Travel by Stephanie

TravelbyStephanie YouTube Channel Launch!

4/24/2019

I am thrilled to start creating helpful and fun videos for your viewing pleasure!

The TravelbyStephanie YouTube channel will focus on both travel preparation and my adventures, with an emphasis of course of the vegan foods I eat on vacation.

The first series of videos are coming soon, and will feature our experiences sailing on the Disney Fantasy.

My goal:
Breezy, lighthearted videos that showcase real life travel experiences from both an agent perspective and a mom perspective. Informative details about vegan food options on various sorts of vacations. A travel agent who takes her job seriously, but doesn't take herself too seriously.

Subscribe today!

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The 7 Days of Travelgram on Instagram

6/27/2018

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Come join me on Instagram for a week-long photo challenge that showcases your travel planning, moments, and memories.

Use the hashtag #7daysoftravelgram and be sure to tag @travelbystephanie!

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Review: eBags TLS Hybrid Spinner Carry-On

5/29/2018

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Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for an honest review.

color: heathered graphite

TLS Hybrid Spinner Carry-On
click here to view the eBags product page

So, we've taken a look at the wonder that is The Packing Cube (see product review here) and have decided that they are great for packing organization, but finding the perfect bag to use as a carry-on can be a nightmare of a necessary task. I have been through my share of carry-on luggage, and all have been grossly flawed and near tantrum-inducing. From unstable bottoms to poor handle design to just plain awkwardness, I have carted it all through CLE. My initial reaction to opening my eBags TLS Hybrid Spinner Carry-On? Picture the cartoon character with hearts in place of eyes. That was me.

The love continued as I began exploring the bag's features and experimenting with packing it for our 8-night vacation (a stay in San Francisco coupled with a cruise). Upon first inspection, this bag appeared to have everything I could possibly want in a carry-on, but before I begin composing a love song to its features, let's check out the details direct from eBags:

The stats:
Exterior Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9"
Interior Dimensions: 20" x 14" x 8"
Linear Inches: 45"
Weight: 7 lbs, 4 oz
Capacity: 2389 cu. in.

From the eBags website:

Two webbing push-button cross straps to secure packed contents. Generous webbing length accommodates a fully packed expanded load. Anchor rings move with the expansion gusset so that your straps are always at the top edge, even when expanded
This case expands an additional 1.25", to pack in last minute items
Orange lining makes finding your items easy
Interior mesh door allows visibility in packing organization, or has small buckle to roll-up and secure the door in order to use the full volume of the case and access through the front door
Main and Pocket zippers are able to lock in place with anchor D-rings sewn directly onto the bag
Volume pocket on top to store small items accessibly during flight and a flat pocket on the front lid to store magazines, papers or other low-profile items like a thin jacket
Flat, retractable carry handles do not intrude on your overall dimension so that you can board without issue
Trolley handle adjusts to 3 heights for optimum maneuverability – no more heel-kicking your bag. 45.5, 42.5, 40.5 inches
Compression-molded Polycarbonate bottom/back provides rigid support platform for extra protection for your stored items, all with less weight
8" Dual spinner wheels

My favorite features of this bag:

It is lightweight - 7lbs 4oz, per the eBags site.

The handle extends to a height that is perfect for most travelers.

The wheels spin and glide exactly as they should. If you have not experienced luggage with spinner wheels, this alone is a massive upgrade over whatever you're currently using.

The pockets are nicely designed and allow easy access to your items.

Two different handles for lifting the bag make it accessible from several positions.

The bright orange interior is cheerful and makes your items stand out.

The heathered graphite color (bag is also available in black, sinful red, and brushed indigo) is absolutely gorgeous and perfectly matches my Kayla Town Square 2.0, which nestles right on top. (A review on this bag to come.)

I was able to fit a LOT of clothing into this bag, including two pairs of shoes. (Don't fear! A detailed packing post is to come!)

The bottom line:

This is an easy bag to recommend.

While I have only used it for one vacation thus far, I absolutely love it and hope it will last with use. It was easy to pack, and pack well, and made for gliding through the airports with ease. Between my packing cubes, this TLS Spinner Hyrbid, and my Kayla Town Square 2.0 I think I have found packing paradise. I will take this combo for another go-round later this year for a resort stay, and share an updated review at that time. Right now, I am a very happy traveler.

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eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes Super Packer 5-pc Set - REVIEW

5/24/2018

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Disclaimer: I received this product in exchange for an honest review.

