Bed, then breakfast

• At Calistoga’s Chateau de Vie, bed and breakfast guests dig into a classic winemaker’s breakfast consisting of fresh pastry, eggs scrambled with fresh tarragon and triple crème brie and wild mushroom duxelles, paired with a glass of Napa Valley Chardonnay.

• Downtown Napa’s Inn on First serves an ever-changing breakfast menu including herbed focaccia and eggs with basil aioli, roast rosemary potato with soft baked eggs and a roasted tomato tart. The Inn’s proprietors ensure that returning guests enjoy a new dish each day and every visit.

• Aurora Park Cottages, just north of Highway 29 in Calistoga, offers guests a hand-delivered breakfast basket each morning including whole wheat croissants to coat tummies with a pre-tasting layer of protective butter.

Morning After Favorites

• The Michelin-starred Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil, in the hills of Rutherford, pairs its breakfasts and brunches with a wrap-around balcony and stunning 360-degree views of the Valley below. Breakfasts feature house-made breads and jams daily, and on weekends the Restaurant offers a three-course brunch.

• Set amid the rolling hills of Southern Napa’s Carneros appellation, The Carneros Inn’s roadhouse-inspired Boon Fly Cafe serves homemade Boon Fly donuts, a local favorite. Weekend brunch items include Poppa Joe’s Eggs in a Hole and Green Eggs and Ham, featuring poached farm-fresh eggs wrapped in honey-cured ham on crispy hash browns topped with a lemon-leek cream.

• At BANK Cafe in downtown Napa’s Westin Verasa, brunch menus are designed by Michelin Star-rated Chef Ken Frank, and menu items are sourced from Chefs’ Edible Gardens at COPIA. Breakfast favorites include Huevos Benedictios, a poached egg served on a corn muffin with chorizo and chipotle hollandaise. Breakfast is served weekdays and Saturday, and a three-course brunch is offered on Sundays.

Bakeries and Markets, On the Go

• C Casa, located in the Oxbow Public Market in downtown Napa, features south of the border favorites with a health-conscious spin, including a Mexican coffee with agave and cinnamon. Locals suggest their huevos rancheros may be the best in town, and additional egg dishes showcase succulent rotisserie chicken, chorizo and seasoned buffalo.

• Having recently joined the Napa Valley breakfast club with new breakfast menus at locations in both St. Helena and Napa, Gott’s Roadside serves classic American and southwestern sandwiches and breakfast tacos filled with local produce. Sandwiches include scrambled eggs with cream cheese, tomato, avocado and green onions, as well as a southern sandwich of buttermilk fried chicken tenders, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and charred jalapeño mayo.

• The Model Bakery, with locations in Napa’s Oxbow Public Market and on St. Helena’s Main Street, is noted for its “world famous” English muffins, perfect for cradling bacon and eggs. House-made granola parfait, quiche, fresh pastries and bacon bread round out Model’s great selection of breakfast fare.

Did you know that in 2012 and 2013, The Napa Valley is the Official Wine Region of the 34th annual America’s Cup?

Maggie, the "Princess" found a pillow, water bowl and Pet-a-Fours in our Hyatt hotel room.

When I was young our pets stayed in the kitchen. Our poodles and terriers always knew their place–at the bottom of the family hierarchy. Over the years pet trends have changed significantly as Fido has gone from the kitchen to the living room, to the bedroom, to the car, and to hotel rooms. For passionate dog lovers, like us, it’s part of the fun to take the pup along on weekend trips to the ocean or the mountains.

Our first trip overnight with Maggie, our 18-pound poodle-mix, rescue dog, was easier and more fun than we imagined. I worried about the logistics and her behavior, but all my anxiety was unfounded. And who could say “no” to those big brown eyes, her tilted head and wagging tail?

The art of successfully traveling with a dog requires a game plan.

White sand, families and happy dogs at Carmel-by-the-Sea, a leash-free beach.

Start Smart. Select your first get-away carefully. Certain locales are more dog friendly than others and the accommodation you choose can make or break the experience. Monterey is an ideal destination for the whole family, including pup, for places to stay, eat, hike, swim and play.

Choose Pet-friendly accommodations. Although there are numerous hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and cabins that welcome pets in the Monterey and Carmel area, I preferred to stay outside of town at a resort with space and trails for dog walking as well as a spa, pools, golf course, tennis and outdoor dining. The Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course fit all our requirements. Maggie was welcomed to the hotel with a bag of “Pet-a-Four” dog treats, a dog bed and a water bowl in the suite.

