Dear Travel Agent,

Let’s talk about medication and travel. But, I first need to disclaim that I am not a doctor, nor is it my intention to give any medical advice.

Now that we are clear on that, let me give you some tips on how to travel while continuing to take your medication. It is very important to bring your medication in the original containers (box or round plastic bottle) with your name, your doctor’s name and information, and/or if you still have it, the prescription from the doctor. It is also important to bring enough medication to cover all the days of your trip, plus a few more in case of any delays that may occur on the trip. Do not bring too many pills, you could lose them, or in some countries they may believe you are in the business of selling meds!

Some countries have restrictions on medications, make sure you read them and understand that your prescription is not included in their restrictions. The sooner you learn about this, the better able you are to discuss this with your doctor or clinic.

Another point to consider, when medication needs to be taken BEFORE you go to bed or in the evening time because they can make you tired or dizzy, pay attention to timing when you are traveling abroad and going to Asia, Europe, or Australia since time will be of the essence. Same thing with your morning meds.

If you need to purchase medication while you are abroad for any reason, such as seeing a doctor there, make sure those medications are safe to bring home.

The following point is very important! Being on vacation doesn’t mean you are on vacation from your medication. Only your doctor can decide that. Actually it should be the opposite – ALWAYS tell your doctor you are going on a vacation, and make sure you don’t need MORE medication, instead of less. And, while you are discussing this with your doctor, check to see if any spices, drinks or anything else that comes to mind could interact with your medication. If possible, get the name of a doctor in another country if you have any concerns while traveling, and ALWAYS, ALWAYS have a TRAVEL INSURANCE!

Since we are talking about medication, let’s include vaccinations. Make sure you have had all the vaccines required for the destination where you are going.

Feel free to ask me questions, just not medical ones!

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Dear Travel Agent,

In my last blog, I mentioned that I would be writing about my recent cruise to Japan and Korea, ending in Shanghai.

We arrived 2 days prior to our cruise in Tokyo, (too short, there were so many things to see and do in Tokyo!) and we stayed 2 nights in Shanghai at the end of the trip.

We were passengers on a 14-day Celebrity Cruise, and even though they are not my sponsor, I highly recommend this cruise. There were only 2 days spent at sea.

We decided to experience some local tour guides in Tokyo, and in Kobe, with the guide, we went on a bullet train to Kyoto and took the subway to Osaka. We loved all 3 places and can’t wait to go back and visit more.

We tried to see Mount Fuji but the weather was too cloudy for that. Instead, I took a picture of a poster of Mount Fuji, and I saved it in my pictures. Now, with my imagination, I can pretend I saw it, and I can lie to all and say I did see it 😜.  Kagoshima was nice, and we learned a lot from Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Nagasaki was our last port in Japan and it was truly hard work for the crew and passengers to get everyone through immigration in such a small port. Everyone on the ship had to disembark at about 3pm and then re-enter. The line was long, and people were not very happy. Busan was the highlight of Korea – what a beautiful destination, there was so much to see.

Another issue we had was regarding our Visas to visit China. Most people don’t need a Visa IF they only stay up to 144 hours (6 days) in Shanghai. Without a Visa, a person cannot stay over 6 days, or go to another place outside of Shanghai. We had all the information they needed from our hotel and stayed 2 nights in Shanghai. Much less than 144 hours. Our passports clearly stated that our date of departure should be no later than 11/02, and we left 10/29. Despite all of this, we had some issues exiting the country through immigration. Their inability to speak English did not help, and it took a while to show proof to the young-looking immigration person in charge, explaining that we had the right documentation and our departure was within the correct time limit.

People have asked me what I liked the most:

•  The cruise line
•  Destination Japan: I loved Tokyo and would love to do more in Tokyo.
•  Destination Korea: I’d love to go back to Busan
•  Destination China: Shanghai was not my favorite at all, other than The Bund. China is very crowded and smoggy for my taste.

So, what would my perfect cruise to Japan and Korea look like?

