by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
 
We all feel, at times, the need to get away and shake up a monotonous routine.
 
Planning that perfect escape can be daunting as the potential price tag adds up in your head, but recharging your inner batteries doesn’t have to take you geographically far away. It doesn’t need to take more than a day or two, and doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. Just one night away at a B&B gives you enough of a break to clear the garbles from your brain. Historic old homes lovingly turned into guest houses are scattered throughout New England, as an example, and getaways are surely within an easy three- or four-hour drive from your home, wherever you live.
 
I recently visited The Fan House in Barnard, Vermont. It’s a little off the beaten path, far enough from the Interstate, and close enough for lots of day trip destinations, like Quechee, Vermont, known for its annual hot air balloon festival and Simon Pearce glass blowers, and Hanover, New Hampshire with a great college vibe and plenty of neat restaurants because of Dartmouth. Suicide Six ski area is only six miles away, while larger Killington and Okemo ski areas are about 45 minutes away and offer trail biking, hiking, golf and summer activities as well as some of the best winter skiing in the Northeast.
 
On the way to the Fan House, I stopped at the Barnard General Store and indulged on a maple-cream-filled whoopie pie. After this I knew I was on a micro-vacation in Vermont. When I pulled into the Fan House driveway, Sara, the innkeeper, came out to greet me with her big friendly, shaggy dog Chappy, who neither jumped nor slobbered on me, but nuzzled up to my leg, wagged his tail and let me know I was welcome in his home. We walked around the yard and Sara showed me her country garden, filled with huge colorful poppies, foxglove, lupines, forget-me-nots and numerous other perennials that had not yet blossomed. The unmistakable fragrance of lilacs filled the air. I looked up to see a banner season for lilacs blooming along the property line by the main road.
 
It was still a little shy of cocktail hour, but Sara joined me for a glass of wine in the living room area anyway. It was comfortable, relaxing and a pleasure talking candidly with someone who obviously had the gift for gab, was well traveled and has met her fair share of interesting characters along life’s enchanting journey.
 
Just a couple of miles down the road, at the Barnard Inn restaurant, Max’s Tavern, a casual bistro, served up a cold crisp glass of pinot grigio to accompany a simple green salad tossed with maple Dijon vinaigrette and lightly topped with gorgonzola and candied walnuts. I must have needed my blue cheese fix, because my chosen entrée was house-made gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce, which was delicious with mild roasted cloves of garlic, caramelized onions and baby spinach.
 
The first thought when I got ready for bed at the Fan House and realized there was no TV in my room was disappointment, but after about 10 seconds, I changed my mind. Being a news junkie and creature of habit who turns on the news before bedtime and upon wake-up, taking a break from the craziness was a blessing. In fact, it was a much-needed disconnect.
 
The bed had eight pillows – two as bolsters, four for indulgent sleep and two more for decoration, which made a perfect spot to prop my laptop as I checked email before going to bed. The Wi-Fi worked well. I drifted into a deep sleep, woke up without an alarm, and went for a short walk to Barnard’s Silver Lake, sat on a bench and felt the early morning sun on my face, then continued walking – past lots of kayaks on racks and watched people come and go from the general store carrying cups of coffee to jumpstart their rural morning commutes. I read the bulletin board and learned about upcoming concerts, theater productions and youth summer programs at Barnard’s BarnArts.org.
 
Having worked up an appetite for breakfast, which was included at my stay at the Fan House, I poured myself a cup of coffee and chatted it up with two guests visiting from Tennessee while Sara whipped up some blueberry pancakes and served them with warm maple syrup, along with fresh strawberries, granola and juice. At that moment, the pressures of the previous day’s workload were far from my mind. On the mid-morning car ride home I mentally prepared my “to do” list and the priorities seemed clear. I reminded myself to stay focused on those priorities and to let the other “urgencies” slide by if they weren’t aligned with my primary goals. I felt eager to tackle the workload, and not overwhelmed.
 
One night away. To get unstuck. It’s well worth it.
 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, is accredited as a travel advisor and public relations professional, and is principal/owner of friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. Visit www.friendlygrouptravel.com, www.facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel, friendgrouptravel on Instagram and FriendsGoTravel on Twitter, or email welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.
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​by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
 
Heading overseas for your next vacation or business trip?

If you plan to use your phone – at all – for any reason – these tips and helpful apps will assure that your phone remains a valued and reliable companion when traveling internationally:

1. Clean out the trash and load up on useful apps (listed below.) Check your phone’s memory; de-clutter. There’s nothing more annoying than a popup message alerting you you’re out of memory as you’re about to take that next great video. Delete bad photos as well as images you’ve already downloaded or transferred. Clear videos and old voicemails you no longer want, and delete the cache (accumulated garbage) from your apps. Your carrier’s tech support can walk you through this. To make room, transfer files from your phone to an external memory card (if your phone supports this.)Ask your wireless carrier about international plans that meet your travel needs. A temporary monthly fee can save you hundreds of dollars if you need to use your phone for data (navigation) or voice calls. Review, and change if necessary, your network and roaming settings because it’s not always possible to make these changes from outside your “home network area.” Your carrier’s tech support can guide you through this.
2. Save battery and data during your trip by using your phone in a Wi-Fi area as much as possible. Choose hotels that offer free Wi-Fi access. Download directions for daily navigation before you leave your hotel. Turn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Location settings off when not using them. (Phones use battery power by automatically searching for Wi-Fi networks.)
3. Bring a charger that has a USB connector as well as an international adapter. Airports, planes and hotels increasing use USB connectivity, which is more universal.
4. Don’t forget your headset. With low-cost airlines charging for just about everything, including headsets, it’s a lot easier to bring your own. Depending on how much you’re willing to invest, the quality will likely be better, too.
5. Load useful apps.

