Discover the Secrets of Tibet

In Tibet, uncover a combination of stunning natural scenery, immersive culture and historical temples. Your heart, mind and spirit will be opened to the friendliness and mysticism of this remarkable region and we'll help you plan a trip to remember.

Unique and Memorable Experiences

While every part of this trip will be a great adventure, you'll especially love the chance to witness the daily morning monk chants at the further afield Pabongka Monastery. Here you'll also experience meditating in a 14th century cave – truly not to be missed. Visiting the Sera monastery, you'll observe the "monk debates" or young monks in training who pair up daily for 2 hours to ask each other questions in a lively courtyard. Tibetan pilgrims will be walking alongside of you wearing the brightly colored and authentic local dress from various regions across this land. Insider Tip: Make sure to taste the Sweet Yak’s Milk Tea- a Tibetan tradition that is found throughout the Himalayan foothills. 

Where to Stay

Ready to experience luxury? Then you’ll want to stay at Virtuoso preferred property, The St. Regis Lhasa Resort, within walking distance of the major temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Lhasa. Make sure to enjoy a cocktail on their upper floor lounge or outdoor patio and witness the setting sun’s warm light over the stunning Potala Palace.

Reach New Heights

We recommend 3 days and 4 nights in Lhasa and to allow for some time to explore the Himalayan foothills nearby, including a visit to the crystal blue Yamdrok Lake for breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. Considered Tibet's most sacred lake, Yamdrok is located 15,000 feet above sea level — be sure to bring a "well wishes" scarf (available at your hotel or the local markets) to add to the nearby prayer flags.

Know Before You Go

You’ll be walking at high altitude all day which takes a physical toll. The first few days you’ll want to consider a slower pace than you may be used to. Also, Tibet requires a tourist permit with plenty of lead time. We recommend utilizing a local tour company such as our partners, WildChina. Insider Tip: Don’t forget to pack chapstick and lotion. This region has very little humidity in the air and your skin will thank you.

Beyond Tibet

You've travelled this far, why not add the city of Beijing to your itinerary? At the top of our list is The Forbidden City, constructed by the Ming Dynasty in 1420 — you'll spend hours stepping back in time, admiring the architecture, and soaking in the fascinating stories of this grand complex. Beginning in 2020, the Qianlong Garden—said to hold “some of the most significant, exquisitely designed interiors to survive relatively unchanged from imperial China”—will open to visitors for the very first time since its creation centuries ago.

Peak Into Our Travel Diary: Cuba

Ever since Cuba opened up its borders to make visits more accessible, we longed to pack our bags and go explore the frozen-in-time culture, jazz clubs, the preserved '57 Chevys, hand-rolled cigars, and beautiful topography. We finally made it, so keep reading to learn about some of our Cuba highlights!

Havana

We can see why Havana tugged on Hemmingway’s heart. You will indulge your senses in the Latin American culture, history, art and music of this vibrant city. Tour Old Havana to modern Havana in one of the many classic vintage cars and pull up to Fusterlandia. Before you get lost in this playground by local artist Jose Fuster, reserve a table for a feast in his home studio, and see why they call Fuster the “Picasso of the Caribbean”.  Next, cruise over to the Havana Club Rum Museum and experience the detailed process of making rum, and a tasting of their 7-year-old anejo.  Rest up before you salsa the night away at Havana’s first luxury hotel, the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage buildings. Plus, you'll only be steps away from El Floridita, one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite bars, both for the ambiance and the daiquiris.

Cayo Levisa

A caye off the north coast of Cuba, Cayo Levisa is accessible by a 35-minute boat ride and you will arrive to a true paradise far from the crowds. Step off onto this island and check in to the only hotel here - the Hotel Cayo Levisa. Unplug and relax in your rustic bungalow with views of the sugar-white sandy beach and turquoise sea. Embrace the seclusion while working on your tan, dining on fresh lobster tails, collecting sea shells or meditating in the private palapas.