It would start in Tokyo, going only to Busan in Korea, and coming back to Tokyo, no more than 2 days at sea, and yes, make it 14 or 15 days.  In order to write this blog I went back to Celebrity Cruise Line’s website to check the itinerary, and to my surprise. I found EXACTLY my dream itinerary to Japan and Korea for November 9 (my birthday) 2019. Well, what a birthday present! You know what I did? Yes, you guessed right! I booked my perfect itinerary for Japan and Korea in 2019.

Come with me and let’s celebrate! After all, we should all be screaming loud and clear about making travel dreams come true: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY TO BE ALIVE!

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Dear Travel Agent,

I have just returned from an awesome 15-day cruise to Japan and Korea, which ended in Shanghai. I will write about this cruise on my next blog – don’t miss it!

Today I want to talk about how a person chooses between a cruise or a land package to any destination. This is good information to help a client, or prospective one, decide what would be more suitable for them, even if they have never been on a cruise or an organized tour.

I like to compare a cruise (even a river cruise) to a food fair or fancy food court. There is the comfort of going to only one place and experiencing different flavors of appetizers and exotic cuisines. Since they are just appetizers, they are not big enough to make into a full meal, but with an open mind, you can taste as many as they offer. Eventually you can repeat the experience, or even choose the appetizers you liked the most, and come back later for a “full meal.”

An organized tour is the “full meal” you signed up for. Maybe you heard about it, or someone recommended it, but you will enjoy the full course meal, from appetizers to desserts, and for that, YOU will have to move from place to place, instead of being in a food fair or fancy food court. You will have the full experience, from the food to the kitchen, the cook and all (the whole culture).

Those who follow me can see I clearly love both. I will also write about when I prefer to cruise, and when I prefer an organized or private tour.

This is a good guide to help those who are undecided, and to start a nice conversation with a client, or prospective one, about travel: for sure, they know what they like to eat!

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Dear Travel Agents,

Last week we talked about anxiety and travel, today we will talk about travelers with eccentricities, or as others might call it – being weird.

I strongly believe and suggest that to be a good travel agent we should embrace, accept, and make travelers feel comfortable about being eccentric in any way. The more we can make them feel understood, the less inclined they will be to book online, where Mr. or Ms. ONLINE will not accept, embrace, or make exceptions or accommodations for their eccentricities.

Now that we all agree on that, let’s start naming some eccentricities:

I will go first! Even though I have been to 78 countries, and even traveled back to many of these same countries; I need my own pillow. Not necessarily one specific pillow (because of its shape or form) but the idea of laying my face down (yes, I sleep facing down) on a pillow where many strangers have put their head, grosses me out. The beauty of this is that by talking about it, I have found that many people share this same eccentricity. Now, when I see people going onto airplanes with their own pillows, I smile to myself and I know exactly why the person is doing that.

Another eccentricity (not mine this time) is people who travel with wipes and clean the seat and table before sitting. Have you seen these people? I have! They take extra time when we are all in line trying to place our luggage overhead before taking our seats.

Others need white noise when they sleep in hotels. I have had many travel agents ask me how to make this possible for their clients. I usually suggest that they bring their own noise machine, and make sure to have a converter for electricity. In case they don’t have their own machine, many can use a fan, and that can be requested in most hotels. The sound of the fan will help them get to sleep.

There are so many eccentricities that people have, can you share one? Admitting their personal needs makes travelers more human, and travel agents more useful. Booking ONLINE doesn’t offer an ear or a heart to understand that no matter how expensive or simple a trip is, a human is complicated, and sometimes a little weird like the rest of us.

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Dear Travel Agent,

Let’s talk about something people are very uncomfortable admitting or even discussing: anxiety!

Some travelers have a hard time flying, going through TSA, dealing with long lines in the airports, going to different countries, sleeping on beds that are not their own, being away from family members, and so on.

I am only focusing on anxiety that is related to travel, and we can list so many reasons that a bottle of Xanax would not be enough.