We lounged with our furry friend by the fireplace in the lobby reading the morning paper. With Maggie on my lap, we sipped Pinot, sampled cheeses and watched the sunset and golfers on the Pebble Beach Company’s Championship Del Monte Golf Course.

After dark we joined another family with their dog and children by the open fire in the gazebo where the kids coasted marshmallows for smores. An outdoor dining area was perfect for lunch as Maggie settled into the shade beneath the table. With doggie in tow we explored the jogging, biking, walking and pet trails on the large property.

Pamper yourself too. If you think our getaway was all about “the Princess”, Maggie, au contraire. During the weekend we had massages at the spa, enjoyed the two pools, the Jacuzzi and superb dinning.

 Do your research. Before we left I downloaded a list of beaches in the area where leashed dogs are allowed. Check out www.Dogtrekkers.com, a helpful website for pet-lovers in Northern California.

Find the best beaches and trails for pets. We laced up our hiking boots, put water, chocolate and doggie treats in the backpack and hiked well-marked trails above the rocky shores and pounding surf at Garrapta State Park, along Highway 1, seven miles south of Carmel. Grey whales often pass close by during their January-March migration. At Garrapta Beach, part of the state park, painters and photographers hang out as they capture the dramatic seascapes along the two-mile beach.

Additional beaches where leashed dogs are permitted are: Monterey State Beach from Wharf #2 to Seaside State Beach, Asilomar State Beach, Carmel River State Beach and paved or developed areas of Monterey District state beaches and parks.

Select pet-friendly dining establishments. Here’s a “A Pet Friendly Dining List” courtesy of the Concierge Department at the Hyatt Regency that suggests where to dine outdoors in Carmel by the Sea: Da Giovanni, Grasings, Casanova, Le Coq D’Or, The Forge in the Forest, Carmel Bistro, Jack London’s, Christopher’s, Porta Bella and Nico’s.

Enjoy an afternoon or night on the town without your furry friend. For a special celebration or just a fine dining experience, indulge yourself for dinner at sunset, with one of the finest views along the coast, at the Pacific Edge Restaurant, located at the Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Where else can you splurge on locally-farmed abalone and seared fois gras while watching the fog roll in over the Pacific?

While you’re visiting the Monterey/Carmel area check out what’s new at the aquarium. The million-gallon Outer Bay Exhibit is always changing as the aquarists add new species.  See the Jellies Exhibit where they dance, sting, glow and bloom. Meander through four multimedia galleries to see more than 15 species of seahorses — one of the nation’s largest collections of these charismatic animals. Discover how these shy and secretive animals grow up, attract mates and give birth—this is the only family in the animal kingdom in which the males get pregnant.

Our first getaway with Maggie was easy and fun for all. And we met lots of fellow dog lovers along the way.

• Traveled to over 90 countries worldwide
• National Geographic Travel Book Author

Meet the Gutsy Traveler. Video. Bon Voyage.

Tango down the colorful streets of Little Havana, sunbathe at the best-loved beaches, swim  with dolphins, meet the manatees, discover the best museums or wander through lush gardens.

Key Biscayne Beaches

The northernmost island in the Florida Keys is tranquil and serene with pristine beaches. With little nightlife or shopping, everyone goes for the sandy beaches, two waterfront parks and more. www.keybiscaynechamber.org

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens — A National Historic Landmark

A perfect place to spend an hour or a leisurely afternoon in the extraordinary European-inspired estate which includes a house filled with art and furnishings, and 10 acres of gardens on glistening Biscayne Bay.  Built in 1916 as the winter home of agricultural industrialist James Deering, you can enjoy the splendor of a past era. www.vizcayamuseum.org

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

This premier conservation and education-based garden is dedicated to exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants. It houses the world’s greatest living collection of palms and cycads. www.fairchildgarden.org

Little Havana

A true taste of Cuba! Here, you’ll find art galleries, colorful wall murals, giant art deco roosters, and many restaurants and shops that are replicas of the originals back in Cuba. Watch men rolling cigars, playing dominos in the park or take in the deep aroma of strong Cuban coffee. Pulsating music, lively entertainment and spicy dishes attract locals and visitors to Little Havana. www.miamiandbeaches.com/visitors/little_havana

Miami Seaquarium    

Home of Lolita, the Killer Whale, who flies through the air; TV superstar, Flipper and other dolphins who walk on water; Salty, the Sea Lion; Pacific white-sided dolphins; rescued Florida manatees; endangered sea turtles, and Nile crocodiles. In addition to the dolphin or whale shows, you can feed seals and sea lions, swim with the dolphins or have a photo moment playing with them. www.miamiseaquarium.com

