Business and pleasure travelers have have some travel concerns and preparations in common, and one of those is having to worry about what’s happening at home while we’re on the road.

If you have family or friends staying in your home while you’re traveling, it reduces a lot of concerns.  But if your home will remain empty, make sure that you aren’t sending a signal to potential burglars to come on in and help themselves.

Here are ten tips to help keep the burglars away while you are:

1. Let neighbors know that you will be away.  Neighbors are generally the first to notice what could be suspicious behavior, and this is one time that a nosy neighbor will be welcome.  (If you live in an apartment or other managed building, advise the property manager and doormen.  They can help prevent any unauthorized access to your unit.)  Ask neighbors for help in picking up those annoying unsolicited flyers left on doorsteps.
2. Try to get a friend or family member to stop by on an erratic schedule to check on the house.  An occasional car in the drive way, changing of light patterns, etc., can help make the house look occupied.  This is also an additional help in picking up unsolicited flyers.
3. Make sure that you don’t have a key “hidden” by the door.  Under the mat, above the door frame, or in the flower pots are not clever hiding places.  Give a key to anyone who needs to have it.
4. Have a car parked in the driveway, in front on the house, or in your assigned parking place if at all possible.  It will help to make it look like someone is home.
5. Stop the newspaper and mail service.  You don’t need this piling up.  Stopping the mail can be done online, and stopping newspaper service varies according the location.
6. Keep up regularly scheduled appointment such as gardening, lawn care, and housekeeping services.  An untended lawn or garden can signal an absent owner.  Keep as many consistencies to your normal scheduled as possible.  Ask workers to help pick up unsolicited flyers left on your doorstep.
7. Set indoor lights on automatic timers, preferably with a random schedule.  Vary the specific lights and times that they will come on.
8. Turn off the phone ringer, and turn down the volume on the answering machine.  This is especially important in an apartment building, where a constantly ringing phone can signal an empty apartment.
9. Do not leave an answering machine or voice mail message saying that your are traveling or gone.  Don’t leave an out-of-office message on your office phone, unless required to do so by your employer.  Don’t let the “I’m on vacation” message get out to anyone who doesn’t need to have it.  You control the information.
10. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.  No one wants to think about being the victim of a burglary, but being prepared in still an important option.

How about you?  Do you have other things that you do so it looks like you’re home — even when you’re not?

Photo credit: SXC

NOTE:  This post was sponsored by kent washington insurance.  The opinions contained herein are my own.

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It’s been cold around Seattle this week, so I considered myself fortunate to be traveling to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii (in photo).  Coming home to below freezing weather was a real shock to my system.  Whether I want to admit it or not, winter is here – so it’s a good thing that I’m heading back to Hawaii in the morning.

Kona on the big island of Hawaii

Here’s some great travel information, writing, and photography to warm even the coldest of days:

• Seattle PI has some great photos of a frozen Lake Washington.  Not the whole lake, of course, but in this little section there was ice skating going on.
• Heather on her travels has photos from the Christmas Markets in Munich.  I’d love to get over to see the markets one of these years.
• Travels with Children has a wonderful explanation of why it’s so important for families to travel.  Instilling a love of travel and other cultures in children in such a worthy effort.
• Sharing Travel Experiences has photos that remind me that Seattle is not all that cold.  These photos of glaciers around the world are stark and beautiful.
• Brilliant Tips writes about a cold weather destination, Sisimiut, Greenland, just above the arctic circle.
• Intelligent Travel is also in a cold weather destination, Stockholm, Sweden, and shares information about the city’s unique rooftop tours at night.
• Travel Rants lists some of the great and not-so-great scams that travelers may encounter.  Don’t get taken in.
• Girl on the Go, a new blog on the list, explains why she’s become a Kindle convert.  As a fan myself, I’d agree.
• Luxetasy gives us a photo tour through some of Hong Kong’s rooftop bars.
• Diana Scimone has a great gift if you’ve still got holiday shopping to do – jewelry, purses, and paper goods made by women and girls rescued from trafficking.  Beautiful things, and a very worthy cause.
• Gadling shares some inside information with us about secret airline societies.  It’s going to take you about $50,000/year to become a member.
• The Carey Adventures has a couple of photos of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner test run at Paine Field in Everett.  This is big news around here.  Now I’m dying to know what it looks like on the inside!

