Is everyone watching the new glamorous and enticing Pan Am show on ABC? It certainly has stirred our fantasies about flying and travel… And more than that, I find that people are very curious about how it really is flying around the world as a crew member.

I’m asked all sorts of questions: What are my best insider tips and tricks? How do I stay safe when traveling and especially in hotels? What are my do’s and don’ts? What’s interesting is that when I give them my “hotel room to-do check list,” people act a bit surprised. That’s when I decided to ask a few of my frequent flyer friends and see what they do when they first get to their room.

My favorite response came from a worldly and savvy business woman. In a very matter of fact way, she said ”I go straight to my window and see what my view is like!” I bet most of you would agree that that’s as important as the quality of your room (I’m right there with you… I took this photo last month, an intoxicating view of Venice from my hotel room). So I let her in on what I was taught from day 1 as a crew member, and it is my routine to this day. I assured her that ”if you do these things (and it takes just a few minutes) you will have peace of mind that your room is clean, safe, and properly stocked”. [Read more →]

As all the globe-trotting foodies know, the world famous The French Laundry had a pop-up restaurant at Harrods in London from October 1st-10th this month. This video gives you a sneak peak into the production, as the acclaimed head chef Thomas Keller speaks passionately about this “brilliant” and exciting challenge. Although I did not dine there (this time), I was lucky enough to get this menu (so I could share with you) and enjoy a glass of Moet’s Rose Champagne in their lovely French Laundry “terrace” while perusing all the fantastic cookbooks and specialty items.

China Visa Changes

by Fabiola Garcia, Country Information Coordinator for China

China has recently implemented changes to their visa application that impact all travelers, and have added requirements for certain types of visas and nationalities.

All Chinese Consulates now require the application to be typed using a computer, and all fields must be filled out. When the question is not applicable, the applicant must enter N/A. Applications with any blanks spaces will not be accepted by the Consulate. The only fields that may be handwritten are the signature and date on the last page of the application.  We have made the application “user friendly” by adding fillable fields for all questions and notes in the margins to provide some clarity to the questions and assist with answers,  if applicable. If you would prefer to have a G3 Associate type up your application for you, this service is included in our Concierge Level Service. (Additional service fees apply for Concierge Level Service requests.) [Read more →]

Last year, when a friend of a friend told me about a week-long adventure vacation she’d taken off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, I was intrigued. She said it was an “absolute tonic” that she’d like to repeat every few months. Quite a recommendation, I thought.

It’s called “The Island Experience,” and is described on the company’s web site as “a unique adventure spa, yoga retreat and fitness vacation program that takes place on the spellbinding island paradise Ilha Grande, just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.”

Well, I do work out a lot, but truthfully my idea of a vacation had always been something more like relaxing on a beach somewhere in the south of France with a glass of Rosé and people watching. Not this time. This trip promised at least six hours a day of activities, including trekking, kayaking, and snorkeling, along with 2 x daily yoga classes, and a mainly vegetarian (there were two nights when we had fish) detox diet plan. I hadn’t taken a yoga class in 15 years, never kayaked, and I certainly didn’t own a pair of hiking boots (or clothes for hiking). This was going to be something completely new and different for me, but I was excited to try it.

I went through the packing list provided by the organizers, bought what I needed (sort of like getting ready for sleep-away camp), and tried to keep an open mind. I didn’t really want to know too much in advance because I wanted the entire experience to be fresh, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of logistics.

One thing I didn’t expect was that the “island off the coast of Rio” would be a three-hour car ride plus a one-hour boat ride away. I knew that the island was almost entirely rain forest, but I didn’t really translate that into the degree of humidity I’d encounter. I’d recommend packing everything you bring in large zip lock bags so that your clothing stays dry (that’s how I usually pack, but I was feeling especially brilliant this time around)—and be sure to bring enough shirt changes,  probably twice as much as you think you should. All that activity creates a lot of perspiration that never really has a chance to dry. And there isn’t any hotel laundry.

Also, when they recommend a medium sized backpack, they mean it. I went backpack shopping with one of my friends (former Air Force) thinking he would pick the best bag. I ended up with a huge pack (military and man-sized) which was like carrying a body bag on all my hikes… not so brilliant. Another tip: take all the toiletries you need because you won’t be able to buy them easily, you would have to go to “town” for them. And bring cash, Brazilian Reals that is—I didn’t see any banks or ATMs on Ihla Grande (they may be around, but I didn’t readily see them). When our last day’s hike ended “in town,” we had about 30 minutes to do some shopping I noticed that many establishments did indeed take credit cards.

