Tips Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

Host a Virtual Travel Party

Mar 9, 2023

Here are two options how for hosting a virtual travel party.

Planning a River Cruise with friends? A great way to have a virtual travel party as you count down the days until your adventure begins.

Virtual on Zoom or in-person works if you live close enough.

As you and your friends are waiting to embark on your cruise, you can still have a fun travel-themed party to get excited about your upcoming trip virtually. You can do this monthly until the day arrives for your great adventure.

Here are some ideas:

Choose a cruise theme: Select a theme that reflects the cruise you will be taking, such as a tropical island or Caribbean cruise.
Set the scene: Decorate your space to fit the theme. You can use nautical decorations like anchors, fishnets, and shells, or create a tropical atmosphere with palm leaves, flowers, and bright colors.
Dress up: Encourage your traveling friends to dress up in cruise-inspired outfits, such as beachwear.
Serve cruise-inspired snacks: Serve snacks and drinks that fit the theme of your party. You can serve tropical cocktails, seafood appetizers, and desserts with a beachy twist.
Talk about activities: Each of you shares choices of what you have found you can do while on your cruise. (Ask others what they did for ideas or go to Google).
Play music: Create a playlist of music that fits the theme of your party. You can also include songs that you will hear on your cruise.
Make a countdown: Create a countdown to your cruise by making a calendar with the number of days left until your departure. Text your friends with a gif that lets them know you can’t wait for the trip and spending time with them.
Send each other items you can use on your cruises, such as suntan lotion, water bottle, power bank, or sunglasses.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the company of your friends as you get excited about your upcoming cruise.

2nd option for those who like to travel but have not determined their next destination is a virtual travel-themed party can be a fun way to bring people together and explore the world from the comfort of your home. Cultivating relationships is one of the most important things in life.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Choose a location you would all like to travel to in the future. It is always nice to talk with a travel agent.
Choose a theme: Select a specific location or type of travel, such as a beach vacation, a safari adventure, or a European tour.
Send invitations: Send virtual invitations to your guests, including the theme and any dress code suggestions.
Decorate: Set up a background that fits the theme of your party. You can also encourage your guests to decorate their backgrounds or wear costumes.
Plan activities: Come up with some activities that fit the theme of your party, such as trivia games, virtual tours, or photo sharing. You can also have a virtual scavenger hunt, where guests search for items related to the theme in their homes.
Serve themed snacks: Serve snacks and drinks that fit the theme of your party. For example, if your theme is a beach vacation, you could serve tropical cocktails and beachy snacks like fruit skewers or shrimp cocktail.
Play music: Create a playlist of music that fits the theme of your party. You can also ask your guests to suggest songs that remind them of the location or type of travel you are celebrating.
Share memories: Encourage your guests to share their own travel memories or stories during the party. You can also create a virtual photo album of your past trips and share it with your guests.

Remember, the most important part of hosting a virtual travel-themed party is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, even if, more important if you can’t physically be in the same location.

You may be considering taking a cruise; here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Jan 14, 2023

Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

After years of staying home in isolation, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals ready to travel. If there is one thing that the last 2 years have taught us, that is the importance of staying healthy while traveling. Regardless of if you are planning a short road trip or flying internationally, there are several important elements to keep in mind before heading on your dream vacation to ensure a healthy and smooth travel experience. Keep reading to learn our 5 top tips on staying healthy while traveling!

Stay Hydrated

The amount of water that you drink is one of the main ways to stay healthy while traveling. It is suggested that when you are on the road, you should consume 8 ounces of water per hour! If you are flying or planning on enjoying some alcoholic beverages, the intake should increase by another 1 – 2 ounces. Make sure to bring your own water bottle everywhere you go – yes, even when going to the beach! If you have trouble keeping track, a good idea is to also add a reminder notification on your phone to drink water every hour! You would be surprised how well it works!

Get Enough Sleep

The second reason why our immune system tends to weaken when traveling is the lack of enough sleep. Many of us get anxious and nervous a few days before leaving for a trip worrying if we have planned it all. Once you have reached your dream destination, on the other hand, it is highly likely for individuals to get hyperactive and overly excited to do as much as possible. All of this results in skimping on sleep and slowly starting to feel rundown. Do not forget to take rest and breaks and plan to sleep at least 7 hours per night. If you are crossing multiple time zones, try to adjust your body a few days before leaving too!

Bring Your Own Medications

Many travelers tend to create packing lists with all the essential clothes and shoes they will need. Oftentimes, however, medications are forgotten and left behind! Do not make the same mistake, though! From a first-aid kit to some basic multivitamins, having your own medications is a crucial element for staying healthy while traveling. Make sure to add Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as fever and pain relievers. Herbal supplements rich in minerals and vitamins will also help keep your immune system intact.

