travel – Success Strategies

My Favorite Getaway Space…

The sun, sand and sea is my favorite place to be.

I was asked to write about my favorite space to share with a visiting friend. I must confess that my love of nature transcends everything. It provides inspiration and a peace that boosts my writing prowess. That said, as my friend Chrissie comes for a 5-Day-visit, I will steal away to the island that captivates. None other than Captiva Island in Sunny Florida. It is a place I getaway to whenever I need to relax and unwind. When you get to Captiva Island, it feels like you are away from all the worries and cares of the world. Indeed the perfect distraction. The rooms overlook the bay or garden, your choice dependent on your budget.

Once I hosted a group business session at the end of the year to this ideal place. The goal was to reflect about plans…

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An NYU Student Who Studied Abroad In Florence Hated Every Aspect Of Her Semester Abroad…

three-day weekends are the standard for NYU’s study-abroad programs, almost everyone chose to take $20 Ryanair flights to places like Croatia and Munich for Oktoberfest. To me, this seemed like an exhausting form of escapism

We have always heard about college study abroad programs. Many have experienced and squealed about their tales of travel, new experiences and memories of lasting thrills. But not so for one college student. As the Insider’s article flashed across the screen, I was compelled to find it and dig deeper. I was curious to know why? Here’s an excerpt.

Since three-day weekends are the standard for NYU’s study-abroad programs, almost everyone chose to take $20 Ryanair flights to places like Croatia and Munich for Oktoberfest. To me, this seemed like an exhausting form of escapism. I was convinced my peers were doing it only to freshen up their social-media profiles and make their friends back home jealous.

I, on the other hand, wanted to travel to learn more about myself and explore ways to shape my life after graduation. Since most of my classmates were looking to go to sex shows in Amsterdam and getting wasted in Ibiza, I traveled alone. I went to Nice, France; Lugano, Switzerland; London; Malta; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. But most weekends I stayed at home in Florence.
Read more from the Insider here

Tales of her experience included:

Living with 7 people was not easy
The pressure to travel on weekends was not easy.
Italian people were hostile towards her
Her life in New York went on without her

Caused me to think how tales of dreams and travel experiences differ among people. As we experience life, it looks different from person to person. One can only imagine an essay from her roommates and what that would look like. Hmmm…

What are your thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Solo Retreat Rome Itinerary…

Solo Retreat is designed for withdrawal. To take a step back. To plan to revive, refresh, renew, restore. Many take it when they are at a crossroads, or after they have experienced a significant life change. It can last a day, a weekend, week, month or a year as in a sabbatical

Here I share the itinerary for my Solo Retreat that developed along the way. My plan was simple. To get away to a place I didn’t know. To get lost in a strange place and find my way through divine obedience. As I progressed, here’s how it shaped out.

Just Rome

Florida
Philadelphia
Rome
Florence
Sienna
San Gimignano
Pisa
Venice
Rome
London
Charlotte, North Carolina
Florida

Not For the Faint Hearted

Solo travel and it’s purpose is not for the faint of heart. You have to be bold, brave and willing to make mistakes. It was different for me because I’m a planner but being led spiritually, I simply obeyed and experienced something new something different.

What about you? Ever thought about or did a solo retreat thousands of miles away? Do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Travel For Business or Pleasure?

Success Strategies

Traveling! It’s mind-blowing!It expands our thinking. It opens doors to things we never dreamed of. Often it comes with frustrating exasperations of missed flights, airport treks, trains, taxis, and more.

Why do you Travel?

Recently I’ve been traveling on business attending conferences, public forum and more that I’m involved in. But in spite of the busyness accompanied by lack of sleep, travel provides satisfaction. The food. The people. Culture. Hotels. Bed n breakfasts. But it all comes together to form an enriching experience that all would do well to Committo experience.
Travel is not an Illusion. Live it, do it, learn.
Hats off to times of travel… no matter the reason.

Cheers!

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2022 Holiday Book Gift Guide…

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again

A Book is a Gift you can open again and again
Garrison Keillor

Gifts For Your Personal Growth

That Perfect Getaway Read

Gifts To Motivate, Encourage And Inspire

Retirement: The Journey and The Destination is a guide to help readers in their twenties, thirties, forties, and fifties learn and appreciate the key considerations that should direct the process of planning for retirement so their preparation will not be fragmented, lopsided and insufficient.

**Guide To Writing Job Winning Resumes Paperback**

Books For The New Entrepreneur

**101+ Empowering Quotes For New Entrepreneurs**

MOMENTS: MOTIVATIONAL AND INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS

Books For The Food Lover

The Sways Of Poetry

Books For The Child Reader

How Far Would You Go To Land That Dream Role?

