MAKE A LIST
by Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network

When preparing my to-do list, I make each instruction as clear as possible. Below are some of the things on my list and by using this list I am sure not to forget to do these important tasks. I list them in order of priority and as I complete a task I tick it off.

PRE-TRIP TO DO LIST

• Check Passport (should be valid at least 6 months beyond return date)
• Pay bills
• Put hold on mail, newspaper or ask a neighbor to collect your mail and clear flyers and papers from your doorway or mailbox
• Mow lawn or make arrangements to have it done in your absence
• Arrange for plant watering if needed
• Buy necessary medications, supplements, first aid items, tissue packets, hand wipes and sunscreen
• Purchase a journal
• Buy TSA approved toiletries
• Choose travel wardrobe, launder and press
• Select luggage to use
• Do packing trial and weigh, lighten up if necessary by removing unnecessary items or clothing
• Get travel cash
• Clear out any appointments (house cleaner etc.)
• Clear out fridge; get rid of food that will spoil
• Notify neighbor of your travel dates
• Share contact information with neighbor / family member
• Give house key to neighbor or family member
• Arrange for trash cans to be taken to and from curb or move out of public view entirely
• Check time zone differences
• Put reservation numbers and confirmations on smartphone
• Call bank to advise your will using cards while travelling
• Backup laptop, smartphone and devices
• Download movies or books to devices
• Charge all devices
• Check to make sure you have all necessary cables, battery chargers, plug adapters, voltage regulator
• Tell everyone who is travelling with you what time you are departing for or arriving at the airport
• Get gas for car if taking it to the airport
• Make sure jumper cables are in the car or you have an emergency number such as CAA
• Check airport parking map & print discount coupon or arrange limo to and from the airport
• 24 hours prior, Check In online, select seats (if not already done), print boarding pass
• Gather food / snacks needed for flight
• Set automatic light timer / Set thermostat to vacation temperature if needed
• Check all door and window locks, including basement, garage and shed
• Check all taps are off tightly, including outdoor taps

Your passport is your key to travel the world and to get back home

by Debbie Ross founder of the Womens Travel Network

A stolen passport can cause a lot of problems for you when it’s time to come home. Not only will you not be allowed to travel, you could lose your non-refundable airline ticket costs and be facing additional unexpected travel expenses while you try to get it replaced.  In addition, you could return home to find that your identity has been effectively stolen and you may have a  mounting debt problem to manage.

1. Carry your passport on your person
Carry it in a money belt tucked under clothing, or If you carry  a purse, put it in an inside pocket and zip the pocket. A shoulder bag that’s worn across the body is best (less easy for a thief to steal). Keep the bag in front of you and keep the zippers and snaps closed up at all times. Men, keep it in your front pocket, never the back pocket.

2. Never take that bag off your person
Even when eating at a cafe or other restaurant. Pickpockets live for travelers putting their bags down or hanging it on the back of a chair.

3. Don’t put it in your carry on
Never put it in your carry on then stow your bag in the overhead bin. while on the plain keep it with you at all  times. This is why a money belt is so convenient.

4. Lock it up!
If you leave your passport behind, lock it up. If you’re relatively confident in the safe in your room, you can use that, but be sure that others can’t get into the safe while you’re gone. When choosing a code for the safe never use your birth date. Often the hotel has a copy of your passport so your birthrate is no a secret.

5. Make a copy of your passport
Give a copy to a trusted contact at home, also keep a copy locked in your luggage or in your email account, so they can be accessed easily anywhere, at any time, to speed up the replacement process overseas.  Having a copy of your passport page means you’ll have an easier time getting it replaced

6. Complete the information page in your passport
Don’t forget to write your address and emergency contact in your passport and make 2 copies of your ID page before you leave. This will help you get a replacement much quicker.

7. Keep it in good condition
Protect it from the elements, as damaged passports (ripped pages, tears, stains, water damage) may not get you into a country, and your passport may need to be replaced..

