​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 @ladansliders. 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 friendgrouptravel 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.

by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
 
Martha’s Vineyard, just four miles off the coast of Cape Cod, has become an increasingly popular destination, and therefore more crowded, over recent years. Even so, a day or two can easily trigger the magic power of island life to soothe the soul and take you away from the troubles of the world.
 
A New England gem, about 25 miles long and nine miles wide, Martha’s Vineyard is an easy ferry ride from either mainland Massachusetts or Rhode Island, as well as from Montauk on the east end of Long Island.
 
Whether by car or bicycle, wherever you go on the Vineyard you’re likely to see water along your journey. The island has a whaling history you can still feel –  from the widow walk rooftops looking out over an expansive horizon, to the large metal whale blubber pots that now serve as flower planters that adorn the porches of museums and inns on the island. Fishing today via charter trips is focused on bonita, tuna, shark and marlin (in certain seasons.) It’s quite common to see men with pickup trucks and boys with bicycles packed with fishing reels heading for the water’s edge to surf cast in hopes of snagging a big striped bass.
 
Edgartown, known as the most affluent part of the island, seems a lot more casual today than it was 10 years ago, as millennials with yoga pants and baby strollers outnumber baby boomers in pink pants and pearls. Oak Bluffs attracts more of the drinking crowd, but no matter where you go on Martha’s Vineyard, it’s easy to chill and relax. High season starts right after Memorial Day and goes through September, which has become a big month for weddings on the island.
 
October’s weather is usually still warm, with sweater-weather nights, and weekend hotel rooms offering lower rates and availability.
 
Getting around the island is easy with the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority bus system. They have a few spaces for bicycles. So, whether you take your car, a bike or just walk aboard a ferry to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs, remember to travel light in mind, spirit and luggage.
 
Here are 10 Great Things to Do on Martha’s Vineyard

1. Ride a bike – bring it on the ferry or rent one when you arrive in either Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. You’ll find wide, scenic bike paths in the busier Oak Bluffs to Edgartown stretch. Cars and cyclists share the roads politely toward the quiet parts of the island from the fishing village of Menemsha and sandy cliffs of Gay Head to beaches of Chappaquiddick.
2. Eat lobster and chowder. Most menus have both as well as fish and chips. A lobster roll in the Vineyard is generally a cold lobster salad stuffed generously into a hot dog bun. Menus may also offer a hot lobster roll with drawn butter. If fine dining is more your style, try Chesca’s in Edgartown.
3. Taste the local beer. The two main breweries are Bad Martha in Edgartown and the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs.
4. Explore the history and look at lighthouses. The Edgartown Lighthouse overlooks Edgartown Harbor and Chappaquiddick Island. On the far quiet side is the Aquinnah Light by the Gay Head cliffs. You can visit the Eat Chop and West Chop lighthouses as well as others. These are fun bicycling destinations.
5. Go the to the beach. You’re never far from a beach. Inquire at your hotel desk or ask a local to see what’s closest to you. Katama Beach (South Beach) is popular for larger waves and surfing.
6. Go fishing – bring your own equipment or take a day trip on a deep-sea charter boat from the quiet side of the island. Menemsha is the fishing village and most charter captains will filet the fish for you so you can take it home.  
7. Take a tour if you’re not up to self-exploration – Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Excursions, Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transport and the Edgartown Tour Company are a few of the company’s that will drive you around and show you the sites in either a one, two or three-hour ride that includes some Native American as well as whaling history. The Jaws Tour remains popular, visiting the locations where the classic movie was filmed.
8. Take the ferry to Chappaquiddick. It’s the only way to get there. Cars, bikes and pedestrians are welcome, but getting around Chappy isn’t as much fun without some type of wheels. There are no restaurants and only one general store. The Mytoi Japanese Gardens are relaxing as you meander through native habitat.
9. Bring a book. A rainy day during your vacation pushes you into Plan B. “It forces you to relax,” said our inn keeper. It’s part of island life. Slow down. Enjoy the quiet time.
10. Visit The Carnegie, formerly the old Edgartown Library on North Water Street, and now the Vineyard Trust’s tribute to the whaling life and captains who called this area home. Opened in June 2018, The Carnegie offers free admission and is open from 10 am, Wednesdays through Sundays during summer season. If you’re walking around Edgartown or looking for a light activity on a rainy day, this might fit the bill. It’s small and easy to walk through in a short amount of time. There’s a small gift shop inside with lots of souvenirs and books geared toward children, and ice cream shops are just a few blocks away.

