Wolters World – Page 32 – Honest Travel Advice

The Best & Worst Parts of Visiting The Planet Mars for Tourists

Posted on April 1, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow space travelers! Today, we’re in Iceland, but the landscape makes us think we’re on Mars. With so much news about Mars lately, we thought it would be fun to talk about the five things you would love and the five things you would hate if you visit Mars.

Love #1: Making History

If you decide to visit Mars, you’ll be one of the first humans to ever do so. You’ll be remembered forever, just like Neil Armstrong. If you like to blaze new travel paths, take risks and explore the unknown, then Mars is the perfect vacation destination for you!

Hate #1: Weather on Mars

No matter where you go on Mars, it’s going to be cold. Like 200 degrees below zero cold. There’s also crazy wind and dust storms that will drive you crazy. Then you get the solar storms and radiation from the sun is probably enough to kill you.

mars tourist information — Not actually pictures of Mars, but it gives you an idea.

Love #2: Exploring Uncharted Territory

If the thought of being the “Lewis and Clark” of outer space is appealing, you’ll love going to Mars! There are very few unexplored areas of earth left, so visiting Mars opens up a whole new world of possibilities for explorers.

Hate #2: Finding Accommodation on Mars

As any pioneer will tell you, being the first to visit a new region means you might have a hard time finding accommodation. Until Mars travel becomes more mainstream and tourism infrastructure is developed, there won’t be many places to stay. You might have to bring your own accommodation to Mars. And you will need shelter because there’s not enough oxygen to breathe on your own on Mars.

Love #3: Running Fun Science Experiments

Being the first to explore Mars means you get to conduct all of the experiments that you want. Dig up some soil, take some air samples and melt some of the ice you find on Mars. You’re starting with a clean slate on a planet just waiting for new discoveries!

mars tourism information — Live long and prosper fellow travelers

Hate #3: Your Fellow Travelers

When you finally get to visit Mars, you’ll most likely be in close quarters with your travel partners. Chances are, these travel partners will be chosen for you, so you may or may not like them from the start. Eventually, spending that much time with anyone is bound to drive you a little crazy. Just the trip to Mars is going to take two years, so by the time you arrive, you might already be sick of your travel partners.

Love #4: 2 Years of Down Time En Route

For many of us, a couple of uninterrupted hours on a plane is pure bliss. It’s a chance to catch up on the book you’re reading or the Netflix series you’re watching. Now imagine having two years on a plane! Think of all the shows and movies you can catch up on!

Long Haul Flight Tips

Hate #4: Loneliness on Mars

It’s very barren on Mars; there are no locals to meet. (That we know of!) Even communicating with your friends and family back home can be challenging. Communication between the Earth and Mars can take anywhere from four to 24 minutes, so don’t plan on getting any FaceTime calls on your birthday! Better brush up on your email writing skills.

Love #5: Body Changes

You’ll have zero gravity en route to Mars, and low gravity once you arrive on Mars. With shrinking bone density and muscle mass, you’ll probably weigh a lot less when you return to Earth. It may not be the best way to lose weight, and it’s certainly not the cheapest!

Hate #5: Mars Travel is Expensive

Looking for a budget vacation? Mars is not it! A trip to Mars can cost billions of dollars. The flights are long and inconvenient, and you’ll need a lot of money to cover your expenses once you arrive. It takes so long to get there, that you’re going to need a lot of vacation time. Flights are limited to a few days every 26 months, so your timing better be just right!

While it may be a while before we can actually travel to Mars, it’s fun to think about the possibilities. And by supporting NASA and encouraging science programs in local schools, Mars travel may not be as far away as you think! Want some of our actual travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts:

Day 18 of Family Quarantine

Posted on March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 by Jocelyn Wolters

Captain’s Log 31 March 2020

This blog covers Days 15-18 of Quarantine

To see the last blog, click here.

I took a short break this weekend from everything and I feel far more positive today. During this crazy time taking time off seems like an oxymoron. Here we are all stuck at home thinking, I need to be productive, I can’t just sit around! Well here’s the thing—just figuring out what life looks like is hugely productive. It takes time. We are 2 weeks in and just now getting into a routine of sorts.

Take some time to stop and smell the flowers.
~Keukenhof, Holland. photo by me

As a family we took this weekend to do a good measure of nothing. We started a Harry Potter marathon, ate junky food, lazed around, took a few walks and played outside, did a few zoom sessions with friends, and had a YouTube Live chat on Saturday. It was like a vacation from this self and state-imposed time off. Don’t get me wrong, Mark worked on slides and lectures and the boys and I read and did a bit of study but we took the pressure off ourselves and it made Monday and Tuesday that much better.

Mark is still driving me nuts being up in my business being all lovely dovey…isolate they said, it will be good they said. Oy! Take a step back honey, I need some space. Yet I cherish the time we get together more now than ever. He is working hard for his students right now…actually as I write this, he is giving a lecture Live on his Professor Wolters channel for the capstone marketing class he teaches. On that note, it is hard to write when he is lecturing energetically from our kitchen.

Well, it’s not quite The Shining bad.
Photo credit The Shining dist by Warner Bros.

The boys are doing better with their studies this week. It is still not ideal but they are at least fighting us less. They are still finagling more breaks than we would like. When is it that we learn getting all our stuff done asap leads to more fun once the work is done? I still have misgivings about our ability to keep them on track but I really appreciate the efforts of their teachers. Liam’s teacher in particular has gone beyond what I expect. She is reaching out personally, asking for feedback from us parents and is very willing to change or clarify things based on how our individual students are responding to her new lesson plans. I am so grateful for her this year!

