My father and his family are from the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina and growing up I spent a lot of time there. While things today seem to change quickly, mountain time still runs slower than most places and so does the pace of this featured short clip…
The above map is perfect to save on a device or to print a copy to take along.
The most convenient way to pay for travel on Sydney’s Metro is to get an Opal Card. It is a reloadable card that can be used to tap on and off at any station, metro, trains, buses, ferries and light rail in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra. You can purchase an Opal card online, at any train station or convenience store.
The first big change is that you don’t really need the Opal card any more. While the Opal card is still convenient and can be really useful, you don’t really need to buy one. The card readers have been updated to use a number of contactless credit or debit cards that include Visa, Mastercard, and American Express along with Google and Apple Pay and you do not need to register your card or create an account. You will need to use the same card for daily travel in order to take advantage of the caps.
There is no charge for an Opal card, however a minimum top up value of $20 for an adult card, or $10 for a child or concession card, applies at retailers or when using top up machines. Top up amounts of $10 for adult and $5 for child or concession are available when topping up online.
Please Note: Charges are placed against your card once at the end of each day. If you’re visiting Australia and use your tap credit cards it may be more expensive than the Opal Card depending on your cards transaction fees and exchange rate policy.
The discounts built into the system don’t require you to do anything to take advantage of them. The system automatically calculates the charges as you use the system and applies the daily cap before making charges at the end of the day. All you have to do is ride, making sure to always use the same credit card or an Opal Card to take maximum advantage of the system.
Opal is a ‘pay-as-you-go’ system, so you only pay when you use a train or bus or ferry, including private ferry operators like Manly Fast Ferry. There are rewards for frequent travel and daily caps on fares that can save regular users and even visitors on short trips.
The biggest benefit of Opal is the benefits you can gain by using the same opal card or credit card for every trip. The system has built-in maximum daily charges called caps.
Daily Travel Cap – A maximum A$17.80 per day for adults and A$8.90 a day for a child to travel anywhere in the network.
Weekend Travel Cap – A maximum of A$8.90 for adults and $A4.45 for kids for unlimited travel on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and some public holidays.
Weekly Travel Cap – A maximum of A$50.00 a week for adults and A$25 for kids when traveling on all modes of Opal enabled transport calculated from Monday through Sunday
Transfer discount – You receive a $2 discount for every transfer between metro/train, ferry, bus or light rail as part of one journey within 60 minutes from the last tap off.
For payment the system will also allow you to use a digital wallet from Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay provided an American Express (AMEX), MasterCard, Visa or debit card is added to your Pay account.
Opal cards are available at Central, Circular Quay, major stations or over the counter from Opal retailers that include most convenience stores and newsagents. There is no charge for an Opal card, but there is a minimum top up value of A$20. Be sure you click the map below to save or print a copy before you going to Sydney.
The above map is perfect to save on a device or to print a copy to take along visiting Sydney.
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After almost eighty five years after the landing a visit to the beaches of Normandy is an emotional experience. After our day there we firmly believe that if you want to see Paris – spend several days at a minimum but do not pass up any opportunity to visit Normandy.
Even if it’s only a short trip to Paris everyone should consider a day trip to the D-Day beaches of Normandy. There are a number of tours available from Paris to Normandy and many can be booked through your hotel. Another option is to rent a car and spend a couple of days in the area on your own. The countryside is beautiful and the people welcoming.
Your day should include a visit to the Caen Memorial Museum, the Normandy American Cemetery and the Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, a tour of Pointe du Hoc, as many beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword) as you can fit in, along with Arromanches-les-Bains and the Pegasus bridge. There are also a number of other cemeteries in the area honoring those that gave their lives from the British Commonwealth and other countries.
The French people have a less then accommodating reputation, but, throughout our day, we discovered the people of Normandy friendly, talkative and still wanting to express gratitude to Americans for the sacrifices on D-Day. While at Pointe du Hoc we saw a number of French school tours visiting and there seemed to be a serious effort to keep that moment in history alive for successive French generations.
