Rome Fun Facts: The Spanish Steps

 

The Spanish Steps are crowded

Bunch of bodies brooding there

Dead-pan sidewalk vendors

Hustling vacant stares

— from “The Only Joy In Town” by Joni Mitchell

If you’ve been to Rome before, you have probably been amongst the brooding bodies hanging out on the Spanish Steps, in the event you were fortunate enough to have visited prior to the summer of 2019. That summer, sitting on the stairs was prohibited by law, to the delight of some and the dismay of many.

Despite the not-so-fun fact that you can no longer lounge on the Spanish Steps, it is still one of the most fabulous Baroque monuments in Rome, and there are still plenty of fun facts to know.

Fun Facts about the Spanish Steps

 

The Name: Why Are They Called “the Spanish Steps”?

Rumor has it that John Keats may have coined the name “Spanish Steps”. The English poet lived briefly in a house at the base of the stairs just before his death in 1821.

Piazza di Spagna, located at the bottom of the staircase, has been home to the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See since 1647. The Steps connect the piazza with the church of Trinità dei Monti, which sits at the top.

Interestingly enough, Italians don’t call the Spanish Steps “the Spanish Steps”! They refer to them as la Scalinata, which is short for la Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti and simply means “stairway”.

The Staircase Itself: Facts & Figures 

•    Funding for the Spanish Steps came from a Frenchman. 
•    There are 135 stairs covering a change in elevation of 29 meters (95 feet). 

•    The staircase is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This is reflected in its design by the three tiers of steps,        representing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Fountain at the Base of the Steps: Inspiration Facts

The Fontana della Barcaccia, a whimsical fountain in the shape of a little boat in Piazza di Spagna, was inspired by a real boat that was carried into the piazza by the Tiber River when it overflowed in 1598. The boat remained when the waters receded, giving Bernini the idea for the sculptural fountain that continues to enchant both children and adults yet today.

Driving on the Staircase: The Wackiest Fact

On two occasions cars have been driven down the steps. Yes, really! As you’ve probably already guessed, the drivers were inebriated (and promptly arrested).

Why May Is the Best Time to Visit the Spanish Steps

May is the best time to visit the Spanish Steps because the azaleas are in bloom and the staircase is exploding with pink.

Cruise ship buffet taboos: 10 things you should never do

 

Whether you adore a cruise ship buffet with its myriad dining choices or fret about communal tongs and food lingering on steam tables, you ought to follow the unwritten rules of buffet dining if you choose to partake in it.

Most of these rules are common sense, but not all are obvious to the uninitiated. Ignore them, and you risk getting the stink-eye for being rude or unsanitary. Or, you might simply have a less satisfying meal.

Follow these 10 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet if you want to have an optimal onboard smorgasbord experience.

Approach the buffet with unwashed hands

All cruise lines offer hand sanitizer at the entrance to the buffet, either in a wall-mounted pump or distributed by a staff member. Some even have hand-washing stations. Use them every time you enter the buffet area.

While public restrooms are typically nearby, this isn't the moment to declare that you just came from the bathroom and already washed your hands. The sight of everyone hand sanitizing is comforting to many a germ-o-phobic cruiser — and who knows what you touched on the way back from the loo. Extra sanitization has never hurt anyone, so lather up before you grab a plate.

Pick up food with your hands

Some cruise lines have policies against self-serving and station attendants at each section of the buffet. Others have plastic "sneeze guards" set up and plenty of servingware. Whatever the policy is, follow it.

No matter what you do, never use your hands instead of the provided utensils to pick up a bread roll, cookie or other food item. It's unsanitary, and you will get some well-earned glares from other passengers.

Bring your plate up for seconds

For sanitary reasons, cruise lines ask that you take a new plate if you return to the buffet. Leave your old plate on the table, and it will be scooped up and taken to be cleaned — often before you return to your seat.

Yes, this policy does create more dirty dishes, which might not be the best practice from a water conservation standpoint. However, it's important as a health protocol, so swallow your grumbles and take a clean plate.

The same rules apply to drinking glasses. Get a new cup each time you need a refill. If you want to fill your reusable water bottle or coffee mug, pour a beverage from the drinks station into a cup, then pour the contents of the cup into your on-the-go drink container.

Skip the made-to-order options

When you think of a buffet, you might assume that all of the dishes are premade. Not so on cruise ships.

You'll often find made-to-order options, such as an omelet or waffle station at breakfast and a pasta or noodle station, carvery or deli counter at lunch or dinner. While you may have to wait to order or for your meal to be prepared, the results are often fresher and made more to your liking than the steam table choices.

Don't make the mistake of always choosing the fastest option.

Keep quiet if you have dietary concerns

Buffets can be risky for passengers with dietary concerns, as cross-contamination is possible, and ingredients are often not detailed. However, they can also present a wealth of dining choices for restricted eaters.

Don't be shy about asking for assistance in selecting food items when you dine at a cruise ship's buffet restaurant. Ask the buffet attendant the same questions you would ask your server in a restaurant. If the crew member doesn't know, he or she can always find a manager or chef to ask.

Staff might also be able to bring you special food items from the galley that are reserved for folks with dietary restrictions and not set out for everyone to take.

If you have more serious allergies, alert a maitre d' on your first day for help throughout your sailing.

Select dishes that are better when made to order

Like it or not, buffet food is prepared in bulk and sits on a steam table until the tray is empty before being replaced with a fresh one. Some dishes hold up better to this treatment than others. It's a rookie mistake not to know the difference.

When I eat at a cruise ship buffet, I always regret choosing the premade scrambled eggs at breakfast or fried foods, like shrimp or calamari, at dinner. Anything that loses its quality when it gets less crispy is worth avoiding, such as fully loaded nachos on a Tex-Mex night. In general, avoid foods that get overcooked easily or are best made to order (such as sushi rolls filled with raw fish and avocado).

The exception to this rule is on special nights when the cruise line offers some luxury dishes, such as caviar or foie gras, at the buffet. In that case, take the treats when you see them.

Pile your plate so high you can barely carry it

It's easy to load up a plate with every dish that looks delish, but you tend to waste food when you take this approach. Plus, all the flavors run into each other, and you can't tell which dish you're eating.

