DEAL ALERT! Clear Airport Security Free Trial Promotion: 3 Months Free

Save precious time and dollars with this deal!

If you Travel all the time and you hate long airport security lines, you might want to sign up for Clear. Clear is a service that helps you “Speed through security in 5 minutes or less,” by being pre-screened before you even get to the airport. (See how it works here.)

Normally, Clear is $179 per year with an additional $50 per family member, but with promo code LEAPDAY3, you can try three months for free!

Clear is not available in all airports yet, but it is available in quite a few. If you don’t wish to continue the service, you will need to cancel before the trial is up to avoid being charged. This deal expires on February 29, 2020!

When breezing through security and that doesn’t have clear available, consider using solid toiletries like this solid shampoo and conditioner that is safe for color-treated hair. This works for men and women alike and smells great!  Click the photo below to buy at Amazon and support our blog!  Thank you so much!!!

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The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Travelers of All Ages

Whether it’s a gift for a Valentine's Day or Another Special Occasion, these ideas will make meaningful presents for your favorite world wanderers.  Our favorite gifts will help capture those memories, inspire future adventures, and make life on the road easier and more enjoyable.

Let's face it - they may not have the time or knowledge to look for great traveling items themselves.  Fortunately, LTD can give you some outstanding selections for all budgets that will certainly put a smile on their faces!!  Our guide includes items that are fashionable, healthy, useful and practical for the traveling female.  Click on the product photo or links if you wish to learn more!  By clicking and/or buying, you support our blog and our mission to bring you information about meaningful and healthy travel!  Thank you so much!!!

1.  What Says Love more than Dreaming of Paris?   

Picture yourself walking hand in hand in front of Notre Dame in a classic film. Ahhhh Paris. Doesn't this travel poster for Paris take you back and make you feel nostalgic and amorous? If you feel that way, your favorite explorer will to.  If Paris is not for you check out other vintage travel posters by A Slice in Time.

2. Swap Travel Dreams Over A Beautifully Laid Out Cheese Board 

We love this unique gift from Vintage Garden Art.  For anyone who loves to entertain, give them this set of Silver Plated Spoon handles which are hand stamped cheese markers for cheeses from around the World.  Even better, set up a special evening for them with wine and cheeses from around the world and use these markers to make the finishing touches!

3. Lego Famous Buildings!

Inspire travel in the young Valentines in your life or the young at heart with Famous Buildings by Lego.  The London edition features the National Gallery, Nelson’s Column, London Eye, Big Ben and Tower Bridge.  Choose from several cities including New York, Paris, San Francisco, and more...

4.  Watch the Most Romantic Movie of All Time and Dream of Morocco  

Inspire travel to Morocco and give the gift of enjoying the most romantic movie of all time with your favorite Valentine....Casablanca: A jaded nightclub owner in war-torn Casablanca, whose loyalties are put to the test when his old flame, Ingrid Bergman, reappears to seek Rick's help in escaping from the Nazis.

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BodyFit by Amy on YouTube Gives You Killer Workouts to Keep Up an Exercise Routine on the Road

When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, consistency is key.  We all know your normal schedule gets thrown off when you travel, but when you’re moving from place to place and enjoying lots of great food on a trip, it’s just as important as ever to keep up an exercise routine.

LTD recommends trying to do something on the road!  There are so many benefits to breaking a sweat that are worth setting aside some exercise while traveling, including more energy, better sleep and improved mood. That's why we rounded up some of our top travel workouts to help you make it happen no matter where you are. Plus, squeezing in a quick workout or two during your trip can make it easier to get back in the swing of things after once you are home and not feel guilty about those great treats you had while globetrotting!

We polled our Luxury Travel Group and asked "How do you exercise when you travel?"  Of course like many surveys have concluded, about 60% of travelers don't exercise at all.  But out of the rest:

• 50% run or walk
• 50% use the hotel gym
• 20% workout in their room
• 10% do yoga

Why does it equal more than 100%? The dedicated travelers do more than one! We left out the 12-ounce curl answer...

Remember, if you have questions related to your health, always consult your doctor or medical professional. The information presented here is informative only and is not medical advice.

The most common workouts that we do as a couple when we travel are from the YouTube Channel BodyFit by Amy.

About Amy

The YouTube channel BodyFit by Amy was created by Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor Amy Kiser Schemper and is based in Los Angeles, CA.  With over 15 years experience, she specialized in not only in circuit training and interval training for maximum results, but also Boxing, Mat Pilates, Kettlebell, TRX, Sports Specific Training, Yoga, Prenatal and Postnatal Training and Nutrition.  She has trained clients of all ages and all fitness levels. A lifelong athlete, Amy has competed in marathons, half marathons, triathlons and more. In 2014, Amy was one of the Top 5 Finalists in Women’s Health Magazine’s Next Fitness Star Contest, and has been featured on Good Morning America, Extra, and The Doctors. Amy has two degrees from Va. Tech University and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Exercise Science through Concordia University Chicago.

What we love about YouTube is that if you have WiFi, you can do workouts on YouTube anywhere in the world on your own schedule.  If you aren't sure that you will have WiFi, sign up for YouTube Premium and you can download videos to your phone or pad to have with you all the time!

What do we love about working out with Amy?

• She teaches you safety
• She provides modifications for your fitness level
• If you are pregnant or recently pregnant she has many videos and modifications for you (this is rare and check with your doctor before engaging in any workout program, pregnant or not!)
• She has loads of workouts to keep your routine from getting boring
• Amy is a genuine person and it feels like you are working out with your best friend!