Caleb’s best friend had a birthday on Sunday. His mom (who is a dear friend of mine and also celebrated a birthday Sunday) arranged a surprise Zoom Birthday Party. I got everything all set up on our end and got online a bit early to say HBD to my friend. I had told Caleb to be ready to party when I got off. He was a little hesitant to get online. It was strange, he and his buddy are pretty inseparable (and incorrigible, just ask their teachers) and Caleb is used to doing videos and things for our YouTube channel. I would have expected him to be champing at the bit to see his best friend. When he got on it took him 2 or 3 minutes to relax and fall right in to his normal self. I think that says a lot about how strange this situation is for all of us socially. It takes a few minutes to ‘be you’ on a screen. It is great to have this technology during this time but there is still some kind of barrier not being with the person, in person.

I finished a couple of projects. After a year I finally got that shower curtain sewn for the boy’s bathroom. I painted a little plaque for one of my pieces of artwork. I spade the edges of all my flower beds and put the kids seashell treasures at the gutters. I tried a new ‘recipe’…that means I read a new recipe and ad libbed the heck out of it. I read a lot and did a few bible studies. Accomplishing a few things that were not work related but rather, things I enjoy and elevate me made it easier to ‘go back to work’ yesterday.

All those seashells the kids wanted to save ended up at our downspouts.

There are still gobs of ridiculous misinformation going around on social media and ‘news’ outlets. People are still going out like as if there isn’t a worldwide pandemic going on. Other ordinarily logical people continue to hoard toilet paper and hand sanitizer as if having a huge supply will somehow save them. Our hospitals (even locally) are running short on PPE (personal protective equipment). This infuriates me. Masks that cost .50c before cost over $5 now. Price gouging is happening everywhere, people trying to resell household items for 10x their normal cost. States are literally bidding against one another for masks that are at the base of our healthcare workers protection. But then, a few of my more talented seamstress friends are making reusable masks and donating them directly to nurses and doctors. Ford Motor Company and General Motors are switching gears to produce ventilators. Virgin has figured out a way to take manual vents and make them automatic. Everywhere you look there is some kind of new bs and someone else doing the right thing. I choose to focus on the good guys!

Life is very different now. We are falling into a new normal at home. I know one day in the (hopefully) not too distant future we will have to revert back to going to work and school. I know it will be another adjustment for all of us and I look forward to tackling that far more than I have tackled this. We are at once driving each other crazy and becoming closer. We are not spending time with friends and family in person but we are getting back in touch with people whose schedules prevented socializing before quarantine.

These are some of the people I miss most IRL.
~Sisters

Life has always been a dichotomy. It is more so now than ever before in my lifetime.

Until next time,

Jocelyn

10 Things That Tourists Should Know Before They Visit Buenos Aires

Posted on March 31, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Five Things You’ll Love and Hate About Visiting Buenos Aires

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Buenos Aires, Argentina! I used to go to school here, and I love this city! As much as I enjoy visiting Buenos Aires, there are also some things that I don’t love about Argentina’s capital city. So, today, I’m sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Love #1: Buenos Aires Neighborhoods

Buenos Aires has so many different neighborhoods to explore. La Boca is a colorful neighborhood with painted houses and tango dancers. San Telmo has Sunday flea markets that draw people from all over the city. Recoleta is famous for the Recoleta Cemetery, which is a must-see in Buenos Aires. Each neighborhood has a different feel, so it’s fun to explore several of them when you visit Buenos Aires.

Hate #1: Argentina Time

Everything runs a bit later in Buenos Aires, and the locals have a pretty relaxed attitude when it comes to schedules. If you’re an early morning person, you won’t find much going on in the morning. It’s a nice time to admire the architecture and enjoy some quiet time before the city wakes up, but not much will be open in the morning. The Natural Science museum doesn’t even open until 2 in the afternoon! This applies to mealtimes as well. Dinner is usually around 8 or 9 pm in Buenos Aires.

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Love #2: Buenos Aires Architecture

There is so much cool architecture in Buenos Aires. There are buildings from the 19th century, like the Palace of the Argentine National Congress. Each neighborhood has a distinct architectural style, so if you enjoy architecture, you’ll love Buenos Aires!

Hate #2: Inconsistent Service

We’ve had some amazing, attentive service in Buenos Aires. But we’ve also had some very lackluster, inattentive service at some Buenos Aires restaurants. So, just be patient and lower your expectations a bit and you’ll be fine. The people can also be a bit brisk, but that’s pretty typical for larger cities.

Love #3: Things to Do in Buenos Aires

There are so many things to do in Buenos Aires. They have excellent museums, including the National Science Museum and the Latin American Art Museum. The individual neighborhoods have festivals and markets, and there are a TON of great bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires. You can even take a quick day trip over to Colonia, Uruguay.

Hate #3: Taxis and Travel Scams

There aren’t really a ton of travel scams that you need to look out for in Buenos Aires. But there are a few little tourist rip-offs to be aware of. Most of them have to do with the taxis in Buenos Aires. They may claim to not have any change and try to force you to give them a larger tip because they can’t make change. That’s why it’s always good to have small bills on hand. Other places may try to tell you can’t use your credit card because you were given the “deal of the day,” when they clearly take credit cards.

21 Things to Know Before You Visit South America

Taxis in Buenos Aires don’t have to pick you up, so I recommend booking a car service or a taxi through your hotel.

buenos aires safety — Strolling through the cemetary.

Love #4: Affordability in Buenos Aires

While Buenos Aires is not a super cheap destination, it is very affordable for a family of four. With so many diverse things to do, it’s really worth your tourist dollars, and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. As a bonus, if you happen to have small bills from the US, you can often pay in US dollars.

Hate #4: Street Obstacles

As much as I love to roam the streets of Buenos Aires, you have to be careful! For one thing, there’s a lot of dog poop in the streets! The sidewalks are also uneven and it’s easy to trip on broken cobblestones.

Crossing the streets is actually the worst part, though. It can be dangerous to be a pedestrian in Buenos Aires. Even if you have the walk light, you still should make eye contact with the drivers to make sure they are going to stop.

