An Overnight Layover in London
​By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

It was the overnight layover of my dreams! I booked a super cheap round-trip flight to Italy and back, with a 19-hour layover in London at London Heathrow Airport. The cost of my ticket was around $450 and it was a Super Steal. Hey, being a travel consultant has its own personal perks at times! Was I a tad bit
nervous traveling solo into a new city…Yes, but would I kick myself later if I changed my mind, ABSOLUTELY! So, I moved past the fear and proceeded with my plans!

With an hour’s plane delay from Rome to London Heathrow, I was now down to merely 18 hours. Let’s not forget that embarrassing scene of mine in the Rome airport. I was turning around to look at various souvenirs and contemplating something to bring back my co-workers from Italy, in the duty- free-gift shop, that my ever so slightly oversized backpack knocked over a bottle of red wine. Sweet, Italian Red Wine smashed to the floor into a million pieces, with the wine splashing all over my jacket, my pants and my sneakers. I was absolutely mortified. Not to mention I stunk like a drunk the entire rest of the way home,
because this girl did NOT bring a change of clothes in her backpack!

So back to my London adventure! I arrived well after midnight into London Heathrow airport and being the ever-cautious traveler that I am…I decided to roam the halls of the airport for a couple hours, so that by the time I had rested up a bit, it would be daylight hours and I could then hop into the city to see the
sights. No way was I going to see the city in the dark, alone. So, I searched high and low for a row of flat seats, so that I could stretch out and catch a couple hours of much needed shut-eye. I found one row of flat seats eventually…but with the nearly constant overhead speaker serenading travelers about arrivals and
departures, even this seemingly dead airport (in the middle of the night) had a certain buzz about it still. I dropped onto the seats (with my purse under my body) and used my backpack as my pillow. Covered my head with my rain jacket (to shield my eyes from the piercing lights overhead) and attempted to get some
sleep. I couldn’t mask the sounds all around me. I tossed and turned for hours, waking up and switching sides, trying to find an outlet to plug my drained i-phone into (without much luck) and then eventually giving up and just simply “resting.” Next trip around, I will be sure to pack ear plugs and an eye-mask. Will I venture to sleep in the airport the next time around: that would be an emphatic NO WAY! I even perused the idea of a cheap airport hotel, so I could get SOME restful sleep, but the frugal side of me decided against this. I reasoned I could always simply sleep on the plane ride home! About 5:30 a.m. it was so loud in the terminal, so I got my things and headed to the coffee shop around the corner and waited for the exchange counter to open at 6. Quickly exchanged my money for UK funds (which was completely foreign to me) then grabbed that cup of Joe. When they asked for my pounds for my coffee, I simply opened my hand and asked nicely, “please can you just take what you need, as I am unable to figure out this money yet”! They had a jolly laugh about this (imagine that) and then I was on my way to the train terminal at the far end of the airport’s terminal. 

I asked the kind service attendant which train would be best, he suggested I purchase the daily pass card and take the express train into the city. I knew once I arrived into the city, that I could get about with ease.
I jumped on the next express train (I only had to wait about 10 minutes) and it took me directly into the city, after a quick 45 minute direct train ride. I think it was about $30 each way for the ticket fare, which in my opinion seemed to be a very good price. Of course this was after I had to figure out how to put my day
pass into the gate to let me into the train station track (which was all automated) and I felt a bit lost and embarrassed to not know how to navigate this seemingly easy feat. Commuters were brushing past me quickly to be on their way…so I stepped aside and watched how they navigated before I took another chance at it. Once the train had arrived into the main train station in London (near the city center) I took a moment to look about, I eventually followed the crowds and located the nearest exit (which again took my daily pass card) in order to leave the building.