I suggest coursing out your meal even when eating dinner at a cruise ship buffet. Start with a salad or other appetizer, then return to the buffet for an entree and sides. Finally, make one last trip to the dessert station if you're still hungry. (Yes, this means getting a new plate each time — you did read rule #3, right?)

The chance that the cruise ship will run out of something you have your eye on is slim, so you have no reason to rush. The exception is if you stroll up to the buffet minutes before it closes. But even if you need to take all your food at once, you could still arrange your courses on separate dishes and eat them one plate at a time.

Carry multiple plates and cups at once

Even if you are a trained waiter, you do not want to balance multiple plates and cups in your arms as you pick your way through a crowded cruise ship buffet restaurant. It's a surefire way to drop and spill.

Take only what you can carry safely, then return to the buffet for condiments, additional drinks or seconds. The extra steps will help burn off the calories you're about to consume.

Skip the first-day, self-guided buffet tour

Always scope out the buffet well on the first day of your cruise to get the lay of the land.

Some cruise ship buffets have duplicate stations on either side of the restaurant. Others have specialty stations, such as a deli counter or pizzeria, available only on one side or in the back. If you don't do some reconnaissance, you might not discover some intriguing options until late in your cruise.

On certain cruise lines, the buffet offers a similar menu to the main dining room, just in a more casual, serve-yourself setting. Other lines offer a separate menu, complete with made-to-order stations or casual favorites such as burgers, pizza and chicken fingers every night. Knowing your cruise ship's MO will help you decide which meals are best eaten at the buffet and when you should dine elsewhere.

Start plating before you've surveyed all the options

Don't get in the first buffet line you see and fill your plate before you've checked out all the selections at the various stations in the marketplace. You might not want those fish and chips when you realize there's an Indian buffet, roast beef carved to order or a wok station stir-frying noodle dishes on the spot.

If you take the time to plan your meal, you will be less likely to waste food and will have a more satisfying lunch or dinner.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!!

Debunking 4 of the Absolute Worst Travel Myths

Anyone looking to score a deal on flights, save on travel, or even get a free upgrade has likely encountered their fair share of myths. When money is involved, there's no shortage of so-called “experts” or influencers peddling bad intel.

We've heard some of these fallacies time and time again – and we bet you have, too: From the right time to book flights to airlines supposedly tracking your searches, they've spread like wildfire. We've finally had enough: It's time to end this.

These are some of the most common myths you've likely heard – or maybe even believe yourself – that you should finally put to rest.

Tuesdays are the best days to book the lowest fare flights!

This is the myth that just won't die.

You've probably heard it from friends, coworkers, and travel influencers. It's been passed around for decades to the point where it's widely accepted as gospel: “The best day to book flights is on Tuesdays.”

There's just one problem: It's not true. Not even close.

This old myth about booking flights at the lowest fare prices by searching on a Tuesday is simply outdated: You can find good flights any day of the week. And big travel days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday are more about marketing than real savings. Read our lips: There is no best day to book flights.

Trust me: The best fares and sales don't just happen on only one day of the week. In fact, we find great flights, mistake fares, and unadvertised award sales every single day of the year. A good flight can pop up any day of the week.

The reality is that flight prices are constantly changing. Airlines load new fares every hour, and they can add or subtract how many flights are available at a certain price at any moment. We're sorry to say it, but that means it's completely unpredictable when the lowest fare prices may pop up.

It's not just us putting this myth to rest, either – even the undisputed king of finding good flights, Google Flights, backs us up on this. They crunched the numbers last year and found there was a negligible, 1.9% savings when you book your flights on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday instead of Saturday or Sunday over the past five years.

So stop waiting until 11:59 p.m. on Monday to start your search and book. It's not doing you any good.

Search incognito or clear your cookies, airlines are tracking your searches!

This might be the worst myth of all. It's been featured in countless travel TikToks, Instagram Reels, and even major publications. So say it with us…

Searching for flights incognito does nothing, nor does clearing your cookies. Airlines and major travel booking sites are not tracking your searches, period.

At Dream Vacations, we find flights for a living: We're searching all day, every day for flights. If airlines were tracking our searches, we'd never find great flights. And trust me, we do.

Yet this myth has taken hold because it provides a simple explanation for an all-too-common-question: Why did the price of a flight you were looking at jump just hours, maybe even minutes after you last looked?

The idea that you're being tracked is an easy explanation for why the price of a flight you were looking at changed an hour later when you went to go book. Searching incognito or clearing the cookies for flights makes travelers feel like they've got the power – like they're beating the airlines.

But it's just not true. Airlines are not tracking your searches. Neither is Google Flights or most other search engines. Your flight prices aren't being affected by your previous searches.

So what gives, then? Why do prices shoot up from one minute to the next? The reality is that airfare pricing is incredibly fickle, and it's always changing. Airlines are constantly altering their prices as tickets sell and demand changes.

One simple explanation behind a sudden change in price is something called an airline's fare class. While you just see economy and first class when you walk on the plane, airlines sell an alphabet soup's worth of tickets called fare classes – and it’s literally an alphabet, as most airlines have a fare class for every letter. 

Here's the important part: Every fare class has its own price. So when the lowest priced fare class sells out – or an airline simply decides to remove that fare class – the price will jump up to the next, higher-priced class. When someone purchases this final $157 Delta ticket from Kansas City (MCI) to Las Vegas (LAS), you'll then see a higher price. That exact same scenario plays out constantly.

Bloggers and influencers pass these “travel hacks” on like they've stumbled on some big secret. Travelers want to believe it because it's a simple, easy-to-understand explanation. But the truth is that these are myths, too – they're flat-out false.

Dress nice and the airline might upgrade you for free!

Just … no.

You could wear a full tuxedo, top hat, and a Monopoly-man monocle and it still wouldn't make a lick of difference. Dressing up isn't going to get you into a first class seat with your economy ticket.

Whether you're dressed to the nines or wearing sweats, the odds of getting a free spot up front are slim to none. You might luck out and get bumped up front if the economy cabin is sold out, but that's rare – and it's got nothing to do with your clothes. You've got three real options for getting into first or business class: Booking that ticket outright with your money (or your points and miles); paying to upgrade before departure; or getting a complimentary upgrade if you've earned elite status with the airline.

