How to Cope

Here’s an article we found that may be helpful while traveling

 

Follow Travel and Leisure’s travel tips for how to cope with
challenges on the road.

From December 2013 By Travel
+ Leisure Staff

Any traveler knows that sinking feeling of boarding a plane only
to get stuck with a less-than-desirable seatmate: someone who hogs that narrow,
coveted armrest or brings an oversized duffel that encroaches on your legroom.

If you’ve ever resorted to a passive-aggressive nudge or, on the
contrary, suffered through hours of transatlantic claustrophobia, you have
experienced firsthand what not to do in this scenario.

It’s just one of the possible frustrations that you might
encounter when you leave home. But how you react can make all the difference,
whether you’re dealing with that seatmate, a reckless taxi driver, or a bad
case of food poisoning.

Knowing the dos and don’ts of travel etiquette will help you go
from an amateur to a sophisticated globe-trotter. You’ll feel empowered to
haggle at a market abroad and be informed about what to do if you get hotel
bill shock.

So before you wave your napkin to an inattentive waiter as a
white flag of surrender, brush up on your etiquette with these strategic travel
tips.

—Melanie Lieberman

 What
to Do if You Missed Your Flight

Do...

Be prepared to
pay a rebooking fee. For most
classes of ticket, you’ll be charged to get on another flight.

Make a run for
it, if you’re
already checked in and only have a carry-on. At some airports, gates close as
late as 15 minutes before departure.

Don’t...

Wait to alert
your airline. The sooner you call,
the more likely they’ll be able to get you on the next flight—if there’s space.

Expect to be
rebooked on a different carrier. For
that, you’ll have to purchase an entirely new ticket.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With Noisy Hotel Neighbors

Do...

...call the
manager on duty. He can dispatch
security. He’ll also know when your rowdy floor mates are checking out.

...ask for
earplugs. Most hotels expect some
type of noise pollution, be it from tropical birds, traffic, or a wailing
toddler.

Don’t

...take matters
into your own hands. You want the
hotel to be involved early on in case the culprit is uncooperative.

...demand that
other guests move for your sake. If
you want a quieter space, expect to switch rooms yourself.

—Amy Farley

What to Do When
You Order Wine You Don't Like

Do...

...speak up. A lot of customers feel intimidated by big
wine lists and sommeliers, but it’s okay to trust your palate.

...snap a photo of the label and add it to
an album of wines you’ve loved or loathed; use it to guide you on future
selections.

Don’t...

...judge too early. As the wine
opens up, you might change your mind.

...suffer through a poor choice. The
sommelier’s goal is for you to be happy with your selection.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With an Aggressive Masseuse

Do...

…lay down the
law before the lights dim. Share
your preferences, and if you’re ticklish or injured.

…use body
language. Raising your hand or
finger tells your therapist to pause, and is less awkward than breaking the
silence.

Don’t...

…leave things
to chance. When booking, request a
therapist with a lighter touch, or specify a gender.

…be vague. Using a 1–10 scale will ensure the right pressure, e.g.,
6 (moderate) rather than 9 (very intense).

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With a Reckless Taxi Driver

Do...

…pay the fare. Your receipt may be helpful in reporting the driver.
Tipping, however, is optional.

…record the
medallion or car number. Local
authorities rely on passenger feedback to keep unsafe drivers off the streets.

Don’t...

…yell. Your driver is a professional. Phrase your complaint as
a personal preference—not an attack.

…stay in a cab
if you feel unsafe. If your driver
doesn’t respond to feedback, ask him to pull over and then find another ride.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With an Overzealous Tour Member

Do...

…book trips
where multiple guides are present at all times. One is there to handle special situations just like
this.

…talk to your
guide, not to the traveler in
question. Guides are trained to handle a variety of personalities.

Don’t...

…isolate the
individual. That will only make him
more likely to further monopolize your guide’s attention.

…be too quick
to judge. As the group dynamic
shakes out, needy travelers tend to settle down.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With a Space-Hogging Seatmate

Do...

…assert your
territory early on: claim your
overhead and under-seat space, and put the armrests down.

…be sensitive about passengers of size. Alert your flight attendant
discreetly; you may be able to switch seats.

Don’t...

…resort to
dirty looks, or subtle little
pushes. Being passive-aggressive only escalates the problem.

…be greedy. Airplane etiquette says that the middle-seat passenger
has rights to both inner armrests.

–Nikki Ekstein

How
to Deal with Hotel Bill Shock

Do...

…heed the
warnings. If the hotel informed you
of resort fees and the like, you share some of the blame.

…play up your
loyalty. Point out that you are a
member of the hotel’s program, or a repeat customer.