8. Check the expiry date
Do not leave it until the last minute to check when your passport expires. Many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into the country. Therefore, if you are planning to travel and your passport is due to expire in less than a year, you should renew your passport before departure. You should also make sure you have at least one clear visa page in your passport for immigration stamps.

Uganda Tourism
by David Cogswell

Gorilla trekking, tramping through the mountain jungle in search of gorillas, is a real wilderness adventure, but it’s professionally structured and organized so that tourists can find the gorillas and encounter them without being in danger.

The gorilla trekking experience is physically challenging, requiring hours of hiking through dense rainforest, climbing steep mountain inclines while being careful to avoid slipping on damp, slippery logs hidden in the thick grasses, or being poked or slapped with branches. But in Rwanda and Uganda, today the activity is so well managed that it comes off easily, so much so that one could overlook how much work it took to make the experience as accessible as it is for tourists now.

It has taken years of dedication by many people with specialized knowledge to make gorilla trekking possible. Starting from scratch, someone had to go out into the uninhabited wilderness, learn the features of the land, create trails, find the gorillas, work with them over months or years to habituate them to human beings so that the encounters would be safe, and create an infrastructure that would make it possible for tourists to be able to have the experience that is available today.

Meet Lilly Ajarova, CEO of Uganda Tourism. She is one of the people whose work over a period of years has made the gorilla trekking experience possible. Appointed last January, Ajarova is still new to her position at the head of Uganda’s tourism marketing organization. But her career leading to her present position at the pinnacle of Uganda’s tourism industry took her along a unique path that provided many intensive experiences that prepared her well for her present mission.

Formative experiences
After earning an MBA from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute in Tanzania and a post-graduate degree in tourism management from the International Tourism Management College in Krems, Austria, Ajarova returned to Uganda and got a job with a tour operator. For a year, she gathered experience putting itineraries together and occasionally guiding tours in the bush. Then she landed a job as a tour product development manager with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The job required traveling to Uganda’s various national parks to identify the potentials for tourism development. It involved some marketing but was primarily focused on creating tour itineraries. Unlike tour development in cities, putting tours together in wilderness areas required building from the ground up.

“I was part of a team of researchers and rangers who would go out to habituate the gorillas, creating forest walk trails,” she said. “You’d go to the forest and you don’t know what is where, so you’re just walking in the forest, identifying things. We’d come across a waterfall, then create trails to get tourists to the waterfall and different scenic sites within the national parks, whatever would give a good experience to the tourist, whether it was for bird watching, hiking or animal viewing.”

The animals were constantly migrating, so finding them one day would not guarantee that you would find them again. The mountain areas presented a unique range of challenges.

“With the adventure products we have in the Rwenzori Mountains and Mount Elgon, our job was putting the infrastructure in place, the sleeping camps along the way,” said Ajarova. “To get to the peak of Rwenzori, which is 5,800 meters high, and to do the complete circuit, you need seven days. We had to create the camping trails. In the wetlands areas, we had to put in wooden walkways.”

Chimpanzee encounter
Creating the tourism infrastructure was a gigantic task that had to be undertaken patiently day by day. For those who work in the wilderness, nature is never short of surprises. One experience, in particular, in Kibale National Park, had a powerful impact on Lilly Ajarova and the future course of her life.

“It was one of those days when we just wandered in the middle of the forest,” she said. “We were following a river to see if it would lead us to a falls or whatever. There was no trail established. On the way back, as we were trying to get back out of the forest, we came across two groups of chimps that were fighting for territory.”

The exploratory team walked into a real rumble in the jungle, as two groups of chimpanzees waged war on each other, screaming, hitting, biting.

“It was so fierce, the noise was deafening,” said Ajarova. “We could see them jumping. It was so scary. The rangers asked us to take cover underneath the shrubs. From where I sat, peeping through the leaves, I saw two of the big chimpanzee males really going at each other. One gnashed his teeth into the arm of the other and pulled. I could see how much pain it caused and blood was just oozing out.”

The chimp who had inflicted the damage moved on and Lilly continued to watch the one that had been wounded.

