See More with the Las Vegas Explorer Pass

Earlier this month we made our annual trip to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League games, to see family and do some sightseeing. We had a spare pair of Explorer Passes from Smart Destinations to amp up our trip and do some touristy things in addition to the other stuff we had plans. If you haven't used Smart Destinations for their Go Cards, then you really should. Do more for less and skip the ticket lines for the most part, which are two awesome things. 

We used Explorer Passes last year as well, which you can read about here. Last year we rode the Big Bus. It's a hop-on, hop-off bus, but you have to go inside Circus Circus to the Big Bus desk to get your actual ticket(s) (instead of across the street as it used to be) and then you can pick it up anywhere along the route. Since you're already there, go outside Circus Circus and hop on there. 

There are two routes, a downtown one and a Strip one. We already took the downtown one, so we chose the Strip one this time. Here's a tip for you: sit on the top deck, on the right hand side just in front of the canvas top (it should be the first row of seats behind the stairs). This way, if you want to take pictures, there won't be anyone in front of you, there's no top to get in the way and the windshield doesn't cut all your pictures in half. Just make sure to wear your sunglasses/hat and sunscreen.

Depending on the destination you're at, you'll either get earphones to listen to a recorded tour or you'll have a live person, like the ones in Vegas. They ask you questions, tell you stuff about where you are, including fun and historical facts. They can vary with a live guide, though it's much more interesting. We learned things about the sites we saw on the ride and about our fellow riders.

As someone who loves to take pics, it's difficult to get good ones while walking and driving, but the view from the top of the bus gets you over traffic, so you can get unimpeded views of the hotels and the awesome stuff out front. The Mirage is really beautiful when you don't have to see it through six lanes of traffic, or from the ground right in front where you can't get a good angle of both the building and the waterfalls.

The same goes for New York New York's Brooklyn Bridge and shop fronts, though Eric got a pretty good one of me on walk. 

And, unless you actually stop at the Las Vegas sign, you pretty much can't get a photo at all. You can get out here and stand in line to take your own pictures, but it was super warm out and standing in the heat to get a pic of us under the sign didn't seem like fun, so I took pictures of other people doing it. Ha!

They are continually changing and adding to Madam Tussauds, so we made the trip there again. Even though my camera battery died, I was able to get some good shots with my phone. Here I am with Johnny Depp. I wonder why he looks so serious.

I think we're trying to figure out why Nicolas Cage wasn't in that movie! You know, the one he wasn't in. LOL! I love that guy.

Eric had some words to shout at Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) on the set of Glee. The props they have at this one is really fun and are everywhere so you can get into your photo ops.

In fact, Eric was shocked to find his secret revealed on the Jerry Springer Show. You push a button on the box off to the side and your picture is shown on the TV screen with a random reason you're on the show. Eric's was "My wig is made from my dog's hair". Hysterical! I find that my squeamishness around wax figures is getting a bit better the more I visit these places, but I did jump when I turned around and Eric was right behind me looking at the same thing, because I didn't know he was there. It's also disconcerting when they have a bunch of figures just standing in the middle of the room, so there's really no place for you to stand without one being behind or next to you.

So, I think I've been to Vegas 15 times and I've never been to the top of the Eiffel Tower. What's up with that? Well, with the Explorer Pass we were able to finally do it. The pass only allows for the daytime visit, so maybe next time we will try doing a nighttime visit on our own.

In the gift shop, you can buy a lock...or you can bring your own and add it to the portion of the bridge at the top of the escalators. Once you do that, or take a picture of other peoples' love locks, head across the bridge to get your picture taken and to the elevator. 

The elevator is really cool. It's triangular-shaped. I loved it, even though only, like, six people could fit in it comfortably. Check out the view on the way up and the structure of the tower. It's quite similar to the real thing.

Once at the top, you can walk around the observation deck for views from all angles. Just like the real Eiffel Tower, there's a cage around it so you don't jump off to your death or toss things over the side. There are gaps in the fence for better photo ops, but any you take this way will have the mesh in the background.

Here's a pic I took without the fence in the way. There were quite a few more, including this one on Instagram that I love. Make sure you follow me there if you want to see more fun travel pics. I also post food and puppy

Another activity we did last year, but liked so much that we wanted to do it again was to take a spin on the High Roller. It's the world's largest observation wheel and it's awesome. I have heard a lot of folks say that they are too afraid of heights to get on it, but it's almost like hanging out in a very small hotel room in the sky. 

The wheel takes 30 minutes for a full rotation and takes you up to 550 feet at the peak. The views are phenomenal, the music is fun and the comedian they have on the screens is hilarious. There's fun facts, trivia and the occasional reminder of how high up you are. There's even a countdown to the top.

We were lucky to have a whole cabin of our own, because the time we went was pretty slow. That just gave us more room to walk around, with the ability to not get in anyone's way as we tried to see everything from all angles.

