Karen Fawcett

There are ways of minimizing stress when taking to the skies but sometimes, it takes imagination in addition to organization.

Think ahead about packing
Pack the day before or even earlier, then take everything out of your suitcase and whittle down your possessions. Unless you’re going to be seeing the same people for two solid weeks (and who cares) and have to attend a black tie event, travelers can do with half of what they think they need to bring.

For city travel, black is always safe for women. Bring a skirt, a pair or two of pants, a jacket, some wash and wear tops, one dressy blouse and different accessories. Scarves, shawls, costume jewelry and a silk flower to pin on your jacket or place in your hair can give women an entirely different look.

Men have always had it easy. Unless they have business meetings that require a suit, a navy blazer and gray pants with a shirt and a tie is usually as dressy as they need to get. Add some khaki pants and knit shirts and most men are on their way.

Assemble a plastic bag containing pills and copies of the prescriptions (generic please) that you need to pack in your carry-on bag even if you’re checking a suitcase.

And give careful thought to electronic accoutrements. All the many cords, converter plugs, chargers, camera apparatus such as a memory card reader or extra camera batteries are some of them. Separate the cords with rubber bands or twist-em’s so you’re not confronted with having to untangle everything.

Whether or not you check a bag is up to you. I try to avoid doing so since I’ve arrived at a destination too many times without my luggage — or have had to wait longer than I care to for the carousel to cough it up.

One caveat — don’t try dragging such a large carry-on that your back hurts before boarding the flight, or you’ve alienated your fellow passengers and the flight crew before getting your suitcase into the overhead compartment.

Think ahead about clearing airport security
Some frequent flyers are opting to become members of CLEAR where they’re on an immediate fast-track to be waved through security.

The most challenging items are electronics and personal items that require screening. Clear plastic zip-lock bags are godsends.

Have your computer ready for inspection as well as your cell phone, camera, keys and anything that might set off alarms. This sometimes includes coins and sometimes not.

Then there’s the make-up, toothpaste, etc. etc. bag, which invariably contains liquids and has to be removed from the suitcase to be screened.

They should be placed on the top of the bag for easy removal. I place all of these items together in a cloth bag so I can pull everything out in one easy swoop.

Clearing security is stressful at best. But take your time while being as efficient as possible and don’t let people push you. Airport lost and found areas are treasure troves and there’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve lost an essential.

I never wear a belt, shoes that aren’t slip-off or heavy jewelry. If I had any “important” jewelry pieces, there no point in traveling with them and being worried about robbery. Also, there’s less to take off in line.

I also have succumbed (inelegant as it is) to wearing a neck pouch containing my passport and boarding pass. This isn’t high fashion. But after leaving these essential papers in a tray, I’ve come to the conclusion there are times to be chic and other time when being secure is more appropriate.

Think ahead about waiting at the airport
I’m a great believer in belonging to an airline club because I travel enough to justify the cost. Plus, it’s not unheard of when one of the employees is able to wangle a better seat or possibly an upgrade. There are occasions when you can buy a last-minute upgrade for substantially less money than it would have cost if you’d bought a business class ticket.

One-time passes can be purchased for airline clubs if you find you’re going to be delayed. As crowded as some may be, it’s more comfortable waiting in a club and if you want or need to work, you can get on line. Be certain that if you’re not flying internationally you keep track of time because many clubs don’t announce domestic departures.

Many people go to the bar, or in some airports where there are decent restaurants, eat before the flight leaves and thus avoid eating (or buying) mediocre airline food.

Think ahead about your seat on the plane:
Some airlines aren’t permitting passengers to pre-select their seats, while others save advanced booking for premium clients. If you’ve bought your ticket though a travel agency, they can arrange for a seat to be assigned. If you’re flying United or some other carriers, opt to pay the extra money for somewhat more legroom. Five inches can make a big difference.

Consult Seat Guru and you’ll be able to tell the seating configuration of specific planes. If you can pick and choose and there isn’t a plane change, you’ll have an advantage when selecting your seat.

There are different theories and if you’re flying coach (and most of us are these days) hope the flight isn’t full and you can stake out five middle seats and the armrests go all the way up. One of the best transatlantic flights I recall was when I lucked out and slept across the ocean.

Think ahead about getting from the airport to your hotel
This tip, passed along to me by a wise traveler, has saved me time and aggravation countless times. Take a clear folder with your itinerary. Access Mappy.com or Mapquest.com and print out a map of your destination including the directions from the airport. This will put a stop to a lack a communication or a joy ride should you encounter a cabbie with whom you don’t share a common language. And even if you do, some streets are difficult to locate.