Vinales Valley

As you travel west from Havana, you'll discover the lush and vast Vinales Valley. Here, you'll discover a national park and an UNESCO World Heritage site where you'll take a hike through the valley’s farms and fields known for the world-renowned tobacco creating the cigars of Cohiba, Monte Cristo and Romeo Juliet’s. We will arrange for you to get up close and meet a tobacco farmer who will teach you what makes their cigars world class, and how to appreciate the art of cigar smoking. Continue to explore and be in awe of the 400m high limestone cliffs dotting the valley, otherwise knowns as mogotes. These cliffs hold numerous caves, such as the Cuevo del Indio, where you'll marvel at the underground architecture and take a short boat ride on a subterranean river. Interested in learning more?

Trinidad and Cienfuego

As Havana is imagined as a city caught in the 1950’s, Trinidad goes further back into Spanish colonial days. In the main town of Plaza Mayor climb to the tower of Palacio Cantero to check out the best view of the city and mountain peaks called the Sierra del Escambray. Formerly the extravagant mansion of the Borrell Family, now the Municipal Museum of Trinidad. Cienfuegos is a city on Bahía de Cienfuegos, a bay on Cuba’s south coast. A must visit between Cienfugo and Trinidad is El Nicho Waterfalls. Get the Instagram shot at a series of waterfalls and capture the beauty of the colors of the water in the river pools and the surrounding forest.

Cruising Cuba

Prefer the amenity-filled cruise experience and a luxurious bed at night? We offer by-sea options for a full Cuban immersive adventure with one of our VIRTUOSO cruising partners: Viking, Oceania, Seabourne, Azamara, and Royal Caribbean.  Ready to book your cruise to Cuba?

Everything you need to know about traveler's insurance

The enduring question, "Should I buy traveler's insurance?" We hear it frequently and wanted to help. Here's a guide on how to decide.

1. Do I really need travel insurance?

The answer is found when you answer another question. How much can you afford to lose if something prevents you from traveling or interrupts your trip and forces you to travel home? Also, on itineraries over 7 days or if you're traveling overseas, travel insurance is important to consider.

2. Won't my current health insurance cover me overseas?

Most US healthcare plans do not cover you internationally including most Medicare plans. It's important to check with your healthcare insurance and read the fine print to understand what is covered and what is not.  Even if you have some coverage, certain items like emergency evacuation, or 24 hour translation services may not be available.

3. What does travel insurance usually cover?

Policies reimburse you when you cancel or interrupt your trip for covered reasons and some offer "for any time - any reason" coverage as well. The standard coverages include things like a missed connection, illness, illness of a loved one at home (family members can even include aunts, uncles and grandparents), or an unexpected terrorist attack. If your trip runs into a road block like one of these reasons, you're entitled to a refund of any non-refundable costs like hotels, and plane tickets. 

4. How much does a travel insurance policy cost?

There are a few factors that affect your policy including your age, the cost of your trip, the length of your trip and occasionally the country you're visiting. A policy typically costs about 3-5% of the prepaid and non-refundable costs. It is important to also note, if you have pre-existing conditions, some policies will cover you as long as you purchase the policy within 14 days of your initial travel purchase. Our partner Allianz will cover you in this case

5. My trip was cancelled - what happens now?

We use vetted professional travel insurance partners such as Travel Guard and Allianz and they are available to pick up your call 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  Typically a claim takes about 4 weeks to process and you should expect to receive acknowledgement and a final decision on payment within 1-2 months. Remember, thorough documentation is key! This is typically what holds up payment for policy holders.

Let's eat and drink our way through Chianti, Prego!

Last summer celebrating a friend's birthday, a group of us collaborated on where to have this celebration. We like wine. We like good food. We enjoy friendly people. The dart landed on Italy with stops in Rome, small towns of Chianti and Tuscany, Florence and Fiesole. I've been to Italy many times, but never the Chianti region.  We all know the image of the straw encased bottles with it's black rooster seal, but this area offers much more than your average table wine.