“I could see the chimpanzee was looking for something,” she said. “He was looking around, and he went to a particular plant, pulled off some leaves and crushed them, and put whatever juice was coming out into the wound. I could see from the facial expression, every time he put it in, that he was getting relief. The flow of blood was going down. Slowly the bleeding stopped and he was ready to move on.”

Ajarova had never heard of chimpanzees using herbal medicine before.

“That experience got me thinking,” she said. “These animals are so smart, for him to look for a particular plant to treat his wound. I got more curious to understand more about the chimpanzee behaviors and their intelligence.”

A lucky chance
Soon after the experience with the chimpanzees, Ajarova saw an ad from the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, looking for an executive director.

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, or Chimpanzee Trust, is the Ugandan charity organization established by the Jane Goodall Institute to manage the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

After eight years with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a new opportunity that fit perfectly was beckoning.

“I applied for it,” she said, “and with the knowledge I already had and the experience of trying to habituate the chimpanzees, I got the job.”

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust operates the remote Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on Lake Victoria, a 40-minute boat ride from Entebbe. It was founded in 1998, as a safe haven for rescued chimpanzees.

Ajarova spent 14 years managing and developing the Chimpanzee Sanctuary. She met Jane Goodall, became somewhat of a celebrity herself and earned the name “Mama Chimp” for her compassionate care of rescued chimpanzees.

She built on what had already been established, setting up ecotourism systems and research protocols in partnership with the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Konstanz, Germany; and developing Ngamba Island into a place where tourists can get a close-up experience of chimpanzees in the wild.

A new challenge
Since Ajarova took over Uganda Tourism in January 2019, she has shifted her emphasis from chimps back to gorillas, which she had worked closely with for years when she was with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

“I spent a lot of time with the gorilla parks because the gorillas were the main product we needed to develop,” she said. “I spent a lot of time with the habituation, training guides, setting the rules, coming up with the guidelines.”

The guidelines include keeping your distance from the gorillas; and never confronting them with a direct stare, which would be interpreted as aggressive behavior. If you are sick, you can’t go on a gorilla trek because the gorillas may catch your disease, and there are only about a thousand of these magnificent primates left on earth.

The job also requires a lot of work with local communities, encouraging them to benefit from the tourism by selling handcrafts or working in the tourism concessions as guides or rangers, or in housekeeping or food service.

“When the community is going to cut down the forest that has an endangered species, how do you convince them that it is more valuable to keep that land forested than to cut it and grow rice or maize or potatoes?” she said. “So that was one of the other projects that I had to deal with, finding alternative livelihoods for the communities so you give them a reason not to cut the forest. You can’t just tell them, ‘Don’t cut the forest.’”

The industry has learned that tourism cannot succeed unless local communities are included in the benefits.

“If you’re going to do conservation just for the sake of it, people will not appreciate it,” she said. “They want to see tangible results. So for me, I always use ecotourism as the means by which we could get people involved in conservation because they will see the economic value.”

The key to making that equation work to save the endangered species is tourism.

“That’s where the two tie in,” she said. “It was a conservation program, but tourism was a big strategy.”

Womens Travel Network
Uganda – Primate Encounter
November 9 – 21 2020 (only 4 places available)
Cost *US $6775 per person based on double occupancy
(*based on 15 participants)

Click Here for more details.

For Reservations, To Request a Detailed Itinerary or to Discuss the Trip details contact:
Worldwide Quest
491 King St. E, Toronto ON, M5A 1L9
Call:     416-633-5666 or 1-800-387-1483
Email:  travel@worldwidequest.com or Kerry@worldwidequest.com
Website: www.worldwidequest.com

For Information about the Womens Travel Network
Call: 905-771-8338 or 1-888-419-0118
Email:  info@blog.womenstravelnetwork.ca
Website: www.womenstravelnetwork.ca

TICO REG. # 2667946

http://womenstravelnetwork.ca/uganda-safari-gorilla-trek-nov-2020/

by Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network

Peru, top 10 reasons to visit.
Every place on Earth is fascinating and unique, but Peru is one of those countries that manage to stand above the crowd. This place has so many natural and cultural treasures that have fascinated people for hundreds of years. Lose yourself in legendary lost cities and cultures that can be traced back to the glittering Inca civilization. Peru is unrivaled in South America for its archaeological wealth, endlessly fascinating ancient sites and cultures and world-class museums that display prehistoric treasures.