Please add your hints for making trips easier. These are just a few.

Karen Fawcett is president BonjourParis.

People often ask Bonjour Paris to explain French etiquette—or rather what the French expect people to do and what they definitely do not like. During the 21 years I’ve been a resident of France, customs have relaxed—but not as much as you might think.

The French are more formal in their personal relationships, so it’s understandable—but not always understood—that Americans’ bonhomie can turn into a series of gaffes. These may not be deal-breakers or complete disasters, but little faults can be seen as slights, and anyway who wants to appear unsophisticated? Little things take on importance, so it’s worth your while to know what you’re supposed to do and say.

For example, unless you’re very young, French people greet one another with a Bonjour while shaking hands. A woman who’s in a business situation is addressed as “Madame” whether or not she’s married. After a female is out of school, she’s Madame rather than Mademoiselle. Until you’re instructed to call her (or a male colleague) by their first names, don’t. And don’t use the familiar tu form of verbs until someone uses it to you. The French have a sense of when the time has come: assume you do not.

Thirty years ago, it was rare when a French person would smile at a stranger. Thank goodness life is becoming less rigid. However, the French, when walking down the street, are pros at not making eye contact with people they don’t know. If they bump into friends, expect to see a round of kisses. One on each cheek if you’re in Paris, three pecks if you’re in other parts of France—but Parisians assume they are Belgians. And then there are the teens and college students who will kiss four times in quick succession. It can be confusing.

The French maintain “personal space” in a way most Americans don’t. Go into any Paris café and you’ll rarely see the French striking up conversations with strangers. It’s different if they’re in a tabac (the same one they frequent each morning) for coffee. If the barman knows them, it’s possible they’ll end up speaking to one another because they’ve been introduced. Gone are the days of asking someone for a light for a cigarette because, unless they’re sitting outside, it’s definitely no smoking.

Another annoying trait about the French is they were born with perfect posture. If they slouch, it’s due to a physical impairment, and most people try to cure it by going to a physical therapist, which is covered by French  health-care system. You can always differentiate a French person from an American by how straight he or she stands. Some French people swear it’s by how loud Americans speak—but that’s not necessarily the case. Still, keeping your voice down is a good idea. The French by nature aren’t eavesdroppers and really don’t want to hear other’s conversations.

Even though the French are quick to use hand gestures (nothing compared to Italians), they’ll rarely shake or point a finger at others. It’s simply considered rude. Whatever you do, never snap your fingers. It’s a sure recipe for being ignored by taxi drivers (who aren’t supposed to pick up passengers unless they’re at a taxi stand anyway), and if you ever snap your fingers at a waiter, count on being the last person in the restaurant to ever be served.

Americans are quick to make the figure O with their fingers to indicate that everything’s OK. In France, it’s construed in a totally different way and is enough to offend your companion. In essence, you’re saying someone is a big zero and it’s not taken lightly.

These are just a few cultural differences. Please feel free to add more. My French friends consistently ask for advice when they’re heading to the U.S. The difference is, that when they commit a faux-pas, it’s usually considered charming. Their accents go a long way in the manners game and their basic manners, sorry to say, tend to be better than ours.

Traveling with children is often the most rewarding, not to mention necessary, ways to take a vacation. But the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared” takes on new and more creative meaning.

Forgetting things such as a favorite teddy bear, blanket or a night-light can cause the most well-behaved children to have meltdowns.

Times have changed radically since my nearly 40-year-old son and I took vacations. Today, the travel industry offers cruises and all inclusive package vacations catering to families, plus  resorts with camp programs target tots to teens and offers activities for all ages.

Still, you need to be prepared:

1. Plan for plane trip
Be sure to have water, juices, snacks, small toys, coloring materials, wipes, tissues, and body lotion (dry air  cause children to be itchy especially when sitting still all the time). Bring an extra blanket, an extra pair of socks that you can toss since there’s invariably yuck on airplanes’ floors. A portable DVD player (with movies the child has selected) can save your trip and your sanity.

2. Remember rest stops when traveling by car
Time goes slowly and be sure to factor in enough B&R breaks (bathroom and recreation stops). Children should stop approximately every two hours (unless they’re sleeping) to visit the bathrooms and run off some energy. Pack a picnic lunch (and snacks). You’ll be glad you did if you’re trapped by fast food places on highways. Bring extra wipes and an extra change of clothes in the event of an unanticipated disaster for a member of younger set. Look for rest-stops with playgrounds.

