JetBlue Blog

Spring Break means something different for everyone, but for me it means finding somewhere that’s peaceful and quiet.

If you are looking for a spring break to help relax and release your mind from your daily stresses, you’ll want to avoid the college scene. So many students travel at this time of year, and if you really want a relaxing time away, you’ll want to avoid the typical “Spring Break” spots. Often, off-the-beaten-path locations or resorts at a slightly higher price point will offer a more mature crowd. Also, quaint destinations and smaller cities with fewer hotel choices may be a better option if you are looking for a calm and serene setting.

Spring is not the time to visit hot spots, especially destinations like Cancun or Punta Cana, unless you prefer the party atmosphere. Remote destinations provide great storytelling opportunities upon your return home. I love telling people about places they haven’t heard of before and sharing my unique experiences.

Beyond researching your ideal destination, you’ll want to seek out a great travel companion, too. I always look for someone who is energetic and willing to try something new at the drop of a hat. Others may prefer a traveler who is more low-key. As long as your energy levels match, you’ll have a great time. Whether it’s a friend, spouse or co-worker, a travel partner who is easygoing and goes with the flow will make your vacation experience that much better.

Pack sunblock, a swimsuit, sunglasses and towel in your carry-on so you can make a quick escape to the beach when you arrive at your destination. And pack knowledge of your destination–especially if you are visiting a foreign country, as you’ll want to be aware of its history and present conditions, political and cultural, so you can enjoy the environment safely and fully.

If you are looking for a really “hot” Spring Break destination with a party and singles scene, these suggestions may not be right for you. But if you are more in need of a relaxing, refreshing getaway, here are a few recommendations for a fun, active spring getaway:

Delray Beach, Florida
I absolutely love the quaint feel of a beach town, especially one that offers great shopping and restaurants too, and Delray has it all. Whether shopping for new bathing suits or soaking up some sun and enjoying the white sandy beaches, there is plenty in Delray to keep you busy or quiet spots to relax and do nothing at all. On a recent trip there, I enjoyed an amazing, memorable late night meal at the Dada restaurant . It was the best late night spot I’ve ever experienced! Most times you have to settle for breakfast or greasy food, but Dada offered an eclectic menu and beautiful setting in a historic house. You can even rock on a porch swing with your significant other. There was live music and, for the price, the quality of the food couldn’t be beat.

Samaná, Dominican Republic
If you are seeking adventure, you can enjoy a horseback ride through the rainforest, explore ancient caves or go whale watching. If you want to just kick back, visit its beautiful white beaches.

Cartagena, Colombia
If you want the city life and the Caribbean all in one dose, then Cartagena is the spot for you. Located on Colombia’s northern coast, Cartagena boasts a lively urban scene in a beautiful setting. . Interested in pirate history? Cartagena was a hot spot for real-life pirates of the Caribbean, not just the Hollywood variety. It’s a great place for sightseeing with its varied architecture, including Italian, French and Spanish Colonial style buildings.

Medellín, Colombia 
Another great Colombian destination, Medellín is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America. If you are looking for an adventure, try your hand at tejo, the national sport. Referred to as lawn bowling, tejo is a favorite local pastime that elicits laughter and smiles from players and fans alike. The Medellín MetroCable offers breathtaking views and was named a top transport system in the world by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) in 2012. It’s a great, affordable way to take in a scenic journey. There are so many wonderful places to explore in Medellín, such as the Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe, which contain hundreds of species of plants and trees and a beautiful lake. The Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe Uribe, meaning the palace of culture, is a famous national monument that hosts concerts and art exhibitions.

Liberia, Costa Rica
If you are looking for white sand beaches and turquoise waters, look no farther than Liberia, Costa Rica. Here you’ll explore an authentic Costa Rican town where you can sip on jugo de caña, sugar cane juice, and admire the Ciudad Blanca, the White City, filled with white houses. You can visit rain forests located just outside of the city or pristine beaches. Upon adventuring outside of the town, don’t be surprised if you look up and see howler monkeys, more commonly known as congos. They actively swing from limb to limb in the treetops. One more tidbit, don’t be upset if bird droppings hit your head. Supposedly, it represents good luck!

I hope you have a wonderful spring trip, no matter where you travel! For more vacation recommendations, follow my travels on Twitter (@Wingwoman_Tracy) and share your favorite spring destinations.

Check out Tracy’s column on Huffington Post Travel
Read Tracy’s previous columns
Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, I decided to draw some vacation inspiration from the luck of the Irish and explore Ireland for the first time. As a JetBlue flight attendant, I am fortunate to have the freedom to travel often. For this trip I wanted to tour a new destination that felt far away, but was possible to explore over a long weekend. Ireland perfectly fit the bill!

Who knew a trip to Ireland could be so easy? JetBlue’s partnership with Aer Lingus makes travel to Dublin, Shannon and an array of other destinations across Europe fast and convenient. You can fly to Ireland or beyond through JetBlue’s gateway cities, New York, Boston or Orlando, and your checked bags will automatically transfer through to your final destination. I opted to fly through the night so I could sleep on the plane. When I arrived in Dublin, it was time to start my day and embark on my wonderful Ireland adventure.

I always imagine what a new place will be like before I arrive, and Ireland was exactly what I had envisioned and hoped for. It was so beautifully green, and of course rainy and foggy too. I packed an array of outfits but in the end I only needed a rain jacket and my Wellies. Despite — or maybe even because of — the gloomy Irish weather, which only added to the old-world charm and romanticism, I had a wonderful trip.

