​Artificial intelligence is just that- artificial. We often foolishly embrace enhanced and new technology at warp speed. We must understand the long-term implications before applying the blanket approach to its implementation. AI has profound benefits in some sectors, such as healthcare. Researchers are using AI to develop better treatment modalities that will extend life which will benefit us all. But it isn't brilliant to think AI will aid us in every sector.

Have we used AI to obtain some information for our clients? The answer is yes, but you actually need a human to decipher and determine whether the information is valuable and accurate and how the data can be applied, in this case, to the travel context. 

A few weeks ago, I asked my AI GPT Chat App to generate a Barcelona, Spain, 7-day itinerary. The results were sterile, straightforward, and bland. I have been in Barcelona multiple times and have professional suppliers we collaborate with that deliver far beyond what AI provides. The restaurant recommendations were acceptable but, once again, were typical, as expected, and omitted some Catalonian musts. 

​Americans are back at it, hitting the global road once more. Last summer was a banner comeback year for travel, except the travel industry still needs to get the memo and prepare for the onslaught of travelers. The headlines last summer were about lost luggage, flight delays, and cancellations, and many travelers found out that the airlines don't answer their phones! That should have put the damper on the 2023 travel season, but we're heading back toward mayhem again. Only this time around, the Europeans are raging mad about delayed retirement age limits, working conditions, and wages. Hopefully, many of these issues will calm down before the storm hits. However, only some of us have taken the clue; we are overselling some of the finest cities on the planet. Our copycat mentality regarding travel can negatively impact incredible destinations and countries like Italy. 

Italy remains one of the best-loved countries for my fellow Americans to visit. You have everything: culture, great food, warm and friendly people, and stunning scenery. Yes, a travelers' paradise. But there is some trouble brewing in paradise! We want to clump up and visit the classics- Venice, Florence, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast. This year I have had many requests for this fabulous foursome. Moving the David statue out of Florence might alleviate the strain. Imagine David in a quaint, quiet small town deep in the heart of Tuscany. He might need a break from all the glaring and staring.

Challenges Flying with an Infant

Flying with an infant or small child is always challenging for any parent. While it may be a vacation the parents are looking forward to, your infant might not share the same enthusiasm. The critical takeaway is to be prepared and stay flexible. Hopefully, on arrival, you will have a loving grandparent willing to take over while you recover from the journey. Considering all the recent flight delays and cancellations a parent should be well prepared in advance to travel with an infant. ​

Airplane Booking Tips
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Book your flight way in advance and try to secure the bulkhead. You will likely be near the restrooms for quick diaper changes, and you should be able to request as secured bassinet on certain types of airplane equipment. Try to book your flight during your infant's naptime and stick to feeding routines. Avoid connecting flights and check for the shortest flight times. Purchase travel insurance; you never know if your child could come down with a cold or illnesses that would prevent them from traveling. We suggest booking a seat for the infant if you are taking an international flight. Avoid traveling during peak flying times such as holidays or periods of known inclement weather.

 
​Today air travel has never been more daunting. Daily headlines are filled with horror stories about flight delays, angry passengers, and cancelled flights. Here are few best practices to come out on top or at least be prepped before the wheels are up.
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By: Susan Sherren for Couture Trips
Published: 6/20/22 1:20 PM

The last thing on your mind after returning home from a trip is how to care for your luggage post travels. If you've hauled your luggage around the planet, it could probably deserve a good cleaning and prep for the next trip. Here are our best tips and tricks for keeping your bags in good shape.

First Things First
Empty your suitcase and avoid placing it on your bed, couch, or other soft surfaces during unpacking. You've hauled this bag many places and don't want to risk dirtying your home surfaces. It's best to unpack in your garage, porch, or utility area and don't procrastinate emptying our your suitcases!

Step Two
Place the bag on a towel on the floor or counter to sort it out.
Remove your clothing and other items. Put your soiled clothing directly into the washing machine. If you have used packing cubes on your travels, you can hand wash them in the sink with warm detergent, rise, and let them air dry, preferably in the sun.

