For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind: they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles.
 
For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.
 
We all know that the best way to make something happen is to start intentionally giving it shape — something to look at, imagine, talk about, and (most importantly!) plan for. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself so you can get started working out the details of that trip you fantasize about during those hectic workweeks.
 

1. What’s your “happy place” when you have bad days? Again, for some this might be a specific place — Bora Bora or the Alps or Johannesburg. But more than that — what’s the feeling you go to when you’re stressed out or stuck in traffic? Do you imagine the lazy perfection of pristine beaches? The thrill of craggy mountains? The rush and sensory feast of busy marketplaces? The smells of spicy foods? Make a quick list: 10 things that come to mind on the most fun, free, relaxed, no-obligations, open day you can imagine.


2. What do you crave? Think of what you say you wish you had more of — free time, adventure, romance, time to learn a new skill, sunshine, purpose. What are you truly, deep down, just plain hungry for? What do you long for? When you imagine being your best self — what are you doing? And who is with you? Jot down 10 things you are longing for in your life right now.


3. What season suits you best? Do you love to soak in the sweltering heat in your swimsuit? Or the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot? Or the intense blue quiet of a mountain snowfall? When do you feel most at home in your body and most in love with your environment? Your perfect vacation doesn’t have to be the most popular! It’s your perfect vacation, remember?


4. What’s one crazy luxurious thing you secretly wish for? For some people, it’s as simple as a pile of books and no emails to answer for three weeks. For others, it’s endless room service or all-day spa treatments or king-size feather beds and huge whirlpool tubs. No matter how big or small — go ahead. Write down five luxuries that would make you feel like you’d won the lottery if someone handed them to you right now.


5. When you scroll through magazines, which images grab you the most? What colors draw your eye? Spicy and exotic? Cool and laid back? Misty and mysterious? Go to a bookstore, and pick up four or five travel magazines — and just notice which images you keep going back to, the ones that make your heart skip a little. You might be surprised. Some people assume that their “dream” trip is in an all-inclusive resort somewhere. But if you keep coming back to the pictures of a bike tour through Tuscany — well, that’s worth paying attention to. That experience might feed something in you that an all-you-can-eat buffet might not even begin to touch. Cut out the images that speak to you the most and look for common themes, even (and especially) in images that seem to be opposites.

 
 
When you’ve had time to assemble your thoughts — and if you’re working on this with your partner or friends or family members — look for overlaps, recurring themes, those quiet nudges you can’t seem to shake. Listen to your gut. And start to dream big.
 
You can set a goal, start saving if you need to, and start giving shape to your plan. Put your images and any accompanying words or phrases up on a cork board, or glue them to a big piece of tag board, or make a digital collage that can be your screensaver on your computer at work — anyplace where you’ll see it multiple times a day — and let those images inspire you as you get closer and closer to making your bucket list trip a reality.
 
The best part? I can help you design this trip down to the last customized detail.  Give me a call and let’s get started! To contact me click here now!

​Do you have an international vacation coming up? Don't let your worries about your budget eclipse the fun you plan to have during your getaway. Take these simple steps ahead of time to save money and prevent unexpected expenses. 
Convert Your Money Ahead of TimeDepending on where you're traveling, USD might not be the primary currency. In fact, it might not even be accepted if you're going off the beaten track. No matter what your plans are, it's a good idea to have the country's currency in your wallet for purchases and emergencies. Converting your cash while you're in the United States can help you avoid surprise fees; you can shop around for the most convenient or the most cost-effective options. 
Book Your Accommodations EarlyJust like in the United States, leaving your hotel choices to the last minute in any country can leave you short on options. Major tourist attractions might be completely booked up, leaving you with hotel options that are out of your price range, with low-rated reviews, or far away from your actual destination. Reserve your hotel or hostel rooms in advance, and avoid making common mistakes when booking your stay. Not only can it be less stressful when you know where you're going to sleep for the next week, but it can help you catch discounts, long-stay deals, and accommodations that are right by popular attractions. 
Look for Entertainment Deals Before You LeaveCities that see lots of tourists have many deals and advertisements to catch your attention as you walk down the street. But these spur-of-the-moment tickets, offers, and entertainment deals are often pricier than they are if you go search for them on your own. Before you finalize your travel plans, look for tour offers and tickets to must-see attractions. Searching on your own means you can research your options. You can find more ideas and search for coupons or off-peak prices. Ultimately, planning your itinerary ahead of time saves you money.
Talk to Your Credit and Debit Card CompaniesWhile it's important to carry local cash for the countries you plan to visit, you don't want to carry a bunch of cash with you everywhere you go. That's where your credit and debit cards come in. With a little bit of prep work, you can save a lot of money and hassle. Take these steps:
 