Love #5: Argentinian Food

Specifically, beef, wine, and ice cream are some of my favorite things about Argentina. Argentina is known for its beef and it is fantastic. It’s also a major producer of red wines, so you’ll have to have those to go with your steak. The ice cream is the icing on the cake when it comes to eating out in Buenos Aires. Try the dulce de leche, it’s amazing!

Hate #5: Buenos Aires Safety Issues

Many people wonder “Is Buenos Aires Safe?” As with many cities, there’s no clear yes or no answer. There are safe neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and there are neighborhoods to be avoided. Talk to the people at your hotel and ask them which areas to avoid. For example, La Boca is a cool area in Buenos Aires, but I don’t recommend staying there after dark. Generally, if you stick to the usual travel safety precautions, you’ll be fine.

things to do in buenos aires — The steaks come well done

It’s hard not to love Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s affordable and there are a ton of cool things to do. I really hope you will decide to visit Buenos Aires because it’s worth it! Want more of our South America travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts:

What Not to Do on a Trip to Belize

Posted on March 30, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Belize. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Belize, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your trip to Belize!

Don’t Worry About the Crime Statistics

Most people worry “Is Belize Safe?” and will google this to find out. Yes, Belize has issues, and the crime statistics do seem high. However, as a tourist, you likely won’t run into any of this crime. It’s mostly concentrated in the cities, not in the tourist areas. Of course, you have to use the usual travel smarts that you would use anywhere in the world.

Honest Travel Safety Advice

Don’t Be in a Hurry

Although all of Belize is not an island, they definitely operate on “island time.” After a few days, you get used to it, and can even start to enjoy island time, but it does take a few days to get used to. You’ll hear “Go Slow” a lot when you visit Belize.

belize beaches — English, great food, amazing water, you should really consider Belize.

Don’t Pass Up The Beach Grills

There are lots of restaurants in Belize, but they also have pop-up grills in these huts along the road and on the beaches. Don’t be scared to try these little shacks. The food is actually really good, and it’s usually way cheaper.

Don’t Worry If You Don’t Know Where Belize Is

A lot of people have heard of Belize but have no idea where it’s actually located. That’s pretty common. It’s in Central America, on a small strip of land between Guatemala and Mexico on the Caribbean Sea. It only became an independent country in 1981, so it’s a relatively “new” country.

Don’t Worry About Speaking Spanish

You might assume that Belize, like most Central American countries, is a Spanish-speaking nation. English is the official language of Belize. Everything is in English, which makes it a great international destination for first-time travelers who might be nervous about dealing with language differences.

Ten Things That Will Shock You in Belize

Don’t Be Surprised at Communication Challenges

Even though you’re both speaking English, you still might have some communication challenges with the Belizeans. They may throw some Creole or Spanish in there and tend to have a heavy accent. But you’ll get through it, just speak a little slowly if needed. It’s no different than traveling in Ireland and trying to understand their English. Or the Deep South, for that matter!

belize hot sauce food vacation — You will eat well in Belize. Come during lobster season.

Don’t Forget Bug Spray & Sun Block

Belize is in a tropical climate and it’s buggy. The bugs can be pretty bad, especially if you are visiting Belize rainforests or doing any activities inland. You also need sunblock to protect your skin as the sun is pretty strong. Chances are, you’ll be enjoying the Belize beaches during your trip, so make sure you don’t get a sunburn and ruin your trip! Even if you’re not at the beach, but out exploring Mayan ruins in Belize, you’ll be in the sun.

Don’t Miss Snorkeling or Scuba Diving

If you’re able to, make sure you get out in the water for snorkeling or diving in Belize. Belize has the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Our kids loved it, as you can see a lot of cool marine life underwater. Even if you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s pretty easy to snorkel. However, when you sign up for an outing, don’t overstate your abilities. Be honest with the guides about your swimming or diving skills. They will help you choose the right equipment for your skill level.

Don’t Assume Every Tour Company is the Same

If you’re going to sign up for a day tour in Belize, make sure you do your research on the tour companies. Some Belize tours are geared towards younger travelers, while other tours are more family-friendly. Prices are pretty similar, but experiences can vary greatly.

Don’t Take Anything From The Reef

This should go without saying, but don’t take anything from the reef when you are out swimming. Don’t even touch it if you can help it. It’s a protected area, and the coral is very sensitive and easily killed when disturbed. You should even try to wear reef-safe sunscreen to minimize the damage done.

belize vacation information — Seriously, go slow. Everything happens a bit slower in Belize. And that is the best part.

Don’t Expect to See Wildlife in the Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is one of the most famous places to go in Belize. It’s really cool to see, but it’s not the best place for viewing marine life underwater. If you want to really see cool underwater activity, the coral reef is a much better spot.

Don’t Worry About Walking Around With Your Drinks

In Belize, it’s totally legal to walk around with a cocktail. As long as it’s in a plastic cup or a can, not a glass bottle, you’re free to enjoy a drink as you stroll the beach.

Don’t Think Marijuana is Legal

You will more than likely smell marijuana in Belize. Don’t assume that it’s legal just because you can smell it. The drug laws are actually pretty strict, and as a foreigner, you really don’t want to get busted for drugs. It’s not worth it.

Don’t Think Belize is Just Beaches

Although Belize beaches are amazing, there is so much more to see and do on your Belize trip. There are Mayan ruins in Belize, and you can even make a day trip over to Tikal in Guatemala. There were over one million Mayans here at one point, which is more than double the current population of Belize. There are jungle tours and spelunking tours.

Don’t Expect to See Jaguars

You might see warning signs around Belize to watch out for Jaguars. They’re actually pretty rare, so unless you are out in the jungle at night looking for them, you’re not likely to see any jaguars in Belize. You will see other animals in Belize; don’t mess with them!