3. Look for family-friendly accommodations
Try to rent an apartment or a residential suite. If not, be sure the room has a refrigerator. If you’re renting two rooms, be sure there’s a connecting door between the two.

Don’t make yourself a slave to room service that may or may not be functioning or cost a fortune.  When you arrive at a destination, go to the grocery store and stock up on snacks, fruit, bread, peanut butter and a few other jars of edibles and have them available for your children without having to wait. My son survived on bowls of Raisin Bran, bananas with milk for days and did so more times than I care to remember. When we traveled to strange and “exotic” destinations, I knew he wouldn’t starve.

4. Don’t forget car seats and strollers
Be sure there are car seats available. If not, drag your own.  Bring an umbrella stroller if your child is of that age when he or she can’t or shouldn’t be expected to keep up. Anticipate that children become increasing tired in unfamiliar environments.

5. Pack enough clothes, but not too many
Life is easier when you have easy access to a washer and a dryer. Bring enough clothes but not so many that you need to pay for extra luggage or break your back transporting it.

6. Include the needed extras
Don’t forget sunscreen if you’re going to a sunny destination and a hat. Pack extra zip-lock plastic bags. More than likely, you’ll find numerous uses (some unanticipated ones) for the bags.

7. Bring a personal suitcase or backpack
Each traveler should have his or her own. Be sure you can survive if you arrive without your suitcase and you have the essentials to tide you over. Children should have input into what goes into their carry-on bags. Play the “what’s the most important things I need game.”

8. Double-check medications
Be certain you have what your child (as well as you) need in the carry-on in the event suitcases are delayed. Pack a mini-drug store plus prescriptions with the medications’ molecular breakdowns. If your child gets sick, vacation time isn’t the ideal time to be experimenting with new drugs. Even allergy pills in different counties may not be the same and why chance ruining a trip?

Do buy evacuation insurance and have enough cash in the event you need to return home quickly.

9. Stay in charge
If you’re headed to an unfamiliar destination or your child’s schedule will be thrown off. It’s up to the parents (or travel companions) to stay rested and well grounded. Children need their parents or companions to be steady and be their life-lines.

10. Do not over plan
Leave time for serendipity and plain and simple enjoyment. That includes time for the parents or the caregivers to take a night or two off on their own and know their children will be 100 percent cared for and well.

These are a few ideas. There are many more. Please post them. Now that I’m a grandmother, I need all of the help and possible advice I can get. Traveling is something I want and aim to share with my two granddaughters. And we won’t be staying at the Ritz.

Karen Fawcett is president of BonjourParis.

What are your 2009 travel resolutions? Ask your friends and business colleagues and you’ll hear different answers. I’ve made my  resolutions but want to hear yours.

The following responses are some (not all) I’ve received from the frequent fliers whom I’ve polled:

- I’m going to travel only business or first class. No more coach for me.  Nice if your budget or boss allows it.

- I will upgrade wherever and whenever possible, by using the miles I earned by having my ass on so many flights!

- Please spare me from trips with multiple legs for the sake of saving a few dollars.

- I want to travel less for business and more for pleasure.

- I am going to take my wife or a child with me on business trips, when or if possible.”

- I will try to add some “measure of pleasure” to my business trips. It might be just going to a local museum or eating at the most unique restaurant in town. Better yet, I’ll ignore the TV and reconnect with out-of-town friends.

- I’m going to add on a day or two at either end of the trip (especially if it’s overseas) to see some of the area rather than only an office environment.

- I will wear loafers when I travel by air, remove my laptop and all metal BEFORE I get to security and wear a tear-away belt. But I will not be rushed to the extent that something is forgotten on the conveyor line.

- While traveling by air, I will stay away from families with small children and senior citizens (no offense, they’re just slower).

- I will seek out travelers who look like road warriors and follow them.

- I am going to bring my own meals for my flights. I’ve gained too much weight eating junk food (expensive too) sold at airports.

- Now that gas prices have come down, I plan to do more driving.

-Whenever possible, I’ll take the train rather than endure the hell that awaits travelers at today’s airports.

- I’m not going to postpone seeing family and friends who are getting older or with whom I haven’t had the time to connect because I’ve been ‘too busy.’

My personal resolutions definitely include many of the above but comprise others.

- I hope to be able to share some of my favorite places with people about whom I care and discover other destinations with people who are passionate about travel.