Open up all the compartments of your suitcase to let them air out. Then gently wipe the hard surfaces like handles and wheels, or lock with an alcohol-based cleaner to kill any germs. Shake out any leftover bits of dirt or debris. You can also take a damp towel and wipe out the compartments.

Hard Side Luggage Care
​ Depending on the bag you have- hard or soft side- you will want to clean the outside. Samsonite, a leading luggage manufacturer, suggests: "To clean hard side luggage, we recommend using a gentle soap and warm water and rinsing well. If you want to wax the case after cleaning, any good silicone-based automobile or furniture polish will preserve the luster and add resistance to the covering. We do NOT recommend, however, that you try to clean the luggage with a combination cleaner-polish."

 
Party Time Equals Mykonos, Greece 
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The island in the chain of the Cycladic area of the Aegean Sea is one of the world's most glamorous and luxurious spots on the planet if you crave upscale beach life. These days, it rivals the South of France and the wild and crazy Ibiza part of the Iberic island chain. These aren't just cozy places by the sea; these exclusive beach clubs attract some of the most famous, rich, and glam people on the planet. Reservations are a must plus a load of Euros, yes they are not cheap. If you want to experience the best in Mykonos, it will cost you a pretty penny. We recently visited the top beach clubs, and here are Couture Trips' recommended grand dames by the sea. Our beach club insider has been on the island for over 30 years and is known to the locals as the "King of Mykonos" this kind of access means we can facilitate your beach club dream to one of the most deluxe spots on the earth. Yes, we have connections to this gorgeous and rarefied island's top spots. In the Mykonos beach club realm, connections are everything these days due to the rising popularity of the beach club lifestyle sought after on Mykonos.

• Scorpios Beach Club- Paraga Beach 

​Imagine muted shades blending right into the Paraga beach velvety sand. The multi-level design gives you excellent views and various ways to access the water. The open-air terraces and large spaces are a hallmark of this club. The menu features vegetarian cuisine with an Eastern Mediterranean flare with some Mexican fusion tossed in. Scorpios screams exclusive and out of this world service. Be prepped to be pampered plus SoHo Roc House is a close neighbor to this beach club. If you are part of the jet-set crowd then you'll find this a perfect shoe that fits.

• NAMMOS- Psarou Beach

There is a lot of high-end shopping near NAMMOS, and the exclusive and upscale shopping adds a different dimension to this beach club. The white buildings and contrasting white and turquoise striped umbrellas and towels scream luxury on steroids. Consider helicoptering in from your yacht for the day. Yep, this is the world of the rich and famous. Private plunge pools, immaculate service, exquisite cocktails, and menu items await to rock your taste buds.
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Avoid The Urge To Overpack

Unfortunately, you can't take your entire closet on your next vacation. I once took a friend to the airport and picked up her suitcase only to discover it was incredibly light. I asked her what she had packed? She replied with one change of clothes and a few toiletries; I like to leave room for shopping. This might be an extreme example of light packing, but it does shine a light on the benefits of packing lite.

Nothing can ruin your vacation faster than roaming around with too much luggage. If you're hauling the load by yourself, consider leaving most of your treasures behind at home. I have suffered this self-inflicted pain myself. It wasn't fun, plus it cost me a pretty penny in overweight and multiple baggage fees. Over the years, I have reduced the number of goods I haul around. Here are a few top tips from Couture Trips.

The Luggage
Weight matters when you select your luggage. Try weighing your current suitcase empty; ditch the old bag and go for a newer model if it is pretty heavy. Many modern lightweight suitcases are made from polycarbonate materials or lightweight aluminum shells. Check out the luggage label for the weight and shop for the lightest but most durable shell. 

Shoes
You can sabotage your efforts by taking too many shoes. The basic rule is three shoes, one comfortable pair for sightseeing, one dress shoe for evening dinners or more formal occasions, and one pair of in-betweens- like ballet flats that you can dress up or down. Leave the rest, resting comfortably in your closet. Remember, you'll have one pair on and the other two safely packed away.

