Vacations, even simple weekend getaways, can be full of adventure — that’s part of the great appeal, after all — but if you value a delicious, high-quality meal along with your adventure, then check out these four apps for different travel needs that can direct you to the best places to savor a great meal.
 

• When you’re stuck at the airport. Usually, airports are not known for their culinary quality, although that’s changing in some places. GateGuru is an app developed by TripAdvisor that is a full-on airport genie for your phone. With this app, you can check in, check your flight status, get a rental car, see maps of individual airports — and you can get lists of restaurants in the airport and see reviews from fellow travelers. (Free, iOS and Android).
  
• When you want to know what you’d love. App developers have a knack for creating complex algorithms that essentially “get to know you” by analyzing your previous food choices. Foodspotting (free, iOS and Android) delivers up choices based on specific dishes you’ve indicated you loved (or hated) before.
  
• When you’re looking for advice from the experts. If you’re suspicious of crowdsourcing opinions on the best food, why not consult those who know best? ChefsFeed allows you to pick a major city (featuring major US cities, plus several Canadian cities, and London, with more coming soon), and up pops dishes that top chefs in that city would recommend from their favorite restaurants. (Free, iOS)
• When you want to know what the heck you’re eating. You might like a little mystery when you’re ordering in a foreign country — but maybe not too much, right? WordLens started as a standalone app and is now a part of Google Translate. It uses your phone’s video camera and optical character recognition to make translations in real time when you hold your phone up to the text. Even better? It doesn’t require a network connection to work, so when you’re visiting that quaint little hill town in Umbria, you can still know what’s on the menu. It’s currently available for Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Portuguese. (Free, iOS and Android, each language pack is $5.95)

 
Make the most of your trip and the food you enjoy while on your next adventure! Give one (or more!) of these apps a try and let me know what you think. And don't forget, you can always contact your travel agent for any questions about food before and during your trip!

Every time we decide to walk out our front door, we’re taking a risk. Seasoned travelers know this. They also know that in most cases, the risks pale in comparison to all there is to gain from getting out and seeing the wide world.
 
Many travelers have been concerned about recent reports of the Zika virus. While we don’t know everything there is to know about Zika, your best defense is the best information. Here’s a brief rundown of what we know, where you can go to get the latest info, and how you can keep yourself healthy while traveling.
 
What we know
Zika is a virus that is contracted through Aedes mosquito bites, and it can be passed from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby. It has also been shown to be spread through unprotected sexual contact, through blood transfusions with infected blood, and (very rarely – only once reported in 2016) through a laboratory/healthcare environment. Epidemiologists are working to explain other possible modes of transmission.
 
During the first week of being infected, the virus can be found in that person’s blood; if a mosquito bites the infected person, the mosquito can then spread it to another person via another bite. (For details on transmission and prevention, read the CDC’s latest info here or the World Health Organization’s here).
 
There currently is concern about the affect of Zika on the fetuses of pregnant women. While much is still unknown about all the possible effects of Zika on unborn babies, here is what the CDC is currently recommending for pregnant women in any trimester who in or are considering traveling to areas affected by Zika. If you are pregnant and have travel plans, be sure to talk to your physician.
 
There currently is no vaccine for the Zika virus. Symptoms are usually flu-like — fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes) — and may last a week or more. Most people who are infected never even have symptoms. The virus stays active in the bloodstream for about a week, sometimes longer, before a person is no longer contagious (via mosquito bite transmission). Hospitalizations and death are extremely rare.
 
Where to get the best information about Zika and travel
It’s common for certain media platforms to create elevated levels of panic around outbreaks like these. Your best bet is to have reliable, medically-based sources to go to in order to get the most clear, scientifically-backed, and up-to-date information possible.
 
For specific travel notices regarding areas of the world where Zika has been found, here are the latest CDC travel updates. In addition, you can check the U.S. State Department or the Public Health Agency of Canada  for current information.
 
As your travel consultant, I am always here to advise you if you have any concerns about upcoming trips we are planning for you.  I stay up to date on the most current information and can also reach out to your destination resort and ask what the plan is to avoid any incidents while on property.
 
