4 Great Destinations to Help You Escape From Winter

Do you ever feel like you want to just curl up and crawl under a warm blanket for the remainder of the cold winter months ahead? Well, while that might seem like the most logical solution to beating the freeze, it may not work for those of us who have friends, family, jobs, responsibilities…or just need to see the sun a few times per week. You might instead try a warm weekend getaway to one of these destinations to thaw your frigid feet without spending an arm and a leg! (And leave the blanket at home! Most hotels provide them nowadays…)

Miami, FL
IfPhoto by Sara Cartwright you’d like to escape the cold but don’t relish the idea of having to trade your overworked heater for a powerful air conditioner, the temperatures in Florida’s coastal cities in the first months of the year are cool and mild. Travel to Miami in January through April for temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees. Relax on the beach, tour a historical lighthouse, or take a stroll along one of Miami’s bustling shopping districts. There is plenty to do year-round in Miami. Miami is also a major port for many Caribbean cruises, and for good reason! You might consider adding a cruise to your trip as well.

Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands
Photo by Sara CartwrightWhen you want to “leave the country” for a while, but don’t want to break out the passport, try jetting down to one of the United States’ territories, like the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. The first months of the year are some of the best to visit these tropical climates, as the summer months will bring sweltering heat and humidity. Puerto Rico’s temperature hovers right between the 75 and 85 degree mark, with some of the lowest precipitation of the year.

San Diego, CA
Photo by Mark DaunerWhether you want to spot a whale just off the shore or see one doing tricks at SeaWorld, San Diego has these majestic creatures and many more awaiting you year-round. San Diego is a cool average of 60 degrees in the late winter months, and there is no shortage of activities in this bustling coastal town. Play a relaxing game of golf, attend an action-packed art festival, or go on a whale watching adventure via catamaran!

Las Vegas, NV
Photo by Mark DaunerIf beaches and waves aren’t your style in summer or winter, Las Vegas always has attractions, sights, and activities for everyone. In the mid-winter months, temperatures are in the 40s and 50s. If you do arrive at the tail-end of winter and the heat index is rising above moderate, don’t forget that Las Vegas is well known for the lavish pools and water parks that many of its hotels offer.

Finally, if you just need an escape, but don’t necessarily mind walking through a winter wonderland, try sledding in Central Park or ice skating at Rockefeller Center. New York City is abuzz all season long with attractions and activities for the winter weather lover.

To book any one of these winter getaways, or for more suggestions on warm escapes for winter, contact your Travel and Transport Vacations expert today!

Wearing Your Luggage: An Unbiased Review of SCOTTEVEST

When I'm on a long trip that requires me to check luggage I absolutely hate to have to worry about a carry-on. Moving through the airport and in and out of security and customs with a bulky carry-on can be quite a hassle, especially when you reach the destination and then have to pick up your checked bag as well. On a recent trip to London I decided to find out if I could manage to get there without bringing a carry-on. I knew that I would need to bring a few items along, and that I would also need something to carry my gear around while I was out enjoying London, but I didn't want to necessarily carry a bulky bag or a backpack. I decided to take the next logical step and opted for pockets.

Lots and lots of pockets.

I found all of the pockets that I could possibly need at SCOTTEVEST. They design and sell apparel with all sorts of pockets. Need to carry your phone? Your passport? Your camera? Your headphones? A guidebook?  Some extra money? You'll find clothing on that site that will allow you to do that and more. I ordered the Tropical Jacket/Vest, which has 18 pockets and is one of the lighter weight items that SCOTTEVEST sells. The jacket also allows you to carry a bottle of water upright, and it has a pocket large enough to hold an iPad.

That's me in London wearing my SCOTTEVESTNow here's what you're probably thinking: "Wow, that guy must have looked ridiculous with all of those things crammed into his pockets." You may be right about me looking ridiculous, but it was certainly not because of the jacket. The jacket was a basic black windbreaker with nothing strange or noticeable about it. I loaded up all of my gear into the jacket and was pleasantly surprised. It was designed to conceal everything so well that you could hardly tell that I had anything inside my jacket at all!

My least favorite part of flying is going through airport security. The jacket made getting through security a breeze. I was able to simply slip the jacket off along with everything in it and put it into the bin. I picked it up and put it back on when I got through and was on my way to the gate. It made for the most convenient TSA experience that I've ever had.

Personal security is always an issue when you're traveling internationally, and I think that SCOTTEVEST's products stand up well here too. You can carry your passport and spare currency or credit cards in an inside pocket that is reasonably accessible, yet is secured with a zipper and would be very difficult for a pickpocket to access without you noticing. Never again will you need to wear one of those inconvenient belts that require you to remove clothing in order to access your money.

If you're going to go the SCOTTEVEST route, here are a couple of things to keep in mind. Buy it a size larger than what you normally wear. After all, it's not just you that will be fitting inside; it's you and a dozen of your favorite travel items. In addition, I would recommend opting for a lighter option rather than a heavy one. In London the mid-November temperature was considerably warmer than normal and with all of the walking and moving in and out of the Underground stations I never felt like I needed anything heavier. I even removed the sleeves at times and just wore it as a vest over a long sleeved shirt. If it does get cold, you can always add another layer of clothing inside the coat since you selected a larger size. I would also recommend that you consider also carrying on a small bag if you're taking along a tablet or netbook. Even though many of the SCOTTEVEST products have pockets designed especially for these technology devices, the weight of those items compared to everything else makes the jacket a little awkward.

I paid for my SCOTTEVEST out of my own pocket and this is not intended to be an advertisement for SCOTTEVEST or its products. It is, however, definitely something to consider when you're trying to make traveling hassle free. Not interested in a jacket? There are many other choices available as well, including both men's and women's apparel, shirts, hats, ties and even undergarments that have concealed pockets. I think that anything that can help you get through security a little quicker and make your traveling a little more convenient is a good thing.

Would a SCOTTEVEST product be a good option for your next trip? Let me know what you think.

Traveling While You're Sick

For travelers, this time of year unfortunately means traveling while sick - or at least traveling in the proximity of people who are sick. Katia Hetter has an interesting piece on CNN.com that discusses this very topic. Some of the conclusions reached are that people tend to fly while sick - especially business travelers - due to the cost of rescheduling, committments to customers, etc.

Other points in the post include bringing along disinfecting wipes to keep the area clean around you, purchasing travel insurance in certain instances and using a travel agent (this one's our favorite) because they can be your point of contact for helping to reschedule travel and providing local information if you get sick during your trip.

What tips do you have for staying healthy while traveling?