Welcome to Maximizing Moments, April 2018

Maximizing Moments is a periodic newsletter that is designed to help make your precious travel time more memorable – in many ways.

France Insider's Guide

The view from Notre Dame to Le Tower

GENERAL INFORMATION
(for US Travelers)

Documents needed: Passport
Language: French
Currency: Euro

WHERE TO GO

Paris

Don’t Miss: A personalized tour based on your interests, from the French Revolution to the Lost Generation
Where to Stay: Hotel Plaza Athenee, Esprit Saint Germain, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome

Bordeaux

Don’t Miss: Biking tour through vineyards
Where to Stay: Les Sources de Caudalie

Normandy

Don’t Miss: Guided tour of D-Day beaches
Where to Stay: Hotel Villa Lara

Champagne

Don’t Miss: Visit Champagne houses like Veuve Cliquot
Where to Stay: Chateau Les Crayers

Loire Valley

Don’t Miss: A visit to a castle followed by hot air ballooning
Where to Stay: Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Domaine de la Tortiniere

Provence

Don’t Miss: A day trip to Saint Remy, where Vincent Van Gogh produced more than 150 paintings
Where to Stay: Baumaniere le Baux de Provence, La Bastide de Gordes & Spa

French Riviera

Don’t Miss: A private cooking class in Nice; a private perfume workshop in Grasse
Where to Stay: , Grand Hotel Du Cap Ferrat a Four Seasons Hotel, Cap Estel

TIPPING

Dining: €1-3 at a casual restaurant; 5% for a nicer restaurant
Hotel: €1 per bag for porter; €2 per day for housekeeper
Cab: 10% of fare
Private driver: €40/full day
Private guide: €40/full day

DINING
What to eat: Steak frites, Coq au vin, Escargot, Fresh baguette, Bouillabaisse, Cassoulet, Profiteroles, Crepe, Croissant

TALK THE TALK 

At the absolute minimum, make an attempt to speak a little French, even if it is just the basics - the locals will appreciate that you are at least trying!

• Hello – Bonjour
• Goodbye – Au revoir
• Thank you – Merci
• Yes – Oui
• Excuse Me – Pardon
• Please –  S’il vous plait

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

~You may have to pay a small fee to use public restrooms in stores or train stations.
~Use basic French phrases like bonjour, merci, and au revoir when entering a store.
~Do as the French do, and take time to enjoy your coffee and meals.
~Don’t wear running shoes and workout clothes unless you’re in the gym.

10 Travel Apps We Love

There are a lot of apps out there and choosing the best one can be pretty overwhelming. But no need to stress – we’ve rounded up 10 travel apps we love that help with everything from packing to dining to communicating!

WhatsApp 
For those of us who don’t want to come home to a phone bill longer than a Harry Potter book, there’s WhatsApp. This messaging app uses Wi-Fi so you can keep in touch without using all of your international data.
iOS | Android

Sidekix 
Get from A to B however you please! Whether it’s the shortest distance or the prettiest view, filter through different route options based on your preference.
iOS | Android

Binaural 
Say sayonara to jetlag! Enjoy the soothing beats for meditation and relaxation to help you reset your inner clock.
iOS | Android

SayHi Translate
SayHi is a universal translating app that uses voice recognition to do on-the-spot translating so that no language barrier is too large.
iOS | Android

Snapseed

Snapseed finds the perfect balance between user friendly and powerful photo editing. Adjust basics or perfect your photos with advanced editing so that you can share the perfect pic wherever you are.
iOS | Android

CityMapper

If you want to use public transportation, look no further than this app. CityMapper helps you find the quickest way from Point A to Point B and can even be used offline in certain cities.
iOS | Android

XE Currency

Stay current on currency rates all over the globe with conversion on the go.
iOS | Android

Packpoint

For those of us who need a little assistance when it comes to packing, Packpoint helps you create a packing list and will even check the weather for you!
iOS | Android

Grab

Never miss a flight – or a meal! Grab app helps you navigate restaurant options at different airports so you can browse the menu ahead of time!
iOS | Android

Now that you know what travel apps to download, you need to plan a trip so that you can use them!

1. Winging It
Be a man – or woman – with a plan. Make a list of your must do’s so you are sure to have time to fit it all in!

2. Too Much Structure
On the flipside, a rigid schedule can lead to a stress in the event of delays. Be flexible in the event things go awry. Plus, you’ll be free to take on any unexpected activities you discover once you get there!

3. Being Plane Dumb With Your Time En Route
Time is precious when you’re traveling, and you don’t want jet lag to bring you down! Utilize your flight time by catching some Z’s.

4. Too Much Baggage
While cramming fifty pounds of outfit combinations into a weary, rolling suitcase is impressive, it’s almost never necessary. Keep things light to make traveling a breeze and leave room to squeeze in a few treasures you’ve found. When in doubt, leave it out!

