A visit to the Dead Sea

Have you seen pictures of people floating in the Dead Sea reading a book? It is an interesting experience but it is not all that intuitive. So before you take the plunge – Don’t!  "Plunge" that is. There are some things you want to take into consideration to prepare for this unusual phenomenon.Lastly, if you are staying overnight at one of the spas, make sure you take advantage of their salt water pools and spa treatments.  Indulge a little!

It is best to avoid shaving for a day or two before you head to the Dead Sea.  Shaving inevitably irritates your skin and causes small cuts or scrapes. Freshly shaved legs will definitely get the wow factor when you step into the salty water.  The same is true of any cuts or wounds you may have.  At the same time the Dead Sea is touted to have medicinal and healing properties so if you can stand the pain, it might help you heal faster.

Remove your jewelry – salt is corrosive. If your watch is waterproof it probably is not salt proof, so take it off and leave it in your bag. Along the same lines be very cautious with any electrical items you bring down to the water’s edge.  If you plan to take pictures make sure that your hands are free of salty water.  Take a few hand wipes to clean up before you grab for your i-phone or camera. If salt water does get on your items wipe them down quickly with a clean damp cloth.

Consider packing an old swimming suit for this experience. The salt water is very hard on spandex and elastic. The lifespan of your suit will be diminished considerably after this adventure. And naturally make sure to wash it thoroughly as soon as you get out.

There really is a method to bobbing around in the Dead Sea. After walking into the Dead Sea you need to just ‘lay back’. This is so counter intuitive it is really hard to do, but here is where you can learn a little bit about faith. You seriously can just gently sit down and lift up your feet.  Keep your arms out to the side and use them to maneuver your way around. 

Do obey the ‘no splash’ rule!  Remember this is the saltiest body of water in the world and you do not want to get it splashed on your face and especially not in your eyes. This is not the place to ‘swim’.  Keep your head up and out of the water.  You've probably already guessed that it’s not the place to gulp down a swig of water either.

Speaking of ‘not the place to swim’ take heed to the notices posted about venturing too far away from the shore. While you can float indefinitely individuals have been lost in the vast Sea and there have been fatalities. Remember you cannot just ‘swim’ back to shore, you can only float so make sure you are not out of range as night approaches.

When you finish up your float it won’t take you to long to dry off from evaporation. Although you may not be wet you will still have a good amount of salt caked on your skin. Take time to shower off soon after you finish up.


Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A must have item in my bag... the Sarong.

One of the most useful items I pack when traveling is a sarong.  It is lightweight and can be used in many different ways.

The Sarong…

A large rectangular or square piece of fabric.  It is available in a variety of fabrics and colors.  My favorite is a soft cotton fabric that is not transparent and has a nice drape.

What to use it for…

Your creativity is the only thing that will limit how you can use this little bit of fabric!

Ideas for clothing...

-      A beach cover-up. Wrap it around your waist or under your arms for a more covered look. Tie the upper corners together to keep it in place.

-      A scarf or head covering.  It works equally as well to protect you on a windy or sunny day as it does to cover your head in places of worship.

-      A fashion accessory. There is nothing like a pop of color to make you feel like you haven’t been wearing the same outfit for three days straight. Tie your sarong around and around for a fun chunky scarf or belt.

-      Fold it in half and tie it around your waist for a short skirt or leave it long for more coverage.

-      A Dress with several styles

   Draped Dress:

1)    Hold two corners on the long side of your sarong and tie them behind your neck.

2)    Grab the side edges below your waist and gather up a few inches to pull behind you.

3)    Slide both edges all the way around to one of your hips and knot the edges together.

   The Toga:

1)    Hold two corners on the long side of the sarong and wrap it behind your back horizontally.

2)    Wrap one corner all the way around your body and tuck it under your arm. Pull the corner over the back of the shoulder.

3)    Keep a hold of that corner with one hand while pulling the other corner in front of your shoulder and tie the two corners into a knot at your shoulder so the fabric drapes down the front of your arm.