  Try these Travel Apps to save time and sanity:

1. WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype or Zoom – for phone calls and video chats over Wi-Fi. Make sure your family, or whomever you’ll be communicating with back home, has also downloaded the app and established an account. Then your calls will be free from any Wi-Fi zone.
2. Your airline’s app – Whether it be Delta, United, Norwegian, EasyJet or any other airline, you’ll get real-time updates, including gate information, delays and other changes. You’ll have easy access to your boarding pass and rewards program. Some airlines offer entertainment and Wi-Fi on your device accessible only through the airline’s app.
3. Your bank’s app – so you can check your balance, or transfer money to get cash from the ATM. (Rule of thumb – use debit card at ATM to get local currency; use credit card for purchases. Why? Cash withdrawal using a credit card is usually considered a cash advance with high interest rates; and while most merchants overseas accept American credit cards, many will not accept a debit card.)
4. Currency converter – to quickly check the price equivalent before you buy something
5. Google Translate or other language app – to help you find the words, or to scan something in a local language (e.g. a menu, brochure or sign) for translation into English. It’s also a good idea to download the dictionary of the language spoken at your destination before your trip, so you can still access translation when you’re offline.
6. Duolingo – to help you learn the language, or at least understand pronunciation. It’s a nice gesture.
7. Your hotel’s app – This is helpful if you stay at the same hotel or chain for more than a couple of nights. You can request early check-in, late check-out, and expedite the process.
8. Uber – usually lower priced than a taxi; many airports do not allow Uber drivers to pick up at arrival terminals near the Taxi Line, but some do, so you’ll need to check. Once out of the airport, Uber is a good choice if you need a ride from your hotel or downtown area. Lyft is talking about building out their international service, but for now, Uber is the established option.
9. Mobile Passport – makes getting through Customs upon your return a faster process. Remember to load your flight and passport information before you reach Customs. This app works at 26 airports in the U.S. for US citizens and Canadian visitors only.

 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA is a travel advisor and principal at friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. She writes about health, wellness and travel.
​Connect: welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com,  facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel, 
@friendsgotravel on Twitter and friendgrouptravel on Instagram.

by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
 
Think about the ‘60s era of peace and love in America, and images of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood come to mind with tie-died shirts and girls wearing colorful flowers in their hair. On the other side of the San Francisco Bay Bridge, in Berkeley, another cultural phenomenon was stirring at that same time.
 
The Free Speech Movement of the 60s rapidly grew across college campuses nationwide. At first, outspoken college students focused on the struggle for civil rights; then when opposition to the Vietnam War developed, students at UC Berkeley ignited the spark that led to large scale protests and the nationwide Anti-War Movement.

UC Berkeley was a university campus that challenged the status quo back then, as it does now. The school serves as the flagship institution of 10 public research universities affiliated with the University of California system. It’s the anchor that allows the City of Berkeley to remain the free-spirited sanctuary where inclusion is second nature to a generation of open minded hipster intellectuals, and leftist baby boomers find contentment being surrounded by people who share their nonjudgmental approach to life.
 
The constant energy that seeps from academia is evident; serious discussions between professors and students can be overheard at local coffee shops; public events are scheduled frequently on a regular basis.
 
With more than 30,000 undergraduate students, about 70 percent of whom are from California, and more than 11,000 graduate students from around the world, UC Berkeley is a hub for thinking outside the lines in search of new and better ways to solve world problems. Its graduate engineering school is ranked #3 in the country (behind MIT and Stanford) by US News & World Report for 2020, luring some of the world’s brightest minds hoping to score a Silicon Valley dream job in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics and autonomous vehicles.
 
Both technology and hippieism bubble beneath the surface of Berkeley’s social climate. The old and new seem to exist very well together. It’s a gentle yet edgy vibe amid the undertow of a bustling college community. The Greek Theater, an amphitheater located on the outskirts of campus, brings top name acts.
 
Telegraph Avenue, beginning at the south entrance to campus is lined with cafes, shops and music stores, and extends through the city and into Oakland. Shattuck Avenue is another of Berkeley’s main streets filled with shops and restaurants. For movies, you can enjoy current popular flicks on one of the big screens at the Regal Cinemas, or walk one more block to the Shattuck Cinemas for a thought-provoking indie film.
 
Fun for Foodies
Keep walking down Shattuck Avenue and you’ll smell your way right into the affectionately named Gourmet Ghetto with plenty of choices for any type of appetite. This is home to the legendary Chez Panisse, opened in 1971 by Alice Waters, whose organic, locally grown, seasonal ingredients sparked the term “California cuisine” way before the nation’s farm-to-table consciousness. Chez Panisse has maintained its status as one of the best restaurants in America, if not the world. Reservations are necessary – both for the main dining room and the lighter café. Reservations may be made up to one month before your preferred date.
 