These days, getting a free upgrade is all about status. Whether you've got Delta Medallion status, American AAdvantage status, or status with United MileagePlus, it's all the same: The more you fly (and, increasingly, spend) each year, the higher you climb. But after years of promotions and automatic extensions that made getting those perks easier, even top-tier status often isn't enough to snag a free upgrade these days. Competition for these upgrades is crowded.

Even buying a lower price ticket and upgrading later isn't always a sure thing. Ninety-nine times out of 100, your best bet is to book that business class fare from the start rather than angling for an upgrade.

You have to get foreign currency at home or exchange your dollars at the airport!

Whether you've got U.S. dollars, euros, pounds, pesos, or whatever else, carrying a week's worth of cash (or more) on your travels is just asking for trouble. And converting all your money once you land is just asking to get ripped off by poor exchange rates.

There's a much better way: Use a travel debit card and withdraw the cash you need as you go while you're traveling … without paying a dime in ATM fees. 

There are several fee-free ATM cards you might consider adding to your wallet for your travels. Another strong contender is an account with Betterment.

Betterment reimburses an unlimited amount of ATM fees and doesn’t pass along any foreign currency conversion fees, making it another excellent choice for travelers. 

We don't get paid to promote either of these cards: We just think they're excellent options for travelers, allowing you to finally put this money-carrying myth to rest.

Bottom Line

Just call the experts at Dream Vacations - The Operach team to book your next vacation.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Best Places to Travel 2023

For many people, 2022 marked the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that travel was back within reach. It was a year defined by joyous reunions — reconnecting with friends and family in person, rediscovering favorite destinations and taking stock of this new, changed world.

It was also a year of novel travel challenges. As demand soared, so, too, did prices. We returned to the roads and skies to find a travel industry that could barely keep up with our ravenous appetite to explore the globe.

But somehow, our love of travel has endured, our wanderlust is just as insatiable as ever and destinations around the world are beckoning us to visit.

That’s why we’re happy to share the destinations on our list of the best places to go in 2023. 

As we head into 2023, get excited (we are!) about embarking on unforgettable journeys to new corners of the globe, prepare to take a second look at places you already thought you knew and connect more personally with the people who call them home along the way. We hope this list of places to visit rekindles your passion for travel and look forward to exploring this wonderful, awe-inspiring planet with you.

New Zealand: The future of travel

Laid-back beach towns, award-winning wine, genuine hospitality and outdoor adventure aren’t the only reasons why you should put Aotearoa-New Zealand at the top of your 2023 travel list.

Although the country’s commitment to sustainability has long, deep roots (more than 33% of its land is protected), New Zealand’s tourism industry launched the Tiaki Promise, a sustainability pledge, just prior to the pandemic. The Maori word "Tiaki" means to care for people and places, so the aim of this pledge is to avoid overtourism and encourage visitors to explore lesser-known destinations.

One way to do so is to seek new Maori cultural encounters and experiences, such as a traditional hangi feast in Rotorua, which is prepared in underground pits, after a visit to the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Or, take an interpretive storytelling trek up Maunga Hikurangi on the North Island’s east coast. If you’re there in June or July, you can celebrate the Maori New Year, Matariki, which is based on the lunar calendar and became an official public holiday in 2022.

A handful of new hotels have opened recently, too, such as the art-filled Park Hyatt Auckland, the environmentally friendly Hotel Britomart in Auckland’s central business district and, on the South Island, The Carlin Hotel in Queenstown, which overlooks the Eyre and Remarkables mountain ranges surrounding Lake Wakatipu.

Orlando: Easy fun with classic experiences

Whether you want to feel like you’re in outer space, watch an actual rocket lift off or catch a concert in one of the world’s best theaters, Orlando is the destination to visit in Florida — and 2023 is going to be a banner year for the city.

Many travelers come for the world-class theme parks, but Orlando is undergoing a travel renaissance that includes a just-opened terminal at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and 170 miles of railway that will connect the high-speed Brightline train from Orlando to Miami by mid-2023.

But don’t hop the train too fast. Book tickets to a concert at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts' Steinmetz Hall, which opened in 2022 and is rated as one of the world’s most acoustically perfect spaces. An urban pocket park downtown called Art2 is also elevating this area of Orlando with can’t-miss experiences, including performances and food trucks.

Cape Canaveral, an hour east on the coast, is also now home to Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, a 50,000-square-foot, multilevel addition to the Kennedy Space Center that's full of interactive exhibits. And that’s to say nothing of the full lineup of planned rocket launches travelers can check out over the course of 2023.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to visit the theme parks, especially to catch the final months of Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, which includes a reimagining of Epcot with that park’s first-ever roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and the spring 2023 debut of Tron: Lightcycle Run in the Magic Kingdom.

Disney World is also home to the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, a "Star Wars"-themed journey unlike any other. The immersive, interactive two-night hotel experience (ahem, space mission) opened in early 2022.

Walt Disney World Resort isn't the only theme park behemoth elevating the park experience in 2023. Universal Studios Florida opened the thrilling VelociCoaster ride just last year, and it’s keeping the excitement up with an all-new theme park, Epic Universe, already under construction. It will deliver new rides, themed lands, hotels and restaurants.

Oslo: Europe’s coolest art capital

Norway continues to claim the attention of travelers, but in 2023, all eyes are on the capital city, which is finally ready to flaunt its latest investments in the arts and hospitality.

Across from the white, angular slashes of the opera house’s Carrara marble ramps and staircases is the curving 13-story tower housing the new Munch Museum, which opened in 2021. Even more imposing is the sprawling new National Museum, now one of Europe’s largest art museums, which houses works from Edvard Munch’s iconic “The Scream” to masterpieces from European artists like Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and Henri Matisse.

This fall also saw the debut of Sommerro, an art deco hotel packed with contemporary art collections curated by museum director and art critic Sune Nordgren, along with 1930s works by Norwegian master Per Krohg — including a mosaic feature in the restored public baths, which opened in November. There’s more to come from the boutique hotel and cultural center next year, including the addition of Villa Inkognito, an 11-suite retreat in a former 19th-century residence.

You can even bookend your trip to Oslo by venturing farther south to Kristiansand, where Kunstsilo, a modernist Nordic art museum, will debut next year inside an award-winning functionalist silo from the 1930s.

