 In a previous article, we discussed the creation of a “vacation dream calendar”. If you missed part one of this series, you can read it here.
I thought now would a good time to discuss MAJOR holiday travel planning. If this applies to you, then you’re in luck! If not, go ahead and pass it along to that friend who every October bemoans the “airline tickets for Christmas are so expensive”. Scheduling for holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years can be tricky, because it oftentimes involves extended family members who aren’t as prepared as you are! Be that as it may, do your best to book these travel plans as early as possible to potentially save yourself a lot of money and headache at a very stressful time of year.
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1/9/2020 1 Comment Dream Vacation Calendar Pt. 1 Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to plan, you’re planning to fail”; and I couldn’t agree more. It’s January, we’ve recovered from the holidays and it’s time to take a look at the calendar to decide what vacations you’re going to take this year. I am all for spontaneous getaways, but for most of us, the calendar is a factor in our trip planning. So I say, create a “Dream Vacation Calendar” for the year. Why do this? Because the sooner you book, the greater the likelihood you’ll get a better deal on price. For instance, “wave season” in the cruise industry starts January 1 and runs through the end of March. This is the period of time when A LOT of cabins get booked for the year. I suggest using a printed calendar so its a visual you can look at day-to-day for motivation! So let’s get planning!
10/6/2019 0 Comments REAL ID - Now Is The Time It's time to take a look at your driver's license and see if it is compliant for travel within the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on December 20, 2013 a phased enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act (the Act), as passed by Congress back in 2005. This means, if you are a US citizen over the age of 18 and are flying domestically (within the US) then you will need to present a compliant, valid ID. If that is your driver's license, then it must comply. You'll know because it, generally speaking, will have a star at the top of the license. You can read the official release from the Department of Homeland Security here. The deadline to comply is October 1, 2020 so check with your state's DMV to acquire a new ID. You will not be able to pass through security checkpoints at airports without this enhanced driver's license or other acceptable forms of ID. The TSA has a little helpful "Real ID" information which can be found here. You can use a valid US passport for domestic travel but why risk losing it for quick trip to Chicago? I say, do a little home-state sleuthing and get yourself down to the DMV. Happy Travels! Erik 6/12/2019 0 Comments Convincing Your Spouse So, you have the travel bug and your significant other doesn’t? Or, maybe it’s you that simply just doesn’t see the value? In either case, I can help. Travel is aspirational, it’s a “want” and not a “need” in the eyes of most. It’s often hard to clearly define the benefits of travel because, well, travel is personal. And what I mean is, travel means different things to different people, therefore the pros and cons are all over the map, so to speak. Nevertheless, I will do my best to shed a little light on the subject.
Let’s start with the facts. According to Forbes, the travel industry worldwide is a $7.6 trillion industry. It directly and indirectly employs millions of people. It’s a true economic force not to be reckoned with. Think about, the airlines, travel agents, hotels, car rental agencies, cruise lines, local shops, restaurants, bars, theme parks, and national parks- they are just a cross section of industries whom all rely on a financial transaction that has something to do with travel. Let’s not forget about the auto industry, apparel, luggage, and tech companies- if you look around, you’ll start to see, travel isn’t a BIG it’s a HUGE business. So, by participating, you are fueling economies, paying for goods and services, or maybe helping to make someone else’s life just a little bit easier. Think of the housekeeper you tipped $5 for taking care of your room for two nights, or the server who went out of their way to serve you an excellent meal- so you throw them $20 as opposed to the standard 20 percent. How about time off? According to the U.S. Travel Association’s Project: Time Off initiative, the average American leaves eight paid vacation days on the tabe each year. Unacceptable. Really? It’s a benefit of your employment. Because employers figured out long ago they want happy, motivated workers. They are literally paying you to be away from the office and, for the most part, were opting to stay at our desks working ourselves to death. Speaking of health, more and more research emerges consistently about the health benefits of travel. Sure it might be a little counterintuitive because travel can be stressful, but the the big picture is, travel is usually good for the mind, body and dare I say soul. Have a look at the latest research conducted by Timo Strandberg of University of Helsinki, and learn all about lowering your blood pressure while away. More benefits include getting a little more Vitamin D from the sun, getting a