 50 and under group who demand and get more attention. Tip: most hotel issues can be resolved by phone or in person. On the phone ask for the name of the person you talk to. Or go the Front Desk, ask for the manager, and get his card. Make sure you are speaking to the manager; sometimes you only get the card not the person.

We want quiet sleep more than 500 thread count sheets. We don’t need sleep tracking devices or personalized alarms. Here is a professional article called 19 Amenity Ideas that will Wow Your Guests: there is no mention of quiet. Tip: don’t stay near elevators, ice machines, or coffee stations. Choose a courtyard rather than busy street. The best views are not always the quietest rooms. Avoid rooms or cabins above entertainment spaces (check the deck plan if booking a cruise). In 2023, our women’s group overnighted in Switzerland with the best views of the Rhine. Who knew Switzerland regulates air conditioning? We opened our windows to hear all night parties.

Breakfast is an investment for Octo’s. Hotels benefit from Octo’s in house spending. Average breakfast in city center hotels in Europe are $40-50. When traveling, a breakfast with meat, eggs, yogurt, cheese, juices and fresh fruit give us energy, sharper cognitive ability and physical strength to navigate unfamiliar sidewalks. Hunger for Octo’s leads to falling, forgetting and frailty.

Tip: when traveling where cuisine is different, Asia or India as examples, go for the full buffet, take items back to your room- a piece of fruit, some cheese. When our group visited Iran in 2016, I stayed an extra day. When you visited Iran in 2016, all meals were prepaid. On the optional day without meals, I lived on the breakfast buffet: hard boiled eggs, toast, cheese, fruit, yogurt and juices.

We don’t spend at the hotel bar. Bar menu artwork, craft beers, inventive cocktails are a joke to Octo’s. What we like is a ‘living room’ bar with casual seating, often books, communal tables. In Rome I sometimes stay at the Palazzo Navona Hotel which has a living lobby and bar. Or I choose a Golden Tulip Hotel, which often have living lobbies.

Other features we want are coffee machines with extra coffee pods, a safe, visible without a flashlight, grab bar in the shower, a 24/7 front desk staff who answer the phone.

Our currency is the same color as that of the Ultra Rich, or is it? Do you agree with my comments? What do you like or hate about hotels today? What are your worst and best experiences?

A quick State Dept lesson: The US State Dept does not use the word ‘warning’. It uses color coding for country’s safety levels. Colors go from blue to dark orange-brown with striped levels in between. The US State Level for Mexico City and environs is Yellow. Here are a few other Yellow countries: Italy, France, United Kingdom, Spain…..we could list many more. Cuba is Yellow on today’s State Department map.

Without judging this woman’s mindset, it struck me that her family told her what to do. She obeyed her children rather than own mind.

Octo’s were the first generation of parents who worked full time. We broke society’s idea of motherhood. We became lawyers, doctors, executive business women. We gave up leisure time, yet managed to squeeze in PTA meetings and baseball games. This article is not about asking for thanks, it is about why adult children now order some of us around.

Psychologists say we listen to them because we feel guilty about having been working moms? Or that we are buying children’s attention? We do what our children want in order to stay in their good graces? We have a need to assure them we are not spending their inheritance? Worse, we let them redefine us as crumbling folks who no longer have an independent brain.

We are 80+ with health and hard earned money. We might not know details of AI or social media platforms or internet jargon, but we remain responsible adults. We have time to enjoy more adventures. A dream for one woman might be to satisfy her children. The fact is that the statute of limitations for satisfying children is long gone, honey. The dream for many Octo travelers is to continue traveling.

Here is the message of this substack:

Enjoy playing, you earned it. Tell your children, you are a smart person which is why they are smart. You make well founded decisions about safety and other areas of your life. You got to 80 without their supervision. They made it to 50 with yours.

There are many good sources for checking safety. First decide you will use them. Then tell your children about your trip.

PS if in countries listed in and near the Middle East, right now, definitely check State here then follow all links.

I recently returned from a fantastic spa experience. At the resort, guests ranged from 20’s to Octo’s. Most of us were ‘au natural,’ no cosmetics and in casual work out clothes.

