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

Meet the Gutsy Traveler. Video. Bon Voyage.

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.

In the far northwestern corner of Panama, tucked up next to the border with Costa Rica, the relatively undiscovered Bocas del Toro islands not only have both beautiful beaches and captivating marine animals, but this archipelago also contains intact indigenous Indian culture. In some locations, respectful visitors can be welcomed in an Ngobe Indian village.

I visited by taking a boat tour which began with a stop to search for dolphins near Isla San Cristóbal, then cruised out to Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos (Bastimentos Island National Marine Park) and ended with a visit to the Ngobe Indians’ village of Quebrada Sal (Salt Creek) on the southeast side of Bastimentos Island.

To begin this visit, our captain maneuvered our small boat up a quarter-mile channel through the mangroves and then up an even narrower channel barely wide enough for the boat. The jungle was quite except for an occasional bird’s chirp. When we docked, no one was around. We walked along a path past thatched huts and headed toward the village. Villagers here are poor with fishing their primary source of income. A Ngobe man in the window of a small blue house came out to talk with me even though we couldn’t hold a “conversation” beyond smiling. This was one of those sweet encounters that makes traveling so worthwhile. Farther along the path I came to a larger hut where a woman was selling baskets and jewelry she made from shells and beads. Although I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked in Salt Creek, I found the people to be warm and welcoming, and I treasure that brief visit.

I stayed only in the town of Bocas del Toro on Isla Colón, but I visited a couple lodges in these more remote parts of the islands. Laguna Azul Eco Lodge is on a private island off Isla Popa, seven nautical miles straight south of Salt Creek. It’s a lovely, old-fashioned-style lodge with a gourmet menu and a veranda facing the Caribbean Sea. Punta Caracol Acqua-Lodge has only eight small bungalows and one master suite, and all are positioned overwater on a walkway that extends out to the restaurant, which serves refreshing fruit smoothies. My choice was passion fruit.

While La Coralina Beachfront Surf Hotel & Restaurant is only 3.5 miles from “Bocas Town,” its location off a dirt road and on a bluff makes it feel isolated. As huge fan of handicrafts, I felt the gift shop alone with its handmade chocolates, gourd lamps, traditional flutes, hand-woven purses, finely painted ceramic plates and other items created by Central American artists was worth the drive. United, American, Delta, Taca, Copa and Lasca Airlines fly to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, but flights for the one-hour trip to Bocas del Toro (Aeroperlas or Air Panama) fly in and out of Albrook National Airport, Panama City’s domestic airport.

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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.

London on parade

London has no shortage of attractions. Whether you’re into food (best Indian   food, hands down), shopping (Harrods…need I say more?), sports (nothing better than a pint of ale and some footie in the pub), or art (Tate modern, V & A, the British Museum, to name a few)—there is something for everyone. Even for the hard-up traveler.

With that in mind,a different approach to our time in London is in order.

1)    Don’t Eat Out – Though London is known for its smorgasbord of cuisines and fine dining options, if you are visiting on a tight budget, the biggest mistake you can make is to fritter away your money on overpriced restaurants. Instead of succumbing to the allure of artfully arranged ambiances and fancy cocktails, opt for less pricey meals at places where you aren’t paying for the atmosphere. Some of the best meals I had in London were from one of the many markets serving fresh food for cheap. You will find everything from Pad Thai to delicious quiches at the Portobello Market in Notting Hill. Just because you are on vacation, it doesn’t mean you have to eat out—there is nothing wrong with a frugal meal of bread, cheese, and wine in your hotel room before heading out to explore the city.

2)    Don’t Take Cabs – Unless you are intoxicated and find yourself at the last Tube stop in Cockfosters at some ungodly hour, there is no excuse for taking a cab in London. London is a pedestrian friendly city (although the cabs do race down the streets—look both ways!) with restaurants, pubs, and shops around every corner. Though it seems like a novel idea to us Americans, walking is always the best way to go. The next best option is to use the London Underground. Instead of buying a single ticket which equals one ride, buy a ‘Pay As You Go’ Oyster card, which is cheaper than paying with cash and can be bought at the station, online, or at a newsstand. The card also works on buses, and can get you into London attractions.

3)    Don’t Let Down Your Guard at ATMs – Another tip for the coin-conscious traveler: don’t get what little money you have stolen. London is notorious for ATM thefts. I had a friend who was robbed by a man who tapped her on the shoulder, asking if she dropped five pounds. When she turned around to look, he grabbed her card as it was ejected from the machine. Though she chased him for several blocks, he managed to evade capture. Moral of the story: use the mirrors on the ATM to see if anyone is watching you enter your pin, or even better, go in pairs.

4)    Don’t Go to Fabric – London’s nightlife is extensive…and expensive. Clubs like Fabric boast three different rooms and a vibrating floor, but cover and drinks will have you weeping at your balance the next morning. As with most London clubs, it is man-heavy, loud, and far too easy to get lost in (I lost my friends within 5 minutes, never to be found again). However, if clubbing is your cup of tea, check online for the nights with deals or go early when cover is discounted.

