Travel Tips : Choosing a Hotel Loyalty

March 13, 2017

In the past year, I’ve gotten more serious about picking hotels that belong to one loyalty account when we travel. I still prefer boutique hotels, but the more extensively we travel, that’s not always an option. It’s easier in Europe and larger cities in the US to stick with boutique hotels or small chains, but as we travel more in Asia and South America, as well as smaller areas of the US, we found it was more prudent to stick with a large chain and gain rewards and loyalty accounts in the process. After staying at JW Marriott’s in Peru last year (which we loved), we decided to stick with Marriott as our hotel loyalty. But whatever chain or brand you decide on, it’s well worth choosing a hotel loyalty for travel and here’s why!

1. You’ll rack up free nights.

After you stay with your loyalty at the chain of hotels you select, you’ll gain points and eventually rack up free nights to use at the loyalty chain. We’ve already gotten to use a few free Marriott nights and it’s always so rewarding!

2. Most large hotel chains have a credit card with a sign up bonus.

When we decided on Marriott as our loyalty account, I signed up for their credit card which came with a large sign up bonus. Just from the sign up bonus points, I got about 3-4 nights of free hotel nights at Marriott properties!

3. You’ll get special access and amenities.

As a loyalty member of a hotel chain, you’ll get special access to rooms that might not be available to anyone, like upgrades when available. You’ll also get special access to amenities like executive floors with breakfast and such, depending on the loyalty you choose.

4. Service is better.

When you’re part of a loyalty program, you’ll always be treated better at their properties. If they know you value their loyalty program, they value you, as simple as that.

5. You’ll have access to a broad range of hotels and chains.

We chose Marriott due to their broad range of hotels around the world and different hotel chains within the loyalty program like Ritz Carlton and Autograph Collection hotels. Within Marriott, we have access to thousands of hotels around the world and it’s easy to find a hotel wherever we’re traveling. Whatever brand you choose, look at what other brands are included in the loyalty so you have access to more than just one chain.

More Travel Tips Posts

How to Prepare for an International Trip

March 2, 2017

As someone who travels Internationally quite a bit, I’ve had a lot of practice preparing for international travel. There are certain things you need to think about more for International travel over domestic and often it can end up being a lot more work. But if you’re organized and know what you need to do – the work becomes fun in anticipation for your big trip. So here’s how to prepare for an International trip and actually be excited about it!

Get currency from your local bank.

We try to pay with almost everything with cash when we travel for a number of reasons. First, a lot of places around the world still only take cash or prefer it. Second, it’s easier to manage our costs while traveling if you know exactly how much your spending. Third, it’s super nice not to come home to a big credit card bill when the trip is done! So before we leave for an international trip, I get currency for whatever place we’re going from my local bank at home. That way when you land, you can hit the ground running and not having to change a bunch of money at the destination. Also – you’ll save lots in currency changing fees by using your local bank.

Do this 1-2 weeks before leaving.

Set up cell phone data plans.

We stay pretty connected while traveling so we usually set up International data plans on our cell phones for our trips. We both still answer emails and such while gone, so it’s important we have easy access when don’t have wifi. We have ATT so we do this all online and set up each phone for whatever data plan we need.

Do this 3-4 days before leaving.

Call credit cards for travel locations.

Something that can really mess you up when you get to your location is if your credit cards don’t work! Credit card companies (depending which you have) will often think charges abroad are fraudulent unless you let them know where you’ll be prior to your trip. I call the 3-4 major credit cards I travel with before leaving to let them know which countries we’ll be in so that when we land, we’re good to go!

Do this 3-4 days before leaving.

Get out your Passports and confirm all visa requirements.

You can’t travel internationally without your passport and all necessary visas. Be sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your travel date as some countries require that. Also be sure you have any visas necessary for your country of destination. Depending on where you’re going, you might need a visa or you might not, and some are available on arrival and some aren’t. So do the research and confirm what you need.

Bring specific items for your destination.