Most international travelers will arrive into FCO, the major airport in Rome. We arrived late in the afternoon with enough time to check into our lovely 4 star hotel Hotel Romanico Palace and step outside in the warm summer night to stretch our legs. Our hotel was a 5-10 minute walk from the majestic Trevi Fountain, vast Borghese Gardens, the ancient Pantheon, and stunning Piazza Navona. Ready for a welcome cocktail? Make a stop by the famous Harry's Bar for a refreshing aperol spritz. You can stumble into so many options for fabulous food your first night, including Roman style pizza at Pizzeria San Marco, but for a gastronomic experience, try the not-so-stuffy 3 michelin starred La Pergola

Strolling around rome during the cooler Temps is a great way to fight off jetlag

If you plan to rent a car from Rome to explore Italy, I recommend renting from the Rome Termini Train Station as it's right in town and you won't have to head back to the airport. Once we picked up our car, we headed Northeast towards our villa in Radda, with stops in Orvieto - a gorgeous hilltop town worth a stop right off the freeway. Orvieto sits 1,000 feet above the valley floor on top of a bed of tufo, a type of rock made of volcanic ash. Here you'll discover a uniquely designed cathedral, Classico wine and ceramics.

Orvieto Cathedral dating back to the 14h century

local ceramics in orvieto

After a stroll and a delicious lunch sipping on Ca'Viti Classico Superiore, we continued north to check into our villa rental in Radda. Passing rolling hills and charming handmade signs for wine and olive oil tastings (which we did plenty of both), we made our way to the alluring Villa Vecenni

Scenery on the drive to radda

local olive oil farm in chianti

Villa Vercenni

The perfect space for al fresco dining

sunset in radda

Nestled perfectly between Florence and Sienna is the town of Castellina. Visit its cobbled streets, and if you're looking for an adventure below ground, check out the Etruscan Tombs; one of the most notable archeological discoveries in the Chiani region dating back to the 6th century. When it came to food, we consulted with a sommelier friend of ours who suggested Sotto Le Volte Restaurant and Wine Bar. We sat under the ancient stone vaulted arches and tunnel escaping the summer heat for several hours savoring every bite and every sip.

Sotto le Volte Restaurant and wine bar, Castellina

Summer's bounty and dinner supplies in Catellina

Recommended by the respectable Wine Enthusiast and other wine resources, Casa Emma, offers a lunch and wine pairing out on their terrace that commands a view over their vineyard. Another recommend is to stop by the small family-run winery in the medieval village of Montefioralle, near Greve called Azienda Agricola Montefioralle where you'll get a personal and intimate tour of their cellar.

wine tasting and lunch at Casa Emma 

fresh local olive oil Starter at Casa Emma

While touring this region, Greve is not to be missed and is the host of a Saturday morning market centered on Piazza Matteotti, the town's main piazza. Antica Macelleria Falorni has been selling local meats here since the 18th century.

Historic butcher shop, Faloni in Greve

a bite from Falorni's

local ceramics in greve

Chianti's charms are delightful, but we took a detour to the city of Firenze for a day to tour the sites, shop along the historic and famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, and dine with our preferred hotel partner in Fiesole, the 5 star and not to be missed Belmond Villa San Michele. Here we officially celebrated that birthday with a 4 hour gastronomic lunch, impeccable service and a divine chocolate cake too large to finish. 

piazza del duomo, firenze

the belmond villa san michele, fiesole

buon appetito

Magical and diverse, India has something for everyone

The Taj Mahal

Some may think of India and be limited by images of the Taj Mahal and curries, but India is so much more: a land of 24 official languages, 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites, a focus on wellness; both body and mind, steeped in tradition, history and unique festivals, plus the rare opportunity to explore exotic wildlife such as tigers and the one horned rhino.

We work with vetted vendors such as Abercrombie & Kent , Absolute Travel , G Adventures, and Swain tours who's local resources help us help you plan the perfect customized holiday.