As mentioned in this recent post showcasing my lack of packing skills (even with years in the travel industry and a variety of trips made) my ability to pack for vacation has been less than stellar. Lack of proper gear has been partly to blame, for sure, but I could also use some lessons in strategic vacation prep.

All of that changes now.

I have been arming myself with new and improved travel gear in 2018, so that this travel mom can more easily prepare everyone for vacation. My goal is to eliminate checked bags from our repertoire, so we can both avoid airline fees and move through airports with greater efficiency and ease. Proper gear is essential to this transition, I have learned, as is practice and list-making.

My first bit of advice is to start from the inside out and invest in packing cubes - highlighted here, this set from eBags. Available in four colors (black, blue, green, and grey) these packing cubes come in a variety of sizes to allow you to pack more, and pack better. This set includes two large, one slim (medium), and two small packing cubes, and they all nestle perfectly into a variety of the eBags carry-on luggage. (More on this later.)

Product features for the eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes Super Packer 5-pc Set
(from the eBags website)

Set contains 1 Slim (13x6.5x3.5in), 2 Small (6.5x6.5x3.5in) and 2 Large (13x13x3.5in) Ultralight Packing Cubes
Patent-pending spring-loaded mini framed design helps the cube hold its shape while filling
30D siliconized Cordura brand nylon for the optimum combination of durability and light weight
YKK coil zipper with color-matched corded zipper pullers
Silicon coating on the interior surface makes it easy to fill. Polyurethane coating on the exterior surface reduces shifting of cubes inside your luggage
Hypalon tug-tabs give you something to grip when closing the zipper
Total weight for the set is 8.3 ounces, 235.3 grams
Webbing grab handle with low-profile logo

What Can You Fit in a Packing Cube?

I did some experimenting before officially packing with my new cubes because I wanted to see how I could pack most efficiently while still including everything I thought I would need.

Here is an idea of a few combinations that the cubes held, for size small/medium/4-6 female.

Large:
#1 four pairs of jeans, one pair of dress pants
#2 three long-sleeved shirts, two thin sweatshirts, two tank tops, pajama pants
#3 one pair of jeans, one pair of leggings, one lightweight cardigan, one long-sleeved shirt, two heavier long-sleeved shirts
#4 three dresses (two that are maxi length), three tank tops, swimsuit, cover up

Slim (Medium)
#1 six short-sleeved shirts
#2 seven tank tops

Small
#1 eleven pairs of narrow rolled underwear
#2 twelve pairs of wide rolled underwear
#3 twelve pairs of underwear folded in half, one bra, one pair of no-show socks
#4 pajama set (pants and tank top)

Pros and Cons

Pros:
Easily organize your items, especially if this is something you struggle with when packing.

Help prevent overpacking, which has been my biggest issue when travelling.

Color-code your family when traveling together by selecting a set for each member of the group.

View the contents of each bag without opening, thanks to the mesh cover.

Feel very lightweight and durable.

Repurpose for other tasks and storage needs when not travelling.

Cons:
Pricey, even when on sale.

When filled, the cubes lose their shape (can bulge) so this can create other packing issues. (But if you were to make these a harder-shell product, they would be heavy and bulky thus defeating their original purpose.) I found I was still able to nicely fit even bulging cubes into my carry-on, but I still want to note this.

Cannot compress clothing like some packing cubes on the market.

All in all, I am very happy with my first packing cubes experience and I would recommend them to others. If your vacation needs require a wide variety of clothing options, I encourage experimenting beforehand to see what you might be able to take with you. My type-A personality loved the organization of the cubes, and it was so nice to not have items directly placed inside the luggage.

I will definitely be purchasing another set for my toddler before she begins travelling with us next spring.

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Confessions of a Bad Packer

4/7/2018

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My days of travelling with a poorly designed, oddly "organized" carry-on piece of luggage are over. See ya later, rolling-duffle-that-refuses-to-stand-upright-unless-I-pack-a-physics textbook-in-the-bottom-to-give-it-a-substantial-surface-for-balance. You see, carry-on luggage is not all created equal. I repeat: even at the same-ish dimensions, carry on luggage is not created equal. Some bags are just better - FAR BETTER - than others.

Unfortunately, my current checked-bag piece of luggage is made by the same company of the aforementioned crummy carry-on and suffers the same issues. I am ready to kick this bag to the curb as well. To be honest, my goal is to be done with checked luggage altogether. Like all of you, I am sick of paying baggage fees to the airlines.

Confession:
I am a travel agent years into her career who has spent too much time poorly packing for vacation. I do my best to advise my clients in their techniques, but it is difficult to do when my packing skills have suffered for so long. Packing is not my strength.