 
Marcia Simon is a writer/blogger, travel agent and principal of MSE public relations. Connect at friendlygrouptravel.com, facebook.com/friendlygrouptravel, @friendsgotravel or send email to welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.
​MSE specializes in traveltech, health and wellness. mseusa.com.

by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
 
Vacation helps you regain energy, think more clearly, shed stress, restore a positive attitude and put life into perspective. Travel motivates you to get unstuck from a stagnant situation, become more productive and move forward toward achieving your personal goals.
 
As much as this sounds like common sense, there’s research to back it up. According to a June 2018 Harris poll conducted for the American Psychological Association (APA), two thirds of working Americans surveyed said their mood is more positive after returning from vacation. More than half said they return to work feeling less stressed and, as a result, they felt their work quality was better.
 
Despite the known benefits of turning off the work switch for a week or two:

• The APA says more than 25 percent of Americans surveyed said they work, and more than they thought they would, during vacation. Glassdoor says it’s more like 66 percent.
• Only 41 percent of American workers said their organization’s culture encourages employees to take time off.
• American workers forfeited nearly 50 percent of paid vacation time in 2017, according to a Glassdoor study. The fear of falling behind, they say, is the number one reason people aren’t using their vacation time, as reported by Forbes.

 
“While taking a vacation may make employees temporarily feel behind, they should realize that stepping away from work and fully disconnecting carries a ripple effect of benefits. It allows employees to return to work feeling more productive, creative, recharged and reenergized.
 
Workplaces that support time off, see the benefits not just for the employees, but for the entire work environment. The ripple effect of increased creativity and energy bring overall good vibes that travel throughout the office.
 
Embracing the value of time off is still a work in progress from many Americans. About one third of U.S. employees said their work colleagues contact them while on vacation; 25 percent their boss contacted them while on vacation. Perhaps we need to learn a lesson from France, where the “right to disconnect” law requires companies with more than 50 employees to establish hours when staff should not send or answer emails. The goals of the law include preventing burnout by protecting private time.
 
Disconnecting from work mentality allows you to reconnect with family or friends and – most importantly – with yourself.
 
Marcia Simon is principal of MSE Public Relations, specializing in healthcare, wellness, travel and technology. She is also an IATA-accredited travel agent who  blogs about health, wellness and travel. Say hello at welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.

​by Marcia Simon, CTA, APR
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A visit to Barcelona will likely include a stroll down Les Rambles (La Rambla), the main walking street lined with shops and restaurants filling tourists with paella, tapas, big mugs of local beer and sangria, and some really odd flavors of gelato. Other than to say, “been there, done that,” if you miss La Rambla, you can still have an excellent time in Barcelona.
 
Explore the city and its outskirts. Plaça de Catalunya (Catalonia Square) is where you’ll find Tourist Information. This square is known as the “belly button” of Barcelona, the center of visitor activities, tours and excursions. It also serves as a boundary point for the different neighborhoods that reach out in different directions from this core. Under the plaza is the large mass transit metro complex.