I hope you’ll take the time to visit these great travel blogs and bloggers and get their take on what’s going on around the world.  And don’t forget to tell them that MJ sent you!

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

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I’m off to Houston today, a city that I have yet to visit, so it’s sure to be a fun trip.  I always love going somewhere that I’ve never been!

Here are some travel posts from this past week to keep you busy reading while I’m busy traveling.  Please take a read, as I hope you’ll find something to interest you, and please leave a comment and tell them that MJ sent you.

Remember your first airplane ride?

• Galley Gossip over at Gadling shares a great story of a young man’s first flight.  These are the kinds of things that Flight Attendants do all the time, but no one every hears about it.
• New York Times Travel describes some of the new bars in Singapore.
• PlanetEye Traveler – London provides a great description of the Lord Mayor’s Show and where to get in on the action.  Almost as much fun as a Presidential inauguration.
• Vagabondish has a review of a floating B&B in Martha’s Vineyard.  As a fan of unusual accommodations, this sounds a bit different, while still providing a little luxury.
• Intelligent Travel has even more quirky hotels, teasing me with their roundup.  I’m putting a yurt on the list when the weather gets a little nicer.
• Travellious blogger Kelly provokes both my sympathy and jealousy as she transit Charles de Gaulle airport en route to Italy.
• Italy MONDO, since we were just speaking of Italy, takes us on the journey from olives to olive oil.  It’s a complicated process, but how grateful I am for the end result.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Las Vegas has a review of the Smother’s Brothers show.  It’s interesting to learn how their message has (and hasn’t) changed over the years.  Hard to believe these guys were a target of the censors.
• Decanterberry Tales shares a video showing us how to open a bottle of wine without an opener.  Haven’t we all been caught without a corkscrew?  (I’d love to know if anyone has actually tried this method.)
• Gadling reminds of us why everyone gets screened at airport security checkpoints – even the seemingly unlikely.
• Heather on her Travels has a nice profile, with accompanying photos, of nightlife in Beirut.
• Grinding has a funny flow chart of the decision process for buying a new gadget.  Since I’m always on the lookout for what’s new and what I have to have, this tickled my funny bone.
• Globe & Mail Travel profiles road warriors who are making Vancouver to London (round trip) flights without booking a hotel.  The ultimate single-day business trip.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Washington DC explains curling, just in time to be a primer for the winter Olympics.  Lots of leagues available, even for beginners.
• Girl on the Go gives tip for avoiding fake jewelry scams in Santa Fe, and where to find the real stuff.

That’s it for today.  Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to check back next Sunday for more of my travel favorites.

Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares

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On March 17,2006, I started writing about travel here at Flyaway Cafe.  I knew a lot about travel, but nothing about blogging, technology, social media, photo editing or building readership.  I knew airport codes, not HTML code.  And I knew airline route structures, and how to find a good hotel deal. but not a thing about Digg or Twitter.

But boy did I learn!

Now, after more than 3 1/2 years, and 1,325 posts, Flyaway Cafe is being retired.  Today’s post, my 1,326th, will be my last.

As I write this, there is an incredible range of emotions rushing through me, the first of which is a huge amount of thanks.

I am very thankful for the early days of b5media, and the people who were willing to take a chance on Flight Attendant who loved to travel, and said she could learn all the rest of this blogging stuff.  The people who have helped me along my journey are too numerous to mention, and I know I’d forget someone anyway, so I hope you realize that this big THANK YOU is for you.

My next thank you goes to the many, many bloggers I’ve met over these years.  You have taught me and encouraged me.  We’ve shared hopes and frustrations, common goals and common problems, and more than a drink or two.  I am a better blogger and travel of the world for knowing you.  I hope to someday be in a position to “pay it forward” and help others the way that you have helped me.