Jordan: Connections by air, land and sea

Home to some of the world’s oldest pieces of history, Jordan is on many travelers' bucket lists, especially now that there are several new additions on the way. In 2023, this Middle Eastern country is channeling its renowned hospitality to welcome travelers via new flights and a host of new hotels and experiences.

In the capital city of Amman, The Ritz-Carlton is the latest luxury hotel to join properties near the city’s 5th Circle landmark. Lavish white interiors and crystal chandeliers bedazzle the new hotel, which has 194 rooms and 34 suites with floor-to-ceiling views of the capital’s sand-hued buildings. Next summer, Radisson will pump up its Middle East portfolio with Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall. And across the red sand desert, the Crowne Plaza Resort Petra will reopen after a 10-year renovation and expansion.

Northwest of Amman, the former ancient trading town of Al-Salt became Jordan’s sixth and latest UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its reputation as “the city of tolerance and urban hospitality.” History and design fans can explore touches of European architecture alongside the city’s distinct yellow limestone facades. This city is also a new stop on the Jordan Trail’s Thru Hike. Launched in 2017, the trail offers the chance to spend 40 days hiking through eight regions that, together, traverse the entire country. Originally connecting 52 villages, it’s recently been upped to 75 different communities.

Nearly 75% of Jordan is covered in pomegranate-hued sand, but head south and the watercolor greens and blues of the Red Sea emerge. Here, cruising is making waves in a country renowned for its mystical desert landscapes. Emerald Cruises recently debuted its first oceangoing yacht the Emerald Azzurra, which sails from the famed seaside city of Aqaba to Athens, Greece. Next year, Windstar Cruises is following suit by launching new itineraries from Amman to Athens and Athens to Dubai, with a stop at Aqaba.

American waterways: Rediscovering our backyard

There's something charming about life along the water — and we’re not talking about the swanky condos overlooking Miami Beach or Malibu, California’s Billionaires Beach. Think instead of historical small towns like Natchez, Mississippi, and Muskegon, Michigan, as well as industrial cities like Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Chicago, which have long relied on the nation’s waterways.

American lakes and rivers remain key commercial arteries, but the cruise industry has turned them into some of the world’s top leisure destinations as well thanks to a slate of new, offbeat itineraries that are only going to draw more passengers in the coming years.

Although Great Lakes and U.S. river cruises have been around for more than a century, 2023 could be one of the best years yet to sail domestically thanks to lines like American Queen Voyages, American Cruise Lines, Ponant, Viking and Pearl Seas Cruises, which are adding more capacity and itineraries along the Mississippi, Ohio, Columbia and Snake rivers; the Great Lakes; and the Chesapeake Bay.

Viking's new expedition arm rolled out its first two ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, which both spent time sailing the Great Lakes in 2022. Next year, travelers can also look forward to two new vessels, American Eagle and American Glory, from American Cruise Lines. The ships will debut along the East Coast and sail exclusively domestic itineraries. Additionally, American Queen Voyages will roll out the longest river voyages to date: 23-day sailings on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

If you book a domestic cruise, you’ll see unexpected sides to major cities like Cincinnati, where the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center provides a sobering experience, as well as Detroit, which is a staple on many Great Lakes voyages, and New Orleans along the Mississippi. You might also visit towns such as Madison, Indiana, home to stately houses and a historical saddletree museum, that you might not have heard of otherwise. With more itineraries rolling out over time, there will be plenty more destinations to discover along America’s waterways.

South Africa: More flights to wildlife sites

South Africa has a wealth of natural and cultural riches that travelers never tire of exploring, from the Big 5 of safari lore (elephants, lions, leopards, hippos and buffaloes) to the historic steps of Nelson Mandela’s "Long Walk to Freedom." 

When they arrive, travelers will find new safari lodges opening next year in some of the best wildlife-viewing destinations. The Tswalu concession in the southern Kalahari Desert is South Africa’s largest private reserve — and it's less than two hours away by plane from both Cape Town and Johannesburg. There are few lodges here, though, so the new Loapi Tented Camp opening in 2023 is truly notable. With just six modern, eco-friendly tented micro-camps that are perfect for privacy, it will feel like you have the remote savannah all to yourself as you head out on private ranger-led safari drives to spot African wild dogs and desert black rhinos.

Also set to open in 2023 is The Homestead, a sustainability-focused luxury lodge in the secluded Nambiti Private Game Reserve. Nestled into the mountains of malaria-free KwaZulu-Natal, the lodge is around a three-hour drive from either Johannesburg or Durban. In addition to a dozen sleek safari suites with expansive wilderness views and butler service, expect electric safari vehicles for game drives and innovative energy-saving touches as part of the lodge’s larger conservation efforts, such as grass-planted roofs and a solar farm.

Rome: The Eternal City shines anew

In 2023, Rome’s full historical heritage will be front and center for visitors to enjoy.

A project to open the Sacred Area of Largo di Torre Argentina (where Julius Caesar was assassinated) via a series of elevated walkways is slated for completion next summer. The archaeological site near the Pantheon was unearthed in the 1920s but has been inaccessible for decades. It joins The Mausoleum of Augustus, which reopened in 2021 following an 8 million euro ($8.2 million) restoration, as one of the ancient sites newly accessible to visitors.

Additionally, the Museo dell’Arte Salvata (the Museum for Rescued Art) opened in 2022. Here, precious antiquities that were returned to Italy after being plundered from archaeological sites and trafficked on the black market to auction houses, private collections and even institutions like New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art are on display. The exhibits will change, but you might see sculptures, ancient coins or even an amphora painted with erotic scenes that dates back to the sixth century B.C.

But there are new, modern developments luring luxury travelers back to Rome, too.

The arrival of international brands like W, Soho House, The Hoxton and Mama Shelter, plus boutique hotels like The First Musica and Umiltà 36 have heralded a contemporary hotel boom. Next year’s openings will up the ante even more, with arrivals by Six Senses, Edition, Bulgari and Nobu, as well as a renovation of the 19th-century Palazzo Naiadi, a neoclassical landmark on Piazza Della Repubblica, by Anantara.