Jungle Island

Escape on a jungle safari into a lush, tropical 30-acre reserve and mingle with birds, monkeys and the world’s rarest creatures. The jungle is home to animal wonders like Java monkey or Vulcan, a 900-pound liger, and twin orangutans, Peanut and Pumpkin. Watch some of the continuous shows throughout the day. www.jungleisland.com

Coral Castle Museum

Giant pieces of coral rock were carved by Edward Leedskalnin in the 1920s, as a tribute to unrequited love. The construction techniques behind this mystery garden of fantastic coral sculptures continue to baffle experts and visitors. Visitors tour the Coral Castle with knowledgeable tour guides who try to explain the unusual sculptures. www.coralcastle.com

Miami Science Museum

This interactive and hands-on museum boasts a Wildlife Center with rare birds of prey and reptiles, planetarium shows and a brand new Energy Tracker exhibit featuring an interconnected trail of hands-on exhibits that explore everything from basic energy principles to the future of renewable energy. The Planetarium has a laser light show the first Friday night of the month and daily multimedia shows. www.miamisci.org.

Biscayne Bay National Park

A 53-foot glass-bottomed boat and a 45-foot diving and snorkeling catamaran take adventurers across Biscayne Bay, through wilderness, mangrove creeks, islands, and out to tropical coral reefs. www.nps.gov/bisc/

Pinecrest Gardens

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 12.5-acre site includes a historical botanical garden, arts and cultural events such as theater, cinema, a petting zoo, Splash ‘N’ Play water playground, and venues for indoor and outdoor picnics or parties. www.pinecrest-fl.gov

South Beach is the trendy, art-deco, shopping, people-watching and nightlife destination that many Miamians prefer to visit in the off-season from May-August.

Foodies Frenzy

Two days at the Coconut Grove Food and Wine Festival gave me ample time to chat with lots of local foodies and quiz them about their best dining recommendations. So where do the locals recommend?

Jaguar in Coconut Grove for the best Peruvian Cuisine and Ceviche outside of South America. This is my #1 recommendation. Try the sampler of six different tastes of ceviche from the Spoon Bar, then a Moqueca de Camarao, large shrimp cooked with coconut mild, malaguesta peppers, dende oil and coconut flakes. And don’t miss the warm bread-pudding with cinnamon-vanilla and tres leche. www.jaguarspot.com

Michael’s Genuine for the best pork belly, short ribs, leg of lamb and other meats and fish. http://www.michaelsgenuine.com/

Seniorita Martinez for modern and innovative cuisines in Miami’s Design district.   www.sramartinez.com

******

• Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases including everything from autos to health care
• Women represent the majority of the online mark*

Women– young, old, single, married, widowed and gutsy are fueling an explosive growth in travel industry.Estimates are that women will spend some $125 billion on travel in the next year.

80% of all travel decisions are made by women.

Regardless of :
• who they travel with
• who pays for the trip
• or where they go

A woman is the decision maker.

75% of those who take cultural,
adventure or nature trips are women.

There has been a 230% increase in the number of women-only travel companies in past six years.

With 67 million participants, the potential of the women’s market exceeds $19 trillion annually.

Women also travel differently than men do.

87% of women say they go for the beautiful scenery, compared with 72% of men,
According to Market Researcher Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell.

While statistics are limited, an estimated 32 million single American women traveled at least once in the last year, and about three in 10 made tracks five times or more, according to the Travel Industry Association.

Bachelorette-hood: The number of single women age 35 and older has been increasing and now totals 28 million, the Census Bureau says.

The average adventure traveler is not a 28-year old male, but a 47-year-old female. And she wears a size 12 dress.

Women spend an average of $295 annually per individual on outdoor apparel and equipment, according to OutdoorIndustry.org

Who’s Traveling?

- Many older women are also experiencing this rite of passage.
- An increasing portion of solo female travelers are Baby Boomers and single mothers.

The travel industry is just waking up to the economic power of women.

Latest Statistics

The girlfriend getaway market represent a significant amount of money – four percent of all U.S. travel spending, which is almost $200 million a year. 24 percent of American women have taken a girlfriend getaway in the past three years, and 39 percent of American women plan on taking one in the next three years. Source: AAA Girlfriend Travel Research Project #070005

Over 80% of those working women who purchased travel products or services offline in the past month researched their purchases online beforehand. Sources: Nielsen Net Ratings/WashingtonPost.com and Newsweek.com

Don’t forget. An effective way to reach your female audience is through online community sites. According to comScore, women’s community sites jumped 35 percent, particularly Glam Media and iVillage.com.