And my final thank you, and probably the most important thank you, is to you – all of my readers.  As I’ve learned a little more about blogging, I hope that I have helped you learn a little more about travel.  I hope we were able to create a place to discover new information, share ideas, share a Flight Attendant’s perspective, and have a little fun.  I hope you have tools to be a better traveler, that you are inspired to see something new, and that along the way of discovery, you’ve had a few laughs.  If you have learned even a small portion of what you’ve taught me, then Flyaway Cafe has been a success.

Although there is a little bit of sadness today, there’s lot more excitement and enthusiasm.   As much as I have loved blogging at Flyaway Cafe, I am even more excited about the new projects that I’m involved with

Since January 2009, I have worked with PlanetEye as their Travel Editor,  Earlier this month we’ve launched our fabulous new online travel magazine, PlanetEye Traveler.  I get to work with an exciting management team and a group of wonderfully creative travel bloggers to help bring you great photographs, expert reviews, cool interactive maps, and fresh content every day.  We have over 50 destinations around the world, along with some fun travel specialties, so stop by to see what catches your eye.  You’ll find me there blogging about Seattle.

And. . . of course. . . you know that I have lots more Flight Attendant stories to share with you.  And lots more trips to plan and take, hotels and spas to review, restaurants to sample, wine to drink, products to test and review, and plenty to do that will keep me full of personal travel blogging stories.  You can find me blogging about all those topics at my new personal travel website, Traveling with MJ.  I’ve already got a few posts up, and scads of reviews (including some really great products) and more information on trips to Las Vegas, Croatia, and Italy, that I’ll be posting over the next few weeks as I get settled in.  Please stop by and see what I’m up to, and put up with a little clean up left to be done there.   Of course, you can always reach me by email.

While I may be leaving Flyaway Cafe, I’m certainly not leaving travel blogging.  It’s gotten into my head and my heart, and I look forward to another 1,325 posts.  I hope you’ll come along for the next leg of the journey.

Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares

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Hello fellow travelers and friends, and welcome to my new travel blog – Traveling With MJ!

I first started travel blogging back in March 2006 at a travel blog called Flyaway Cafe.  It was my first attempt at blogging, and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the adventure of travel with all of my readers.   After over three years blogging at Flyaway Cafe, that blog is being retired at the end of October 2009.  So what was I to do but strike out on my own, and so Traveling with MJ is born.

Arches of Roman Coliseum, photo by MJ

I have been a Flight Attendant for over 20 years, and continually find myself being asked about where to go, what to do, and for all sorts of recommendations about destinations, where to stay, and products.  That’s what I hope to continue sharing with you here.

Let’s find the major attractions that are worth seeing, hidden gems of a city, the reasonably priced hotel, the authentic, cozy little restaurant, the places to go for special occasions, what’s over-rated and what’s under-rated, where to go for great shopping, and how to see a place without breaking your budget.

Travel is always about a discussion.  People with information and knowledge sharing with one another, everyone adding something  to the discussion, and everyone taking away a little as well.  That’s what I hope you’ll find here — whether you are looking for ideas or information, whether you want to eavesdrop on someone else’s experiences or share some of your own, whether you are looking for specific tips, or whether you just want to pass the time – I hope you’ll make Traveling with MJ part of your daily travel reads.

For me, traveling is both a vocation and an avocation – quite simply, it’s a way of life.

Photo:  personal collection

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What’s better than a wonderful cruise vacation?  A wonderful cruise vacation that’s FREE, of course!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and USA Today newspaper have launched the Reporter at Sea contest, looking for a talented citizen journalist (blogger?) to cover the pre-inaugural voyage of the Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Oasis of the Sea

Oasis of the Sea has 16 decks and can carry 5,400 guests in 2,700 staterooms.  It’s themed around a neighborhood concept, with specific themed areas:  Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center, and Entertainment Place.

Starting today, and running through October 9, 2009 at 11:50 pm (Eastern Time) you can submit a creative video that is no long than 45-seconds that showcase your reporting skills, and giving RCCL a reason to choose you to be their reporter at sea for this preview sailing on the Oasis of the Sea.  One winner will be chosen from the United States, and additional winners from Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom will also be chosen.

After the entry deadline, the judges will select 10 finalists from each of the above countries, based on creativity and quality, as well as the entrant’s ability to entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to represent their country.