little more exercise by exploring or swimming in the ocean, or even having better sex! It’s not my opinion, it’s science, folks. Not getting along with your mate as well as you’d like to? Well, travel is an excellent way to share an experience with the one you love. Laughing a lot, trying new thing, and falling asleep in each other's arms again can all be part of the travel fun! The New Year celebrations have long since ended and perhaps you made a resolution to learn something new. Or learn a new language or become more culturally well-rounded? Hello? TRAVEL! Okay, now comes the uncomfortable part. How do you pay for this life-changing vacation? That’s up to you. But the word TRAVEL begs a little personal definition. I used to define “vacation” as a far off place, that's expensive, and that requires a tremendous amount of planning and financial resources. Those trips do exist. But after traveling for a living for more than a decade, I now completely understand the true meaning of the word. Travel is defined by YOU! An extended weekend away without the kids? Travel. A short cruise to the Caribbean? Travel. Getting in the car and rediscovering your neighboring town? Travel. Camping by the river or in your own backyard? Travel. Forget about keeping up with others. Don’t just do what everybody else does, do what YOU want to do. Go where you want to go and be with the people you want to be with. Nobody really cares and if you have people in your life that you feel are judging you based on your travel plans….get rid of them! You see, you DEFINE what travel travel means to you and yours. Travel doesn't have to be expensive. How about missionary work? Voluntouring? The possibilities are seemingly endless because travel’s such a huge business. Hopefully, I’ve peeled back the onion layers here to help you get a clearer picture of the big world out there just waiting for you to explore. Now, all you have to do is... do it. Good luck and keep me posted on your plans- before, during, or after you return from your next great adventure. Happy Travels, Erik 4/20/2019 0 Comments Plan My Trip!Let's get down to planning! Congratulations for selecting a few destination options for your next great adventure! When it comes to planning your trip remember their really isn't a WRONG way to do it. But if you'd like some insight as to how I do my personal travel planning, then here is a short tutorial. This is a lot of info and honestly, we're just scratching the surface. So come back to this page often. It can be found by directly at http://www.erikthetravelguy.com/plan.html Let's do this! General Here are some helpful articles and videos of mine to get the logistical juices flowing! Erik's Top 8 Reasons to Take A Cruise Erik's Top 10 Tips to be a Happy Traveler Global Entry Basics Travelocity, A Quick Read
Airfare If airfare is a consideration, then keep reading. If not, then skip this paragraph. There are essentially three ways to book airfare. First, is from the airline directly. Second is from an OTA (online travel agency) or finally from your travel agent or professional. If I'm booking a trip myself, then I'll check with an aggregate site such as Kayak to see pricing for flights. I try to book directly with the airline if at all possible. Again, here is some light reading and watching on the subject of air travel. Air Travel With the Kids Low Cost Airlines Hug A Commercial Airline Pilot
Hotels, All Inclusives, Air B&B's OH MY! Usually, I have a pretty good idea of the type of accommodation I'm seeking on any given vacation based on circumstances. But remember, you've got options and a lot of them! An all inclusive might be an excellent choice, a standard pay-as-you-go hotel or motel, a vacation rental, campground, or an Air B&B are your general accommodation options. If I have not selected to purchase a package (or bundle) from an OTA, then I try to book direct with the hotel brand whenever possible. Here are a few articles on the subject of accommodations: Air B&B - A Cautionary Tale Cruises Vs. All Inclusive Resorts Top 10 to Be A Happy Traveler
To Drive Or Be Driven Renting a car in the US is pretty standard. But, remember, cars generally rent by the day on a 24-hour cycle. A car can be booked as part of a package through an OTA, by a travel agent or direct with the car rental agency. Most car rental companies are present at airports, in neighborhoods, or in some cases, they'll pick you up. Here is a helpful article on the subject. Erik's Top 10 Car Rental Tips
So these are obviously just the basics. You experienced folks may have additional tips and tricks, so please leave them in the comments below. Of course now it's time to plan the itinerary and that is the subject for another post. Hopefully, this information will help you plan a successful, rewarding and memorable vacation! Happy Travels! Erik Erik the Travel Guy is a respected travel industry expert and host of the nationally syndicated PBS travel television series Beyond Your Backyard. He spends, on average, 25 weeks traveling around the world, hosting his show(s), making short-form travel videos and speaking at events and conferences. He lives in New York City and most enjoys spending time with his two daughters. Read Erik's Bio here. 4/2/2019 2 Comments Travelocity - A Quick Read Do you need a short refresher course on who and what Travelocity Is? This is the blog post