The best time of year to visit India is October through March, with 14 hour non stop flights from both NYC and Chicago as well as connecting flights through major US cities into Delhi and Mumbai. Visas are required for all foreign visitors and electronic visas are easily accessible. 

India is very diverse.  The North region with the New and Old Delhi you can plan to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's Palace for changing of the guard, Guradwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent sikh houses of worship and Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi to see first hand this beautiful spiritual and cultural campus.

Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi

Interested in the culinary arts? We can arrange for an immersive cooking class with a local.

In Agra you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Taj Mahal where we can plan for you sunrise and/or sunset visits to this beautiful palace. Accessible to these major cities, you can visit Ranthambore National Park, the home of one of the largest populations of tigers in India. Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" or if you wish you can visit Jodhpur known as the "Blue City" and here we can arrange for safaris and/or to meet and interact with local tribes.  Located in Udaipur and not to be missed, the Taj Lake Palace hotel is considered by some to be one of the most romantic hotels in the world. 

Central India you'll discover the best wildlife experiences in Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench. Our Indian partners can customize a safari with well trained naturalists and a network of several luxury jungle lodges.

Finally, take a step back in time, with 3 and 7 nights aboard India's Maharaja Express or the Royal Rajasthan trains. These stays are all inclusive and will provide you with a unique, royal and luxurious journey.

If you fly domestically more than once a year, TSA Precheck is worth it. Here's why.

I recently had a friend (who flies frequently out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport) let me know that after several travel experiences waiting up to 3 hours in security lines and missing a flight, she was taking my advise and applying for TSA Precheck. Does this experience sound familiar to you? Flying out of US airports is definitely not a trip to Disney, but here's a way to fast track your security line process.

Avoid LONG LINES AND STRESS WITH TSA PRECHECK

There is no way to skip the airport's security line entirely but TSA's Precheck allows qualified "low risk" travelers to speed up the process. I've heard continued stories of long wait times in security with the ever increasing risk that you'll miss that flight departure. TSA Precheck allows you to breeze through with much shorter lines and much less anxiety.  You won't have to remove your laptop, belt or that light jacket. Most shoes can be kept on, but keep in mind, anything with zippers or buckles may still beep and you're going to be going back into the line.

There's a $85USD non refundable fee and a brief form to fill out on TSA Precheck's website.  Once the form is completed, you'll need to find the closest center to you and make an appointment. There are many centers and you don't necessarily have to head to the closest major airport. Be prepared with the appropriate identification (passport in most cases) and to be fingerprinted. Once you have your appointment (which takes all of about 5 minutes) and you're approved, you'll receive notice within 10 business days and be given your Known Traveler Number or KTN. 

In the future when you book online or with a travel professional you'll want to be sure to give them the KTN so that it's in the system. Once your date off travel arrives, your boarding pass will have it notified that you are TSA Precheck and you can proceed to the designated and usually much shorter security line. 

We've noted that some of the smaller airports currently do not have separate TSA PreCheck lines, but depending on the process, they may give you a special colored card to show the TSA screeners and you can still avoid taking out your laptop, removing belt etc.

If you travel internationally more than once a year, it's worth the extra $15 to get the Global Entry Pass. See my previous blog for details.

Why visit Cartagena, Colombia? SO many reasons!

Streets of Cartagena

The first question most of my friends asked when I mentioned that I had planned to travel to Colombia is why? Or is it safe there?

I understand Colombia's drug trafficking past is still on Americans' curious minds, but yes, the major cities in Colombia are safe to visit and the local people are more than welcoming.

