5 Haute Tips to Becoming a Travel Writer

My tip for those who want to write about travel—just do it! You don’t have to be the best writer but you should be passionate about travel. Find your voice and write about things that you know and like. Be authentic!

When I started travel writing, I didn’t have clips or assignments but I had passion and curiosity. Even though I was a journalist, my expertise was producing broadcast news stories. However, I knew how to tell a story no matter the format.

But the best thing that I had going for me—a strong support system… not only did my family and friends encourage my interests, but they invested in them. They saw something in me that I had not seen in myself and because they said that I could do it—I did!

Four years later, I’ve traveled all over the world capturing stories about fabulous spas, exotic destinations, and haute hotels. My stories have appeared in both local and national magazines. And I’ve even given travel tips to the local NBC affiliate, plus I started a haute travel blog thanks to social media!

If there’s a travel writer in you… here are my 5 Haute Tips to getting started:

-Get a passport

-Learn to write, find your voice and tell your story

-Talk about what you know… turn your travel experiences into headlines

-Learn how to pitch effectively for your targeted outlet

-Take pictures that tell your story

You should also study what other travel writers are doing and read their stories. Learn to pitch effectively and do your homework. If you’re serious, you’ll become a travel writer in no time so fasten your seatbelts!

Is there a travel writer in you?

Haute Tips for Traveling with your Girlfriends!

So you want to jet off to some place haute with your BFF? It sounds like a great idea after all girls just want to have fun, right? I’ve traveled with girlfriends both nationally and internationally over the years. There’s nothing like sharing fun stuff with your gal pals, but it can also turn sour if you’re not on the same page. It's not always a "Sex in the City" moment.

Here are my Haute Travels tips to making your girlfriend getaway one to remember for all the right reasons:

-Make sure that you’re on the same page when it comes to spending money.

If you want to take a taxi and your friend wants to take the bus because it’s cheaper that’s setting the stage for drama. And think about meals… I went on a trip with a friend once and she preferred to spend her money on shopping instead of dinner at a haute restaurant. So we parted ways when it was time for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

When it comes to hotels, some people prefer to go cheap as opposed to luxurious and posh. There is nothing wrong with spending less money on hotels because you’d rather spend the difference someplace else. The problem starts when you’re traveling together. The posh girl may want to stay at The Ritz Carlton, Park Hyatt or the Four Seasons, while the budetnista wants to save money and set up camp at a three-star hotel.

The way to avoid money problems that can ruin even the best of marriages not to mention friendships, decide up front about hotels, transportation and meals. If you can handle splitting up during your stay because you strongly disagree on these points, then go for it. But if getting away with your friend means you spend time experiencing fun things together—then pick your travel companions wisely or consider flying solo.

-Decide what you want to do before you leave home.

Talk about things that you want to experience on your trip… if you realize that you’re both thinking about two different ways to see New York City, perhaps you should travel with a friend who wants to do what you want to do. There’s nothing like going on a trip and finding that you have no interest in doing things that your friends find exciting. Again, if the point of traveling with your girlfriend is to spend time with each other, don’t forget to focus on things that you both want to do. It makes the trip much more exciting with less conflict. You can always agree to spend a couple of hours away from each other for a little “me time.”

-Know your friends

You can know someone for 10 years, but you’ll never really know them until you travel with them. When you’re in close contact with people for days or even a weekend little things about them can surface that you may find irritating.

Spend some time really getting to know your friends before you travel together. And like all good relationships sometimes you have to compromise and be flexible, don’t sweat the small stuff.

At the end of the day, you want to travel with your friends and have the time of your lives… but sometimes little things come into play that really could have been avoided with a little planning and communication. It may be that your friends don’t make good travel companions for you and that’s ok. Just send them a postcard from your haute spot! After all, you don’t want to turn a friend into a “frenemy.”

Would you travel with friends?

