Episode 37: COVID-19 Testing Required for U.S. Entry – My Experience

Episode 37: COVID-19 Testing Required for U.S. Entry – My Experience

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] I was in Cabo, Mexico, when I heard about the new executive order that requires passengers to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter the US, so I decided to get back to the US rather than risk getting stuck in Mexico. With 2021 coming around, travelers were excited to get back to traveling, and the prospect of getting stuck in another country because of a COVID-19 test put those plans on hold for many people. Being on vacation and having to find a lab and arrange transportation to and from that lab just adds an extra layer of stress to that vacation. So, I heard of a resort in Mexico that opened recently, Planet Hollywood, and they offer Covid tests on-site, and I decided to try this…
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Work + Wanderlust: How To Travel While Working Full-Time

Work + Wanderlust: How To Travel While Working Full-Time

Blog, EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Tips
If you are not aware, I have a full-time job. I know that may be hard to believe for some people because it appears that I am always traveling. However, I get four weeks of vacation each year, and I use them all! Trust and believe. Now, I know that the pandemic has been brutal for some people, and I genuinely empathize with everyone. However, the side effects of the pandemic have been beneficial for me in so many ways. Listen to my podcast episode below of how my summer went during COVID-19. One of the best ways the pandemic has benefited me is the fact that my company has had us working from home since the pandemic hit in March of 2020. Working from home has allowed me the…
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Episode 36: Solo Travel That’s Good For The Soul

Episode 36: Solo Travel That’s Good For The Soul

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] In this episode, I talk to Catherine Smith from Her Bags Were Packed. Her Bags Were Packed is about helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel. In this episode, Catherine drops so many beautiful gems and words of wisdom that will truly help you get on the path to discover your truest self, overcome challenges, and be a badass - not only while traveling but in all areas of your life. And the best part is, you don’t need anyone else to do it. Highlights from this episode: [01:56] Solo travel is therapy.Catherine’s philosophy is that solo travel allows you to be independent and discover more about yourself than you would if you were travelling with someone else - you are forced to deal with and process your own…
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Episode 35:  House Sitting to Travel

Episode 35: House Sitting to Travel

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] Today, I talk to Malina Padgett. After working several years with a yearning to travel, Malina got into house sitting, and now travels full-time. Imagine traveling to all your bucket list places without having to pay for accommodation. This is truly a fascinating conversation, and I’m sure you’ll get some very valuable information. Highlights from this episode: [02:22] Malina’s travel history.Travel was a big part of her life growing up. Her parents’ goal was to have her and her sister travel to all 50 states before graduating high school. They almost made it. With just Alaska on hold, they finally managed to cross it off their list recently. [03:36] Travelling full-time.After starting her own business working with clothing boutiques and brands, and then becoming a freelancer to free…
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What It’s Like Returning to the US When a Negative COVID-19 Test is Required

What It’s Like Returning to the US When a Negative COVID-19 Test is Required

EJtheTravelDiva Blog, Travel Learning Lessons
As many of you know, on January 26, 2021, President Biden passed an executive order requiring all travelers coming into the United States, including citizens of the U.S., to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding a flight headed for the United States. The only way to avoid having to take a COVID-19 test is to show proof that you have recovered from already having COVID-19 plus a letter from a medical professional stating that you are clear to fly. With the new rules in place, a lot of travelers have postponed their vacations because the thought of having to find a laboratory in a destination that is not familiar seems too complicated.  As well as find your own transportation to and from the medical laboratory.  That just seems like…
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Episode 30: The Value of Travel from a Life Coach

Episode 30: The Value of Travel from a Life Coach

Podcast
Featuring Julie Delucca-Collins [podcast_subscribe id="715"] In episode 30, I talk to Julie DeLucca-Collins about her travels around the world for business and leisure, as well as her work as a life coach helping people reach the goals they thought were impossible. [03:12] Julie’s travel journey. Julie took her first airplane trip when she was just 3 months old. Since then, she has travelled to over 25 countries. Originally from El Salvador, she would travel to various cities in the US to visit family throughout her childhood. As a senior executive of her company, she was able to travel regularly around the US on business trips. [08:52] Turning a business trip into a vacation. Some days are better to travel than others. Most business travellers tend to leave on a Monday…
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Episode 28:  HER PACKING LIST

Episode 28: HER PACKING LIST

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] I know. Another episode about packing. However, it is one of the most requested travel tips, and I thought I’d get someone on the show to talk about it. In this episode, I talk to Brooke Schoenman. She is the creator of Her Packing List, a resource for female travel gear and packing advice. Brooke has spent a lot of time coming up with ways to make a travelling “less is more” guide – she has even perfected packing with just a handbag! [02:19] Introducing Brooke Schoenman Brooke is from Illinois but has been living in Australia for he past 11 years. She lives with her partner and their rabbit, Sherlock Bunz. She was travelling the world in her 20s when she met an Australian guy in Europe.…
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Episode 27:  The Workcation

Episode 27: The Workcation

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] I’m sure you’ve seen the posts on Instagram of all these digital nomads who share pictures of the amazing views where they can work as they travel. I know you’ve imagined that being your life, and so have I. I’ve always wanted to travel the world and work from anywhere, but I want to travel with certain luxuries and amenities, and I simply don’t have the funds to do that while working from anywhere in the world. I too have a 9-to-5 in an office. A workcation is when you work while in a vacation destination. For my workcation, I stayed at the Royalton Negril in Jamaica. They offered an “Upgrade Your Office” package. What’s the catch? I had to stay for a minimum of 14 nights. I…
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Episode 26:  Spreading Positivity Around the World with Phil Calvert

Episode 26: Spreading Positivity Around the World with Phil Calvert

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] In this episode, I talk to Phil “Philwaukee” Calvert. He has been traveling the world, spreading positivity one destination at a time. We will discuss his incredible journey from playing professional basketball to traveling the world and having his own travel show on Matador Network, and his feature on the cover of Martinique Lewis’s ABC Travel Green Book. [02:04] Introducing Phil Calvert Phil started his travels while playing professional basketball in Europe. Traveling between countries there proved to be much easier and cheaper than back home in the US. This realization had him bitten by the travel bug, and his journey has taken him to many countries to experience their cultures and spread positivity. [02:18] On the cover of Martinique Lewis’s ABC Travel Green Book In episode 19,…
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Episode 24:  What Travelers are Losing Due to COVID-19

Episode 24: What Travelers are Losing Due to COVID-19

Podcast
[podcast_subscribe id="715"] Things are not the same anymore.As travelers, there are some things that have been taken away from our experiences –some luxuries, comforts, and conveniences that would have made for a better vacation. When I travel, it’s in comfort and safety. Since the pandemic hit, theregulations have affected our travel experiences – and I know it’s a good thing and it is about our safety, but we’ve still lost some things along the way. These might seem like “First World Problems”, but here are the things that I’ve noticed are no longer available to travelers. [02:05] Flying First Class has changedDue to COVID-19, some airlines are boarding the plane from the back to front to avoid people walking past each other, which meant First Class boarded last and alcohol…
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