for you. Before you get travelling, you’re going to make some arrangements and Travelocity is one of the resources available to you. Travelocity is an online travel agency. Which means they sell travel products and services online as opposed to a brick and mortar storefront (like a traditional travel agency). Essentially, they (Travelocity) buys travel products and services in bulk and sometimes at a discount (think hotel rooms, cruise tickets, car rentals, attraction tickets and tours) and sells them to consumers. Travelocity is owned by Expedia Inc. Travelocity’s competitors include direct booking sites, travel agents and Booking Holdings (including Booking.com and Priceline). So why buy from them and not directly from the airline or hotel company? It has to do with the “published rates” each of the suppliers can advertise. Personally, I like booking directly with the supplier, but Traveocity has built a big business packaging vacations so consumers save money! They also are competing for your loyalty with promotions, price alerts and interactive apps making it super easy to book when your ready. Great travel deals for deals for hotels can be found on Travelocity but remember to read the fine print before you book. Also, look for customer service options including emergency contacts and 24-hour live customer support should things go a little sideways on your travels. The bottom line is to shop around when searching for inspiration or pricing for a particular vacation. I usually start with Kayak (an aggregator), breeze through the OTAs such as Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity and Orbitz and then compare buying directly with the hotel, airline or resort. Hope this helps! And, happy booking, people! Have you booked with Expedia or Travelocity? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Erik PS. Here’s a little explainer video about the definition of an OTA. and helpful tip about what you bring with you on your vacation.
Erik The Travel Guy is a respected travel industry expert and host of the nationally syndicated PBS travel television series Beyond Your Backyard. He spends, on average, 25 weeks traveling around the world, hosting his show(s), making short-form travel videos and speaking at events and conferences. He lives in New York City and most enjoys spending time with his two daughters. 7/1/2018 1 Comment Snacks Through Screening Recently, I was flying from New York City to Nashville and was enjoying my "TSA Pre Check" expedited line. At the moment of truth (the X ray machine), I noted the screeners were asking passengers to remove snacks from their bags and place them in those convenient grey bins. I honestly didn't think much of it. First the shoes, the liquids, the laptops, the outerwear and NOW they've come for the snacks. However, this happened again at another airport a couple of days later so I decided to do some digging.
Here's a Washington Post article highlighting some of the hand-ringing. This is NOT a new policy. It was a recommendation made by the TSA to its airports and screeners in an effort to avoid a manual, time-consuming search. Apparently the X Ray machines have a hard time deciphering a plastic explosive from a protein bar. And, if you stop to think about it, it makes sense. However, the public's response has been less-than understanding. I spoke with Lisa Farbstein from the the TSA and the recommendation seems pretty straight-forward. "As part of its counter terrorism efforts, TSA continuously enhances and adjusts security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats. TSA’s top priority is to protect the traveling public, and every policy and security procedure in place is designed to mitigate threats to passengers and the aviation sector – which we know our adversaries continue to target. Adjustments to screening procedures are a necessary part of operations and TSA does so in the most efficient and effective way possible while maintaining a positive passenger experience." I say, let it go. The TSA is responsible for keeping us safe in the the airport and on planes. They have to stay one step ahead of the evil-doers. Their polices recommendations and practices are not arbitrary. As a matter of fact (according to the TSA), The TSA screens more than TSA screens 4.9 million carry-on items for explosives and other prohibited items every day! My flights are usually North American which means I don't carry a lot of (or any other than mints and gum) "snacks" through security. The same goes for when I travel with my children...who seem to snack on an almost constant basis. If you must fly with snacks, I suggest you purchase them on the plane or at the airport after security. Some in the travel industry refer to the time we spend after security and before you board your plane "the golden hour". If you MUST bring them from home, place all snacks in a clear zip lock bag for easy removal and placement in a bin. No need to fret, contemplate or complain on Social Media, its just a safety precaution. My two cents. Erik 1/23/2018 0 Comments Cash Is King! Hello from 31,000 feet! Today I am on my way to a five-day trip that will take me to Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Chicago. As I look out my American Airlines window, I’m still moved by moving 450 miles an hour above the clouds. It gives me time to reflect... and share my thoughts with you.