5)    Don’t Go On Tours – There is nothing worse than driving around the city in a bus as an annoying tour guide attempts to crack a joke about Big Ben. So don’t do it. All you need is an Oyster card, a London guidebook, and well-rested legs and you can be your own guide (and get a great workout).

By Claire Cudahy who  lived and worked in London, on a budget.

Claire with wanderlust and not the wallet to support it.

Every year, I’d take my kids on a family vacation—the Grand Canyon, the

Teens love tech gadgets and games. Urban Adventure Quest is a new way to explore a city.

Monterey Aquarium, Yosemite. When they were little, it was easy to keep them engaged and happy. Then they hit their teenage years and it was all I could do to get them in the car, let alone see some excitement about going to Washington, DC. Based on their long faces, you’d have thought I was sending them away to a work camp instead of flying them to the national’s capitol for a summer vacation. Over the years, I discovered several tricks for creating family vacation experiences that even my teenage kids could get excited about. Here are my three Ps for engaging your kids in your family vacation.

Planning

Bring your kids in on the planning process. You’ll find they are little wizards when it comes to surfing the net, so give them some basic parameters—the cities you’ll be visiting, budget restraints, time limitations—and see what they can find. When they help plan the trip, they are more involved. My son’s interest in exploring caves led us to the Grand Canyon Caverns, a cave tour on the way to the Grand Canyon; something I would have missed.

Pace

Having pre-planned activities every day can take its toll on even the most seasoned traveler. If you think you are going to get your teenage daughter up every morning at six for some tour…think again. But if you alternate a day of “doing nothing” with a touring day, you can satisfy your longing for seeing the sights with your kids’ desire to do nothing. On a recent trip to Cancun, we alternated pool days with excursion days. On pool days, the kids slept in, swam in the pool, played video games, and hung out with friends. The next day, we were up at seven for a day-long tour that included a jeep ride to a Mayan ruin, snorkeling in cenotes (underwater sinkholes), and ziplining through the jungle. I didn’t hear a single complaint all day and we were all ready to do nothing the following day.

Participation

Museums are a hard sell, as is anything to do with history. So how do you make a trip to DC’s monuments or Boston’s historic sights a blast? You look for interactive experiences that turn touring into a game. One company that does just that is Urban Adventure Quest. They have interactive scavenger hunt games that turn cities into a giant game boards. In Washington, DC, for example, the game takes players on an interactive tour to several museums, sculpture gardens, and historical sites, where participants solve clues and complete challenges on their smart phone. The game even manages to “sneak in” local history and fun facts along the way. Because this interactive tour is played on a smart phone, your kids’ natural affinity for anything electronic makes it easy for them to lead the way. And when children lead the way, they are engaged.

Christine Walker shares fun new way to explore a city with your teens.

Christie Walker is the mother of two and an avid traveler. As a fan of the Amazing Race, Christie looks for adventure-type experiences that will engage her entire family when she plans her trips. She invites you to check out www.UrbanAdventureQuest.com for interactive tours in 12 U.S. cities including Washington, DC.

I wear out these black bags yearly. They’re big enough to hold all of your carry-on stuff: a book for reading, inflatable pillow, water bottle, soft socks and warm shawl, chocolate truffles, eye shield, ear plugs, head phones and toothbrush/toothpaste! Important qualities for travel carry on bag: it zips shut, the dark colors won’t show dirt or stains, and it has strong handles.

I really like the leather straps and washable black material. It’s important that you feel comfortable pushing the bag under the seat in front of you on the plane, so it can’t be too rigid or easily soiled.

I bought this bag at Target, but I’ve seen similar leather bags at Nordstrom’s and  Macy’s.

Comfy Walking Shoes

I’ve worn all kinds of shoes while traveling to 90+ countries: flats, athletic shoes, boots, sandals and specialized walking shoes. Rarely have they been comfortable for my wide feet when I tested on the road.

Once in Lyon, France, my feet hurt so badly I bought an expensive pair of French Mephisto sandals. I still needed Band-Aids and moleskin for my blisters. When I got home I never wore them again. Thick, heavy shoes don’t pack well either.

Walking shoes have to have springy, soles that cushion every step, adjustable laces or straps because your foot changes size during the day. Slip on shoes are OK for short term wear, but a full day of walking in airports or a city demands a more specialized shoe.

Several months ago I discovered MBT shoes. Maybe you’ve seen nurses who stand all day or walkers in Europe wearing my new favorite shoes. I wore them at Thanksgiving and Christmas when I spent a lot of time standing on the hard kitchen floor at the stove or sink. In past years I’ve had lower back pain after standing so long. Not this year wearing MBT’s. I’ve  been surprised to return from long walks or hikes without tired or sore feet.