Don’t...

…accept
responsibility for fees buried in fine print. They should be clearly presented to guests.

…be afraid to
stand your ground. If the front
desk can’t help, ask for the general manager or guest services director.

—Amy Farley

How
to Deal With Food Poisoning While Traveling

Do...

…ask the local
pharmacist for a loperamide-based
drug (like Imodium), to prevent dehydration.

…seek medical
attention if you experience signs
of dehydration, such as dizziness or dry mouth.

Don’t...

…jump back to
solid food. Start with
electrolyte-fortified liquids (coconut water), then move on to rice and
bananas.

…kiss your
entire vacation good-bye. Food
poisoning usually subsides within two to four days.

—Amy Farley

How
to Make a Tight Flight Connection

Do...

…ask to be
moved closer to the front of the
cabin just before landing, so you can make a quick exit.

…run straight
to the gate for your
connection—even if it’s past your departure time.

Don’t...

…despair. A flight won’t wait for one passenger, but system-wide
delays might result in a lucky break.

…book tight
connections through large airports.
Anything less than a 90-minute window is unrealistic.

—Amy Farley

What
to Do When You’ve Accidentally Damaged Your Hotel Room

Do...

…assess the
mess. One that only requires
cleanup costs less than one that calls for replacing broken furniture and
fixtures.

…fess up. The hotel will find out regardless—and you’ll want to be
there to plead your case.

Don’t...

…fret if the
damage is small and unintentional.
Hotels will often let you go without penalty.

…assume you can
walk away scot-free. If the damage
is major, you could be responsible for repairs and lost revenue.

—Amy Farley

How
to Photograph Locals Without Offending Them

Do...

…ask for
permission. If words fail, show
your camera and wait for a reaction before shooting.

…strike up a
conversation. Compliment the
subject’s family, ask a question, or share a laugh.

Don’t...

…push too hard. If the subject says no, find someone else to photograph.

…try to be
sneaky. You risk affronting someone
who’d rather not be photographed.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With an Inattentive Waiter

Do...

…get the
attention of another waiter or
waitress and ask for help tracking down your server.

…ask for the
manager. If you feel you are being
ignored, it’s important to speak up.

Don’t...

…snap your
fingers, wave your napkin in the
air, or try to draw attention in any flagrant way.

…assume it’s
bad service. In some cultures it’s
customary for guests to signal to waiters when they are ready for the check.

—Amy Farley

How
to Haggle

Do...

…determine what
you’d like to pay. Ask trusted
locals what they’d spend.

…enjoy
yourself. A sense of humor and
patience are equally important.

Don’t...

…be afraid of
lowballing. Make your starting
offer at one-third of the price.

…indicate how
badly you want an item. Be willing
to walk away, and you’ll almost always get a better deal.

—Amy Farley

How
to Cope With a Snoring Seatmate

Do...

…ask for
earplugs—most flight attendants
will have them on hand.

…rouse the
snorer gently. A subtle trick: open
an air vent.

Don’t...

…expect your
flight attendant to wake anyone up. Each
flier has the same right to rest.

…feel trapped. If another seat is available, you may be able to move to
a quieter spot.

—Amy Farley

What
to Do When You’ve Been Pickpocketed

Do...

…find the
nearest Western Union. You can get
cash wired to you within the hour.

…report a
stolen passport to police and
consular authorities; a replacement may be issued within 24 hours.

Don’t...

…expect a new
bank or credit card to arrive immediately. It could take a few days to reach you abroad.

…forget to
cancel all cards immediately. Some
card providers charge fees for fraudulent use.

—Amy
Farley

As always, Excelsior Limousine is happy to provide a luxury town
car or SUV for any of your ground transportation needs.

 

 

European Hotels and Your Passport

We thought this was interesting,,,

Why Do European Hotels Require Passports at Check-in?

by Amy Farley

There’s
a long tradition throughout Europe of statutes requiring hotels to collect
information on guests—including name, nationality, and ID number—enabling law
enforcement to cross-check for wanted individuals, criminals, or missing
persons. The European Union has since made such data collection a requirement
for hotels in member states. Most of this information is simply stored to be
made available to authorities upon request, though in certain areas (notably
Italy), it is regularly collected. In the past, some hotels would hold guests’
passports for hours or even overnight to manually complete the registration
process. Today, you usually just have to show it at check-in.

 

Book
an Excelsior Limousine town car or SUV for your LAX international flight.
Corporate rates available.