The best way to explore the Eternal City is on two wheels. Just in time for the 2023 season, Scooteroma is revamping its popular Street Art Vespa Tour and debuting a brand-new experience focused on the city’s oft-overlooked early 20th-century art and architecture, such as the iconic Vittoriano Emmanuel II National Monument in Piazza Venezia. 

Bangkok: Setting the table for an epic comeback

For the last few years, Bangkok has been quietly setting the stage for a monumental rebound once the travel floodgates reopened and international tourists returned en masse.

On the Chao Phraya riverfront, a luxury hotel revival led by Capella and Four Seasons outposts has been underway since 2020. Both properties house destination restaurants, including soulful Thai at Capella’s Phra Nakhon and the swanky Buenos Aires-themed BKK Social Club at the Four Seasons. This summer, Hong Kong's Mott 32, plus five other dining outlets, arrived at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon around the corner. Early next year, Southeast Asia’s first Soho House opens in Bangkok with multiple bars and restaurants (plus a 39-foot outdoor pool), and an Aman will follow in the coming years.

Hotels aren't the only places for tourists to experience the energy of Bangkok's evolving culinary scene. Innovators all across the city are transforming it into the world’s next great food destination. Just this year, a former monk opened Small Dinner Club, which serves offbeat dishes like dessert tom yum, while mixologists at Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar craft boozy, zero-waste concoctions starring an individual element like coconut or squid.

The 2023 Michelin Bangkok guide features 35 starred restaurants (five more than last year). Additionally, both Samrub Samrub Thai and Raan Jay Fai ranked on the World’s 100 Best Restaurants list in 2022. Buzz is gathering around watering holes like No Name Noodle, which opened in 2022 and serves just 35 bowls of Japanese soba per day, and chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier’s just-opened, alpine-inspired restaurant Maison Dunand as well.

Bangkok’s art scene is also reawakening. Just before the pandemic, 31-year-old Mook Attakanwong founded ATT 19, an exhibition space in a former Chinese school where works broach once-taboo topics like mental health. At Aurum The River Place, exhibits range from street art to a subway car installation.

Mexico's Pacific Coast: Stylish new destinations emerge

The roughly 1,200-mile stretch of mainland Mexico’s Pacific Coast from Nayarit to Oaxaca is famous for the resort destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. But swanky new hotels, major infrastructure improvements and breathtaking natural scenery have brought three very different areas along it into focus for 2023: Riviera Nayarit, Costalegre and Riviera Oaxaqueña.

Beginning just north of Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit is undergoing one of Latin America’s biggest luxury hotel booms. This 65-mile string of resort communities includes Punta Mita, already home to Four Seasons and St. Regis properties, as well as the surf town of Sayulita and, farther north, the up-and-coming Mandarina and Costa Canuva developments. Recent openings include the Conrad Punta de Mita, Secrets Bahia Mita, One&Only Mandarina and Auberge Resorts’ ultra-exclusive Susurros Del Corazón. Rosewood Mandarina and Costa Canuva’s Ritz-Carlton Reserve Riviera Nayarit are coming soon, along with the VidantaWorld theme, water and nature park.

The dramatic headlands and secluded beaches of the 60-mile Costalegre, which is 2.5 hours south of Puerto Vallarta, have drawn celebrities to enclaves like Careyes for decades. The region is about to take off with the opening of a new airport in Chalacatepec and continued improvements along the winding coastal artery, Highway 200. The posh Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo opened in November 2022 with 157 open-air rooms and suites, and the famed Las Alamandas boutique resort recently completed a top-to-bottom renovation. There’s also the continued expansion of the 36,000-acre Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, home to a posh 40-room eco-resort with a Byzantine design.

The anticipated early 2023 completion of the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway, which traverses a 10,000-foot-high mountain pass, will cut the drive time from Puerto Escondido to the historic town of Oaxaca, with its art galleries and renowned restaurants, from seven hours to less than three. —By Andrew Collins

Kenya: Africa’s top ecotourism destination

Kenya has long been the standard bearer for sustainable tourism in Africa. The emergence of wildlife conservancies in the 1970s not only prevented poaching and illegal trade but also ushered in a new era of community involvement.

In 2023, Kenya’s ecotourism movement will forge ahead with bold new initiatives to protect what is arguably the greatest safari destination on Earth. Kenya’s emblematic mountain bongo (a critically endangered, notoriously shy type of antelope) will be repatriated to Mount Kenya from a preserve in Florida in a project spearheaded by the Meru Bongo and Rhino Conservation Trust. Sanctuaries within Mount Kenya National Park will also provide refuge to endangered black rhinos and draw on the knowledge and engagement of local Masai communities.

In 2023, Marriott will debut its first high-end safari lodge on the continent: the JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge. Its location, at the heart of Masai Mara National Reserve, will ensure optimal wildlife viewing; the park is home to a staggering inventory of more than 450 animal species, including the Big 5. The lodge will feature 20 classic safari-style tents with canopy beds, stone tile floors and Masai-inspired prints and fabrics. Marriott has committed to hiring 50 individuals from the Masai community, too.

Beyond the Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park is home to an extraordinary density of wildlife thanks in no small part to conservation efforts such as the Amboseli Trust for Elephants. Today, the park is one of the best places on the planet to see long-tusked elephants, as well as giraffes, eland, zebras and wildebeest in large numbers. Debuting in November 2023, Angama Amboseli will comprise 10 luxury tented suites located within Kenya’s first community-owned conservancy, the Kimana Sanctuary. All tents will frame views of Mount Kilimanjaro, but the main draw here, no doubt, will be the once-in-a-lifetime elephant encounters.

Turks and Caicos: Getting out in the archipelago

Beyond the white sands and aquamarine waters you’ll find around the Caribbean, Turks and Caicos offers exciting developments, including new hotels and cruise facilities, plus better airports that will make some of its previously remote islands much more accessible. So, it should come as no surprise, then, that Turks and Caicos has seen the fastest-growing travel demand by Americans year over year, according to TripAdvisor’s Fall Travel Index.

To help with the influx of inter-island and private flights, the new South Caicos Airport (XSC) on South Caicos Island — the easternmost island in the Caicos group — will complete construction in June 2023. The government will also break ground on a new-and-improved international airport for Providenciales in early 2023, a project expected to cost $300 million.