 
How to stay healthy while traveling abroad
Before any trip you want to make sure you are up to date on any required vaccines. If you take medications, make sure you have enough for the duration of your trip. And if you need any special accommodations — wheelchair access, for example — be sure to tell your travel agent so he or she can alert the staff at your destination(s) to ensure you get the best care possible.
 
In addition, if you want to have a resource in place to cover any emergencies or unexpected medical expenses, it’s a great idea to purchase travel insurance. Depending on the plan, insurance can pay for doctor’s visits and any necessary medications while traveling.
 
As always, look to level-headed sources for your information. Check the numbers. Often, the total infections pale in comparison to the millions of people that travel every day. Assess the real risk, and make an informed decision from there.
 
As your travel agent, I make it a priority to stay current on all health and safety issues, and I invite you to ask as many questions as you need to!
 
 
 

If you want to go somewhere and nobody wants to go with you, go alone. You’ll meet new people with similar interests. Traveling alone is one of the most enlightening experiences a person can have. You push yourself out of your comfort zone and into a new place filled with new experiences that can expand your worldview. You have plenty of time by yourself to reflect and get to know yourself in a new and different way. It’s great.
 
If you want to plan a solo trip, you’ll need to pick a place and a way to finance it. But that’s not all-- traveling solo requires smart packing and extra safety measures to protect yourself. Here are the things to never forget when planning your solo trip.
 
Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
 
What is a capsule wardrobe, you say? A capsule wardrobe is a collection of classic, basic clothing all in a similar color scheme. All the pieces go together and you can create various looks with layering, mixing and matching. Generally, people use a lot of neutral tones and maybe one or two pops of their favorite color. Each item should be of the highest quality you can afford-- you don’t want seams splitting or threads unraveling on your trip.
 
When packing for your trip, limit your shoe choices to three maximum. Which shoes you take depends on where you’re going, with the exception of comfortable walking shoes. When you travel, you’ll always want to bring along a pair of shoes that won’t kill your feet if you get lost and have to wander around a bit.
 
Also pay attention to the materials that make your clothing. Things that wrinkle easily like silk and linen aren’t the best. You’ll want something that keeps its shape and looks good right out of the suitcase. After all, you don’t want to waste your time traveling with unnecessary ironing.
 
The benefits of a capsule wardrobe are many. You have outfit diversification so you feel and look good. When everything matches, you don’t spend time picking out what to wear. Finally, a capsule wardrobe can easily fit into your carry-on luggage. No need to worry about scrambling for resources in case the airlines lose your bags.
 
Secure Yourself
 
Traveling alone can be intimidating-- some might even call it scary. But as long as you prepare properly and stay smart, there’s nothing to fear. One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself is research. Look up the place you’re going and learn as much as you can about the area. Ask your hosts or hotels which neighborhoods to avoid when you get there. Additionally, researching customs from the area will help you not look like the tourist you are. Pickpockets and thieves target those who don’t blend in-- so blend.
 
Just as pickpockets target tourists, burglars target vacant homes. Be sure your house or apartment is safe while you’re gone with a trusted house sitter. If you don’t want a house sitter or would rather not spend the money, there are a few things you can do to deter thieves. Ask one of your neighbors to park their car in your driveway. This will make it look like there’s some kind of traffic coming in and out of your home. Additionally, a capable alarm system will save you loads of worry. If a burglar tries to break in, both the authorities and yourself will be notified.
Redfin.com has more tips on how to protect your home while on vacation.
 
Since you’ll be alone, it’s important that those you love know where you are. Share your itinerary with close friends and family. It’s not enough to rely on social media check-ins for them to be informed. In fact, it can make things more dangerous as criminals are better able to track you. If you are traveling outside of the country, contact their US Embassy and let them know you’re coming. They should also be the first people you contact in case of emergency It’s also a good idea to leave a note of where you’re going, who you’re going with, and what time you plan to be back in your room while you travel. If something happens, it will be an important asset for finding you.
 
***
 
Traveling alone is incredibly rewarding. While it has its specific challenges, with the right packing and planning you can have an amazing and safe trip. The secret to doing this is planning. If you prepare for any situation, you’ll be able to handle it. Now, get out there and bon voyage!