The beginning of greatness is to be different
Roy Whittier.

CNN headline news shared the news of Karly – a 27 year old who ordered a cake with her resume printed on it and sent it to the company of her dreams. Guess where? Nike!

This feat was done from her location in North Carolina to their headquarters in Oregon. Talk about innovation! All with the help of an equally ferocious delivery driver. Karly then shared the picture of the cake on LinkedIn …that’s the place for top jobs, right? Sure enough it sparked lots of interest. Some ‘meanies’ chimed in too. They thought it was a bad idea and voiced how they would never hire her.

The Creativity of the Creative

Personally I’m a lover of anything different. Of thinking outside the box. Same result but with a twist. It brings in the new; makes one stand out against the competition (whether or not there is competition) and shows initiative, The open-minded for sure will snatch up the innovative.

Step out today. Try something new, something different. Heck, you may even surprise yourself! And oh by the way, don’t limit this to jobs only. Travel, relationships, entrepreneurship ventures and more are all included.

What’s the most creative step have you taken? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Travel’s Up And So Is Tipping…

Tips on tips! What to give. When to give. Should you give?

And the gratuity? Did you help me load my luggage? No, but …
-Jack Vance

CNN Headline News (HLN) shared the evolution of tips in our society. Cash registers now have built in tips at the grocery store, retail store and even at the plant nursery! Yikes! All this separated from the traditional tipping places like hospitality-hotels, restaurants, salon, nail services and more. Caused me to think. We are all being bombarded by this new extra invasion of the ‘plastic cards.’ Should we Fair Tip or Guilt Tip? HLN’s Money Coach recommends, no service–no tip.

Not sure when to give and how much? Here I share HLN’s recommendation of the amounts to give as fair tips for both the travel and restaurant dining options.

No Service. No Tip
HLN’s Money Coach

Appropriate Tip: Travel

Skycap & Bellhop: at least $2
Housekeeper: $5 per day
Taxi Driver: 15-20% of fare but minimally $1 (more if they carry your bags)

Appropriate Tip: Restaurant

Wait Service: 15-20%
Take Out: It’s up to you!
Bartender: $1-2 per beer, more for cocktails
Tipping Jars: It’s up to you!

So there you have it. Tips on tips! What to give. When to give. Should you give? It’s all like your career and the workplace. Pay for Performance. The more you work, the more productive you are, the more bonus and salary increase you get (all things being equal, right)?

What are your thoughts on this trend? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Where’s Your Dream Travel Destination?

Success Strategies

Paris, Santorini, Dubai tops the list!

Where do you wish to travel in the next 1-3 years? Which destination tops your list? Do you dream of traveling to enjoy the culture of others near or far? Traveling to learn about other people in distant lands?

Like Cavity, in the movie Eat. Pray. Love; Julia Roberts Imagination ran wild when she decided to get away to (as it were) find herself. Well she was not alone. The question was asked where’s your dream travel location? A few said “All over the world”, but while we Sympathize, that doesn’t count. Goals must be specific to be achieved. Here I share excerpts as the masses chimed in:

Destinations

Bora, Bora
Rome
New Zealand
Santorini
Paris
British Colombia, Canada
Maldives, Santorini, Rio, Bali
Greece, Spain, Italy
San Francisco
Washington
New York
LA
Egypt
Greece, Dubai, Hawaii, Brazil, Paris
Mecca
Cuba
Shiraz, Iran

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2022 Travel Dreams? 7 Best In The World Road-Trips…

Workaholic. Yep, that’s me. It’s strange that I am dreaming of a getaway so early in the New Year. But guess what? It’s actually carried forward from prior years. Been dreaming of my favorite getaway space but haven’t had a chance to take it. So here I go dreaming as I was asked to share a road trip that I would like to take.

Conde Naste shared the best Road Trips in the world. Amidst the pandemic and all, I shook my head against international travel. Too many requirements. Then on a whim, I mused… hey why not? As the saying goes:

If you can dream it, you can do it
Walt Disney

7 Dream Road Trips

So I let my mind wonder to the list which includes several but my top faves are:

Highway 101 Oregon
Namibia’s Desert
Hana Highway Hawaii
Norway
Ireland
Iceland
Tuscany Italy

Tuscany, Italy

Why not Tuscany? This is my favorite place that I dream of. Renowned travel expert Samantha Brown challenged us to plan a trip that we are excited about. So as I perused the list, I selected my dream place-Tuscany, Italy. Ireland comes closely second, but Tuscany is my preferred place. I decided to pull the full details below for ease of access for both myself or any who wish to get the information. If Italy isn’t for you, then other destinations can be gleaned from them here

Tuscany’s bucolic, vineyard-dotted landscape makes for the quintessential Italian road trip. Start in Florence and cruise south on the SS22 for 30 minutes until you reach the heart of the Chianti wine region. Take your time winding through Strada and Greve towards Siena, stopping at cantine along the way (we recommend these ones). Depending on how much time you have, spend the night in Panzano before circling back up to Florence the next day, or head further south to Montalcino, Montepulciano, and the spectacular Val d’Orcia—arguably the most beautiful stretch of countryside in Tuscany.