It can be very hard for a traveler or prospective traveler to admit that they are feeling anxious. There seems to be a lot of shame about this, and admitting anxiety can make someone feel vulnerable and maybe even feel that they have a mental disorder.

I have been traveling for over 25 years. I have been to 77 countries (on my way to Japan now, number 78!) I have traveled back to some of the same countries countless times, and I can honestly tell you that I have seen so many people having anxiety about different aspects of travel – INCLUDING myself. It is normal, and a Xanax or a relaxing drink can do miracles!

As a travel agent, do a favor for your travelers or prospective travelers. Share this with them. Share information about anxiety, and help them feel normal. Anxiety is just an overwhelming feeling that comes when a person has no control over what will happen, and instead of going with the flow, they (we) tend to have some insecure thoughts.

Don’t want to drink or use Xanax? There are a lot of great tapes and exercises about meditation and breathing.

Remember that booking online does not bring this type of caring information, and only you, as a travel agent, can!

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Dear Travel Agents,

Which are the countries that are worth traveling to, and even going back to again and again? It is definitely a personal decision, but when a client wants your advice or picks your brain, my suggestion would be for them to go to countries where you can use and enjoy your 5 senses for treasured experiences.

So let’s explore a bit about the traditional 5 senses:

• Audio: this is a very important one. Crowded places can be loud and overwhelming for many people, especially those who are looking for a nice vacation. If you are going to a special event like Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, noise will certainly be something to be expected. Otherwise, look for shoulder season and enjoy more of a quiet trip.
• Vision: can be as overwhelming as audio. Crowded places can make people very uncomfortable, feeling uncertain and unsafe. Many countries have banned outdoor awnings to make it easier on people’s eyes. Also crowded places can cause stress to travelers with an overload of both visual and audio input. This can be a very bad combination, and leave travelers needing a vacation or detox time after the trip.
• Smell: this is one of my favorites. Different countries bring an incredible number of smells. Most aromas are pleasant and create good memories of the trip. Morocco brought me beautiful smells from the souks and delicious Moroccan food. I still crave the smells, and smile every time I think of them.
• Taste: how can you NOT resist tasting local food? Just be smart and avoid street food. Our stomachs are not used to some of the different bacteria and we can easily get food poisoning. Try to eat from good restaurants. Limit yourself to eating fruit after it has been peeled and well-cooked meals, not salad or raw (just washed by tap water). Avoid ice. The water treatment is different from American and Canadian standards. Malaria pills help tremendously and with travel insurance, call a doctor if you need to!
• Last but not least – touch: Touch souvenirs, great presents, different presents – what a great experience. Buying jewelry and trying it on; not only do you use the all of the 5 traditional senses, you are exploring by touching, and after that, how can you resist buying and bringing your prized memento home?

Use all of your 5 senses. Explore using them as much as you can, and come back excited to book the next opportunity to travel using your senses.

Follow me and feel free to ask me questions!

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Dear Travel Agents,

Many of you know I have been to 77 countries since I started my travel business over 25 years ago.  In May I went to Morocco, a country that was long on my bucket list, and I finally had the opportunity to visit.

I have to confess that the pictures and advertisements I had seen did not do justice to what Morocco really is. That’s probably why I had not been there sooner. I believe other countries do a better job of advertising.

We started in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. I highly recommend starting there. The small airport makes it easier and less stressful to manage at the beginning of a land tour.

Fez or Fes is a must; I fell in love with Morocco right there, especially in the vibrant souks (markets) where you can find real deals, and no fakes. Local tour guides show visitors Fez and make you believe in fairy tales. The colors and smells confirm those tales, and you are there with the most friendly people smiling at you.

In Erfoud we experienced the real Sahara and what a treat! From the stories we read in books, to seeing the real thing, again we felt like we were living in a story. Early that night there was a light rain, I was jumping for joy in that immense desert, and rain was blessing the earth. It was impossible to NOT to feel special.