MBT is a footwear company in Switzerland who has been in business for 15 years and reputed to be the original physiological footwear company. What does that mean? MBTs high tech curved sole causes a slight instability as you stand that makes your body react by activating different muscles to balance. I admit, I felt wobbly the first time I put them on. It took me about two days to get used to them.  Wearing them I stand up straighter, have better posture, less achy lower back pain, and best of all, I can wear them walking for hours and hours with no discomfort. If I’m just standing still in them I tend to rock just a little, so I get a work-out the easy way.

According to their brochure “consumer feedback and research confirm that wearing MBTs can help to increase muscle activity leading to improved posture and balance and reduced lower back pain.”

They’re available at good shoe stores or online. I’m eying the new sandals and black flats/walking styles. *

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* By the way, MBT gave me a sample pair of shoes. And the rest is history.

Don’t panic. Have a plan. Make your own decisions.  In an emergency pack your passport, and other IDs, credit cards, all your cash and warm clothes. Listen to your instincts and don’t always trust the crew announcements. Why cash? Yes it you’re in the water and a full lifeboat comes by, cash could buy you a place on it.                         

Do your research about the ship before you go. If you’re going to Antarctica, don’t book on a ship that was built to cruise the Baltics and doesn’t have an “ice rating”.  Take your own safety into your own hands if there’s an emergency.

Each year 13 million cruisers take to the sea. Carnival, the world’s largest cruise ship operator (with 101 cruise ships) will continue to deal with the accident’s fallout. Stricter industry guidelines/rules for Ship Captains could minimize the room for “human error”.

Every day there are thousands of cruises, large and small, going out of ports worldwide. The fall out from the cruise accident will be short-lived. Think through your actions before you’re faced with an emergency.

Wondering about insurance?

Here our Q&A based on cruising and travel insurance, and specifically as it relates to the recent Costa Concordia accident.  Interview with Carol Mueller, Vice President, Travel Guard.

· What would travel insurance do for travelers who were on the Costa Concordia?

Travelers would have been eligible for insurance coverage to help cover things such as their lost baggage and their personal items, plus medical expenses or medical evacuation in the event they had been injured.  More importantly, it’s the immediate assistance when living through this tragic event that can help travelers in need.   In addition to the insured benefits of travel insurance, every Travel Guard plan includes 24/7 emergency assistance – where in this event’s case, having help with replacing lost travel documents, personal identification, help getting messages relayed back home, locating an English speaking doctor, and assistance with new travel arrangements home.  All of this and more are part of the 24/7 assistance services available.

·         What isn’t covered?

It’s important travelers understand, basic plans do not cover fear of travel.  For example, if you are scheduled on an upcoming cruise, you cannot cancel because you are now concerned about cruising and expect your travel insurance to cover you if you cancel.  However, if you had purchased an upgrade to include Cancel For Any Reason coverage, you would be eligible to cancel for any reason and possibly receive partial return of your trip deposits.

·         In light of the Italian tragedy, what should people who are going on cruises know about travel insurance?

Travel insurance covers you for the “what ifs?” while traveling.  While the tragic accident involving the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy is highly unlikely to occur again, it’s important that consumers understand travel insurance is really important for covering the more common missteps that occur while traveling.  For example, when it comes to cruising, travelers invest a large up-front deposit that must be protected in case you need to cancel for a covered reason.  And certainly, any US resident traveling outside the United States needs to make sure they have adequate medical expense and medical evacuation coverage.

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Other disaster tips on GutsyTraveler

How do you protect your eyes from dry airports, hotels, and the elements? Visit your eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam before you go.

Sun Damage

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, over-exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, eye growths, or cancer.  Protect your eyes when traveling.

• Make sure your eyewear blocks 100% UVA and UVB. I use Transitions^® lenses because they automatically adapt from clear lenses indoors to dark lenses outdoors when exposed to UV light. They block 100 percent of UV rays and help to reduce glare
• Be aware that that color and  darkness of the lens are not indicators of the degree of protection
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat
• Remember that on cloudy days the sun’s rays can pass through clouds and still cause damage
• Pay extra attention to your eye protection between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Wear good sunglasses or Transitions lenses that block 100 percent of UV rays when you are at higher altitudes
• Never look directly at the sun
• Wear eye protection all year and in your everyday life.

Red, Scratchy, Dry Eyes

In airplanes and hotels, the heating and air flow systems drain moisture from the air. When you travel to arid and/or windy areas, such as mountains or deserts you may also have dry eyes. Your tears evaporate quickly in low-humidity environments.

To avoid dry eye irritation:

• Use artificial tears or other over-the-counter remedies. Avoid artificial tears with preservatives because over use can cause blood vessels to constrict.
• When it’s windy, dry or hot, wear your glasses to help protect your eyes from dust, dry air and dirty wind.

Visit www.Transitions.com for more healthy vision tips.

The Gutsy Traveler is Ambassador for Transitions^® lenses, the Official Sponsor of Sightseeing™, www.seemoresights.com