The holidays are a time when many of us travel, whether for work or for pleasure. However, because travel has become a favorite pastime for so many, now is also a great time to gift our friends that love to travel with all of the latest gadgets and fun items that can add to or simplify their experience. To get the inside scoop on this season’s travel trends, tips and even some of the must have travel gifts of the season, we sat down for a little Q&A with MA Shute of BPP Tours, a boutique tour company offering exclusive tours throughout Tuscany plus much more!
Our first question to M.A. was really about what is making travel so hot these days. Everyone seems to be either going on a trip or planning a trip in the near future and when speaking with our expert, she had some very definite ideas about why this business is booming! The following is some insight from a very interesting chat we recently had…..
MRG: What trends in travel, especially for women, are you seeing on the horizon?
MAS: Hands down, the fastest growing segment of the travel industry is women travelers. The travel ranges from women traveling solo, mother/daughter trips, aunts/nieces (P.A.N.K s) and girlfriend groups. There is a demand for groups who want to celebrate a major birthday with friends. There has been a 230% increase in women-only travel companies. Who better to understand what women want? The average age of a female adventure traveler is 47. Of course, there is always a great interest in shopping as my Tuscany trip is always based out of Florence. This is where Roz Pactor comes into play. However, I also have experts in all areas of Culture, Wine tasting, Cooking that contribute their part to the fun and excitement of the experience. Recently, there is also an increase in demand for an activity-based trip. I am working on an itinerary called “Tighten Your Tushy in Tuscany” with a leading Trainer and Yoga Instructor here in Houston, for example.
MRG: As a woman, what advice can you give your fellow female travelers?
MAS: Always consider your safety. The biggest risk in Europe is pickpockets. I carry a long-handled Longchamp bag that has a zipper and a flap that goes over the zipper and snaps. When walking, carry your bag on your shoulder away from the street. This prevents someone on motorcycle from approaching you from behind and taking it off your shoulder. Cross-body, hands-free bags are a hot new trend in secure travel bags. Pay attention in crowded markets, train stations or getting into cabs. Areas where you expect to get jostled are havens for pickpockets. Do not carry your passport with you unless you need it for government authorities. Leave it in the safe in your hotel. Carry a copy or take a picture of it with your phone. Use R.F.I.D. wallets or sleeves for your passport and credit cards. Technology today allows someone to walk down the street and steal the numbers from your credit cards and other documents. You can purchase these at any travel store or on Amazon. Travel with credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and find out if your bank has a relationship with a foreign bank which could save on ATM fees. Use ATMs at banks, you will get the best exchange rate available. Avoid the cambios on the streets or the ATMs that are not connected with banks.
And finally, learn to travel light! You have much more flexibility. Ounces count. Look for every way possible to reduce weight. For example, visit your favorite make up counter before you leave and ask for your make up in the sample bottles. Take only as much shampoo and other toiletries as you need. Buy the 3 ounce TSA approved bottles for your liquids. This sounds silly but you can reduce the weight of your luggage by 3-5 pounds by doing this.
MRG: What’s the one thing you never travel without?
MAS: As trite and cliché as this sounds, the thing I won’t leave home without is my American Express card. If your wallet is lost or stolen, or your credit cards are compromised, American Express is the only card you can replace in Europe. You will have to wait until you return home to replace your VISA and MasterCard. Even though many places do not accept AMEX, most hotels and many restaurants do. Also, another item that is a must is to never leave home without your adaptors; bring plenty. A favorite new device of mine is the strip that has both plugs for your adaptors and also USB ports that you can plug right in to. This is a much more efficient way to handle your technology.
MA’s tips and tricks for traveling are a must follow. There are also some great travel gifts on the market right now that reinforce what she is saying. Here’s some of our top picks for what to put under the tree for your favorite traveler.
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