I am organized, sometimes overly so, in my personal life. I can procure just about any "lost" item my husband inquires about. My planner looks like a fanciful dream of stickers and color-coded events and activities. My kitchen, bathroom, and office are all neat and tidy.

But packing is not my strength. I tend to overpack. I tend to pack the wrong things. My type-A personality wants to plan for any possible scenario or weather event we might encounter. (I live in Cleveland. This week we had a day in the 60s and accumulating snow two days later, so I feel my living environment is partly to blame.)

I am getting better though.

I have mastered the art of all-inclusive packing. We do this style of vacation more than any other, and after many trips, I feel confident in how to go about this. (Read one of my posts here, regarding a four-night resort stay.) Cruise packing, not so much. There are so many scenarios here, my brain hurts trying to plan for them: pool time, lounging, excursions, smart casual dinners, formal dinners, the ships being cool inside and in the evenings...ugh.

I am on the road to packing mastery though, and this is largely due to recently acquiring my dream carry-on. eBags (check out their products here) has graciously provided me with a new piece of carry-on luggage and packing cubes, and I am already in love after experimenting with some packing test runs.

As a new proud owner of the TLS Spinner Hybrid Carry-On (in heathered graphite) and the Ultralight Packing Cubes, (in black) I can already see I am well on my way to better packing, and in turn, less stressful traveling. I can't wait to share my full reviews and packing tips with you throughout the spring and this summer.

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Leaving the Toddler Behind

3/13/2018

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When my daughter firmly decided at about nine months old that she was done breastfeeding, I told my husband, "All right then, let's go on vacation!" (Any mom knows that a vacation with a pump in tow, especially Walt Disney World, is not a vacation.) Traveling has always been important to us, and became even more so when I changed careers to the travel industry six years ago. We knew having a baby would slow us down for awhile (and we are okay with that) but we like to make the most of the vacation time we do have, and for now continue to leave her behind when we travel.

I've read plenty of post responses regarding vacationing sans kiddos from the sanctimonious mommies in the Facebook group I have since ceased participating in - one mom proudly (proudly?) declared that she had never left her children overnight once...and they were like 7 and 10! Her tone and continued comments implied that she was obviously a better mom than any others in the group, specifically because she has never been apart from her children. This promptly got an eye roll from yours truly. I love being a mom more than anything, but before I was "mama" I was a wife for eight years, and "just Stephanie" for twenty seven before that. This alone time, and this couple time, is crucial to my sanity and the strengthening of our foundation for the family. For us, knowing our daughter is with family who love her, care for her, and give her the time of her life, is all we need to know. In another year or so, we will start taking her along for family vacations, and I hope one day when she is older she remembers the amazing adventures we shared together. For now, it's adults-only.

My husband and I didn't even hesitate to plan our first vacation together post-baby: Walt Disney World for five nights (six, if you count dropping the baby off the day before at the grandparents') was an incredible time, full of laughter, delicious meals, and absolute fun.

Being up at 5:30am for Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom beats an early-morning poop dipe wake-up call.

Our second post-baby vacation was shorter - just a little four-night getaway to Mexico (again, five nights if you count our pre-vacation night without child). My husband was sick while we were there and I was in pain and still healing from a horrific back injury, but we made the most of it. We still connected, talked, laughed, and just enjoyed being at a new-to-us resort together. The sunshine and blue sky weren't too bad either.

Now here we are, getting ready to celebrate our tenth anniversary, and we are heading out on another vacation, this one a little longer. We'll be leaving behind our little one once again, and now that she's older, the following will make our nine nights away easier on everyone.

We will...

- remember to pack the bedtime crew! This includes Baby Goldberger, Reindeer, Marshmallow, Charlotte, and now also Pink Kitty (who my husband has named "Dirty Kitty" following a recent trip to Aldi). Our kid went from a gal who couldn't care less about stuffed animals to one who loves having her squad around when it gets dark. Basically, these guys get their own tote bag now.

- pack special foods and snacks. My mom is amazing at having all sorts of great eats and treats on hand for our daughter (we are vegan) but I like to ease this burden on her by supplying some food. This includes boxes of mac and cheese, granola bars, cereal bars, mandarin oranges, Silk brand yogurt, and vegan General Tso's chicken from Whole Foods.

- keep with her routine. She goes to daycare twice a week, so she will continue that while we're gone. She loves "school" and it gives the grandparents a little break during the week.