There was another group: Octo’s wearing thick black fake eyelashes. These guests wore eyelashes even in the swimming pool. Bold fake eyelashes are a trend amongst younger influencers. Recently on Delta from Mexico City to New York, my 20ish seat mate fussed with her appearance and fake eyelashes via a hand mirror for 4 1/2 hours.

Psychologists state fake lashes can improve confidence, by making a face more engaging and welcoming. Some say that emphasis on accented eyes is also alluring to men. Fake eyelashes have been around since the 19century. In ancient Egypt people blackened eyes with kohl. Conversey in Renaissance times, women preferred to exaggerate foreheads and trimmed their lashes to minimize them. Today fake eyelashes know no length, thickness or age bounds.

The little I know about the trend is that bigger and faker is better. Watching Octo women having trouble blinking with Halloween eyelashes made me investigate the trend as it connects to travel.

Why do we Octo’s yearn to look like 20 year wannabe influencers when we travel?

Do exaggerated eye lashes catch the attention of airline or hotel staff so they treat us better?

How should we present ourselves to get more ‘elite’ treatment by travel professionals?

Answers:

Octo’s wearing fake lashes project a need to be seen as special. When older American women wear thick make up plus fake lashes, they risk being laughed at and treated like freaks. Away from the US, subtle is the elite look. Flashy appearances are frowned on. Besides being a joke, fakery and flash can make Octo’s easy targets for theft.

For Octo’s, when traveling, fake lashes can be dangerous. Generally we, Octo’s should be careful of irritation and infection anyway. Fake lashes and the glue, trap bacteria that can cause eye disease. Some eyelash glue even contains formaldehyde. The fake eyelashes can scratch your cornea and damage whatever lashes you have left.

Even heavy eye make should be avoided when you travel. Planes are dry, travelers tend to wipe painted eyes and there is no sanitary place to cleanse an eye. Facial moisturizer is better. Make up dries skin; moisturizer relaxes it. TSA has limits on liquids, so bear volume in mind, if you carry on moisturizers. An alternative is a tinted moisturizer. One I like is No 7 tinted moisturizer from Boots. Walgreens owns UK based Boots now so check their shelves.

PS I always carry Systane on long flights. I throw out any free lip balm that does not list ingredients. And I re-use a tiny hotel amenity bottled labeled in ounces for hand lotion.

Does the exaggerated look get us better treatment. Nope. Heavy cosmetics with those awful lashes conveys - gimme attention. Attempts to disguise one’s age is absurd. Glance at yourself in image recognition machine to get the real picture. Long fake eyelashes ain’t gonna change that photo.

Back in the day, my family was invited to Christmas lunch at a European royal home. Having lived overseas for years, we knew how to dress. Guests wore jeans, sweaters and flannel shirts, with boots to explore muddy gardens after the meal. Guests were fresh faced.There was not a mascara wand in sight. This is the royal look, simple and natural.

Here is a tip about getting extra attention: create a Business account with your favorite airline. You need a valid business, its TIN, address and a ff number with that airline. Each airline has different Business account benefits. When I fly in the front of the plane, I often hear flight personnel thanking others for having Business Accounts. Check it out.

PS TSA rules already guarantee the over 75 folks early boarding, shoes on and expedited screening if needed.

When Americans work overseas, we learn that business meetings begin with pleasantries not demands. Try this prelude, when you ask about changing your economy seat or small hotel room. Travel personnel are international; directness might need softening. Have a smile and a positive sentence. A simple “Good morning” OR “Thank you in advance for your help”. “ I know you are busy; make I ask xxxx”.

To look professional, on the plane or at hotel check in, you might include a soft travel blazer, dark pants and non sneaker shoes. Have a business card even if it only lists your name and address. Your first impression will still be your smile and tone of voice. Beauty is power. A smile is a sword. *

Addendum: your fake eyelashes might get you an act in the circus. Plus conjunctivitis ointment from eye doctor in Rome.

*(a saying true in the 17century as it is now).

Here is why even coool Octo’s should avoid Cool Hotels.

For our son’s wedding, our friend Martin, opted for the newest hippest accommodation in LA. As he stepped out of bed the first morning, he crumpled to the floor. The modernist mattress was ON the floor. Hotel designers claim this creates a minimalist modern look? Martin attended the wedding limping.