- Yes to flight upgrades. No to accepting the first room because it’s easier than appearing nasty and demanding a larger room or one that has been renovated.

- When there’s an executive floor, I’ll always opt for it, since the extra service is a real boon in addition to being able to use the lounge. Free breakfasts and cocktail hours are generally included and more than likely, these floors end up with my saving money.

My recent stays at the Four Seasons Hotels in Hong Kong and Bangkok must have set them back more than a few pennies. Hotels compete for customer loyalty on these “special” floors. I ate everything in sight, sipped tea and ate crumpets at the appropriate hour, drank champagne at cocktail time accompanied by a huge selection of delicious hors d’oeuvres (skipped dinner) and didn’t have to pay for WiFi. Plus, I could work in the lounge while my travel partner was sleeping.

- I’m not going to be intimidated by negative news reports from going to a city or to a country unless there’s out and out war. Obtaining visas may be cumbersome. But doing so is worth the effort.

- Not being a ‘tour type,’ I’ll spend the money to hire an English speaking driver to give me an off-the-beaten track tour of a place I’ve never been.

- When it comes to the regular must-sees, there’s so much information on the Internet that last year’s guide books may be obsolete by the time they’re printed and for sale.

- No more rushed trips that leave me feeling cheated as I’m heading to the airport. I hate knowing I only saw the tip of the iceberg of what there is to see. Allow enough time for serendipity.

- Travel is one of my main passions. But being prepared and flexible is an essential part of the experience. Develop ways you can relax when there’s stress. How about a personal mantra?

What are your new year’s resolutions?  Are you already considering specific destinations? Let’s hear them and anything goes.

Karen Fawcett is president of BonjourParis.

Friends ask me about possible difficulties for those traveling alone. My answer is they should go and not let allow the unknown stop them. Sure there might be some scary and even lonely moments. But there will be many unanticipated compensations and wonderful adventures.

I meet new people I would never meet if traveling with an entourage or a partner. I get to travel at my own pace. I can go where I want to go when I want to go there. I can indulge my curiosity gene. Once, solo women travelers take the plunge, it can be habit-forming.

Here is a collection of 10 rules for solo travelers. With a positive attitude people will return home more confident, with plenty of new friends and enough stories to fill a year of cocktail party chitchat.

1. Plan ahead. Do some extra research about your destination. There are planners and there are people who prefer to be surprised. The latter approach isn’t such a good idea if you’re alone.

2. See what colleagues you may already have at your destination. If you’re a member of a professional or social organization, chances are there’s the equivalent or a chapter in the city you are visiting. If there’s an event taking place during your stay, attending it will give you insights in addition to introductions to others who share your interests.

3. Meet new people at your destination by enrolling in a class. Depending on how long you stay, language classes can be ideal. There are frequently courses for as short as a week and these classes offer an opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture. Other options: classes in European history or art history.

4. Sign up for a tour of a city (ask at the tourist information office). You’ll learn about the town and meet other travelers. I’ve found walking tours are best for meeting other travelers.

5. Ask friends with acquaintances abroad to make introductions to people who live in cities you plan to visit. In these days of the Internet, it’s not all that difficult to fire off an email to people in every part of the world announcing a friend’s arrival. But, understand not everyone is going to be receptive to meeting you. Don’t take it personally.

Having lived in Paris for 20+ years, an email announcing a friend of a friend is headed to the City of Light can invoke fear and dread. I live and work in Paris. I have trouble keeping up with my real friends and a visiting fireman isn’t always welcome. On the other hand, I’ve met some fascinating people with whom I still maintain friendships.

6. Use your big city smarts. Carry a moderate amount of cash and one credit card to charge purchases or access cash from an ATM. Leave your diamonds and Rolex at home in your safe deposit box. Photocopy the main page of your passport. Losing a passport can turn a sightseeing vacation into one spent at the consulate that is invariably many miles from your base.

7. Register your credit cards. Pay a few dollars and register credit cards so only one call needs to be made in case they disappear. Leave a copy of the information in your hotel’s safe deposit box and with a friend at home who is willing to make a call to the credit card registry service.

8. Stay at B&B’s that are run by a host family. It is like having a friend in town that can show you the ropes.

9. Go to restaurants where you can dine at the bar. Restaurants with wine bars, tapas bars and sushi bars are a boon for the solo traveler. The experience can be almost like a communal table. Some restaurants even have communal tables, especially in Germany. If people aren’t able to strike up a conversation over food — well, that’s a sad commentary.