Where to stop: Ruffino’s sprawling Poggio Casciano estate for truffle hunting and tasting; Antinori nel Chianti Classico for its Instagram-worthy glass-and-steel winery and equally show-stopping wine; Tenuta Il Greppo, where the first Brunello di Montalcino was bottled in 1888.

Where to eat: Officina della Bistecca in Panzano-in-Chianti for the best steak in all of Tuscany; Re di Macchia in Montalcino for its classic, hearty Tuscan cuisine like white bean soup and wild boar pasta.

Where to stay: In castles, always. We like the intimate, art-filled Castello di Ama in Gaiole in Chianti and the lavish, hilltop Castello Banfi il Borgo in Montalcino, which has an infinity pool overlooking the vineyards.

Your Turn

What’s your dream travel designation or road trip for this year? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

^{Italy Photo by Stan Swinnen on Pexels.com}

Traveling? Top 11 Things To Do Before You Board That Flight…

We love to travel! The warmth of new places brings smiles and memories that last. But getting to the pleasures of our vacation destination often comes with a nightmare. Travel and Leisure shared their top 25 Things to do before getting on a plane. Here are my top 11 Favs, which by the way makes business travel a breeze.

Pre-Travel Stress Reducers

Get the airlines credit card which offers perks like priority access and other rewards
Download your airlines app. No check-in and free onboard entertainment
Signup for TSA Pre-Check. Forego It’s a smart strategy for a smoother walk through and some airlines refund you the application fee
Check your bags size and dimensions. Airlines are reducing the space. Rid yourself of the headache and follow the rules before you leave home
Compile your gadgets. Being organized makes your life easier
Lounge around the departure lounges instead of sitting at the gate. Life’s simple
Wear comfortable clothing. But I dare say remember airline rules. For example Sometimes short shorts makes the morning news when tempers flare
Disinfect. Need I say more?
Reserve airport parking before you leave. Works like magic and you will walk away looking at cars circling the garage or squeals at missed flights
Grab and Go is a great idea for starving passengers. Get the app and order ahead
That wretched life-saving Mask. Don’t forget it.

BONUS

Read. Bring a book

So these are my top favs. What’s yours? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Virgo Wellness Reset…

Virgo: Wellness Reset and Holistic Spa in Arizona

We know what matters to you the most Virgo — your health and wellness. How else could you get everything done, you overachiever, you? So take a moment to give yourself the best spa package and fine dining to match with a desert getaway in the heart of Arizona. This world famous resort has an Aqua circuit like no other, with state-of-the-art amenities to boost your body’s ability to heal and overall well-being. Take advantage of the sound healing classes in the evenings to give you the ultimate night’s sleep, and then wake to practice yoga on the lawn. In between, you’ll have the chance for a massage, a reiki session, and a deliciously rejuvenating smoothie by the pool. With gorgeous weather for most of the year, you get the maximum amount of Vitamin D in this sunlit state, so you’ll be sure to feel the lasting results of good health even after you return home.
Travel and Leisure

What’s your sign? Mine is Virgo. Read where you should plan your trip based on your own Zodiac sign

Travel! You Only Live Once…But Be Careful How

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You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough
~Unknown

Travel. See the world. Party. Think about you and making you happy. That’s what they say. But think about that. Do those things bring meaning? Let’s examine this philosophy closely.

Travel. Oh to see new places and bask in the ambiance. A change of pace incites creativity and value for the things that exist. But in your haste to travel, make sure you spend time basking in the culture of another’s land. Understand the host culture. There are always do’s and don’ts. Foreign Language may be a problem. If you’re not prepared, you won’t be able to communicate. For example, once during my business travel, I ordered bacon through room service and got something totally different. Another time during an international conference a colleague wanted to order hot dog during lunch. She indicated to the server “caliente woof, woof”. Bet you didn’t know that means hot dog (well at least by her definition). As hilarious as that was, she received her correct order.

Be Happy

Be Happy. Think Only About You. Well-intentioned but life is more than you. We must collaborate in order to co-habitate. Everything we do affect those close to us–be it family, friend or foe. So think before you act.

Remember, life is about living. But live in such a way that those who interact in your space are positively affected. Definitely something to think about, and remember… only what you do for Christ will last.

Cheers!