I’ve loved these Rebecca interview issues - pragmatic tips and a helpful pulse on the travel space mixed in with aspirational (for me) hotels. The dreaminess is part of the appeal!
Rebecca created a Paris itinerary for a mother/daughter trip to Paris that we will never forget. My mom and I reminisce almost every time we are together.
Excellent recommendations! Thanks for a great interview. I’m a stay at home mom and my ideal mother’s days is having some solo time in the afternoon to do what I want. Other than that, not a big Mother’s Day person. I don’t want my little kids bringing me soggy cereal in bed…!
I loved reading this! I love to travel and I value an expert opinion. As for Mother’s Day, I couldn’t care less for myself, but I do send good wishes to all my friends and family because I don’t know exactly where they land.
We were hanging on every word of this Q&A! Such a treat to have Rebecca as a part of the SmartFlyer community—thanks for sharing this inspiring chat, Hillary!
I too hate mother's day and I was a traditional stay at home mom. It's just a set up for failure for all involved. Just love your mom everyday and skip the silly commercialized holiday!
LOVE the travel suggestions! Just ordered the Adidas pants! What color did she buy in the Toteme cashmere coat? I'm on the vege of buying it and cannot decide between the camel and the black. Leaning towards black.
LOVE your newsletter and always look forward to it! Every day is Mother's Day as far as I'm concerned! HMD
I bought the camel version. It is really versatile and works with black brown navy.... I looked at both in store and the black is pretty, too! I also have blondeish hair which I think works well with the camel.
I was in college before I realized Mother’s Day was a big thing. We were a military family and my dad frequently missed Mother’s Day. The default became not celebrating. Now it’s a nice breakfast at home.
LOVED this! Thanks so much! I have two questions for Rebecca if that’s ok, please-
1. I really think that Lonely Planet have absolutely gone downhill in quality? I’ve been deep diving in this, & I know I’m not alone - but I actually am shocked by how crap they are now. Do you have any alternatives you suggest please? I’ve tried them on the last four trips and they’ve been so disappointing and nowhere near as good as they were. I used to allow them so heavily, reading them covered to cover like you did but now I find them nearly useless.
2. What is a greeter service?! And how do I arrange, please? I always get really nervous with connecting flights, because I don’t understand how you know: your luggage - if you need to go and get it, re-check it back in, how do I know if I have enough time / budget enough time? and if you need to change terminals… How do you know all of these things?
Lonely Planet... the last one I purchased was a full year (or even two?!) ago. I do know that LP has been through a ton of changes recently but I am going to look into this. Great call out! I've also used DK Eyewitness Travel Books. These are great for sights and history/background, general information... but I don't think they have the hotels & restaurants that LP has or used to have, which I loved.
2. A greeter service is someone who meets you at the gate (if arriving) or at the terminal (if departing). They bypass any & all lines, including customs, and walk you from point A to point B. Since you're asking about collecting and rechecking luggage and the US is the only country I know of that makes you do this at the first point of entry, I am going to assume you are talking about landing in a US airport on an international flight and connecting on to a 2nd US flights. In this case you are indeed at the mercy of the baggage handlers. I think 3h between international flights is a good rule of thumb.
How do I know all of these things? It's my job to, of course, but also a lot of trial and error to be honest.
1. Oh I didn’t realise that about LP - but makes sense!
2. Ah ok thank you! I’m British but currently living in Canada - I’ve done connecting flights with carry on as I’m worried about missing my next connection, but I will have to do it at some point 😅
Love this!! Great reccos! Question - if you were meeting friends in Sardinia for some beach time and wanted to spend a few days doing more of a city exploration before (but wanted to avoid the rest of Italy because of heat and crowding) where would you go? I know most major cities in Europe have direct flights to Sardinia. 2 adults, 2 kids (9/11). Ty!!!
I’ve loved these Rebecca interview issues - pragmatic tips and a helpful pulse on the travel space mixed in with aspirational (for me) hotels. The dreaminess is part of the appeal!
Thank you Taylor!
Always look forward to the reoccurring series! Thank you Rebecca!!
Thank you Kate! Happy to be here and always love the chance to talk travel with Hillary!
Rebecca created a Paris itinerary for a mother/daughter trip to Paris that we will never forget. My mom and I reminisce almost every time we are together.
Hi Nicolle! Thank you SO SO SO SO much. Feedback like this means the world to me, truly!