NOISE. When traveling, good sleep is important to Octo’s. A Miami company invited me to speak, and arranged accommodations. The hotel was clearly party central. Guests were young and ready to boogie. I was old and ready to work. My room neighbors laughed and hollered until 3AM. The next morning I rose at 7AM to review the speech. Leaving the hotel room at 7:30AM, I placed the MAID CLEAN UP ROOM sign on their door. The maid came promptly. Don’t book party hotels or at least learn Octo revenge.

WEIRD FLOOR PLANS I recently stayed in a Florence hotel with peculiar floors. On arrival, we walked from the street, then down a 3-4 floor escalator to Reception. The Italian hotel was half underground. There were specific elevators for above and below street level areas. I got lost going to breakfast, and later checking out. A major triumph was finding any elevators that avoided the monstrous escalator. This was the set up again at an Istanbul 5 star hotel?

DARK ROOMS How will you know if a hotel has dark rooms? It might be described as ‘romantic’ or ‘cozy’. Many hotels no longer have ceiling lighting. Did you know hotels are dimly on purpose? Here is an interesting summary.

MODERN FURNISHINGS There is a hotel I love and visit often. The alarm clock looks like an upside down hockey stick. On a July night, the hockey stick thing played Jingle Bells at 2AM. Lesson: unplug alarm clocks so someone who stayed there last Christmas doesn’t leave your unwake up call.

UNCONTROLLABLE TV’S So you forgot to ask the porter how to turn off the TV? Some hotel rooms’ TV’s turn on when you insert the room key. Be proactive, and search the back and side of the TV, then unplug a wire. Now you won’t have to listen to the hotel spa menu 23 times.

FANCY SHOWER I like Sofitel hotels; they are snazzy but traditional enough for an Octo. The LA Sofitel bathroom has a glass see through wall. Anyone in the bedroom can watch you naked. I only recently realized the wall can be covered by a pull down modesty panel. New bathrooms have choices of shower heads which attack you, some have NO privacy doors ick , others have a half glass shower door so you flood the floor, no grab bar and the hot-cold faucet is unlabeled.

OCTO SHOCK- MORE TO DEAL WITH Electronic check in when your plane lands? In room customization by AI? Smart TV? Room key in your phone? Anti fog mirrors? Deep bathtubs?

Give me a good night’s sleep and hot shower. I’ll book. Let me know your experiences in modernist hotels? Am I a fuddy duddy? #thewomenstravelgroup

#spamexico

We started to travel in the early 1960’s on student boats—6-8 to a cabin- yes I sailed on the Aurelia. On line I found confirmation we had 8 in our cabin- not a great feature for dating. Charters started around that time. The Swissair plane for my virgin trip Idlewild to Geneva, had more ashtrays than armrests. I wore stockings and heels.

Before the 1950’s to Octo 60’s trips, we read all instructions. The entire family knew all terms and conditions. Our parents invested in blue aerograms in case we forgot the rules. I wished I had saved the aerogram from my father after the principal in Switzerland called transatlantically about a certain Italian boyfriend. He is a now doctor in Rome, anyone know Antonio Polacco?

Despite 50+ years of travel and endless flights and maps, Octo Travelers got lazy. Octo’s spend hours chasing frequent flier tickets and aisle seats. We churn the internet for the cheapest airfare. (PS internet pricing beats you like ‘the house’ in Las Vegas, just buy what looks fair). Most of us ignore the life saving stuff. We got lazy with written instructions and figured we knew it all. As my friend, Judy, said about the Air Fryer tossed it into recycling: “At 75, I really don’t want to learn a new way of cooking from a dual language instruction book”.

On a tour, every passenger is given a 24/7 emergency number for the tour operator; someone in the company has a phone on all night for you. Everyone gets another number for the transfer driver, a list for hotel addresses and phone numbers, and a 4th phone for the agent or airline in the US and overseas. In my experience Octo’s rarely save these numbers and, even more rarely, file them in an accessible place. For my company’s tours, Octos inevitably call me not the emergency person. So at 4AM, I get the privilege of calling the 24/7 staffer who was waiting for calls.

Here is a list of absolutely critical information you need before you travel. If you do not use them; the tour will continue without you. Not too bad is if you miss the welcome dinner. Worse, the first hotel will cancel your reservation as a no show.