After arriving in Dublin, I rented a car to drive the Giant’s Causeway to Northern Ireland. The journey wound through many little coastal towns with beautiful seaside cottages. At points it was so foggy I couldn’t take pictures of the scenic villages, and I’ll have to keep them only in my memory. But the fog made the little villages feel even more remote and quaint.

Next I visited Belfast, trading small villages for a large city. While there, my favorite sightseeing outing was visiting the authentic Titanic landmark. The Titanic was built in Belfast and the museumtakes you through the building of the great ship and its unfortunate history.

After Belfast, I made a trip to Larne, a famous coastal area. From there, I passed through more picturesque seaside villages and journeyed to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Ballintoy. The bridge, an historic landmark run by the National Trust, is positioned at a high altitude and offers amazing views. While I loved the adventure of walking across the bridge, other visitors wouldn’t cross due to their fear of heights. Even if you just gaze up at the wonderful creation, it’s a must-see destination.

Later, I visited Dunluce Castle, the remnants of a medieval castle. I was completely swept up in the history and romanticism of the castle and captured the most beautiful photographs. The scenery is so majestic and dramatic it turns even an amateur shutterbug’s photos into professional-quality shots.

Then it was back down through the countryside, balancing the sea views from the first leg of the trip with beautiful green rolling hills. Many colorfully-dyed sheep populate the countryside. Their wooly bodies of pink and blue pop against the deep green background and create a gorgeous, colorful vista.

I also had a chance to visit the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, the city of Derry and the village of Bushmills and its whiskey distillery. Considering I arrived on Friday morning and departed on Monday, I truly cannot believe all the amazing places I was able to cover in such a short visit. Ireland truly is a navigable and magical place.

Visiting the building site of the Titanic, crossing the exhilarating Rope Bridge and basking in the romance of the Dunluce Castle were by far the highlights of my trip. The beauty of the landscape is awe-inspiring and, with so many historical places to see, Ireland is a trip you won’t soon forget.

Remember when you travel to Ireland to train your brain to drive on the left side of the road. I absolutely recommend renting a car, but driving on the opposite side of the road definitely throws you for a loop at first. Also, a GPS is a must! With so many roundabouts, a GPS comes in very handy. You can get one at the local car rental facility.

The trip wouldn’t have been complete without learning about those mystical creatures, the leprechauns. Also known as the “wee folk,” leprechauns are relayed as being both friendly and cranky and enjoy good-natured trickery from time to time. Supposedly, if one of these mystical little beings befriends you, you’ll have a friend for life.

As you prepare for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities, remember that no Irish celebration is complete without music, singing and dancing. Sláinte!

Check out Tracy’s slideshow with images from her trip on Huffington Post
Read Tracy’s previous columns
Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

I am more of a water skier than a snow-bunny and tend to gravitate toward sunny beaches rather than snowcapped peaks, but I always love exploring new travel destinations and adventures. Winter offers so many wonderful seasonal activities from outdoor sports to cozy fireside chats and a wide range of destination and vacation options. Whether you are an avid skier or simply looking for the après-ski lifestyle, there is a perfect winter escape out there for you.

With the snow piling up and the temperatures dropping, here are a few winter wonderlands for any type of traveler:

1. Lake Tahoe is a great winter escape. The Lake Tahoe Ritz-Carlton is the height of luxury. With individual fireplaces in each room and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over amazing mountain views, it truly feels like you are staying in a castle.  The beautiful bedrooms help you relax and make you linger in your room a little bit longer before hitting the slopes.

Lake Tahoe is a popular ski destination, but there is so much more to try, too. You can take a snowmobile tour, ice skate or cross-country ski. On a walk by the lake, I felt like I was at the center of the world surrounded by nature with snowcapped peaks in the distance and the crystal-clear water that felt more familiar to me than the Caribbean blue I love on warm weather vacations. It was so serene and isolated and completely peaceful and refreshing.

The local town of Truckee offers more than just skiing with its cute little shops and cozy restaurants. And, if you just want to lounge at the resort instead of venturing out, there are fire pits at the Lake Tahoe Ritz where you can enjoy S’mores and hot chocolates fireside.  The hotel also offers a marshmology class where you can learn the history of the S’more, and then you try your hand at sculpting and eating the perfect treat.  It’s a great activity for kids and adults alike.

2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is another breathtaking winter destination. The award-winning Amangani resort located outside the Grand Teton National Park is a short drive to Jackson, and is a magnificent place to stay. Amangani means “peaceful home.” Aman is Sanskrit for “peaceful.” and gani is the Native American Shoshone word for “home.” The resort truly lives up to its name. Peak skiing season runs from December through March and offers challenging slopes for the more adventurous skiers. If you prefer to stay off the trails, there’s a heated outdoor swimming pool with majestic, panoramic views. You can even catch the sunset from the whirlpool — my personal favorite spot.

Amangani offers complimentary transfers to the alpine Teton Village, where you will find the après-ski lifestyle and a private ski-in and ski-out lounge. The lounge offers ski lessons, a beautiful meeting place and serves up snacks and hot beverages best enjoyed after an eventful day on the slopes.

