Of course, even major bumps in the road can’t take away from the thrill of traveling the globe and seeing landmarks such as Big Ben.

But back to the snow… Heathrow isn’t alone in its struggles.  Frankfurt, Schiphold and many other airports throughout Europe are sorely unprepared for inclement weather, let alone extreme weather!

Why? The high costs of equipment, supplies and manpower.

Curious, I searched to find out what some of those costs might be. They had to be more than the predicted tens of millions, and perhaps even hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact the flight delays caused – right?

Hardly, while the costs of deicing equipment and other resources needed to deal with such wicked weather is significant, it’s a fraction of the cost of what such disruptions cost travelers and businesses of all types that rely on the movement of people and goods. These airports were simply not equipped with enough snow and ice removal equipment or manpower to deal with the cold weather and heavy snowfall. One word – UNACCEPTABLE!

The EC and governments everywhere have no choice but to mandate and enforce major airports to muster the required resources needed to deal with winter weather or assume the responsibility themselves, just like they do our city streets. If airports aren’t already viewed as a public trust, I think they should be.

Travel isn’t not just for a privileged few anymore; hasn’t been that way for a long time. Globetrotting has become endemic to much of the world’s population. When Mother Nature prevails against all reasonable means to make winter travel possible, so be it. But when airports aren’t prepared to meet the challenge, someone or something needs to force their hand.

It wasn’t too long ago when my daughters and I landed at Heathrow only to discover a then unknown volcano had erupted, spewing volcanic ash high into the atmosphere, across the Atlantic and over parts of the UK and Europe.  Ok Mother Nature – you got us with that one!

However, I knew we were in good hands traveling with Collette. That’s one of the huge benefits of taking an escorted tour.  Our expert staff handled the situation perfectly. Plus, for our clients we offer an industry-leading “no worries” travel waiver.

Few, if anyone could have predicted that Eyjafjallajökull was going to blow (only a handful of people even knew where it was and fewer could pronounce it), but airport authorities firmly rooted in the northern hemisphere would have to be completely daft to bet against Mother Nature throwing something of a winter at least once a year. Since I can recall anyways, winter’s been a fairly regular occurrence about, well every twelve months or so! Pardon the sarcasm, but really!

Calling Heathrow, Frankfurt, Schiphold and any other airports ill-equipped and ill-prepared for winter weather… get ready to deal with it. In the realm of public opinion, it’s not an option.

If the travel disruptions and financial implications on travelers and airlines around the world aren’t enough to force airports to take reasonable efforts to mitigate such disruptions in the future then I believe governments should.

Coming Soon… Winter Travel: Part 2

This coming March I’m taking my daughters on Collette’s London & Paris tour. It’s a great tour for all; 12 months of the year, spring, summer, fall and winter. These two legendary European capitals have something for travelers of all ages.

Leave those worries about getting to the airport behind.

Clif and Luna natural nutritional bars are loaded with whole grains, vitamins and minerals. High in fiber and protein and in a variety of flavors, the less-than 2.5 ounce bars are compact and easy to toss into a purse or carry-on. New bite-sized LUNA minis (in packs of 18 in 6 different flavors) are perfect for traveling in a group, and Clif Bars for kids (made without high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils or trans fats) are healthy alternatives for little ones. 

Nuts, crackers, and dried fruits in clear baggies will usually pass TSA security, as will most sealed cheeses, while most liquids exceeding 3.4 ounces will have to be tossed at the security checkpoint (for guidelines, visit www.tsa.gov/311). Of course, most airlines permit to-go meals and beverages purchased inside the secure area on-board. Depending on how much room you have to spare in your carry-on, many travelers bring an empty bottle to fill with water from a fountain after screening. Instant cereal packets including oatmeal are also easy to toss into checked baggage as hotels are usually happy to offer hot water. This way, you can start your day off right instead of wasting travel time to pinpoint a breakfast spot. (Flight attendants will usually be happy to accommodate hot water requests too, just be courteous and ask after beverage service is complete.)

Your best bet? Contact your airline ahead of your flight to confirm foodstuffs you may have in question. International travel regulations will usually prevent you from bringing food in or out of the country, so if you fell in love with an Italian sauce or French marmalade spread, ship it ahead of time to avoid a time consuming customs debacle.