Amazing content! Such great ideas for travel!
Thank you!
Excellent recommendations! Thanks for a great interview. I’m a stay at home mom and my ideal mother’s days is having some solo time in the afternoon to do what I want. Other than that, not a big Mother’s Day person. I don’t want my little kids bringing me soggy cereal in bed…!
Ahahahahahahahahaha to soggy cereal!
I always love reading your advice Rebecca! 💖
Hi Kate! Thank you! Let's talk about that safari for 2026...x
I loved reading this! I love to travel and I value an expert opinion. As for Mother’s Day, I couldn’t care less for myself, but I do send good wishes to all my friends and family because I don’t know exactly where they land.
This was so incredibly helpful! Such an amazing post!
Thank you!
We were hanging on every word of this Q&A! Such a treat to have Rebecca as a part of the SmartFlyer community—thanks for sharing this inspiring chat, Hillary!
I too hate mother's day and I was a traditional stay at home mom. It's just a set up for failure for all involved. Just love your mom everyday and skip the silly commercialized holiday!
Yes yes yes yes!
LOVE the travel suggestions! Just ordered the Adidas pants! What color did she buy in the Toteme cashmere coat? I'm on the vege of buying it and cannot decide between the camel and the black. Leaning towards black.
LOVE your newsletter and always look forward to it! Every day is Mother's Day as far as I'm concerned! HMD
I bought the camel version. It is really versatile and works with black brown navy.... I looked at both in store and the black is pretty, too! I also have blondeish hair which I think works well with the camel.
I was in college before I realized Mother’s Day was a big thing. We were a military family and my dad frequently missed Mother’s Day. The default became not celebrating. Now it’s a nice breakfast at home.
LOVED this! Thanks so much! I have two questions for Rebecca if that’s ok, please-
1. I really think that Lonely Planet have absolutely gone downhill in quality? I’ve been deep diving in this, & I know I’m not alone - but I actually am shocked by how crap they are now. Do you have any alternatives you suggest please? I’ve tried them on the last four trips and they’ve been so disappointing and nowhere near as good as they were. I used to allow them so heavily, reading them covered to cover like you did but now I find them nearly useless.
2. What is a greeter service?! And how do I arrange, please? I always get really nervous with connecting flights, because I don’t understand how you know: your luggage - if you need to go and get it, re-check it back in, how do I know if I have enough time / budget enough time? and if you need to change terminals… How do you know all of these things?
Thanks so much Rebecca and Hillary!
Hello!
Lonely Planet... the last one I purchased was a full year (or even two?!) ago. I do know that LP has been through a ton of changes recently but I am going to look into this. Great call out! I've also used DK Eyewitness Travel Books. These are great for sights and history/background, general information... but I don't think they have the hotels & restaurants that LP has or used to have, which I loved.
2. A greeter service is someone who meets you at the gate (if arriving) or at the terminal (if departing). They bypass any & all lines, including customs, and walk you from point A to point B. Since you're asking about collecting and rechecking luggage and the US is the only country I know of that makes you do this at the first point of entry, I am going to assume you are talking about landing in a US airport on an international flight and connecting on to a 2nd US flights. In this case you are indeed at the mercy of the baggage handlers. I think 3h between international flights is a good rule of thumb.
How do I know all of these things? It's my job to, of course, but also a lot of trial and error to be honest.
Thanks Rebecca, that’s so helpful!
1. Oh I didn’t realise that about LP - but makes sense!
2. Ah ok thank you! I’m British but currently living in Canada - I’ve done connecting flights with carry on as I’m worried about missing my next connection, but I will have to do it at some point 😅
Love this!! Great reccos! Question - if you were meeting friends in Sardinia for some beach time and wanted to spend a few days doing more of a city exploration before (but wanted to avoid the rest of Italy because of heat and crowding) where would you go? I know most major cities in Europe have direct flights to Sardinia. 2 adults, 2 kids (9/11). Ty!!!
ANYWHERE in Europe? Hmm. Which month?
August!
Try Munich! A very underrated city IMO. Walkable and great for families.
Ooooh thank you! Would never have considered it.
Let me know what you decide, and how it goes! x
I was at Sao Laurenco exactly one year ago today. Incredibly relaxing.
I’m so sorry you aren’t valued for the incredibly hard work you do. I’m sending you all the best.