European Hotels and Your Passport

We thought this was interesting,,,

Why Do European Hotels Require Passports at Check-in?

by Amy Farley

There’s
a long tradition throughout Europe of statutes requiring hotels to collect
information on guests—including name, nationality, and ID number—enabling law
enforcement to cross-check for wanted individuals, criminals, or missing
persons. The European Union has since made such data collection a requirement
for hotels in member states. Most of this information is simply stored to be
made available to authorities upon request, though in certain areas (notably
Italy), it is regularly collected. In the past, some hotels would hold guests’
passports for hours or even overnight to manually complete the registration
process. Today, you usually just have to show it at check-in.

 

Book
an Excelsior Limousine town car or SUV for your LAX international flight.
Corporate rates available.

California Dream Cocktail

California Dream Cocktail

2 ounces tequila 

1 ounce sweet vermouth

1/2 ounce dry vermouth

Ice Cubes

Maraschino cherry




In a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes, combine the tequila, sweet vermouth, and dry vermouth. Stir well. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the cherry.




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Call Excelsior Limousine for a luxury town car or SUV for a night out on the town.  800-420-4252

The No-Excuses Vacation Workout - Yahoo Travel

We found this article at YahooTravel
about how to get in some exercise while you travel…not that we’re trying to
make anyone feel guilty.

The
No-Excuses Vacation Workout

Don't chuck your fitness routine.
You can get a whole-body workout in your hotel room with five basic moves.

By Ellen Nordberg March 26, 2014 5:31 AM

With
a just few months until summer, spring break is no time to slack on a fitness
routine. (Especially if your family is heading to a beach destination anytime
soon.) Sure, it’s ridiculously easy to find excuses not to exercise when you’re
on a family getaway. The hotel doesn’t have a gym. You’ve got kids in tow. You
didn’t pack your exercise gear. And you’re on vacation, for Pete’s sake.

Instead
of chucking your routine until you get back home, you can get a whole-body
workout in your hotel room with five basic moves that do not require any
additional equipment. Even better, you can get the kids involved and make a
game out of assisting you. For optimal benefit, complete all five exercises as
a circuit with no resting.

 

PUSH-UPS

Level
One: Place
your hands on the edge of the bed or desk shoulder-width apart, with your feet
on the floor. Assume a plank position by aligning your head, back and legs into
a straight line, then lift and lower your body using your arms with elbows out.
Do three sets of ten repetitions.

Level
Two: Lift
your right leg a few inches off the floor as you do a push-up, then lift your
left leg with the next one. Continue, alternating legs as you go.

Kid
Challenge:
Have your child crawl under you with each lift. Count to ten together.

 

SQUATS

Level
One: Stand
with your legs hip width apart. Push your hips back and lower down as if you’re
sitting in a chair, raising your arms straight above your head as you go. Be
sure to use the muscles in your butt and backs of your legs, not your thighs.
Do two sets of ten.

Level
Two: Balance
on one leg for squats while lifting the other knee up to hip height. Make sure
your squatting knee tracks over the ankle and doesn’t extend forward out over
your foot.

Kid
Challenge:
Have your child stand in front of you with her back to you, holding a pillow or
a rolled up towel over her head. While in your standing position, have her hand
you the pillow. Complete your squat while your child runs around to crouch
behind you. Hand the pillow back to her through your legs, and then you both
return to your starting positions.

 

PULL-UPS

Level
One: Lie on
your back under the desk, extending your arms up to grip the lip of the desk
with your palms facing in. Pull with your arms to raise just your upper body
off the floor. Do three sets of ten, or until fatigue.

Level
Two: As you
pull up, raise both your torso and butt off the floor, balancing on your heels
as you lift.

Kid
Challenge:
Have your child sit at your feet and tap one foot at their discretion. When
your child taps your foot, raise that leg to increase the level of effort.

 

CRUNCHES

Level
One: Lie on
your back with knees bent and hands back by your ears with elbows bent. Lift
your chest straight toward your knees ten times. Then, as you lift, twist at
the waist and reach an elbow to the opposite knee, and repeat for ten on each
side. Finish with one more set of ten straight crunches toward knees.

Level
Two: As you
do the forward crunches, keep your legs raised in the air. For twists, keep
feet flat on the floor with and knees bent and raise the opposite knee to
elbow. Increase the number of repetitions to twenty for each set.

Kid
Challenge:
Have your child sit or stand at your feet. With either bent or straight legs,
hold a pillow in your hands and raise it over your head. As you rise up in your
crunch, bring the pillow over your head to hand off to your child. Roll back
down without the pillow, then retrieve it the next time up.

 

 

LUNGES

Level
One: Stand
with feet hip-width apart, then alternate stepping forward with one leg and
dropping the other knee straight down. Make sure the front knee remains in
alignment over the ankle. Three sets of ten alternating both legs.

