Recap: Washington, D.C. Travel and Adventure Show

The District was taken by storm over the weekend as thousands of people convened at the Washington Convention Center for the 11th Annual Washington, D.C. Travel and Adventure Show.  It’s the ONLY travel show in the D.C. area where travelers can visit with various tourism boards and speak with reputable companies to book their next vacations.

I was only able to attend the show Saturday morning but I’m glad I went. The show featured tourism boards of destinations far, far from DC (and its cold weather) like Turks and Caicos, Antigua & Barbuda, Martinique, and St. Martin.

However, there was no shortage of a local presence, with tourism boards from Atlantic City, Virginia Beach and West Virginia present, in addition to local attractions like Busch Gardens and River and Trail Outfitters.

I started my morning by visiting with the folks over at Busch Gardens, where I participated in a cooking demonstration.

The chef made some delicious lettuce tofu wraps (they tasted way better than they sound).  We learned about their culinary program at the park as well as their upcoming Food and Wine Festival that takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 22 – June 28.

Next, I headed over to an exhibit by Sea World to stand far away from play with some furry and not so furry creatures.  This exhibit was perfect for curious kids…adults too.

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I wandered up and down the aisles, visiting various destination booths and ended up at the Travel Channel, where I was able to transport myself on a Bucket List trip in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

My last stop for the day was a session with Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s fame, which I actually enjoyed and thought was really insightful.  Here are some key takeaways from her talk:

• Tuesday is no longer the day to book travel to save money…it’s SUNDAY!  Travelers have saved up to 19% by booking on Sundays.
• New York City has the highest hotel rates in this HEMISPHERE. The average is $275 per night.  Insane.
• It’s best to book domestic travel 57 days before departure and 171 days before international travel.
• Book travel insurance through a 3rd party, never through the travel provider.
• Some top destinations for 2015 include Belize, Belgium, Tanzania (love!), Asheville, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Malaga, Spain.
  

I wish I had time to walk around and attend more sessions, but the little time I did spend at the show was well worth it.  There was something for people of all ages.  If someone was looking for a relaxing vacation or adventurous trip to take this summer with their family, significant other or alone, I’m sure they were able to find it.  I’ll definitely be back next year!

For a full list of exhibitors, click here.

Photo Credit: Ashlee Tuck

8 Travel Safety Tips for Women

I’ve always been taught to look over my shoulder, not be trusting of strangers, and travel in groups, or at least a pair for my personal safety. However, it’s not always possible to be with someone, especially when taking solo trips.  So how can women exercise caution and protect themselves when traveling?

1. Don’t disclose hotel information. When meeting people on vacation, it’s so easy to start conversations and say “Hey, where are you staying?” Be cautious in revealing where you are staying, especially if you’re traveling alone. It’s all fun and games until you have a stalker waiting for you in your hotel lobby following you around town.

2. Don’t be flashy. While I love designer sunglasses and bags as much as the next girl, it’s best not to be so flashy when traveling.  You never know who’s watching and just waiting for you to leave your bag unattended so they can swipe it.  Also, always put your valuables (including your passport) in your room’s safe.  Better to be safe than sorry.

3. Talk with the locals. By locals, I mean your hotel concierge, restaurant waiters, tour guides, etc.  They are used to talking to visitors and giving recommendations for the best places to go and things to do.  Most of the time, they’re a trustworthy source.

4. Drink responsibly. It’s always best to drink within your limits on vacation, especially if you’re traveling solo.  It’s never a great idea to drink past your limit because your judgment is impaired.  Someone may see that and take advantage of you, which brings me to my next point…

5. Never sit your drink down. My Dad always made sure to remind me of this when he knew I was going out with friends.  People are crazy and again, you never know who’s watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to deceive you.

6. Don’t be naive. If something feels wrong, it probably is.  Trusting your gut will never steer you wrong!

7. Be safe at night. Would you travel alone down a dark alley at home? Probably not. Use the same common sense and caution whether traveling solo or not.

8. Be Confident.  If you learn nothing else from this post, learn that confidence is key.  Even if it’s an act, people aren’t usually tested if they appear confident in their demeanor.  I do my best to exude confidence every where I go, but especially when in a foreign place.  I never want to be a target!

While these tips are aimed at women to use while traveling, I believe everyone can stand to use a little caution when in a new environment.  Do you have any tips for women or people in general?  Be sure to comment below!