Amangani also offers horse-drawn sleigh rides. Rides are offered throughout the day from lunch to cocktail and dinner hours and throughout the evening.  After an arduous day of skiing, tuck in the kids and head out for a moonlight sleigh ride with your paramour. It’s a breathtaking experience as the moonlight’s reflection glitters in the snow.

Winter sports not your cup of tea?

If adventure on the slopes is not for you, why not pursue another winter escape that will challenge you both physically and spiritually and reboot your healthy choices in the New Year? Health resorts that focus on your mental and physical well-being are a great way to enjoy winter activities and commit to a new year, new you.

One of my favorite spots is Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. A great destination for couples, friends or solo travelers, Canyon Ranch offers a different kind of winter escape where you can take care of your outer and inner self. From cross-country skiing that lets you soak in the beautiful wintry landscape to hikes, and tai chi walks in the crisp air, Canyon Ranch will invigorate you after a dessert-filled holiday season. With delicious, nutritious food and cooking classes, health lectures, yoga options and spa services, you can cater to your whole self. Instead of reading a self-help book indoors, why not get out and live it at a destination retreat?

No matter where you end up, you can craft a perfect winter’s day, whatever that may be for you. My ideal winter vacation begins when I wake up and go to a local coffee shop for a steaming morning brew and rub elbows with the locals. Whenever I travel, I try to mix and mingle with residents to find out about the best-kept local secrets and hot spots. It’s a wonderful way to visit unique places that you cannot find in travel guides.

After my coffee, I try to squeeze in a workout, whether a class offered through the resort, an outdoor activity or just hitting the hotel treadmill. Then I treat myself to a breakfast with lots of protein and carbs to get myself energized for the exciting day ahead. I always try to take advantage of spa services from massages to facials. They are a great treat and a wonderful way to relax after an active winter’s day. Many resorts have libraries too, where you can rest and rejuvenate with a great book curled up by the fire, another one of my favorite activities.

Keep in mind that most winter resorts offer so much more than skiing. From snowmobiling to ice fishing, dog sledding, or tubing and sledding, for those who are not avid skiers there are still active, fun winter activities to explore.

I enjoy staying at winter resorts that offer individual fireplaces in each room and terraces where you can take in views of snowcapped peaks. As a flight attendant, I see a thousand or more people a day sometimes, and these winter hideaways offer a great private sanctuary to relax and renew. I have yet to meet a marble bathtub that I do not like, and after a day of skiing or snowboarding, it’s such a treat to soak in a beautiful bath.

I always take something home with me after a great trip to remind myself of the wonderful memories I made there. Whether it is a souvenir I bought at a little shop, something from nature I found during a hike or beautiful snapshots I took of my adventures, I love having something tangible from each unique trip.

So, get out in the cold this season and explore some new adventures!

Follow me on Twitter (@Wingwoman_Tracy) and share your favorite winter escapes.

Check out Tracy’s slideshow on Huffington Post Travel

Read Tracy’s previous columns
Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

In one short week, when confetti paper and “Auld Lang Syne” fill the air at the stroke of midnight, it will once again be time to welcome a new year and make more life resolutions. Together, let’s vow to make 2013 your best travel year yet! Here are some my personal favorite memories and highlights from the last 12 months and my New Year’s travel resolutions and tips.

Bon Voyage 2012

I am always nostalgic when I remember my trips to France, and a visit this past August with my daughter ranks as one of my best 2012 travel memories. France always brings a smile to my face and relaxation to my body; I get such a sense of calm when I visit European countries. We had the most wonderful time walking around Paris, enjoying the city lights, sipping coffee at the little cafes and shopping on the fantastic Champs-Élysées.

Though we visited Paris on this last trip, I love all that France has to offer from its cities to wine country and views of the Mediterranean. Then there’s the history! Versailles is one of my all-time favorite places. France truly has anything you could ask for from a vacation, whether it’s luxury, historic sites or simply lounging by the Seine. I love the relaxing French atmosphere and am happy to spend a day just sharing with fine company a bottle of wine with some cheese and a baguette along the Seine.

New Adventures

While Paris was my favorite 2012 destination, I loved so many of my travel destinations and activities, especially the new adventures I embarked on this year. I had the pleasure of horseback riding on the beach in Turks and Caicos, hiking New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock, renting a ski house with nine girlfriends at Massanutten Resort in Virginia and zip-lining for the first time, visiting The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia where 22 presidents have stayed, and where I learned to skeet shoot and ballroom dance. My travel adventures have become memories that will remain with me for a lifetime. I would never have tried these amazing activities at home, and that’s what I love about traveling. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and into new adventures.
New Year’s Travel Resolutions

My number one New Year’s travel resolution for 2013 is to just travel, travel, travel! I want to keep my travel bug ignited and continue to get out and try new things. Challenge yourself on your excursions and try a new hobby you would normally not do at home.

I also resolve to take more travel photos. When you undertake a new experience or adventure, you want to make sure to capture the memorable moment. Travel photos are a wonderful way to treasure memories and remind yourself of your brave, fun-loving side. They are a great pick-me-up if you ever feel blue or bored; a snapshot of a time when you pushed yourself, discovered or experienced wonder at something new.

To stick to my 2013 travel resolution, I will plan some of my year’s travel ahead of time, but also remain open to new opportunities. It’s important to keep some travel spontaneity in your life! As a family, we plan one vacation together each year, and although we may return to the same destination, I always look for a new site to visit or activity to try.