What the island does have beyond the exquisite and magical rainforest is 23 great beaches, one of which, Lopez Mendes, was voted one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by Vogue magazine. If you go there, be on the lookout for the adorable Squirrel monkeys in the trees as you approach the beach. [Read more →]

Want to travel like a Pro? Wonder what the secret is for the traveler who never seems to get flustered when everything is going wrong? Whether you are flying out for business or pleasure, these tips that are proven to help you have a better trip!

In this video from my interview with “The Look’s” Maggie Rulli I tell you:

1. How to be prepared in case things go wrong. Doing this will give you piece of mind for your trip.

2. What you should never leave home without.

3. What you should always do once you step on airport property.

4. What will make YOU a standout for that last minute (free) upgrade to First Class. And you will never hear this from the airlines.

5. What I always have in my suitcase that makes me feel at home.

Hopstop: Even though I live in New York City, I don’t always know the best route to take so one of the apps I have used is Hopstop to get me to my destination the quickest, most convenient way possible. Now the Hopstop iPhone app will get you where you want to go in 62 major cities (with more being added every month) throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Paris and London.

You choose your preferred mode of transportation, key in your current location and where you want to go, and Hopstop provides step-by-step, accurate directions, including the length of time it will take you to get to each stop on your route and to your final destination.

Presselite has developed three essential guides for navigating underground in the New York City subways, the London Underground, and the Paris Metro. No more standing there trying to peer at maps when you’re in the station. Now you can map your route before you set out and carry it with you for reference along the way. New York City, Paris, and London

Google’s Mobile Map: This app has saved me more than once. Its even like a GPS when you are lost, like when I had printed directions to my brothers house but I took a wrong turn and didn’t know where I was! So I typed in my “end point” and the miraculous app found my present location (via cell phone) and I was then provided concise, correct directions. This app also provides directions for walking and for public transportation.

Get Taxi, This app launched initially in Israel, is now available in London and will soon be coming to Moscow, Paris, and other cities in Europe. No more queuing or wonder where to get a cab. Now you can order a taxi directly from your phone, which locates you via GPS and dispatches the cab closest to you. You can also get the driver’s name, license number, mobile phone number, and the car’s estimated arrival time, all while you track it’s progress in real time on a map—and then pay with a credit card if you wish.

Having back pain (or injuries) and then having to fly… well its just not an easy endeavor. And so it is my pleasure to speak with Dr. Kyle Worell and get his advice for those who are flying post injury or surgery.

Dr. Worell is a board certified Doctor of Chiropractic in New York, practicing both in Manhattan and Westchester. He specializes in spine and sports rehabilitation and is the team chiropractor for Team Continuum, an athletic based chartiy organization raising money for Cancer patients through participation in events such as marathons and triathlons.

In addition, Dr. Worell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a provider and post-graduate instructor of the well known, highly effective manual therapy technique Active Release Technique (ART).

Carolyn: As you know, its very challenging for passengers to move around on most flights. What do you suggest for someone who has back pain (or stiffness from a surgery/injury) if they are going to be on a long flight?

Dr. Worell: Flight travel is certainly hard on the body.  More so if you have a history of lower back pain or surgery. The sitting position, which is proving to be the modern day occupational hazard for the body, is tough on the lumbar spine.  The posture that one ineveitably sits in, coupled with the design of most airplane seats, takes a toll on the lower back on even the shortest of flights.  It is the position that most people adopt while seated that hurts us most.

The sitting position increases pressure on the lumbar spine discs greatly.  Depending on the posture during sitting (more forward bending, slumping or slouching) it can be as much as (approximately) 3 times that of standing pressure on the lumbar discs.  Stiffness is a function of compression on the lumbar spine and the response of the muscular and soft tissues in this region. [Read more →]

This weekend, on September 17 and 18, 2011 Travel +Leisure magazine is hosting an exciting new event, a Global Bazaar, at the Park Avenue Armory (located at 643 Park Avenue in New York City) to commemorate its milestone 40^th anniversary October issue! Truthfully, I can’t wait. I’m really excited about attending this event.

This Global Bazaar is being presented by American Express (Platinum Card holders will have access to early admission to the Saturday session and free on-site sign-up for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, which provides expedited clearance through customs in the United States. Amex will also offer special promotional packages to exotic destinations including Africa, China, and India) and Delta Air Lines (who will offer a virtual experience of their Global Delta Sky360° Lounge where visitors can drop in at any time to relax and sample cuisine created by Executive Chef Michelle Bernstein along with wines selected by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson).