   Wrap Dress:

1)    Again hold the two corners on the long side of the sarong and wrap it behind your back horizontally.

2)    Bring one end across your body to the opposite shoulder.

3)    Wrap the other end underneath your bust, around your back and to the opposite shoulder.

4)    Tie both ends at the shoulder.

Multi-purpose ideas...

-      No place to sit but on the ground? Pull out your sarong for a ground cover to sit on.

-      Need some shade? Tie it to something to create a makeshift tent.

-      Layover in a chilly airport? Use it for a lightweight blanket.

-      No towel handy? Use it to dry off with the extra advantage that it dries out itself very quickly.

-      It can be used as a screen or curtain to shield you from others. If you are sharing your accommodation it can be strung between the beds for a bit of privacy.  If you find yourself at the beach with no place to change into your swimming suit have a friend hold it out in a circle to create a changing room. Or it can be used as a curtain over a window or to block the sun or a light.

-      An extra tote bag!  With a little creative tying of 

    the corners it becomes an awesome bag.

A fun choice to consider... La Leela Super Soft Sarong

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

The lightest weight luggage!

My favorite travel suitcases... 

This superlight suitcase gives you the option to pack more weight in one bag. The smaller handle on this bag allows you to loop other bags designed to piggyback over it. This bag is also available in a 31" spinner roller bag. and weighs under 8 lbs. The weight limit for most organized tours is only 50 lbs. so you can add 42 to this bag which weighs in at an astounding low 5.2 lbs

And unless you are the ultimate traveler who can live for weeks out of a carry-on you will want to consider your checked luggage. This 28 inch spinner bag has a push button trolley design which has been upgraded and offers a soft touch and effortless maneuverability along with a unique and stylish finish. The wide handle is a unique touch, it is designed to slide down on the outer edges so you have a flat bottom on the interior for packing. The weight limit for most organized tours is only 50 lbs. so you can add 44 to this bag which weighs in at an astounding low 5.2 lbs 






Or you can get the entire set of these wonderful bags in a variety of colors! The new World's Lightest 8 Wheel Spinner 3 Piece Set is now even lighter and stronger. The new push button trolley design has also been upgraded and offers a soft touch and effortless maneuverability along with a unique and stylish finish. This is the best and lightest ultra-lightweight spinner on the market. With its award winning design, ultra-strong high tensile fabric and tough fiber glass structure, this luggage is pretty amazing..


*Affiliate links are attached




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Glimpses of Greece

Photographs by Becky Phillips

Packing Check List For International Travel

Toiletry Bag

q Deodorant/Anti-antiperspirant

q Moisturizer

q Travel-size shampoo, conditioner

q Hairspray, hair products

q Body wash or soap

q Wash cloth (not always supplied at hotels)

q Toothbrush and travel container
q Toothpaste 

q Sunscreen

q Shaving items

q Personal Hygiene items

q Contact solution, case & eyeglasses

q Travel size detergent

Make-Up Bag

q Make-up with Sunscreen

q Make-up removal towelettes

q Eyeliner, mascara, etc.

q Tweezers

First Aid Bag

q Antacid, gas-relief tablets

q Anti-diarrhea medicine

q Mild laxative

q Pain reliever

q Motion sickness medication or wrist band

q Allergy/Cold medication

  

Gadget Bag

q Camera

q I-Pad Tablet / Kindle Reading Device

q Charging Cords
   -  Dual voltage extension cord

    -   Phone

   -  Camera

   -  Tablet/Laptop

q Voltage Adapter

q Voltage Converter

q Headphones

q Video Camera

q Alarm clock

q Flashlight

Catch All Bag

q  Bible

q Journal / Notepad / Pen

q Sunglasses

q Snacks

q Ziplock baggies

q Travel pillow

q Travel blanket

q Money belt or neck pouch

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

What To Wear and Pack on a 10-12 Day Tour

Anyone who knows me will tell you I love clothes  (i.e. my closet doth overflow). So trust me when I say I feel your pain when you are trying to pack for a 12 day tour and are told you only can bring one suitcase. (gasp, did you say one, as in uno, suitcase? Yep, tours only allow you to take one bag with a maximum weight of 50lbs.) And before you run out to buy the biggest suitcase you can find, you definitely need to read my blog post on packing because a big bag does you no good if the bag itself it eats up to 25% of your weight limit. You should be as concerned about the actual weight of your suitcase as you are with the things you put in it. Many suitcases can weigh up to 15lbs. which is crazy when you can now get an ultralight and durable suitcase for less than 6 lbs.