There are thousands of reasons to go to this great destination, but here are 10 top reasons why you should visit Peru.

1. Experience its ancient ruins and culture.
   There is an incredible amount of interesting history easily accessible to any traveler. Whether it is through visiting a museum, wandering around a town or village, or hiking to one of the hidden Inca ruins, you will always be surrounded by the strong presence of history and of their cultural influences.
   The ancient Inca ruins are considered to be some of the most beautiful and mysterious sites in the world. You’ll find some of their most impressive ruins in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Inca ruins are not the only remains of ancient civilizations. On the north, you can find ancient civilizations in the city of Chan Chan, while at the south you can find interesting evidence of ancient cultures at the Lake Titicaca, the city of Puno and at the Nazca Lines.
   
2. Meet the people
   Peruvians are world renowned for being friendly and welcoming people – generosity and hospitality are second nature to them. With exceptional local guides and the country’s friendly, open people on hand to help you have an incredible travel experience. Many Peruvians still have a direct link with their Inca ancestors, proudly conserving the Quechua culture that is so important to Peru’s past. They are hard workers, extremely polite, peaceful, helpful, and curious about the interest of their visitors. Many of them have never traveled out of the country or even out of their cities or villages. Sharing stories with them makes for an interesting learning experience about the country and about their tales.
   
3. Handicrafts and local markets.
   Textiles are some of the most famous handicrafts you’ll find in any part of Peru. You can see the women weaving those exquisite patterns that make up a decorative wall carpet, scarf, jumper, or anything in between. Other great artisanal crafts are found in the form of instruments, wood carvings, canvas paintings, jewelry, and more. Not only do these make great souvenirs and travel mementos, but by buying them you are helping to support their traditions and are giving the opportunity of decent living to a family. Chincero is famed for its extraordinary textile art developed by its inhabitants. You can learn about traditional weaving techniques and even purchase fair-trade handmade alpaca apparel and decoratives.
   A visit to the Pisac Market is a must. It’s one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region, drawing many visitors to its famous market when indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands come to Pisac to sell their produce and stock up on supplies.
   
4. Indulge in their cuisine
   It’s said that Peru has one of the best cuisines in the Americas. Peru not only holds a variety of ethnic mixes, but also a climatic variety of 28 individual climates. This mixing of cultures and variety of climates differ from city to city, thus creating a varied cuisine across the country. Dishes like Lomo Saltado, Ceviche Mixto, Empanadas, Tiradito, Butifarra, and Chicharrónare some of the must-try dishes in Peru. If you’re curious in trying an Andean delicacy, try guinea pig meat – Cuy. There is something to tickle the taste buds of everyone, from the adventurous to the traditional. Throughout the country the key to their exquisite cuisine is first class ingredients, making the food fresh, exotic and simply delicious.
   
5. Enjoy the drinks!
   Great drinks must accompany great food. Right? Peru makes sure that’s the way it’s done. Whether you prefer the bubble gum tasting Inca Kolaor the strong beers, Peruvian drinks will make you addicted to them. Some of the local drinks you will find (and love) are the famous wines from the Ica region, the pisco sours(a sweet, lime tasting, but strong drink containing egg whites), the emoliente, and the coca tea (perfect to prevent altitude sickness).
   
6. LIMA, once a dingy and even dangerous city, is rising in tandem with the Peruvian economy. Lima boasts a glorious old town with many museums and is worth a visit for its many sights such as the 1,800-year-old ruins of Huaca Pucllama in the heart of the city. Learn about the cultures that populated pre-Columbian Peru. See some erotic pottery at the beautiful curated Larco Museum. The colonial section of town is anchored by the Plaza de Armas, around which sits the Palacio de Gobierno and the Cathedral. Take time to stroll the spooky catacombs beneath the Monastery of Sanfranciso.
   
