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Archive for the ‘Planning’ Category
How to Get Upgraded to Business Class
When it comes to air travel, most every passenger yearns to hear the magic word: upgrade. A drink even before the plane takes off, meals with actual silverware and the joy of not having to share the armrest with a stranger – simply stated, the perks of first and business class. I got my taste for this style of travel completely by accident when American Airlines upgraded me due to an oversold flight. And my luck of getting upgrades has continued for a myriad of reasons. Here are my tips for moving to the front of the plane:
Elite Status: A little loyalty goes a long way, especially in this day in age where airlines are continually adding fees and taking perks away left and right. One group of people has been relatively unaffected. In fact, they have been catered to even more! Who are they? Elite flyers — those who have earned status with an airline from meeting mileage thresholds within a defined period of time. I have been elite for five years now and life is good. In addition to the on-the-ground perks like priority lines and no baggage fees, I often get bumped up to first class, even when flying internationally, due to oversold flights and empty seats in business class. How can you get to elite? Pick an airline to fly with (remember, you can fly their partner airlines and earn miles too, in most cases), find out what the threshold is (total miles flown or segments, typically) and then get moving! There are often other promotions affiliated with credit cards that can help you earn additional miles for your elite status.
Fare class: When you ticket a flight, you may notice a letter indicating your fare class. Airlines have a variety of fares from deeply discounted to full-fare first class. Within the economy cabin, the ticket with the most seniority is full-fare economy and offers you the ability to make changes without a fee. This privilege, of course, comes at a price. But, it does look the most tempting to a gate agent who needs to select a passenger to upgrade. Combine a higher fare with elite status and you are golden!
Day & Time: When you fly can also have an impact on the upgrade status. Monday and Thursday are probably the heaviest business travel days which have both an advantage and disadvantage. You may have an oversold flight which could prompt them to upgrade more but you probably have a long list of frequent flyer ahead of you. Less people fly on days like Wednesday and Saturday which could mean more seat availability. In these cases, you may find airlines offering rock-bottom deals to upgrade your seat.
Flexibility: When you’re flexible, good things usually come. Give up your seat on an oversold flight and the airline will give you compensation for a future flight and maybe even upgrade you as a way to say thanks. Or, if you are okay routing through a different hub, opportunities can also await. I have had this happen to me once before. My mom and I were flying from San Francisco to Singapore via Hong Kong. As we waited in the check-in line, they made an announcement asking if anyone had a final destination other than Hong Kong. We raised our hand and they asked us if we’d be willing to go through Tokyo instead and be upgraded to business class the entire way. Oh course, we didn’t mind!
Look the part: I used to dress in tracksuits or pajamas to go to the airport. No one took me seriously in the business traveler world. Then, in about 2005, I decided to re-invent “Airport Kristina.” This overhaul included wearing actual clothing (something that is comfy but looks put together), applying make-up and putting some effort into my hair and trading my backpack in for a roller-bag. All of the sudden, I slowly began being accepted into the world of frequent flyer. Not only does it help with upgrades but it also helps me look legit when I am in the airport lounges which I now regularly patronize.
Written by DIWYY’s Kristina Wegscheider who regularly enjoys free upgrades thanks to her airline loyalty.
Teaching English Abroad: Part 2
Teaching English Abroad Part 2: The Search
The search for a job teaching English abroad can be done in several ways. It mostly depends on the country where you are interested in teaching. Developed countries will have more requirements for being hired and will usually have more visa requirements as well. Whereas developing countries typically do not have as much red tape and make the search a little bit easier.
The Internet is going to be your key to finding a job abroad. If you Google the phrase: “teach English abroad” you will get six million results back, so I suggest making your internet search a little more specific. If you can determine a few cities you think you would enjoy being stationed in, then it will make your search a bit easier. At the same time though, you need to be flexible. If you have your heart set on one city, it might take you a while to find a job, or you could be disappointed when you only find listings in other cities.
If you are interested in teaching in a developing country, I usually suggest packing your bags, buying a plane ticket and just showing up in your country of interest. This sounds incredibly scary and risky, but is worth it for a few reasons. The first time I left the country to work abroad, it sounded like it would be a great fit, but I quickly found out upon arrival that the city I was going to be living in was not ideal for me. Throughout my stay in Thailand, I was constantly offered teaching positions everywhere I went. I realized that I could have just wandered the country until I found a suitable location, and then accepted one of the many jobs offered to me.
