Tag Archives: Domestic Destinations

5 Unbelievable U.S. Train Routes

When I was a small chi!d my family used to take the train from Missouri to Arizona for vacation. I loved watching the world go by as we glided down the train track, and sleeping on the train was an adventure. Now in 2022, I am receiving requests from clients who want to travel by train so they can slow down and enjoy the beauty of the U.S.

Trains are making a comeback and it’s easy to see why. Ease of travel, inexpensive rates, and gorgeous scenery makes traveling the rails incredibly attractive. And while European train routes get all the attention, there are a few routes closer to home that you should definitely check out. Skip your next road trip and check out these five unbelievable train routes through the U.S. instead.

Amtrak Coast Starlight Train

This 35-hour ride travels between Seattle and Los Angeles. Traversing down the coast opens with the dramatic snow covered peaks of the Cascade Mountains, as the land flattens, bountiful forests and sprawling seas present themselves through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Sightseer Lounge Car. This two-day trek is mercifully taken on the country’s only sleeper train, complete with the luxuries you’d expect on the Orient Express, including free food, champagne room service, private bathrooms, and a daily turn-down service.

Enjoy three-course meals are served, and in the confined spaces (where the wifi is spotty and the cell service is spottier) strike up conversations with other travelers. You will discover interesting conversation pops up between young adventurers headed to a hiking trip in Oregon and retired nomads breathing in the awe-inspiring views that may have been overlooked in their younger years.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

The 1879 gold rush birthed the necessity for industrial transportation capable of hauling mounds of precious metal out of California — thus the Denver and Rio Grande Railway. It didn’t take long for passengers to spread word that gold wasn’t the only precious thing about this railway. Spectacular views of Colorado’s luscious peaks and rivers ensured that the train stayed in operation long after the gold veins ran dry. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gorge route features steep drop-offs that are so awe-inspiring they have served as a muse to multiple artists, including C.W. Mcall, who dedicated an entire song to the Silverton.

“Well now listen to the whistle in the rockwood cut on the high line to Silverton Town

And you’re gonna get a shiver when you check out the river

Which is four hundred feet straight down.”

Pick up a round-trip ticket for a day of adventure. The 3.5-hour trek to Silverton winds across the river five times before dropping you off to explore Silverton. Grab some lunch and roam around the town before boarding and enjoying a relaxing trip back to Durango.

Cape Cod Central Railroad

The luxurious Cape Cod railway offers stunning coastal views and posh upgrade packages. Salt marshes, sand dunes and woodlands are just a few of The Cape’s natural wonders that a trip in this cranberry-colored car offers. If you’re especially interested in the area’s ecosystem, purchase a ticket on the ecology car for a truly educational experience. If fine dining is your thing, opt for the platinum class dining car, where a five-course meal is served in a vintage dining car. If you prefer unadulterated views of the passing landscape, the diamond class excursion car is for you, featuring panoramic windows in an elevated car.

Grand Canyon Railway

In 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway began carrying passengers through Arizona’s wonder of the world. Cowboys and musicians entertain guests in restored locomotive cars as you wind through prairies, deserts and pine forests. This trip is shorter — 2 hours and 15 minutes — so you can easily make a day trip of it, or extend the experience and stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. Despite its length, this railway also offers different classes of service depending on your budget and personal preferences. Additionally, they offer different “time period” cars that will transport you to a different decade in the canyon.

We recommend the observation dome for those interested in getting the full effect of the jaw-dropping landscape. This car features a full glass enclosure perched above the other cars, and serves drinks and snacks to boot. The luxury parlor is another great option if the train experience is as interesting to you as the views, enjoy the back deck for some fresh air and cozy lounge seating for optimum relaxation.  

Amtrak Empire Builder

Following the old trail of Lewis and Clark, the Empire Builder is a 46-hour journey through the heart of the midwest. Departing from Chicago, take in the gorgeous amber waves of grain, tunnels, deserts and jagged cliffs. Like the Coast Starlight Train, the Empire Builder is run by Amtrak and offers sleeper cars, making the trip infinitely more comfortable. Seeing Minneapolis glow in the night sky is an awe-inspiring juxtaposition to the mountains of Glacier National Park. Make the ride your own by heading on to the Portland or Seattle for an urban ending to the “big sky Montana” leg of your journey!

Do you want to go on a cross-country adventure aboard a Train or go to an All-inclusive Resort, Plan a Destination Wedding, Book an Unforgettable Honeymoon, or take that Cruise you have been dreaming of?

I am always here to help you with your next travel adventure. Please contact me via email at mary@vacationstoanywhere.com to chat about the travel experience you have been waiting to take! A quick reminder, I can book you anywhere in the world!

Travel Planning Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

So you are ready to head out and go on a new adventure…you have contacted me to book your hotel or resort, transportation, and anything else you might want to do or need to make your trip unforgettable, but have you considered a few extra fine details? Below I have listed a few things that you might overlook while traveling.

