Best pick for Travel Insurance
First of all let me tell you I am not an insurance expert. Here’s our experience and a tip at the end to save time and money!
We are comfortable with living with insurance in our budget for auto, home, medical and life insurance. We did our research, got the best coverage for the dollar and it's done. Travel insurance is different, if you travel multiple times a year, a yearly policy would be a good option. Today, I am focusing on a need for 1-2 trips per year. Non-refundable accommodations and flights,with locations not covered by your existing medical policies.
Why do I need travel insurance?
Because stuff happens! Think of last year, all the canceled flights, delays and lost luggage.Your medical insurance may not cover travel out of the country if you get sick or injured.
I asked a friend what she usually used and got a quote and skimmed through the pages and pages of legal jargon and with rolling eyes I purchased the policy. My husband got a cold in the last few days of the trip but we didn’t need to file a claim. He toughed it out.
Last October we traveled again this time on a cruise. Silly me, close to the trip, I discovered I omitted me on the policy.I was willing to take the risk. We had a great trip, until the last few days again. Scott got pneumonia and he had to visit the medical center on the ship. They were fantastic and got him to a place he could travel home in 2 days! We walked out of the ship with a paid bill of $3,800. I thought about my younger years, this would have been impossible to choke up and pay especially after a week on a ship.
Long story short and 4 months later, many phone calls, emails, jumping through hoops, the policy holder told me this was co-insurance and the claim would have to go through our current medical insurance first . Huh? Co-insurance?
Lession learned the hard way. Blue Shield ended up paying but it wasn’t easy. How is the average person supposed to know what is best for the trip they are planning?
So in this case it was a cruise, should I have purchased the trip protection from the cruise line?
There are pros and cons to consider:
Pro- easy and convenient
Con- can cost more than purchased separately
Con- will only cover the cruise portion.
Con- check the policy you are covering, co-insurance is not what I want.
I discovered a cool company that I highly recommend, Faye. I will be using them for all our travel. This is a company that realized their clients aren’t necessarily lawyers or insurance experts. Its simple and easy to understand. It's app based, you can quote and purchase in minutes. You can file claims directly on the app. The coolest thing is that the app watches your flights in real time, if delayed, it could even let you know before the airline lets you know! The amount for the covered delay is reimbursed automatically to your phone’s wallet. This alone could cover the cost of the policy. Have a pet? They got this option too! Faye is the easiest insurance I have ever had. Easy contact to assist me when I need them and if you book travel and Faye with me. You have me as well.
Safe travels and if something happens, Faye has you covered!
Travel with less stress
Here are some quick tips to minimize stress around your next travel plan.
Avoid last minute plans especially during high seasons or trending destinations.
Find a trusted travel advisor, advisors are paid by vendors not by the clients so its like having a built in expert to save time, mistakes and adds perks or discounts you may not have access by booking yourself directly.
If flying try to book non-stop or if unable find flights with longer layovers. I look for 1-2 hour layovers.
Get to airport early- head to comfy place to sit and have a beverage to start your vacation.
Do your research- or leave it to your advisor if time is a premium. You can avoid things like construction, festivals, timelines of reservations, closures of your must do activities for just a few examples.
If your flight arrives later in the evening in a new city or country, splurge with a car service to get you to your destination. You will be tired and this avoids a rough start to your trip.
Simplify your plan! Don’t plan to much each day or too many destinations on your itinerary. Allow for free time or free days or limit destinations for 7 days, 10 days or allow 2 weeks for those plans.
If going on a cruise and have to travel to get to the port, go a day before. Things happen!
Smart packing! Don’t pack last minute, make a list and pack essentials, medicines, charging cables, travel documents and 1 extra outfit in a separate carry on bag. I love packing cubes and each traveler takes a carry on bag, even if you check it. I learned my lesson in Croatia with huge rolling bag! Look for clothing that travels well and interchanges to make different looks.
Your advisor will confirm everything for you, but if doing on your own, call or email your accommodations a week in advance to trust but verify.
Most important- breath and have fun!
How to blend different travel styles
I was thinking about the trips we have taken either as a couple or with other friends and even family. Each individual may have their own preferences on how they want the vacation to go. So how do you accomplish this and do the best to make sure everyone has the best time or at least are still speaking by the end of the trip?
First ask key questions in a discussion in pre-planning of the trip.
Start with dates and budget for a target.
Type of experience one location to relax and chill or a more daring adventure, maybe multiple locations, foodie or not that important. Historical or curtural, killer accomodations a must?
Do you have specific destination or theme in mind? Any special occasions?
Discuss must do and hard no’s then go to would like to do. Find out about mobility issues, dietary concerns.
Have your travel partners, ie other couples do the same. Suggest a get together to see where you agree and disagree. Make notes. Write down areas where compromise is possible.
I recommend you seek out a trusted travel advisor to then take this information and come up good, better , best options working best around the budget.