Haute Travels Tips for Traveling Solo

Are you thinking of getting away but everybody is busy or can't commit to travel? Think of it as the perfect time to get a little "me time" into your hectic life by going solo. I have traveled to the Bahamas, Paris, and the Caribbean alone and totally enjoyed every adventure. I have to say it’s one of the single most exciting things that I’ve done. I’ve met some really great people, while learning so much about myself. I remember relaxing on the beach in St. Lucia and got invited to dinner by a group of people from New York City who were sitting nearby. As it turns out, we all had careers in television, at one time or another, so we had plenty to talk about.

While traveling solo in Paris, I took a summer photography class and spent my days learning about my classmates who came from other parts of Europe, the US and Brazil! But my favorite discovery in Paris, my friend Carole, she and I have become great friends. I met her while working on a story about French beauty products. So every time that I travel to Paris without friends or family, I’m never alone because I have friends who live there... all because I took a chance and ventured outside of my comfort zone. Once Carole and I joined a group of her friends who live and work in Paris for cocktails and conversation. They were amazing women with haute careers in fashion photography, TV and public relations. We sat around and talked about whatever was on our minds at this posh French hotel. I loved it because it was Très chic!

 Solo travel is the way to go for many who don’t have a travel companion. If you love to travel and the thought of staying home “because you don’t have someone to join you” enters your mind… think again!

 Here are my 5 tips for solo travel:

 1. Just do it… if there’s some place that you’ve dreamed of seeing, but you’re held back because you can’t get on the same page or schedule as your friends or family—plan your trip anyway!

2. Join a travel group if you feel like you absolutely need company on your trip.

3. Do your research before heading to your dream destination and check the US government website to make sure that it's safe to travel to your haute spot. 

4. Be careful when talking to strangers or exploring your destination alone. I rarely venture out to unknown places alone or at night. And I don't tell strangers that I'm traveling alone!

5. Be sure to leave your contact info in case of emergency with a trusted friend or family member.

Remember to be aware of your environment at all times and select your hotels carefully. It's really no different than traveling to cities like New York or Chicago. Just don't let the thought of traveling alone keep you from discovering the beauty of travel.

Have you ever traveled solo?

10 Haute Summer Travel Tips!

Staycation was so last year… make this year HAUTE with a getaway designed just for you. If you’re dreaming of getting away for summer don’t let the challenging economy keep you home. Here are my 10 money saving travel tips that will get you out of the house for a memorable vacation. Remember it’s a buyer’s market and deals are plentiful!

Haute Travels Tips:

-Be flexible with travel consider leaving midweek to get the best fares

-Check airline fees after Midnight to capture discounted tickets

-Compare rates for airfare, hotel/resorts and cruise lines on their sites before you go to sites like Travelzoo (compare multiple travel sites at once), Travelocity, Cheap Caribbean.com or Hotwire

-Ask the properties for discounts and compare competitor’s rates… become a bargain shopper

-Travel to places where the dollar is strong

-When traveling to Europe in the summer consider renting an apartment to save money

-Travel with friends and share the costs or try house swaps… exchange homes with other travelers

-Cut out airfare and drive to a coastal or mountain area near your home

-When booking high-end properties like the Four Seasons, Park Hyatt or Ritz Carlton compare the value-added extras… spa and meal credits, airport transfers and arrival gifts

-Look for properties offering FREE nights with paid nights to stretch your travel dollar and your length of stay

Bonus Tip: Head to Haute spots like Las Vegas where rooms are going for as little as $20 a night!

Will you travel this summer? 

Haute Tip When Traveling With Expensive Items

When you’re traveling internationally you may want to think about getting a little insurance in case your checked luggage gets lost. Most airlines are required by U.S. regulations to compensate travelers up to $3,300 in the event their checked bags are lost, stolen or damaged for domestic travel.

Unfortunately, the same is not true when you travel internationally with checked bags. In fact, you’d be lucky to get a fraction of that because compensation for international travel is based on the weight of your checked luggage at just $9.07 per pound. So you might want to think twice about checking in grandma’s Louis Vuitton steamer trunk or Aunt CoCo’s Chanel luggage.
However, there’s a little secret that may help you recover more of what your items are worth. It’s called Excess Valuation or EV. Most people have never even heard of it because it’s one of those things that “they don’t want you to know.” You must ask about EV at check-in or take your chances in the event of the unthinkable.