Even today, visiting the quiet beaches and the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, the enormity of that event in 1944 still has an emotional impact. It is overwhelming to walk thru the Normandy American Cemetery with the 9,387 head stones standing in row after row, like the fallen soldiers they mark. Walking in the cemetery it is hard to process the number of lives lost in so short a time. The land beneath the cemetery is U.S. soil and the cemetery is maintained and operated by American personnel.
At Pointe du Hoc the tops of the cliffs are spotted with the immense concrete German bunkers and the ground is still gouged with the craters made by the Allied naval gun barrages. The most impressive thing, however, is to look down those ninety-foot cliffs and realize that 225 American Rangers climbed them while under attack from German gunfire and bad weather.
In addition to the D-Day experience is a drive through the beautiful French countryside. There are farms and villages spotted with yellow canola fields and bordered by oak trees thick with clusters of mistletoe. All-in-all an unforgettable experience.
Above image via Freepik
As we travel it’s become common to run into digital nomads. Many have been younger (twenties and thirties) and a lot of them make a living on the internet. Some are programers with steady contracts while others are content creators. If I was younger and just starting a career I’m sure I would explore being a digital nomad. So when a Vivek Mukherjee offered up the following article it seemed an excellent fit for The Intentional Travelers. Enjoy…
Adopting a digital nomad lifestyle is becoming an increasingly popular choice for those seeking freedom and flexibility in their professional and personal lives. This lifestyle allows you to explore the world while maintaining a career, provided you have a laptop and a reliable internet connection. Preparing for this transition requires the right skills, significant self-discipline, and strategic planning. This article from The Intentional Travelers will explore the essential steps to becoming a successful digital nomad.
A compelling portfolio is crucial in demonstrating your capabilities to potential employers or clients. This portfolio should be a curated collection of your best work that highlights your skills and experiences in a manner that is both professional and accessible. Utilize online platforms to reach a broader audience, ensuring your work is easily accessible and well-presented. This is your first step toward establishing credibility as a freelancer or remote worker.
Once you have a portfolio, the next step is to package your skills to make them attractive to potential employers. Identify your unique offerings and consider how they can be bundled into services that meet the needs of businesses operating online. Develop a clear marketing strategy to promote these services, utilizing digital platforms to reach a global market. This approach will help you stand out in a competitive field, attracting clients who need your expertise.
Enhancing your skills through further education significantly boosts your marketability in the evolving remote job landscape. Pursuing and earning your computer science online degree offers comprehensive IT, programming, and software development training while providing the flexibility to learn without interrupting your current employment.
This approach enhances your skills in high-demand areas like cybersecurity and data analysis and opens up numerous opportunities to work from virtually anywhere. Such education is crucial for anyone looking to stay competitive and thrive as a digital nomad.
Researching potential work opportunities is vital to finding jobs that allow you to live the digital nomad life. Utilize job platforms specializing in remote work to find positions matching your skills and professional goals. Networking with other digital nomads and joining online communities can also provide leads and advice on securing sustainable work. Evaluating each opportunity carefully will ensure that it supports your lifestyle and allows travel and flexibility.
When you secure work, drafting effective contracts is essential to ensure both parties are clear about expectations. Contracts should detail the scope of work, deadlines, payment terms, and termination rights. They protect your rights as a freelancer and clarify your responsibilities, preventing misunderstandings and legal issues. Consult legal resources to help draft comprehensive and fair contracts.
Deciding where to stay while traveling is crucial for balancing work and exploration. Choose locations that inspire you and support your need for a stable work environment. Research accommodations that offer reliable internet access and suitable workspaces. Planning is crucial to ensure your destinations are conducive to productivity and relaxation.
