Next month, Will and I will set sail on the Queen Mary 2. I’m a little nervous considering that it’s been all over the news this week that they failed a sanitation inspection. I think I’ve mentioned that Will and I are germ freaks. A couple of my friends have assured me that the ship will have been scoured after the bad grade and I hope they are right!!!

The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is one of those hotels that just takes your breath away. In addition to 2,500 rooms, it has a casino, exhibition space, theatres, over 50 restaurants and over 250 high end retail stores. Of course, it’s the Skypark which connects the property’s three buildings on the 55th floor that really makes it distinctive. The observation deck is longer than the Eiffel Tower and boasts a spectacular, panoramic view of Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands

People often think of travel as an expensive luxury. It costs money, time and effort. Yet over and over, studies have proven that vacations are vital to health and well being.

As I’ve dealt with health issues over the past year, I’ve had to change the way I travel, at least temporarily. Instead of flying, we’ve found places we could drive to and we’ve been taking many day trips in lieu of longer getaways. Travel doesn’t have to mean jetting off to somewhere far off and exotic….all you really have to do is leave your home. You can walk, drive, take a bus, train or plane and you can escape for a few hours or several days. You don’t need to spend a lot of money. There are so many great parks and public spaces in every city here in the U.S.. You can camp, visit a friend, stay in a hotel or drive home at the end of the day. The point is to get away from your typical schedule, even if it’s for a short time.

I know a lot of people are struggling with money or health or other stressful problems that are part of life, but that’s why it’s so important to take a break. It’s so important to get away from the computer and the phone and the TV and spend real, uninterrupted time with the people that are important to you. It’s so important to see the beautiful things that exist in this world in nature, and art and culture. No matter what your situation is, there is a way and it will feed your spirit and your relationships, improve your health and make the dark times a little brighter. I’ve never heard a person say they regret taking a trip….not once.

These TSA approved ClikCard Travel Locks are opened by card keys which are much sturdier and easier to keep track of than those pesky, tiny keys that are usually used. Each set comes with three locks and two card keys that open them all, one credit card sized and one keychain card sized. They come in red and black.

$29.85/pack, $25.85/pack if you order 2 or more Magellan’s

Recently, Will and I visited Wave Hill, a 28 acre, public garden in Bronx, NY. It’s a bit small but it’s such a peaceful place to take a walk and the view of the Hudson River is beautiful.

Wave Hill

There are some places where wearing a money belt is a must, but it’s important never to look like you are wearing one. The Worry-Free Money Belt doubles as an actual belt so you can keep your cash hidden fashionably. It comes in black and silver.

Of course, I always recommend carrying a small purse with just a little cash in it as a decoy because if you carry nothing, it’s obvious you have cash on your person.

$35 Magellan’s