Groupon and LivingSocial offer great travel deals and ideas for new activities and places to visit and stay. JetBlue Getaways is another great tool for all-in deals, activities and ideas for some beautiful destinations. Personal recommendations from friends and family remain wonderful resources to find new places and travel ideas. Even with all the great travel technology we have today, firsthand experience still serves up the best advice.

My other travel resolutions are:

• Healthy eating and living while on the road. I must admit I have been on somewhat of a health kick lately and now realize even more how important it is to eat and live healthfully. I have a clearer mind, a better mood and overall I feel better about myself, which leads to more confidence and a general sense of well-being. I resolve to take the stairs or visit the gym at the hotel, or take a walk or run at my destination. More and more hotels are starting to provide running, walking or hiking tours and guides for the active traveler. Making time for exercise while on the road pays off in many ways—I sleep better and have more energy on my travels.
• Lend a helping hand. With today’s technology people are more efficient than ever before, but that shouldn’t stop us from offering a helping hand in-person. I resolve to reach out on the plane or in the airport to someone who may need an extra hand. It’s a great feeling to help others and know that you made their day a little easier.
• Volunteer where I travel. I love to volunteer and take along a family member, friend or colleague. It is a great way to make lifetime memories and help those in need. Research volunteer opportunities at your destination before you travel. Google, your company or local government agencies are wonderful resources for scouting volunteer opportunities.
  

My new destination for 2013? I hope to travel to Vieques, an island off San Juan, Puerto Rico. At night, the water glows with movement, and you can take a boat out and see the waves light up all around you.

So, why wait? Follow my travels on Twitter (@Wingwoman_Tracy) and share your own favorite travel memories from 2012 and your 2013 travel resolutions.

Check out Tracy’s slideshow on Huffington Post Travel

Read Tracy’s previous columns
Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

From family traditions to homemade treats, decorations and presents, the holiday season — though often cold outside — in many ways truly warms the heart and spirit. Unfortunately, many people check their cheers of good tidings when they arrive at the airport. Long lines, crowded planes and tired families can add up to a travel headache, and the holiday spirit is often the first to go when faced with delays and travel snafus. Although travel can be stressful, there are so many wonderful conveniences, technologies and thoughtful travelers that can make any trip, even one during the busiest travel season, smooth and easy.

During this time of thanks, it’s helpful to remember what you are thankful for while traveling, and the holiday season also reminds me of the importance of kindness and thoughtful gestures. Good customer service with a smile can instantly alleviate most stressful situations. I always try to project a pleasant and helpful attitude during my work, because as a consumer I truly appreciate it and know the huge difference it makes. A small action can have a disproportionately large impact. Helping elderly passengers struggling with bags or randomly treating someone behind you in line to coffee. These small gestures and pleasant surprises can instantly transform someone’s day and remind them of the true spirit of the season.

I try to remember to appreciate the small things too: space in the overhead bin when I get to my seat, timely information — even if it may not be the news I want to hear, I appreciate knowing how long the delay will last rather than be left guessing–early arrivals and, most importantly, safe arrivals.

Next, I am appreciative of the amenities at the airports. Airports have so much to offer now; you could truly spend a pleasant evening — have a date even! — in some of the newly updated airports across the U.S. From fine dining to concerts to wonderful shopping centers, airports offer a wide array of pleasant ways to pass the time if your trip is taking longer than you hoped. The shops in the terminals can alleviate holiday stress too. If you need a last-minute present, pick something up at an airport store, and you won’t even need to pack it. JetBlue’s own Terminal 5 in New York is a perfect hub for all of these amenities.

In addition, there are so many travel technologies that I am grateful for both during my work and leisure time. Technology not only allows us to cross the country in just a few short hours to visit loved ones and friends during the holidays; it also helps us to travel smarter.

I am thankful for travel apps that make my travel simpler and more leisurely. Different apps can help you secure the best plane seat or allow you to navigate unfamiliar cities and back roads. Technology gives anyone with a smartphone access to travel tools, tips and tricks that make traveling easier than ever before.

Some of my favorite travel apps include:

• Seatguru: Find the best seat in the house (or on the plane in this case). Seatguru shows you the location of power outlets, emergency exits, overhead bulkheads, narrow seats, etc. It helps you find what you want or avoid what you don’t want all before you board the plane.
• TripAdvisor: Provides great reviews customer reviews on hotels, restaurants and local attractions.
• Weather Channel: Great tool to know exactly what to pack!
• Google Maps: Never get lost again with these maps at your fingertips.
• TripIt: Plug in all your travel details — flight schedule, hotel, rental car reservation — and TripIt will gather all the information and produce a travel itinerary for you. It breaks up all your info into easily digestible components and will even update your information if your flight schedule changes! It’s also a form of social networking where you can follow family members or colleagues and remain up-to-date on their travel schedule and progress.

Tech gadgets also help make the travel waiting game more enjoyable. Lightweight, compact devices may be small and easily packable, but they carry a boredom-breaking punch. Every time I pull out my Kindle to read, I am thankful for the hours of entertainment at my fingertips. Bose headphones can also be a lifesaver on long travels. Not only do they allow me to relax to my favorite music, they also provide a bit of mental space, which is especially important when traveling near an excited family or loud cellphone talker.