Once on the streets of London, it was a hustle and bustle of activity all about.  Commuters were busy going about their business and destination, while I was leisurely meandering about. I spent about 10 minutes walking around until I spotted the nearest Hop-On-Hop-Off bus station attendant. I asked about the
general packages they offered and he explained that the “main route” would be the best option as far as seeing the main sites in one setting. I was instructed where the next bus stop pickup location would be. I was able to find this bus pick up location, and after waiting about 45 minutes for the first bus to arrive, I jumped on and got a bird’s eye view from the upper deck. I spent the next 3 hours, amazed and in awe. I was enjoying the sites and sounds around me, all with a narrative, guided tour of the city. We went through the old town areas, drove past Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, Over the London Bridge, next to
Parliament, numerous beautiful city parks, shopping districts, the financial districts and many other neat places (far too many to mention). The Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus tour was worth every pound spent on it (Roughly $40) and even included a two-hour cruise on the Thames River…but I was anxious to get back to the airport for my flight and didn’t want to miss it. I took so many wonderful pictures and enjoyed the tour immensely.

Once the tour was back to where I had begun, I hopped off the bus and then headed back to the train station. I took the quick train back to the airport and departed for the US about 4 hours later. This was by far, my most enjoyable layover experience thus far. I couldn’t get enough of the beauty of the UK. The
people were friendly, their accents are amazing, the culture is embracing, the history is incredible. A layover in London was not enough time. I -Must -Go -Back!

I had such an amazing, whirlwind time on this London layover, that I plan to return with a small group, in the summer of 2021. If this small group tour sounds like fun, and you’d like to also enjoy the UK, then won’t you consider joining us? 

Incredible Italy Small Group Tour! 
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel
 
As you soak up the Italian scenery, the always delicious cuisine, amazing wines, the rich history and priceless art, you can see why Italy is considered one of the Top Destinations in Europe!

There was zero hassle and stress of having to plan each day, as our 2 Tour Guides had it ALL laid out for us in advance. We were able to relax, unwind, have fun and enjoy our guided tour through this majestic land.
We spent 9 days there and it didn’t seem quite enough to experience all the wonders that this country has to offer. La dolce vita (the sweet life) was surely had exploring the small towns and big cities of Italy. Our tour was a focus on simply amazing cuisine, local  wines and authentic cultural experiences.

We began our amazing adventure in Milan, where we spent half a day seeing this bustling mecca with its impeccable fashion and financial powerhouses all over this great city. Milan is considered by many Italians as it’s most ‘continental’ city. We were all a bit enthralled with our first taste of Italy and mesmerized with the hustle of Italian culture with it's people, scenery, scooters, bikes and cars galore. 

After a bit of a rest that evening (of course we had a wine and cheese welcome reception at a local  park) and a huge breakfast buffet (which we enjoyed daily) we then headed on to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Many of us decided to climb all 294 of the ancient spiraling stair case (around the leaning historic building) to the top to admire the beautiful panoramic view of the area. That lovely afternoon we took a leisurely stroll through Lucca, a typical rustic Tuscan Village, surrounded by an old, medieval looking town wall. The smells of the local food were delectable.

We took a beautiful ride through La Spezia along the way to the beautiful, coastal town of Portovenere, whereby we caught a beautiful, relaxing boat ride along the coast and a few local islands, which helped us see the colorful villages up close and personal. We went by the seas to see Cinque Terre. We drove past and stopped at villages in the Classic Italian countryside of Tuscany.

If you were to imagine a quaint Italian village, it would be another Tuscan village, sensational Siena. What a beauty this town was to stroll leisurely through the souvenir and clothing shops, drink espresso outside a lovely sidewalk café, or stop for a local glass of the local wine.

One entire day was spent exploring the town of Florence. Known as the home of the Renaissance and birthplace of our modern world today, Florence has the best Renaissance art in Europe. In a single day, you can look Michelangelo's David in the eyes, fall under the sway of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and walk the entire amazing Uffizi Gallery.

Gubbio (in the far Northeastern Part of the Italian Providence of Perugia) was a charming little area where we were able to stop for lunch and explore the quaint little village. I think this was one of my favorite little villages. The historical center of Gubbio is a great medieval town with its dark grey stone, very narrow streets, and incredible Gothic architecture.

Assisi was yet another amazing stop on our tour through Italy. We were able to go to the large church where St. Francis of Assisi was laid to rest. There was always time for a nice class of wine and cheese plate, along one of the many quaint restaurants on the streets of Assisi.