Right across the street is The Cheese Board Collective, which is a bakery, a cheese shop, and a creative pizza restaurant where you can sit inside or out and get a dose of Berkeley’s local live music.
 
If you want to be seated and served at a restaurant, stick with Shattuck Avenue and places away from campus or one of the nearby hotel restaurants. Close to the school you’ll find an amazing variety of very affordable food choices, where you order at the counter and hope to find a place to sit before your meal arrives. From Chinese, Japanese and Thai to Korean barbecue, noodle bowls, pizza by the slice, hot dogs, burgers, salads, smoothies, two aromas permeate the air – Asian food and marijuana.
 
But Berkeley has its problems, too. The homeless rate is high. Maybe it’s because the weather’s decent, or there are plenty of places to eat for a low price, or that people are generally kind enough to occasionally spare some change. There seems to be a community among the down and out, and a feeling of compassion for people who have landed in this situation – war veterans, spaced out aging hippies, those who are estranged from families because of lifestyle or gender or those who have slipped between the cracks of the nation’s mental health system.
 
Getting to Berkeley
Crossing the Bay Bridge that leads from San Francisco to Oakland and neighboring Berkeley can take up to an hour by car if you’re stuck in daily rush hour traffic, or you can zip from San Fran to Berkeley in under 30 minutes when traffic is light. Locals don’t drive it at all. Bay Area Rapid Transit, known as the BART, is the San Francisco area’s underground metro system that takes you under the Bay into Oakland and Berkeley. It’s easy, clean, fast and the most affordable way to travel to Berkeley from both San Francisco and Oakland International airports.
 
If you happen to visit the Oakland and Berkeley area, consider a visit to the 34-acre UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens. It’s recommended to allow at least two hours to take it all in.
 
The landmark at UC Berkeley, which can be seen from across the bridge, is Sather Tower. Standing 300’ above sea level, the tower, or Campanile as it’s known, is one of the world’s tallest free-standing bell and clock towers. For four dollars you get an adult ticket that takes you via elevator almost to the top, where you then 38 steps to the outdoor patio for a bird’s-eye view of the campus and San Francisco Bay. If you time it right or get lucky, you can hear a carillon performance at scheduled times each day. The carillon has 61 bells, weighing from 19 to 10,500 pounds each.
 
And one more note… The Bay Bridge stretches across San Francisco Bay connecting San Francisco to Oakland and Berkeley. The Golden Gate Bridge goes from San Francisco to Sausalito in Marin county. Both bridges lead to wine country.
 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, is accredited as a travel advisor and public relations professional. She is principal/owner of friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. Connect through facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel or welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.

by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
 
If you’ve never been to Key West, you’ve got to go at least once. If you were there several years ago, telling yourself you want to return, be aware – it has changed.
 
Like many over-touristed areas, the Florida Keys have lost some of their laid back, off the grid groove. Many of the hotels and resorts that sustained major damage during Hurricane Irma in 2017 have rebuilt with a more durable, more modern, more expensive style. During peak season that lasts until Easter, the traffic from Key Largo to Key West is nonstop. There’s one way in and one way out.

And yet with the changes that come with time and a growing population, the rhythm of island life is still intoxicating – especially when you take time to chat with the locals, rediscovering the state of mind that brings Northerners down here for four or five months at a time as they begin to explore their retirement options. While Jimmy Buffet’s Parrothead following packs the upscale Margaritaville resort in Old Town Key West, some laid back snowbirds use their own network to secure off-the-radar seasonal rentals that come with burnt orange sunsets over the water while pelicans dive for fresh fish and thick doormats help to shake off the last grains of beach sand from between your toes.
 
Getting there
Getting to Key West by plane is easier now with more airlines adding flights. The ride from Key West airport into Old Town is short, Uber and Lyft are both active, and the large hotel chains on North and South Roosevelt Avenues provide free shuttle service. There are paid shuttles from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports to Key West, with stops at some of the most popular keys along the way – Largo, Islamorada, Marathon among them.
 
Islamorada
Choosing to drive the Overseas Highway across the 113-mile string of coral and limestone islands (and crossing 42 bridges along the way), we spent two nights at Islamorada’s Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina. This area is known for deep sea and sport fishing (grouper, mahi mahi, snapper and more) or just a dose of chill time before tackling the crazy Key West scene. Still renovating after 2017‘s Hurricane Irma, one building of guest rooms is under reconstruction (as of February 2019), and the oceanfront bar/restaurant that was literally blown away in the storm is being rebuilt. Meanwhile the Tiki Bar is hopping with decent casual food and creative island drinks, including Ke Ke coladas and key lime pie martinis using Ke Ke Key Lime Pie Cream Liqueur. Yum. Within walking distance is Theater of the Sea, an all-ages day trip, where you can learn about marine life and swim with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays.
 