If this is an option you might actually consider, then you need to be a very proactive person. Sometimes being offered a job is as easy as mentioning that you are an English teacher to the right person, but if you are avidly looking for a job, you might need to be a little more aggressive than that. Tell everyone you meet abroad that you are an English teacher looking to settle down in that area. Most people you will meet know at least one other English teacher or school, and this can lead to important connections. Schools can’t hire you if they don’t know you are out there looking for a job. Make sure you let people know you are interested. Networking is your best friend in this type of search, not the Internet.
Things can be much more complicated if you are looking to teach in a more developed country. For example, South Korea requires that you send them your diploma, a background check, and transcripts from your university. Not only do they need all of these items, but they also need you to be in your home country during the application process. So it would be a poor idea to show up in South Korea and hope to get a job.
If you are leaning towards teaching in a developed country or don’t want to show up in a developing country looking for work, then your next question is “How do I find a job on the internet?” Before you start googling, let me warn you that many of the ‘jobs’ you will find listed are not in fact jobs. Many times they will ask you to pay them to come teach English.
Volunteering is wonderful and I am sure that there are pay-to-volunteer programs available that put a lot of the money you pay towards helping the organization you work with, but unfortunately there are many that don’t. Sometimes the organizations that will set you up with a teaching position if you pay a couple thousand bucks are just scamming you. For one of my previous jobs I worked with volunteers who came through a rather large name in the pay to volunteer business, and I can say without a doubt that almost all of the money went directly into their pockets and did not reach our organization. So if you choose the pay-to-volunteer route, make sure your money is going where you want it to.
Remember what I said in my previous post as well, TEFL and TESOL certification is not completely necessary to teach abroad. Before you spend the money on it, make sure you absolutely need it.
Sifting through the results that your search engine will turn up is definitely a process. Idealist.org is a great website for the global job search. This website allows you to search by country, language, categories, job type, etc. If you are interested in teaching English in South Korea I recommend going to Dave’s ESL Cafe and checking out the listings there. I wish I had a list of websites for prospective teachers for every country, but I don’t. If you know of a great website for teaching abroad in any country, please comment below. Let’s compile a list of helpful websites for prospective English teachers!
Written by Danielle Koffler. Be sure to check out her blog, Wake Up and Dance.
48 Hours in Copenhagen
While working on a TV show in May I found out that we were going to have an unexpected 2 week hiatus. I thought about staying home being lazy and just enjoying my time off and sleep in every day until 11am. However I have been
suffering from a major case of the travel bug for the past few years now and the moment my mother jokingly said to me “Two weeks off? I’m surprised you aren’t going anywhere!” I started checking out flights for Europe.
I had been hoping for a European vacation later in the summer with the idea of heading to the north, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Not having tons of time though I decided just to travel to Denmark and Sweden and it perfectly worked out that the dates I would be visiting Denmark were the same dates as Chris from the Aussie Nomad.
I am pretty sure we did as much as physically possible in Copenhagen in a 48 hour period (minus the Carlsberg brewery and a few museums because they are closed on Monday’s and partly due to too many other things that we were doing).
Getting to the city center: I flew into the Copenhagen Airport (CPH) from London and it could not of been easier to find the trains to get to the city: just follow the signs and you can’t miss it. I took the train a couple stops from the airport to the Copenhagen Central station which only took 10-15 minutes. Chris took the train from Germany using a Eurorail pass and it dropped him off right at that same station.
Accommodations: I had a hard time deciding where to stay in Copenhagen as the internet was full of bad reviews for every place and all of them seemed more expensive than other hostels throughout Europe (FYI: Denmark is one of the most expensive European countries). My final choice for a hostel was based on location and I stayed at the Danhostel Copenhagen Downtown hostel right in the middle of the city a 2 minute walk to Tivoli and about a 5 minute walk to the train station. A weird thing about this hostel is that they asked the guests to clean everything. Now I understand cleaning up after yourself but there needs to be a certain amount of upkeep on their behalf which was lacking and foam pads and metal bars on beds don’t mix well together. Chris stayed at the Sleep in Heaven hostel on the outskirts of town but he seemed to get around by public transport easily and I’m pretty sure he enjoyed the free wi-fi a fair bit.
Sightseeing: The top tourist attraction in Copenhagen hands down would have to be the famous Little Mermaid statue (Den lille havfrue) which sits in the harbour just off of Langlinie Park. The statue was originally commissioned by the founder of Carlsberg Beer after being fascinated by the fairytale which he saw portrayed at the ballet based off of the famous Hans Christian Andersen’s story. It’s a nice scenic walk from the city center to where the statue is located especially if you walk along the canals and harbour which some may argue is the longer way to get there, but it is worth 
it. You get to pass by the Danish Stock exchange with its unusual three dragon spire, you get a nice view of the Spire from the Church of our Saviour near Christiania, the Amalienborg palace (the future home of the Crown Prince Frederik and family) and you can see the multi-color buildings of Nyhavn Harbor and why not enjoy an ice cream from one of the many ice cream shops along the way?