Here is an overview of my suggestions, which I admit are geared for women but hang in there because it is followed by packing lists for both women and men.

Packing Tip #1 – Limit footwear

I know we love our shoes but trust me, you don’t need a pair to match every outfit. You can easily get by with only two pairs (and definitely not more than three) – a closed-toe walking shoe and a pair of sandals. As you are picking footwear make sure they are extremely comfortable. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy a new pair of shoes, get them early and break them in.   

Packing Tip #2 – Color Coordinate

Choosing a neutral base color will allow you to pack less and wear each piece in more ways. On an extended trip like this there is no getting around the fact that you will need to wear the same clothes over and over again so it needs to be versatile. I always build around black because it hides dirt and looks chic. 

Packing Tip #3 – Layer

Build your wardrobe choices around clothing that you can layer. It is usually cooler in the mornings and evenings, so wear a base piece that you can easily pull your sweater or jacket over.

Packing Tip #4 – Dress Conservatively

Drawing attention to yourself is not a positive thing when traveling. Be careful not to be suggestive – or – offensive in the way you dress.

Packing Tip #5 – Bring the old and leave it behind

One of the things that you won’t want to skimp on but will take up a fair amount of space is undies and socks.  So go ahead and pack a pair for every day, but bring your old stuff and instead of continuing to lug around a bunch of worn, dirty underthings, toss them away at the end of the day. You will lighten your load bit by bit and end up with some extra space to bring home treasures you buy along the way. You can even take it to the next level and bring tops and clothing you don’t mind leaving behind.

Clothing List For Women:

• 1 pair walking shoes with rubber treads
• 1 pair of walking sandals or a second pair of walking shoes
• 1 medium rain windbreaker jacket with hood
• 1 fleece jacket which can be layered under windbreaker
• 3 pairs of pants (I love cargo pants because it gives me a secure pocket for my passport! I also usually fly wearing a pair of stretch or yoga pants for comfort).
• 1 pair of capris (or a knee-length or longer skirt) in case it gets warm
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 3 short sleeve shirts
• 1 heavy weight sweater 
• 1 lightweight wrap (I have an ultra thin one that I can jam in my bag) 
• 2 scarves to accessorize (one lightweight, one cozy warm)
• 1 pair of gloves (the weather can get chilly in Jerusalem)
• 1 pair of PJ’s
• 6 pairs of underwear (12 if you are going to throw them out)
• 2 bras (wear one, pack one)
• 1 bathing suit (take an old one, the Dead Sea salt is hard on them)
• 1 lightweight cotton sarong (use as bathing suit cover-up, ground cloth to sit down when there are no benches, shoulder/head covering for certain sites)

Clothing List For Men:

• 2 pairs of shoes with rubber treads (walking shoes/athletic shoes or sandals)
• 1 medium weight rain windbreaker jacket
• 1 ball cap (some religious site require you to cover your head)
• 1 fleece jacket which can be layered under windbreaker
• 3 pairs of pants (2 would probably be enough, again cargo pants are perfect)
• 1 pair of long shorts (optional)
• 3 long sleeve shirts
• 4 short sleeve shirts (polo’s or t-shirts without slogans are fine)
• Sleepwear
• Underwear
• Swim trunks 
• Suit Jacket and tie (just kidding, leave them home!)

* Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

 

The right bag makes a difference

Corinth Pottery from Greece

Many frequent travelers have learned to fit everything they need into a single carry-on bag. It is not that hard to do but.... I don't do it for one simple reason.... I want to be able to bring some treasure home with me.  Those one of a kind things that you may never run across again, things that will remind you of your trip and make you smile with joy.  So this post is to give you the one essential ingredient to pack smart with a checked bag and a handy carry-on. And the key is the bag itself.

On organized tours you will be allowed to check one bag which does not exceed 50 lbs. and has a dimension of 62 inches (height+width+Length). You may also take a carry-on but be aware that if take a rolling bag it will need to be stored under the bus and will not be accessible during tour days.  Since most tour buses have very narrow overhead bins (8") you will want to make sure you have something small enough to fit above or sit at your feet. 

The Checked Bag
The most important thing to consider when choosing a bag is weight. With a limit of 50 lbs. you will be surprised that a standard large suitcase can weigh up to 15 lbs. That means even though you have a big bag you probably can't fill it up without exceeding the weight limit. So do yourself a favor, if you don't already have a lightweight bag, it's time to invest in one. You can click on the links in the reviews below to see details and prices of the bags on Amazon.

My favorite lightweight luggage brand is IT for their amazing lightweight advantage. This one is just barely over 6 lbs. for a huge piece of luggage.

Lightweight Checked Luggage

The Carry-On 

You have several different options.  A great choice is a nice day pack that you can use everyday to carry the essentials you need throughout the day. By using a day pack you can be hands free and have the essentials close by. A small bag like this can also fit in the overhead bin of the bus during your tour.

If you are bringing a camera there are several styles of bags designed to protect your camera.  I use this cross shoulder camera sling bag for myself because it keeps my camera protected and in place and still leaves room for the other things I will need during the day. Another option is a day pack designed for cameras.



For the flight itself I have this underseat roller bag in two sizes, depending on my needs and I love it's organization. I usually tend to want easy access to get things from my bag on long flights and it is a hassle to keep getting up to get it from the overhead bin. This bag is a perfect solution! It fits under the seat in front of me and has pockets to organize everything, including a small laptop, my ipad, travel-size cosmetics and liquids, a small blanket and pillow plus a change of clothing.. The negative is you give us some leg room, the positive as I mentioned is being able to have easy access to your things. In addition I pull it out a bit during the flight and use it as a foot rest.. Samsonite Small Underseat Roller Bag & Samsonite Large Underseat Roller Bag. Because you cannot have this size bag on the bus during the tour you will want to be sure to pair it with something similar to the two options noted above.


You may prefer a small roller bag for using in the airports although it can only be stored under the bus during the tour itself so I recommend also bringing a bag for daily use, such as a day pack. You should fit this into your checked bag for the flight.  I need to come back to the virtues of lightweight bags because if you travel internationally, some regional airlines actually weight check-in luggage. The weight limit is usually around 15 lbs. These lightweight gems are only 4lbs leaving you enough weight to fit in your essentials.



A little pricey, but the Rio 2 Wheel Cabin Bag is an awesome carry-on bag for your travels with a compact size of 16.5x14x7.9. It has a waterproof side pocket for shoes and wet items, twin carry straps and a telescoping zip away handle. The padded tablet pocket and organizer keeps pens and small items handy. There are also two zippered pockets for organizing your travel items.

I have a confession to make, I LOVE luggage. I have an attic full of different pieces I have bought in the quest for just the right bag.  I even designed and made my own carry-on bag which I used for one trip. It was my prototype and someday I will make the upgraded version. For now I am pretty satisfied with my extremely lightweight spinner and my husband is happy that I am not sneaking in the back door with another new piece of luggage to try out. Happy travels!

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Staying Connected to Home

Wireless Internet

Most hotels provide wireless internet and I always carry my ipad mini (love the size!). You will need to inquire about the password at the front desk and it is often only accessible from the lobby areas. That being said the strength and speed of the wifi connection will vary by hotel, the time of day and the number of people who are trying to connect to it. The fastest connections are often in the middle of the night.

There may be a fee for the wifi connection. If this is the case you will need to make that transaction at the front desk.  You may also consider seeing if there is a nearby coffee shop which offers free access.