Looking for a mix of culture and beach time, we chose Cartagena, Colombia. Airlines like Copa, JetBlue and Delta make this destination easy with short flight times and little time zone difference from the United States.  Cartagena's airport is smaller in size and landing after 10pm we cruised through customs and easily found our taxi driver that I had prearranged through our hotel, the Hotel Quadrifolio.  This beautiful and charming hotel is located inside the old walled city and is 4 1/2 stars all the way with comfortable bedding, plush robes, Hermes bath products, working air conditioning and decor that mixes the South American traditional with an artistic flare.  The included breakfast was served in a beautiful open-air dining room and the service was efficient and attentive.

hotel quadrifolio

Day 2, we were off for the beach and sun part of the holiday and chose to stay with the rustic and beautiful Hotel Coralina. They sent a private boat over to Cartagena to gather their guests for that day (they do allow for a limited amount of day guests as well which would give you from 10:30am-3:00pm to enjoy lunch and the beach) and we left the bay entering some choppy waters towards the Islas del Rosario.  After an hour trip, we pulled into Coralina Island where we were greeted with huge smiles from the hotel's staff along with bottled waters and chilled glasses of wine.  The resort is owned and managed by Pierre who's family is of European heritage and has an intriguing history.  They do a remarkable job hiring local islanders, using eco friendly practices and serving wonderfully locally sourced food for the delicious three meals a day that are included in your stay.  Here you can enjoy relaxing with the cooling sea breezes, swimming in the crystal clear waters, snorkeling along the reefs with a local, or taking a gentle and quiet canoe trip down the mangrove tunnels on nearby Isla Grande.

Mangrove tunnels on isla grande

Don't expect luxury service with ice buckets and staff at your beckon call. However, what the hotel lacks in 5 star luxury, it makes up with the 5 star natural and beautiful surroundings.  The staff will do everything they can to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. Be patient for that fresh mojito; you're on island time. If you are the type of traveler who needs to be connected to the outside world 24/7, this may not be the best choice for you.  However, there is limited wi-fi available in a central hut if you need.

view from  hotel coralina

We stayed here 3 nights, but I believe a 2 nights stay would be sufficient for most. There are 6 rooms here, however, I would recommend choosing one of the 3 deluxe sea view rooms with private bathrooms equipped with showers. One of these rooms is literally right over the water (we were lucky enough to stay here, see photo below) and the remaining deluxe double sea view rooms are located on the beach set just a few feet back from the water. 

You'll enjoy lazing in hammocks, swimming along the hotel's coastline, sipping freshly made juices and I can't forget to mention the $15USD 30 minute massages right on the beach - say yes to this relaxing part of your holiday.

During our journey back to Cartagena, the crossing had some higher seas. Let's say be prepared to keep cool and salty with some of the waves making it into the boat.

Upon arriving, we were looking forward to checking into the 5 star Sofitel Legend Santa Clara in the old city.

Our welcoming committee

The Sofitel Santa Clara is designed into an old convent originally built in 1621 located on the Plaza de San Diego. The central courtyard is lush with jungle like vegetation and surrounded by the beauty of the convent's old stone arches.  

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel

In the historic building there are 19 suites plus surrounding the modern pool area, there is an additional 100 deluxe double rooms. I highly recommend the character and luxury of the suites. We had the pleasure of staying in the Sofitel's two-story, two bath Colonial suite that comes with your own personal butler. This service was incredibly luxurious and makes your stay in the city a breeze with dining recommendations, reservations, taxi/driver arrangements; anything you need, you'll have a personal concierge at your service.

COlonial suite Duplex

The first evening we loaded into a horse drawn carriage ( this is one of those "touristy" things, you must do! ) to enjoy a 30 minute tour of the old city.  Listening to the horse's hooves hit the cobbled streets, the street music starting to come alive and feeling the cooler temperatures as night fell was captivating.  

We tried several restaurants in town but the one that stands out as a pleasant surprise is Crepes and Waffles. We were delighted to have a break from the local standard seafood cuisine and discover this casual restaurant which has an lovely rooftop terrace with church views and cool breezes.  The food here was delicious and affordable- we had three savory crepes, one sweet crepe, one waffle and three drinks for $20USD. Another piece of advise I'll share is skip the Cafe del Mar for cocktails on top of the murallas (old wall). Recommended in several guide books, but very touristy, expensive and the worst service we experienced in Colombia. Instead, grab a bottle of wine around 5pm and find yourself a spot near the Cafe on this wall dating back to the 17th century for an up close view of the sea and sunset.