5. Packing Without a List (Like this, this, or this!)
Whether you find one online, or concoct one yourself – a packing list is a must for overpackers and underpackers alike!

6. Too Much, Too Soon
Keep it light on your first day. We all know jetlag is unforgiving, so ease yourself in. Take a stroll around the neighborhood, or enjoy a casual dinner to acclimate.

7. Not Shipping Souvenirs
Don’t fret over the Moroccan rug you’ve been dreaming of just because you can’t fit a 8×10 foot in your rolling suitcase. Get help from the concierge and ship home all of the keepsakes you find along your way to avoid crowding your bag or missing out on a must-have!

8. Taking the Path Most Traveled
Tourist hot spots are typically crowded and expensive – ain’t nobody got time for that! Bypass the tourist traps, and enjoy a more authentic experience.

9. Not Alerting Your Credit Card Company
Raise your hand if you want to spend your first hours of vacay on the phone with Susan from Visa. Alert your credit card companies and bank of your travel plans ahead of time to make sure you don’t end up getting declined.

10. Rejoicing for a Short Layover
Airports can be complicated. Throw in jet lag, foreign language, and customs and suddenly that long layover is gone with the wind. Make certain your layover allows enough time to jump through the airport hurdles without missing your connection!

11. When To Go, or When Not To Go… That is the Question
Research when and when not to visit. It is important to know peak season, weather, and major holidays so that you are able to make the most of your trip. And, Google if there will be any major events happening in your destination, so you can decide whether or not you want to be part of them.

12. Not Double Checking Carry On Rules
In a world of ever-changing airport restrictions, ensure all of your items meet regulations so you can avoid the dreaded TSA trash can or pat down.

13. Forgetting to Factor in Time Zones
Remember to account for changes in time – or days! Nothing can throw off a Saturday like finding out its Sunday.

14. Forgetting to Double Check Travel Documentation Requirements
You may assume you can get by with just your handy dandy passport, but the requirement for every country varies. Make sure you have all the proper documentation before traveling so that your trip doesn’t come to an abrupt end.

15. Last Minute Packing
We’ve all been personally victimized by last minute packing. Procrastinating packing is sure fire way to bring things you don’t need, or worse – forget the things you can’t live without!

16. Destination Hopping
Don’t run yourself ragged by squeezing in as many destinations as possible into your one trip. Vacation days are sacred, so give yourself time to enjoy the culture and soak in all the area has to offer.

17. Being a Guide Book Stickler
Put. The. Guidebook. Down. Get insider intel from your travel advisor, concierge, or friends who have been there and live like the locals!

18. Playing Airfare Roulette
Waiting around to score lower airfare is a risk that hardly ever pays off. The best rates are the first to go, so it’s best to grab your seats while you can!

19. Not Making Copies of Important Documents
In the event of a pick pocket, or lost luggage, it’s always good to have your copies of passport and other important info!

20. Disorganization
Don’t be the person rummaging through the bag of shame trying to find your boarding pass at the gate. Keep things tidy so that you don’t spend half your days looking through your purse or man bag.

21. No New Things
Keep an open mind! Try new foods, and do things you never thought you would! Traveling is the best way to get out of your comfort zone.

22. Pulling Out The Ol’ Map
Nothing screams tourist like stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to pull out your printed Google directions. Check out the map beforehand, or have the directions on your phone. And if you do need to stop, for everyone’s sake don’t clog up the sidewalk!

23. Can You Hear Me Now?
Relying solely on Wi-Fi can be risky, so before you go, purchase a travel plan for your cell phone. Otherwise, you could end up with a cell phone bill equal to the national debt or be left without service.

24. Saying No To Travel Insurance
It’s 2018 and you need travel insurance. Protect yourself and your spring break fund in case your plans fall through. I learned the hard way a few years ago (before I was in the travel business) and now never go anywhere without it. I cannot tell you how many times it has paid off - especially if traveling during the winter months when the weather is so unpredictable (at least in the Northeast U.S., that is).

25. Not Being Aware of Local Culture
Be respectful of the culture in your destination. You don’t want to offend the local people, or be the stereotypical American tourist.

There are few characteristics that ocean cruising and expedition cruising have in common - in fact, they have more differences than commonalities.  I just returned from a cruise on Silversea's Silver Explorer through Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. It was full of adventure, unexplored destinations, and tons of flora and fauna. This was not for those looking for a relaxing vacation at sea. While there was plenty of distance between each of the locations on our itinerary, it was mostly early rise and go, go, go for much of the day. It is a fun, active vacation, a terrific learning experience and a great way to get up close to wildlife! Ask me about expedition cruising - it may be the right vacation for you even if you never thought of yourself as a "cruiser"!

Thank You for Reading

Maximizing Moments