10 Great Things to Do in Barcelona

1. Visit Park Güell, a Unesco World Heritage Site designed by Architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi originally envisioned this 50-acre park as a “neighborhood” for his relatives and friends, but that plan never developed. Entrance to the park is free, but admission to the Gaudi House Museum and the very popular Monumental Core, where you’ll see much of Gaudi’s mosaic sculpture and design, requires a fee – and  advance purchase if you want to be assured entry into the Monumental Core. Gaudi was known for his mosaic designs and for being a little bit of a “weirdo.” He was born in Barcelona in 1852, and lived and worked in the city his whole life. Musicians are seated throughout the park, and the Spanish music drifts through the air as you meander.
2. Visit one of Barcelona’s Antoni Gaudi buildings, the most famous of which is the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. You can see Gaudi’s whimsical modernist touches on the exterior for free. Tickets get you inside this cathedral, which is nothing like you’d expect. Advance purchase is recommended to avoid wait lines. Two other Gaudi structures in the city are the Bottló house and La Pedrera, where some nights throughout the summer you can head rooftop to enjoy jazz and a cocktail.
3. Browse La Boquería, the market, tucked away behind La Rambla, for some authentic street food. See where the locals come for fresh fish and vegetables, spices and freshly squeezed fruit drinks, nuts, chocolates, breads and of course jamón, Iberian ham. If you’re lucky, you might find a spot to sit at one of the bars. La Boquería offers Catalan cooking classes, food tours of the market, and an adjacent seafood restaurant for the freshest catch of the day..
4. Take a day trip to Montserrat, which means “serrated mountain.” The monastery is home to about 150 Benedictine monks, who you will only see if you visit in the evening with a chance to listen to the choir. Almost 1,000 years of history, jaw-dropping views and a sense of calm provide respite after a few busy days in the city. Monserrat about an hour northwest of Barcelona. Drive yourself or join a small group tour. Most half-day tours combine other activities such as a stop for tapas and cava (sparkling regional wine) or a traditional wine tasting. One full-day tour that includes more free time to explore at Montserrat is from Castlexperience, which includes wine tasting at Oller del Mas vineyards, one of the southernmost vineyards in the Pla de Bages wine region and an authentic Catalunyan meal at the vineyard’s casual restaurant. Depending on how much time you have at Montserrat, you can ride the funicular up the mountain where you’ll find several walking paths, hike or ride your way back down, visit the cathedral and listen to the stunning Montserrat boys choir (they sing two songs at 1 pm for the public) and taste (and purchase) liquor made by the monks.
5. Head north up the coast to Girona in the Costa Brava’s rugged coastline and  visit Figueres, home to Salvador Dalí and the Dalí Teatre & Museo (Dali Theater and Museum.) This is a popular packaged trip.
6. Eat someplace other than La Rambla. It’s fun to sit at one of the al fresco restaurants on La Rambla for some top-notch people watching as you sip a large drink and sample some tourist tapas and paella, but make sure to get off the beaten path for a more authentic taste of Barcelona. The city is filled with restaurants; ask around for local recommendations.
7. Listen to Spanish guitar music. Touristy flamenco shows are readily advertised. To find something more authentic, look into a concert at the Palau de la Música where shows are not limited to guitar and flamenco, and tend toward classical. Helpful websites to find small concerts are spanishguitarbarcelona.es and /www.maestrosdelaguitarra.com. Remember that Barcelona is not where flamenco was born. This style of music and dance originated in Andalusia. You’ll find an entertaining show in Barcelona, but it will be commercialized.
8. Explore the Museo Nacional D’art de Catalunya (National Art Museum) to see  a thousand years of Catalan art, from the 10th to the 20th centuries.
9. Walk, or take the metro, to Estadi Olimpic (Olympic Stadium), right across from the National Art Museum. Home to the 1992 Summer Olympics, the stadium  and surrounding space is now used for concerts, sporting events, and a municipal swimming pool. Concerts for 2018-2019 include Ringo Starr, Katy Perry, Shakira, Pearl Jam, Shawn Mendez, lots of Spanish performers, plus Cirque du Soleil and Disney on Ice.
10. Explore the city by a self-guided walking tour (maps are available in hotels) or by hop-on bus, or small-group tours via bike, e-bike, or Segway. To see more geography or surrounding areas, ride the metro.

Marcia Simon, CTA, APR, is a writer, travel agent and public relations professional specializing in travel traveltech, health and wellness. Founder of friendlygrouptravel.com, you can reach Marcia at welcome@friendlygrouptravel.com.

​by Marcia Simon, APR, CTA
The full day conference at the New York Times Travel Show in January brought together some of the most experienced thought leaders in the travel industry to share their insights about changes in travel.
 
Tour operators, tourist boards and bloggers joined professionals from the hospitality and travel industries to share their perspectives on travel and where we’re heading in 2018.
 
 Here’s my conference takeaway about the Top 10 Travel Trends for 2018:

1. Water! River cruises and small boat cruises are on the rise.
2. Small is big, with guided vacation experiences personalized for specific and niche interests.
3. Experiential travel is in demand, especially among millennials. Why not make olive oil when you’re in Italy, sample the local cuisine in the street markets of Scandinavia or learn the Flamenco in Spain?
4. Millennials, in search of immersive experiences and boutique hotels, will further influence their elders when it comes to travel.
5. The most popular destinations continue to be Italy and Paris.
6. Emerging destinations include Colombia and Vietnam with interest continuing to grow in Africa, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand.
7. Iceland is considered both an emerging destination and an “overtouristed” destination, where the infrastructure at the main attractions struggle to keep up with the demand for hotels, transportation and other visitor comforts. Other overtouristed destinations include Machu Picchu, Paris and possibly Amsterdam. A little extra planning outside of “guide book recommendations” might enhance travel to the most popular destinations. Traveling off season is another option.
8. Travel agents will be in demand to help clients
9. Domestic travel in the United States is on the rise. However, fewer international travelers have a desire to visit the USA. Donald Trump’s rhetoric is hurting the “USA brand” in the global travel industry. (This is not included as my editorial opinion; it was reiterated by professional organizations reporting on research and metrics.)
10. The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is now considered a destination “at risk”, along with Antarctica due to climate change and global warming. (A presentation by an ecologist, supported by scientific study, in Fiji last year indicated that coral reefs are dying due to rising water temperatures.)

 
Despite this crazy world, people still want to see it, feel it, experience it, and gain appreciation for people and other cultures.

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