Clothing
Use the rule of five's- five shirts, five pairs of trousers, five socks, five sets of underwear. If you plan on attending a more formal event, tuck in a dark-colored dress or suit. If you're heading out during the summer months, you might consider five dresses, five skirts, and five pairs of shorts instead. The key is making sure the items you select are interchangeable. Remember to choose lightweight and breathable fabrics, especially if you travel during the summer months.
Packing during the winter months offers more of a challenge due to the weight and bulk of the fabrics. But adhering to the rule of 5's is an excellent place to start; tip for the colder months-wear your heaviest or bulkiest item of clothing.
Packing cubes are a great way of keeping your belonging organized and clean. Remember, you won't necessarily want to place your clothing in the drawers of just any hotel furniture. Keeping your clothing in the packing cubes makes packing up and unpacking a cinch when you are on the go.

Toiletries
Purchase travel-sized products and transfer your home-based products to smaller travel-sized containers. Take only what you need and leave behind the extra cosmetics. Remember depending on where you are traveling to; you can purchase toiletries at your destination. One of my favorite things on holiday is perusing pharmacies in foreign countries. You might find something new and exciting to take home with you. French pharmacies are notorious for carrying high-quality skincare products.

Carry On's
Traveling with a carry-on solves so many problems. Your check-in process will be pretty simple, and you will avoid the lost luggage crisis. Reconnecting with your checked bag won't be in the equation if you have all your belongings in tow. Walk right off your plane and right into your holiday.

Test Time
Try living with the rule of 5's, slimmed toiletries, and three pairs of shoes for one week and see how you do if you pass; maybe you are ready to take the next big step, packing with just a carry-on!

Washing Up
Yes, you'll need to do a bit of washing if you only have five pairs of underwear and your trip is for 14 days! Most cities have self-service laundry mats, or you can improvise in the hotel room by filling up the sink and doing a bit of a scrub-up. Sink Suds are an excellent travel-friendly product that can help you get the washing done in the hotel sink. Most hotels also provide laundry services if you need to send your clothes out but remember it might take a day or two to receive your clothing back, so plan accordingly.

Take the time to think through ever item you toss into your suitcase. Remember you'll likely regret bringing anything "extra" or something you think you "might need". Chances are you won't need it and you'll regret the added items.  Resist the urge to overpack and you'll be on your way to passing the carry-on only challenge.

Visit www.CoutureTrips. com to schedule a complimentary travel consultation. We'll give you more than just a cool trip! ​

Coping with travel delays and glitches seems to be commonplace now. The headlines are full of delay notifications due to airline and airport staff shortages, weather-related events, or the growing pains of relaunching the travel industry post-Covid. We have brainstormed and would like to suggest the following ways to cope during this transition time.

1. Fly non-stop; fewer connections mean fewer opportunities for a glitch or delay.

2. Arrive early enough to troubleshoot a delay or cancellation at the airport—3 hours minimum for international travel and 2 hours for domestic.

3. Fly with reputable airlines- avoid budget airlines during this readjustment phase.

4. Schedule a potential flight delay into your itinerary. For example, arrive at your cruise departure city early and take the sites in a day or two before cruising. There are endless ways to explore a city even if you think you know everything about it. This strategy will take the stress out of a tight itinerary time frame.

5. Purchase travel insurance- it's a must these days with so much uncertainty.

6. Stay flexible- leaving your home has inherent risks.

7. Use your manners- try and be kind and considerate even in the face of stress and disappointment. I passed out Starbucks gift cards to the airline staff on a recent flight to London, and the reaction was so amazing. The airline staff relayed that me most of the abuse issues occur on US domestic flights. The staff treated me like gold- so give a little and fly international!

8. Use an ASTA-certified and experienced travel consultant. We place all our clients on a flight tracker during air travel days, and  we can make changes to smooth things out when we see a  potential cancellation or glitch.

9. Travel with just a carry-on and keep all valuables and medication with you.

10. Have a backup plan, and don't plan a meeting or work-related events on either side of your vacation. It will give you a cushion in case of a delay or disaster.

11. Be patient- over time, the affects the pandemic had on the travel industry will work themselves out.

12. Evaluate the risk-benefit ratio for yourself. Please take responsibility for your decisions, whether you  decide to travel or not.