Then there are higher-end gadgets that bring the luxuries of home on the road with you. Personal Wi-Fi devices allow travelers to remain connected, faster and easier, while on the road. AirPort Express from Apple is a great tool if you want to bring the ease and speed of your home Internet to the airport or to your hotel.

And, your favorite show or sports game can follow you on the road too. Slingbox enables you to tune into your home cable or DVR over the Internet and watch on your smartphone, computer or iPad. You’ll never have to miss that big game again, and if you are traveling with kids, you can keep them entertained during waits and delays.

As a professional and a fellow traveler, I see some people handle travel stress with grace and those who sometimes need a helping hand and to take a deep breath. Here are a few tips and my favorite resources to help you remain calm and kind when dealing with crowds and busy airports this holiday season.

• Your most important carry-on item: When you are making your travel checklist this holiday season, don’t forget to bring your patience to the airport. Arrive at the airport prepared with your boarding pass printed out or pulled up on your smart phone, ready to be scanned. Also have your ID or passport handy, your gadgets charged and a healthy dose of patience; all of which will help you face a crowded airport.
• Take a breath: If your patience is running low, take a deep breath and count to 10. It’s a good rule of thumb and helps you take an extra moment to remember the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated (even during stressful holiday travel).
• Refreshments: A small amenity bag packed with toothbrush, toothpaste and face wipes can keep you refreshed and in good spirits when faced with travel delays. A delicious snack can sustain your mood and ward off hunger and crankiness too.
• Remember, it’s the holidays: Take a moment to enjoy the holiday travel perks too! Many companies extend small extras to help alleviate holiday stress. JetBlue offers holiday snacks and concerts to celebrate the season. Take a moment to enjoy these treats.
• Enjoy the view: Take a look at the view while you are up in the air. You may catch a full moon or a beautiful view of the sunset or holiday lights twinkling below.

For more travel tips or to share your favorite destinations and insider knowledge, follow me on Twitter @Wingwoman_Tracy.

Check out Tracy’s slideshow on Huffington Post Travel

Read Tracy’s previous columns: Kiss Summer Goodbye With These Fall-tastic Travel Ideas, The Wind Beneath Your Wings: Giving Lift To Your Perfect Summer Trip, Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots and How A Kiwi Led To My Biggest Airport Snafu

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

Earlier this month, I spent a lovely weekend in Washington’s wine country, and the beauty of the harvest season reminded me why vineyard visits are one of my all-time favorite fall activities.

Each wine region offers its own unique charms, beautiful scenery and delicious varieties of wine. Though I do have favorite Virginia vineyards near my hometown, I love traveling to Napa and Sonoma in California’s wine country, and to Washington state as well. What could be better than delicious wines — California happens to produce my favorite! — the beautiful vineyard landscape and indulging so many of your senses all at once as you taste perfectly crafted wines. Your eyes take in the whites and reds swirling in your glass; your nose enjoys the delicious notes coming off the wine; and then your mouth enjoys the best part, those satisfying, delicious sips! It’s a great way to pass a cool, crisp fall day with friends or family.

I first visited California’s wine country after a weekend wedding in Tahoe. I decided to take a side trip to Napa and Sonoma before returning home. I was immediately struck by the rolling hills covered with vineyards for as far as the eye could see. Vineyards zipped past my car window as I drove: an endless sea of beautiful landscape!

I fell in love with California wines and the beautiful l countryside after that first visit. I knew I needed to go back to experience more, and next time I brought along 13 friends. We met at a friend’s house nearby and brought a potluck breakfast for a bite before we set out for the day. After our bagels and pastries, we were ready to tackle all that wine country had to offer. A limo picked us up and we piled inside — 12 of us in the back and one friend up front with the driver. We visited four wineries throughout the day. At our third stop, we shared a homemade picnic lunch of delicious snacks, salads and fruit. We returned home in the early evening, having enjoyed a day full of friendship, laughter, delicious homemade food and a variety of local wines. All in all, the outing cost us $35 per person, including the limo!

Read more…

Join me as I take you on a virtual tour of the east coast from the south to the north, to check out my favorite fall foliage spots along the way!

Fall is a beautiful time to visit many points along the east coast and experience autumn’s crisp air, vibrant colors and crystal-clear blue skies. Fall foliage shows off its dazzling colors in the Carolinas and Virginia in mid-September, spreading its infectious hues north throughout September and peaking by mid-October in New England. Since New England is populated with birches and maples, whereas the south has more oak trees, the northern colors tend to be more vibrant with fiery yellows, reds and oranges. No matter where you travel this fall, you are assured gorgeous foliage.

North Carolina is one of my favorite places for great leaf peeping. The famous Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, is a wonderful place to enjoy all that the fall has to offer. The Inn, situated close to Brevard County known as “Land of the Waterfalls,” allows you to bask near beautiful waterfalls and colorful forest scenery. With an airport located in nearby Asheville, the Inn on Biltmore Estate and Brevard County are accessible and convenient weekend jaunts for many.

Next we hit Virginia as we continue our leaf-peeping adventure! Skyline Drive runs through the Shenandoah Valley and along the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 105 miles of scenic roadway offer 75 stunning panoramic views — just gorgeous throughout October. I highly recommend spending an evening or two at the Inn at Willow Grove, where luxury meets the country! Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Orange County, VA, this Inn combines my ultimate travel desires: Being close to natural beauty and immersed in history! From the Inn, you can take a short trip to visit the home of James Madison just a few miles away.