1. Make sure your card is accepted internationally, as not every card is accepted abroad. If you have a credit or debit card that isn't even accepted by every store where you live, consider applying for more accessible cards. If that's not an option, knowing your cards will have limited utility still helps you plan ahead. 

 

1. Let the company know about your travel plans. Suddenly spending money in a completely different country is a red flag to credit card companies. They may lock your card to prevent more potential fraud. While that preventative step is usually helpful, it can wreck your holiday plans. So talk to your provider ahead of time. Let them know where you're generally going. Also, get a list of what you may need to do to unlock your credit card if it gets unexpectedly declined. 

Don’t Forget About Your HomeBefore traveling, make sure you have your home prepared so that you can avoid costly repairs and unnecessary expenses. If you’re traveling during the winter, insulate exposed pipes so they don’t freeze, and check that your gutters are cleaned out. Unplug any devices or appliances that don’t need power while you’re gone so you can save some on your electric bill.
 
 
Vacations are fun, but they can also be expensive. Organizing your accommodations, entertainment, and finances ahead of time will help you stay in your budget. 
 

There are some great deals for late 2020 and beyond. It is not too early to start planning ahead. Book your 30 minute Exotic Travel Planning Session done by phone Now.
​

If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ve undoubtedly had the near-universal experience of enduring a TSA security line or an immigration line upon re-entry to your home country.
 
What if you could bypass these lines for good?
 
You may have heard of Global Entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. You fill out a (fairly lengthy) application, pay $100, and if your application passes the initial phase, you’re invited to an in-person interview/screening at a participating airport. If you pass that phase of the application, you are granted a Global Entry ID. In a nutshell, this is how it works:
 
At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit. (www.globalentry.gov)
 
In addition, people who are approved via the Global Entry program can also participate in TSA Pre-Check, which allows people to skip regular TSA security lines at participating airports and go through an expedited line — without having to remove shoes or other clothing items, open laptops, or do any of the other things that take up time in line. 
 
Global Entry (and the accompanying TSA Pre-Check) is a good fit for your flying needs if:

• You plan to travel internationally any time in the next five years. The more you travel, of course, the more worthwhile it will be — but many reviewers indicated that Global Entry is worth the time savings even if you travel internationally once a year or less.

 

• You have the Amex Platinum, Mercedes-Benz Platinum, or Business Platinum (or Centurion) cards, as the $100 fee is refunded to you as a statement credit. Other cards may also offer this reimbursement -- check with your credit card company to be sure.

 

• You live within a reasonable distance of and use any of the airports listed here. The GE program requires the in-person interview, so if the nearest participating airport is several hundred miles from you, it might not be worth it, unless you are a very frequent flier. Participating TSA Pre-Check airlines and airports can be found here.

 

• If you are a Canadian resident, the news is even better! If you qualify for Canada’s expedited-traveler program, called Nexus (which only costs $50), you get Global Entry for free.

 
 
In addition to inside info on things like GE and Pre-Check, as your travel advisor, I’ve got tons of helpful hints and connections to make your next trip an amazing one. I would be thrilled to meet with you and plan out your next great adventure! You can reach me by clicking here.