As each airport will only have a few of these scanners, not every passenger will be required to go through the new process. It’s important to note as well that all facial features will appear blurred to protect privacy and ensure anonymity. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer operating the scanner will be in another room and communication with the passenger will be conducted via radio, while the TSA officer escorting the passenger in and out of the scanner will not see the images. Following inspections, all images will be deleted, according to the TSA.  

Passengers are not required to go through the scanning process, says the TSA, and those who feel uncomfortable participating in full-body imaging can decline but will undergo traditional security procedures: being screened by a metal detector or hand-wand, and/or a physical pat-down. The process is as follows: Each passenger will walk into the imaging portal. Once inside, they will be asked to stand in different positions and remain still for just a few seconds while the technology creates an image of the passenger in real time. Once complete, the passenger will exit the opposite side of the portal.

For more information, including which airports are currently using scanning technologies and which will be receiving the machines soon, click here.

What do you think? Would you do it?

1. Many Americans who dream of traveling to Australia and New Zealand have shied away because of the high cost of airfare. But there’s good news…flights to Australia have become more affordable since the economic downturn. However, many travel experts are predicting a surge in airfares in the near future. …the time to go is now.
2. When Collette priced its South Pacific tours for the 2010/2011 season, the exchange rate was $.65 AUD for $1 USD. Currently, we are looking at $.90 AUD for $1 USD representing a 38% increase in costs just in currency. Rates are locked in through May 2011 but will in all likelihood increase in 2011/2012 due to macro-economic factors beyond our control.  …the time to go is now.
3. Sydney is a fabulous city for first-time visitors to Australia. The weather is pleasant nearly year round, and Australian icons from the Sydney Harbor Bridge to the Sydney Opera House make for an unforgettable vacation. Every one of our tours to Australia features beautiful Sydney.  …the time to go is now.
4. Rotorua and the North Island of New Zealand are featured on Collette’s Complete South Pacific, Journey to the South Pacific, and Exploring New Zealand tours. Here travelers will experience how the Maori keep their customs alive teaching tribal youth traditional weaving, carving and dancing. …the time to go is now.
5. Already been to Napa Valley and have a month to spare? Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures Great Trains, Wineries & Cultures of Australia & New Zealand is a 29-day adventure that includes an overnight journey on the legendary Ghan. Tastings and teachings by wine experts in the Barossa Valley highlight Australia’s best-known wine region and South Australia’s most visited tourist destination. Experience it before it gets too glamorized. Plus, book this tour by April 30th and save on air-inclusive bookings! …the time to go is now.

Traveling over the holiday season, no matter if you’ve been naughty or nice, can be stressful. Inclement weather, delays, the middle seat, the incessant chatterbox glued to her cell phone next to you can all make you wonder if this really is the most wonderful time of the year. This year, I pulled out all the stops, to make my travels go more smoothly and seamlessly. When traveling from A to B during the holidays, I think it’s best to approach the process with a “get in and get out” mentality. So listen up!

1. Skycaps may just be the most undervalued people in transportation. Savvy travelers know to skip the swelling lines indoors and go straight to a skycap that will check-in your bags curbside, check your ID, usually know if your flight is scheduled on-time and send you to your departure gate. Don’t forget to have a few small bills at the ready to expedite things quickly; they work for tips and a dollar or two per bag is average.
2. Now more than ever, when more airlines are increasing checked baggage fees, you can save time and money by traveling with a well-packed carry on. This time of year, consider sending gifts in advance of your trip to avoid checking (and potentially losing) additional luggage. If you must travel with gifts, avoid wrapping them–security might have to unwrap them anyway (read: per Murphy’s Law, if you wrapped them, that will definitely be the time security wants to see them), so stash a few gift bags in your suitcase.
3. The roads are busy, weather is spotty and soliciting a friend to drop you at the airport seems just plain cruel. Parking in the airport lots (and surrounding satellite lots) can add up quickly (and is even less fun to pay upon your return). This year, Collette introduced complimentary round trip sedan service that takes you from your home to the airport when you purchase an air-inclusive Collette tour. I hate worrying about getting to the airport, so this service worked out perfectly for me. If you’re traveling on an escorted tour, see if the company can do this for you. It’s a time saver and a cost saver (even gratuities were included).
4. Slip ID and tickets into pre-board organizer to avoid fumbling for essentials while juggling bags and going through security whether traveling by air or rail. Also, if traveling by air, choose function over fashion and wear comfortable, slide-in shoes without laces.
5. Finally, it might be too late to replace that black suitcase everyone else also seems to have, but make luggage retrieval easy by adding a quirky tags, or jump into an easy DIY (Do It Yourself) project and make your own.