Another must see/do item in Copenhagen is Tivoli Gardens. Located in the center of the city, Tivoli is said be the 2nd oldest theme park in all of Europe, opened in 1843. Inside Tivoli there are theme park rides and roller coasters, lots of games to play, a lake to stroll around, a few concert areas and many places to eat and drink. Chris and I both agreed it is definitely a great place to go on a first date, or a romantic night on the town while on the road.
Unique features: Copenhagen is also famous for a small area of the city called “Christiania” which is also known as “the Freetown”. Regarded as a commune, it is an old military area that was taken over by squatters in the 70’s and is run by its own rule with no policing by the Copenhagen Police inside its walls. A very colourful place, not only from its shockingly crazy graffiti, but also from the people who live there. We were told by a few people to visit here including a lady at the tourist information desk, but aside from it being a “must see” we didn’t know much about it. As we walked through part of the compound we were taking photos and a little video but not too long after we got there we were told by some residents to put our cameras away. There is a street in Christiania called “Pusher” street, since there are no Police here, drugs are legal and everyone sells them on tables and stands on this street, just as if they were as normal as hot dog stands.
Shopping: Although Copenhagen is very expensive it would be a shame not to take in some of its fabulous shopping, even if you are just doing it from the window. Be sure to visit the pedestrian streets of Købmagergade and Strøget where all the big brand names are squeezed in between the fabulous boutiques.
Everything is located very close to the city center — easily walkable or just a quick bike ride away. The city has many bicycle paths and there are many options of bikes to rent for a day or even just a few hours.
More than 24-hours? I also recommend checking out the Copenhagen Zoo if you have time. The highlight of the zoo in Copenhagen for me was seeing the Polar beers and the low-light for Chris (the aussie nomad) was of course seeing Australian animals. However an interesting fact, the Copenhagen Zoo is the only place in the world outside of Australia where you can find the Tasmanian Devil. The Tasmanian Devils found here were actually donated from Australia on the birth of Danish Prince Frederik and Princess Mary’s (originally Australian) first son.
Written by Cailin O’Neil who visited Copenhagen, Denmark in May 2010. Be sure to check out Cailin’s website, Travel Yourself.
GoCar: The Cure for the Common Tour
GoCar: The Cure for the Common Tour
Whenever I visit a new city, I like to do some sort of city tour to get acclimated. From free walking tours to organized coach tours, this gives me some sense of direction and a way to see the city highlights. But, being the adventurer that I am, I like to see the city in unique ways too. So, when I discovered that GoCar, GPS-guided tours in little cars you drive around the city, were available, I grabbed my friend Anna and we explored a little gem right in our own backyard of San Francisco.
Destination Details: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs is coined “Ski Town USA” for a good reason! Not only does Steamboat offer world-class skiing with sought-after champagne powder snow, but the town has produced more Olympians than any other town. Need another reason to visit? There is more fun to be had in the summer, too!
Getting There: Steamboat Springs is located in the north western portion of Colorado, so you have a few methods of transportation to get you there. In the winter, many tourists fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) first, and then catch a small plane up to the Hayden Airport (HDN). From Hayden, it is roughly a 30-40 minute drive to Steamboat (weather dependent!)
A Girl’s Backpacker Guide to Auckland
A Girl’s Backpacker Guide to Auckland
Auckland is a rather exciting city to be in at the moment. It’s sprucing itself up for that very girlie of sports, the Rugby World Cup, taking place next year. New bars and restaurants are popping up and public transport will have you in the green and leafy suburbs within 15 minutes. There’s plenty for the female backpacker here, boutiques, superb coffee and stretches of both city and wild beach. But to find a few bargains you’ll need a helping hand.
Reader Perspective: Packing Tips
As I pull down my suitcases to pack for another long-term trip, a fresh memory comes racing back into my mind. It was about 5:30 am at the four-plane airport in Merida. After spending three months in the Mexican town, I found myself sitting on the curb surrounded by 2 suitcases, 1 duffel bag and a 34 lb. shoulder bag that I was hoping to pass off as my “one personal item”.