Visitors will have plenty of new accommodation options, too. Andaz Turks & Caicos Residences at Grace Bay is targeting a spring 2023 opening and will be the first Andaz-branded resort and residential property in the Caribbean. Also coming in 2023, The Shore Club is adding eight six-bedroom pool villas to its iconic Long Bay Beach property. Travelers can also look forward to boutique-style suites and panoramic views of Grace Bay Beach at The Bight Hotel and Providenciales’ newest resort and marina, South Bank Turks & Caicos, both of which are in the pipeline.

A recently completed dock extension at the Grand Turk Cruise Center can now accommodate larger cruise ships, so it’s bound to be a port of call on more itineraries. Additionally, $1 million in grants has been distributed to water sports operators and beach vendors to accommodate the projected increase in cruisers.

Ecuador: Coastal towns capture the limelight

Though Ecuador’s capital city, Quito, and remote Galapagos Islands may be the first to come to mind, exciting developments along the country’s Pacific Coast are drawing a new wave of adventurers to unexpected corners of the nation.

In March of 2022, Kontiki Expeditions launched expeditions aboard the exclusive M/S Wayra, a nine-stateroom yacht that bears the distinction of being the first “water-based” Small Luxury Hotels of the World member, which partners with World of Hyatt. That means travelers can earn Hyatt points while exploring such seldom-visited ports of call as the surf spot San Mateo and Isla de la Plata, often referred to as an inexpensive alternative to the Galapagos.

Even Ecuador’s most famous destination, the Galapagos, continues to see significant travel industry investments. Earlier this year, Ecuador’s president expanded the protected Galapagos Marine Reserve by more than 23,000 square miles. Months later, a former boutique eco-friendly hotel was reborn as Royal Palm Galapagos, a Curio Collection hotel. Plus, a new Hotel Indigo is now accepting reservations for end-of-year trips to the archipelago. 

Disney Wish: The most magical place at sea

Disney Wish first set sail in mid-2022, but 2023 is going to be the best time to sail on the company’s first new cruise ship in a decade.

The itineraries and cabin types (ranging from a first-ever funnel suite to the cleverly designed oceanview staterooms with split bathrooms that help a whole family get ready faster by creating two distinct spaces) are now more widely available than in the first few sold-out months, but the new ship smell and sparkle remain.

Of equal importance, the staff has now had the necessary time to hit their stride with service, including on stage with Broadway-caliber reimaginings of “The Little Mermaid” and “Aladdin,” and in the thrilling all-new restaurants with “Frozen”- and Marvel-inspired dinners (be sure and try the sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream while in the Worlds of Marvel and Anna’s Koldtbord with goodies like smoked salmon, sweet shrimp and dill honey mustard while dining in Arendelle).

With its three- and four-night sailings from Florida's Port Canaveral to the Bahamas, most passengers book Disney Wish to experience the ship itself rather than the ports of call. In fact, many guests don’t even disembark in Nassau, preferring instead to take a turn on the AquaMouse slide, book a treatment at the Senses Spa or just have fun with the many Disney characters and themed spaces on board. It’s a stress-free alternative to the increasing complexity and cost of indulging in a visit to the Disney theme parks.

There’s the magic that’s easy to spot on Disney Wish, but then there is more waiting to be discovered. For example, if you enjoy whiskey, don’t walk past Hook’s Barbery without popping in, as the secret space is far more than just a nook for a shave and a haircut. And if you can stay up late, make your way to the Grand Hall at midnight and look up for a fun surprise. 

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Stunning Movie Locations That Fuel Our Love for Travel

Where Was Your Favorite Movie Filmed?

Oftentimes we watch movies, discover a scene that captures our imagination, wonder where in the world it was filmed, and realize how awesome it would be to actually visit. 

We can begin pull out our favorite old movies, or even find some new ones, and discover some iconic filming locations to add to our bucket lists. To get you started, here are some alluring destinations that played host to some popular movies we all know and love. 

Kauai

A producer once said that one of his favorite locations to shoot films was the Hawaiian island of Kauai. “We shoot on Kauai because it’s beautiful, magical, tropical, and just plain paradise.”

Allerton Garden is a must-see lush botanical paradise with exotic flowers and scores of indigenous Hawaiian plants. Its massive fig trees were featured in the raptor egg discovery scene in 1993's Jurassic Park. Kauai is renowned for its magnificent waterfalls. If you can recall the opening scene of the movie, a helicopter dramatically descends alongside Jurassic Park Falls. Not surprisingly, it’s actually Kauai’s glorious Manawaiopuna Falls featured in the film, which is still accessed only by helicopter today.

Kauai’s beaches have also been the setting for Soul Surfer, the story of Bethany Hamilton, the teenage surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack, and different Pirates of the Caribbean films. One of the most famous musicals, South Pacific, was filmed on the incredible Lumahai Bay, known as the origination point for those hiking the magnificent Na Pali Coast.

Martha's Vineyard

A small island located off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard is known for its sea captains’ homes with white picket fences, charming gingerbread inns, impressive lighthouses, beautiful beaches, clam shacks and seafood digs. It’s perfect escapism from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Visiting in the off-season offers more time to linger over pastoral and ocean views and bike along the picturesque coastline.

Summer is the high season on Martha’s Vineyard, the setting for Steven Spielberg’s 1975 Hollywood blockbuster, Jaws. The movie was so popular that even today, visitors can pick up a map to tour the 11 filming destinations of the island, renamed Amity in the movie. And who can forget the famous line by actor Roy Scheider “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”

New Zealand

It’s no wonder the Oscar-winning movie trilogy Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand. The country’s magnificent landscapes range from the bleak volcanic mountains representing Mordor to the lush verdant hobbit hills portraying the Shire. The rolling hills of Matamata became Hobbiton, the home of Bilbo and Frodo, and the Southern Alps and South Island glaciers represented the Misty Mountains where Gollum hid away with the ring for 500 years.

New Zealand’s topography is truly stunning. It’s the land of beauty and adventure. Cycling and walking trails dot the countryside from north to south. Its coastal waters are ideal for kayaking, sailing and diving. Stargazing becomes a magically breathtaking experience on Mount Cook, home to the darkest skies in the world, where constellations and shooting stars feel close enough to almost touch. To boot, the kiwis (locals) are a friendly lot and more than willing to share their piece of paradise with visitors who come to share in the bounty of this heaven on earth.