As we continue north to New England, I recommend driving on the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire for stunning foliage views. The “Kanc,” as locals refer to it, cuts through White Mountain National Forest and guarantees to deliver some of the best views for leaf peepers in the entire nation! Head over to the Monadnock Inn at the foot of Mount Monadnock for an active adventure with some amazing hiking trails.

Mount Monadnock’s beauty and wonderful trails are fresh in my memory having just hiked it this past Memorial Day weekend. It’s the second most-hiked trail in the world, just behind Mount Fuji, Japan.

Before you take on the second most popular hike, you’ll need to fuel up and rest, and the Monadnock Inn will take care of all your needs. Dine on a delicious dinner on the Inn’s porch. The little twinkling lights will instantly calm you with their beautiful ambiance. Surrounded by trees and brisk fall air, you can smell the outdoors and your delicious dinner all at once. Enjoy a deep night’s sleep with the sounds of nature outside your window and Eenergize with a hearty breakfast before you hike up to the summit of Mt. Monadnock, where on a clear day, you can see as far as Vermont and Massachusetts.

Our last stop on our fall foliage tour brings us to Maine and Acadia National Park. Acadia combines amazing pops of color and lush views with ocean vistas as an added bonus, providing varied scenes of natural wonders. You can hike and bike among the multi-hued trees and stay at one of the many inns along the ocean where you can enjoy the panoramic views.

During the fall, I prefer to vacation at bed and breakfasts and inns. They provide such a quaint, intimate setting that really helps welcome and celebrate the changing season. Less commercialized and more cozy, you feel like you are staying at a warm home rather than a large resort. It’s also lovely to strike up conversations with the owners and fellow guests, and I find that this is much easier at smaller lodgings. Parlors and porches provide a great spot to meet other couples and vacationers. Bring along that recently purchased bottle of wine from a local winery and enjoy making new friends.

Dining at B&Bs and inns also feels much cozier and more like home cooking rather than a restaurant meal. It’s like mom is delivering dinner right to your table! And, you get to enjoy the aromas as the food cooks just down the hall.

Take advantage of the owners’ expertise and inquire about off-the-beaten-path places to visit. Fall is the perfect time for local farmer’s markets, apple picking, purchasing some of that delicious apple butter or finding a gorgeous homemade quilt that will keep you warm on those cool, fall nights. Oftentimes the B&B caretakers know the perfect spots to find such seasonal favorites.

This is the time of year you want to soak up the sounds and smells of nature and the beauty of the scenery. My absolute favorite way to celebrate and immerse myself in the season is to witness a spectacular sunrise or sunset. It’s a serene part of any trip and an impressive backdrop for keepsake photos that you can share with your family for decades. Plan a hike around it and create a truly memorable experience.

Extend that memory by establishing a travel tradition — year after year, you can add another sunrise or sunset photo to your collection and see the changes in your own life reflected by the changing season and changing color of the leaves.

Follow me on Twitter (@Wingwoman_Tracy) for more travel tips or to share your favorite fall travel traditions!

Read Tracy’s previous columns: Kiss Summer Goodbye With These Fall-tastic Travel Ideas, The Wind Beneath Your Wings: Giving Lift To Your Perfect Summer Trip, Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots and How A Kiwi Led To My Biggest Airport Snafu

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

While most end of summer vacations focus on soaking up the last rays of August sun, my favorite Labor Day trip embraced the fall and took me straight into the great outdoors smack-dab in the center of the city that never sleeps — New York City’s Central Park.

I arrived in the city early Friday morning, just as it was emptying out for the long weekend and headed directly to Central Park. I rented a bicycle and covered the entire park. Of course I made sure to visit my favorite spots, Bow Bridge and Belvedere Castle. I lounged in the green fields, soaking up the sun as the urban oasis with its crisp air and blue skies eased me into the changing season.

Autumn is my favorite time for short weekend or day escapes. So many towns have seasonal celebrations from craft and farmer’s markets to state fairs and sprawling corn mazes. These day- or weekend-long festivals are such a lovely way to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of fall from snacking on locally grown veggies to activities like pumpkin and apple picking to music and petting zoos. These autumnal celebrations are great for the whole family, but they aren’t just children’s play! Night hayrides with bonfires and drinks are a great way to get outdoors and celebrate the season grown-up style!

If you are looking for an easy weekend-long retreat, cities along the East Coast are wonderful fall destinations. If you have children in college, why not take an extra day or two for yourselves during parents’ weekend? Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and Virginia have so many universities and such important histories. Education, travel and history are perfect pairings. Exploring historic sites and learning more about a location’s past really heightens your appreciation of a place and its culture, and creates lasting memories.

Even if you are not visiting a college town, the East Coast offers great fall destinations, especially in early September. The travel crowds disperse after Labor Day, and hotel prices and airfares drop significantly. Plus, the summer hustle and bustle has quieted, cities are less crowded, flights are less packed and you can take a plane ride to a little slice of heaven and have New England beaches almost all to yourself. It’s a great time to travel with children as well, since it is so much easier to keep sight of them in smaller crowds.

Short fall jaunts come with yet another travel perk: packing light! No need to worry about fitting multiple outfits and shoes in your carry-on for a weekend escape. Just remember to bring layers since that brisk fall air may require a jacket or sweater.