10. Most foreign cities have English language publications that list activities targeted at Expats. In Paris, many of the bookstores sponsor readings (in English) that are free and frequently fascinating. Ditto for universities as well as the Anglophone library. Before you know it, you’ll be trying to figure out whether or not you can fit in all of the activities that interest you.

Walk along well-lit streets when many natives do their window-shopping. Enjoy the scenery and sit down at a cafe and watch the world go by. Take advantage of evening entertainment: concerts, movies and “after dark tours.”

Western Europe is a piece of cake since the hospitality industry is tourist friendly and wants the business. I’m heading for Dubai this week and yes, I’m going alone. It’s going to be a different experience. If you have any tips, please post them. Know they’ll be carefully read.

Karen Fawcett is president BonjourParis; with a travel bug that knows few boundaries.

When it comes to airline baggage, less is more. Airlines have not only begun charging for the first bag, but also cracking down on carry-ons.

So how do you downsize?

Smart packing takes substantially more planning. If you’re able to survive with a carry-on suitcase, traveling is, hands down, easier.

Consider the following scenarios:

•    Your baggage is lost.
•    Air-handlers are on strike.
•    You have a tight connection.
•    It’s impossible to get a porter or a cart.
•    Hopping on and off trains is much easier if you’re not overburdened. Hearing the conductor announce that when you stop you have only two minutes to disembark can strike fear in loaded-down travelers’ hearts. It can look like a Marx Brothers’ replay as passengers toss suitcases from the train onto the platform in a race against time.

Here’s what to do:

Unless Weather.com guarantees perfection, assume you may be in for some climate surprises. With the exception of summer months, pack a set of silk underwear that can be worn under everything. It takes no space in suitcases and is often a blessing should the chill factor set in.

Assemble a “mix and match” wardrobe. Each item should coordinate with the others, to be dressed up and down. Squelch the urge to pack a knockout dress that can only be worn once.

Select clothes you know and love and ones that don’t wrinkle. Although you can always borrow an iron (or have items pressed), there are so many “travel-perfect” clothes being manufactured these days. If you’re a frequent traveler, they’re worth the investment.

Color coordination is essential. For women, it means wearing the same shade of clothes with a few accents. I’m always comfortable in black or beige. A city wardrobe can consist of two skirts or dressy pants, a pair of casual pants, a jacket to be worn with all of the above, and three shirts or sweaters which can be made to look dressy with different costume jewelry or patterned silk scarves. I always wear a colored shawl over the coat that I wear on the plane.

Pack a small fold-up umbrella. More than likely, it will come in handy.

Men are less “packing challenged.” If they’re traveling on business, one dark suit is invariably enough. Add a navy blazer, a pair or two of gray pants, three dress shirts, plus a couple of casual ones, and call it a day.

Shoes present a challenge. it’s not a good idea to buy new ones unless you’ve had sufficient time to break them in. There’s nothing more miserable than not being able to walk. Bring a maximum of three pairs: a pair of casual ones, good walking shoes and a dressy pair for evenings. Wear the heaviest ones on the plane.

Many people pack more underwear than they’ll ever need. Bring three pairs of light ones that dry quickly. You can wash them and hang them in your bathroom overnight. You don’t need to sport detergent. The hotel bath gels do the job. Ditto when it comes to nightgowns, robes and pajamas. If you’re staying in hotels, check to see whether or not they offer robes.

Another suggestion: Invest in a selection of different colored plastic or mesh bags. Pack your “essentials” here. They can be squeezed into a suitcase and identified at a moment’s notice. If you’re running short, use every-day plastic kitchen bags as extras. Not having to grope for socks and/or stockings, underwear, ties or scarves, medications, bathroom amenities, etc., facilitates unpacking and makes life more orderly.

The choice of a suitcase is another consideration. Hard-sided ones with rollers have been extremely popular. But they’re not as flexible. Recently, a new variety of duffle bag with rollers has come out, and it’s definitely worth a look-see. It is more pliable when it comes to fitting into an airline’s overhead bin. But do clothes end up more wrinkled?

Some people swear that rolling clothes is the way to go. Others, most especially men, say that spells disaster.

For serious packers, pack two days before your departure and resist the urge to stuff anything more in the suitcase.  That’s the real challenge!

Anyone who has any packing tips, please share them. Travelers need all the help they can get.

Karen Fawcett is president of Bonjour Paris.