Our final days were visited in Rome within it’s ancient town center, where we spent a relaxing yet very full day in Rome’s historic town center. A few (on our tour) had walked until they could walk no more, so they jumped on the hop-on-hop-off bus tour throughout the enchanting city of Rome, visiting all the major attractions (by a rooftop bus). A few of the lucky travelers (including myself) were able to visit the amazing Trevi Fountain and marvel at the amazing Coliseum with an intimate walking tour of the inside.  And who could forget the scenery unfolding behind us, as the majestic sun was beginning to set behind the Coliseum on our last full day in this incredible country.

Experience a delightful journey off the beaten path…discover why our intimate Small Group Tours are like no other!

Discover our next Small Group Tour Adventure HERE

The Cheapest Times to Book Your Next Cruise-
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

• Recent studies have suggested that booking roughly 10 weeks out for your next cruise (with Carnival Cruise Lines) could result in rock-bottom pricing.
• For Holland American, you should wait until one week in advance.
• Disney tickled your fancy? Their ideal time is about a week before the cruise as well. This is all according to the website: CruiseWatch.com.

The downside to booking last minute: you’re more than likely at the cruise line’s discretion about where your stateroom will be. If you’re like our family, we don’t spend much time in the room anyways, so this isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for us. If your staterooms location is super important to you and your family- then a last-minute booking may not be for you. Sure enough, if you can wait for the last-minute deals sometimes available, you could possibly stretch your vacation dollars further by booking these last minute specials. So much so that instead of one luxurious vacation a year, you may be able to get another one into your budget!
 
So, if you need to book say 6 months out or more (like Most Americans) the best times would be the first 2 weeks in December (in between Major Holidays), or during Hurricane Season (but this is taking a large gamble on the weather)!

All the experts agree though, it pays to be patient and flexible. You can download cruise apps that will show you when the prices go down (as a very good travel consultant is already doing for you)! And this will help you track the prices. But beware, once your payment has been made in full, many times the cruise lines will NOT honor that lower price for you. Some may give onboard credits, but this is tending to be more seldom these days.

Bumped from a Flight? Make the Most of Your Time
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel
 
Sometimes all the planning in the world can be done and yet it’s not going as you planned. Did you get bumped from a flight? You can try to make the most of it, call us for ideas on how you can plan for those unplanned occasions.

What Happened?
Easy, those pesky airlines overbooked your flight. What does this mean to you, you won’t get on the plane. They do this to avoid empty seats. They are gambling that roughly 10-20% of those booked travelers won’t show up, have a connecting plane delay, etc. Or, someone who’s been bumped or is on stand-by for the exact flight is waiting at the desk to board, their only goal is to jump into your seat and leave you (stranded) at the airport.

What’ a voluntary bumping?
When the airline offers you money, hotel room, cash incentive or future flight credits, to get you to not fly and give up your seat. This is their way of negotiating with those whose schedules may be flexible.

What’s involuntary bumping or denied bumping?
​This happens when the airline cannot get any volunteers to take another flight. Now the Department of Transportation has been recently promoting changes to the compensation prices. If you stand your ground and they can’t get volunteers the extreme bartering takes place. They won’t hold the plane for you, they’re counting on you missing that flight.

This past spring my son and I found ourselves in this EXACT situation with Southwest Airlines!!! Grrr! We ran like hell, rounded the corner from TSA and sped to our gate, only to see our plane backing up and the doors closing for good. We had missed the flight by 1 minute! JUST 1 MINUTE! Immediately my Travel Consultant skills kicked into action as I tried to negotiate the plane being turned around (Yeah…I actually thought it was possible for me to accomplish this HUGE Feat). So…when this failed…we were reluctantly placed on stand by. Stand-by after stand-by meant an Entire Full Day spent at the Fort Lauderdale Airport…waiting on a plane! Well, after the last plane departed for Raleigh at 8 p.m. and we weren’t on board…this exhausted and stressed mom broke down in tears at the terminal (yeah….I really did!). The Southwest airlines representatives gave us the name of the nearest hotel and promptly booked us on the next early a.m. flight for 6 a.m. Dang! Wish they could have done so earlier in the day.