People who choose to live in Islamorada prefer their small community to the busy streets of Key Largo and Key West on either end of this island chain. You need a car to get around to the shops and restaurants. For beachfront lunch or dinner, try Lazy Days, known for fresh fried fish and seafood and their well-loved key lime butter sauce. The happy hour is a local favorite with half price drinks, 50 cent buffalo wings and conch fritters, and three-for-a-dollar peel-and-eat shrimp. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
 
Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar is another popular dinner spot, known more for its fantastic sunset views than the quality of food. It’s fun – and very crowded so arrive early to find a parking space.
Between Knight’s Key and Little Duck Key is the famous Seven Mile Bridge, connecting the middle and lower keys. It’s a bucket list drive that humbles any soul. Marathon on Grassy Key is home to the Dolphin Research Center, a nonprofit educational and rescue center open to the public and providing in-water interaction with the marine mammals.
 
Key West hot spots
Having been to Key West about 20 years ago, the first thing we did after parking the car and getting settled into our hotel was take a walk down Duval Street, lined with bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. Music starts up around noon and keeps going all day and night. Sloppy Joe’s still seems to be the hot spot for the beer-and-loud music-crowd. Apparently lots of people like that, or maybe it’s the craft beers and bar food. Nearby, Irish Kevin’s Bar offers much of the same, as does Hog’s Breath Saloon.
 
After a traditional margarita to welcome myself back to Key West at a quieter outdoor spot with a street-facing bar for excellent people watching, it was time to head over to Mallory Square for the daily sunset ritual and street performers. Take off your Fitbit. This is a great place to unwind with a digital detox. If you walk around to take in everything Old Town has to offer, you’ll get all your steps in – and more.
 
The next morning started early with a walk to one of Key West’s most photographed locations –the Southernmost Point of the Continental United States. Tourists line up for selfies and photos. Especially early in the day, people were considerate of allowing others to get the classic shot that everyone wants, and took turns taking photos for each other.
 
Key West cuisine
Great food choices are plentiful in Key West; to assure a spot at your favorite restaurant, reservations are advised. Lots of places serve fish tacos, fish and chips, shrimp, wings, burgers and predictable selections of every kind. Key island specialties include conch fritters and chowder, grouper, smoked fish dip (often grouper, but can be wahoo, mahi mahi or any other smoked fish) that looks like a scoop of tuna salad surrounded by chips or crackers.

For something special, take the short ferry ride over to Latitudes on Sunset Key for breakfast, lunch or dinner ­– with a sunset to remember. Blue Heaven is a casual and funky outdoor spot known for breakfast, brunch and desserts as well as attentive lunch and dinner specials. For the ultimate dessert experience – try Better Than Sex, an adult-themed dessert-only restaurant, that serves wine in glasses dipped in soft chocolate and decadent desserts such as The Morning After (a grilled sandwich with Danish brie, dark Belgian chocolate dusted with cinnamon sugar. A strawberry champagne “soup” sits on the plate for dipping) or Man Flowers (a chocolate stout cake with tart dark chocolate frosting, chocolate stout ganache, Irish cream ice cream and salted caramel). You can also get shots and beer – all with soft chocolate or caramel clinging to the glass.
 
Key West is one of those towns that enjoys a good female-impersonator show. There are two on Duval Street. The less expensive show at Aqua is somewhat loud and raunchy, while the more upscale cabaret show sells out nightly at LaTeDa hotel and restaurant on the quiet end of Duval. LaTeDa also has a lovely piano bar for a mellow end to a full day in the sun.
 
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
This is a must-see for cat ladies. The Hemingway house is home to more than 50 cats, most believed to be descendants of Snow White, Hemingway’s first polydactyl (six-toed) cat. All the felines are meticulously cared for around the clock – and not a hint of cat smell anywhere! If you hear someone calling out for Humphrey Bogart or Audrey Hepburn while touring the grounds, it’s because Hemingway’s cats have always been named for famous people. In fact, The Hemingway House is now licensed as a zoo as well as a National Historic Literary Landmark, paying homage to Hemingway’s 10 years of writing from Key West and being influenced by its attitude and characters.
 
Ernest Hemingway’s earliest writing career was as a wartime journalist before penning novels, a few of which were turned into movies. Among these are The Old Man and the Sea, for which Hemingway was awarded a Nobel Prize in literature, and Farewell to Arms. Depression plagued the Hemingway family, claiming the life of Ernest as well as his famous granddaughter, supermodel Margaux. Today, Margaux’s sister Mariel Hemingway dedicates her life to raising awareness about mental health, depression and suicide that has taken several members of the Hemingway family.
 
Eco-friendly sun protection for every activity
Key West officials voted in early 2019 to ban the sale of sunscreens containing ingredients that are believed to be harmful to coral reefs and the ecosystems they support. The law banning oxybenzone and octinoxate, goes into effect January 1, 2021. Environmental researchers say these two ingredients accumulate in the water from swimmers and wastewater discharge, and can damage or kill coral reefs through bleaching and harming the corals’ DNA.

The Florida Keys make up the world’s third-largest barrier reef ecosystem, and is home to thousands of species of marine life, attracting divers and snorkelers from around the world.

The Florida Keys sun is strong even in morning; the trade winds can be strong at night. Whether you’re into bicycling, walking, kayaking, sailing, deep sea fishing, music, food or brew pubs, the Florida Keys are ready to feed your passion with year-round warm weather. There are so many places to stay in the Keys – from small B&Bs to historic inns, owner-operated boutique hotels and large chains. It’s best to book early to get what you want. It’s still a small area and bargain rates sell out quickly. To plan your Florida Keys vacation, call 860-399-0191 or email welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.
 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, is an IATA-accredited travel advisor, a PRSA-accredited public relations practitioner and principal/owner of friendlygrouptravel.com. Connect through facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel or welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.