Certain destinations require certain items specific to the location. When we went to Machu Picchu, I had to bring certain items like toilet paper and heavy duty bug spray verses when we went to India I brought Pepto-Bismal tablets and lots of sunblock. Each location will have specific items you’ll need to get through your trip so do your research and know what to bring.

Pack all of these 2-3 days before leaving.

6 Reasons Why a Medical Conditions Won’t Stop You Enjoying a Holiday

March 1, 2017

Do you suffer from a medical condition, and worry it’ll hamper any chance you have of having fun on vacation? Fear not; it doesn’t have to be like that. Here are six reasons why travelling with a medical condition won’t stop you enjoying your holiday.

1. Relaxing on the beach.

Unless you suffer from a condition which means you can’t experience too much exposure to the sun, relaxing on the beach is always an option. Basking in the rays and working on your tan is what a lot of people do on holiday anyway, so why not make the most of your inability to be active and come back looking like a Greek God?

2. Theme Parks

Some amusement parks, particularly the likes of Disneyland Paris and Disneyworld Florida, are excellent at catering to the needs of disabled guests. These magical places understand that everyone has the right to enjoy a holiday and go out of their way to ensure that happens. Special rides and lines are designed for disabled users to experience – and are often given priority usage.

3. Freedom

It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling a little regimented in your daily life – whether you experience a medical condition or not. A holiday, regardless of whether it’s a struggle or not, gifts you the chance to gain some much-needed freedom and a sense of independence. Escaping from the world is one of the most enjoyable aspects of any vacation.

4. Most cities are accommodating.

We live in an age where disability is more accepted and catered to than ever before. As such, most European cities have ensured they accommodate to travellers with a medical condition. These disability-friendly cities include the likes of:

Berlin
Helsinki
Seattle
Amsterdam

You’ll find most major cities in the world are easily accessible by people suffering from a medical condition or who have a disability. Don’t feel you need to restrict yourself when choosing a location.

5. There can be health benefits

Naturally, there’s a lot of stress which walks hand-in-hand with having a medical condition. Having a holiday has been proven to a number of health benefits – with one of the most important being a decreased chance of heart disease. A change in environment often has its plus points, with the mental relief you’ll experience being one of them.

6. Why would it?

When you think about it logically, there’s no reason why having a medical condition would really mean you can’t enjoy a holiday. Sure, maybe you won’t be able to go skydiving – but unless you’re someone with a taste for the wild side of life you won’t be too restricted by having a condition when on vacation.

If you have a medical condition, it doesn’t mean you can’t still have a world of fun on your travels. Don’t let this stand in the way of enjoying your time away.

This post was contributed by supporters of Land of Marvels.

Travel Tips : What To Do when Traveling Sick

February 28, 2017

We’ve all been on flights next to someone sick or sick ourselves and I’ll tell you from experience, there isn’t much that’s more uncomfortable than flying sick. It’s miserable to put it bluntly. But if you have to get from point A to point B, there often isn’t much of an option. For me, there are 2 flights in particular that stand out in my memory when I had to fly sick. The first was our first trip to Iceland 4-ish years ago when I was so sick I had red rings around my eyes from my eyes constantly watering and was sneezing every other breath. The second was my most recent trip home from Stockholm. I felt flu-ish miserable and was going in and out of chills and sweats pretty much the whole ride home. Long story short, traveling while sick is miserable however you cut it but there are a few things you can do to make it a little bit easier. So if you’re in that position – try some of these ideas to ease the pain!

Upgrade if you can.

If you’re flying sick and have to take the flight, see if you can upgrade. On our way home from Stockholm, the idea of being stuck in Coach in a tiny seat was almost unbearable so we were able to pay to upgrade for our flight home. It’s always worth the money if you can and will make a miserable flight seem a little less miserable! You’ll be able to stretch out more and hopefully sleep if you’re more comfortable.

Always travel with DayQuil, NyQuil, and Immodium.