Cell Phones
Using your cell phone varies depending on (1) the type of phone you have and (2) which service provider you use. As an example, I can use my current phone with Verizon in Israel (50 cents per text or $1 per minute for a call), but not in Greece. Therefore it is important that you contact your phone carrier to find out what coverage they have in each country you will be visiting.  You should also inquire about the cost per minute.

Make sure you are cautious with data usage. These fees are very high when traveling and you may not be aware they are occurring.  Again check with your provider. Ask them what the charges are and what activities will trigger data charges. You may choose to purchase a short-term international data plan or if you are not going to use your device for data ask your provider to turn it off during the duration of your journey.  This will save you from accidentally coming home to an astronomical bill. Keeping your phone in airplane mode will also block data from streaming.

Some service providers will loan you an international cell phone that they mail to you prior to your trip.  You will then pay their international roaming and service fees for each call you make or receive.

Electricity in Your Hotel Room

In your hotel room, there may be an energy-saving device operated by your room key: you insert the flat card of the room key into a slot, and this activates all the electricity in your room, including lights, fan, and television. (See the photo to the left.) The slot is usually on the wall just inside the door of your hotel room.

The idea is that you will remove the card from the slot when you take your room key with you and leave your room for the day, shutting off all the electricity automatically and thus cutting hotel costs.

But what if you want to charge batteries in your computer, iPad, digital camera or other devices while you're out of your room? The batteries won't charge if all the electricity is shut off.

Try this: slide something into the card slot (I always take an old room card from any hotel, or a non-critical card like a frequent flier or shopping rewards card) to keep the power on in the room. In Jerusalem, my concierge, Ibrahim, showed me the trick that a cardboard nail file works like a charm.

On another trip, after flying for 24 hours, I entered my hotel room in Thailand only to have the lights turn out on me five minutes later. There was an unusual device on the wall but I had been given a good old fashioned key not a card. Perplexed I trudged back to the desk to ask what was up. They said put the key in it. So I stuck in the key and walked back to my suitcase, minutes later, lights out again. In exasperation, I said "you have gotta be kidding me" --- tried again and you guessed it, lights out, "really?"  After three or four failed attempts I realized they didn't literally mean the key but rather the little "fob" I thought was a key chain. I blame sleep deprivation for not figuring it out sooner but lesson learned.  In older hotels you may need to use a "fob" instead of a card and if that is the case you are out of luck and will need to recharge only when you are in the room. 


Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Converter or Transformer? Using and Recharging Electrical Appliances

Israel, Turkey & Greece, like most of Western Europe, operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets.

Start by checking your appliances before leaving home to see what you'll need to plug in when you travel. You will either need an adapter or a converter. It is important to use the right one!

Most newer appliances (such as laptops, ipads and digital cameras) come with dual voltage. For these all you need is an adapter— with an adapter these appliances can be plugged into either 110-120-volt or 220-240-volt sockets with the adapter plug and it will convert to the higher voltage automatically. So basically an adapter has one function, to make your US style, two flat prong plug fit into the two round hole outlet you will find on your journey. If your appliance has a grounded plug (three prongs) you need to get an adapter that accepts three prongs. By the way, it is really, really easy to leave these little adapters behind on a trip and you often need to charge or use more than one device at a time so you may want to take several along.  

Read the technical stuff on your appliance or device to see if it says "INPUT: A.C. 100-240V". If it reads that way, it can operate on either 110-125 or 220-240 voltage and only needs an adapter. 

If it says something like "INPUT: 100-125V", then it can't run on 220-240 volts and you'll need to bring a transformer/converter. 

If you plug a 110-125-volt appliance into a 220-240-volt outlet with just an adapter instead of a converter there will be a pop and a burning smell and your device will have turned to junk.

Here are some samples of what you will need, with a link to Amazon if you wish to purchase them. The converter and adapter charging station is especially nice because it allows you to charge multiple devices at the same time.

    Adapter                     Adapter Charging Station

                                   

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.