Don’t Expect to Find Any Chains

If you like to travel with hotel points, you might have a hard time finding a place to stay in Belize. There aren’t a lot of chain hotels or chain restaurants in Belize. Most of the hotels are small, independent hotels and resorts. This means you have to do a bit more research before booking your Belize accommodation.

Don’t Worry About Exchanging Money

If you’re coming from the United States, you don’t even have to worry about exchanging money in Belize. Belize has its own currency, the Belize Dollar, but nearly anywhere you go will accept US Dollars. The Belize Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar 2-to-1, so whatever the price is in Belize dollars, you can pay half that in US dollars. It can be hard to find ATMs, so it’s nice to be able to bring money from home and not worry about getting cash when you arrive.

Don’t Expect Latin America Prices

Most Latin American destinations are very affordable and make for a good budget vacation. Belize is more expensive than other Central American countries we’ve visited. Like Costa Rica, there are more tourists here, which drives up the prices a bit.

Don’t Forget the Seasons in Belize

While Belize is close to the equator and warm year-round, there are distinct seasons. Hurricane season is from June until November, with September and October being the rainiest months in Belize. December through March is the busiest tourist season in Belize.

Don’t skip out on a trip to Belize! It’s a great place for outdoor adventure, lazy beach days and a laid-back lifestyle. Our whole family really enjoyed our Belize vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting Latin America? Check out these blog posts!

Packing List for Europe: Men’s Edition

Posted on March 29, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

What to take to Europe for Men

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what I pack for a trip to Europe in the summer. There are lots of blogs out there with fashion tips for traveling women, but what about the guys? Many of our readers have asked us what to pack for a trip. Whether I’m traveling for two weeks or seven weeks, my vacation packing list pretty much stays the same.

Before you start packing for your Europe trip, there are 3 “W’s” to consider:

Weather (check the 10-day forecast right before you leave!)
When Are You Traveling? Shoulder season may require more layers to pack.
Where Are You Traveling? Ireland requires different clothes than Greece!

The Rule of Five

No matter how long your trip is, you pretty much only need five of everything. Five tops, bottoms, underwear, and socks. That’s also about how much will fit in a carry-on suitcase. And we always try to travel carry-on only, as it really simplifies your travel. This doesn’t include what you wear on the plane, which gives you another outfit to recycle throughout your trip.

Watch: How to Do Laundry While Traveling

Bottoms

Even if I’m traveling in May, when I’ll need long pants and shorts, I still stick to the rule of five. If you purchase specific travel clothing for men, pants are usually lightweight, easy to pack and not too heavy for hot weather.

2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of pants
1 pair of jeans, worn on the flight

Pajamas

It’s always good to have a dedicated outfit to sleep in, or to lounge around the hotel room. Depending on the weather, I’ll either bring shorts and a t-shirt or flannel pajama bottoms.

Swimwear

I almost always have a pair of swim trunks in my suitcase. Whether I’m going to the beach or just planning to use the hot tub and pool at the hotel, it’s always good to have swimwear on a trip.

Tops

Again sticking to the rule of five, I bring five options for what to wear on top. (That might also include an undershirt that isn’t counted in the five.) I usually bring 3-4 t-shirts and two collared shirts. The t-shirts are sometimes used as undershirts under the collared shirt. I typically wear a half-zip shirt on the plane, which layers well when it’s cooler outside.

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Socks & Underwear

If you need to be more lenient on the “rule of five” this is the place to pack more. I usually pack five pairs of socks and then wear compression socks on the plane. I highly recommend compression socks for long flights. Socks and underwear don’t take up that much room, so if you want to bring more, go for it!

What should i wear in Europe — What you take will depend on where you are going. But always pack light.

Toiletries

I keep all of my toiletries, like shampoo and shaving kit, in a separate bag that can easily be pulled out at security. If you wear glasses or contacts, it’s always a good idea to have a backup pair in case you lose or break them.

Extra Bags

I usually throw a couple of extra bags in my bag. You can never have enough Zip-Loc bags on a trip. They are great for separating dirty laundry, keeping your liquids from leaking into your suitcase, and even using it as a waterproof bag for electronics on a rainy day. I also like to have a compact drawstring bag for laundry. These are great for hauling your clothes to the laundromat.

Rain Coat

Even if you don’t think it will rain, always have a raincoat. Something thin that will pack easily, and even if it doesn’t rain, you might get a windy day and be grateful you have it.

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Personal Items

Everything listed above goes in my carry-on suitcase and gets stored in the overhead bin when I’m flying. For my “personal item” I carry an Osprey backpack filled with travel essentials. This holds everything I need during the flight, and valuable items I don’t want to have out of reach. My backpack holds:

A folder for travel documents
Eyeglasses (in a hard case for protection)
Tripod and camera
Batteries, chargers, power bank, and memory cards
Headphones
Passport
USB Drive
Flashlight
Nail clippers
Luggage locks (I recommend combination locks so you don’t have to keep track of a key!)
Computer or tablet
Prescriptions or medicine
Pens and paper
Guidebooks (yes, we still buy guidebooks sometimes!)
Deck of Cards
Bottle Opener (very important in Europe!)
Power adapters

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men's packing list for europe — That is all I took with me for seven weeks in Europe.

If you see me anywhere in the world, I’ll be carrying these items! If you use a packing checklist like this and continue to refine it after every trip, you’ll have packing down to a science in no time. And it doesn’t matter if you’re traveling for two weeks or two months, you don’t need to pack any more things!

How to Decide if You Should Fly or Drive to Your Next Vacation

Posted on March 28, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Travel Q&A: Deciding Whether to Drive or Fly

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re answering a travel question from one of our viewers. Mark Finley wanted to know if we have criteria to decide whether to fly or drive on a family trip. What’s the cutoff point where you will decide to fly instead of drive? Obviously, a lot of our trips are overseas and we have to fly, but we do have criteria to help us decide whether to fly or drive on our domestic trips.