2018 is underway and I am so excited to have gotten back on the road for another year of exploring this big world we live in. 2017 was an excellent year for me personally and professionally and 2018 is going to be even better. In the now-famous words of Joey Tribiani from “Friends”, I ask, “How YOU doin’?” I’m curious because if travel is NOT part of your plans this year, then I am kindly suggesting you get it on your radar. I’ve built an entire platform dedicated to touting the benefits of travel. But I, perhaps like you, am also a responsible father, brother, son, friend and CEO of my company. This means I owe it to a lot of people (including myself) to make fiscally responsible decisions. What I am saying is that while I strongly believe in the positive power of travel, I also believe you should be able to afford to travel. Please do not spend money you don’t have to take a vacation in the hopes it will cure some or all that ails you... it won’t. Instead, take a vacation for which you can afford to pay cash. I assure you, the entire experience will be so much more pleasant. In this new year, start with a blank piece of paper and decide where you’d like to go, then marry that with your schedule and financial resources. If that means you have to push off the trip for another year, great! But now you can make a travel savings plan and set a course to stick to. Perhaps you could use a portion of your tax refund to put toward that travel savings plan. Or, scale back in other luxuries in order to take a vacation of a lifetime. Personally, I do the very same thing. As of the publish date of this column, I know where, when and how much my personal vacations are going to be/cost for 2018. It gives me financial goals to attain, peace of mind and a roadmap to follow. The added benefit is, by having this plan in place, I can focus even more on my work, which, as may have guessed, I love. On a side note, support your local PBS station and give them a couple of bucks. You’ll then become a member of PBS which gives you member-level access to PBS Passport. I mention this because my new TV series “Beyond Your Backyard” debuts this Spring and I don’t want you to miss it. We’ve been shooting episodes since last fall and I am so excited to show you the fruits of our passionate labor. Shameless promotion! Happy Travels! 1/9/2018 0 Comments Global Entry Basics Earlier this year, I wrote about TSA Pre Check which is essentially a faster way to get through airport security within the U.S.. Today, it’s time to discuss whether (or not) Global Entry is right for you.
For experienced flyers, getting back into the United States can be a long process when you arrive back at a U.S. airport. Personally, I think Customs and Border Patrol does an excellent job of making this process as pleasant as possible. Remember, every person (resident or visitor) must be screened and approved to gain entry into the United States. This is a good thing. But for those of us who fly internationally often, Global Entry is an excellent program to help speed up this process, especially after a long-haul flight. Definition Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival back in the United States. Global Entry members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at selected airports. In my opinion, this program is essential for anyone traveling internationally five or more times in the next five years. Your one-time, $100 fee is due before you are approved, but once you are a member, your membership is good for five years. The application process begins online, their is a cost to enroll in the program and you must provide valid photo identification. Currently the fee is $100.00 per person for five years. In addition to the application you must give your fingerprints, have a photo taken of you and you must be interviewed. Positives Expedited re-entry into the U.S. for air passengers at select airports in the US. Global Entry includes TSA Pre Check. Negatives Membership fee Not all airports participate Surrender personal information to a govt. agency In short, I love Global Entry because I travel a lot both within the U.S. and internationally. The application process was easy. If you’re planning on taking two or more air trips outside the US, then I suggest becoming a member of the program. More detailed information can be found here on Global Entry from the official Department of Homeland Security website. 1/8/2018 0 Comments BYOB The price of a cocktail, ice-cold beer or delicate glass wine can be on the spendy side when you’re on your next vacation. Understandably so, any alcohol provider whose lot in life it is to charge tourists for booze, in my opinion, should make as much money as possible. Supply and demand, you know? But you fastidious novice vacation thrill-seekers may be tempted to bring your own sweet spirits with you on your next adventure. My advice? Don’t.