Level
Two: As you
step forward in your lunge, try to tap your opposite hand to the ground while
maintaining your balance.

Kid
Challenge:
Have your child stand to your left side. As you lunge with your left leg, twist
across with your right hand to high five him. Do ten lunges, then have him
switch sides. If you have two children, station one on each side and alternate
high fives.

 

Ellen Nordberg, a Boulder, Colorado-based fitness instructor
and blogger,
contributed this to MiniTime.com.

Count your Excelsior Limousine town
car or SUV ride as exercise. You’re exercising your fabulousness. J

Staycation Los Angeles

Sometimes it's nice to just stay close to home. Here's a blog we found, about interesting places in Los Angeles to Staycate.

When it comes to staycations, there is no better place in the world than LA. The beach, city and mountains are all within a short drive of each other, and there is no reason you cannot begin your day in the surf, check out one of the great museums in the city, then cap the day off with some skiing all before the sun sets. When you have access to a city like Los Angeles, there really is no need to travel far for the best getaways.

Around every corner, there is always something to do in LA that will interest even the pickiest of travelers. Sunrise yoga on the beach in Santa Monica, surf lessons in Malibu, live performances on the Sunset Strip, shopping on Rodeo Drive, priceless works of art at the LACMA, zip-lining through the mountains, and amusement parks like Universal and Disneyland are all just a short drive away. For those who really hope to embrace Los Angeles for all the pop-culture it is known for, book a private backlot tour at one of the studios, or even a bus tour to see popular attractions, star homes and who knows, maybe even rub elbows with a few celebs.

Here are a few match-ups to get you started:

West L.A.

What To Do

The Grove

189 The Grove Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 900-8080

www.thegrovela.com

It is not uncommon for hours to quickly pass without realizing it when visiting The Grove. Spending the day casually strolling around this well thought out shopping and entertainment district is a great way to experience some of the best things LA has to offer in a beautifully laid out space. Open to the public seven days a week, The Grove also has amazing restaurants like The Fat Cow from award winning chef Ramsay which is located right next to the movie theater. While you’re there, be sure to also visit the more than 100 shops and grocers at the Original Farmers Market conveniently located within walking distance to The Grove.

LACMA

5905 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 900-8080

www.lacma.org/

Whether you’re a art aficionado or not, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers something for everyone. LACMA does not sit on a picturesque location like the Getty Center or the Getty Villa however LACMA does make up for it by being the largest art museum in the Western U.S with over 100,000 pieces of awe inspiring art. The massive 7 building complex sits on 20 acres of land and truly offers a wide variety of activities making LACMA one of the top spots to visit in Los Angeles. There is something for everyone including talks and lectures, kids programs, art classes, film viewings and discussions and of course world class art. Be sure not to miss Urban Light which is one of the highlights of this museum. Technically considered a piece of the collection, the installation consists of 202 restored Southern California street lights from the 1920′s and 1930′s and makes for some of the greatest backdrops for a photo.

Where To Stay

Montage Hotel Beverly Hills

225 N. Canon Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

(310) 860-7800

www.montagebeverlyhills.com

There is something very special about the Montage Beverly Hills and it makes for the perfect getaway for those longing for rest and relaxation with the kids. From milk and cookies at bedtime to pint-sized robes and slippers, little ones are welcomed and celebrated at The Montage. Can’t find mom? Check Spa Montage! Spa Montage is a lavish two-story oasis designed to offer only the finest treatments for health, wellbeing and strength.

Santa Monica / Malibu

What To Do

Santa Monica Pier

200 Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 458-8901

www.santamonicapier.org

The 100-year old landmark at the end of the iconic Route 66 bursts with family entertainment. Visitors can take a ride on the 1920s carousel, check out the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, test their skills out at a trapeze school, and take a spin on a few rides at Pacific Park, a family amusement park with an enormous Ferris wheel. The pier, home to different pubs and restaurants also offers a choice spot for anglers hoping to catch a fish. The pier is truly one of L.A.’s best attractions and one with a variety of activities for your staycation.

Malibu Creek State Park

1925 Las Virgenes Rd

Calabasas, CA 91302

(818) 880-0367

www.malibucreekstatepark.org

Considered the recreational crown jewel of the Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu Creek State Park has over 7,000 acres of pristine nature including rolling tall grass plains, oak savannahs and dramatic mountain peaks. Whether summer, winter or fall, any time is a great time to go for a hike or go camping in this nature preserve. You’re guaranteed to get a glimpse of some wildlife with deer being abundant as well as gorgeous birds that are known to frequent the area. At night, hear the owls hoot, coyotes howl and tons of frogs ribbiting away by the creek making this location a great escape from the hustle of the city streets for your L.A. staycation.