I already mentioned 24/7 emergency number of your tour operator, add to that your travel agent if an agency booked your ticket. Agents have a life also; their 24/7 number might be different from the one you used asking for a better seat. Have in your hand or in phone contacts, the number of the company picking you up so you don’t take a rip off taxi like the those whispered at you in JFK. In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after a wonderfully organized tour the driver to the airport did not show. I had his number and called him. He had decided I was going to the airport too early- for an Octo, it is never too early. He was coming when he wanted. Uber to the rescue. Your US Uber app will work world wide.

You need the hotel addresses especially in ancient cities. Without a written address, you risk being dumped like me in Rome. I was dropped 5 blocks from the hotel because the driver claimed the streets were too narrow. In new places I often follow the airport to hotel route on a smart phone GPS.

And the airline? If there is snow chaos in the US and you must call your airline, for heavens’ sake have handy the overseas number for the company. Have in hand your ticket number which is a long list of numbers and letters and your booking reference or PNR which is 6 digits of letters and numbers. (On some code share flights you might need your ticket number; the PNR will not work in a problem like overbooking to get ff credit from a code share airline).

Other stuff: all medicines listed in the generic, any doctor you might need to call, your home alarm system number so an alert on your phone doesn’t jar you.

On all but toll free numbers remember to add 011 for the US or just a + sign. Use WhatsApp with numbers pre loaded.

Since I am supposed to be an Octo Travel Expert, here is a personal tale of woe. Istanbul Airport is the largest in the world, by 2028 it will cover 29 square miles. Flying back from Jeddah to Istanbul to London to NY, I was lazy. I misread the gate for the Istanbul-London flight, wandered the fabulous shops then ended up about 15 ‘blocks’ from the right gate. I tried running but then hired a wheelchair to rush me to the gate. He asked for 40UK Pounds. He got 5. I made the flight barely-never again we all say.

Pay attention to all travel documents as if you are in First Grade, with a teacher (like the lady we had) who threw the ruler at slackers.

This was not the article scheduled for today. But last night at the resort our group is visiting, the wifi connection died. There was a tidal wave of worry amongst guests. It was not for the Super Ball, that event was broadcast on Mexican TV. It was for the My Phone My Home. Talking to travelers, I realized their phones had become their homes. One woman could not understand why she had to add + or 001 to call an American phone number. Her phone traveled with her to Mexico. We are in Mexico and you are calling the US? Others had forgotten it is actually a phone that goes over phone lines as well as Wifi. Crisis averted.

Today Octo Travelers almost all have smart phones. They are adept at the basics:

1—photos no one really wants to see. Or will never look at again.

2—schadenfreude at being in Mexico when it is 1 in the Northeast.

3—reading the news or scanning the headlines.

4—the inevitable counting of steps.

Photos, we schmooze about our brilliant, gorgeous grand children and show photos no one really wants to see. Or we use up data saving the Eiffel Tower in 2013. Few Octo Travelers use photos efficiently for travel. Learn to make a folder, learn to put important documents in your folder, learn to title documents. This makes your passport photo page easy to find, your travel insurance policy and number when you need it, prescription list if you see a doctor overseas. Here I am going to share fraud I saw on the internet and why that photo was critical. A travel company- not id’d here- changed the terms and conditions of their trips mid way, because of Covid. Had you screenshot the original terms, you would have been much better off.

If you are electronically challenged, return to the photos of those genius grandchildren. Pick one of them to give you a lesson in organizing photos.

Weather information. Since Brian Norcross and Hurricane Andrew (which I lived through in Miami) weather is news. Get a decent weather app on your phone; the one I find best has a cloud and picture that looks like this one.

Few Octo’s work altitude into their expectations of weather and wardrobe. I should create a new condition called: weather-wardrobe-worry. Each 1000 feet of altitude decreases temperature by about 3.5-5.4% from sea level. Right now we are at 6100 ft. You do the math, or just overpack again. Second choice, ask one of those brilliant photo’d kids.

Reading the news. OK be a masochist and read the news on vacation. But if you are overseas, you should read some news. Whether Republican or Democrat, be prepared so you can represent your country to people you meet. I found foreigners know little of our history. A good way to enjoy a conversation and not have a fist fight, is to share our history with others. I had a guide at the Tate Museum in London who connected negative things about the US to the art viewed. I was seething so interrupted her. “I would like to give you some historical background to what you just stated”. No fist flight. No blood on the ground.