Research about women’s travel trends is fragmented by age, activities, and nationality.

Tour operators and travel  agent research indicates that:

70% of travel decisions of made by women. This statistic applies to women who are booking cruises, group travel, tours or tickets through an agent. When you add in online travel purchases, the amount rises to 92%.

“Women control the majority of purchasing decisions in a household and their influence is growing. Women across the world are expanding beyond traditional roles to influence decisions in the home, in business and in politics. Marketers have a massive opportunity to better connect women with the products they buy and the media technologies they use to make a positive impact both in their lives and in the bottom line.”

According to the Marketing to Women Conference **Nielsen/NetRatings

Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases including everything from autos to health care:

91% of New Homes
66% PCs
92% Vacations
80% Healthcare
65% New Cars
89% Bank Accounts
93% Food
93 % OTC Pharmaceuticals
*Marketing to Women Conference **Nielsen/NetRatings
Boomer Women and Affluence

Studies indicate that women consumers demonstrate a higher degree of loyalty and are willing to pay more for service and quality.

According to a number of studies, it’s still a very good question – particularly when considering that Who wouldn’t be interested in a sizeable market segment with those characteristics?

A recent PULSE POLL: WOMEN’S TRAVEL HABITS by Travel Guard
by the insurance company Travel Guard polled travel agents to learn more about women’s travel habits.
Results are below.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun: Women often travel together, and it is no different when it comes to booking trips. According to travel agents, the majority (91%) of female clients who book trips with other females are traveling with their friends, while only 8% are traveling with relatives.

Gutsy Traveler (HEY, thanks for using my website name and branding in your study!!) : According to the majority (55%) of travel agents, the most common reason women travel solo is because they value their independence and are sophisticated enough to travel alone. Some agents (28%) believe it is because they are interested in visiting an unusual destination, while 9% indicated their clients do so because they prefer making their own schedule. Only 4% of travel agents noted their female clients travel solo to reconnect with themselves.

Shop ‘Til You Drop: When women book travel, the majority (27%) of travel agents believe sightseeing and shopping are the most popular activities, as opposed to 1% who believe women book travel for voluntourism. Travel agents noted their female clients booking solo and group trips travel for a variety of reasons, including history, culture and education (17%), beach escapes (16%), adventure travel (15%) and cruises (13%).

Golden Years: According to 68% of travel agents, most female clients taking trips in small groups are over the age of 45. Women ranging between 35-44 years old make up 26% of those traveling in groups, while 5% are between the ages of 25-34. Only 1% are between 18-24 years old. Following the same trend, the majority (81%) of solo female travel clients are over 45 years old, while only 13% are between 35-44 years old. Only 6% of solo travelers are between 25-34, and 1% are between 18-24 years old.
Contact me for more up-to-date statistics, I keep track of many sources.

* Quote from Marketing2Women http://www.m2w.biz/

• Women account for 85% of all consumer purchases including everything from autos to health care
• Women represent the majority of the online mark*

Women– young, old, single, married, widowed and gutsy are fueling an explosive growth in travel industry.Estimates are that women will spend some $125 billion on travel in the next year.

80% of all travel decisions are made by women.

Regardless of :
• who they travel with
• who pays for the trip
• or where they go

A woman is the decision maker.

75% of those who take cultural,
adventure or nature trips are women.

There has been a 230% increase in the number of women-only travel companies in past six years.

With 67 million participants, the potential of the women’s market exceeds $19 trillion annually.

Women also travel differently than men do.

87% of women say they go for the beautiful scenery, compared with 72% of men,
According to Market Researcher Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell.

While statistics are limited, an estimated 32 million single American women traveled at least once in the last year, and about three in 10 made tracks five times or more, according to the Travel Industry Association.

Bachelorette-hood: The number of single women age 35 and older has been increasing and now totals 28 million, the Census Bureau says.

The average adventure traveler is not a 28-year old male, but a 47-year-old female. And she wears a size 12 dress.

Women spend an average of $295 annually per individual on outdoor apparel and equipment, according to OutdoorIndustry.org

Who’s Traveling?

- Many older women are also experiencing this rite of passage.
- An increasing portion of solo female travelers are Baby Boomers and single mothers.

The travel industry is just waking up to the economic power of women.