Malibu Family Wines / Saddlerock Ranch

32111 Mulholland Hwy

Malibu, CA 90265

(818) 889-0120

www.malibufamilywines.com

Nestled deep in Malibu’s Santa Monica Mountains and only a short drive from the busy streets of L.A., Malibu Family Wines is a sprawling refuge where urbanites come to get away and taste some of Malibu’s finest varietals of wine. The winery sits on 61 acres of land on Saddlerock Ranch and is at one of the highest points of Kanan Dume where the view is incredible in all directions. Open from 11am to 6pm Monday through Sunday, the winery offers two labels to choose from: Saddlerock and Semler. And, whether you’re in the mood to come with a group and hang out with a few bottles of wine or just go for a tasting, Malibu Family Wines is an experience that cannot be missed for any L.A. staycation. Prices are very reasonable for a bottle of wine and there is no admission to visit and picnic.

Where To Stay

Shutters On The Beach

1 Pico Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90405

(310) 458-0030

www.shuttersonthebeach.com

Shutters on the Beach is LA’s premier beachfront resort just steps from the Santa Monica Pier. Close enough to enjoy the dancing neon lights at night, but far enough to enjoy the peaceful sounds of the waves crashing, Shutters On The Beach is the ideal place to call “home” while visiting Santa Monica. The guestrooms are designed with a beach house feel allowing the endless views of the Pacific Ocean, Catalina and Malibu to be the decor. This beautiful property located right on Santa Monica beach offers all the luxuries of a top hotel including a spa and fitness center complete with treatments as well as some of the best dining in the area with “One Pico” and “Coast”.

Downtown L.A.

What To Do

L.A. Live

900 W Olympic Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 763-5483

www.lalive.com

In the heart of Downtown L.A., the pulse is at L.A. Live where all the action is. This sports and entertainment complex is the perfect mix of culture housing the STAPLES Center, Nokia Theatre, Club Nokia, The GRAMMY Museum, Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, movie theaters, and restaurants like Katsuya and LA Market by Kerry Simon. Catch a game, see a concert at Club Nokia or dine on some of L.A.’s finest cuisines.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S. Grand Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(323) 850-2080

www.laphil.com

Home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and host to classical music, Jazz and other events, The Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of Downtown L.A.’s must see attractions. The Hall has daily events and is regarded as one the best performing art centers in the U.S. During your long-weekend staycation, visit this iconic building and take in the California Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Choir, The Los Angeles Symphony or any of the other many amazing performances offered. Make a special evening out of your visit and eat at the famed Patina restaurant, located inside the building.

Where To Stay

The Ritz-Carlton

900 W Olympic Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 743-8800

www.ritzcarlton.com/losangeles

Check into The Ritz-Carlton for the Rock Stars and Astronauts Family Package and experience this sophisticated oasis in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Once your family steps out of your chic hotel room and heads down for breakfast at superstar chef Kerry Simon’s LA Market, strut over to GRAMMY Museum for some serious Rock and Roll 101. Been there, done that? Grab the keys from the valet and jet on over to the California Science Center to view the Endeavor Space Shuttle Exhibit.

Nicole Standley a.k.a. JetSet Mom, is a social influencer + lifestylist covering luxury travel, fine-dining, fashion & pop culture for The JetSet Family. Follow her latest travels and escapades on Instagram, Google+ and Twitter.

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As always, Excelsior Limousine is happy to provide town car or SUV ground transportation for any or all of your Los Angeles Staycation needs.

"Guide to the Good Stuff" San Diego at Yahoo Travel

San Diego wants to give potential visitors an insider’s perspective on the city’s cultural attractions, so it’s launched a series of innovative digital guides that’ll do just that. “Guides to the Good Stuff” let’s locals share their culinary and cultural experiences in a series of short videos that highlight the city’s arts and culture, dining, and craft beer attractions.

Along with ordinary San Diegans, the video series also features some charismatic local influencers like Marcela Valladolid, a celebrity chef, cookbook author, and star of “The Kitchen.” The goal of each segment is to showcase different aspects of the city’s cultural scene in as authentic a way as possible by letting locals share their personal experiences of living, eating, and drinking in San Diego.

It’s all part of the region's $12 million spring “Happiness is Calling” rebranding campaign which the city hopes will help coax more tourist to sample the city’s abundant attractions. The video series will be expanding with up to 15 more videos over April and May featuring more attractions and restaurants.

___________________________________________________________________________

Check out Excelsior Limousine's town car flat rate to San Diego. Need an SUV?  Just call for details. 800-420-4252.