​by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
 
From barefoot beach festivals in Barbados to road tripping along the California coast, a Northern Lights polar expedition, and camping in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the message was clear that opportunities await for every budget.
 
The New York Times Travel Show, held every January, packs adventure seekers and armchair travelers into the Javits Center for two days designed to lure them into the world of wanderlust. The preceding day is reserved for travel advisors (formerly called agents) anxious to up their games by connecting with thought leaders about the state of the travel industry –  what happened in 2018 and what’s new for 2019.

Above photo: Avalon Waterways’ Siem Reap river cruise takes you along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, offering an unforgettable blend of fascinating cultures, ancient architectural wonders and beautiful landscapes.
Photo credit: Avalon Waterways

Top Destinations
Although people increasingly search online for Bora Bora and exotic islands, they are more apt to go to Hawaii and Key West, which remain two top American vacation destinations. New Orleans is also popular because of its authenticity in regional cuisine and music – both big factors for fun seekers.
 
Internationally, travelers are discovering Vietnam, Cambodia and Portugal, with river cruises on Portugal’s Douro River “selling like hotcakes,” according to Kristin Karst, executive vice president/co-owner of AmaWaterways. The Danube River cruise through Romania includes an intriguing visit to Dracula’s Castle.
 
London, Barcelona, Ireland, Iceland and Italy are still popular, but expect competition from big cruise ships sailing from New York to Cuba in 2019, and more cruises leaving from the west coast.

Where are we going?
According to Cohen, the typical traveler spends 3.2 hours each day on the Internet for personal use. 44 percent of this time is spent on social media. About 20 percent of people pick a destination based on social media content (31 percent for millennials.)
 
Knowing this, brands are using digital platforms and apps to allow people to personalize their trips – 90 percent of travelers use a mobile device at their destination for maps and navigation, 87 percent to find places to eat. Consumers expect free Wi-Fi and usually get it. In return, suppliers get your data so they can learn your preferences and aim their marketing efforts directly at you.

As climate change and overtouristing may potentially “ruin” some travel experiences people have dreamed of, there’s a consumer-driven sense of urgency to “do it now” before it’s too late. Coral reefs are dying; rising waters erode beaches; droughts affect water levels in rivers. The industry believes it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
 
Without a doubt, it’s still a beautiful world. Travel gives people a chance to escape the craziness of life. Travel has the power to put you in a healthy place. About 36 percent of surveyed travelers said they would want to take a trip alone to get away and explore something new. For the majority though, the industry consensus is that the #1 reason most people travel is to spend time with people they love.
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Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, an IATA-accredited travel advisor and PRSA-accredited public relations practitioner, is principal/owner of friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. Connect through Facebook @friendlygrouptravel, Twitter @friendsgotravel, Instagram @friendgrouptravel or email  welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.

by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
The most popular time to visit Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and most populous city, is summer, with warm days, bustling outdoor cafes and extended hours of daylight to explore the city’s archipelago and canals by foot or by sea. After all, Stockholm is built on 14 beautiful islands connected by 57 bridges.
 
But, as fate would have it, I had family business that called me over in mid-January. I didn’t mind, airfares and hotel rates are lower in winter, and having been to Stockholm about 30 times in my life, I was happy to approach this trip as a journey into winter life in the city.
 
This time I opted not to stay in the tourist area of Gamla Stan (“Old Town” with cobblestone walking streets and preserved medieval architecture), near Djurgården (the island in the southern part of Östermalm that’s home to the famous Vasa Viking ship museum, Skansen outdoor living museum of traditional life, Gröna Lund amusement park and the Abba Museum), hip Södermalm with its artsy vibe and eclectic eateries, or near the ferry terminals that take passengers to the archipelago and numerous water tours of the city.
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Instead, we stayed in Norrmalm, a 20-minute walk north of the city’s Central Train station, passing by Sorgel Torg, the heart of this busy shopping and working district. Norrmalm is also a cultural hub, with ballet and opera at the Royal Swedish Opera, as well as art exhibits and modern dance at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern. Drottninggatan is a vehicle-prohibited shopping street filled with outdoor cafes and fun places to get a sense of current Swedish design and fashion. It begins close to the Royal Palace where you’ll see shops selling all the expected souvenirs, from t-shirts and Viking horn hats to Swedish crystal and H&M department store bargains. The farther north you walk, the more this becomes part of the local community. We also walked around Vasastan, a neighborhood near Stockholm’s prestigious KTH (Royal Institute of Technology), which was part of my reason for visiting over the winter.
 