 Hang in there travel issues will resolve with time. Be patient and realize the travel industry was devastated during the pandemic. It takes time to re-boot the entire travel industry. Don't give up, and hope that the future is even brighter for you and the travel industry as whole.
*Note these are only suggestions and observations from our perspective. 

• ​Passports: You need a valid passport to leave the U.S. The Passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you return home. The Passport must be in good condition, without spills, torn pages, etc. Your Passport must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country you are traveling to. At least one visa page in your Passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas stamped into your Passport need an entire blank visa page. For additional questions on renewal or validity, visit Travel.State.Gov. The name on your airline ticket must be identical to the one listed on your Passport. Warning you may be denied boarding if there are any discrepancies.                                                                                           
•  Copies: Leave hard copies of your travel documents (Passports, Vaccine Cards, Itinerary, etc.) with a close friend or family member. Pack a duplicate set for your own reference in case your phone is lost or stolen.

 

• Currency: Obtain some local currency before your trip. You will be prepared if your debit or credit card is non-functioning or a digital malfunction occurs. Not all ATMs (especially in rural places) accept foreign debit cards, and not every restaurant and store will. Some merchants do not allow foreign debit cards. You should have some backup cash and a credit card. Be aware of where you swipe your credit card. Fraudulent transactions can prove disruptive to your vacation. Additionally, using debit or credit cards regularly could accumulate transaction fees. At ATMs, for instance, you'll be charged for converting funds into local currency and, if outside of your network, an additional ATM fee. Check with your bank before departure about their foreign transaction fees and policies.​

 We all look forward with great anticipation to our well-deserved vacations. After months of planning, the big departure day arrives, our bags are packed, tickets purchased, and the itinerary is just the perfect mix of activities. 
It is not uncommon after this great anticipation, planning, and hype to experience fatigue while we are supposed to be enjoying our days away from work and routines. How can you combat hitting a wall of fatigue and exhaustion while on vacation?
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​Be realistic in the planning phase.
Pace yourself when you are away. Cramming two weeks' worth of activities into seven days will leave you frustrated and extremely tired.
At Couture Trips, we incorporate a bell-curve planning method into our itineraries. Ease into your activities, make the midpoint of your vacation pulse with the most exciting and most active adventures, then wind it down again before departure.

London is a perfect destination for any mother and daughter duo. It has all the right elements- charming, quaint with lots of shopping and dining options. You could also spend a few days meandering around the city and then head to the fabulous English countryside.
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If you need beautiful and authentically Londonesque accommodations, the Goring Hotel in Belgravia fits the bill perfectly. This is London's last family-owned luxury hotel property. Perfectly manicured and incredibly authentic. It has garnered many awards because it has maintained its identity, and its staff is dedicated to service.
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 Over a decade ago, Kate Middleton and her mother stepped through the doors of the Goring Hotel the night before Kate's big day. The Goring has also been a popular spot for the royalty and the famous over the years. 

The travel industry has experienced lots of strain since the onset of the pandemic. This is the advice we give all of our clients and would like to share with you if you are new to Couture Trips. Yes, things change and the pandemic has changed the travel landscape. Here are few tips and tricks that will make travel in 2022 a bit easier or at least will ease the strain of traveling in the post pandemic or endemic realm.
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Mexico:
Travelers are staying away from this country due to the recent shooting incidents related to drug cartel warfare issues. I just spoke with an American Airlines agent this week. She communicated that AA was working with travelers who were requesting a change of flight plans due to the negative headlines and are accommodating rebooking to other locations.

Vacations to Mexico will probably be booked with some trepidation and associated warnings. Currently, we are not encouraging our clients to book a trip to Mexico as a destination right now. Secondly, Mexico does not require any COVID-19 testing before arrival or upon arrival.  We encourage our clients to consider the Turks and Caicos as an alternative to Mexico in the short run. The government in the Turks and Caicos has been very diligent with pre-travel COVID-19 testing and has instituted strict policies and guidelines that keep everyone safe.