Episode 39 – Exotic Getaways

Special Guest
Harsh Patil
Book adventurous, international travel: Xplor.earth

Colleen & Catie’s Picks for Exotic Getaways

Colleen
Destination: Bangkok, Thailand
Accommodations: Grand Hyatt Erawan – Bangkok – 9 restaurants on site and it’s centrally located to restaurants and activities.
Meal/Restaurant: Supatra River House – Two-story traditional Thai house on the Chao Praya River.
Activities:
Grand Palace – The residence and administrative base of the kings of Chakri Dynasty.
Pak Klong Talad – Bangkok’s oldest and busiest wholesale market where flowers, spices and vegetables are sold
Wat Pra Kaew (Emerald Buddha Temple) – The chapel houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred image for Buddhists in Thailand.
Long tailed boat ride – Through the klongs or canals of Thonburi on the west side of the river from Bangkok.
When to book:
International flights go on sale about 11 months in advance, but airline tickets to Asia tend to be cheapest right around 3 months (90 days) in advance, 7-9 months out can be cheaper as well, if you can book that early.
Cost of flights:
Delta Air Lines offer the cheapest average flights to Thailand from the United States at around $1,052.
China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and Cathay Pacific all offer flights for $1,200 or less.
Some flights from New York City (JFK) to Bangkok can be found for as little as $739 on China Eastern
From Boston to Bangkok for as low as $844 on Air China
Airport to fly into: BKK – Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (Colleen had one layover in Dubai), the cheapest airport in Thailand to fly into. It’s about $200 cheaper to fly into Bangkok than to fly into Phuket!
How to get around:
Tuk-Tuk (3-wheeled local taxi)
Some hotels also offer hotel cars to drive you around
Best time to travel there:
Summer is expensive in Thailand, with flights in mid-July peaking around the $1400. Travel in late April, the beginning of May, and late September, when flights drop to $844 or less.
How to find things to do: www.tourismthailand.org
Tips to keep in mind:
International Plan for AT&T or an app for international calling through WiFi
Get Thai Cash ahead of time
Download a language translator app before you go on your trip, so you can more easily communicate with locals (iTranslate, Google Translate, TripLingo)

Catie
Destination: Florida Keys
Accommodations: Hawks Cay Resort
Meal/Restaurant: The Fish House – Features local seafood including yellowtail snapper, mahi mahi, grouper, Florida lobster, and stone crabs.
Activity: Swimming with the Dolphins – Dolphin Cove
When to book: The best time to visit Key West is between March and May. The winter crowds will die down and the hotel rates become reasonable but the weather is still very pleasant.
Cost of flights: $100-$250 round trip, with Tuesday being the best day to fly and Tuesday Around Midnight being the Cheapest Time to Book (saving about 6%).
Airport to fly into:
Key West International Airport (EYW):
Florida Keys Marathon Airport (MTH):
Miami International Airport (MIA):
Ft. Lauderdale International Airport (FLL):
How to get around:
There are shuttle services between both Fort Lauderdale and Miami International Airports and Key West, but if you want to get around and explore more, you’re better off renting a car.
Best time to travel there:
Peak tourist season in the Florida Keys begins in late December and the area remains busy through May. If you can handle the humidity, the summer months offer an opportunity to take advantage of smaller crowds and cheaper hotels.
How to find things to do: www.fla-keys.com
Tips to keep in mind:
If you’re planning on attending one of the The Florida Keys’ many events, make sure to book your trip way in advance, as these can get very popular and crowded.

“What’s” with the “Trip Sisters”

What’s in Your Suitcase?
Eco-friendly Ceramic Travel Tumbler from ACERA
Starts around $50 – www.aceraliven.com
Award winning travel mugs from ACERA.
Eco-friendly, double wall ceramic travel mugs, enriched with tourmaline on the ceramic glazed (not dangerous metals or plastics) . Better for you and the environment, plus they are reusable so you can save on paper or plastic cups. Come in a variety of colors, and designs, all classic and ceramic styles.

Wowe Health and Earth Awareness Straws
$10.97 for a pack of 8 – www.wowelifestyle.com
These Straight or Curved Stainless Steel Straws are designed to last a lifetime. They are made from food-grade 18/8 stainless steel, are BPA free, dishwasher safe and will not rust. Each set of straws come with a straw cleaner made from metal and cotton so you can ensure you’re cleaning the inside thoroughly.

What’s on your phone?
WhatsApp – Free – Android/iPhone
Fast, simple, secure messaging and calling for free, available on phones all over the world. No fees – WhatsApp uses your phone’s Internet connection (4G/3G/2G/EDGE or Wi-Fi, as available) to let you message and call friends and family.

What’s the tip?
Packing for an International Trip
Pack your light colored clothes are packed inside out to avoid stains
Use disposable hotel shower caps to cover the base of your shoes
Roll and vacuum pack your clothes for more space and less wrinkles
Pack a small bag of potpourri or scented bounce sheets to stay fresh
Separate toiletries, medication, electronics, cords, etc. with ziplock bags
Use lightweight packing cubes to keep organized
Pack in-flight essentials (some Tylenol, earplugs, headphones, phone, wallet, etc.) in a separate bag on your carry-on
Place a cotton wool pad between your makeup sets to prevent the cases from cracking
Pack by outfit, so you’re all ready to go each day of your trip
Download any books you want to bring to your kindle or iPad/Tablet before your trip, so you don’t have to carry them with you, and you’re sure you’ll be able to access it even if WiFi isn’t strong.
If you’re worried about valuable stuff in your hotel room, hide it in an empty sun tan lotion container (or something similar) to avoid theft.