Latest Statistics

The girlfriend getaway market represent a significant amount of money – four percent of all U.S. travel spending, which is almost $200 million a year. 24 percent of American women have taken a girlfriend getaway in the past three years, and 39 percent of American women plan on taking one in the next three years. Source: AAA Girlfriend Travel Research Project #070005

Over 80% of those working women who purchased travel products or services offline in the past month researched their purchases online beforehand. Sources: Nielsen Net Ratings/WashingtonPost.com and Newsweek.com

Don’t forget. An effective way to reach your female audience is through online community sites. According to comScore, women’s community sites jumped 35 percent, particularly Glam Media and iVillage.com.

Women Travel Statistics
Contact me for more up-to-date statistics, I keep track of many sources.

* Quote from Marketing2Women http://www.m2w.biz/

You cannot discuss Japanese culture without mentioning Kyoto, home of traditional Japanese arts ranging from the tea ceremony and textiles to flower arranging and culinary perfection. The ancient imperial city offers more than Zen temples: Shintu shrines and gardens beckon to visiting foreigners and Japanese alike.

Here are five original things to do beyond the usual temple visits.

1. See the most expensive dolls a Japanese girl could desire

Learn about traditional doll-making at a third generation master’s studio, The Ando Doll Shop. I saw the traditional elaborately decorated dolls displayed in hotel lobbies and wondered why they are so highly prized. I was not aware how much skill was involved in hand-making the glamorous costumes, hairdos adorned with ornaments and fans, delicate legs, arms, fingers and hand-painted faces. The Ando Doll Shop artisans work for one year to create a single doll.  My jaw dropped when I converted the price tags, from yen to dollars, and realized that each doll cost anywhere from $12,000 to over $100,000.00.  The dolls are offered by grandparents or parents to newborn girls as wishes for happiness, good health and prosperity. The King of Thailand and the Chinese Premier own Hina dolls made by third generation master Ando Tadahiko, master of the Ando Japanese Doll Shop. Arrange a free tour online at www.ando-doll.com

2. Sample your way through the local market nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen”

Epicureans don’t miss the Nishiki Market.  Meander down the narrow, pedestrian street lined with hundreds of food shops and stalls. This is where locals and most of Kyoto’s great chefs buy cooking ingredients.

I have never wandered through such an  odor-free fish, fruit and produce market. I could not even identify half of the food items on display. Vendors stand in front of their narrow stalls to offer samples of their fare, from pickles to seaweed soup. Even the fresh seafood market had tantalizing dishes, including tiny octopus heads stuffed with hard-boiled eggs, fish eyes, individually plastic wrapped cod, and whale skin. It is a great place to find knives and cookware, too.

3. Push the buttons on the high tech toilets

Upon arrival in the chilly Osaka Airport I made a bee line for the ladies room. It can be tough enough when you can’t speak or read the language, but it gets even more difficult when you can’t figure out the high tech toilets. I sat down and realized the seat was heated seat. That is only one of many options on the Japanese super toilets. Fascinated with a variety of buttons and pictographs I selected one randomly.  An icy jet of water hit my lower back and soaked my blouse and jacket. I didn’t know how to turn it off. I pushed another button and there was a loud sound of flushing – to disguise the noises of bodily functions. Eventually the cold water stopped.

Study the directions before you experiment because most upscale hotels and establishments have super toilets. At one hotel I opened the door, soft lighting and music began, the toilet seat went up and a dispenser sprayed a fragrance into the room. Every toilet promises a new gadget you can try; temperature adjustments for jets of water and bidet-style sprays aimed at sensitive places, a warm blow dryer,     volume settings for music or the flushing sound, and remote control. They are a marvel of Japanese technology, so enjoy.

4. Dine in a temple on Zen Buddhist vegetarian cuisine

Head out of the tourist neighborhoods to meet the monks and dine on their ceremonial Fucha cuisine – a distinctive vegetarian fare brought to Japan from China around 1600. Kangaan Temple, once property of Japan’s imperial family, is beautiful at any time, but a private dinner in the evening complete with paper lamps illuminated gardens makes it downright magical. I entered through a stone gate along a path lit by candles which led to the dimly-lit entrance of a Zen temple dominated by an impressive statue of Buddha. Fucha ryouri dishes are made of a seasonal vegetables, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, tofu and wheat gluten, combined in irresistibly appetizing ways. Fucha cuisine is a delicious pinnacle of culinary sophistication and subtlety.