Wash Your Hands

We bet that you have heard this too many enough times already! The pandemic from the past 2 years, however, has proven the importance of practicing good hygiene. Traveling exposes our bodies to thousands of bacteria and germs per hour. The best way to fight these is to wash our hands regularly. Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and some wet wipes as well. Make sure to use these before eating and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Wearing a mask might be a thing of the past now; however, if you want to ensure staying healthy while traveling, we strongly suggest having a mask on, especially at highly crowded places such as airports, buses, trains, etc.

Check Your Immunization Record

Last but definitely not least, we would like to stress the importance of your immunization record. Often, individuals do not consider either the vaccines required for their travels or how up-to-date their immunization passport is. Start by researching the requirements of your destination. Especially if you are traveling to a tropical region – check for any potential diseases. Countries are still dynamically changing their entry conditions – so make sure also to check if you need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor and check your immunization record with them. There is no better way to stay healthy while traveling than through prevention!

You should no longer be wondering how to stay healthy while traveling. As long as you follow this relatively simple but extremely vital sequence of steps to prepare for your trip, you should have a healthy and smooth holiday. If you still have concerns, though, you should definitely consult with your primary care provider.

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Oct 31, 2022

Top 5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Traveling with pets can be fun and joyful but also difficult and challenging. We know the excitement of sharing your travel experiences with your furry friends, though, and that is why today we have prepared our list with the top 5 tips for traveling with pets!

Know Your Pets and Make Sure They are Ready for The Trip

By far, the most important thing to consider when planning a pet-friendly holiday is whether your animal is actually ready for the challenge. For example, if you have a new small puppy, it might be too early to take them on vacation. Moreover, you should always consider your itinerary and activities and ensure that you have enough time to spend with your pet. Sometimes it is best to know your pet’s personality and know if they would be better left home and safe.

Get your Paperwork Ready

Once you are past the first step and you are sure that the holiday you are planning is suitable for your pet, you should start working on getting their paperwork ready. If you do not have previous experience traveling with your furry friends, you might quickly discover that special travel documents take a while to collect. Ensure that your pet has a travel passport, as well as all necessary health certificates signed by their vet. Always check your destination’s vaccination requirements and the airline’s boarding procedure.

Choose the Best Travel Crate for Your Pet

One of the most important elements to remember is the comfort and safety of your pets during the actual travel phase. It might be heartbreaking, but this means having a confined space, such as a travel crate. Try to experiment with crates before your trip to ensure you have the correct size. There is no need to overdo it, but it is also a good idea to add a toy or two in the crate, which will provide your furry friend comfort and relief if needed.

Pack all the necessary supplies

Besides the travel crate and their favorite toys, your pet would benefit from having the most common and necessary supplies you use even at home. A leash with identification tags, some food, fresh water, and comfortable bedding are some of the items worth having on your packing list. It might seem excessive at first, but these supplies will help you massively to prepare for a stress-free pet-friendly vacation!

Find the Correct Accommodation

Last but not least, one of the top 5 tips for traveling with pets is ensuring they are as comfortable as possible and feel safe and at home even while away. Finding the correct accommodation, which is not only pet-friendly but will also provide additional perks for your furry friends, is a great way to do so. Make sure to go above and beyond for your pets, and do not just count on the pet policy listed on the website. Give your accommodation a call, and double confirm the expectations, and requirements, but also any benefits they might offer!

Now that you have our top 5 tips for traveling with pets, do you think you are ready to start planning your next pet-friendly vacation?

Travel Tips for Fun In The Sun

Aug 31, 2022

Travel Tips for Fun In The Sun

Are you headed for fun in the sun for your vacation? The worst thing you can do to ruin a long-awaited and planned vacation is not to be prepared with the essentials to have fun in the sun. Whether you are headed for the beach or on a cruise with excursions on islands, go prepared. You may be embracing a vintage town meandering down the main street with ice cream or beverage of choice, but have you prepared protection from the baring sun? Not to mention willing, the day away on the beach reading a book will provide a healthy dose of Vitamin D and an unhealthy dose of sun exposure. Here are four summer travel tips to help you stay safe from the rays while having fun in the sun.

Wear Sunglasses – Protective Eyewear

Sunglasses are a nonnegotiable fun-in-the-sun staple because the sun’s intensity over time can permanently damage the eyes. Ultraviolet rays harm the cornea and lens, leading to cataracts and eye cancer. Besides looking for an attractive pair, you feel good in and will wear daily, choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection. Don’t be fooled by polarized lenses — this indicates they cut glare but say nothing about UV protection. You may even want to purchase an extra pair if you lose one on the excursions. Don’t fall for the myth that dark lenses are better. They are only better if they offer 100% UV protection. Experts point out that this is the time bigger is better, with beautiful designs that wrap-around are the best to offer full protection from every angle.