7. CUZCO is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the America’s and it retains many tangible links with its pre-Columbian past, such as the ruins of Coricancha, an Inca temple demolished by the Spanish in 1533. The former Incan imperial capital whose original streets were laid out to resemble the shape of a jaguar. Get the lay of the land at the central Plaza de Armas, check out the massive cathedral and pay your respects to the mummies at the Museo Inka. Then make a stop at Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was once the city’s religious centre and covered in pure gold plating before it was looted by the Spaniards. The hilly bohemian San Blas district is also worth a walk for its cute little shops and cafes and sweeping views of the city. Beyond the history Cuzco has many diversions. Much of the centre is pedestrianised making it easy to drift around and get acclimatised, dropping into churches, art galleries, and former palaces and convents now turned into hotels.
   
8. 8. The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands along the Urubamba River between Cusco and Machu Picchu. You can marvel at the enormous Incan crop terraces at Moray and buy artisanal pink salt straight from the source of the ancient mines of Maras. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers, it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac is known for its Sunday handicraft market and hilltop Incan citadel.
   
9. Lake Titicaca
   Andean folklore dictates that Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun, which is why this huge body of water is considered so sacred. The largest lake in South America it is the highest navigable waterway in the world and is home to the Uros people, who live on floating islands made of reeds. A visit to these man-made floating islands to meet the locals is a must on your trip to Peru.
   
10. Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world
    Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often mistakenly referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, it is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. It was once of the empire’s last strongholds after the Spanish invasion and was hidden in the jungle for centuries. The centuries-old citadel has become on of the world’s most famous tourist attractions.”

WTN Peru Tour
June 11 to June 21, 2020
Our Peru trip takes you from Lima to the heart of the Inca Empire, visiting Cusco and uncovering the secrets of the Sacred Valley. Then visit the crown jewel of that lost era Machu Picchu.
Trip is limited to only 15 travelers

For trip details or ton confirm you place on this amazing adventure contact:
Womens Travel Network affiliated with Worldwide Quest
Reservations: 416-633-5666 or toll free 1-800-387-1483
Debbie at WTN: 905-771-8338 or toll free 1-888-419-0118
Email: info@blog.womenstravelnetwork.ca

TICO REG. # 2667946

After breakfast we drove along the winding scenic road to the sea. We visited the Salt Road and its Salt Pans, located on the coast between Trapani and Marsala. Here, locals extract salt from the sea water, following the same procedures used by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians who once colonized this part of Sicily. Once extracted from the water and dried, the salt is heaped into mounds and covered in tiles- just like the ones used on house roofs- so that it won’t get melted by rain before it is packed. We were lucky, they hadn’t covered the salt yet so we got to see the glistening white mounds.  The pink flamingos were busy fishing in the shallow pools.

We took a short boat ride from the salt flats to a small island where we enjoyed a leisurely walk to view the archaeological site. The beautiful island was settled by early Carthaginians. The excellent Museo Whitaker holds a wealth of artifacts beautifully displayed! Some ladies found a place to sit under the olive trees for cover from the hot sun. It’s a warm one today.

We continued on the the city of Marsala and had some free time to enjoy lunch and take a stroll around the town. We had a delicious lunch and refreshing apreol spritz drinks at Osteria Trinacria.  Unfortunately the shops are closed for siesta but the magnificent cathedral was open so  I took a peek inside.

This afternoon we visited Pellegrino, one of Marsala’s historic wineries where we enjoyed a tour of the facilities and the ancient “bottaia”  to learn about Marsala wine and tasted the fabulous dessert wines. The winery had some beautiful ornately carved antique carts which nowadays are only used in parades. They also have some very unique names for their wines.
Upon our return some of us set out to find a dessert that has Zibibo in the centre, it’s one of the local dessert wines. We managed to get lost in the small town of Erice and the 2 minute walk to the pastry shop took 20 minutes.  It was a fun adventure and worth it to taste the yummy treat.  Another fabulous dessert shop is the world famous Maria’s, a must visit if you go to Erice. On our way back to the hotel we came upon our friends. They invited us to join them for cocktails on the rooftop patio.

