SO
GOOD THIS TIP DESERVES TO BE REPEATED -- writes
Leslie in Toronto, Canada -- Sew a money hiding bra pocket.
While browsing the internet I found this great way to keep
your emergency money hidden. It requires some simple sewing
but it is so easy I think that most Journeywoman readers will
be able to handle the five short steps. Take
a look and give it a try. I told all my friends about
it and they loved the idea.
SOUTH
AFRICAN BED AND BREAKFASTS -- writes Ginny
in Atlanta, USA -- When traveling to Pretoria I recommend
staying at the Rosenhof Guesthouse. The accommodations are
lovely, the staff is helpful, breakfast on the patio is luxurious,
and they have lots of great tips to keep you safe while visiting.
They also have wireless connection for a small fee. Website:
www.rozenhof.co.za
Also if you are visiting the Eastern Cape area of South Africa
near Somerset East, I suggest you stay at the Blue Crane Lodge
B&B. Every room is very large, secure, filled with lovely
antiques, nice big bathrooms, the price is very reasonable
and the breakfast is huge. Email: bluecrane@jabama.co.za
A
CHATEAU CLOSE TO PARIS -- writes Colleen in
Galway, Ireland -- While in Paris, I visited the Chateau de
Vaux le Vicomte which was the inspiration for Versailles.
I wanted to see it because the gardens were the subject of
an essay I wrote in university. Vaux-le-Vicomte is a fully
restored, splendid example of 17th-century Baroque art, architecture,
and neo-classical gardens. Well worth seeing. From central
Paris, I took the metro, then RER D train from Paris (Le Chatelet)
to Melun station and from there a taxi to the chateau. I spent
a happy day wandering the gardens, touring the chateau, and
trekking up the wooden stairs to the little walkway around
the dome. There's a gift shop and restaurant on-site. Seasonal
opening from March 15-November 8. Website: http://www.vaux-le-vicomte.com/en/index.php
PLEASE
NO PAINKILLERS IN JAPAN -- writes Erica in
Beltsville, USA -- I'd like other women to know that it is
illegal to bring narcotics (which include painkillers like
Percocet and Vicodin) into Japan without a permit. Some U.S.
over-the-counter medications are also forbidden. However,
it isn't too hard to get a permit for a 30-tablet supply of
painkillers; I have done it twice, once with a tight deadline.
See http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-medimport.html
for more information. I was able to get the correct forms
faxed to me by the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC, and
submitted my request (along with the required letter from
my doctor) by fax to the appropriate office in Japan. There
is a different permit-granting office for each city of entry.
HOTEL
WITH COMMUNAL DINING IN VARANASI, INDIA --
writes Mariellen in Toronto, Canada -- I was very glad that
I stayed at the Hotel Ganges View, Assi Ghat, in Varanasi.
Aside from being a comfortable and safe place to stay, it
also features a communal dining experience in the gracious
dining room. At dinner, I met other women traveling alone,
and a couple of us went on to Delhi together, sharing some
of the expenses. Read other reviews: http://tinyurl.com/nd5ojh
NEWS ALERT: Mariellen is a passionate Indiaphile who has traveled extensively in the country she loves. Check her helpful article, 10 Tips to Prepare Women for a Trip to India. It's a must read whether you're experienced or a first-time visitor.
EXCELLENT
HOTEL AND EXCELLENT GUIDE IN ISTANBUL -- writes
Sandra in Rome, Italy -- I just spent five days in Istanbul
and I loved it. I'd like to recommend the hotel I stayed at
to the other JW readers. The Ottoman
Imperial is a very lovely boutique hotel with a good price
to quality ratio. It was originally both a school and hospital
in the mid 1880's and today has a place in tourism. I also
want to recommend our guide Sermin. I found her address in
Journeywoman's
Best Guides section and by email she assisted me in organizing
the program of my visit. We spent one day together on the
Bosphorus and it was great but the tour of Chora with the
detailed explanation given by Sermin was really astonishing.
She is a very cultured person, kind and sensitive. My daughter
and I spent a wonderful day with her. Thank you, Journeywoman.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you're looking for a guide there is nothing like having a recommendation from another woman. Click here to find over 50 guides that JourneyWomen around the world have used and enjoyed. Email: editor@journeywoman.com with your favorites and we'll post them for everybody else to consider. That's what Journeywoman.com is all about.
WHAT
TO WEAR IN SHANGHAI CHINA IN SPRING AND SUMMER --
writes Toni in Virginia, USA -- If you go to Shanghai at this
time of the year, be prepared for extreme heat. Fortunately,
I brought many light things and planned on dressing in layers
if necessary. I ended up wearing capris and gauzy blouses
a lot. Comfortable sandals were great. Just make sure yours
are broken in as you will do a lot of walking. Pants for evening
and light sweaters (for the air-conditioned places) are a
good idea. I also brought along a raincoat just in case. P.S.
I found the tips from journeywoman very useful before my trip
to Shanghai. Now I'm adding mine to the list and hope this
helps other travellers.
FEMALE
TAXI SERVICE IN MUMBAI, INDIA -- writes Pauline
in Montreuil, France -- I arrived in Mumbai in the middle
of the night, asked an airport security agent for help with
transportation and he found me a female taxiwallah (driver).
The lady drove me to my hotel and got out of the cab to accompany
me to the main door. She gave me a flyer and I discovered
Priyadarshini Taxi Service. These taxis (pink coloured) are
driven by women trained for self defense. Their slogan is
'Of women, for women, by women'. The service is available
24 hours. Priyadarshini
Taxi Service. You can call - 9323208277 or 24324161 or
24324162 to reach them.
THE
PERFECT TRAVEL SOUVENIR -- writes Astrid in
New York City, USA -- When I travel I love to spend time looking
for the perfect souvenir in all the towns I pass through.
I'm always making mental notes about what I want to bring
back with me that will remind me of this place or that. I
also like to buy something new to wear like earrings or a
scarf really early during my holiday so I can wear them and
spruce up my not-so-new travel outfits. These items often
become treasured souvenirs that bring back memories of where
I bought and wore them and why.
A
Fabulous Vietnamese Tailor Shop... Yaly Couture in Hoi An, Vietnam is owned by female tailor, Mrs. Quynh. Mrs. Quynh is 37 years old and speaks English beautifully. Of the more than 400 made-to-measure clothing shops in this town this woman's shop is reputed to be the best. Garments you order can be sewn to your specifications in two days. In town just for the day? They can make a suit in just five hours. 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An, Vietnam. Tel: (84-510) 910 474 (Source: The Toronto Star). |
How
to... Enjoy
the benefits of solo travel --
This is a fabulous quote we found in the book, 'Travel
Therapy-Where Do You Need to Go?' "Going to a new
place breaks you out of your rut and forces you to use
new parts of your brain. It makes it easier to interrupt
old, bad, ingrained patterns. If you're in a stuck spot
in your life, go alone to someplace you've never been.
You will meet the 'new you' there'. |