Apply SunScreen

It may be obvious but often forgotten. Be sure to bring water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen offering a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 for daily wear is truly your best friend. Don’t leave home without it! Make sure the sunscreen you are using has active ingredients such as oxybenzone and zinc oxide, respectively, to safely and effectively protect the skin. Consider which form of sunscreen you prefer as you’ll be more inclined to use it, be it lotion, spray, pump, or stick. Again don’t forget to make sure it is water-resistant if you plan to be in the water at all. If you’ll be outdoors all day, use SPF 30 or higher, and don’t forget to reapply every two hours. Stock up on fun SPF 30 lip balms, too, because lips are also vulnerable to cancer-causing rays.

Wear Protective Gear

Don’t make your water-resistant sunscreen do all the work. Look for clothing made with sun-protective treated fabric labeled UPF 30 (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) or higher, advises The Skin Cancer Foundation. Dark colors, dense weaves, and synthetic fabric offer superior protection. Shade yourself with a wide-brimmed hat so sun rays won’t find any part of your face, shoulders, chest, and back of the neck. Pack a cute sun umbrella for that glorious day exploring the town on foot.

Use a Cover Up

You have many choices, and a long-sleeve rash guard swimming ensemble will go a long way to ensure you don’t end the day with a painful sunburn. Look for saltwater and chlorine-resistant fabrics with a protection level of UPF 50+. No need to compromise on style either, as plenty of attractive options are available. These make smart choices, especially when engaging in snorkeling, scuba diving, or kayaking, where reapplying sunscreen can be difficult. And don’t forget when lounging by the pool with your margarita at your side to throw on a sensible UPF 50+ coverup to keep harmful rays at bay.

5 Tips for Traveling with Pets

Feb 1, 2022

Traveling with Pets needs some preplanning.

Do you have furry friends that you would like to take along with you when going on vacation? Traveling with pets is not always easy as there are many elements to note before you make any plans. Keep reading as today we are sharing the best tips on how to safely travel with pets!

Medical Documents

By far the first and most important tip on traveling with pets is to ensure that they have all the necessary medical documents. You would want to be well prepared in case of emergency so a great idea is to also have a copy of all the records on your phone. In addition to that, if you are flying abroad you must also check if your destination has a particular vaccine requirement or would need a “pet passport”, which includes your pet’s entire medical history. If this is the case you would want to make an appointment with your vet as well to discuss any additional vaccines that would be needed.

Is your Pet Suited for the Trip

As we are speaking of taking your pet to the vet and discussing their current health situation, something else to carefully consider is what type of trip are you taking. You need to make sure that your pet is suited for the holiday you are planning. For example, if your itinerary includes a lot of popular attractions and indoor spaces that do not allow dogs, you would be forced to leave your pet in your accommodation – that might not be a good idea, as some pets get stressed during traveling as well. You really need to carefully consider if your pet is suited for the type of trip you are taking – not only from physical and mental well-being but also if they will actually get to be with you and enjoy the holiday!

Get a Pet ID

If by any chance you have not gotten your pet the proper identification, now is the time to do it. You want to make sure that your pet has a tag with their name and your cell phone. For extra safety, we also strongly suggest microchipping your pet. It has been proven that the procedure is completely simple and safe, however, it gives you additional peace of mind! The chip goes beneath the skin and when scanned it immediately provides the owner’s information to ensure a much faster reunion! There is nothing worse than losing your pet in a new, unknown, and foreign environment for both you and your furry friend. If you are planning on traveling with pets, make sure to get them the ID!

Your Pet Needs to be Comfortable

We bet that you are preparing all the necessary accessories and gear for yourself to feel comfortable. Next, you would have to do the same for your pet. If you are traveling by plane or train, you would need to get an approved pet carrier. Make sure that it is both large enough and well ventilated so that your pet can feel cozy and safe. Do not forget to introduce your pet to the carrier a few weeks before you take the trip. If you notice any signs of discomfort, make sure to change it or even alter your travel plans. What is more, you would need all the necessary leashes, water bowls, even toys. The best way to be prepared for taking your pet along the journey is to consider it as another party that needs all the necessary elements to be comfortable.

Book a pet-friendly accommodation

Last but definitely not least, it is absolutely vital that you book pet-friendly accommodation. Depending on your destination, these might be difficult to find, so be patient and get ready to do a lot of research. Sometimes, you would need to give a place where you are staying a call to confirm if they will be able to accommodate your furry companion. You would need to take into account the additional fees you might have to pay for bedding as well. Getting a room, which is close to the exit or has a little balcony area is also strongly advisable so you and your pet will have easy access to the outside!

Traveling with pets might be difficult at first and it definitely requires a lot more research. Taking your furry friend means that you need to prepare for all the necessary safety and comfort measures. At the same time, though, traveling with pets can be an extremely special and unique experience that you would deeply cherish for years to come! Here are 11 Tips for Traveling With Your Pet, According to a Veterinarian.

You may be considering taking a cruise, here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.