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Where’s Rudolph When You Need Him?

Traveling doesn’t have to be a hassle this holiday season.

Maybe you’re waiting until the new year to travel. Regardless of when you’re taking your next trip, some of these tips may save some time and frustration.

Check in online…

If you can, check in and print your boarding pass before you leave home. If you’re checking luggage, try the curbside luggage check in. Many times, it is quicker. If you can’t do this at home or at your hotel, use the self-service kiosks instead of standing in the longer lines.

Travel with a carry on bag…

If possible, try to pack only a carry on bag. You can save time by not standing in any lines to get your bags tagged. If this isn’t possible and you have heavy or numerous bags, look at shipping them ahead of time to your destination. It may save you some money and will definitely save time.

Better yet, if you’re taking gifts, why not just have them shipped when you order them? If you bought the gifts locally, good for you. Wrap them and ship from your home post office instead of packing them.

Drive and still have fun…

If your road trip is long, think about taking enough breaks so everyone isn’t stuck in the car for hours and hours. You might even find a halfway spot to stop and have some extra fun. If you’re traveling in or toward weather issues, check the weather before and during your trip. Your route may have to change.

Buy attraction tickets in advance…

Going somewhere lots of other people are going? Check online to see if you can buy your tickets ahead of time. Print them at home or arrange to pick them up at the will call booth.

Speaking of attractions…think about reversing the way you visit. When we would go to Disneyland, we’d head for the back corner and work our way to the front. Why? Because most people start at the front of an amusement park, zoo, or other attraction and work clockwise through it.

 

 

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My Shampoo Exploded…Again

Plastic Wrap for Packing

Who knew plastic wrap would come in handy when traveling?

If you’ve opened your toiletries bag, only to find one of your nice little bottles of shampoo or conditioner has leaked all over everything…you’ll appreciate this tip. Maybe it’s because of a change in altitude or because you have a faulty seal of the bottle. What to do?

Add a layer of plastic wrap under the cap of the bottle. This should help the leakage problem.

Traveling with jewelry and don’t have a jewelry wrap to keep your chains untangled? Place your jewelry on a sheet of plastic wrap. Roll it over and over until you have a fairly flat piece. Pack it in your carry on and off you go.

I’ve not tried this, but other travelers tell me it works. If you’re taking a banana for a snack, wrap a piece of plastic wrap around the stem. It keeps the banana from getting messy and apparently keep it fresher longer. Plus, you have something to wrap up the peel in when you’re finished eating it.

 

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What…I Can’t Take That Through Security?

TSA’s 5 Holiday Travel Tips to Get Through Security

These are always good tips, but especially important during this time of year.

  1. Get to the airport early

The Transportation Security Administration, TSA, recommends you arrive at least two hours early if you’re flying domestic and three hours for international travel. So, plan even further ahead. There will be more people on the road, more people parking, more looking for Uber, longer rental car return lines, and people who only travel once a year.

  1. Use your time in the checkpoint line wisely

Again, always a good idea. While waiting in what may be a long line, empty your pockets and put loose items into your carry-on bag. This will save you time because you won’t have to put small stuff into a TSA bin and then have to empty it on the other side. Get your boarding pass and identification out. Make electronics larger than a cellphone easily accessible. New TSA regs this year require you to put them in a bin with nothing else around them.

  1. If you are traveling with gifts, don’t wrap them with wrapping paper and tape

Sounds crazy. Right. Though it’s not illegal to bring wrapped gifts through security, they could cause delays. If your bag is flagged during the X-ray screening, officers will need to thoroughly check all items in your bag. That means unwrapping any presents you have. If you need to wrap presents ahead of time, the TSA suggests you use a gift bag or box.

Oh…those snow globes. Guess what? They have liquid. If you’re carrying one as a gift, make sure it contains less than 3.4 liquid ounces.

  1. Traveling with food items during the holiday is OK

Many people wonder whether they can bring food, and the answer is yes. The TSA has specific guidelines that address this rule. If the food item is a solid, like cookies, pie, or a ham, you can pack it in your carry-on bag. But if the food is spreadable or pourable, then it must contain no more than 3.4 liquid ounces. The agency says if you’re unsure, consider this: If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, pack it in your checked bag.

  1. Don’t bring along prohibited items

It seems like common sense, but every day the TSA finds banned items that passengers say they mistakenly left in their carry on. It happened to me. I had a corkscrew that had traveled with me for years. It never created a problem…until one time. Something about it TSA didn’t like, or maybe it’s new regs. In any case…don’t put it in your carry on.

Lastly, an extra tip. Though you can’t bring bottled water through security, you can drink it while in line and then refill the bottle on the other side. This will save you a few dollars before you take off.

 

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Restaurant Review…in Agay, France

Restaurant La Galere, Agay

By Wendy VanHatten

Agay may not be on your radar when visiting the south of France. You may not have even heard of it. But, you should take time to look it up.

Then, take time to stop here at Restaurant La Galere for lunch, dinner, drinks, dessert, or all of the above. You’ll thank me.

When traveling and we see locals eating at a café, wine bar, bistro, or restaurant…we figure it has to be worth stopping. This one was recommended, so we thought we’d try it. Locals mixed with regular holiday-goers to the South of France. French was definitely the language of choice. And, that’s okay. The menu on the board out front was in French. These are the places we like.

I’m not going to France to find American food and an American only menu!

Our waitress helped my weak French skills as we looked over the choices. Rick’s fish was crispy on the outside and flaked delicately off the bones. My crispy duck breast, cooked medium, was delightful on its own. When I dipped it in a tangy, almost bitter orange sauce, it melted in my mouth.