Time Spent in Transit

One of the biggest factors when deciding to drive or fly is the time factor. We weigh how much time we would spend flying vs driving. Of course, flying involves getting to the airport early, checking in through TSA and waiting for a flight, so there’s more than just the flight time to consider. Six to seven hours is usually a good cutoff point where we would start considering flights.

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For example, Nashville is about a six-hour drive for us. If we decide to fly, it’s a 90-minute flight to Atlanta, followed by a 45-minute flight to Nashville. So, 2 ½ hours of flight time isn’t so bad, but that’s not all we account for. It’s one hour to drive to the airport, 90 minutes to allow for check-in and security, plus time on your layover, which is usually at least 90 minutes. So, now the six-hour drive is pretty reasonable.

Length of a Trip

The length of our vacation also factors into our decision to drive vs fly. If we’re on summer break and we have a few weeks to spend, we’re more likely to drive. When driving vs flying, we can stop and explore more along the way, and we’re not in such a rush to get from Point A to Point B.

We love to visit Savannah, which is about a 12-hour drive from our home. But there are so many cool places to stop along the way, that we will gladly drive if we have the time. You can break up the long trip into several days, with stops in Nashville, Knoxville, or even Atlanta.

If we are just off for a weekend getaway, then we’ll usually choose flying as the faster option. This allows us to spend as much time as possible at our destination.

Trip Cost

We also have to factor in prices when we decide whether to fly or drive. We’ve found some great deals on airfare that make the decision to fly an easy one. But there are also four of us to consider, so we have to buy four seats on a plane. If we drive, the cost doesn’t increase by four as we’re all riding in the same car.

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However, driving can sometimes be more expensive. If gas prices are up, that’s a big factor. On a longer trip, we’ll probably stay in a hotel room along the way. Then you have to factor in the stops for food and snacks too.

It’s not always just about the bottom line. For many people, time is money. If you have limited vacation time, you may want to maximize it by taking the fastest way possible.

Airline Preference

We tend to fly Delta as much as we can, in order to maximize our airline status and earning potential with miles. So, yes, we do consider whether Delta flies to a destination or not. If we can book a trip using miles, then we’re going to spend a lot less than we would if we had to choose another airline.

Convenience of Having a Car

Another thing to consider is whether you’ll need a car at your destination. If you’re visiting cities like Chicago, New York, or Boston, you don’t need a car once you arrive. In fact, having a car in these cities can be more of a headache than a convenience.

However, if we’re visiting Arizona or Texas, we will want to have a car as the attractions are spread apart and there’s no real public transportation. In that instance, we have to also factor in the cost of car rental on top of our flights.

While we don’t have a set cutoff point to decide whether to drive or fly, we do have a decision-making process that helps us decide. As you can see, there are many factors that go into it, with time and money being the biggest decision point to drive vs fly. Want more of our family travel tips? Check out some of our other blog posts:

Day 14 of Family Quarantine

Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by Jocelyn Wolters

Captain’s Log 27 March 2020

To see yesterday’s post, click here.

Two weeks have gone by since we started staying home. In that time, we have had some great moments and some difficult ones. As I think on it, it hasn’t been all that bad. We have had to change so much about our daily lives but at the same time we have adjusted pretty well.

Not spending time with friends and family in person has been taken over by using various apps like Zoom to hang out virtually. In those moments and on the phone, I have found that everyone is having the same struggles. The amount of stress in being thrown together 24-7, the need to be social, the amount of dishes everyone is suddenly faced with, suddenly becoming your children’s teacher with no experience in teaching, finding motivation to do any work, the difficulty in not being able to have and do things that were routine, the worry and fear about this unknown sickness, those are universal. And by universal, I mean people around the world are all yearning for the same things. Whether my friends reside in Italy, China, South America, or the US, everyone misses their normal lives.

Dinner with friends who are like family.
Lapio, Italy

So too, the good stuff is universal. The projects you suddenly have time to actually finish (not just start), the cleaning out and organizing, the memories being made, and the precious time together with your nuclear family are immeasurable in their benefit.

Yesterday was so very fruitful. I did so much work that hadn’t gotten done in the past two years. It felt glorious! It was also exhausting. As I looked at writing this Log yesterday, I was overwhelmed and so Mark stepped up to help me. I hope that when someone reads this, they see that it is good to acknowledge when you aren’t able to do something and how good it is for someone to step in and take care of it. On that note, I am thinking I may only write 3 or 4 of these a week as I am able because, believe it or not I have a lot to do!

Today I came to a conclusion (or rather something like a conclusion) about homeschooling the boys. As I see it, nearly every child in America (and much of the world) is missing most or all of this quarter of school. They are largely being taught by well meaning parents who have no clue what they are doing. I am fairly certain in some areas of school Mark and I are not teaching things correctly. That leads me to think it is stupid for me to teach my kids something that has to be un-taught and then re-taught later by their capable, professional, and intelligent teachers. Some aspects I am able to help them through and others cause so much anxiety and uproar that it is unhealthy for our family.

Finding the motivation to work in a (much) less than ideal learning environment is another issue. The Illinois State Board of Education has stated that students’ grades should not be hindered by their work coming from this period of time. So why then are we doing this? Obviously, I don’t want my kids falling far behind and some things can be learned (at least cursorily) simply from reading a textbook but if it is causing undue strife in an already stressful situation is it really benefitting them? Would it not be as beneficial to teach my kids math by making a recipe and trying to figure out how to double it or triple it? Wouldn’t this time be just as well spent putting what they already know into practical application? Shouldn’t their English class be journaling about what it is like to live through Quarantine? Wouldn’t it be a great lesson to show them how capable they are of taking what they have learned and putting it into practice? This is all taken from the standpoint of having a 7^th grader and a 3^rd grader. I am sure if they were in high school, I would feel differently. But in the end, why are we spending so much time getting so very little done and causing (something akin to) agony when we could be focused on teaching life lessons, instilling or reinforcing confidence and capability?