Not Trying Out Your New Gear

You’ve bought all the gear you need for your trip, and you’ve tried on the new hiking shoes, backpack, and rain jacket. But just trying it on isn’t enough — have you tried it out? Before you can determine whether your gear is truly good, you need to test it in the real world. Find a way to simulate what you’ll be doing on the trip so you can use your new gear before you leave. If you’re planning to spend your vacation walking around a European city, go for a long walk around your city wearing your new shoes to ensure you don’t get blisters. If you’ll be hiking in South America, suit up with your new backpack (plus everything you’re planning to carry) and do a test hike on a local trail. You’ll thank yourself when you arrive at your destination.

Not Learning About the Local Culture

It’s essential to be respectful of local cultures while traveling, but you can’t respect traditions if you don’t know what they are. Do research or talk to someone from the country you’ll be traveling. This can help you figure out how you’ll be expected to behave when you arrive. Is it respectful to cover your knees in the local landmarks? Is coming a few minutes late considered rude? What about tipping? It would help if you asked these questions before you leave, as the answers might affect how you pack.

Not Strategically Packing Your Carry-on

A change of clothes, prescription medicines, and any valuable or valuable-to-you items need to be in your carry-on, not your checked luggage. Airlines are 70% less likely to lose suitcases than they were 10 years ago, but still, you don’t want to be part of the small percentage who suffers. Being caught in a foreign city without medicines you need is a recipe for disaster, so put anything in your carry-on that you might need.

Not Alerting Your Bank You’ll Be Traveling

If you begin using your debit or credit card as soon as you land, your bank might see the charges racking up in a foreign city and freeze your account. To prevent this from happening, let your bank know that you’ll be traveling before you leave. Most banks make it easy to notify them with an online system, and you’ll be able to shop in peace.

Do you want to go to an All-inclusive Resort, Plan a Destination Wedding, Book an Unforgettable Honeymoon, or take that Cruise you have been dreaming of?

I am always here to help you with your next travel adventure. Please contact me via email at mary@vacationstoanywhere.com to chat about the travel experience you have been waiting to take! A quick reminder, I can book you anywhere in the world!

10 Tips to Speed Through Airport Lines

These tips are great for both seasoned travelers and those new to travel. Implementing just a few of these tips will help make your trip a little more carefree.

10 Tips to Speed Through Airport Lines

When you’re trying to catch a flight, airport lines are a gigantic hassle. Between checking your luggage and getting through security, lines at the airport are simply a part of air travel — but with the right strategies, there are plenty of ways to save time.  Here are 10 tips for speeding through airport lines, so you can arrive at the gate on time and stress-free.

Get TSA PreCheck

It requires extra leg work, but signing up for TSA PreCheck is one of the best ways to sail through security lines at the airport. The process requires a brief online application, followed by a $85 five-year membership fee, an in-person interview, a background check, and fingerprinting. Once you’re approved, you’ll be able to go through the designated PreCheck line, which doesn’t require all of the hassles that hold up security lines, like removing liquids and electronic devices and taking off your shoes.

Apply for Global Entry

If you travel internationally, applying for Global Entry is an excellent way to avoid those daunting customs lines. Similar to TSA PreCheck, Global Entry allows for low-risk, pre-approved travelers to receive expedited service in the airport. The application costs $100 for a five-year membership. As members of the “Trusted Travelers Program,” these travelers can skip the customs lines after disembarking the plane by using the Global Entry kiosks. Not only do the kiosks read passports, but they also scan fingerprints and allow travelers to declare goods electronically.

Become a Frequent Flyer

There are a lot of benefits to frequent flyer programs, but one major perk is speeding through airport lines. When you become an elite member of an airline program, benefits include designated check-in lines, exclusive security lanes, and priority boarding. Altogether, these advantages translate to spending less time in line, which means there’s more time for a drink at your preferred airline’s lounge.

Sign Up for Clear

If you want to skip airport lines entirely, then signing up for Clear is the way to go. Certified by Homeland Security and available at 50 U.S. airports, the private company uses biometric technology to scan your irises and fingerprints, turning them into an encrypted code that is unique only to you. You just need to pay the $179 annual fee. The technology negates the need for any traditional ID documents and once approved, you can bypass the TSA checkpoint for IDs and skip ahead to the front of the PreCheck line.

Download MiFlight

MiFlight is another technological solution to avoiding long lines at the airport. The crowd-sourcing app keeps track of how many people are waiting in line at security checkpoints throughout airports across the world. Use MiFlight to decide when to leave for the airport or to decipher which security checkpoint will get you to your gate the fastest.

