At a party the other day my sister in law said I might cancel my trip to Mexico, I don’t want to get sick. I said why stay home you might get even sicker!  Something like 400 kids called out sick at my son’s school the other day between stomach bugs and fall colds. I say get me away! Mexico sounds great.

I know the flu and water concerns may make people leery of travel. I say get over it.  That is my personal opinion. I’m not a doctor, but this is the advice I can offer from my personal experience. A conscientious traveler, who prepares and takes minor precautions, will have a great trip. I can honestly say, in my 20 years in the travel business, I have never gotten sick because of the environment I am in. Tequila, well that may be another story. But I do understand the concerns, I was worried taking my son away last year and packed all sorts of over the counter medications, but we honestly never needed any.

Keep in mind, your body is used to your own environment and any change it may have  - be it Florida, Europe, California or Mexico may make your system a little different. But here are some steps you can take ahead of time to have a worry free trip:  …Read More>>

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As I sit here packing to go away, I thought I would share my tips on packing my in-flight bag. We are all allowed 1 carry on and mine is strategically packed like a true professional! As a mommy, who also does not really enjoy flying, the bag must be stacked and packed specifically so there is no searching or anything missing during the flight.

First, you need to select a good bag with accessible pockets. It should be big enough to fit all your items, but small enough to fit under the seat in front of you (where your feet also go). If you board a plane late or the guy next to you takes up the entire over head bin with luggage and souvenirs, you don’t want the bag rows away from you. Choose an affordable bag. The wear and tear of travel can quickly destroy a designer bag and will then put a damper on your vacation. …Read More>>

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I am a beach lover. I am also someone who loves to float, swim, snorkel, play, or even just stand and chat with friends in the ocean.  I love looking at the ocean, listening to it, smelling the saltwater scent, but most of all, I love submersing myself in it. If given the choice, I will always opt to sit in the sand on the beach and swim in the ocean rather than be poolside while on vacation. That’s just my preference.

The average beach-goer brings a plethora of paraphernalia along with them for a day at the beach. A variety of suntan lotions, a hat or visor, sunglasses, aquatic shoes, perhaps something to read or some sort of listening device, a camera to capture memorable moments, snorkel, fins, goggles…these are just some of the items we bring to the beach to entertain us.

In addition to many of these standard items, my personal beach bag includes one rather unique item… …Read More>>

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Continued from last week….

Packing Tips:

• Pack only what you can put into your carry-on luggage. Travel is much faster this way and depending on the airline, much cheaper.
• Valuables, medicines (Benadryl -a must), sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, swim suit/cover-up, flip-flops, electronics, are a must.
• Also make sure to include an extra 3 days of any prescription medicine you take for emergencies.
• Don’t carry scissors or metal objects that can cut (i.e. clippers) with you unless you are going to check your luggage.
• Stick to your apparel list. Rule of Thumb: Mix-n-Match clothes to reduce volume.
• Pack lightweight garments that breathe and can dry quickly.
• Use every space imaginable, i.e. inside shoes, pocketbooks, even on your person, etc.
• Dress up for your flight, it’s one less thing to pack and it’s a great way to start your vacation.
• Roll clothes and lay dresses flat (stop wrinkles by rolling clothes in the plastic wrap from the dry cleaner bags-it works great!)
• Put all liquids in plastic bags - liquids shouldn’t be more than 3oz bottles and put in a 1-quart clear bag. Check out the official FAA Guidelines for specifics.
• Keep candy and gum in a pocket.
• Always pack a light sweater for the evening and a travel umbrella.
• If you like your drinks cold, pack an insulated mug or a huggie for the beach.
• Never pack your documents or passports. They should be accessible at all times.
• Pack dry snacks (preferably with protein) to help handle possible flight delays.

The Night Before…Smile!

The night before a trip is fun…and excitement is in the air! Everyone’s packed and ready! The anticipation is building! But, there are miles to go before the sunglasses are down …Read More>>

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Hi there! My name is Eileen Monroe, and I am a seasoned Applelite of 15 years!  I started in Reservations as an agent, moved to Groups, then used my Penn State University degree in Education to slide into the Training Department. Later I became a floor supervisor, a manager and now, a pre-travel specialist as the Senior Manager of Apple Vacations’ Core Customer Service.

I’ve been around so long ’cause I love Apple, love the industry, and all the amazing travel opportunities that it allowed me to share with my family and friends. Each trip has left us with memories of a lifetime!  I’ve learned a lot of travel dos and don’ts over the years, which I’d like to share with you.

When traveling, my kids nicknamed my husband “Father Fun,” and with great affection called me, ” The Fun Police” because I always worry about the details.  So, let me give you the best of both worlds… …Read More>>

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