Seattle Area Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter
For Hope For Strength For Life
Women With Wanderlust
This page is for all those adventurous DGs who love to travel. Take a gander at our list of friendly and practical information we compiled just for you!
- Latest Travel Restrictions
- Travel tips
- Stay Safe
- Solo Dining- Making it fun
- The Older Adventuress
- Interesting Travel Related Sites
As always, we welcome the wise words of women who speak from experience. Just think, the tip you contribute today will help another traveling woman tomorrow!
If you have a tip you'd like to share. Don't worry about spelling, presentation, etc. Just email your information to: president@seattledg.com. We always welcome your input and can do any editing your writing might need.
Latest Travel Restrictions
What can you bring in your carry on luggage? 
1. Travelers will be allowed to carry on travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less in volume) that fit comfortably into one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through security checkpoints. Makeup, contact solutions, and medications can also be placed in a second or third clear bag- just be certain to place them in a bin so security may check them.
2. Travelers will also be able to bring other items including beverages purchased in the secure area after clearing security on board the aircraft. However, beverages may not be carried through the security checkpoint.
Top Travel Tips
Letter writing-- Instead of lugging my whole address book with me when I travel, I write or print out names and addresses on a sheet of adhesive labels. That way, when I want to send a card to friends and family, I can just peel and stick.
-Andrea, Florida
Travelling with small children-- Anyone traveling with small children will tell you that they don't like surprises in their diets and will often turn down proffered foods of the region. So I always pack a jar of peanut butter in my suitcase. Combine with bread, apples, or celery- which you can find just about anywhere in the world- and you will have instant comfort food for a weary little traveler.
-Susan, California
Cruise Ships-- Because cell-phone service doesn't work out at sea, I purchased walkie talkies for our family cruise. They allowed us to communicate with one another within a range of 7 miles.
-Cheryl, Massachusetts
How to fight jet lag-- Drink a lot of water during the flight. Then, once you have arrived at your destination, if the current time in that country is earlier than 1:00pm, have a cat nap of no longer than three hours. Force yourself to get up and carry on the day on that time zone. If the current time is later than 1:00pm, then try to stay awake as long as you possibly can. By going to bed no earlier than 7:00pm you should be able to acclimatize to the current time zone in the easiest way possible.
- Laura, Rimini, -Italy
Learn how to hail a cab in
-Noel, New York
-Evelyn, Venezuela
Keep Children Hydrated-- It goes without saying that we should encourage our kiddies to drink lots of water during hot seasons. They don't always want to drink bottled water so I suggest the following. Bring along their favorite powdered drink mix and put that into bottled water. Now you have pink lemonade or other favorite familiar flavors from home during your travel treks. Bet your touring toddlers, tweens or teens will be less cranky if they are well hydrated. Downside? Lots more bathroom stops!
-Stephanie, Washington
Whether flying or driving, try to move every two hours-- either walk and stretch in the aisle or stop at a rest stop. This will help to increase circulation and take pressure off the spine.
- Dr. Marilyn, Washington
Remedy for dry,stale air in hotel room-- My favorite way to humidify a hotel room is to wet a towel and drape it over the air conditioner or fill the tub with a bit of water before going to bed. In the morning your skin will feel positively dewey! In addition, I always travel with the following essential oils: Lavender and Peppermint. If the air in your room is stale use a travel aromatherapy fan to circulate a lavender scent in the evening which will relax you. The peppermint is a great eye opener to get you hustling in the morning.
- Kara, Washington
Traveling with infants-- A few minutes before take-off or landing have your child suckle a bottle or from your breast to ease ear pain and stress from cabin pressure changes.
- Carolyn, California
Airline Fares-- Airlines re-price fares Saturday night and Sunday and Monday can be a good time to find fares.
- Paul the Pilot, Maryland
Stuck With A Long Layover-- Great! Many larger airports now have small spas or massage stations. So go ahead and get a nice 15 minute shoulder rub or a 1/2 hour to hour massage and feel ultra relaxed on the next leg of your journey.
- Bonnie, Washington
Double-Duty Travel Items
Hotel Matchbook
AHA! Use: Finding your way home. Toss a matchbook that bears the hotel name and address into your bag. If you forget the address or encounter a language barrier, you can simply show it to your taxi driver.
Checkbook Case
AHA! Use: Separating foreign currency from American bills in your handbag or wallet so you don't mix your paper trail.
Shower Cap
AHA! Use: Preventing dirty or sand-covered shoes from mingling with (and soiling) neatly packed clothes.
Kids' Floaties
AHA! Use: Buffering breakables in a suitcase. Place delicate items, such as wine bottles and precious trinkets, inside an inflated arm floaty, and it will shield it against bumps, bruises, and breaks.
Stay Safe
- When travelling, always stay aware of your surroundings; your mind should be on what you're doing, not on what you'll say to Aunt Martha when you get off the plane.
- Keep your hands free; women are more vulnerable when their hands are bound up in straps of purses or bags.
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If you order room service, confirm that the person is hotel staff before opening the door. If you are uncertain that they are hotel staff, call the front desk for verification.
- Be verbal, talk loudly if you feel threatened, as this will control your breathing and release energy to help you gain control of the situation.
- Walk with purpose and stay away from darkly lit areas and alley ways.
- If you are followed in a parking lot, bang on cars to set off alarms
Solo Dining- Make It Fun!