I never leave for a trip without liquid gels of DayQuil and NyQuil and a small container of Immodium. If you don’t have to use them, great. But if you do get sick while traveling, this saves you from having to find a pharmacy and dealing with everything in a foreign language. Just take your own emergency kit with these in it and you’ll be covered!

Drink tea and water.

No matter where you travel in the world, you’ll always have access to tea and water. These two drinks will get you through any kind of sickness even if you can’t keep anything else down. I always bring teabags with me of my favorite teas when I travel so that wherever you are, you can always just ask for hot water.

Don’t skimp on travel Kleenex.

I’ve had a few trips where I forget to pack enough travel packs of Kleenex and then get kind of panicky that I’m going to get sick and not have access to tissues. So now I double check before I travel and always carry more than I need in case of getting sick. The airline tissues are really rough and don’t hold up super well, so take your own just in case!

Get in a good mindset.

One of the best ways to make yourself a little less miserable when traveling sick is really just your mindset. I always figure that I’d be miserable at home in bed anyways, so it’s not much different to just lay on a plane for however long your flight is. Talk yourself into feeling a little better and it might just help!

My Go-To Hotels Around the World

February 27, 2017

As travelers we all have hubs around the world that end up stopping through now and then. It’s pretty inevitable that over the years you’ll rack up your own “go-to” hotels around the world in those hub cities or in places you frequent a lot. Sometimes it’s nice to just have a hotel you’re used to staying in and know what to expect when swinging through those familiar cities. So if you’re looking to find some “go-to” hotels for yourself in major cities around the world, these hotels have become my own go-to hotel around the world and I can’t recommend them highly enough!

London: The Ampersand

the Amerpersand Hotel London South Kensington

The neighborhood around The Ampersand.

We stop through London a lot as it’s such a hub for Europe, plus it’s an amazing city on its own as well. Our go-to in the British capital has become a hotel we really look forward to staying at. The Ampersand is a central location and easy to get to via Tube or Cab, it’s beautifully designed and our stay is always impeccable.

My Review

Paris: Le Notre Dame

The view from the rooms at Le Notre Dame.

We visit Paris at least once a year, as it’s one of our favorite places in the world. Over the years we’ve stayed at a lot of different places in Paris – some hotels, some AirBnB’s but in the end, I keep coming back to Le Notre Dame. The location can’t be beat – right on the RER line from the airport, across the street from Notre Dame and within walking distance to all the famous sites in the city. Plus, the views truly blow me away every single time.

My Review

Tokyo: Tokyo Station Hotel

The historic facade of the hotel.

After staying here for the first time this past Fall, I know it will become a mainstay for us as we fly through Asia. Tokyo is such a hub when traveling through Asia and the Tokyo Station Hotel is an amazing go-to hotel to add to the list. Right above Tokyo Station where the trains from the airports and other places in Japan arrive, the hotel is impeccably designed, has an amazing staff and has one of the best locations of any hotel anywhere.

My Review

Seattle: The Thompson

The views from the rooms out over Seattle and Puget Sound.

We spend a decent amount of time in Seattle between work and pleasure and with the city becoming a major hub on the West Coast, we’ve stayed at the lot of hotels there over the years. But perhaps my favorite was a stay at The Thompson last Summer after they opened and it’s become a favorite. From floor to ceiling windows, a great location and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of Seattle – what’s not to love?

My Review

Reykjavik: Radisson Blu 1919

The neighborhood around the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel.

It’s no secret here on Land of Marvels that Nick and I have a deep love affair with Iceland and since Iceland Air flies direct from Portland we find ourselves in Iceland or traveling through quite often. We’ve tried other hotels in and around Reykjavik but we keep coming back to the Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel. The location is fantastic, the design “oh so Scandinavian” and it really is the best bang for your buck that you can get in Iceland’s famous city.

My Review

Sydney: Four Seasons

The views out from the rooms of the 4 Seasons Sydney.