Use Mobile and Curbside Check-In

Waiting in line to check-in is never fun, but it can be avoided. If you’re not checking bags, using mobile check-in is the easiest way to skip these lines entirely. Just remember to check-in online 24 hours before you’re scheduled to depart. If you need to check luggage, then using curbside check-in is a simple way to speed up the entire process. The service has noticeably shorter lines and is available at several major airports — just don’t forget to tip your baggage handler.

Avoid Certain Travel Days

Being strategic when booking your travel dates is a straightforward way to avoid long lines at the airport. It’s a no-brainer that traveling around major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas results in busy airports, so if you’re looking to avoid lines altogether, it’s best to steer clear of these dates. Otherwise, try not to fly during peak travel times, like Fridays and Mondays. Wednesday is typically the slowest day for airlines, so flying midweek is a good way to circumvent airport lines.

Know the Rules

TSA has a lot of rules, and if you want to breeze through security, it’s best to know them by heart. Liquids in your carry-on must pass the 3-1-1 rule, which means you’re allowed a clear quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, and creams as long as they are less than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters.  Since they violate the 3-1-1 rule, water bottles must be empty and lattes are a no-go, so it’s best to wait to get your caffeine fix once you’re safely in the terminal.

Pick the Right Suitcase

Speaking of the rules, choosing the right carry-on suitcase is instrumental in streamlining airport security. Since any liquids you pack will need to be screened separately, using luggage with a large outer pocket, like this one from TravelPro, makes it easier to remove your liquids from your bag without holding up the line. If you’re flying with a laptop or tablet, try to find luggage that is designed to carry a computer. This backpack from Cotopaxi has a designated sleeve for electronics, so you don’t need to spend a lot of time unzipping luggage to remove your laptop for security.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

Dressing for air travel is somewhat of an art form, and once you find a formula that works for you, it can feel like magic. In addition to wearing comfortable clothing for your flight, dressing appropriately for security is essential.  Wearing slip-on shoes will make it easy to sail through security without spending too much time on shoelaces. And since jewelry such as bangles, necklaces, and metal watches will only set off the screening alarms, make sure to keep accessories to a minimum.

Family Travel Trends

Multigenerational Travel

Multigenerational travel is still one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry and will undoubtedly continue to be popular after extended families have been apart for so long and are eager to be together again. A survey conducted by Marriott Bonvoy found that spending time together and creating memories are the top reasons why families go on trips together. It also found that 93% of grandparents take at least one multi-generational trip per year and that 89% of parents said they are planning on taking a family vacation this year. Needless to say, family travel isn’t going anywhere.

Sound like fun? Cruises are a great way to explore with the whole family.

Domestic Family Travel

Many aspects of family travel have remained unchanged, despite the pandemic. However, domestic travel remains much more prevalent than international travel. In a 2021 survey conducted by the Family Travel Association (FTA), 83% of respondents plan to take a multi-day vacation in the U.S. within the next year.

Beach vacations are what 61% of families are planning, according to FTA’s survey. Theme parks, water parks and national parks are trending too, with 51% and 46% of responding families interested in taking these kinds of trips. Lucky for them, theme parks are open and national parks are free to visit a few days every year, with multiple pass options on the non-free days.

Use of Travel Advisors

It’s no joke that the state of travel is much different now than it was pre-pandemic. Cancellation and safety protocols are more important than ever before to travelers. Lucky for them, travel advisors are the experts. According to FTA’s 2021 survey, 65% of respondents say they would consider using a travel advisor in the next two years. Many said that the pandemic has increased their likelihood of using a travel advisor. From peace of mind, many family travelers are leaning towards travel advisors for their destination expertise and in-depth product knowledge.”

Families are here to make memories and travel advisors are here to make that happen!

Did you know…

little girl walking holding her parents hands
  • The most popular vacation types for families are beach vacations, visiting theme parks and visiting national parks. Millennial and Gen Z families tend to take city vacations or visit water parks.
  • Family travelers’ main sources for travel inspiration are family travel-related social media content.
  • When family travelers who used a travel advisor to book in the past were asked why they used one, 48% said travel advisors have in-depth knowledge and 43% said they have better rates and prices. See, you advisors really are the best!
  • Kids are now decision makers, too! Sure, the adults hold the purse strings, but kids have more influence than ever on their vacation’s destinations and activities.

Family Travel Facts

Top U.S. Destinations for Family Travel:

united states of america
  1. Orlando
  2. Maui
  3. Fort Myers
  4. Oahu
  5. Tampa  
  6. Fort Lauderdale
  7. Phoenix
  8. Destin
  9. Clearwater
  10. Denver
chart
What types of destinations are families planning to travel to?

Domestic – 83%
International – 19%
Source: Family Travel Association 2021 Family Travel Survey

Let me help you plan your Dream Vacation, Destination Wedding, Honeymoon, Family Reunion, or Cruise! Please reach out to me with any questions you may have!