Great historical sites and activities to check out this fall:

Virginia:

• Mount Vernon
• Monticello
• Montpelier

DC:

• Washington Monument
• National Mall and Memorials
• Kayak and canoe rentals on the Potomac
• Georgetown

Massachusetts

• Museum of Fine Arts and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
• Harvard Square
• Bunker Hill Monument
• Salem

While many travelers use Labor Day weekend as their last summer getaway, a final fling with sand and sea, you can opt to skip the crowded beaches and high-priced hotels. Instead, I sometimes visit cities, friends and family or even stay home and entertain. Firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ or hosting potluck supper with family and friends, saves travel time and travel-induced stress and money. Enjoying local sights and visiting with family and friends is a great, relaxing way to spend time together before schedules shift and the school year begins.

Don’t be fooled, though. I’m not a homebody by any means. Obviously, I love to travel — crisscrossing the country, I love boarding the plane each time — and the fall is a perfect time for an escape with the entire family or a smaller getaway, whether it is romantic or with friends.

Embrace the new season, get outdoors, travel light and enjoy all that fall has to offer! Follow me on Twitter (@Wingwoman_Tracy) for more fall travel tips or to share your favorite fall activities!

Read Tracy’s previous columns: The Wind Beneath Your Wings: Giving Lift To Your Perfect Summer Trip, Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots and How A Kiwi Led To My Biggest Airport Snafu

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

Vacations are a time to take a break from your daily routine and all its stresses. It’s a time to reconnect with your friends and family; to explore new places and meet new people; to relax, recharge and re-enter your life more patient, calm and hopefully more sun-kissed. Many associate this type of rejuvenation with spa treatments, shopping trips or lounging by a pool. While these activities are certainly fun, there is another way, a personal favorite of mine, to recharge and reboot: voluntourism!

When you go on vacation your flight often takes you to a land of luxury, but when you volunteer, you land in a place of compassion, sacrifice and hope. With volunteering I discovered vacation experiences and memories that are more satisfying and longer-lasting. Tans fade, new beach memories blur together with old ones, but each volunteer experience is memorable, and every face you meet and story you hear is unique and unforgettable.

I first volunteered on vacation last June with Orphanage Outreach, an all-boys’ orphanage in Jaibon, Dominican Republic. In a cement building with just a floor and roof and mosquito netting instead of walls, we read to the children, played games together, prepared meals and met other volunteers and organizers. I was worried about how a Type A personality like mine—so accustomed to the everyday niceties that I often take for granted—would react to being so far out of my element. But my normal clean-freak self quickly disappeared. I was instantly bitten by the volunteer bug. Looking into the children’s eyes and feeling the warmth of their smiles was all my daughter and I needed to feel comfortable and at home. We swiftly adapted to our surroundings and, while they were not luxurious, they were certainly filled with love, laughter and support.

All of the amenities that I thought were important were soon forgotten. We enjoyed the outdoors, experienced new sights and sounds in the community and met extraordinary new people. Best yet, my daughter and I spent time together that neither one of us will soon forget. All in all, our voluntourism amounted to a vacation of a lifetime.

Where to Volunteer?

Check with your hotel and resort:
Many resorts, especially abroad, offer volunteer programs to their guests. Sandals resorts have a wonderful  foundation where guests can explore volunteer opportunities. One of Sandals’ most popular volunteer programs involves reading to local school children. I have heard wonderful things about the program from both the volunteers and the organizers, and I look forward to checking it out soon!

Seek out volunteer opportunities through your employer:
Many companies are getting more involved with volunteering. Your human resource department can serve as a wonderful source of information for different programs and charities. Some employers even offer incentives to help motivate their employees to take time to volunteer. With JetBlue, for every 25 hours an employee volunteers, JetBlue gives a free roundtrip ticket to the employee’s charitable organization of choice. Check with your company to see what information and incentives they offer.

Community organizations and schools offer many volunteer opportunities as well:
Community organizations like your local religious center and school programs are a great source to learn about volunteer opportunities both locally and abroad. From building houses to medical mission trips to volunteering in a local classroom, your hometown is a great place to start your research.

Every little bit DOES help:
Don’t feel overwhelmed by a huge time commitment. Just a few hours during your vacation or your life throughout the year can make a difference. A few weeks ago, on a recent family trip to Turks & Caicos, I dedicated a few hours of our trip to building a community playground. We were out in the sun, enjoying the fresh air and each other’s company. It ended up being one of our favorite vacation moments!

Bring your kids!
Inject the volunteer bug into your children’s lives by participating together as a family. Not only does it provide a great family bonding experience and memories to share, it is also a wonderful way to lead by example. Your shared service and sacrifice will teach your child an important life lesson and open his or her eyes to new experiences and places at a young age.

Don’t worry about the amenities that you think you need!
Never been without electricity or running water? No worries! You will become a chameleon and quickly adapt to a new setting as long as you are willing to sacrifice a few creature comforts. I promise you. The compassion, hope and love you will gain during your experience will be more valuable to you in the end than a fluffy pillow.

Focus on what you can bring and don’t worry about what you don’t have.
Volunteering is one of the few things in life where you don’t need a lot of resources or special skills to be a success. It’s not about showing up with something; it’s about showing up with the right attitude! Arrive with an openness and willingness to work hard, share love and joy and give of your time.