5. Meet “office girls” as make-believe geishas

Although it is rare to glimpse a true Geisha in her silk kimono teetering along the narrow lanes of Kyoto on her high wooden shoes, you may encounter twenty-something young women dressed as Geisha apprentices (called “Maikos”) posing for photos near popular Zen temples. They are pleased to have their photos taken with you and talk a little with foreigners.

I learned that as little girls they played “dress the Geisha” games. To fulfill their fantasy to be a Geisha (or Maiko), they took a day off work, visited a costume shop and rented a kimono, at a cost of more than $200. For several hours they were dressed, coiffured with white makeup on the face, chest and nape of the neck, and styled with hairpieces to create the sophisticated hairdo of a true Geisha.

Shy, elegant and demure, they were having a grand time, and if you stop and talk to them, you too can join in the fun.

In Kyoto young and old alike show appreciation and respect for Japanese culture.

Great novels to read before you travel.

(Public Broadcasting Service).

What do you think of the ten best books I recommended?

France: A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway,  La Seduction by Elaine Sciolino. The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by T. E. Carhart, Books, Baguettes and Bedbugs by Jeremy Mercer, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle.

Italy: The Agony and the Ecstasy, A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo by Irving Stone, Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, Roma by Steven Saylor, The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant,

Please add to my list with your favorite travel books for any destination.

Happy Reading.

1. A large safety-pin or a clothespin to fully close the hotel or cruise ship cabin drapes.

2. Passport and a photocopy. Before you go make a PDF of your passport and full trip itinerary and store it at an attachment to an email to yourself.  Download a copy to your laptop if you’re taking it along. Store your passport in the room safe and carry the copy with you.

3. Travel Pillow and eye shades so you can comfortably take a nap anywhere and block out light if necessary.

4. Take your own treats. Even if  your airlines serves food on board, you may need a quick pick-me-up protein snack. I always carry extra food in case of long delays. And on cruise ships, you can have your own healthy snacks. I prefer roasted almonds, pecans and dried cranberries in small zip-lock bags.

5. I swear by Vitamin C. If you feel a cold coming on, or want to boost your immune system before a flight, pack the little potent packets or tablets of Emergence-C.  They pack a punch of Vitamin C to keep you healthy.

6. A small bottle of hand sanitizer and moist anti-bacterial towelettes are always in my carry on bag. I use them to clean my fingers and wipe down surfaces (especially on airplanes), as well as the remote control and door handles in my hotel room and cruise cabin.

7. When I have a broken nail or chipped nail polish, I want to fix it immediately. Pack individually wrapped nail polish remover pads.

8. Every night I place a small flashlight on the night table next to my pillow. If I awake in the night I don’t have to search for the light switch. It’s an extra precaution in case of an electrical outage.

9. Dental floss and Q-tips are inconvenient to replace when traveling. Add them to your packing list.

10.Duct tape to the rescue. Have you ever had a sandal strap break or the handle fall off your suitcase mid-trip? Pack a long strip of duct tape for unexpected repairs. Just wrap it around a pen and tuck it in your bag.

If these items aren’t on your travel radar, add them to your list and have a great time.

If you’re a thoughtful Gutsy Traveler, before you leave on a trip, you check to make sure that you’re covered by health insurance. Here’s good news from Panama. As an official Panamanian brochure states, “If you are a tourist and have a medical emergency, Panama gives you free insurance for 30 days.” The flyer says the beneficiaries of this service are “foreigners and Panamanians living abroad who enter the Panamanian Tocumen International Airport” in Panama City. The insurance covers “disease and/or accident incurred in Panama.” Of course, there are “limitations and exclusions,” such as: pre-existing conditions (including pregnancy); injuries from extreme sports, drug use or drunkenness; war; and other atrocities. And there are maximum-coverage limits so always read the fine print – and make sure your own personal insurance is in effect, too. For more information, go to www.visitpanama.com or www.generali.com.pa or www.axa-assistance.com.pa.

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About the Author: April Orcutt is a contributor to TravelandLeisure.com (website for Travel+Leisure magazine), the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle. Her stories – often along with her photographs – have been published in National Geographic Traveler, MSNBC.com, Yahoo.com, the Chicago Tribune, New York’s Newsday and many other American and Canadian newspapers and websites. April won the Gold Award in the Personal Comment category of the 2011 Society of American Travel Writers Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. April’s travel essays have run in newspapers and five anthologies published by Lonely Planet and Travelers’ Tales. She writes and photographs destination pieces, journey articles, round-ups and essays. April emphasizes nature, environmental awareness, quests, road trips, independent travel, local cultures, women’s travel, voluntourism and humor.