Episode 70 – Website Info
Air Date: Sun. Oct. 13th, 2019
Special Guest
Alecia Wartowski – Traveler and Executive Director of Foundation 65
Website: www.flipturnconsulting.com
Colleen & Catie’s Picks for Halloween Travel
Colleen
European Destination: Salzburg, Austria
What makes it unique: Salzburg is an Austrian city on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps. A mid-size fairytale city in a valley in Austria where Mozart was born and the Sound of Music was filmed.
Accommodations: Hotel Sacher on the Salzach river or the local hostel which is famous for patrons dancing on tables in their bar. Pensions are also an affordable option and tend to be super cute. Or you can stay on a local farm, which is what we did and had an amazing farm breakfast.
Restaurants: Augustiner Brau – a beer garden run by monks
Activities:
Salt mine Hallstatt Austria – Cavernous salt-mine museum with educational exhibits, an underground slide & a salt-lake boat ride.
Riding bikes around town
Take the Sound of Music tour (book at www.panoramatours.com)
When to visit: Spring, summer and fall
How to get around: Public Transportation the best as parking is limited. You must purchase a bus pass but then you can hop on and off any form of transit that you would like…
Tips:
About 30 minutes from Salzburg is Hallstat, a town on the edge of a lake surrounded by mountains. You need to take a boat to visit but it is gorgeous.
In Austria, many businesses are closed on Sundays so plan accordingly
Taxes are included in the prices
Many Austrians speak basic English
No need to tip as waiters get paid at least min. wage (unless you’re feeling generous, of course)
Catie
European Destination: London, England
What makes it unique: The food, atmosphere, there is something electro to this city that is hard for me to explain. It’s easy to get to like on Norwegian Air although they will not be running until March 2020 now.
Accommodations: Athenaeum Hotel – Hidden away in Mayfair, the classy, elegant Athenaeum Hotel even offers afternoon teas, cakes and pastries.
Restaurants:
Afternoon Tea at other hotels like Claridges, the Sanderson, Browns, and the Ritz.
Many hotels offer great themed afternoon teas, like the Alice in Wonderland themed Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson.
Activities: Site seeing and doing day trips to Downton Abbey film locations like the Highclere Castle – www.highclerecastle.co.uk
When to visit: Fall is great as they celebrate the holidays starting in November. Ice Skating at the Natural History Museum is a favorite!
How to get around: The tube – Use the Oyster card (a payment method for public transport in London in the United Kingdom)
Tips:
If you want to take the Eurostar to Paris…
The Channel Tunnel provides a route to Britain from the European continent via Eurostar trains (which take passengers) and Eurotunnel trains (which take passengers in their cars).
The cost is comparable to flying and the train can be more convenient and eco-friendly.
A one-way ticket between London and Paris can cost as little as $32; prices depend on the day and time of your journey and how far in advance you book.
Passengers on coaches/buses and in cars board a freight train run by Eurotunnel that takes 35 minutes to travel from Calais in France to the port of Folkestone in the UK
Tipping taxi drivers
It’s customary to round the total fare up to the nearest pound. If you choose to tip your taxi driver because they help you with your luggage or have delivered excellent service, a 10-15% tip is a nice gesture.
Tipping when you order food
Although you don’t need to tip the delivery person when they drop off your food, an extra pound or two will always be appreciated.
If you’re in a restaurant a service charge is sometimes added to your total bill, which you are expected to pay.
If nothing is added and you are happy with the service you’ve received, a tip of around 10-15% is standard
“What’s” with the “Trip Sisters”
What’s in Your Suitcase?
Travelon Bags – https://www.travelonbags.com/
Founded as a domestic manufacturer of luggage carts more than 30 years ago, Travelon is now an industry leader of travel products and accessories designed to make Travel Easier and Safer™ for all. With features like locking compartments, RFID Blocking pockets, and slash-resistant materials, Travelon wallets, bags, or carryons are a must-have for every jet-setter.
What’s on your phone?
Omio – https://www.omio.com/
Omio has simplified the travel planning process so that you can save time—and money! Check all your options and use the advanced filters to accommodate your personal needs. Their real-time comparison gives you direct access to over 600 trains, buses, and flight partners, and you can compare the three different modes of transport directly next to one another to find the quickest and/or most affordable journey.
What’s the tip?
Tips for Sleeping on a Plane
An eye mask – Instead of using the cheap, scratchy eye masks that the airlines sometimes pass out on long flights, bring your own. You’ll be much more comfortable.
Earplugs – Essential for a good night’s sleep.
Noise-cancelling headphones – If there’s a screaming baby near you, earplugs aren’t going to the trick. Use noise-cancelling headphones to play soft music, an audio book or meditation music.
Wear comfortable clothes – Be sure to dress in layers and wear comfortable clothes.
Buckle up – Wear your seatbelt over the outer garment of your clothing or blanket so flight attendants don’t have to wake you when they do their safety checks if the seatbelt sign goes on.
Pack food and water – If you don’t want to be restricted to the flight crew’s schedule, bring your own food and drink.
Get a window seat – So you have something to lean against
Communicate – When boarding, be sure to let the flight attendant know not to wake you for food or drink if you don’t want any
Bring a pillow – There are tons of different neck pillows on the market.
Sleeping pills – Might be the only thing to work for some people but check with your doctor first.