Today we will feature our favorite workouts on Amy's channel for travel! So whether you're on the road for work, fun, or visiting family, here are eight travel-friendly workouts to try.

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The Travel Bar Paella Experience in Barcelona Spain is an Evening of Tapas, Sangria, Food and New Friends

Learn how to make the ultimate seafood paella while savoring traditional Spanish tapas and sangria in a delightful hands-on workshop with the Travel Bar Paella Experience.  Cook with local hosts,  make a traditional recipe, and eat in an intimate setting with new friends. You'll have tapas, sangria, and cooking an awesome paella BUT the best part of the experience is that you will feel like you’re with friends that you’ve known for years.

Cooking may be one of your biggest hobbies, or could it be eating?  Either way, if food is your passion there are many reasons to take a cooking class on your next adventure:

• Learn about the culture

• Great food and beverages

• Experience local markets

• Learn practical cooking tips

• Meet other travelers

• Interact with locals

• Contribute to a person or family

• Preserve and support a culture

• Your souvenir will be how to make a tasty meal!

Of course everyone told us: "Why are you spending money on a paella class? Only tourists do that...". But did we have a fun night and meet new friends? You betcha!

1. Booking

We recommend going directly to TripAdvisor to Book. You can go directly to the Travel Bar website, but we didn't find the price offered to be any better. As we learned from booking shore excursions, sometimes booking directly is not always the best option and you may have better cancellation policies and recourse for failed tours by using a trusted company to book and to see what experiences are offered. Find a direct link to TripAdvisor again at the end of this post! There are several options for a Paella cooking experience in Barcelona, most of which include many things such as alcohol. We chose the experience that cost $43 per person with a 24 hour cancellation available at TripAdvisor. At the travel bar website, the same experience is the same price but you will have the option to pay only a deposit ahead at their website. There are other companies, such as the Paella Club, that have more expensive experiences with Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and wine tasting rather than Sangria. Their tours cost about $108 per person and we felt this wasn't necessary for us since we are not heavy drinkers!

2. Communication

In our opinion, it would have been nice to have some personal communication with Travel Bar about the meeting place and to confirm. None of that was provided. We have received communication from other tour companies immediately after booking with TripAdvisor. We are busy when we travel and it is easy to forget things or get confused in foreign countries. Read on to understand why this would be a nice touch, but hopefully our review will help you if you book this experience! As is typical with TripAdvisor, we were emailed reminders which is another reason to use them rather than booking directly.

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Fourteen Treasures to See at the British Museum If You Have Two Hours Before You Go Anywhere Else

You could literally spend hours at the British Museum. It contains a breathtaking collection of millions of objects that paint the portrait of British exploration. While some objects may be controversial, it is hard to argue that the history and significance of many items are unmatched. If you have two hours and you don't know what to see, use our guide to significant objects on display on the first and second floors.

When the British Museum opened in 1753 it was the world's first national public museum, free (as it remains still today) to all "studious and curious persons." Be prepared however, it will be crowded by many curious tourists and students of all ages, so plan your time well.  

Before you start your tour take a minute to absorb the magnitude of the Great Court.  The graceful glass and steel roof manages to embody the classical nature of the objects in the museum but capture modern culture.  This beautiful space was originally intended to be a garden and eventually a reading room was added to the center in the 19th century.  At a cost of around $150 million, the space was redesigned for public use and became known as the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court when it was opened by Her Majesty the Queen on December 6, 2020.  What you see walking under the criss-crossed patterned glass roof, appearing like a cloud filled sky is a two-acre open space where you could fit nearly two football fields.

Now on to our favorites!

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Visit a Hidden Gem in London's West End, and It's Free! Look at our Top 10 Things to see at The Wallace Collection.

Tucked in the streets behind Selfridges and overlooking the delightful, though private, Manchester Square gardens, The Wallace Collection is one of our favorite museums in London.  Less than a kilometer from our recent stay at the Langham London Hotel, we felt like we were in a daydream of artifacts and decided to stay longer at the cafe for afternoon tea.

Though largely famous for several well known paintings by Rembrandt, Velazquez and Titian, the museum is also home to an outstanding collection of european arms and armour, objects from the Renaissance period and important French furniture pieces including a desk belonging to Marie Antoinette. The collection was bequeathed to the nation in 1897.

What are our top four reasons that we love this museum?

• We can only spend so long at a single museum before our heads start spinning from "cultural fatigue" and we are struggling to stay focused or find what we want. Smaller museums are often more manageable.
• You will not encounter the large crowds like at the more popular Victoria and Albert Museum or the National Gallery
• It is a unique perspective often highlighting the powerful women of the ages, like Madame de Pompadour and Marie-Antoinette
• It is a peaceful and quiet area of London

RxTIP:

Docent tours are offered almost daily but are limited to 25 persons.  Check the schedule here and make sure you get a sticker at the entrance to participate! 

Before you go, get a book on the highlights of the collection.  You can see our favorites and we will tell you why they are our favorites, but you may see other things the will interest you as well at this museum famous for its decorative arts!  This book published in Spring of 2020 is sure to please!  Please click on the photo below to learn more at Amazon and support our blog!  Thank you so much!!

One highlight of the museum is amazing until you hear the next one!  That is how we felt at the Wallace Collection.  There was always something else around the corner.  Here is our list of the most interesting items to ponder at The Wallace Collection in London:

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