So who’s fault was it? As I battled (firmly) that we had arrived to the airport 90 days prior (slightly give or take), waiting to get our bags checked in and then waited forever at TSA- Southwest would not budge. Surely they saw we had checked-in and were on the way…couldn’t they have waited 1 minute for us?!? When I gently informed the TSA rep that our flight was leaving in about 10 minutes and could we please, pretty please jump ahead…he assured us we’d make our flight and to wait right where we were, in line. Well, we didn’t make it! This was the incredibly frustrating part, my not being able to control the outcome-much as I tried to do so.
 
So how do you make the most of your time:
​
We did so a bit creatively. We spent the larger portion of the entire day together (which, if you have a teenager, is a true blessing in disguise). We ate a super high priced “gourmet burger” and fries with a coke for about $40 at the airport at one of those “to go” restaurants. We ate dinner together at the local Denny’s (his first Denny’s experience and I bet NOT his last). We stayed in a noisy airport hotel and then got up early, early, early to board a plan…finally headed home- paying for an Uber ride at 4 a.m. to the airport!
 
Life as a travel consultant, never fails to be an interesting journey (even for a fairly seasoned traveler, such as myself). But what I’m most interested in, is helping you plan Your Next Amazing Vacation. Why? Because You deserve it!

There’s an App for That!
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel
 
So, I have been wondering, how many apps do you have on your phone? Just yesterday I deleted 3 apps I wasn’t using, because the storage was getting full on it. I counted and right now I have exactly 32 apps on my phone. Say What? WOWSA- that’s a lot for me. Some I hardly use…so every so often, I decide to delete some to save the storage.

Some of my favorites include Facebook (what better way to keep up with friends and family), LinkedIn and Instagram…just to name a few.
One of the cool apps for travel would be Lounge Buddy- which tells you which airports have the best lounges. If you don’t have the frequent flyer numbers to get in, some will allow you to pay a small fee to use their service while at the airport.

So, here we have a few strange ones that I needed to blog about, why? Cause they’re hilarious!

Sit or Squat- Are you kidding me? Where’s the closest Bathroom! Sit or Squat lists thousands of restrooms all over the world! Wow!! It’s no wonder that Charmin has developed the app. But, don’t post reviews like some other users did…as most involved “Number 2” and apparently they’ve grown tired of the poop jokes! Lol!!

Lobby Friend- This one allows you to meet up with others staying in your hotel. Woah! To me, this one is just super weird. Guess cause I’m a female and couldn’t imagine meeting a complete stranger at the bar downstairs in the lobby area! But hey, you might like that!

Sunscreen- For only $1.29, this UVI app will detect your current location, it will set a countdown timer to alert you when it’s time to slather yourself up for more sunblock. That way you can sit back, relax and soak up the rays without and worries.
​
To bad there’s not an app for when you take a long overnight flight, so you can sleep like a baby, have an actual shower and a nice, hot breakfast in the morning before you land….oh wait…there is such a thing…it’s called Emirates First Class!

Life Changing Travels- Part II
By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

Life Changing or "Transformational Travel” is not merely a break from the day-to-day routine, it is a truly life changing experience.
 
It’s that unique, inspiring vacation/trip that will impact You for the rest of your life! One that changes your own perceptions, perspectives, attitudes, and perhaps even your behaviors. Your time will be spent learning first-hand about the people and land. Most your times might involve an intimate, personal settings. Visiting (even staying) with the locals and understanding what it’s like to live there is a large part of the journey. You may see and learn more than anything that’s been found on the pages of a history book or in a classroom setting. Your life may just change during the process! Your opinion about yourself and the world we live in, may alter you in positive ways (we hope). Wherever you go and whoever you meet, helps you make better decisions. You truly feel the country and begin to truly become a real part of it. Many of these transformative traveling experiences could look like activities you want to see or sights you want to visit. However, its important to immerse yourself completely amongst the local culture to become fully educated about their lifestyle and land.
 