Following the judges narrowing the field, the selection process moves online.  Voters will have the opportunity to choose their favorite video between October 20-25th, with the winner from each country announced on November 4th.

What’s the prize?

The winner and a guest will be flown to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 18th, 2009, where they will have overnight accommodations in a local hotel and a $200 allowance for food.  The next day, they’ll board the ship for a 3-night cruise with balcony cabin stateroom.  During the cruise, the winner will experience the sailing right along with Gene Sloan, USA TODAY’s cruise editor, and receive behind-the-scenes information and access to write blogs posts and video clips.

Sounds like a lot of fun, huh?  Who’s going to enter?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

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I scour the travel feeds all week so you don’t have to!  And while I can’t possibly include all of the great blog posts from this week, I offer up this assortment of information and adventure to keep you entertained.  Grab a cup of coffee and settle in, and if you enjoy any of these posts, please let them know that you heard about it at Flyaway Cafe.

Consumer Traveler thinks that when it comes to tarmac delays that we want to have our cake and eat it, too.  See what you think.

West Seattle Blog gives us a peek at some wildlife along the shore.  It’s part of the reason why Seattle is such a great place to live.

Gadling shares what it would be like if airlines ran restaurants.  This would be funny if it weren’t all too true.

LA Times tells us about FREE tours of the White House Gardens.  If you’ll be back DC way, this sounds like a great idea.

My Marrakesh always has such wonderful finds from her corner of the world.  One day I’m heading that way for a visit, and will convince her to take me shopping.

AAA Travel Views snagged me with an article about what goes into a 5-star hotel evaluation.  Ahhhhh, luxury!

Ron Dubin always captivates with his photography, and this one of the Seine in Paris brings back memories of a wonderful vacation.

LUXUO introduced me to Louis Vuitton City Guides.  Love their bags, but have never seen their city guides.  Anyone?

Nerds Eye View advises about mistakes that rookie RV-ers make, and owns up to the one she made herself.

A Single View provides a little airline humor.  Who has the guts to use this bag tag?

Sharing Experiences talks about what it takes to be a travel writer, and how to get some good travel learnin’.

Tripbase tackles the age old problem of post-vacation blues.  My choice?  Start planning another vacation ASAP.

Travel Rants talks about Google Sidewiki.  What do you think?

What a Trip talks about a trip to Ketchikan.  Read about the must-do in the great city in Alaska.

The Vacation Gals have a great giveaway, combining the Wii and travel.  Go and enter!

PlanetEye Traveler – Lisbon has my mouth watering with a great fine dining review.  Now I’m hungry!

Till next week, happy reading!

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

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I had lots of time for travel reading this week, finding great destination suggestions, tips, and following current events in the industry.  There’s a lot of great topics and writing, and I invite you to visit these blogs and bloggers who caught my eye.  Leave them a comment, and tell them that Flyaway Cafe sent you!

iTravelnet writes about ActionAid Australia’s TOTO project.  They’re looking for an outreach blogger to write about poverty.  Deadline to apply is August 30th, so if you’re interested move quickly.

(c)Mary Jo Manzanares, 2009

My Bella Vita explains how a simple geography question about how many continents there are can fuel an international discussion.  The answer may not be as simple as you think.

The Amsterdam Guide explains proper tram etiquette.  If you’ll be traveling Amsterdam by public transportation, this is good advice to make things easier for you.

AAA Travel Views writes about the AAA Roadside iPhone app that’s now available.  I love my apps, so you can bet that I’ll be using and reviewing this one soon.

My Mélange lists her travel regrets.  We all have some, of course, but reading her list will make you more determined that ever to travel to the fullest.

The Vancouver Traveler revisits Woodstock, British Columbia-style.  Not just a US phenomena, Woodstock resonated, and continues to resonate, around the world.

Intelligent Traveler has a writer putting Jet Blue’s Flight Pass to a test.  You can follow along as Katie travels and uses the pass for a month.

Money Hacker lists 12 ways to travel for free.  They won’t work for everyone, of course, but maybe you can find one that captures your attention and give it a try.

