Back from Germany with Travel Advice & Black Friday Deals
I’m just back from Germany and Austria for some Christmas Market magic with my travel partner for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It was great to get away at such a magical time of the year! I will write about my trip in detail in next week’s post —there’s just so much to cover and I am so jetlagged! — but there are a few things I want to highlight this week.
Firstly, it’s Small Business Saturday! As you’re out doing your holiday shopping this weekend, don’t forget to shop with your favorite small businesses. There are lots of other ways you can support Antidote Travel beyond booking travel…
Shop my favorite travel products. I just updated my store with a few new products.
Like my Facebook page and my Facebook posts. Perhaps share some of my posts to your personal page.
Tell your friends to sign up for my newsletter. Through December 31st, I’m gifting free Marriott silver status to anyone who signs up for my mailing list. (If you’re already on my mailing list and want Marriott silver status, please email me!) To sign up for my newsletter, visit antidotetravel.com and wait for the pop-up or scroll down to the bottom of the page and sign up.
Post a photo of a trip I’ve planned for you to Facebook and tag @Antidote Travel!
Now, on to my latest batch of travel tips for you after my week in Germany and Austria…
Tip #1: Pack Your Patience…And Snacks
Firstly, the airports are packed. It’s a new level of busy that I have never experienced before. I flew out of Miami on a a direct flight to Munich and MIA was just so crowded. Even with TSA Pre-Check, it took me forever to get through security. Somewhat naively, I renewed my Priority Pass membership the day before I left, assuming that I could eat all the hummus in the Turkish Airlines lounge before my flight to Munich. DENIED. Lounge was full.
Let this be a lesson to you all — bring snacks for the airport. And honestly, you might want to bring a mask too. It seemed like every other person was coughing up a lung.
Tip #2: Try to Carry On at Least One Bag. And Use AirTags!
With the advent of AirTags, I’ve been adopting a hybrid model of travel: I check one heavy bag, I carry on a lighter bag. This trip, my checked bag contained 3 out 4 of my work outfits and one more relaxed outfit. In my carry-on, I had my other work outfit, my winter coat (too much to carry when you live in Florida), my work shoes, and another relaxed outfit. Everything was AirTagged — both bags, my backpack, my purse. I’m addicted to AirTags. BUT…lesson learned…your AirTag batteries will die about 14 months in. Don’t let this happen to you and make sure you replace the batteries every so often.
Luckily, my luggage didn’t go missing this time like it did when I flew to Amsterdam in March but…I hope those aren’t famous last words…
Tip #3: Pack a First Aid Kit
I live in Florida and work from home so it’s been a while since I’ve had to wear closed-toed dress shoes. Even though I thought my shoes were pretty broken in, my feet disagreed! In hindsight, I wish I had brought a first aid kit and some moleskin and bandaids for blisters. I’ve since learned that Arnica gel and Vaseline are also great for blisters and sore feet.
Tip #4: Book Hotel Spa Appointments in Advance
I had this idea that I would get to my hotel in Munich and sort out a massage and nail appointment. Everyone else apparently had the same idea! And my hotel spa was not small!! In hindsight, I wish I had booked a massage in advance for my arrival day. I meant to get a manicure in Florida before I left but I just didn’t have a chance to. My point is — there are no unique ideas anymore. Everyone else also wants to do that thing you want to do. So plan ahead.
Tip #5: Remember in Some Countries, Everything Closes on Sundays
I knew I wanted to buy some German beauty products. But I only remembered at around 4 pm on Saturday that I had to act quick because the shops were all going to be closed on Sunday. I ran into Munich’s Old Town at 5 pm on Saturday evening to stock up on Dr. Hauschka and Weleda before everything closed. (Both brands are MUCH cheaper in Germany and Austria than they are online or at Whole Foods.) This was a rookie mistake for me!! I’ve lived in both Austria and Germany and should have known this!!
Tip #6: Book That Transfer in Advance
When I arrived in Munich, I was so exhausted. It was just so wonderful to see my driver with my name on a sign after I left baggage claim! My German touring partner picked me up in a very new and very sophisticated Mercedes for the 35 minute drive into town. Hey, I love public transport and have taken the Munich airport train before but…there’s an advantage to door-to-door travel when you’ve got two suitcases and a backpack. If you need help booking airport transfers, I’m your gal.
Tip #7: Uber Reserve is NOT Reliable
I knew my return flight would land in Fort Lauderdale at midnight. I wanted to walk directly into a waiting car and go home. So I tried Uber Reserve for the first time. This was supposed to avoid me having to order an Uber after landing. The driver should have been waiting for me when I arrived in Fort Lauderdale. Well, he cancelled on me so then I had to schlep over to the Uber pickup spot with all my luggage and then wait another 20 minutes for a new Uber. Uber Reserve was half the price of Blacklane but in hindsight, for this sort of late arrival, Blacklane would have been a better option. They would have even met me at baggage claim. People ask me why private transfers are expensive and this is one of the reasons…they are going to monitor your flight, meet you at baggage claim and help you out, even if you flight is a little bit delayed!
Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Travel Tuesday Travel Deals
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for…my Black Friday travel deals…if you are interested in any of these, please book a travel consultation to talk more. It’s honestly impossible to list out all the promotions I have access to so please note that this is just a small sampling! This is just a great week to book travel. Here are some of the best offers, IMHO…
Rosewood is offering 30% off select properties if you book through me. (I am a Rosewood Elite advisor.)
Hyatt: Hyatt Prive properties (typically 4.5 and 5 star properties) are offering reduced rates and expanded perks if you book through a Hyatt Prive travel advisor like me!
Auberge hotels: Friends and family promotion of up to 40% off some properties when booked through me!
Celebrity Cruises: Until December 9, you can save up to 75% on a second guest in the stateroom for sailings departing from November 8, 2024 to May 10, 2027. Not applicable on Galapagos sailings Alaska Cruisetours on Celebrity Summit departing May 09, 2025. I am a Celebrity preferred partner and can VIP your trip.
Aurora Expeditions: If you decide by December 3, 2024, you can get 25% off Antarctica voyages in 2024-2025. Plus, there are offers on select Arctic voyages in 2025 (free upgrade and up to 20% off). I am a preferred partner with Aurora Expeditions and can VIP your cruise.
Seabourn: Until December 3, the luxury cruiseliner is offering a 15% reduced deposit in select markets and a suite upgrade.
Azamara Cruises: Until December 4, you can get a discount of up to $4,000 on select 2025 sailings.
Silversea: Until December 2, Silversea is offering savings of up to $6,000 per suite on a selection of voyages departing between 2024 and 2026.
Ready to book any of the options above or curious about another cruise, tour, or hotel provider? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England, selling financial data. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. Let me make your next vacation seamless for you. Talking travel is my favorite thing in the entire world! I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.
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Ways I Can Help You
I can offer VIP perks and amenities at thousands of hotels around the world. Virtuoso perks are just the start. I can also VIP you at Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Four Seasons, and Rosewood properties…among others! (See my website footer for all the brands I work with.)
I have a huge storehouse of luxury cruises: I partner with all the major cruise lines…Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking, Ama Waterways, Tauck and more.
Private jets! Yes, I can do this for you.
All sorts of small group and private touring.
VIP on arrival and VIP on departure airport services. (Get met at the plane door!)
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Ready to chat? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