Check this view from away from the Strip. The mountains are gorgeous and I want to run around on that lovely golf course that has its own waterfall. Amazing! You get totally different views from the High Roller than you do from the Eiffel Tower, so doing both is fun and not at all redundant. This is another thing that's only available for the daytime with the Explorer Pass, but I feel like you probably see more that way and Vegas can be really beautiful. 

Want to get your own Explorer Pass (or create your own Go Card) for your next trip to Vegas. Click here for more information. If you want to get a Go Card for any of the other destinations (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Oahu, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington DC) click here to buy and for more info.

Your Go Cards are good for 30 days after you've first activated them (the first time you use them for an attraction) and are valid for one year after purchase. They make fantastic gifts and also save you so much on your trips, while allowing you to do the things you planned to do anyway, plus even more. Each card comes with a guide that includes info on all the activities included, addresses, phone numbers and a map. It's invaluable and fits right in your bag or pocket.

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Have you ever used Go Cards before? Where, or where would you like to go with Go Card?

Disclaimer: I was provided with Explorer Pass Go Cards from SmartDestinations for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Why TSA PreCheck is THE BEST

I have 5 weeks of travel this year, three of which will start and end at the airport. Last year we made the decision to sign up for TSA PreCheck (shown everywhere as Preü), because as much fun as it is to stand in line with a hundred other people and take half the stuff out of my bag and take off my shoes and get x-rayed, we decided we traveled enough to spend the $85 each to apply for it. 

Listen, I understand why the TSA exists and why the procedures are so important. The above inconveniences don't really even bother me, except when I'm stuck behind the person who hasn't done any research or read the 48373602 signs in the airport and in the line and on their ticket and haven't taken out their laptop, put their liquids in a bag at all, taken off their belt and emptied their pockets or even gotten their ID out to show the security desk. Come on, people! They make it easy to be prepared. Just because it's annoying doesn't mean that they won't make you do it.

So, considering I would rather spend less time waiting in line and more time waiting at the gate (or, more likely, eating, shopping, people watching and scrolling Instagram), spending that money was a no-brainer. Did you know that if you are approved for PreCheck that you are able to breeze through security for FIVE YEARS  at any American airport that supports it without taking off your shoes, belts, hats or jackets, without taking out your laptop, without segregating your liquids from your other toiletries?! For real. 

The PreCheck lines are crazy short. The most we've ever seen was 10 people and usually there are even less. Your pass-through time is cut down considerably, too. In fact, you basically get through the metal detector and wait for your bags to be scanned. It's fast, but not nearly as fast as you are not having to take off shoes and watches and remembering to take that random tissue out of your pocket. Plus, you don't have to wonder exactly what the agents are seeing on he screen that makes you look like a terrorist. 

Eric took his hat off as we wee coming back home from Vegas and it fell out of the coin bowl - you know, the one that looks like a dog dish - and was annoyed that he didn't just put it on the conveyor belt. The agent, never looking away from the screen, just said "you should have just left it on." I'm not sure we actually knew you could until that point. This is still our first year of having it, but the second time we've used it and have had no issues at our home airport (PDX), Orlando (ORD) which is one of the busiest airports or Vegas (LAS). Later this year we'll also use it to come home from New Orleans and Anaheim. 

Now, you're probably wondering what happens when you travel internationally. We do every few years, but didn't think it was enough to do more than PreCheck at this point. If you do,then instead of PreCheck, you'll want to apply for Global Entry, which automatically includes PreCheck and only costs $15 more. I actually didn't think I knew that when we applied, and probably would have done that instead had I known. So, if you travel at all internationally, just head to your nearest PreCheck office (we visited the one in McCarran Airport when we were already on vacation) with your passport, ID and credit card. 

You may need an appointment, so call ahead before just showing up. They take you back one at a time to answer a bunch of background questions. They're all easy and gives the government insight in who you are, so they can check you out and make their decision. It takes up to four weeks to hear if you're approved. We got our approval letters in just two weeks and were really surprised by how fast it was. These letters contain your new travel number, which you enter every time you book an airline ticket. 

Whether you use a paper ticket or an eticket on your phone, you'll see PreCheck designated on it and can go directly to that security line and get on your trip faster. You should still get to the airport as early as you would without it though, because you never know if the PreCheck line will be closed (this doesn't usually happen) or there will be some other annoying delay. I say two hours for a domestic flight and three for an international flight. Traffic may suck or the airport may be crazy packed, so you need that bit of padding.

I don't regret for a second having spent the money on PreCheck and will immediately sign up for Global Entry once it expires, even if I only plan two weeks of travel a year. Some people pay that amount per trip to check a bag, so why not get five years of frustration-free airport visits instead? Have you signed up for or used PreCheck on your trips?