This evening we had a fabulous dinner at the Michelin rated Ristorante Monte San Giuliano.

Steps taken today 18,572

Overnight: Elimo Hotel

This morning we leave beautiful Palermo and enjoy a scenic drive to Erice, our next stop for a couple of nights.Along the way we visited the impressive Segesta Temple. As the major Greek city in western Sicily, ancient Segesta was besieged and conquered by Dionysius and Agathocles, and eventually fell to the Romans. Here we saw the haunting Doric temple, dating from the fifth century BC. Although never completed, it is in an excellent state of preservation, and commands a majestic setting from its position on the hill.

After visiting the hilltop amphitheater and enjoying the breathtaking views, we hiked up to the impressive ancient temple.

We continued to Erice, a wonderful and mysterious medieval town made famous in ancient times as the birthplace of Venus. The ancient town is located on top of a mountain. We had to leave the bus and walk up to our hotel.  After dropping off our bags at reception we took a lunch break.  We had our first pizza at  Il Casale Ericino. Mine had hot salami, tomatoes, garlic and peccorino cheese. Delicious!

After lunch we enjoyed a walking tour of Erice.  We walked through the cobblestoned streets of the town, smelling a variety of aromas emanating from the numerous pastry shops for which Erice is famous. 

We also visited the Norman Castle and the Duomo in the historic city centre. The scenery of the expansive valley leading to the sea is absolutely breathtaking. I love this charming little town!

After our walk around town we checked into the Elimo Hotel. Our rooms are small but charming and the views from the rooms range from impressive rooftops, narrow cobblestone streets and some have a view of the bell tower.

This evening we had dinner at the hotel. The view of the valley below is stunning and the food amazing. Our menu was Pasta Alla Norma topped with fresh peccorino ricotta, Swordfish encrusted in bread crumbs and delicious caneli for dessert.

Some of the ladies went for an evening stroll to walk off the dinner. It was a bit cool due to the elevation and it was misty as we are high enough up to be in the clouds.

27Sept19 Number of Steps taken today 16,853

Overnight: Elimo Hotel

This morning we visited Monreale, a famous Arab-Norman Cathedral and Cloister, the pinnacle of art for this period in Sicily.  Stunning architecture showing the layers of civilization that created this magnificent beauty.

We returned to the city and began our walking tour through the narrow winding streets of Palermo and through the colourful local market.

After working up an appetite we were introduced to Sicilian cuisine. We visited one of the city’s historic markets and enjoyed a street food lunch where we tasted some of Palermo’s most typical foods, such as panelle and pane con la milza.

After our very tasty lunch we continued our walking tour of Palermo. Charming narrow streets, beautiful buildings. We visited the cathedral which was once a Pagan temple, then converted to a Mosque, then a church and the bishop commissioned  and then the catholic bishop added the dome. 

We stopped at Cappadonia Gelati to taste some of the best gelato in Palermo. We are definitely going to eat our way through Sicily. The food and treats are amazing! Continuing our tour we visited an incredible Baroque church built in the 18th century. There is a cloister attached to the church. The nuns that live here that make some tasty desserts to sell to the people.

26Sep19 Number of steps taken today 12,397

Overnight: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

Upon arrival in Palermo we were met by Giorgio, our guide for the next 12 days.  After checking into our hotel and freshening up we enjoyed a walking tour of Palermo. The hotel was an 18th century cloister, then a bank and now a hotel. The rooms are spacious and very comfortable and situated in the heart of the old city.

The town is located along a beautiful bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Founded by the Phoenicians in the eighth and seventh centuries BC, it was conquered by the Arabs in 831, and a period of immense prosperity began.We were enchanted by Palermo’s wide boulevards, traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, baroque palaces and the twelfth-century Cathedral of Palermo.

Georgio took us for a stroll through cobblestone streets, past colourful shops, narrow alleyways and to the square where there were magnificent fountains.

This evening we enjoyed a welcome dinner at Bisso Bistrot. The food was amazing and service excellent!