Forget room service. Having a good time while dining out alone is easier than you think. Whether you're travelling for business or pleasure, meal time should be fun time. As a travellin’ woman with endless hours of solo dining under my belt , here are just a few of my tried and true tips that should make your food experiences much more entertaining.
Nestle With A Newspaper
Bring along something to read. That juicy novel or book of poems you have had time to crack open. If you forget, enlist your staff person. Since a "reading meal" is traditional entertainment for solo diners, increasing numbers of restaurants maintain a selection of newspapers and magazines for their guests.
Be A Restaurant Regular
Do your regularly to travel to certain cities? Then find that perfect restaurant you can frequent and stake out your favorite spot to sit. Tell them you’re a traveller who’s chosen their spot as your home-away -from-home. As a cherished regular, you’ll probably receive insider treatment, like helpings of in-house gossip and preview tastings of new wines and dishes.
Connect With Communal Diners
Ask your hotel concierge about restaurants in the immediate area that integrate solo diner
Kibbitz With The Cook
If you loved your meal let the chef know. Strike up a conversation and who knows you may end up with a secret recipe.
Make Notes
Solo dining is a delicious opportunity for note taking; for catching up on your last business meeting or, gathering material for that novel you’ve been meaning to write. And if the staff mistakes you for a food critic and treats you accordingly, so much the better!
Indulge! Indulge! Indulge!
Eat what you want, when you want it! Solo dining is an elegant opportunity to celebrate yourself. (especially recommended for those known more for lavishing generosity on others, rather than on themselves!) Tonight, there’s no one to say “But that’s so fattening...” when you announce, "I’m having only desserts this evening. I’ll begin with the double devil’s food cake and don’t you dare spare the whipped cream". Just enjoy and allow others to minister to YOU for a change.
The Older Adventuress
If you're an older adventuress, this is an absolutely wonderful time in your life to be travelling. In most cultures, your age brings respect. Children will gravitate to you. Local women will be protective, you'll suffer less from pesky unsolicited male advances, and your travel budget absolutely expands with all the lovely discounts your age group is offered. The possibilities are endless. Take advantage, ladies. You've earned the right.
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Go more, spend less... And remember, even if you can only travel at peak times, most hotels, airlines, buses and trains offer discounts to older passengers. They won't necessarily tell you about these savings; you have to ask for them when making your bookings. Companies also vary on their definition of 'an older adult.' For example, a recent chat with Air
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1) Seniors Online
Now that you have your computer skills down pat, you'll be delighted to hear about an absolutely fabulous spot on the internet-- ageofreason.com. This website designed by and for older adults is extremely informative and very user-friendly. They've managed to organize 5,000 links to topics of potential interest to fifty-plusers--health, finance, an internet shopping mall and, of course, incredible travel information.
2) Hotels For Less
At 50, you'll never have to pay full price for a hotel room again. Virtually all lodging chains and most individual establishments will give you a break on room rates. Most take a mere 10 percent off your bill--better than nothing--but some do a lot better than that.
3) Half-Price Flights
You must be 62 or older in most cases (although occasionally 55 or 60 will do) to fly for less than other people. The majority of airlines, both domestic and foreign, give you a 10 percent discount on most published fares and sometimes even on sale fares. That's a valuable perk but senior coupons can save you even more if you use them for long-distance flights. Here's how they work: for a flat fee--currently $540 to $596, depending on the airline--you may buy a booklet of four coupons which you may exchange for one-way tickets. That makes the cost $135 to $149 per flight, about half the typical fare for a transcontinental trip.
Bestseller for Over-fifties
If anyone asks you what you'd like for your birthday, point them in the direction of your nearest travel bookstore. Every older adventuress should have a copy of "Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can't Get Unless You're Over 50", by Joan Rattner Heilman. This book is jam-packed with up-to-date information about money -saving deals, discounts, perks and travel opportunities, this publication for savvy seniors makes it clear that life only begins as you reach your fifth decade.
*** Older Adventuress suggestions courtesy of Journey Women.
Interesting Travel Related Sites
Recently, I decided that I'd plan my dream vacation to Europe. Not knowing whether I'd be going solo or not, I began researching like crazy and came across some great websites that are user friendly and informative. Here are a few of my favorite new finds:
Airfares, Airlines & Frequent Flyer Miles
Airfarewatchdog.com ("50 Best Fares of the Day" section.)
Airlinequality.com (Rates airlines and their seating.)
Expertflyer.com (Valueable info about flights and fares.)
Farecast.com (Airfare-prediction engine shows fare history chart.)
Mileageworkshop.com (All about airline mileage and uses.)
Seatguru.com (Detailed seat map graphics.)
Cruises
Cruisemates.com (Making the most of a cruise.)
Foreign Currency
Oanda.com (Plug in your destination and print out a wallet size currency primer.)
Hotel & Destination Info
Ricksteves.com (Travel website.)
Secretplaces.com (A treasure trove of not so well known hotels.)
Tripadvisor.com (Rates destinations and hotels etc.)
Women Friendly Vacations
Backroads.com (Cycling, walking and multi-sport vacations.)
Gutsywomentravel.com (Women only trips.)
Journeywomen.com (Culmination of travel tips, advice and websites.)
Mindovermountains.com (Women only trips.)
Womensquest.com (Women only trips.)
Miscellaneous
Gridskipper.com (Offbeat places to see and eat.)
Hopstop.com (Subway, bus or walking directions, along with printable maps.)
Roadtripamerica.com (Roadtrip ideas, scenic routes, fuel costs.)