After waiting approximately 20 minutes for the airport to open, I hoisted myself upon the 5 in. wedges that wouldn’t begin to fit into my suitcases, picked up my hand-made poncho and loosened the buttons on my cardigan, which happened to act as my 3rd layer. As I waddled up to security and hoisted my bulging duffel upon the counter, I heard the words I was dreading: “Ma’m, we’re going to have to go through you’re bag.”
“Good luck,” I said, wincing at the thought of trying to stuff it all back in.
While security searches are inevitable, I have since learned a few tips to plan for a more enjoyable relocation experience.
First – and most importantly – plan ahead. By giving yourself time, you can figure out how many pieces of luggage you will need and weigh them before standing at the check-in gate. Keep in mind that many national flights charge around $50 for the first piece of checked baggage and an extra fee if the baggage exceeds 50 lbs. When it comes to checking a second bag, you’re almost always looking at a fee. By planning ahead, you call your airline or visit their website to see if they will charge for the first or second bag. Furthermore, planning ahead allows you to edit your wardrobe so that it will all fit. If you can get away with just bringing a carry-on, it will save you some vacation money and the hassle of baggage claim or lost luggage.
Secondly, weather plays a huge role in packing preparation. Taking a parka to your beach vacation is like asking to be charged the extra fee for heavy baggage. However, if you need to bring big, bulky items with you, try wearing them on the plane. If the idea of walking around the airport in 5 in. wedges is too daunting, chances are you can get away with leaving them at home.
Finally, leave room. This not only comes in handy when you have to repack your bag after security, but it also allows room for souvenirs you pick up along the way. Sometimes I like packing full-size shampoo bottles because I know they can be used and then tossed for extra space on the trip home.
By packing appropriately and leaving extra space, packing can be a much better experience. And please don’t find yourself in my shoes…errhm, wedges… and plan ahead for a relaxing airport experience.
Written by Emily Feldman, DIWYY guest writer. Be sure to visit Emily’s blog, Emily en Espana.
8 Location Ideas for Bachelorette Parties
Have you been tasked with planning the ultimate Bachelorette Party for a friend or family member? Fear not, DIWYY and A Girl’s Gotta Go have teamed up to share a list of ideas. Starting this week, we’ll be highlighting one of these destinations each week so feel free to ask questions and share your tips if you have been (even if it wasn’t for a Bachelorette Party!)
Would you rather leave the planning and organization to the professionals? The fabulous team at A Girl’s Gotta Go can help you plan the ultimate vacation whether it is a Bachelorette Party, Girlfriend Getaway, Honeymoon or Family Trip.
1. South Beach, Florida
Turn up the heat, and head to South Beach, Florida, which keeps the party going from day to night and back to day again. The South Beach environment allows stilettos and bikinis to coincide in harmony. Spend the day at the beach or your hotel pool and then make your way to Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive to celebrate those final pre-lifetime-commitment moments.
There are a large variety of hotel options to match your entourage’s style and budget, starting with one of Miami Beach’s crown jewels, The Raleigh Hotel. The Raleigh has thrived while much of Miami has changed due to its iconic pool and creed to take the Art of Beaching seriously. If classy and intimate is more your style, the boutique collection of eight South Beach Group Hotels offer several options of modern elegance to the budget minded traveler.
2. New York City, New York
There’s now an adventurous plot twist to this typical bachelorette destination. Bring out your bachelorette’s inner Charlie’s Angel with a “mission” from the Stiletto Spy School. The Stiletto Spy School “missions” are fun adventurous half day or full day classes that include professional instruction on knife fighting, deception detection, seductive dance, poker lessons and more in New York City.
Many NYC hotels offer special packages to add the finishing touches to this action-packed bachelorette. Treat yourself to an evening of mischief with the Gansevoort hotel’s “Night Owl” package which includes everything from a complimentary bottle of liquor upon arrival to VIP passes to some of NYC’s hottest clubs. Or choose to enjoy some retail therapy with a City Shopping Tour from the Carlton Hotel. This shopper’s dream package includes a private appointment with a Shopping Concierge, a shopping tour to some of NYC’s trendiest boutiques as well as special coupons.
3. California – Wine Country
Does your bachelorette enjoy sophistication as well as the outdoors? Get to know the California Wine Country from the seat of a bicycle – a wonderful way to appreciate this unique region. Ride past world-famous vineyards, through soaring redwood forests and along a captivating coastline. Stop en route at a few of our favorite wineries to sample some of the area’s award-winning vintages. From hidden gems to better-known treasures, this Backroads® vacation will introduce you to the scenic routes, picnic spots and perfect vistas that make this patch of Northern California so special. And don’t forget the soothing massages, mud baths and other spa services available for your indulgence.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
The Big Easy is back in the top ten of “America’s Favorite Cities” according to Travel + Leisure magazine and it is also an unforgettable locale for a bachelorette party. A foodie bachelorette will love the indulgence of New Orlean’s world famous cuisine. Between the jazz clubs, cozy bars, and luxe lounges, New Orleans also has what it takes to create the night of a lifetime – night after night.