Another one of my favorite places was Ouarzazate –  were we still in Morocco? It was like another world, with houses intrinsically inserted in the mountains, surrounded by oasis, high Atlas Mountains, the gateway to the Sahara.

Yes, I have not forgotten Marrakech or Marrakesh. We had heard about this town and were so excited to visit. My suggestion is to buy all your souvenirs for friends and family in Marrakech, but get the good presents and make the real deals in Fez. Trust me about that 😜.

Casablanca is a big town, very cosmopolitan, and more than you can even imagine. You must visit Hassan II Mosque, the third biggest mosque in the world. It was just incredible!

Why Morocco? Friendly people, each area is like a different country, great wine from Moroccan wineries, fun shopping, from cheap souvenirs to good presents. This is a country where pictures and stories don’t do justice to what your five senses can really experience. A MUST!

For more information and ideas on Morocco, feel free to pick my brain and follow me:

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Dear Travel Agents,

Do you know the difference between a trip, and the trip of a lifetime?

The difference rests in the care we take in putting together each piece of a trip. Actually, every single trip should be a trip of a lifetime, first, because we deserve it. Second, we never know if “the” next trip of a lifetime will ever happen, because life happens.

All trips should be thoughtfully put together by experienced Travel Agents who know how to take care of every detail, from the minute the trip starts as an idea, until one returns home from it.

A client’s age should not be limiting, nor be used as a decision factor for a trip of a lifetime. I have had the opportunity to meet or hear about young and dynamic 80-year-old people who are ready to hike and enjoy great adventure trips.

Budget should also not be used as a decision maker. In that, a travel agent will not judge, nor use personal taste to put together any trip, but view the client’s wishes based on his/her budget. A reality check may be important and making suggestions for all possibilities is the entire responsibility of the Travel Agent.

It is important to guide clients with each trip, not only as if it is a trip of a lifetime, but also as though it is their first one. Many times, clients forget basic information like the validity of their passport, travel insurance, and other information. Don’t assume they should know, remind them kindly, and they will appreciate it. The more they know, the easier it will be to make each and every trip the “trip of a lifetime” for them, and you, the Travel Agent of the Year.

Cheers!

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Dear Travel Agents and Friends,

No matter how old you are, how successful or important, you can always improve yourself.

Those who know me and/or follow my blogs, know I like to promote peace and to help people help each other. There is no growth in this world for those who live a self-absorbed life. People need each other to feel loved, and helping others is the best way to help oneself.

Believe me when I tell you, I didn’t create the world, nor have I discovered the secret to happiness. I am trying to live in my world and build my own happiness by giving and sharing knowledge, by loving people despite disagreeing with some of their personal opinions, and by being a friend to those who need a shoulder.

One thing that has been crucial in my quest is to be ME. What I’ve discovered (with some bumps in the road and some tears) was that I didn’t speak up when I needed to. When I felt hurt I pretended that there was no pain, just to keep the peace. I discovered that to help others, to love and respect them, I needed to help and love myself too.

As they say (I’ve mentioned this before in another blog as well) in an airplane, when the cabin loses pressurization, you have to place the oxygen mask on yourself first in order to be able to help others.

This is now the improved Rosana, continuing to believe in the same principles, but learning to Speak Up.

How about you? What do you need to improve?

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Dear Travel Agents,

I want to share something funny that happens to me. When I meet or speak to people I know, instead of asking, “How have you been?” they ask me, “Where have you been lately?”

They say they love to follow my trips on my social media accounts, they travel the world through my travel, and they often want to share a place they are going, or ask me about a destination, and the best ones ask me for my recommendation of a travel agent. They know I used to work with travel agents, and now I guide them as they build their businesses.

Many of you who are reading my blog know that I have recommended you to my personal friends and family. I feel comfortable in doing so, and am glad to do it.

I love how my friends approach me by asking where I have been, or how long I will be staying in town, or where I am going next. Such pleasant conversations to have.

I hope I can use your name in my next conversation, and hope you also have your friends asking you the same questions.

Cheers!

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