You may want to check out some of the local sites and museums as well. We enjoyed the free Museo del Oro Zenu and the nearby Emerald Museum for a glimpse at why Colombian emeralds are so valued and the "the best" in the world. It's worth a taxi trip to the Castillo de San Felipe, considered the Spanish's most impressive fort in the New World. However, be sure to avoid the heat of the day or be prepared for intense heat.  We arranged for the same taxi driver to bring us to La Popa; home to a convent with a lovely courtyard and plus at the highest point in the city, you'll have a commanding view of Cartagena. You won't need to spend much time at either location and both have an entrance fee.

La Popa

Colombian handicrafts include handmade woven bags with cotton and wool and beautiful designs and colors ranging in price from $20-$100USD. Expect to see them in the plazas as well as high quality Artesanias de Colombia stores.  Also, you'll find straw hats, handmade beaded and woven bracelets ( $3-$10USD ) and local paintings by the Plaza Bolivar. Calle Santo Domingo is Cartagena's "Rodeo Drive" with upscale shops selling Colombian made bikinis to handmade leather goods.

Artist on the Plaza Bolivar

A walking tour plaza to plaza is highly recommended and in the evenings you'll be likely to find street musicians and also impressive dancers in traditional dress performing a combination of African/Caribbean/Indian dances.

Finally, there are a few local companies that are offering visitors a tour of the sprawling local market, Mercado de Bazurto. Be ready as this is not for everyone. It's a bit grimy and not for the faint of heart, however, it is an authentic immersive experience to meet the locals and see where the top chefs are shopping for your 5 star dinner in town. I found it to be an incredible sight to view the amounts and variety of fresh fruit in Colombia. Our mouths were delighted when tasting the local curuba (similar to passion fruit), lulo with it's sweet lemon like flavor, tamarindo, pitahaya, granadilla, uchuvu which tastes similar to a very sweet cherry tomato, the papayas, 5 types of bananas..I could go on and on!

Mercado de bazurto

mercado de bazurto

Colors of cartagena

A UNESCO World Heritage site, go to Cartagena filled with architecture, history, culinary delights, color, music, art and hospitality. 

Luxury digs with a taste of Times Square in Los Angeles

The Ritz Carlton brand is known for luxury accommodations and bar none service and the downtown Los Angeles location offers this and more. LA Live is home of the Staples Center, the Lakers and the Kings, a superb venue for concert performances and an abundance of bright city lights. This is all at your fingertips when you are a guest at the Ritz Carlton Los Angeles. There is a plethora of dining choices including Katsuya, Lucky Strike, and on the Ritz's 24th floor you'll find Wolfgang Puck's, The Nest at WP24. Oh and did we mention the views?  You'll relish in fantastic views everywhere from the Ritz including the rooms, suites, fitness center, pool and dining at WP24.

We stayed in a deluxe room with views of the Staples Center and beyond from the 23rd floor. Our accommodations had everything a discerning guest could ask for including access to Ritz Carlton's Club Level, where from 7am-10pm there is access to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, beverages and concierge services.

The pool is located on the 26th floor with comfortable chaises, and cabana facilities. Plus, if you're craving some food and cocktails, the pool area offers attentive service.

So next time, you're heading to a LA sporting event, concert or just want a shift from the beach, think downtown Los Angeles for something different.

What you need to know about Global Entry

You've just finished an overnight flight, you're anxious to get into your own comfortable bed and there's an hour wait through US customs. UGH. Most travelers by now have heard of Global Entry but many American citizens who are frequent travelers have put off the process.  I hope to make this process a bit easier to understand, so below you'll find some information regarding fast tracking international travel and applying through the Global Online Enrollment System or GOES for short.  

