Time for a Naycation: 8 Tips to Rejuvenate at Home

The heightened alert level resulting from the swine flu, continued economic woes, and uncertainty might cause you to put off your vacation plans. How about taking a vacation without traveling? How to rejuvenate without spending money? That’s the challenge.

Wellness expert and author Asha Praver explains “Take a holiday at home — nothing special there. But make this also a vacation from both speed and noise.”

During this vacation, Praver advises to spend all your time — physically, psychically, and telecommunication-wise — right where you are. Talk only to those people who are physically with you. Pay attention only to events that happen right where you are.

Living in a vacation spot, I am victim to often not taking advantage of taking time to rejuvenate at home. Not to mention the pile of “snowy” day projects (I don’t think I’ll have a snow day in southern Florida). In this economy, it is not a bad idea to make your home your tropical escape. How often when we go on vacation do we look forward to coming home? There is something in the saying, “home is where the heart is.”

Following are eight of Praver’s top tips to taking a Naycation this year. 

1. Operate at the speed of foot-power. Don’t move faster than your body can propel itself. In addition to the obvious walking or running, this includes foot-powered devices like skates, bikes, or scooters.
2. Get in synch with your children and your pets. Set no appointments, schedule, or deadlines. Give your children and animals as much of your complete attention as they will accept from you. This will naturally slow you down and bring you to a focus right where you are.
3. Play games. Not electronic games or anything that makes noise on its own. Play board games, conversation games, Pictionary, Charades, things that people of all ages can enjoy together.
4. Read. Not just thrillers or popular romances, but great, interesting, classic literature, for children or adults. Read out loud to each other. Try Shakespeare. Or, if your vacation is long enough, start, and finish something really ambitious like Lord of the Rings, or a popular version of The Mahabharata.
5. Cook your own food. Don’t go out, or order in. Food prepared by others brings with it their vibrations, which you ingest. This is a time to get in tune with yourself and with those you love. Involve friends and family, including children, in food preparation. Then sit down together and enjoy what you’ve created. Cook from scratch as much as possible.
6. Sleep outside.  If your neighborhood is safe, quiet, free from biting insects and inclement weather, move your bed outside, or set up the equivalent with a comfortable mattress, sheets, pillows, and blankets. Don’t try to sleep on the hard ground or use a tent. Fall asleep looking at the moon and stars, wake up in the early light in the fresh dawn air. It will do amazing things for your health and your perspective.
7. Talk to the people around you. Invite friends over to spend time in conversation, or in doing together all those things listed above. Be with one another without having your attention drawn off to times, places, and events brought in via electronic media.
8. Be creative. Knit, sew, paint, garden, carve, write poetry, anything that engages your creative artistic self.

Praver advises if you stick with these tips, you’ll find yourself resting and renewing on a level you didn’t know was possible. “It could turn out to be the cheapest, and the best vacation you’ve ever had,” she says.

Use this recession to reconnect with your family, tackle your “someday” list, and explore passions. Which of these tips are most appealing to creating a rejuvenating naycation?

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Travel suppliers are scrambling to address the deadly outbreak of the swine flu. What measures do cruise lines, hotels, airlines and other suppliers put into place to be accommodating to travelers’ fears, but without instilling an industry-wide panic? Today, airlines announced somewhat flexible options to change flights, Carnival Cruise Line cancelled Mexican ports of call, and with new swine flu cases reported, it is natural that travelers are rethinking any travel plans. For those with pending itineraries, travelers may be thinking that travel insurance could provide them some protection. Or are they?

Squaremouth.com’s CEO Chris Harvey warns that this is not the case. As of Friday, April 24, 2009, swine flu is now considered a “foreseen” event and any policies purchased on that day and after will not cover any travel-related incidents to swine flu.

As health authorities scramble to contain a dangerous new strain of swine flu sweeping through parts of Mexico, North America and Europe, Harvey advises travelers it is too late to buy travel insurance if you are concerned about swine flu.

“The bottom line is this: Don’t rush today to buy travel insurance in hopes of being covered during the swine flu crisis,” warned Harvey.

Think about it like hurricane insurance. “If you don’t buy travel insurance before a storm receives its official name, you aren’t covered for losses relating to that storm,” Harvey added. Similarly, for most companies, Friday, April 24, 2009, was the date the swine flu outbreak became what the industry calls a “foreseen” or “known event” because of widespread media attention.

That means policies bought before April 24, when the outbreak was considered “unforeseen,” may well be honored. “After that date, forget it: the swine flu was already deemed a “known event,” so claims related directly or indirectly to outbreaks in Mexico or anywhere else will be denied,” Harvey explained.

Moreover, even if you think your policy covers “unforeseen circumstances,” there may be language in a General Exclusions section exempting claims “arising directly or indirectly from epidemics or pandemics.”

“Always check the fine print to see what protections apply to you,” Harvey said. In addition, be sure to check with any travel supplier to see what options they are providing, if any, to make changes to existing reservations.

