Lady Travel Talk: Safe & Exciting Travel Made Easy

We are pleased to introduce our 2nd guest blogger of the Lady Travel Talk, a mini-series tailor made for female travelers. This series covers a host of topics related to the travel experiences of each of the ladies contributing to the series. Today's guest blogger is Tracey C. Jones, she is a President of Tremendous Life Books.

Her father, the late Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, started Executive Books for the purpose of changing the world one book at a time. With an exceptional leadership background, Tracey became the company’s new president in 2009 in order to carry on her father’s legacy.

Tracey was born and raised in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. As a high school graduate anxious to see the world, she attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM, earning an associates degree and an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1988, she earned her degree and commission and entered the Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Her first assignment to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina took her overseas, where she participated in the first Gulf War. Upon her return to the States, Tracey moved to Bitburg Air Base, Germany and then RAF Lakenheath, UK where she honed her operational skills and filled command roles of increasing responsibility.

After twelve years as a commissioned officer, Tracey left the Air Force in 2000 and moved to Austin, Texas working for a top manufacturing firm in the semiconductor industry. There, she continued to develop her skills, this time in the civilian workforce as a project manager. While there, she earned an MBA in Global Management. Tracey recently moved back to Pennsylvania from St. Louis where she most recently was the project manager in charge of a diverse base operations service contract for the government.

Today Tracey shares with us a series of tips and trips that have helped her experience safe and exciting travel:

Traveling is one of my very favorite things in life. I grew up accompanying my father on business trips via planes, cruise ships and the infamous RV. I then continued my love of travel by joining the Air Force, where I got to fly in all types of aircraft to all sorts of locations. Once you get your routine down, travel for me is an escape, even if it’s for business reasons. It’s the one time I can sleep uninterrupted by the dog and cats vying for space on the bed all night long. While I am in those hotel rooms, I also imagine that my own personal house is that decoratively furnished, clean, and organized. What if I could fit all my belongings into a singular closet or dresser? I fantasize about my life being that clean and light.

But back to reality; I’ve learned a few tips along the journey’s way. First comes the packing. This is my very least favorite part of the trip and one I put off until about an hour before leaving for the airport. Since 9/11, the sky rocketing cost of fuel and the economic woes of the airlines, baggage has become a costly issue. So you’ve got to pack lean. Like any real woman, my instincts tell me to pack 20 pairs of shoes for a long weekend. But when it comes right down to it, just take two, a black one and a brown one. If its summer, indulge since sandals don’t take much space at all.

Also, if you don’t work out at home, don’t bother thinking you’ll work out on a business trip or vacation. Tennis shoes are big and heavy unless you plan on traveling in them. As far as the type of clothing, I would highly recommend the Travelers line from Chico’s. There’s even a store at the Hershey Outlets and they are always sending a catalogue full of further discounts. Their Travelers line has that name for a reason. The material can be balled up in your suitcase and will come out of the other side looking like new. I bring several skirts, pants, shirts made of this material with a belt or jacket to mix it up. This line covers the gambit from professional, to funky chic, to casual.

Now onto the personal items that fill your carry on. I always have the little dollar store plastic bottles on hand that I keep my shampoo and conditioner in. Or you can always use the hotel’s samples. Another huge advancement for women is the fact that almost all hotels now have a hair dryer in each room which saves a lot of room and weight. Every time you get a sample of perfume, keep it for your travel trip. That way you can bring that instead of running the risk of having your bigger bottle leak in your bag or, God forbid, get confiscated due to size. Lastly, I use Arbonne skin care products. They have their whole skin care line in these little travel containers and gorgeous gold mesh bag that I worship. When it’s time to travel I just grab the whole thing and slip it in my carry on.

With the strict limit of two carry-ons and more and more airlines using smaller regional jets, hauling a laptop if you don’t have, to is a nightmare. There’s also the hassle of getting it through security and having to pay fees for hotels that don’t offer free WiFi. My biggest headache relief was when I finally turned in my old phone for a Palm Pre that cost me $150 after rebate. I’m not promoting a particular brand, but do upgrade to a phone where you can synch your emails and review them while traveling. That way you can stay involved from afar and call if you need to. I can check work emails via Outlook, as well as my AOL account, and take a picture and load it immediately to Facebook to show everyone what a mahvelous time I’m having. Don’t let the technology scare you. Once you upgrade, you’ll wonder what took you so long.

Favorite girls' destinations are anywhere that has shopping, great dining, sightseeing, cool places for us to get dressed up and go out to, and spas. First and foremost is Las Vegas for so many reasons. The family traveled to Las Vegas when I was five years old and I’ve never forgotten the colors, the sounds, and the vibrancy. Vegas has something for everyone and you can go as high end or as budget conscious as you want. You can wear what you want. You can dine at award winning restaurants or hit the buffet. And the free people-watching is priceless. The lounges always have free entertainment, or you can pay to see one of the many amazing shows.

Security issues should always be taken into consideration. Only pack the credit card(s) you need. In other words, don’t take your whole wallet if you don’t need it. Don’t bring the high dollar jewelry unless you know the hotel has a safe in the room, is guaranteed in the event of theft, or you intend to keep it on your person. I always bring the costume stuff so if something happens, no big deal. After all, what better place to wear huge CZ baubles than Vegas, where nobody knows if they are real or not. Also, unless you are traveling out of country, leave your passport at home as well.

Be aware that when you arrive at the larger airports, you may be approached by taxi vendors that are not approved by the airport, i.e., scam artists. If in doubt, ask a sky hop where the approved waiting lines for taxis are. I also MapQuest how far my hotel is from the airport and the general direction so I can ensure I am not getting taken on a wild and expensive goose chase. It also never hurts because sometimes the taxi drivers do not know where something is and don’t have a GPS in their car! I’ve had this happen more than once.

Once in the hotel, ask the concierge what activities are going on or if there are hotel shuttles to tourist activities nearby. Another piece of advice: I am a very light sleeper, so I always see if there are rooms available on the business level. If not, I always ask that I not be near a wedding party, high school reunion, or any other large group where folks are going from room to room all hours of the day and night. When you get to your room and before you unpack, make sure everything works from the hot water to the fan. I once got all unpacked and ready for bed when I went to turn on the heater and soon found that my room was right by the heating unit. It made so much noise I could not sleep and had to change rooms.

Hope these tips help and that your travels are exciting and safe!!

Which of Tracey's tips and trips resignated with you the most? Do you have something to add to her content that you feel other female travelers would benefit from?

You can read more from Tracey at her blog.