EV allows you to spend about $10 on average to get an additional $1,000 of coverage. There’s only one thing to keep in mind… this only covers the contents of your lost luggage, not damage to the outside.

To find out more check with your airline before you check-in because prices and coverage may vary. Also, if you’re traveling on more than one carrier to get to your final destination, be sure to inquire about carryover coverage.

Will you buy EV to cover the contents of your luggage?

My Fashionista Insider Shopping Secret

It’s no secret that I absolutely love vintage Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, but it’s hard to find great items at good prices. The reason why I love these designers—original design and innovation that never goes out of style.

My secret shopping tip for effortless chic… Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. LH’s ever-so popular, highly attended couture and accessories auction in Chicago attracts fashionistas and dealers from around the world! Can’t make it to Chicago for the upcoming auction, don’t worry, you can browse items right in your living room and bid over the phone or online.

If you’re like me… you love collecting great handbags, jewelry and all things girly. After all, that’s the hallmark of any fashionista worth her weight in baubles, beads and bangles. By now, you might be asking yourself, “Just how good are the deals?” Well, you had to ask. I’ll share a secret… I’ve been on the hunt for a Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Jewelry Case for a lot less than the retail price of $2,000, but at LH the bidding starts at $400.

The auction house also invites buyers to special preview parties and events. When you can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on pricy couture gowns, beautiful jewelry from private estates and fabulous accessories—why not?

Do you have a secret fashionista shopping tip?

Haute Travels Haute Tips

Chocolate Lovers Head to St. Lucia for FREE Chocolat-tinis!

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia announces its annual chocolate festival, December 4-6, 2009. It is a delicious, interactive and exotic introduction to the world's favorite aphrodisiac - chocolate. Cacao has a history in St Lucia that dates back to the 1700's. Be one of the first to taste our premier vintage of our Jade Mountain Estate Grown chocolate.

The event starts on December 4 with a "Chocolat-tini" party. Jade Mountain's well known Consulting Chef, Allen Susser will share his talents and passion for chocolate. Take pleasure in a complimentary chocolate martini. Taste local, seasonal chocolate inspired savory finger foods. And don’t forget the chocolate desserts! http://www.jademountain.com/

The Westin Resort & Spa Los Cabos in Mexico offers guests two free nights for holiday booking.

Escape the cold, celebrate the holidays in beautiful Los Cabos and leave with a great travel gift from The Westin Resort and Spa. Book your stay between December 23, 2009 and January 2, 2010 and receive gift certificates for two free nights to be used any time within one year of check out. But you must book online at http://www.westinloscabos.com before November 30th!

The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar extends the popular Sensational Savings Package through November 30th.

Guests who take advantage of this package will receive the opportunity to extend their Los Cabos vacation with complimentary room nights, incredible food and beverage credits and exceptional spa savings. Those staying for three nights will get their fourth night free through the Sensational Savings Package and guests who would like to enjoy a whole week in the tropical Mexican paradise can experience their last two nights for free.

Sheraton Hacienda del Mar offers $119 Rooms!

In addition to the free night incentives, guests staying between four and six nights at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar will receive a food & beverage credit of $200 and for those staying seven nights or more, the resort will provide a $300 dining credit.

Plus...for a limited time only you can get room rate starting at $119 per night for deluxe accommodations, including in-room Jacuzzis tubs and beautiful views. Rates are based on availability and travel must be booked by November 30, 2009 and completed by April 27, 2010. This limited time offer can be booked online at www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/loscabos.

The Ritz-Carlton Wedding News...

The Ritz-Carlton will donate 5% of the food revenue from your planned wedding event to The Ritz-Carlton Community Footprints Fund & charity of your choice.

You can also have your dream wedding on the beach at The Ritz Carlton for FREE if your guests book 25 rooms at select properties.

The U.S. Virgin Islands… 25-Cent Hotel Rooms!

A celebration of the minting of the U.S. Virgin Islands quarter sparked the islands’ Department of Tourism to promote 25-cent room rates at participating hotels. Guests are limited to three nights, while supplies last. The deal also includes a $25 dining credit and a $25 per person activities credit. But you must book before November 2 and travel must take place before November 15. Reservations must be made through BookIt.com

New York Shopping with Lucky Magazine!