The only way to ensure cover for swine flu is by adding on the optional “Cancel for any Reason” benefit available on some policies. This allows the traveler to simply cancel the trip without needing a covered reason. “There are drawbacks,” Harvey warns, “you can only cancel up to 48 hours before you leave and you may not get 100% of your money back. Make sure you check the fine print before you buy.”

For your convenience, Squaremouth has posted travel insurance information relating to the swine flu outbreak on our home page at Squaremouth.com. “We’re compiling official swine flu position statements from insurers and posting the updates at www.squaremouth.com/travel-advice/swine-flu-outbreak,” he said.

“We’re available toll-free at 800-240-0369 to discuss your concerns about the outbreak and how it affects travel insurance. It’s all part of our commitment as an advocate on behalf of our customers.”

For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not classified the swine flu outbreak as a pandemic. Travelers can keep up with the latest briefings on the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Or check the CDC Twitter link: http://twitter.com/CDCemergency

The imposed fees for checking bags on most airlines (Southwest Airlines excluded) have caused an increase of carry-on baggage on flights and crowded overhead compartments. Not to mention very little leg room under the seats as the aircrafts seem to be stuffed to capacity! However, during recent flights I have seen carry-on bags that make people go “hmm”.  What is the appropriate size for carry-on luggage?

According to USAirways’ official baggage policy, carry-on baggage size requirements are as follows: Up to 45 in/115 cm (14 x 9 x 22 in or 36 x 23 x 56 cm); and up to 40 lbs/18 kg

Just because your bag fits in the above seat compartment, does not mean that it falls within size restrictions. On a round trip USAirways flight to Las Vegas last week, both mine and my husband’s bags were allowed as carry-on luggage; however, on the return flight both of our bags, along with about 50 other passengers’ bags were hijacked at the gate. Mine, exceeds the width dimension technically by 2 inches, so I can see why they asked me to check it at the gate through my final destination. But, my husband’s fell within the size requirements, along with many other passengers, and the gate attendant arbitrarily decided which bags to pull and which to not.

We were even told during boarding that since this USAirways flight was a full flight, there was no overhead room. Yet, upon boarding, nearly a quarter of the overhead bins were completely empty. At least we were not forced to pay the $15 fee.

It is no wonder that a recent TripAdvisor survey revealed that 54% of respondents consider checked bags the most annoying airline fee. Other poignant survey results reveal that 36% have been surprised by the cost of checked baggage fees at the airport and 19% said they always carry-on a bag to avoid additional fees, while 39% often do.

“It’s apparent that travelers are frustrated about checked bag charges and are looking for more clarity when it comes to domestic airline fees,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

Checked baggage fees range in price for first and second pieces, as well as for oversized luggage. Be sure to check your airline policy so no surprises happen at check in. Often, airlines will offer a discount if you pay in advance online for checking bags. This includes USAirways and Spirit Airlines. USAirways recently announced that it will charge $15 for the first checked bag if paid for online and $25 for the second; however, if a traveler waits to pay this fee at the airport upon check in, a $5 service fee will be imposed. “If you booked your flight before April 23, 2009, fees will stay the same for you,” according to USAirways Web site. “And remember, Dividend Miles Preferred members are exempt from checked bag fees.”

Those traveling transatlantic, military/active duty, unaccompanied minors, confirmed first class passengers often will have checked baggage fees waived as well.

During today’s air travel the best travel advice to avoid extra baggage fees and having your bags taken from you at the gate is to travel light and pack well. Ensure you have a piece of travel luggage that falls under the maximum size requirements to avoid any confusion. Be sure to check dimensions as many baggage pieces are sold as carry-on, but fail to meet size requirements.

Photo Courtesy of Trump International Beach Resort

“So bring me two pina coladas. One for each hand. Let’s set sail with Captain Morgan, and never leave dry land.” 

These Garth Brook lyrics set the mood for any tropical adventure. But, how about 12 pina coladas? On a recent quest to the Trump International Beach Resort (just North of Miami Beach, Florida), to my surprise I found more flavors of my favorite tropical drink, the pina colada than I could enjoy in a weekend. However, with the help of Trump’s entertaining bartender Geno, I sampled my way through a dozen heavenly tropical concoctions.

Imagine sitting in a tiki style bar overlooking the Atlantic Ocean nearing sunset listening to a great poolside and beachside musician preparing for dinner that evening. Tempting? Well, what started off as a simple order turned out to be a complete surprise and delight to so many variations on a popular vacation beverage…the coconut and rum based pina colada.

Served up with a “clap clap” and an extra flavor surprise, Geno’s unique take on this traditional frozen specialty leaves you quenching for more! I was more than willing to take a moment to sample just a few of Geno’s combinations. From a raspberry explosion to a dirty banana colada, I have to say my favorite beyond the traditional pina colada version was the mango colada. Although, the guava colada ran a close second.

The tiki bar at Trump International Beach Resort is a tropical excursion not to miss during a visit to Miami. This resort is beyond luxurious in its accommodations, service, amenities and location! Not to mention, it’s tropical tasty!