The Loews New Orleans, ideally located in the Crescent City, close to many attractions, offers a “Live Like a Local” package add-on to any two night room booking that will allow you to enjoy drinks at the world renowned Pat O’Brien’s in the French Quarter, Cafe au Lait & Beignets at Café du Monde, and breakfast at Mother’s Restaurant.
5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is a place of magnificent contrasts. It wears its colonial Old Mexico charm like a glorious gown, while adding the jeweled necklace of adventure where every imaginable kind of fun is available. For example, Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco — the land of tequila and mariachis. Need we say more!
Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers a special Girlfriend Getaway Package including:
• Manicure and pedicure session per girl
• Champagne and strawberries in room(s) upon arrival
• Daily morning yoga sessions
• Complimentary access to spa’s hydrotherapy areas
• 10% off spa treatments
• Complimentary room service one morning offering Mimosas, a fresh fruit plate and pastries
• Complimentary girlfriends group photo
6. St. John, US Virgin Islands
The Westin St. John is putting a spin on the traditional Bachelor and Bachelorette parties with this NEW getaway package. Located on 1,200 feet of private beach, The Westin Resort St. John, USVI is a tropical retreat that’s easy to reach. Not far from St. Thomas airport, the resort is also minutes from the Virgin Islands National Park. Nestled among hibiscus and bougainvillea the resort offers water sports, tennis, nearby golf, great dining, and spas.
Designed especially for bachelorettes and their friends, this group package includes:
- a $100 per person credit towards spa pampering or watersports
- a daily $100 dining credit per person
- group activities such as competitive co-ed bobbing for beers and soda
- Westin Breeze Transportation to St. Thomas
- Welcome Beach Bag Amenity with Bottle of Rum
- 50 percent off the bachelor and bachelorette’s favorite drink, renamed in honor of them for the day.
7. Make your Bachelorette a floating pajama party on a 3-Day Cruise
Start by choosing a starting port and a destination: on the East Coast, Port Canaveral, FL allows for several 3-Day cruises to tropical Caribbean locations, while Bachelorettes on the West Coast can enjoy sailing to Baja Mexico from Los Angeles, California. From spas to casinos, cruise lines naturally carry all of the necessary amenities for the perfect last hurrah!
8. Beaches, Turks & Caicos
Packages start at $1199* per person
Future trip dates include October 14 – 18, 2010 & May 12 – 16, 2011
Dive into a one-of-a-kind, unbelievably exciting all inclusive vacation at Beaches Turks & Caicos. A 45,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art waterpark; three magnificent villages, boasting the architecture and ambiance of Italy, France and the Caribbean; incredibly sumptuous hotel accommodations; a powder-white-sand, 12-mile beach lapped by clear turquoise waters – all amidst some of the most gorgeous tropical scenery on the planet.
Beaches Turks & Caicos is rolling out the red carpet for you and your girlfriends to go on a 4-night vacation in paradise at very special rates. So, grab your girlfriends, kick back, relax and enjoy Caribbean-style fun at the Beaches Friends Forever (B.F.F.) Girls Getaway.
Exclusive B.F.F. Activities* include:
- Welcome cocktail reception
- Island Dance Lessons
- Skin-timate Skin Care Sessions
- Beach Bonfire Pajama Party
- Meditation Classes
- Beach Yoga and Seaside Pilates Classes
- Chartered Snorkeling
- Farewell Dinner
Ready to book? Contact A Girl’s Gotta Go today and let the experts take care of the details so you can enjoy your getaway.
Destination Details: La Paz, Bolivia
Getting There: Travelers can easily arrive to La Paz (LPB) by airplane as airline carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines all fly into this high-altitude city. Remember that La Paz (LPB) sits at 3660 meters, so airfare tickets often reflect this elevation in their high prices. South American airlines also fly into Aeropuerto El Alto, and prices rarely vary between carriers. If you’re looking for the most inexpensive domestic carrier, try TAM Airlines first.
We’re all going on a ROADTRIP!
It’s time to shake things up a bit, find your inner Kerouac, and go a new adventure you’ve always dreamed of. Forget about planes and trains, embrace your automobile and hit the road.
Get your girlfriends. Pick a place. And Go!