Plan a girl’s getaway to NYC to Shop... Lucky Magazine is hosting its sixth annual pre-holiday "Lucky Shops" event Nov. 6-7.

FREE Cosmetics at Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/promo/beautybonuses/index.jhtml?om_mmc=ret-n1-20091030bundles---stb-banh6p2b-multip-xc-om-us-ftrfreestuff-fos-h-&dicid=401036:15913102380:10427634
Air Fare Price Cut!

Southwest kicks off a system-wide sale with airfares as low as $25 one-way for short-haul flights and coast to coast travel is going for as little as $100 one-way, or $200 roundtrip. The last time that Southwest offered $25 fares was 1996 for their 25th anniversary sale.

FREE Car Rental

Budget offers a FREE car rental on Sunday. Just rent a full-size four door car for a minimum of 3 days, including a Saturday night and Sunday is complimentary.

Will price cuts make a difference in your travel plans?

Stretch Your Travel Dollars

Travelistas know that even in an economic downturn or recession, you can still travel on the cheap. Generally, when traveling your biggest expenses are airfare and hotel accommodations. But with a little advance planning and loyalty programs, you can get free airline tickets, hotel stays and donate to charity. Companies know that customers enrolled in loyalty programs are more likely, in fact reportedly four times, more likely to return for repeat business. The programs are designed to encourage buying behavior, so why not take advantage? You can also trade points for merchandise and gift cards. After all, these value-added promotions are designed to say thank you and membership is free.

Here are my haute tips for traveling in style for less:

1. Pick one or two loyalty programs and commit to staying at one of those properties or flying with a particular airline every time you travel. When I travel to the big apple, I generally stay at the Hilton New York located in Midtown because it’s usually under $200 per night (w/breakfast for 2) and I get Hilton HHonors Points. Also, when selecting airlines, search for those offering more destinations to your favorite cities. The goal—collect miles faster for redemption!

2. Be smart and strategic when planning your hotel stays. I love Hyatt’s faster free night program. During the faster free night promotional period, with every two hotel stays, you earn one free night at any Hyatt property in the world. I earned two free nights just by switching hotels in Paris. I spent the first few days at the Hyatt Madeleine, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Paris, before spending the weekend at the fabulous Park Hyatt Vendome. I switched back to the Hyatt Madeleine and spent my last night at the Hyatt Charles de Gaulle near the airport. I used my two free nights and a few gold passport points for three free nights at the Park Hyatt Vendome, a few months later. I saved about $3,000.00 US! Can you say ooh la la?

If you want to stay at the Ritz Carlton, but can’t afford it. No problem! Marriott’s frequent stayer program allows members to redeem points for free nights at the Ritz! The only catch, you can’t earn points at Ritz-Carlton. I redeemed my points for a free night in Montego Bay, Jamaica for a girl’s getaway.

3. Be flexible and join other programs like car rentals to earn hotel points or airline miles. Avis and Budget rental car companies will also allow members to earn hotel rewards points through a program called goldpoints plus.

4. Use your reward for upgrades. Another way to save money is by purchasing an airline ticket or hotel room for less and using reward points or miles to upgrade to first class or a more spacious hotel room with more amenities.

5. Use your rewards for charity! The best way to help others is to give back. You can donate Marriott Rewards points to the Children’s Miracle Network. Your donations help the families of sick and injured children stay at Marriott Hotels located near hospitals where their children are being treated.

6. When planning to use points or miles for redemption, plan ahead. Many hotels only allow about 10% of their rooms to be reserved using reward points; therefore don’t wait until the last minute to book reservations.

While the economy is showing signs of a pending recovery, many companies are relaxing rules and allowing members to accrue rewards faster by doubling or tripling points. Private deals and special promotions are made available only to members of these programs... so sign up now! Visit pointmaven.com to find out how to earn the most points on every trip. You can also get up to the minute loyalty program news at flyertalk.com. There’s never been a better time to show your loyalty than in a troubled economy so make the most of it!

Which loyalty programs do you like?