Having a professional as your advocate that you don’t have to pay and will work very hard to create a trip that will work and give each person something during the adventure that appeals to their travel style. Your personal travel curator can let you know the additional perks amenities that you may not get on your own booking online. Once you decide, don’t wait, get it booked. Prices and availability changes quickly. After the accomdations are set, your advisor can help you with the details to pepper in, to make it a dream you will talk about for years to come. Then relax and think about the great memories you will create.
Top 5 Breweries for Foodies in NOCo
When you are married to a man who says Beer is a food group, you will find yourself spending time at a Brewery and Colorado has some I believe to be best in the country. I am foodie and love to pair a nice cold foamy beer with the establishment’s best offerings. Here’s my top 5 and included my go to food order with it:
Breckenridge Brewing- Fort Collins, CO (new location) With my Avalanche amber ale, I order Captain Crunch Beer battered (of course!) fish sandwich with incredible housemade remoulade. My husband is always a Hazy IPA.
Weldworks Brewing Co.- Greeley, CO With my Colorado Ale my husband I both switch off between the Fried Korean Chicken Sandwich or the Double Cheeseburger (one of the best around) My husband loves his Juicy Bits IPA
Mash Lab Brewing & Kitchen- Windsor, CO If you are with someone that loves cars, this place is for you! We enjoy the music and special events, yes we are apart of the loyalty program here. I usually order Tornado Mexican Lager and my husband Fog Lamp IPA. Great place for appetizers and if hungry I order the Reuben Melt and my husband orders the Double Smash Burger. Do not neglect that they smoke their own meats, wings etc. Salads with chicken have the smokey flavor.
Mighty River Brewing Company-Windsor, CO Picking the last one was hard because there are so many options, but I picked this one because of the food selection right next door that they will deliver to your table. Pizza Vino is one of my favorite italian/pizza spots in the area. My go to Pizza to share with our beer is Wise Guy- E.v.o.o, house buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and parmesan blend, basil, sausage, caramelized balsamic onion. Their beer menu changes and really fun. Rhine River Kolsch for me or my husband would order the Imperial Hazy.
Jessup Farm Barrel House, Fort Collins, CO This one is a favorite for a couple of reasons. Sometimes I just don’t feel like a beer but hubbie does. I go from a Pils to a ARGIANO NON CONFUNDITOR - Red blend from Tuscany. We go here for a nice lite bite with cheese plates, bavarian pretzels to a Charcuterie board that is really nice. If you have kiddos there is a fantastic ice creamery they can get and bring back if you like. Fun area for shopping too!
There are many great breweries to choose from, most have food truck options or take out options nearby. While you are in northern Colorado, try these.
Travel starts with an idea
It all begins with an idea.
The fruition of a lifelong passion can sometimes take years of procrastination and let’s face it, priorities that deserve our full attention. When I was young I dreamt of being a teacher then switched to a flight attendant so I could see the world.
The passing of my brother last year, taught me one thing. Life is fragile and it can change in an instant. I am not saying, to ignore your present reality. I simply decided there was nothing holding me back. My years of my career taught me organization, paying attention to details, consistent communication, and listening to what my clients want and need.
My fervor for research, optimimizing the available options and really digging the planning process are the skills I needed to be a very good Travel Advisor. My niche is smaller, boutique travel experiences, simple or very complex itineraries. Whether it is a luxury cruise, exploring the US or abroad, group travel or weekend getaways. I know warm climates, which makes sense since we now live in Colorado and we look for ways to warm up in the winter. I will do it all, and I will always give you one option that perhaps could knock your socks off if you go may not have thought of and of course my foodie recommendations of places not to be missed.
Give me a shot on your next trip, see if I can add value. I promise to work hard for you and take away the stress so you can just enjoy your next adventure!
Wine Tasting for Girls Trip!
Girls Trip Wine Tasting !
I am very blessed to have a group of women I have known for over 20 years. We are the Da Momma’s and our kids grew up together. Even though I am now in Colorado and one has moved a few hours away, we are intentional to plan travel to celebrate, laugh and yes most times wine is involved.
We planned a trip to the Santa Ynez Valley for our wine tasting trip. I flew into Santa Barbara and drove to our VRBO we rented. This was perfect, because several are excellent cooks and nothing is better than cooking and sharing the wine we purchased after a day of wine tasting!
Here are the wineries we visited and highly recommend for noted reasons.
Andrew Murray Vineyards- great tasting room, small vintner. We had VIP tasting with the owner Andrew Murray. He had something for all of our tastes.
Presqu’ile Winery- plan ahead and enjoy a wine and food pairing for lunch. We were directed well and they assisted us with vegetarian options for some of us. Beautiful views from our table. Would make excellent special occasion venu.
Roblar Winery- The next day we started here for lunch with wine tasting. They offered white selections that were quite nice and everyone enjoyed the farm to table food selections. One of us bought the cook book to recreate a salad with sweet potatoes.
Stolpman Vineyards- Ballard Canyon- This one holds a very special place in my heart. Since Covid the villa is no longer available to wine tasting as part of the family moved in. Their staff is like family. One wine, La Quadrilla, profits are given to the workers. I love their Syrahs. We were able to arrange for a private group tasting under the ancient oak tree amongst the vineyards. Truly a time our group will never forget.