After dinner we took a stroll to see the opera house and did a little purse shopping along the way and enjoyed a tasty canoli for dessert..

25Sep19 Number of steps taken today 12,363

Over night: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, Palermo

by Debbie Ross, founder of the Womens Travel Network 

There’s an art to packing a carry-on bag. Wise travelers must balance the requirements of airlines and airport security, make sure important items are easily accessible, and remember all the little things that will keep them comfortable in flight.

Lets start with a few frequently asked questions about what things are allowed on an airplane.

How much liquid can you take on a plane?
The liquids restrictions have been in place for many years now, but there’s still some confusion about what those restrictions are. The basic carry-on liquids allowances are:
You are permitted to bring liquids in containers of 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, and all containers must fit in a one quart (about one liter) clear zip-top bag. A 5 ounce container will not be allowed, even if it only has 1 ounce of liquid in it.
There are several items that you might not think about that are considered liquids, like peanut butter, liquid makeup, snow globes, etc. You ARE allowed to bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it up on the other side.

Can you take a razor through security?
Since razors are sharp objects, they can cause confusion about whether or not you can pack them in your carry-on. Straight razors and blades for safety razors are not allowed in carry-on luggage, but disposable razors and electric razors are permitted.

Can you take food on an airplane?
In general, food is allowed in your carry-on. However, it must meet the liquids restrictions. Foods that spread, like peanut butter, are considered liquid, so you would only be allowed to have 3.4 ounces (100ml) of peanut butter, and the container must fit in your liquids bag. Food or beverages in frozen form are allowed, but only if they are completely frozen when you go through the TSA security check. This may vary in other countries.

Can you bring a lighter on a plane?
You can take a lighter on an airplane in your carry-on, but usually only one is permitted. It’s also worth noting that lighters can only be in your checked luggage if they have no fuel in them.

Can you bring e-cigarettes or vaping devices on a plane?
Yes, you can take e-cigarettes or a vaping device on a plane. In fact, TSA requires you to pack your e-cigarette/vaping device in carry-on, not checked luggage. The liquid you need for it must also fit within the liquid allowances.

Can you pack hair straighteners/flat irons, curling iron, or hair dryers in your carry-on?
If you want these items you can pack that in your carry-on luggage. I recommend not packing the hair straightener while it’s still hot, but if you must because of timing, wrap it in a small towel so the hot plates don’t burn anything in your bag.

Keep ID and money in your carry-on bag

This might be obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. Always keep all of your identification in your carry-on. Even if you’re flying internationally so you have your passport with you, don’t pack your driver’s license in your checked bag. Losing any kind of ID is not fun, and if the airline misplaces your luggage, you might never see it again.
Money, credit cards, jewelry, or anything else of monetary value should never be packed in your checked bag. Again, if your luggage gets lost, so will your money. Not only that, but unfortunately there are a few dishonest people out there, and you don’t want to take even a tiny chance that someone will go through your bag and steal something.

Take medications in your carry-on bag

Do you have any essential medications that you take on a regular basis? Don’t just pack what you need for your flight  in your carry-on, put it all in there. If you only have a day’s worth of medicine, and your luggage gets lost for three days, you could be in big trouble for a couple days.
If your medication is liquid or you need to carry needles, get a letter from your doctor. This should help you avoid problems taking restricted items on the plane in your carry-on bag.

Bring electronics and fragile items in your carry-on bag

Baggage handlers are not known for being gentle with luggage. Even aside from that, an airplane is a moving vehicle and there’s always the possibility of turbulence. Electronics and other fragile items could easily break during any part of the travel process, from the moment you hand over your bag until it finally arrives on the luggage carousel.
Laptops also have lithium batteries, which are generally not allowed in checked luggage due to fire risk. Another good reason to keep laptops in your carry on baggage.
Electronics have the added risk of being stolen. Just like your money or jewelry, you don’t want to take the chance that someone will go through your bag and steal your iPod, laptop or camera.

If you have anything sentimental, this should also be packed in your carry-on. Fragile or not, you wouldn’t want it to get lost because chances are no amount of money can replace something that has sentimental value.