If you’re heading anywhere in Oceania, chances are you’ll be flying through Sydney. While we’ve only stayed here once, I would choose to stay here for any subsequent trips simply for the amazing views this hotel offers of the Sydney Opera House and it’s great waterfront location. Plus it’s right off the train from the airport and the service is amazing.

My Review

New Delhi: Trident Gurgaon

The pool and grounds of the Trident Gurgaon.

If you’re traveling anywhere through Asia, chances are you might be heading through New Delhi. And if you’re traveling through New Delhi, the Trident Gurgaon outside the city is a true gem for your list. It’s peaceful in a country that is often overwhelming to outsiders, has gorgeous grounds and holds up to the famous service standard of it’s parent company, The Oberoi Hotels. It’s also really close to the airport so you don’t have to sit in endless traffic and is designed impeccably.

My Review

How to Dream Bigger This Year

February 24, 2017

One thing I hear a lot is that people want to travel and they want to chase dreams, but they don’t know where to start and how to get going. As a major dreamer myself, I know the feeling. A lot of the things in my life started out as just dreams, like my lifestyle of frequent travel or owning my own design business, and I was able to transform them into realities.

Sometimes we have all these ideas, all these dreams in our heads but it’s hard to put pencil to paper so to speak. Sometimes it’s hard to make them a reality whatever it may be. So this year, let’s make it the year of chasing dreams, whether it’s more travel in your life or something else – here’s what I would suggest for how to dream bigger this year and how to make those dreams come true!

Set goals.

The first step of making those dreams a reality is to set realistic goals for yourself. As someone who constantly has a million ideas floating around in my head, it’s important to remember to set realistic ideas for what might happen with each of those dreams. Write them out if you have to, but find a way to realistically work toward goals that will actually produce results.

Don’t worry about peoples’ opinions.

One of the things that I know many people struggle with is worrying about what other people might think if you pursue a dream they might not understand. At some point, we have to learn to let go of what other people might think and pursue it anyways. If something is important to you and you go after it, people will not always understand but you’ll be glad you ignored public opinions in the end. What you believe and know you can do is the most important thing to stick to.

Follow your heart.

This is the one thing in my life I always come back to and ask myself: am I following my heart? Listen to your head too, but your heart, it will always lead you in the right direction.

Break the cycle.

Often times, we get in our routines and we go and go and nothing really moves forward because we either don’t have the time to pursue it or it gets lost along the way. We have to be able to break that cycle in order to pursue our dreams and keep dreaming – otherwise, what’s the point right?

Just go for it.

Sometimes the hardest thing is just going for it. Whether that’s just hitting the “book” button on that trip you’ve wanted to go on for years or quitting a job you hate, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. So if those dreams are worthwhile and you know you can move forward realistically – just go for it and don’t look back!

How Travel Can Change the World

February 23, 2017

No matter what side of the political aisle you fall under these days or what age group you fit into, no matter woman, man, gay, straight, Christian, Muslim, Jew – no matter what you subscribe to or group you fit into, I think we can all agree that our world is kind of a mess right now. People kill each other over things they don’t understand, kids grow up in homes that teach hate instead of love, people are targeted simply for the color of their skin or who they choose to love. Humanity is at a breaking point and I’m pretty sure all of us would agree that most of the above are not how we want to leave the world for future generations.

We spend so much of our time fighting left vs. right, good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, that sometimes we forget to take a step back and see each other for who we are: human beings living on this planet together. We don’t have another planet to escape to if we ruin this one, we don’t have endless land to conquer when we destroy our countries to start over again. We have one life on this Earth to be thoughtful and decent and hardworking and honest. We have one life to help each other, to reach out when others are in need. We have one life to leave a lasting impact and to teach the next generations to learn from our mistakes. We have one life to simply be the best we can be but we have to understand each other, we have to accept knowledge over ignorance, we have to accept differences over fighting. We have to open our hearts and our minds and we have to do it willingly. We have to acknowledge we’ll never know everything about someone else, but we can have empathy for what they go through. We have to acknowledge that the world is huge and tiny at the same time and the only thing that might save us is by seeing the world for ourselves, to learn and seek and diversify our minds. If we let it, travel can change the world.