In winter, in Norrmalm, you feel less like a tourist and more immersed in daily culture of Swedish life. Here are my observations, some pertinent year-round and some most noticeable in winter:

1. Everyone, it seems, speaks English. In fact, it’s easier for a Swede to speak to you in English than to struggle with any attempts you make to communicate in their language.
2. Most restaurants, cafes and stores will not take cash. And the bus and metro systems are cash-free, too. Sweden is becoming a cashless society, so don’t bother changing your US dollars into Swedish currency (kronor). It’s not necessary.
3. No one seems to mind the cold weather. People sit outside at adorable café tables and sip coffee with a friend, or enjoy a beer and a cigarette – even when it’s 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 Celsius).
4. Bicycles are popular for commuting, even on icy roads. Never walk in a bike path. You can get badly injured if slammed by a rapidly-moving bicycle. (Bicyclists stay on bike paths so respect their space). In Sweden, cyclists and pedestrians do not share space. They each have their own lane.
5. If you order salmon on a salad, it’s likely to be raw or marinated. It will surely not be broiled or grilled.
6. In winter, the sun rises late and sets early. Our mid-January trip saw beautiful sunrise at 7:45 and dusk by 3:15.
7. Americans have “happy hour.” Swedes have “after work.” When work ends and it’s dark outside, many young people like to meet friends before heading home. Eating out can become expensive, so “after work” is more about having a drink, usually a beer, more than a bite, before going home and making dinner. My travel companion and I stumbled upon Lådan, a very popular and casual “after work” spot for all ages, but mainly drawing a younger crowd. With 17 beers on tap, all Swedish, and long tables plus a mixed assortment of seating and standing tables, you can order a variety of sliders and snacks from the counter. If there’s no table space, just grab a tray and balance it on your lap wherever you find a place to sit. I wish we had a place like this at home. Check out their food porn on Instagram @ladan. A little more upscale is Urban Deli on Sveavägen, where you can pick up cheeses, breads, bottled craft beers and various gourmet items to go, or step into the rear dining area for a cocktail or glass of wine with a small bite or full meal. It’s a very hip location, attached to equally cool Hotel With, self-described as a “lean luxury” hotel. Urban Deli as other locations throughout the city, albeit without the market, but equally on-trend.
8. Christmas (Jul) lights are beautiful in the city. Apartment and office windows are adorned with electric candelabras and seven-pointed stars. No one seems to be in a hurry to take them down since they are very uplifting during the season of short days and long nights. Along the streets, strings of white lights, sparkling stars and shiny orbs hang from bridges and overpasses and across intersections.
9. You can always stop for Fika, which is basically coffee and a pastry, most traditionally a cinnamon bun. Especially in winter, it’s great to step inside, warm up and sit back for a bit because Fika isn’t just about food. It’s a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. It’s taking a chill break, whether a planned quick meeting to catch up with a friend or a spontaneous stop along an unplanned journey.
10. People seem to accept, rather than fight, the colder, darker days of winter. Acceptance appears to make people happy here.

 
If it had been summer, and the days were long and warm we’d be more apt to see families and lots of children out on the streets. With school in session and the setting sun closing in on daylight by mid-afternoon, it was a different vibe to see commuters – well-dressed men with their stylish hair and manbags, women bicycling in leggings and skirts, and shiny white lights in every direction. Most people would enjoy Stockholm more in spring, summer or fall. However, stretching a necessary family trip with a quick immersion dump into Stockholm’s winter culture gave us a fun new insight into the winter scene in one of Scandinavia’s most beloved cities.
 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA is principal of friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. She’s also a writer with special interest in travel, health and wellness. Connect at marcia@mseusa.com, facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel @marciasimon on Twitter or friendlygrouptravel on Instagram.
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The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, is a beautiful archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean located about 900 miles (1450 kilometers) from Lisbon. You can fly nonstop from Boston via Azores Airlines. Below is a summary of a trip by a FriendlyGroupTravel.com client who takes advantage of our "last minute pop-up offers." Thank you Frank, for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the trip!!
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This was one of my best vacations for so many reasons. I received a message from Marcia at Friendly Group Travel about an offer for a trip to Terceira Island of the Azores. It offered a package deal of airfare, hotel, and car rental. Marcia offered advice and information that was prompt and helpful.  We paid a little extra for ocean view and for early check in, both were excellent choices!
The room had everything we needed, was clean and nice, with an extraordinary view!  We set our own schedule for daily activities. There was so much to do, and we fit it all in! The ocean swimming next to the hotel was fantastic. Our first day, we toured Angra do Heroismo, which is the main town on the island.  It was clean, safe, and beautiful! People were very friendly, and most spoke English. The choices of restaurants was overwhelming, most offering local seafood, meat, and vegetarian diet choices. The streets and most of the sidewalks are cobblestone. There is a great deal of history here, and many places to learn about it! 
There were many choices for excursions. Our first choice (and we went back to them two more times) was OceanEmotion. We first went for a whale watch, and we encountered a sperm whale and many dolphins. They also gave a short tour of the area by boat. We went on a tour of Cabras Islets, which are remnants of a volcanic land that split in two, and is now a nature preserve. Our third tour with them was a swim with the dolphins tour, unfortunately, we did not encounter any, but had a really nice time out on the water!
We drove around the entire island, which is about 19 miles by 12 miles in dimension. It is volcanic hills, farmland, pastures, and small towns. We went up to Biscoitos on the North coast, and went snorkeling. It was a wonderful experience. On our way there, we stopped in many of the small towns, and checked out their life and ways! On another day, we drove up to Lagoa do Negro where we hiked about 3 miles around a volcano (Gruta de Natal) and after the hike, we went on a tour inside of the volcano.  
We visited Praia da Vitoria, on the East Coast on another day, and this is the main seaport for shipping.  We stopped for lunch and had great sandwiches, in a small restaurant along the way there.  The scenery throughout the island was breathtaking!  Volcanic mountains and beautiful vistas by the sea!
Something that was consistent in this place was that everyone took such pride in their homes, cars, boats and all of their possessions. Another thing is that there was no use of plastic! Water, soda, and other drinks came in glass bottles, all returnable. There was no use of plastic bags, and it was evident that they care about their environment.
This was a visit to a real gem!  Relaxing, friendly, and economical. I highly recommend this trip!
Thank you Marcia!!     -FC, East Haven, CT

