Best practices | Celtic Hearts Travel

Don’t leave home without these 2 things !!!

Two times in the last 2 months, we have witnessed international destination situations where the traveler was unprepared and these two simple resources would have made the world of difference. #1 - portable phone charger (link) #2 Google Translate (link) (or similar translation app) In both instances, travelers were "stuck" somewhere with only limited battery power left on their phone and no access to a phone charger. We always recommend that everyone has [...]

By celtichearts|2017-11-16T20:47:25-05:00November 19th, 2017|Actionable Advice, Europe, general interest, Lessons Learned, technology, Tips & Advice, translater, Travel, Uncategorized|0 Comments

The power of the “Hot Toddy”

We noticed a little chill in the air this week when we were sitting outside during Halloween - I guess it's finally time for our weather in Georgia to cool down. I also notice a lot of people with allergies and colds as the temps fluctuate, and word on the street is that (again), this year's flu vaccine is not effective :( When you have cold and flu symptoms and feel miserable, you'll try anything to feel better. [...]

By celtichearts|2017-11-15T21:48:05-05:00November 17th, 2017|Actionable Advice, general interest, Ireland, Lessons Learned, Tips & Advice, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Take the darn vacation !!

Under-vacationed America. In the US, we excel at so many things, but we really fall behind in using vacation time. We suffer from "Vacation Deprivation" !! I remember when I first moved to the US, I was shocked at the limited amount of vacation time people took. I had come from Europe where we take our full 2 week vacation every year (all at once!) What ??!!! People looked at me like I was crazy and were scrambling to take [...]

By celtichearts|2017-10-02T12:00:35-04:00October 3rd, 2017|Actionable Advice, Beaches, general interest, Lessons Learned, Paradise, Travel, vacation|0 Comments

Ireland’s going crazy ….. for good food

What is Irish food ?? When we think about food in Ireland, we tend to think about the traditional dishes, but as the tourist industry has grown, so too have the food options. Ireland is now considered one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the EU. We have an array of Michelin * restaurants (15 new ones since 2011), we boast some of the most delicious fish/seafood options, and our dairy is second to none !!! The larger cities in [...]

By celtichearts|2017-09-07T16:23:11-04:00August 14th, 2017|Europe, European Cuisine, Food, Food Tours, general interest, Heritage, Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourist attractions, Travel|0 Comments

Heads Up – new ID requirements for 2018 air travel

If you live in these 9 States, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma,Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Washington, your ID requirements for air travel ANYWHERE are changing in 2018. Starting at the beginning of next year, residents in nine states will need to have passports in order to take any kind of flight, whether it is international or domestic. TSA will only accept state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards if they are issued bya REAL ID compliant state or a non-compliant state with an extension. As [...]

By celtichearts|2017-09-18T18:29:55-04:00August 4th, 2017|general interest, Lessons Learned, Security, technology, Tips & Advice, Travel, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Tips to make International travel easier

Here are some tips make your overseas journey easier. (courtesy of Travel & Leisure) Hotel business cards. Take a business card from the front desk when you check in, that way, if you ever get lost, you have the name and address of the hotel in the local language. Having something in a local language that can be shown to locals and taxi drivers is an extra bit of insurance. The six-month passport rule. The U.S. lets you use your [...]

By celtichearts|2017-09-18T18:37:51-04:00June 2nd, 2017|Actionable Advice, currency, Heritage, Lessons Learned, Security, smartphone, technology, Tips & Advice, Tourism Ireland, Travel, Travel restrictions, Uncategorized|0 Comments

Laptop Travel Ban – updates

What you need to know and how you can prepare for the laptop travel ban - Please note - THIS IS NOT IN EFFECT YET- Here is the fact sheet for Dept. of Homeland Security. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/03/21/fact-sheet-aviation-security-enhancements-select-last-point-departure-airports (Courtesy: WendyPerrin.com http://www.wendyperrin.com/how-you-can-prepare-for-the-laptop-travel-ban/) The (DHS) is expected to expand the laptop ban to include flights coming into the U.S. from Europe. Less than two months after the first ban required that fliers arriving from several Middle East countries pack their laptops, tablets, game consoles, digital [...]

By celtichearts|2017-09-18T18:40:03-04:00May 19th, 2017|Actionable Advice, Gaming device, Insurance, Laptop, Lessons Learned, Security, smartphone, technology, Tips & Advice, Travel, Travel restrictions|0 Comments

Better to be safe than sorry !

The trick is, like so many things, you have to read the policies, both to determine which one to purchase and to know how to receive the coverage you pay for. You can use comparison sites, such as InsureMyTrip.com, TravelInsurance.com, or SquareMouth, for the initial culling process. Do I really need travel insurance? (courtesy of Travel & Leisure) It comes down to one question: “How much can you stand to lose if something prevents you from taking the trip?” asks Dan Skilken, president [...]