- check in with FaceTime. Because we miss her face and hearing her little toddler voice saying her funny toddler things when we're away. I am with my daughter a great deal, so FaceTime with her still feels novel to me, and I love hearing her yell, "Mommy!"

- not worry. I don't worry for a second when we're away because we know our daughter is in amazing hands. I focus on where I am, and on my husband. Our time is precious, and so important as we continue to forge this life together. It doesn't matter that we've been at it for a decade - it's still important.

One day when our daughter is older, we will show her photos of us on vacation, laughing and enjoying one another so much. We will show her the photos of her having fun with Papa and Grammie. We will tell her we hope she finds someone she wants to spend as much time with as her dad and I do with one another.

Parents - enjoy! Go celebrate your love and life together. Your child will be fine.

Toast parenthood over a margarita.

You've earned it.

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A Day at Los Colibries Mayan Jungle Spa

1/16/2018

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Located in Puerto Morelos, about a twenty minute drive from the resorts in this area, sits a lovely haven in the jungle - Los Colibries Mayan Jungle Spa. Designed for the ultimate outdoor relaxation experience, owner Valerie offers several packages for guests to have their worries massaged and soaked away in a lovely natural environment.

My husband and I opted for the 2.5 hour experience which included:

- Temazcal (sauna)
- natural body treatment (mud scrub)
- outdoor bath
- traditional Mayan massage

The current rate as of posting is $90 USD per person. Transportation from Puerto Morelos is included, or Valerie can arrange transportation for you from your resort. (We were staying in Playa del Carmen, and paid a taxi approximately $55 for roundtrip fare.)

Once we disrobed (you may undress to your comfort level, and full nudity is acceptable for all treatments), we were escorted to the Temazcal, a small structure where we enjoyed time in the sauna followed by a cold shower. We repeated this process twice, gabbing with other travelers as we took turns rinsing the heat away in the outdoor shower.

Following our time in the Temazcal, we made our way to our (generally) secluded area to enjoy a relaxing massage and mud treatment. This tropical paradise felt like the perfect oasis to enjoy time away together as new parents.

The final treatment for our spa day was a bath to soak away the mud. Being bathed as an adult felt both awkward and soothing, but we went with it and enjoyed a breeze through the palms and the opportunity to escape our day-to-day routine.

We enjoyed our time away from the resort, and we found the treatments to be both enjoyable and a fantastic value.

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Ultimate Dream Destinations

12/14/2017

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this post originally appeared on our main page at www.destinationtravelco.com

The 2017 results are in...

The December 2017 issue of Vacation Agent magazine featured a list of the top fifteen "ultimate dream destinations" as voted upon by American travelers surveyed by Travel Leaders Group.

Did your dream destinations make the list?

1. Australia
2. Italy
3. Bora Bora
4. Ireland
5. New Zealand
6. World Cruise
7. Fiji
8. Mediterranean Europe Cruise
9. Greek Isles
10. Tahiti
11. European River Cruise
12. (tie) Antartica / South Pacific and Tahiti Cruise
14. Australia / New Zealand Cruise
15. France

Please visit Travel Leaders here to see the full article.

Share your dream destination in the comments below! (Then contact me when you're ready to make it happen!)

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Vegan "Mainstream Travel" Facebook Group

3/18/2017

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The most active section of my website is, without a doubt, the pages dedicated to mainstream vegan travel tips and the recaps of my vegan experiences on various vacations. After hunting around on Facebook, I noticed that while there are a number of pages dedicated to vegan travel (most of these more for the backpacker-workaway-city specific types of experiences), nothing existed to assist those doing more "mainstream" sorts of vacations such as Disney vacations, cruises, resort packages, etc.

Fear no more, fellow vegans! Yesterday I launched a new group for this style of travel, and I invite all of you to come join us for feedback and reviews, photo shares, and q&a. It will be a friendly place, led by yours truly, to share our concerns and excitement for seeing the world as a vegan!

Spread the word, and come join us!
Vegan Cruises/Resorts/Disney Vacations

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Check out my mention in Travel Weekly!

7/31/2016

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I was recently contacted by reporter Jamie Biesiada to discuss the effects of Zika virus on our agency's bookings for various afflicted destinations and how we are assisting clients in light of Zika's spread.

While we have not seen much of a shift in travel plans in our office (our sales for the Caribbean and Mexico have actually increased in 2016), this article highlights how agents around the country are working with their clients, particularly, babymooners. It's a great read for couples considering a vacation while pregnant.

You can view the article in its entirety here.

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