Our flight isn’t until 10 a.m. so Debbie and I have a pretty leisurely morning packing and having breakfast. One of the things I like about this tour is its leisurely pace. Three nights in Santiago, three in Mendoza, and three coming up in Buenos Aires allow for some later mornings than is typical on an escorted tour. That’s good given those late nights…

The airport may be international but looking around it has more of a regional airport feel.  Cramped is the word that comes to mind as we formed a line through a doorway where beyond, it is presumed, lies security. Once on the other side there is one x-ray machine and not a gray bin in sight. It seems you don’t have to take off your shoes or empty your laptop from its carry-on. From security we are funneled into a holding area (again, cramped comes to mind) but Kevin secures seats for most of our passengers.

Our LAN flight to Buenos Aires is under 2 hours (by coach it would have been 10 hours). On the flight I munch down an alfajor, another staple in South America which I hope my kids like because I’ve jammed a large box of them in my suitcase.

Basically, its sweet cake joined together with dulce de leche or jam and covered in white or dark chocolate. It seems I’ve barely savored my alfajor and second cup of joe (very strong brew in Argentina) when we begin our descent into Buenos Aires, the “Paris of South America.”  Even from 10,000 feet, I can smell the leather shops calling my name. With the favorable exchange rate for Americans traveling to Argentina and the afternoon, shopping will definitely be on the itinerary in these final few days.

Click here to read about Collette’s Wines & Wonders of South America tour!

Still reeling from my 4 extra pounds of clothes now stuffed into my carry-on, I can’t help but notice the attire of our female LAN flight attendants:  red tailored blazers accessorized with neck scarves, navy skirts with hose, and RED pumps. Very snappy. Still, no bright colors in the world or arrival anticipation can keep me awake and alert for the duration of this overnight flight.

Airports aren’t really the best place for pictures-taking (so that portion of the reality tour that includes stylish photos & videos (hopefully) really takes off tomorrow… excuse the pun). But in my excitement, I do want to share a couple with you from today…

Enough said. Tomorrow I report from Santiago, Chile.  Hasta luego!

-Melissa

When I tell my friends about my “business” trip, they laugh. They theorize that taking photos and video is what most people do on a vacation anyway and writing a blog is the equivalent of a traveler’s journal entries.  Thanks for the clarification. With my departure imminent, I think, perhaps they are right and I have just hit the jackpot of dream jobs.

I finally finished packing last night so I’m ready to go. Ask anyone in my family and they’ll tell you that when it comes to packing I organize my neatly pressed clothes into ensemble outfits complete with accessories. When your closet is a world away, it’s best to be prepared! I also roll my clothes to optimize space and pack them in clear plastic bags.

Little did I know that passengers in line would see first hand the contents of my suitcase when I was forced to pull things out of it in order to bring my personal belongings to a manageable 50 lbs. The reservations agent was clearly not impressed with my packing skills.

Once at JFK we took the train to terminal 4, the home of LAN Airlines. Here we found a reservationist with a sense of humor. In an effort to make small talk while he tapped away at his magical keyboard, I asked if the plane was full. Answer:  yes. Configuration of the aircraft? Answer:  2-3-2. Pushing my luck with a third question, I asked if his typing would result in good seats for us, and Debbie piped in, “First Class, perhaps?”  Answer: “Very funny, like I haven’t heard that one about a hundred times today.”  His timing was spot on and his delivery as he looked at us over the top of his very hip, very European eyeglasses was droll yet effective. Debbie and I had a good laugh over that…probably our last before our 10-hour LAN flight from New York to Santiago, Chile.

Oh, wait, it’s time to board.

More later!

-Melissa