​by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA

Traveling internationally? Whether it’s your first trip abroad or you’re a seasoned frequent traveler who needs a reminder checklist so you don’t forget anything, here are 10 pre-trip things to do to assure a smooth journey:

1. Check your passport for the expiration date. You should have at least 6 months left from the date of your trip. If you need to renew your passport, do it well in advance of your next trip.
2. If you are booking a trip several months ahead of time and you have school-aged children or a frail elder parent for whom a situation may arise and cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip, consider trip insurance. It also covers lost luggage, significantly delayed flights, medical assistance, theft, and other terrible things that hopefully won’t but can happen. If you fly more than four times a year, it probably makes sense to get annual coverage, which can save you time and money. Ask your travel advisor/agent.
3. If you’re renting a car, check your home auto insurance and your credit card to see if either covers liability, theft and collision on rental cars. If you have a credit card that covers these, make sure you use that card to reserve the vehicle in order for coverage to kick in.
4. Contact your credit card company to alert them of your travel dates and the countries where you’ll be if you plan to use their credit card overseas. This way your purchases won’t get blocked as fraud.
5. Many countries do not accept foreign debit cards, but credit cards are widely used. Get a credit card that does not charge fees for international currency conversion or foreign transactions.
6. Clean out your wallet/purse/backpack of items you won’t need on vacation – checkbook, additional credit cards and other items that would be a drag to replace if your wallet or bag gets lost or stolen.
7. Call your mobile phone company to see what kind of temporary international plans the company offers for voice, text and data. Data includes sending photos back home, using GPS for directions, and Internet for social media, email and overall searches. Savvy travelers do this over Wi-Fi as much as possible, so choose hotels that have free Wi-Fi access. Pre-trip planning for mobile device usage can save you a lot of money.
8. There’s a good chance you’ll have to change the network and roaming settings on your phone BEFORE you leave your home network area. Ask your phone carrier how to do this if you’re not sure.
9. Make a copy of your passport page containing your photo ID and leave it, with a copy of your itinerary, for a family member or close friend – just in case. Take a phone photo of your passport ID page so you’ll have that in your phone image gallery should you need it. Send the image to your travel companion.
10. Wear comfortable shoes that slip on and off easily. There’s a good chance you’ll need to remove your shoes at airport security. It can also be a long walk to passport control, baggage claim and customs – and between gates if you have a connecting flight. If you have a tight connection, you may need to walk briskly. Comfort is key.

 
Marcia Simon, APR, CTA is principal of friendlygrouptravel.com and MSE Public Relations. She’s also a writer with special interest in travel, health, wellness and technology. Connect at marcia@mseusa.com, facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel or  @marciasimon on Twitter.

by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
 
Maine’s Acadia National Park, established in 1916 as the first eastern national park and first national park whose land, all 49,000 acres on Mount Desert Island, was donated by private citizens. With 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads that allow bicycles but not cars, the park is buzzing with outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers year round. The park has about 500 campsites. In addition, lodging near the park ranges from down-and-dirty to luxurious comfort overlooking Maine’s iconic coastline.
 
Here are 10 Different Ways to Experience Acadia National Park

1. Be an early bird. The park is open 24/7; parking areas in summer get filled by mid-morning; People come and go, but it can get congested; parking lots may close when full, so have an alternate plan and be prepared to juggle your schedule.
2. Drive it.  Park Loop Road is a 27-mile drive around the eastern half of Mount Desert Island that winds along the coast with easy access to some of the park’s biggest attractions, including Cadillac Mountain. It’s quite impressive to pass cyclists pedaling up to Cadillac Mountain’s 1530 foot summit on the curvy road on a steady incline; and then watching them glide down on the descent. At the summit you’ll see stunning views of Frenchman Bay. Cadillac Mountain is the tallest coastal mountain north of Brazil overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
3. View it from the water. Park rangers lead boat tours around Mount Desert Island. You’ll need to sign up in advance at the Visitor Center when you arrive, or at the information booth in Bar Harbor right across from the Island Explorer stop on the village green. Try www.acadianboattours.com. Check out the lighthouse tours from www.barharborwhales.com. For a truly “local experience”, catch a ride on the mail boat to the outer islands. Or take the Lulu Lobster boat cruise for lobster fishing and seal watching. www.sailacadia.com.
4. Sea kayak tours also provide a variety of day trips with several options. Try www.nationalparkseakayak.com or www.coastalkayakingtours.com
5. Climb it. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School runs youth camps and lessons, and guided climbs for adults.
6. Bicycle part or all of the 47 miles of trails on the carriage roads, originally built for horse power to pull carriages; no cars allowed. The Island Explorer Bicycle Express is a free shuttle service that runs continuously between the Bar Harbor village green and the Carriage Road by Eagle Lake in the park from about 9:30 am to 5 pm daily throughout the summer until Columbus Day. Rent bikes in town at www.acadiabike.com  or www.barharborbike.com.
7. Witness Thunder Hole, a narrow, granite channel that traps air when the waves come in with the tide and make a thunderous roar as the waves crash and retreat. Timing is key because you only get the show at or near high tide. If you’re close up at the viewing railing there’s a good chance you’ll feel a hearty spray of sea water.
8. Hike it. From gentle family hikes appropriate for young children to a breath-pumping climb to the top of Cadillac Mountain, you’ll find lots to explore. It’s about 3.5 miles around Jordan Pond, which offers one approach to Bubble Rock, a giant boulder left behind from the glacier days. The hike up to see it provides a beautiful view of both Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond. A handy pocket guide of hiking and biking trails at the park’s Visitor Information Center costs $4.95 and is lightweight and small enough to tuck away.
9. Camp it. For information about campgrounds and the park’s 500 camping spaces, visit www.nps.gov/acad.
10. By camera – Take your time. Get off the beaten path or hit the scenic vistas and popular outlooks at dawn or dusk. The park is known for beautiful starry nights. Park rangers offer photo tours; several other photo tours are available as well.

