JOANNE'S TRAVEL TIPS: STAYING CONNECTED & TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

A TRAVELER’S BEST FRIEND

Having a reliable internet connection while on the road is important to any traveler, especially for journalists. While many tech pundits claim that free WiFi is available all over Europe, we had just the opposite experience during our recent cruise down the Rhine river and subsequent week-long trip through Switzerland and Italy.

That is why, this time around, we decided to give VisionGlobal WiFi, an international, pocket-sized portable WiFi hotspot that works without SIM cards or cables, a try.

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It became our best friend as we traveled from Amsterdam to Basel on our cruise. While we did have complimentary WiFi on board, it was often inaccessible as the ship meandered through gorges and remote areas down the river.  Thank you, VisionGlobal WiFi, for giving us access during all those dead spots we encountered!

The device also became our salvation while we traveled by train through the formidable mountains of Switzerland, which otherwise often blocked out any cell phone reception.  But we happily were able to access Google, as well as our social media accounts, thanks to this amazing device.

VisionGlobal WiFi offers a variety of plans to service your needs, depending on your length of stay and internet plan. Feel free to call them at 1-424-219-9224 for live help in designing the best plan for your travel itinerary.

As working journalists, it was such a pleasure to be able to effortlessly access the internet to download maps, research visitor information, keep up with email, and post our travels on social media in any situation. Whether we were on a bus, train, or walking along Europe’s city streets, we certainly appreciated our effortless internet access along the way!

WALKING ON AIR

I’m always on the lookout for lightweight shoes I can pack in my carry on, which is the only way we travel. The Boulder-based Lems shoe company knows exactly what I mean. Their minimalist footwear mimics the natural shape of the human foot and is designed using the bare minimum, which makes for the perfect shoe to stuff into your luggage.

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I trekked through Europe with Primal 2, a fantastically comfortable hiking shoe which, despite its light weight, stood up to all the rigors of travel….from walking over endless cobblestone streets in Italy to hiking the trails of the Swiss and Bavarian Alps. It’s made of microfiber and air mesh and features a full length rubber outsole. Another great feature for weary feet is its innovative design, which naturally spreads the toes to avoid many common foot ailments.

Another great feature, which I learned when I accidently slipped into the Rhine River as we were hiking along the shore, is that these shoes dry super-fast!

Oh, and did I mention they are vegan-friendly? So if you’re ready to hit the trails or the city sidewalks in comfort and style, these shoes are, indeed, a perfect fit!

 

Disclaimer:  Please note that the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own and will not receive any future compensation based on sales arising from my recommendations. My goal is to share my favorite travel tips with my followers, in an effort to improve the travel experience for us all.