How to Make Friends when Traveling Solo

Traveling alone doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be lonely. There are travelers and friendly people all over and if you want to meet them, you only need to seek them out and be open to new experiences. Don’t live your vacation life in a bubble. Get out and have fun while making new friends along the way.

Solo travel has become very popular. People are leaving their lives behind and traveling full-time and just as many are taking relaxing getaways alone in order to have a little me time. If you’ve never traveled alone, it can be very freeing, since you don’t have to answer to anyone and can do whatever it is you want. Maybe you don’t have a travel companion and want to get out and see the world. Don’t let that stop you, because you’re never alone when you travel. Here are some ways to make friends while you’re jet setting around the globe.

Use Social Media

You use it for making friends around the world, asking for suggestions on where to have dinner and to discuss the latest episode of The Walking Dead, so why not use it to find people to hang out with when you travel? If you aren’t sure where you want to go, see where you have Facebook friends in cool places and message them about what they would recommend doing on your visit and suggest getting together when you are there. They probably would jump at the chance to show you their city and meet you in person. Turn those virtual friends into real ones!

Hook up with friends’ friends

Just because you don’t have friends in vacation destinations doesn’t mean your friends don’t. Ask them if they have a friend, cousin or sister there that might be interested in meeting you. Chances are your awesome friends have equally awesome friends and family. Expand your social circle and maybe do a favor for your friend by delivering a gift for them. It’s almost certain that your friends will have talked you up and their friends will be psyched to meet you and possibly play tour guide for you while you’re there.

Volunteer

You like to do good deeds, right? “Voluntourism” is huge right now and it’s a great way to help people and travel at the same time. Join a group of volunteers anywhere in the world where you can do things like build houses, teach English or work on a farm. There are tons of ways to give your time and often you can stay and eat for free in exchange for your labor. You just need to come up with money to get there and back and for any outside activities you want to do while you’re there.

Take a tour

Sightseeing all day by yourself can be fun. You can go at your own pace, see everything you want to see, stop to take as many photos as you wish or sit in the park all day watching people. Book a city tour and meet a bunch of like-minded people who are interested in the same things you are. Not all tours are created equal, so if you have taken one before and didn’t like it, try again. Walking tours are perfect ways to meet others and also get exercise while you do it. Make friends with your fellow tourists. It’s also a way to get some better photos of yourself at your destination.

Meetup

There are solo people everywhere. Use Meetup to find people who are interested in the same things as you are. Someone starts a meet-up and gathers fun people through the website to enjoy an activity. These can be locals or tourists or a mixture of both. It’s hard to be anti-social when you’re hanging out with a group of people who you have something in common with. Heck, you can even use Meetup at home, too.

Invite for a Bite

Plenty of people don’t like eating alone. There’s no shame in that. There are only so many meals you can eat while reading the newspaper, surfing the Internet on your phone or doing a crossword puzzle. Getting take-out is an option, but wouldn’t it be more fun to have a dining companion? Log onto Invite for a Bite and find other solo ladies looking to meet for a meal. You can use it for other activities as well. It’s a safe and easy way to meet friends around the world and share your travel stories with someone. They may even be able to give you ideas on what to do next.

Sit at the bar

When you eat out alone, sit at the counter or the bar and talk to locals, wait staff and bartenders. It’s a great way to learn more about your destination, get suggestions for other good places to eat and maybe even find someone who would like to do it with you. You can really get a feel for a city by hanging out with people in local pubs and eateries. You’d be surprised how many people will strike up a conversation with you seeing you there alone. It’s definitely an easy way to meet people, since the most outgoing people sit at the counter.

Take a class

Maybe you always wanted to learn how to make coq au vin or macarons. Maybe you want to learn the hula or how to make a traditional lei. Whatever sounds fun to you, there is probably a class you can take when you travel. It’s also another fab way to meet locals and even other tourists. You’ll be learning a skill you hoped to acquire and be able to chat with others doing it too.

Go all-inclusive

If you’re worried about being alone when you travel solo, surround yourself with people who are interested in doing similar activities by going to an all-inclusive resort. You’ll meet other travelers who enjoy being catered to and you can hang around the resort with them. This also works on a cruise. Because most ships have dining arrangements, you have the chance at talking to other cruisers at each meal. Find your table curiously empty? Your wait staff is thrilled to talk about real life with passengers. They might be from one of your port cities and, even if they’re not, it’s fun to exchange suggestions on what to do in your hometowns. Talk about your favorite TV shows and books, in case they are looking for something to do on their downtime. When away from the dining room, connect with others during ship activities like bingo, trivia, classes, alcohol tastings and even excursions on port days.

There are heaps of ways to make friends while traveling if you don’t want alone time. You just need to be willing to put in the effort or know how to meet like-minded tourists and locals. Make some new acquaintances or even lifelong friends just by having the courage to get out and do it on your own.

I'll be writing a more in-depth post about where and why to travel solo, so stay tuned for that.

Do you like to travel alone?