The sponsors, all of whom will be exhibiting and offering their products, include the Barbados Tourism Authority, Baume & Mercier, Blurb.com, the Belgian Tourist Office, Boeing (who will offer attendees a chance to experience what it will be like to fly in their new Dreamliner), the Canadian Tourism Commission, Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate, Infiniti (showcasing their new M® Hybrid and 2012 Infiniti FX as well as a tasting of recipes created by Iron Chef Marc Forgione), InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts; Renaissance Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the Singapore Tourism Board; South African Tourism, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands, The James hotels, and Tourism Fiji and Air Pacific.

Each sponsor will be creating a unique installation designed to inspire your wanderlust, there will be samples of food and drink from around the world, and you will also be able to purchase authentic goods from all parts of the globe, including jewelry from Tibet, hand woven hammocks from Venezuela, Moroccan furnishings, and much more.

In addition, the U.S. Department of State will be there to help you apply for a passport book or card and have a really glamorous passport photo taken so that you’ll be prepared to take off on a travel adventure whenever you choose.

Worth mentioning~ This a 21+ Event. No one under 21 will be permitted to enter, including infants and small children in child carriers. This policy pertains to all events at the Global Bazaar without exception.

And yes, tickets be available for purchase onsite.

For more information about this event, click GLOBAL BAZAAR.

As an avid traveler, on both sides of the isle, it is my pleasure to introduce the incredibly interesting and insightful founder of Airlinetrends.com,  Raymond Kollau. Airlinetrends.com is an independent industry and consumer trends research agency.

Raymond has extensive experience in analyzing industry and consumer trends. For the past 7 years, he has been part of leading consumer trends agency trendwatching.com as a Consumer Trends Analyst, a position he still holds part-time today. Combining his travel industry expertise and his experience in consumer trends research, Raymond founded airlinetrends.com to bring inspiration and innovation to aviation professionals.  If you want to know more, Airlinetrends.com publishes a free newsletter every 3 weeks!

Carolyn:  I am absolutely delighted to be speaking with you Raymond. There is so much going on these days… Between smart phones, apps, and the iPad technology the way we travel has dramatically changed. What do you see as the leading force and or standout product that will continue to enhance and improve the travelers experience?

Raymond: The leading force that enhances and improves the travel experience is indeed personal digital devices, as they empower passengers to make better decisions (for instance access to real-time information), have more control over their travel experience, or share their experiences while on-the-go. Meanwhile, in the field of in-flight entertainment, airlines are increasingly teaming up with companies such as Apple and Samsung, instead of rolling out their own systems, in order to keep up with the fast developments in consumer electronics.

Carolyn: I am always impressed when Airlines offer innovative products and services. What 3 products and or services most impressed you this last year (or 2)?

Raymond: 1. Air New Zealand’s new B777-300s. Air New Zealand (ANZ), which tops our 2011 list of most innovative airlines in the world, has redesigned the long-haul inflight experience from scratch on its latest aircraft. Innovations include ‘Skycouches’ in Economy, ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ Spaceseats in Premium Economy, food and drinks ordering via the IFE system, while an inflight concierge hosts wine tastings and kids storytelling in the galleys. As ANZ is a small airline in a small country at the end of the world with powerful competitors everywhere, so it has to be innovative and nimble to gain an edge over larger rivals. [Read more →]

The magnitude of the events of September 11th, 2001 was profound and incredibly devastating for this country. Even though I watched it unfold from my roof, to this day I find it hard to find the right words.

The incredible fortitiude and bravery of the NYC Fire Department, NYPD, and all who were involved that day, and all the days that followed can only be described as heroic. How this amazing city and this great country pulled together is something I will never forget. My deepest sympathy and regards go out to all the families who have lost a loved one on that dark day.

As a proud American, a resident of New York City, and a flight attendant I felt the attack on three levels. My country, my home, and my profession were changed forever.

One of the most incredible trips I have ever flown is this military charter. We put up flags and well wishing posters (above) for the troops all over the cabin and galleys of the B-767 airplane. I had the extreme pleasure of bringing these brave American troops safely home to the United States (photo right). It was truly the highlight of my career in commercial aviation.

And so a decade later, I remember the horrible day that changed us all. But more importantly, I am inspired by how we as a nation, a city, and all of my fellow airline crew members united, transcended, and bravely marched on.

God Bless America.