I finally went through the process myself and here's what I learned to help save you some time.

(Please note the below information  is NOT for domestic TSA pre -check.)

See sites below regarding Global Entry applications. Once your application is accepted, you'll need to make an appointment for an interview.  NOTE: If you get accepted for the next step- the interview, you will have a limited time to schedule that interview. If you do not schedule the interview within GOES allotted time, there is a chance that your application could be deleted, and you'll lose your $100 application fee. Be sure to be on top of your emails once you've applied.

• http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply
• https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes   

1. It takes about an hour for the application, you have to apply for each individual (children too). 
2. You create a login, then go back to home page, login and start the process. 
3. Here's what you'll need: passports handy, a valid driver's license as well as requirement to list countries visited in last 5 years, home addresses over last 5 years, and employment (addresses and phone numbers) for last 5 years. (if the applicants are children, mark “child" under employment page and for date of employment mark year and month they were born).  Also, the application does not like gaps of any kind. So if you're doing addresses/employment, make sure the months and years line up.
4. The application costs $100 per person and they take cc's. (some credit card companies will reimburse your fee, so check with your cards.)
5. There is a drop down menu that let's you select the closest location (typically an airport) near you. 

We also invite you to click here for additional information from our friends at Upgraded Points https://upgradedpoints.com/the-global-entry-program-from-application-through-airport/

It is suggested that the application approval process takes 48 hours to 2 weeks. Mine took about 24 hours before I received an email stating I was approved to schedule an interview. 

So 1-2-3 GO! 

Tips on how to stay healthy during international travel

You're done all the planning, you've booked your hotel, scheduled fun activities and written your "out of office" reply for work email. The last thing you want once you arrive is to spend days of your vacation feeling ill and trapped in your bathroom, right?

Over the years there are a few things I've learned and practice that can help lower the probability of getting sick on your holiday.

1. Bottled water, bottled water, bottled water. My kids think I'm a bit crazy how diligent I am even brushing my teeth with bottled water but this is critical once you enter into certain parts of the world. Keep in mind to only drink bottled water that is still sealed.  There have been rumors of places refilling the bottles with not officially true bottled water. If you decide to drink soda or beverages out of a can, be careful to use a straw or make sure that it is poured into a clean glass.

2. Review the Center for Disease Control's website for the recommended immunizations for your destination(s). You'd think I was a MD with the amount of prescription meds I travel with, however, having your primary care physician prescribe an antibiotic (note, to carry one approved for children if you're traveling with your kids), prescription strength anti-nausea meds, and if you're traveling above 8,000 feet in elevation, you might want to consider medicine to help avoid altitude sickness as well. Over the counter, I bring the typical ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, vitamins, fiber tablets, antiseptic, cortisone and bandaids. A small bottle of vinegar is also handy for areas where you might be swimming in very warm water temperatures. Several years ago, my son was stung by a man o'war jellyfish in St. Lucia where the locals took pity on us and donated some vinegar. It takes some time for the pain to subside but this homeopathic remedy can help.

3. NO street food. Gasp. I know this can be an enjoyable part of being in an exotic destination and immersion with the locals, but know the risks that you have a higher chance of the food being contaminated. I tend to avoid lettuce or fruits that don't have a skin that I can't peel. Also, keep in mind refrigeration habits in your locale. I had an experience in Europe with unseasonal 90 degree temps and ordinarily safe cafe food ended up being not so fresh. Unfortunately, half of our group ended up requiring a house call from a local doctor.

4. Avoid slow moving or still fresh water. There are bacteria (especially when the water temperature is warm) that live in these waters that can lead to a health problem. 

5. Protect yourself and take precautions against mosquitos and other bug bites. Carry a bug repellent with at least 20% or more of DEET and try to avoid peek hours such as dusk. You may also want to be sure to wear appropriate clothing for example in Africa being sure to wear long pants and light weighted shirts with longer sleeves.