Counting steps on your phone. The 10,000 steps-a-day “mania” originated as a marketing campaign in Japan. It is not based on original scientific research; its purpose was to sell clocks and pedometers. Get over yourself. It is good to walk but 10,000 is a big fake. Glide through your day without quantifying it. You might find you walk longer and faster. A good trashy crime book fromLibby stretches the miles done.

Feel free to ask me about how to use your phone for travel issues. I might have been down that road. PS big hint: check your airplane seat before your trip. People cancel daily; there might now be a better seat. I start a week ahead of my trips, with a quick check daily. Bingo, today I snared an aisle seat for the flight home from Ixtapan Resort.

In an earlier Substack we talked about packing medicines and miscellaneous things for Octo Travelers. Today it is general packing.

I am in Mexico at Ixtapan Spa, Fitness, Yoga Resort where we organize groups of women from all over North America. Some are Octos. One woman asked me frankly: Do you wear the same clothes every day? I was surprised she noticed my clothes and then had the chutzpah to ask. My answer: I travel with all white shirts, long and short sleeved and only black and grey pants, leggings or gym clothes (the latter because of the hotel we are in right now.)

See some hikers at Ixtapan Resort above.

There is the key to lighter packing and it will save your lower back: one color for the bottoms with a second for the top. After laying out clothes on a bed, I begin to take some item away every day. Before the trip, I double check weather. In the case of this trip to Mexico, it was a tad colder early morning than expected. I tossed in a light wool black sweater. This is a fitness and spa trip we are discussing.

For lets take a week or two in Europe. See below:

Here goes: again for me it is black and white. Now black bottoms will be black stretchy jeans, leggings and one pair of knee socks in case of very cold weather. Tops will be black and grey turtle necks or long sleeved tees in white. 2 Scarves for dress up or cold. And one black knit jacket. I bought mine at Nic+Zoe. It can go from a meeting to just staying warm on the street. Jeans from Uniqlo. Thin but sturdy long sleeved tees from Nordstrom Rack. Scarves from inevitable pile in your closet. Underwear from Amazon but extra light and washable in the hotel sink. Socks from Amazon cheap to expensive Bombas.

Below for Iran we had a special list which turned out to be just bring a scarf and no skimpy clothes. Did not have to tell us Octos about the skimpy clothes.

Caveats about jeans. For us Octos, tight jeans and legging begin to hurt knees on a long flight. Sweat pants, who have grown up to be adults called athleisure are now popular. These are sold from fancy like Vuori to cheap on Amazon to free if you fly first class on Qatar, Virgin and some others. I have tried pressure socks which come highly recommended by doctors. I return to black jeans but pull up the legs to make extra room around the knees.

A hat, I always bring a hat or, if for a trip like this

, a baseball type hat. Baseball hats are very American so bear that in mind if you wear one you are marked as a tourist. I also have one of those fold up Dollar Store plastic type parkas. Wow happy to have in an unexpected rain storm in Saudi Arabia. Yes in the desert in Al Ula, Saudia Arabia. Photo is before the rain storm in Saudi

Mid winter which is when I am writing, you’ll need a coat. If you do not want to drag your winter coat while traveling in a sunny destination, then leave it at home, Layer yourself for the return: long sleeved tee, topped by a turtleneck you drag your torso into on the plane, topped by a decent puffer. I buy my puffers at a European discounter called Primark. Primark is coming to America, assuming we let the store through immigration. Or buy one from $65 to $6500 in the States. Try it ahead of time this way. Can you tie it around your waist? If not, you might leave it on the restaurant chair.

Miscellaneous and unusual items: extra pair of shoes. Old feet cannot be imprisoned in the same shoes for an entire trip. Here don’t skimp: buy good shoes. My go to are Cole Hahn. You might have other favorites. My mantra is only buy shoes from shoe companies. Not from luxury designers who make them as a side hustle. I wear black sneakers; another sign of a tourist but they work on pavement. Second: one pair socks you can sleep in. A cold room combined with jet lag needs sleep socks. Make sure they do not make you slip on a commercial carpet or tile in the hotel room.

Last: laundry sheets. I refuse to pay $1 for someone to wash my undies.

Please ask questions about packing, One cannot cover anything in one article.