Granted, if you are road-tripping, then sure, it is perfectly acceptable to bring your favorite spirit for when you get settled in to your hotel/resort or camping area. But even then, some hotels frown on this practice for a couple of reasons. First, they want to sell you their booze with their mark up, of course. But they also are particularly interested in your safety and the safety of their other guests. Unless they search everyone’s luggage upon check-in, hotels have no way of knowing what each guest is bringing onto the property and into their rooms. Remember, not every hotel guest practices common sense like you and me. Therefore, check with your hotel in advance and at the very least know their BYOB policy. Then you can decide if you want to bend or break the rules a bit on your trip. Airlines are another story. While you are free to bring alcohol in your carry-on, it is usually against the Airlines’ policy to consume it during flight. In addition, TSA has strict liquid rules and bringing a bottle of wine (or any other type of liquid over 3 ounces) is strictly prohibited and enforced. Learn more about TSA’s liquids rules here. I suppose you could pop a bottle of your liquor of choice into your checked luggage. Airlines do permit this but why are you taking an unnecessary risk? That bottle would need to be bubble wrapped and heavily padded to prevent breakage. And at that point, wouldn’t it just be easier to pop into the liquor store upon your arrival? Cruise ships are also not big fans of you bringing your own alcohol on board. For a lot of the same reasons hotels frown on this practice, cruise ships are very serious about the safety of all the passengers and crew. Again, I would check with your cruise line for their liquor policy. Or better yet, leave your booze at home. In general, I love a good cocktail when I’m on vacation. But it’s also worth noting that excessive drinking can be problematic for a myriad of reasons. So, I tend to be a little more strategic, take a few extra precautionary steps and limit my alcohol consumption on vacations. It’s better for my health, safer, cheaper and a lot less hassle. The bottom line here: While carting around your personal supply of Ketel One on your vacation to save a few dollars may seem like a good idea, upon further research, it simply isn’t. So in my opinion, resolve to paying a little more for each cocktail wherever you’re headed for your next trip. Of course, you could always skip the alcohol all together when you travel. What? I think I was tipsy when I wrote that last sentence. But in all seriousness, always remember to consume responsibly at home or on your next great adventure. Erik |
AuthorI am on a mission to get you traveling more often. As the host of the Emmy award- winning, nationally syndicated television television for PBS and the Create channel, "Beyond Your Backyard," I travel (on average) 25 weeks per year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet cool people, experience new places, eat delicious food and work with the best production crew in the world. Hopefully, through this blog, you will join me on my travels and be reminded just how exciting it is to be alive! CategoriesAll Airlines Car Rental Roadtrips Cooking & Recipes Cruises Family Travel Inspiring Lodging Places - Caribbean Places Europe Places Mexico Places US Planning Ways To Die Archives
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MEET ERIK THE TRAVEL GUY
My name is Erik Hastings, (a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy) and I am an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to viewers who simply "get their vacations wrong". In addition to being a single dad of two amazing children, I am the host and managing editor of the internationally syndicated television series "Beyond Your Backyard" for public broadcasting stations (PBS) and other networks/VOD platforms. I am thrilled to be a part of an incredibly talented team of industry pros and the editorial driving force of my media platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, I believe travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, I have learned that travel brings cultures together. Read Erik's Full Bio.
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