I just laid down some heavy stuff so, here are some flowers to brighten things.
Paris, France.

Today, for homeschool I wrote out a list of questions for each of the boys to answer to gain their deeper thoughts on life in Quarantine. I have asked them to answer one or two each day. Liam has to answer in 1-3 sentences and Caleb has to answer in 3-5. I think their putting to paper what they know and understand, love and hate about this is far more important than answering questions 1-10.

Please don’t think badly of me for asking such questions, it is simply where I am at right now. Education has always been a priority in our home. We wouldn’t have taken our children to 50+ countries if we didn’t value learning. Mark is a professor—professors don’t just value education they are education just like my kids’ teachers. He and I are constantly studying something. We read ridiculous amounts of books. But winging homeschooling seems like a lesson in failure to me today. I love and appreciate my boys’ teachers. They work hard for pennies, they put thought and care into the lessons they prepare. But I am incapable of taking over their duties with any kind of confidence and my letting them down seems to be what this is set up to do.

Learning to work the bellows for blacksmithing
with the Datoga in Tanzania.

I am grateful for the time we have had together to learn more about one another, to make memories, to laugh with one another and to rely on one another. I am grateful for the opportunity to do things which would not be done and only serve to weigh me down with guilt. I am grateful that I can stay home and help defeat the spread of the covid-cooties.

Until next time friends…

Jocelyn

What Not to Do on Your Finland Vacation

Posted on March 27, 2020March 27, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Finland. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Finland, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Finland vacation!

Don’t Be Loud

The Finns are very quiet, reserved people. It’s pretty quiet in Finland, so if you are a person that talks loud, you will stick out in a crowd. If you want to blend in on your Finland trip, be aware of your surroundings and try to match the volume of the people around you.

Don’t Insult Finnish Pride

Finns love their country and have a lot of national pride. A big part of Finnish culture is the sauna, which is pronounced like “sow-na” not “saw-na” as we say it in the States. Make sure you say it correctly or you will be outed as a tourist immediately.

Don’t Be Modest in the Sauna

When you go to the sauna, and you should absolutely experience a sauna in Finland, you will most likely be in the nude. They are generally divided by gender, so you don’t have to be worried about that. You can wear a towel if you want to, but the general style is to be nude for the sauna.

Don’t Be Scared by the Language

Learning Finnish is nearly impossible, as it’s a very difficult language to learn. But that should not stop you from visiting Finland because many of the people in Finland speak English.

Don’t Skip Learning a Few Finnish Words

Having said that, it always helps to learn a few words of the local language, no matter where you are traveling. Even just a few basics, like hello, thank you, and please, will go a long way towards helping you meet locals and getting to know the local culture a bit better.

Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language

Don’t Be Surprised When Cities Have Two Names

Finland actually has two official languages; Finnish and Swedish. So you’ll see most signs in both languages. So, the city of Turku is Turku in Finnish but is Abo in Swedish. They aren’t even similar, so it can be very confusing when you are traveling around Finland.

where to visit in finland — We all love Finland.

Don’t Lump Finland in With Scandinavia

This applies more outside of Finland. If you are in Sweden or Norway and you refer to Finland as being part of Scandinavia, the Swedes and Norwegians might get in a huff about it. Technically, Finland is not part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, it’s more of the Nordic region.

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Scandinavia

Don’t Favor Sweden over Finland in Comparisons

Finland was controlled by Sweden for a long time, so there’s a lot of history there between the two countries, and a rivalry remains today. But more importantly, there is a huge hockey rivalry between the two countries. If you’re in Finland, you better side with favoring the Finnish teams.

Don’t Wear Your Shoes In a Finnish Home

If you are lucky enough to be invited over to a Finn’s house for dinner, do not wear your shoes inside. It’s considered rude to wear your shoes indoors. Many homes will have slippers you can wear inside.

Don’t Forget to Bring a Small Gift

It’s also a tradition to bring a small gift when you are invited to someone’s home. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, just a small token of appreciation. Candies, flowers or wine are all appropriate gifts to bring to someone’s home.

Don’t Eat Black Salmiakki Candy (Unless You Like Black Licorice)

You’ll find a ton of great candy in Finland. But a local may try to trick you into eating salmiakki, which is a really salty black licorice candy. If you’re not used to it, it’s quite a shock. In all fairness, you should give it a try, but I don’t recommend buying it in bulk. One piece is probably enough.

Don’t Expect One or Two-Cent Coins

They don’t use one or two-cent coins in Finland. So, if you are paying for something that comes to 1.98, they will round up and you won’t get any change back.

Don’t Steal the Moose Signs

For some reason, tourists love to steal the “Moose Crossing” signs. Don’t do that!

finland vacation — They liked it so much they even let me take silly pictures of them.

Don’t Worry About Tipping in Finland

The wages in Finland are pretty good, so tipping your waiter is not customary here like it is in other countries.

Don’t Disobey Rules and Laws

The reason Finland is such a safe travel destination is that they are very much law-abiding people. They take rules seriously, including not jaywalking or cutting lines.

Don’t Forget Your Bug Spray

A great part of Finland is the Lake District, but don’t forget to bring bug spray!

Don’t Miss Out on Nature in Finland

Helsinki and Turku are great, but don’t miss out on all of the other places to visit in Finland! There are so many islands, lakes, and forests to explore. If you visit in the winter, Finnish Lapland is a winter wonderland and a great place to experience the Nordic culture and the Northern Lights.

Don’t Forget to Pack Layers

Finland weather can be finicky, so be prepared for any weather, no matter the season. Even in the summer, you’ll need a few layers of clothing as it can get pretty cold.