Petra, Jordan

A city half as old as time, Petra, Jordan is one of the magnificent wonders of the ancient world. Parts of the city have been miraculously preserved, but until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt “rediscovered” it in 1812, Petra had been forgotten for centuries.

This lost city in Jordan became an even more popular destination after the filming of Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade, starring Harrison Ford.

Though the movies were filmed in multiple world locations, one of the blockbuster’s most unforgettable scenes was shot at Al Khazneh, Arabic for “The Treasury,” one of the most elaborate temples in Petra. Carved out of the face of a cliff, it’s here in the climactic scene of the film that Indy and his father, played by Sean Connery, are seen leaving the temple on horseback.

Today, the massive World Heritage archeological site is Petra’s greatest tourist attraction, luring historians, professional photographers, and adventurers from all over the world.

Rome, Italy

Who can deny that Rome remains one of Europe’s most popular destinations?

All who visit the Eternal City fall in love with it. You name it, you’ll find it here—great wine and food, love and romance, history, ancient structures, culture, resplendent fountains, and the heart and soul of the Catholic faith. So many memorable movies have been filmed here that it’s impossible to name them all.

We’ve had unforgettable experiences walking in the steps of emperors as characters did in cinematic hits like The Gladiator, Ben-Hur and Spartacus. Everyone who comes to Rome must make a wish in the Trevi fountain, as did the female stars of the movie Three Coins in the Fountain. Remember, it’s right hand over left shoulder to ensure your return visit.

When Julia Roberts character Elizabeth Gilbert escaped to Rome searching for the beauty of Italian food in the first destination of the movie Eat, Pray, Love, spectacular images of Rome are forever etched in our minds—the cobblestone streets and piazzas, charming outdoor cafes, the imposing Roman Coliseum, Pantheon, Jewish Ghetto, picturesque Borghese Gardens and, of course, San Crispino Gelato, touted as the best gelateria in all of Rome.

Cephalonia, Greece

The Greek islands have long been a siren call to romantics. It seems that each island we visit is more seductively inspiring than the last.

In Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Nicholas Cage plays a World War II Italian officer posted to the alluring Ionian island of Cephalonia. It's there where he falls in love with a Greek beauty played by Penelope Cruz. Movie scenes are breathtaking, but only because the Mediterranean island is truly a natural paradise.

Following the release of the film in 2001, the island bustled with tourists. Today though, travelers still come to take in the lushness of its verdant mountains, crystalline sapphire waters, enchanting caverns, picturesque fishing villages, and remote idyllic beach coves. Cephalonia remains one of the Greek Island’s best-kept secrets, a true hidden gem.

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

6 Cities in Italy You Can't Pronounce (But Need To Visit)

Rome, Florence and Venice are – and should be – on everyone’s must-see and must-experience list. But, there’s SO much more of Italy that deserves to be seen and discovered. Here are six such places that offer travelers a new view of Italy:

San Gimignano – Just a short day trip from Florence, this well-preserved, walled city is surrounded by rolling vineyards and bright sunflowers, offering an idyllic representation of Tuscany. San Gimignano is known for its surviving tower houses. Once built by aristocratic families who inhabited the town, these homes were structurally designed to protect their residents and to display the wealth and power of the families who constructed them. Remarkably, 14 of these towers survived Florentine rule and today, they shape San Gimignano’s skyline and offer travelers a unique look into what life looked like here in the 14th century.

Taormina – From the Cliffside villages of Cinque Terre to the winding Amalfi Coast, Italy’s spectacular coastlines are no secret. But with travelers flocking to these areas, these stunning escapes are becoming more crowded, more expensive and less authentic. The solution? Say ‘hello’ to Sicily! For centuries, this island has been fought over by the world’s greatest empires, creating an exquisite melting pot that is still evident today, both culturally and architecturally. Taormina, the hilltop town near Mount Etna, is no exception. Taormina boasts striking, contrasting views – the cool, inviting waters of the Mediterranean lapping against the intimidating backdrop of Europe’s largest active volcano. It’s a charming town with sunny, outdoor cafes, and restored ancient ruins including the Teatro Greco, the Roman theater that is undoubtedly Taormina’s most popular attraction (and once you see it, you won’t question why). This town offers a true taste of Italian La Dolce Vita with fewer crowds than other must-see Italian coastal towns.

Caltagirone – Another of Sicily’s spectacular cities, Caltagirone is a city known and loved for its ceramics – a tradition that has sustained the people here for more than 1,000 years. Ceramics adorn the buildings throughout the town – from the stairs of Santa Maria del Monte, which are inlaid with terracotta tiles painted with vibrant and swirling patterns, to public relics and streets lined with hand-painted ceramic vases overflowing with flowers. Caltagirone lies in central Sicily, where the pace of life is leisurely and locals enjoy extended meals, long walks and make the most out of life’s simple pleasures.

Castellana Grotte – In the province of Bari, Castellana Grotte is named after its famed feature – the stunning natural caves that extend nearly two miles in length (the Italian word for ‘caves’ is ‘grotte’). This impressive system of caverns is a wonderland of captivating stalacites, stalagmites and crystallized mineral deposits. The size and beauty of the caving system has drawn attention to Castellana Grotte, attracting visitors both to the region and to this otherwise quaint, agricultural town.

Alberobello – Recognized for its distinct conical-roofed trulli houses, Alberobello was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in an effort to restore and protect these iconic structures. Created out of local limestone, these homes could be easily dismantled and moved, and for that reason they once housed peasants who were forbidden from building permanent homes by King Ferdinand I of Aragon. They have since become a popular attraction in the Puglia region, adding to the charm of the town and welcoming travelers on unique and memorable day trips.

Riomaggiore – If you have ever seen a postcard of Cinque Terre, it’s likely the dreamy photo features Riomaggiore, the largest and easternmost town in this chain of five fishing villages. Its peeling, pastel-hued homes built into the cliffside, sparkling blue waters and quaint Main Street make it the picture-perfect place to soak in the Mediterranean sun, sea and views! Unlike its quiet, more secluded neighbors, Riomaggiore is generally bustling with locals, fishermen heading out for the day’s catch, or travelers stopping through to see and experience the magic for themselves. We don’t blame you for wanting to be one of them (we do, too!).

Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   

We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Travel - You Get What You Pay For

I recently read an open letter from one of our industry's opinion writers in a trade article.  His take on 'cheap' vacations matches our perspective when we are building dream vacations for our clients.  Enjoy some excerpts from his column: 

So you are looking for a bargain. You want something cheap for your next vacation. You want the cheapest hotels available.

If you just Google "cheap travel" you will get 5.7 million hits. That gives you quite a few options to sort through!  But let us save you some time. The word "cheap," which comes from the Latin caupo and means "petty tradesman" and "huckster," is not a term with legal meaning or standing. Anyone can say they are cheap. Any business transaction can be called a deal.

The first question someone may ask is why they want the cheapest anything, since price almost always connotes quality and the cheapest is usually the most poorly made, the poorest design, the worst service or the most poorly trained. Are you certain you want "cheap?"

Your next vacation will not be inexpensive. You will likely spend more on a vacation than you did on your last visit to the dentist or your financial planner or your doctor. Your doctor deals with some of the most difficult times of your life. Your travel professional deals with the best moments of your life.

Do people generally seek out the doctor, the surgeon, the financial adviser or the home builder with the cheapest prices? My guess is they don’t, because they told themselves that you pretty much get what you pay for.

We understand that our industry has misled the public on pricing, so we need to take some of the blame.

You see those ads on TV screaming that they have the best hotel pricing. Did you know one travel company owns over 85% of those on-line booking sites – but just under different names.

The fact is that we all have the same pricing, the same deals, the same cheap products. The difference is that most of the cheap products are so poor that we would never allow members of our own family to book them, so we certainly are not going to sell them to our valued clients.

Let's stick with hotels. You see the ads and you go online. If you call or chat - you are talking to a call center. You are likely talking to one of dozens of "agents" in a large room in Mumbai or Manila.

She cares little about your travel background, why you are taking the trip, or even whether or not this really is the right hotel for you. If you ask her for the cheapest room, she will get it for you.

She got you a "deal," and you show up at the hotel. Did you know that most hotels overbook? Whose reservation do you think they will fail to honor first?

But let's assume you have a room. Which room will you have? Hotel executives readily acknowledge that bookings originating with on-line travel agencies are often assigned the worst rooms in the category booked.

There is a reason for this. Online bookings are treated differently because hotels assume that the guest has no loyalty to their properties. They realize that the booking was likely made online because of the ‘deal’. You will likely stay somewhere else the next time you book as you continue searching for the best deal among the millions offered.

Hotels are one example why cheap is not the way to go. Ever. Sometimes it is better to save a bit more money while delaying your vacation until you can do it right.

Would you really like to make your airline arrangements booking the airline with the most poorly paid pilots or the tour operator with the best pricing because they hire the cheapest guides while using the cheapest available hotels?

We work with clients to build the RIGHT vacation - perfectly matched to YOU at the best VALUE.

Excerpts courtesy of Richard Turen - Travel Weekly



Dream Vacations - The Operach Team is a travel agency based in Overland Park, Kansas. We take pride in working with clients across the country who love to travel. We build vacation experiences that will create memories to last a lifetime.  Our team has specialties across a wide range of vacation options; custom Europe itineraries, Alaska, escorted tours, all-inclusive resorts, Disney, Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific, cruise holidays, and river cruises.   


We look forward to making your dream vacations come true!! 

Travel Myths You Need To Stop Believing

From jetlag to language barriers, these common misconceptions can get in the way of a good trip. Here are 8 myths about travel that you need to stop believing right now — for your own good.

Jetlag is caused by lack of sleep

Basically anything but lack of sleep is responsible for jetlag. Of course, jetlag affects everyone differently, but crossing time zones is the most prominent cause in disrupting your body's internal clock. Dryness on the flight, cabin pressure, lack of fresh air, and certain foods and drinks all contribute to jetlag.

Your pre-flight condition is another predictor of how you'll feel post-flight. If you've exercised, got a good night's rest, aren't hungover, and stay relatively calm, you'll feel better upon arrival.

Group travel is not 'authentic'

If you utilize the right provider, the exact opposite is often true. Many small group tour companies offer unique experiences that practice volunteerism or sustainability and actually give back to the community. While these trips can sometimes be more expensive, it is a nice feeling knowing your dollars will go back to the communities that need it vs. corrupt governments or wealthy corporations.

It's not safe to travel abroad

While recent world events have sparked concern about international travel, especially to certain regions of the world, the chances of a terrorist attack occurring at your destination and during your travels are incredibly small. Now, as always, it's important to continue exploring all that this amazing world has to offer.  That said, it's important to be prepared for any circumstance you may encounter.

It's too expensive

It is disheartening when people say travel is too expensive. Sure, flights and hotel rooms can be costly, but there are alternatives if you truly want to make travel work. Try a budget airline for shorter distances, and consider non-luxury accommodation for overnight stays.
Even if you don't want to compromise luxury on flights and hotels, most major cities have an abundance of free and discounted activities. Student (and senior) travelers can also take advantage of special discounts.

You can get by with just English

It's true that many countries are very English-language-friendly, but never underestimate potential language barriers. You'll gain more respect from locals if you can hold a basic conversation, ask for directions and order off a menu in their native language. Especially if you're going to rely on public transportation or rent a car, knowing a few foreign phrases is a necessity.

Traveling alone is not safe

Extra precautions need to be made when traveling solo, but the experience is usually only scary in the best and most rewarding ways. If you're nervous about completely going solo, sign up for a group trip; it's a great way to meet people and still have a safety net.

I don't have enough time/It's not worth it

If you do not plan to use all of your vacation days this year, then you are guilty of believing this myth. Most people are given vacation time, so use it! Yes, the preparation is sometimes tedious and time-consuming (that is why we are here to help), but once you step off the plane, check into a hotel, and see that amazing site, everything becomes worth it.

You don't need travel insurance

Well, you don't ... until you do. I've heard too many horror stories of accidents, injuries and cancellations to not invest in travel insurance.

Happy Travels!


Experts courtesy of USA Today