I can’t tell you the lessons travel has taught me, lessons upon lessons that I never would have learned any other way. Travel will open your minds without you even knowing, it will open your eyes to millions of things and people and places you never even knew existed. Travel will teach and embrace you. It shows us our commonalities outweigh our differences. Travel shows us a side of our planet that is different, yet so very much the same as the place we’re from. As the quote goes, “I’m not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” So are we not the same after we open ourselves to travel.

Travel has brought a dimension to my life that I’ll never stop being grateful for and it’s something I’ll spend my life promoting because it’s travel that has the hope to change the world if we let it, travel that can bring us together when we’re so divided. So if you’re looking for a way to make a change in your life or you’re wondering how to educate yourself further on world issues or you’re trying to understand someone else’s viewpoint? Book a ticket somewhere meaningful. Go see the history at Machu Picchu or wander tiny villages in Italy or stand under the Eiffel Tower at sunset or wander the markets in India. Go pray in Bali or see incredible landscapes in Iceland or have mint tea with Moroccans. There is no place on this Earth that you can’t travel to that won’t teach you something or that you’ll come back feeling changed if you open yourself up to the lessons the place will impart. And that’s not to say you can’t travel within your own country too – go see how the West Coast of the US is different than the East Coast, road trip through the Heartland, visit the American SW or the mountains of Montana. Travel doesn’t have to mean going far – it only has to mean being open minded to whatever you may encounter along the way.

And so in a world divided, in a nation on the brink of chaos, let’s open our minds and hearts, let’s forget our differences just for now and let’s just go see the world.

5 Top Destinations for Spring Travel

February 21, 2017

I know everyone is looking at the calendar this time of year and wishing Spring would hurry up and arrive after months and months of cold Winter weather. And as Spring approaches, it’s always one of my favorite times of year to get out and travel – the weather is mild, the crowds thinner and destinations usually cheaper as they gear up to their peak travel season in the Summer. We take a week long trip every Spring and it’s ended up being some of my favorite destinations as Spring usually looks pretty good on most places, but some it’s even more essential to travel to during this time of year. So if you’re looking for an escape in the next couple months, here my 5 top destinations for Spring Travel!

1. London

London is gorgeous any time of the year but it’s especially lovely in the Spring! The temps are rising and the flowers are blooming in the many city parks throughout London making it a beautiful time of year to visit. Londoners always have a little bit more a spring in their step this time of year (pun intended) after a long rainy Winter and the city is clean and new again!

2. Northern Arizona + Antelope Canyon

Looking for a US destination for Spring travel? Northern Arizona and specifically Antelope Canyon are fantastic in the Spring. The crowds get heavy in this area during the Summer due to families traveling when kids are out of school, plus it gets obnoxiously hot in the Summer – so escape now for cooler temps and way less crowds!

3. New Zealand

New Zealand is gorgeous always, but especially in the Spring as lupins are blooming around lakes and the mountains are still snow capped. But remember their Spring is when the rest of the world is going through Fall – we went in November and it was perfect timing to hit New Zealand during their Spring.

4. India

Most of India gets extremely hot and humid from the Summer on so take advantage of amazing mild weather in the early Spring. February is always a high season for India since it’s the best weather of the year and I have to agree. Our trip there in February brought amazing temps and still not huge crowds. Plus everything is in bloom and it’s gorgeous!

5. Morocco

Another destination that suffers from extreme heat for much of the year, Spring is an amazing time to escape to the souks of Morocco. The days will be warm but not unbearable and the nights will be cool and comfortable. Plus everything is more enjoyable sitting on terraces sipping mint tea or weaving through the mazes of the souks when it’s not 100 degrees outside, right?