Don’t skip out on a Finland vacation! Very few tourists come here, but they are all missing out by not visiting Finland. It’s such a beautiful country with nature and cities and wonderful people. It’s not as expensive as you might think! Looking for more tips on visiting Scandinavia? Check out these blog posts!

Day 13 of Family Quarantine

Posted on March 26, 2020March 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Captain’s Log 26 March 2020

Y’all I am exhausted. I woke up and ran, literally, I actually ran. This is highly unusual. But I didn’t stop there, I walked the dog, I did a lot of landscaping (because most years I am traveling too much to pay attention to my yard), I planted a bunch of seeds (also and unprecedented happening in my world), I have been sewing and starting a handyman project that has been on my radar for two years. All that said, I am too damn tired to write today’s blog. So, my brilliant, charming husband is going to do it for me. I am telling you, I won the dang lottery… jocelyn

Quarantine Day 13 March 26 2020 – The Mark Chronicles

Hey there fellow travelers! Well, I should say hey there fellow stay at home travelers! That’s better! Today, Jocelyn is taking a break from writing the quarantine blog and I am trying my hand at blog writing. I think you will see that my skills are better placed talking in front of the camera than typing out a blog. That may explain why our videos have always done better than our website ever did. Anyway, onto our 13^th day of self-quarantine.

What happened last night

So, for those of you who didn’t know, we have been doing live feeds on our main YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/woltersworld every Wednesday night at 8pm (and Saturdays at 9am) just to give our fellow travelers a chance to have some sort of normalcy during this very not normal time. Honestly, I have begun really looking forward to these live feeds as it gives both Jocelyn and myself a chance to interact and socialize with other adults. Don’t get me wrong, we love each other, but being stuck in the house with just the four of us… we all want some new stories to hear. So, we have really enjoyed talking about travel and all things not coronavirus.

It is fun seeing all the other travelers’ comment and grow friendships via a chat window (shout out to our moderators who keep the trolls and mean people off the chat). We have so many great fans that it really gets me sometimes how many people we have been able to help travel better, and how many people have let us be a part of their travels. It really is an incredible feeling, and so when people are online chatting it just brings a huge smile to my face. So, please pop on sometime. You don’t have to ask questions if you don’t want, as there are plenty of questions and tangent stories that pop up during the feeds. It’s funny, when we first started doing live feeds if we got 45 minutes we thought, wow we did a long feed. Now we are doing over two hours and honestly, I think we would go longer, but an 8pm start means we get a wee bit tired when we hit 10:30pm. So, I am looking forward to Saturday’s 9am chat this weekend.

Anyway, the theme last night was drinking with fellow travelers, so we had a few drinks and let the stories flow. It was a really fun time. Thank you everyone who took part. There were more than a few comments how the more the Glenlivet flowed the more chatting I became. Who knew?

You can watch it for yourself if you like.

Jocelyn’s day

So, I know a lot of people are asking why isn’t Jocelyn writing today’s blog. Honestly, she spent the day digging up the yard and planting flowers and vegetables, and she is just tired. So, I said I can write this one for us. It is probably nice to have multiple perspectives on what it is like being in this quarantine. So, don’t worry. Jocelyn will be back tomorrow with her wit, humor, and way with words.

The Boys

Well, the boys were rather docile today. We think they did their work. They said they did their work. They promised us they did their work. We gave them work to do. We saw them at the table working… but we are still not sure if they actually did their work. It is a weird feeling a parent gets when their kids say, “Homework done” and you just don’t feel like they spent enough time on it. But we are letting them be responsible for their homework and they have to turn it in via email, so they will feel the consequences in their grades if they are not doing what they said they were doing.

Aside from school work the boys enjoyed a bit of “monkey in the middle” as they call it. Basically it is just keep away. It was funny watching Caleb trying to explain to Liam how to best catch a football. Liam is a big conspiracy theory kid, and whenever he sees a triangle he has to point, “It’s the Illuminati” so Caleb said, “catch it like the illuminati sign” and I will be darned, it worked. I think the boys are starting to feel a bit on the down side with all this time at home. Their spirits have been high for the most part, but not having friends to play with is getting to them a bit. It sounds weird, but I am happy they have some of the online games they can play with their friends. Even if it is Liam yelling with his buddies Anthony and Lela playing Fortnite, at least they are still staying connected.

We have had dreary weather lately and they haven’t had a chance to really get out and play. So, we have been dragging them out when it is nice to go for a walk or just something outside. We try, for example Liam and I hit some tennis balls for a bit today, but in general I think we are all getting a bit worn down from it all. But I am glad we are doing our part and staying home. Oh, the boys got out Caleb’s old Taikwando gear and boxed each other for about half an hour. I think they still have too much energy left in them.

professor teaching — Back when I had a real classroom.

My Work

Well, work continues along. I had two live feeds for my university job today where I had office hours and helped my students prepare for their exams. There was maybe 10% of the students online, and I am OK with that. I have been filming my lectures and topics videos for a long time on http://www.youtube.com/professorwolters and I have been sending them the YouTube video lectures. I think that gives my students more leeway on when they can study.

I know some professors are only doing live classes and if a student misses the live feed, they are not able to make up the lost information. That really irks me as there are so many students who are back home now living and working from home with their parents who are also working from home, not to mention the other siblings who may be home as well. I mean there is only so much bandwidth to go around. So, I feel by giving my students the option to watch the videos when it works best for them, I am hopefully giving them a better chance to actually learn the material. I could be totally wrong, but I just really want to give my students a bit more grace than usual these days.

How is it going though?

Well, considering we are all healthy I cannot complain. There are many people who cannot say the same. For that we are blessed. It looks like the weather may warm up, so the boys can play outside more. I don’t know if it is physically possible for me to go on more walks than I am now. I think I am at four or five walks a day. Though, these quarantine blahs have got me snacking too much. I lost 50 pounds and hit the 50 pound mark last week, but the snacks are calling me hard. I think I am doing better than I was the last couple days (that could be because we have no more Hostess products, but I digress). So, I am feeling better. I think I am getting a grasp on how I will work with my class online which was really bothering me, because those students pay so much money to have my classes and I want them to still get the best class possible.