French Rose was the perfect choice for both dishes. I mean, we are in the south of France. And, it’s warm out.

Dessert of rich, vanilla crème brulee and espresso made me extra glad we opted to stop and eat here.

 

If You Go: Restaurant La Galere is located at 54 Avenue du Cap-Roux, Agay, France

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Best of Small Bags

I’m starting a new feature on my blog…The Best Of.

These are items I have used, traveled with, reviewed, and experimented extensively with. You will get the good, the not-so-good, and the wow-how did I live without this review. It doesn’t mean you’ll love it or hate it. I’m giving my opinion.

Everything I review will have been used by me more than once…unless, of course, it’s a total waste.

First up…small bags.

 

I use a variety of small bags when packing. Some in my suitcase…some in my purse.

This one gets used for cords for my phone and tablet, adapters I need to plug my devices into European wall sockets, an extra camera battery, and an extra camera card.

This one was made by TeresaMade and I love it. You can find her bags on Etsy.

I’ll showcase more bags of various sizes in upcoming posts. I’ll even give some ideas for other small bags. Stay tuned.

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Is That a Horse on My Flight?

Support Animals on Airplanes

Miniature horses are now allowed on several airlines as service animals. These horses, when properly trained, assist with disabilities. Since they have excellent eyesight and can live 30 or more years, they often help those who are blind.

In addition, if someone has a dog or cat allergy…a miniature horse may be the solution.

The key word here is trained. They need to be professionally trained in order to qualify, say most airlines. And, they must qualify as a service animal. Not just a pet. As of yet, they also do not qualify as an emotional support animal. That category is for dogs and cats only.

Can you find out if a miniature horse will be on your flight? Not yet. You’ll only find that out during boarding.

So…if you see a small horse standing in the boarding area, you’ll know why!

 

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Old Mission San Luis Rey

Old Mission San Luis Rey

History: Missions in Alta California were established as a result of the threat of Russian fur trappers encroaching on the area. Spain learned land could be claimed inexpensively by establishing a mission, sending dedicated padres and supplies, and adding some soldiers for protection.

Mission San Luis Rey, 18th in this chain of missions throughout California, was founded in 1789 by Padre Fermin Francisco do Lasuen, successor to Padre Junipero Serra. He named it after St. Louis IX, King of France during the 13th century.

Between 1798 and 1832 Mission San Luis Rey became home to 3,000 Indians who helped care for 50,000 head of livestock. The Mission’s land was cultivated for grapes, oranges, olives, wheat, and corn. Self-sustaining, the Mission channeled water from the river to the north to irrigate its crops. Buildings were constructed using local materials of adobe, fired clay bricks, and wooden timbers. By 1830 the Mission was the largest building in California.

During the 1950s and 1960s the Friars uncovered the Soldiers’ Barracks and the Lavanderia. Today, restoration is ongoing.

Quadrangle: If you want to tour an important part of the Mission, sign up for a special tour to access the quadrangle. This area houses workshops, living quarters, a kitchen, an infirmary, a winery, and storage.

Pepper Tree: Also within this quadrangle is the oldest living Pepper Tree in California. The first pepper trees in Alta California were planted by Father Antonio Peyri, using seeds brought here in 1830 by a sailor from Peru. Even if you don’t take the special tour, you can still see this tree and the surrounding gardens through the original carriage arch.

Cemetery: The cemetery has been in continuous use since the Mission was founded. It is the oldest burial grounds in North San Diego County still in operation. With recent expansion it is possible for area residents of all faiths to be buried here. Check out the skull and crossbones above the entrance to the cemetery. This is typical of Franciscan cemeteries.

If you’re a television show watcher from the 1950s, you may recognize those gates. Walt Disney used them for the filming of several television episodes of ‘Zorro’ at San Luis Rey.

Architecture: While missions in California are recognizable by their architecture, sparkling white exteriors, and bell towers, Mission San Luis Rey is among the finest existing examples of Spanish-Colonial architecture in all of California.  It’s one of only two cruciform, or cross-shaped, churches ever built by the Spanish in the region. It is no wonder it’s a National Historic Landmark. The main walls of the church are 30 feet high and 5 feet thick with an adobe interior and baked brick exterior. Lime-based whitewash coats the walls. Its bell tower is an impressive 75 feet tall. Another unique feature here is the restored wooden dome. This is the only mission with a dome and cupola.

If You Go: Old Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA. For more information, www.sanluisrey.org.

 

 

 

 

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Travel Planning Suggestions

Here are a few ideas when planning your next trip…or your first trip. Have fun…

1 month out

  • Make sure you have the maps you will need; load some on your phone that can be used offline; possibly get paper ones
  • Double check your flight info; just an FYI
  • Call your bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling and where you will be

2 weeks out

  • Check weather so you can pack accordingly; check for the next two weeks…as it may change drastically
  • Check medication refills and contact your physician if necessary
  • Take a free airport tour online
  • Download the My TSA app

1 week out

  • Print all confirmation emails; it doesn’t hurt to have both paper and electronic versions
  • Double check your electronic folder and update numbers and contacts as necessary
  • Take some pictures of your luggage and documents; store in a file on your phone
  • Print a list for your house or pet sitter
  • Print a letter to your home and car insurance company listing the name of the person taking care of your home
  • Print a letter for the vet, if you have a pet, allowing your pet sitter to bring your pet for treatment
  • Print a packing list