BONUS DESTINATION – Spain

And for a 6th bonus destination, Spain is incredible year round but so so lovely in the Spring. Weave your way through the labyrinth of Sevilla’s old town or eat tapas outside in Barcelona and enjoy the thinner crowds and less craziness this time of year!

Everything You Need to Know for a Visit to Stockholm

February 20, 2017

I fell head over heels in love with Stockholm and I know it won’t be my only visit to this amazing city. So you think you want to visit Stockholm too? Well here’s everything you need to know for a visit to Stockholm of your very own so you’re prepared when you get there!

Dress appropriately for the season.

The weather in Sweden is no joke and since we visited in the middle of the Winter, it was cold! Granted, we’ve had an abnormally cold Winter here at home in Portland so we were a little more prepared for it, but while temperatures hovered in the low 30’s while we were there, the wind made it feel so much colder. It’s also way colder near the water, so dress appropriately. In the Winter, that means a big jacket (preferably lined with faux fur), a big scarf and a hat or ear muffs to keep your ears warm! Oh and don’t forget gloves!

Swedes wear all black or neutral colors.

When I was packing for our trip, I was thinking about bringing a new Winter coat I bought that’s white. But after doing some research, I realized that the Swedes are known for wearing dark neutral colors and instead, switched it up and brought my dark navy faux fur-lined Winter coat and I’m so glad I did. We fit right in and even got mistaken for locals! If you’re dressed in bright colors, you’ll definitely stand out!

Take the Arlanda Express into Stockholm.

There is an amazing train from the Arlanda airport to the city center. Once you leave the airport, jump on the Arlanda Express and head into the city, where it will drop you off at Central Station in Stockholm. The train was beautifully designed, clean and so efficient with a total travel time of 20 minutes. It is a little expensive, but so worth it for the quick time into Stockholm!

Stockholm isn’t as expensive as you think.

After visiting Copenhagen a few years ago and being a little shell shocked at how expensive it was, I was bracing myself for this in Stockholm as well. Turns out, Stockholm wasn’t nearly as expensive as Copenhagen and we didn’t think it was that much overpriced from big cities like London and Paris.

Fika – do it, everyday.

Fika is a local tradition of taking time out of your day to just unwind over a cup of coffee or a special bakery treat. The locals will take this seriously so embrace it while there! Whether it’s chatting with someone you love over a kanelbulle (cinnamon bun) or just chatting over some tea or coffee, it’s a time to just take a break from life. And we fully embraced Fika while in Stockholm!

Everything is impeccably designed.

We kept remarking as we wandered around looking in shops and restaurants – everything is impeccably designed in Stockholm. Even small side restaurants are gorgeous and the design really blew us away everywhere we went!

Everyone speaks amazing English.

I have found this all over Scandinavia, but this part of Europe has people that speak amazing English. Don’t worry about not knowing the local language, you’ll be able to get along fine in English, but it is nice to know hello and thank you in Swedish!

Traveling to Sweden?

See all of my posts on the country!

Blue Skies + Famous Pastries : Monday Morning in Norrmalm

February 17, 2017

Our last day in Stockholm started with me waking up feeling horrible. I hadn’t been feeling amazing the day before either, but was well enough to power through. And on top of that, we only had about 4 hours in Stockholm that final morning before we needed to catch our train back to the airport. Originally we had planned on taking full advantage of that to explore, waking up early and heading out. But when I woke up feeling really sick, we changed plans – opting instead for sleeping in a little longer and then just walking the short distance from our hotel at the Sheraton Stockholm to Vete Katten, a well known pastry shop I had read about.

Once we got out and about, it ended up being a beautiful blue sky day (though still freezing cold) and we took in as much as we could on our way to Vete Katten, taking in more of the Norrmalm area of Stockholm which includes the gorgeous Central Train Station. I can’t wait to get back to Stockholm and see more of the city because even in our really short time, everything we saw, we loved! Next time we’ll stay longer and hopefully I won’t get sick!