WTTW’s Travefy Smartphone Application

No less than 30 days from initial tour departure you will receive an email invite from Travefy to install the application and register.  This application will allow travelers the capability to view their itinerary online, message our office, and message other WTTW group members on the tour with you. This application works over Wi-Fi and Cell Service.  It’s a must have for your tour.

International roaming plans

Sign up with your carrier, some companies offer international plans starting at $4.99 a month. Although local calls abroad will be billed at international prices.

Use your Laptop, Smartphone or Tablet as a phone

Skype lets you make FREE voice and video calls from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Go to www.skype.com to sign up for free. WhatsApp also allows for FREE talk and text over Wi-Fi. Download the app.

Roam online

If you have an Internet-accessible device like an iPhone, iPod Touch or Nokia smart phone you can create an account with Truphone. Download free software and make international calls for as little as 2 cents a minute.

Weather

Weather forecast around the world

Health/Inoculations

Travel health

The US center for disease control, prevention, vaccinations needed based on destination. We highly recommend you visit this site when booking any trip to be assured of needed vaccinations in a timely manner.

Packing Tips

Start with a packing list and check it twice, each destination requires different clothes and necessities. Pack at least 4 days in advance in case you need to buy a last minute item you realize you’re out of or need to wash that favorite shirt.

Rolling Your Clothes

Flight attendants swear by this method. Lay items face down, fold back the sleeves and then roll from the bottom up. Try and pack wrinkle free items at the bottom of your luggage. You’ll be amazed at all the space in your luggage to pack a rolled up item.

Shoes

Always pack shoes around the edges of your suitcase, this prevents taking up too much space and keeps them from deforming too much. Always wear your bulkiest pair of shoes. Keep shoes to a minimum with 2 or 3 pairs.

• Do not lock your checked bags except with TSA-approved locks; otherwise, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will have to break the lock to get inside.
• Do not over pack your bag. Screeners will have a difficult time closing your luggage if selected for inspection, which will only lead to wrinkles and the potential for lost articles. Check the bags weight to avoid airlines charges for overweight. These fees and weight limits are listed on the airlines website.
• Carry all film with you onboard, as screening equipment for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.

Carry-on bags and Packing

TSA 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) in 1 quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. We recommend a minimum “I must have” for carry-on toiletries just in case of baggage delay or loss. Remember most basic items such as toothpaste/brush, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, comb etc are available at many hotels. Also pack any medications you can’t live without, something to read, a pen, small hand sanitizer, socks, ear plugs, an eye mask, your own earphones, as some airlines charge for these and yours are probably more comfortable. A lightweight change of clothes, including undergarments. Limited makeup such as lipstick or lip balm and powder. Small snacks or candy as many airlines charge or don’t offer what you want or need. A light sweater or jacket as the plane can be cool and you’ll probably need this where you’re going anyway. Wear comfortable travel clothes on the plane especially for long flights. Try and pack only carry on items you need for the trip. Remember you have to carry them with you the entire trip. Make sure it’s a “must have”. Try to find a carry-on bag with wheels, it’s so much easier to transport through the airport especially while waiting in long security lines. One with different compartments offers ease of access to items so you don’t have to dig around. Always carry your camera, jewelry and valuables in your carry-on luggage.

• Put unique identification tags on all luggage. Many look alike and to avoid someone else taking your bag by mistake.
• Don’t overpack. When we’re forced to choose between our favorite things, we’re sometimes tempted to just bring it, but over packing can be costly. Checking more than one bag, exceeding your airline’s weight limit or even checking a bag at all can cost you. For example: a $25 fee each way for checking a piece of luggage on domestic flights, and many other airlines charge $50 for a second checked bag and even over $100 per suitcase for third and fourth checked bags! Overseas flights offer the first checked bag free. Remember if your traveling to different cities you have to repack it and lug it and in many cases buses we use offer limited luggage space. Try and opt for one small carry on and one checked bag. You can always do laundry if needed.

How to Mix and Match Clothes for Travel

• Step 1: Grab a few dresses, tops, scarves, skirts, pants, shorts and jeans. Then, grab solid and multi-colored tops.
• Step 2: Lay the clothes out on your bed side by side so that you can see each item.
• Step 3: Pick up a solid color top. Then pair it with a blazer or sweater and jeans. Next, take the same top and pair it with a skirt. Then, take the same jeans and pair with a printed top and accessories, like earrings, bangles and necklaces. Limit jewelry to mix and match pieces as well.
• Step 4: Take a pair of pants and match with a top, then pair a different  top and different accessories like a scarf, or with the blazer or sweater.
• Step 5: Repeat the same exercise for each item that you have placed on your bed. As you go through each item and mix and match them with various tops, skirts, shorts and jeans, you’ll start to see how many looks that you can create with limited clothes. The key is to pack as little as possible with as many different looks as possible. Since pants, shorts and even dresses and jackets can be worn many times this is easy to do.
• Step 6: Pick one dress in a solid color and one in a print. There are easy and fun ways to mix and match dresses with jackets and accessories. Pair the dress with a blazer for a more sophisticated look, or pair a short, casual dress with jeans or leggings to tone down the look.
• Shoes – make sure the 2 – 3 pairs of shoes you pack go with the outfits.
• Airline Regulations- Always check with your carrier first for checked and carry on baggage policies.

Don’t Pack Your Entire Beauty Routine

If you use eight different products to tame your wild curls or have an elaborate face-washing regimen down to a science, let loose a bit when you travel instead of carrying an army of beauty products with you across the globe. If you’re adventurous enough to leave home and explore an exotic destination, we bet you can also handle leaving behind a few beauty products. For packed liquid toiletries put those in a sealed zip lock bag, then you don’t risk spillage on your clothing, they almost always leak from travel. If you are staying at a major hotel most will offer complimentary toiletries, Use them! Don’t bring your own 24-ounce shampoo and conditioner bottles to the hotel if they offer complimentary ones.

There are lots of products that have multiple uses. Opt for a shampoo/conditioner combo. Bring a tinted moisturizer with SPF. Let your moisturizing body wash double as a shaving cream. Buy a make-up compact that contains more than one color, such as an eye shadow quad.

Don’t pack valuable or irreplaceable jewelry. If you can’t imagine living with out it leave it at home. Tourists are common targets for thieves and luggage often gets lost in transit. You may think you look like an icon of style, but to criminals and con-artists you appear as an icon of opportunity. It’s also wise not to look like a million bucks if you’re trying to bargain with the locals, and sparkly jewelry may set you apart from the natives when you’re trying to fit in. If you do bring expensive jewelry or buy expensive trinkets while traveling always use the hotel safe. Better safe than sorry. Also keep all travel docs, passport and cash you’re not using for the day in a safe. It’s better to travel out each day with small amounts of cash.

Don’t Pack Unnecessary Gadgets

The definition of “necessary” varies from one traveler to the next, so it’s important to ask yourself if you will really need your ocean-sound machine to get to sleep each night before you stuff it in your bursting suitcase. However check with your local hotel at your destination about voltage adapters. You can often buy a kit that has adapters for most countries. Most hotels now offer hairdryers, one bulky item you just don’t need to pack. Again verify with your hotel that they offer these.

TSA Regulations

Carry-on baggage is a small piece of luggage you take onboard the airplane with you. You are allowed one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop, purse, small backpack or briefcase. TSA will screen any “Carry-on” baggage that will fit through the x-ray machine; however, it is up to each individual air carrier as to whether the baggage fits the size restrictions for your flight. Please check with the air carrier prior to proceeding through the security checkpoints.