Upgrade Travel Better writes about Hertz’s decision to start photographing rental cars in order to avoid conflict about whether there’s been additional damage.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

The South Florida Traveler helps us learn how to prepare for a hurricane.  Good info to know before your need it, rather than after, but I still hope I never have to put it to a test.

Consumer Traveler names the world’s worst hotel, and spills the beans on a few others as well.

Richard P. Carpenter’s Travel & Trivia lists information to consider when deciding when to travel where.  It takes into account weather, special events, vacation times, currency valuation, and more.

Global Nomad has great photos and accompanying commentary about the beggars who work Sudder Street in Kolkata, India.

Northwest Cheapsleeps recommends things to do and see in Long Beach, Washington, reminding me that I haven’t been there in quite awhile.

Eye Flare picks up the discussion on whether or not TripAdvisor censors reviews – especially negative ones.  Jack’s advice is solid, always read with some skepticism.

Travel Rants points out how to spot a fake travel site.  Sad, but true, travelers continue to get hoodwinked by unscrupulous vendors.  Ignore this advice at your own peril.

Enjoy the week!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Another great week of travel reads, covering topics both serious and fun.  Take a read at these great posts, and see if you agree.

The Edinburgh Guide – Although it has been called Auld Reekie, it never meant smelly until now.

Wisebread – Good tips for finding free wi-fi at airports.  Unfortunately, some of these means are getting encrypted and/or shut down, but it’s a great starting point.  And why, oh why, can’t there just be free wi-fi at the airport?!

Concierge – From Conde Nast Traveler comes this great guide to tipping around the world.  Read it, print it out for future reference, and understand how tipping appropriately maintains the culture of where you’re traveling.  It’s really not about throwing your money around to feel important!

The London Traveler – The Cult of Mithras, the patron god of the Roman Empire Army, is depicted in statues around the city.  Andrea puts it all together and explains why it’s important to the history of the area.

Wanderlust and Lipstick – What’s worth the money and what’s not.  Mostly not.  A good read on how to avoid the airline fees that plague us all.

Intelligent Travel – A review of S’Mac, in New York City, where the specialty is macaroni and cheese.  Ooooh, oooooh, I love my mac and cheese, and this lower east side restaurant serves their versions of it right in the skillet.  My mouth is watering even typing about it!

Tripso – A great discussion of how social media can help make your vacation better.  Twitter anyone?

Stood There – I love this fun site where there are lists and list of attractions and locations where you must have your photo taken.  Divided up by geography, these lists are a lot of fun.  How many can you check off?

Traveling the Green Way = Travel is certainly not the most green of activities, but seeing the world and learning about other cultures is important.  Jennifer lists a variety of ways to help minimize our traveling impact, giving us good food for thought.

Photo credit: SXC

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I read lots and lots of travel blogs posts over the course of a week, but it’s only the best of the best that I share with you.  This week, these blogs made me smile, laugh, wonder, question, or simply admire.  Perhaps you’ll feel the same way.

The Buenos Aires Guide – Be careful when booking you’re hotel, or you may wind up at one that rents by the hour.

Nerds Eye View – Pam is off at BlogHer with a bunch of other Seattle travelbloggers.  While I had to miss the event due to a scheduling matter, I’m keeping up on the travels via her blog.  I loved this section of their trip through Cody, Wyoming.

Travellious – My pals over here spent three weeks in Italy shortly before I did.  While I love, love, LOVE the food in Italy, I could relate to the urge for a food quintessentially American – onion rings.

Tripso – Cruising may not be the luxury experience we hope for.  Read about the five dirtiest cruise ships before making your plans.

LA Times – Commuting airline crew members who “live” in RV’s in the parking lot at LAX.  Yep, this is a real glamour job.

Gadling – Always a great stop for great photography, but this photo taken from the edge of the Grand Canyon made me realize how insignificant we all are.

Wanderlust and Lipstick – Beth gives some solid advice for a young woman about to embark on her first solo trip.  I’m reading Beth’s book on solo travel right now, so look for a review and more solo travel tips in the coming weeks.

Photo credit: irrezolut @flickr

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