Most of us in the travel industry say that flying gets into your blood. Now, volunteering has worked its way into my blood too. Once you try it, you will find yourself wanting to do more. Want to give it a try or have more questions – I am now tweeting! Follow me on Twitter @Wingwoman_Tracy to find out more. Can’t wait to hear about your experiences and memories!

Read Tracy’s previous columns: The Wind Beneath Your Wings: Giving Lift To Your Perfect Summer Trip, Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots and How A Kiwi Led To My Biggest Airport Snafu

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy

Heaps of seafood steam on the stove while family members gather in the open kitchen to mix drinks, play card games and dance. Music and laughter spill out of the open windows as the sun sets over the Outer Banks. My vacations on the beaches off the coast of North Carolina are among my favorite summer travel memories. Large, extended families or a big group of friends can rent one big house and all stay together, a great way to save money and recreate a homelike setting at a vacation destination. The Outer Banks offers the ocean and history like Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers first took flight; one of my favorite sites. You can bike and horseback ride, and the entire family can be together, while allowing everyone to explore his or her own interests and gather together for dinner and evening fun. It’s like packing three vacations into one!

Summertime stirs up all kinds of nostalgia: memories of backyard BBQs, family vacations, long days packed with fun and freedom. I love that thrilling feeling of school letting out and conjuring the endless possibilities for summer fun. Even as an adult, I get that itch for summer freedom: taking a break from chores, stress, and work. As the days turn warmer and stretch longer, and we feel like escaping our day-to-day routine and heading out into the sun, these summer travel tips and tricks will help make this summer’s vacation a memory of a lifetime (and an affordable one at that).

How to choose your sizzlin’ summer destination

Whether you’re vacationing with kids or not, summer travel can come with a lot of pressure to pick the perfect spot. Even though beaches may be the ultimate summer hot spot to many, don’t limit yourself! The perfect destination is not the same for every traveler. Think about what change or break you are craving. If you live by the beach, maybe you want to jet off to a city. Chicago is a great vacation spot, with lakeshore beaches coupled with city offerings. Or maybe the mountains are beckoning! The Tennessee Mountains are a great July destination. I enjoy summer travel most when it means taking a break from your norm. Focus on finding a destination and activities that deviate from your everyday schedule and let that guide you to your perfect vacation.

If you are planning a family trip, summers are a great time to bring history to life. If your child’s interest was piqued by a particular subject area in school, why not explore that on your summer travels? Historical sites, museums and national parks are all great vacation destinations.

The U.S. National Parks offer great budget-friendly options. We sometimes forget that some of the most beautiful landscape and natural wonders are right in our own country’s backyard! You can snag an annual pass for just $80 – which includes everyone in your car – or a lifetime senior pass for only $10; plus, military members get in for free. Many of the parks include activities and amenities, such as camping or boat launching, for a reasonable, additional fee.

Another budget-conscious option for family travel or getaways with the pals is all-inclusive packages.  Whether you are traveling abroad, particularly to the Caribbean, or looking to cruise on the open seas, check-out all-inclusive packages, since they can offer great deals and a smart way to save. Plus, booking a trip that includes airfare, hotel, meals and drinks is a great way to stick to your budget and free yourself to worry about having fun rather than dipping into the wallet while you’re away.

My favorite places to scout great travel deals are JetBlue Getaways, Priceline and Trip Advisor. Trip Advisor ranks hotels by price and location and includes lots of tips from other travelers, a great way to get a sense for the products and service you’re considering. And remember, staying a short block or two away from the beach rather than right on it helps to score an even better price.

How to pack for happy trails

Once you decide on your perfect summer spot, what do you pack to make the most of your trip? I always recommend packing light! Have a plan. Don’t pack assuming that you need to cover every possible activity or situation. Bring items that you can use more than once. You can match your favorite pair of pants with different shirts. No need to pack four pairs of pants when one can last you a couple of wears.

For your flight, wear the same outfit traveling to and from your destination to cut down on extra items and time. I always recommend dressing for the plane like you would dress for a movie theater in the middle of summer. It may be hot outside, but it can sometimes get chilly on the airplane, so layers are a must! And, even though I love flip flops when I’m on the beach, I wear slip-on, closed-toe shoes on airplanes for maximum comfort. Pack your flip flops in your carryon bag so you can break them out and slip them on when you arrive at your destination and officially kick off your summer trip!

Also pack your bathing suit in your carry-on so you can make the most of your first day of vacation, and in case you arrive before hotel check-in time. I apply my sunscreen in the morning before I leave home, roll up my bathing suit and store an inexpensive pair of rubber flip-flops in my carry-on. Then, when I arrive at my destination, I head straight to the pool or beach.

Be a traveler, not a tourist

Everyone loves visiting far-off reaches of the globe, but no one wants to be spotted as a tourist. I’m a big fan of dressing in solid-colored clothing for easier blending. Leave those Hawaiian colored shirts at home so you don’t stick out while away (unless you’re in Hawaii, of course!). Khaki pants or black jeans are great travel options too, since denim jeans do not necessarily fit in at every setting. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, so you can focus on the beautiful sights and sounds rather than your aching heels.

With all this preparation, you and your family and friends are destined for a trip of a lifetime. Enjoy, and remember to apply that sunscreen and your sense of adventure!

Read Tracy’s previous columns: Snorkeling, Rum Punch and Beyond: Top Spring Break Spots and How A Kiwi Led To My Biggest Airport Snafu

Learn more about our Wingwoman Tracy