When I spent a year as an Exchange Student to Germany (while in high school) I was exposed daily to the lifestyle of Germans. I learned the study habits of students around me (hyper focused, sports and extracurricular activities took last place in their lives), school and grades were the TOP Priority. The food was amazing and daily meals were enjoyed together. The main meal was at lunchtime, and when (if) there was dinner, it was a simple meal, such as a ham and cheese sandwich, light snack, or no meal at all. And then there were the locations I visited…imagine being one of few people who had the honor of tearing down the Berlin Wall when it fell in 1989 (yes that was me- I was there)!! And I learned the impeccable work habits of Germans (always striving for perfection) always working hard until the task is thoroughly completed- and completed well. This has helped me form positive working habits that I’ll keep for a lifetime.
 
When I left Germany after that year abroad, I was very fluent in German, dressed German, and Yes- I even acted German! Going “home” was hard to adjust the first few weeks. Since then, I have been back about half a dozen times, and to this day…it still feels like going HOME to me! One day, one of my dreams, is to again live and work in Germany for at least 2-3 years. I truly hope I can one day (soon) make this a reality for me.

Yes! You can say that travel changed me for the better. These experiences made me a better person and I am so thankful and feel super blessed to have had this opportunity.
 
What life changing vacations, or transformative travel have you experienced?

5 Travel Tips to Save You Money While Traveling!
Written by Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

It’s so very fun to splurge from time to time, especially when you’re on vacation. However, the following “extras” are actually huge rip-offs that may not be worth it in the end.
 
1. Save Your Money- Don’t get Charged for Excess Baggage-
Most of the time, you won’t wear everything that you pack anyway. When you’re preparing to leave for sweet vacation, you may think that you need 4 outfits for every day. In truth, though, most of your clothing will go un-worn and you’ll pay high fees for extra luggage. If you can wash your clothing at your hotel, this will help you pack less.

2. Never Enter Unmarked Cabs-
Never, ever get into an unmarked cab. On top of being a rip-off, they’re also not safe. Unmarked cabs are infamous for charging extra high rates, taking longer-than-necessary routes, and giving you the wrong change back. Try to travel in pairs, avoid going alone in a cab ride, if possible.
 
3. Avoid “Tourist Traps” when Dining-
When traveling, eat like a local instead of like a tourist. Tourist-heavy areas come with high prices. Talk to the locals to find out where the best restaurants and eateries are that offer a bit of a local flair. Ask your hotel representative or concierge when checking into your hotel.
 
4. High Taxes on Alcohol-
Some countries carry extremely high tax on alcohol, which is a good reason to skip over those super cocktails when dining out. One drink can cost more than $15 (watch out on the cruise ships too- for these pricy drinks are there as well)! To keep costs down, try to stick with water (if it’s safe depending upon which country you are in) or order a virgin drink. I personally suggest a smoothie or fruit juice which will keep you healthy and full of energy while you are traveling and seeing the world!
 
5. Avoid Pricy Hotel Rooms in Major Cities-
By staying smack in the center of an exciting, thriving bigger city, you’ll likely pay big bucks for a tiny room. Instead, consider staying just a few short blocks away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds or on the outskirt of the city. Lodging rates will likely go down and room space will possibly expand.
 
Save your money for those “must see” places while you’re traveling. And Always remember that sometimes a travel “detour” or delay can be a fun memory in the making! HAVE FUN OUT THERE!!

​

Wow Air is Done- By Jen Campbell of Escape Destinations Travel

As the news spread this past week about WOWAir being out of business, I couldn't help but remember our trip to Germany and back, how super duper basic the flight was, and the mix-up taking us days to get home...although being "stuck" in Germany is NOT something I was complaining about at all.

WOWAir going down, reminded me of the thousands of passengers that were stranded trying to get home. I wondered how these passengers plans might have changed if they had purchased travel insurance (thus protecting them from losing their money) and helping them get home on another airline expeditiously. Or, had they purchased their flight through a travel agent, just by contacting this agent when their flight was cancelled, would have sent their travel agent scrambling but assisting them in securing the next available flight (on another carrier) but saving them time from having to do so on their own.

Two Things Learned:
​
1) Use a travel agent and
2) Purchase travel insurance.

​You never know when life, and HUGE Obstacles, can come your way.