 
Entrance fee to get into Acadia National Park is $30 per car regardless of the number of passengers. It’s a 7-day pass; so whether you go for one day or five days, the price is the same. Without a car, it’s $15 per person on foot, bicycle, motorcycle, etc. Seasonal passes are also available.
 
Marcia Simon is  a travel writer, IATA-accredited travel advisor and principal of MSE Public Relations – creating small group experiences and unique promotional opportunities for brands and travelers alike. To contact Marcia, email marcia@mseusa.com, call 860-399-0191 or through Twitter @marciasimon.

by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
How can a town originally settled as “Eden” be anything but beautiful, comfortable, and as welcoming as the nature that surrounds it? Such is the lure of Bar Harbor, Maine.
 
At the footstep of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor attracts millions of visitors every year – from hikers, bikers and boaters to artists, musicians and people who enjoy fresh lobster, casual fine dining, local craft beers and warm hospitality.
 
Here are 10 Fun Things to Do in Bar Harbor:

1. Leave your car parked and hop aboard the free Island Explorer, the continuously running shuttle around Mount Desert Island, with primary stops at Bar Harbor’s village green, the Acadia National Park visitor center and main park destinations. The shuttle has room for a few bicycles, too.
2. Rent a bike. The Island Explorer Bicycle Express is a free bicycle shuttle with a trailer that runs continuously from about 9:30 am to 5 pm daily throughout the summer until Columbus Day. It stops at the village green and at the Carriage Road by Eagle Lake in Acadia. Get rentals through www.acadiabike.com or www.barharborbike.com.
3. See a comedy show at Improv Acadia, but book in advance because shows sell out.  
4. Sit outside at the Bar Harbor Inn’s Terrace Grille and enjoy a bite and a drink, watching the changing ocean landscape and the relaxed pace of visitors milling about the waterfront. Watching the fog hug the small outer islands is equally as beautiful as the colors of light on the boats at sunset.
5. Go for a sailboat ride. The Margaret Todd, a 151-foot schooner, sails Frenchman Bay three times a day including sunset. Depending on wind conditions, the ride is one and a half to two hours long. Bring a sweater or windbreaker; it can get cool on the water, especially as the sun goes down.
6. Ride Oli’s Trolley. Various narrated tours are available both around Bar Harbor and at select stops in Acadia National Park.
7. Stop in at Jordan Pond House, a lovely casual restaurant in Acadia National Park that offers indoor and outdoor seating. A popular stop for popovers and tea, or a more leisurely full meal with wine, beer or cocktails, this restaurant sits at the head of Jordan’s Pond and offers wide open views.
8. Have a rainy day Plan B. It’s part of island life. Either gear up in your wet weather attire and carry on as usual, or nestle in with a good book and a seat with a view of Mother Nature doing Her thing.
9. Buy a t-shirt. Browsing the shops is fun and you’ll find lots of witty and classic styles of t-shirts, sweat shirts and hoodies.
10. Put on your walking shoes and follow the sounds of music, whether a bluegrass band at Paddy’s Irish Pub, a town ensemble performing in the gazebo on the village green or a solo singer/guitarist outside on the patio at Bar Harbor Beer Works, home of the giant warm pretzel with coarse ground mustard and beer cheese dips. You never know what music will pop up throughout town. July is the Bar Harbor Music Festival with a mixed bag or performers, leaning toward the classical and chamber music style, but dotted with jazz, bluegrass and more at locations throughout the island.

 
For the remainder or 2018 and part of 2019 road construction is ongoing for a half mile near a strip of hotels and the park entrance on Route 3. The inconvenience is minor compared to the rewards of the improvement plan, which will add paved bike lanes, new sidewalks and safer crossings to the water.  
 
For help planning your visit to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, email welcome@friendygrouptravel.com or call 860-399-0191.

Marcia Simon, APR, CTA, is a travel writer, IATA-accredited travel advisor and principal of MSE Public Relations - creating small group travel experiences and unique promotional opportunities for brands, products, destinations and – above all – travelers. Everyone gets added value.