Anyway, I understand a bit better now why Jocelyn writes these. It really does help to deal with the isolation and uncertainty of this coronavirus pandemic. Just putting your words down helps you refocus on what you should be doing. I know now what I will do with my students, with our travel videos, with a lot, and for that I thank Jocelyn for not wanting to do this today. Thanks sweetie!

gross parents kissing — I’m just saying… It has happend before.

Going forward

Well, going forward I think I have a better grip on things. I see my digital marketing slides adding on another 50 slides tonight and 100 tomorrow. I see me recording a podcast with Hawkeye down in Texas. I see Caleb and I fighting over his math lecture tomorrow as I go through three homeworks with him in one go. I see Liam wanting to sneak his Nintendo Switch to he can play instead of doing homework. I can see Jocelyn reading this and going… Mark, you are not writing any more of the blogs, because you are just a rambling fool. And then I see her giving me a big smooch… you never know 😊

Anyway, I am glad I could write something for today March 26, 2020. Another day in quarantine, but also another day I am with my family and we are healthy, happy, and still more or less sane.

Big travel hug to you all!

Mark

Day 12 of Family Quarantine

Posted on March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 by Jocelyn Wolters

Captain’s Log 25 March 2020

To see yesterday’s post, click here.

We have had a great day! Praise God for small miracles. Here is how it went…

I woke up to a world of fog. I love fog, I love it so much I should move to London. Our skies have been a blanket of grey for days and days. But the grey of fog I enjoy. So, when I saw that I was happy. Living in Illinois can be pretty colorless much of the year—everything goes beige and grey. Those colors are difficult for me. The fog however, leaves much scope for the imagination.

Fog leaves much scope for the imagination.
ala Anne of Green Gables

Mark and I took a long walk then worked out. I made breakfast and in doing so, realized a lot of my angst about the lack of cleanliness in my house comes directly from the number of dishes I am doing every day. Seriously, I run the dishwasher every night and hand wash at least 2 sinks-full of dishes every day. Pinpointing a cause is the first step to fixing a problem.

After my great epiphany I vacuumed and mopped; clean floors always cheer me up. It is incredible how much more quickly things get dirty with 4 people and a dog at home 24-7. I kept thinking I am like a frontier woman, I cook, wash dishes, clean, teach the boys then repeat the process again until the ages of ages I just need some chickens and a goat. It felt so good to get a lot done in a short amount of time. And Liam helped with the mopping. He absolutely loves to mop. I have to go back over some spots but, for an 8yo, he is pretty good at it.

In Dory’s voice, just keep washing, just keep washing.

Both boys got to work at a decent hour and did their work diligently! I have nothing more to say about this for fear I will jinx it so, mums the word.

My online groceries came. It is sad and pathetic how exciting this was for me. It was a good experience though. The woman who was doing the shopping in store texted me throughout the process and I was able to add a couple of things and edit things that were unavailable etc. She was super nice. I needed new dishwashing gloves and they were all out because apparently those were bought out by the apocalypse pandemic hoarders. (I really dislike those people. If you are staying home you don’t need ALL the gloves nor all the toilet paper, all the paper towels, all the Lysol, all the Clorox wipes, and all the hand sanitizer!) Anywho, she gave me a pair of her extra gloves since mine had a hole in them. What a kind gesture, people really are good. Except the hoarders.

The boys played Jenga outside once the sun came out (did I mention that? The sun came out!!) and we all took a long family walk. That was fun until the boys started tackling one another in random people’s yards (for fun, not fighting) and Liam ‘broke his knee joint’ and proceeded to fake cry the whole way home. Our neighbors (whom we have literally seen 5x in the 6 years we have lived here) were staring at us with saucer eyes. Super. If it had been any other neighbors they would have laughed because they know our kids then they would have offered us a beer. Which we would kindly decline because that is probably not approved of in the social-distancing handbook. Just kidding, there isn’t a handbook, that I know of. We got home and Liam decided what he really needed was a nap. Will wonders ever cease?

Today is both the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day. Things that would normally have been celebrated at church with many other families. I missed that. So, I am making my Yiayia’s Greek style chicken (yes, it is Lent and I am not supposed to be eating the meat but, Quarantine). I plan on having a glass of warm Raki with honey and chamomile tea tonight to celebrate that part of my heritage.

We are such a nice well behaved family.
Athens, Greece

Today also would have been the day I started booking our accommodations in Greece for this summer. I had such plans! We would stay in Chania for 5 days or so then venture to Caleb’s godmother’s family home in the country. After a couple days there, Mark would have headed to Austria to teach and the boys and I were going to my Papoo’s village. I am the 8^th generation to sleep in the family house. I want my children to experience roots like that. I am hoping all of that will happen eventually. Our summer was just packed with family and friends and a couple new countries to visit. Now, I have no idea what it will be. But it will be summer and that is enough.

Mark has been productive as always and wonderfully supportive. You learn a lot about your spouse throughout your marriage. Mark and I have spent so many days traveling with only one another to rely on, this hiccup isn’t really all that different. Well, the scenery is but, we are handling it pretty well. There are frustrations and sometimes we lose it a little but we are good. Even if there are still 20 action figures on my fireplace mantle.

Tonight, we have a Live Stream which I always enjoy. It is really great to be able to be in touch with people from around the world. One thing I find in our Live streams is the amount of support between our followers. That support and comradery is stronger and more pronounced than ever! We mourn together, we are triumphant together and we will all get through this trial together.

If I can get one good day a week like this, I think I can continue on with the Quarantine indefinitely without having to be sent to the funny farm.

Until tomorrow,

Jocelyn