Budgeting for travel and living expenses is critical for sustaining the digital nomad lifestyle long-term. Create a detailed budget for all potential costs, including accommodation, transportation, food, and leisure activities. Learn to manage your finances using tools and apps designed for travelers, which can help you track spending and stay on budget. Being financially savvy will enable you to enjoy this lifestyle without financial stress.
Becoming a digital nomad requires more than just a desire to travel; it demands careful planning, a commitment to ongoing education, and the ability to adapt to changing environments. By preparing thoroughly, you can ensure a smooth transition to this dynamic way of living and working. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth and enjoy the freedom of being a digital nomad.
The internet is full of resources if you’re interested in exploring the life of a digital nomad. Following is a short list of worthwhile sites:
If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content at Intend2Travel.info!
Our favorite Italian city, Florence is a not only a historic and beautiful city begs to be explored, but a celebration of the Renascence in Europe.
Featured here is the Ponte Vecchio, a medieval bridge that crosses the Arno River in Florence. It is one of the most famous bridges in the world and is known for its shops that line both sides across the span. The Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345 and while it has seen numerous changes its character has survived for over six hundred plus years.
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So far this year we’ve taken eight flights – all international and we’ve come to realize that we just don’t know what our bags will cost until we check-in at the counter. Twice we expected to pay US$70 per bag and nobody asked for money. On one flight we were told that a carry-on weighing over 15 pounds would cost US$25 but nobody weighed my 35 pound backpack – so no extra fee. Just over a year ago most international flights did not charge for checked bags – PERHAPS NO MORE!
The fees charged for baggage are rising faster than inflation and international flights have almost eliminated free checked bags while some are now charging for carry-ons (what’s the difference between a carry-on and a personnel item??) If you want to pick a seat before the flight expect to pay between US$25 and US$45. If I don’t want to pay does that mean that my wife sits in the front of the plane while I’m in the back?? Additionally, there is a growing trend to eliminate any free options for economy tickets – carry-ons, onboard food, maybe using the lavatory?? All of this now requires a reevaluation of economy ticket fares.
Recently we booked a flight from Rome to Amsterdam with KLM where if we selected an economy ticket we would have paid US$70 per bag but if we selected Economy Plus that included one free bag each the fare went up by US$37???
Because of all that is happening you need to use this guide as a starting point and a way of comparing airlines, but you also need to confirm current fees at the time of booking. For example from October 2023 to May 2024 Delta raised the charge for a first bag from US$30 to US$35 and 2nd bag from 40 to $45. For Frontier Airlines there is no published price list – you’ll need to check your flight by logging in on their website HERE.
Some US based airlines will allow you to prepay for your bags using points, but mostly only on domestic flights?? We’re expecting card readers to be installed on lavatory doors soon…
UPDATED April 2025
U.S. Airlines Baggage Fees on Domestic FlightsAlaska Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $30, 2nd – $40, 3rd + – $100, Overweight Bag – $75 Oversized or overweight Bags $100 each. Carry On 1 – Free
American Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $30, 2nd – $40 3rd – $150, Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 Carry On 1 – Free to $30. Free bag excluded for Basic Economy
Delta Airlines Checked bags 1st – $35, 2nd – $45 3rd – $100, Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $200
Frontier Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $40 to $75, 2nd – $50 to $60 3+ – $75 to $80 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100. Carry On 1 free – The size of your one included personal item will be checked during boarding. Items larger than the allowed dimensions are subject to an additional charge of $35 plus.
Hawaiian Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $30, 2nd – $40, 3rd+ $100, Overweight Bags over 70# $200, Oversized Bags $100 Carry On 1 – Free/
JetBlue Airways Checked Bags 1st – $35, 2nd – $60 3rd+ – $100, Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 Carry On 1 – Free
Southwest Airlines Checked Bags 1st – Free, 2nd – Free, 3rd – Free, Overweight Bags 1 – $75 Oversized Bags 1 – $75 Carry On 1 – Free
Spirit Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $40 to $75, 2nd – $60 to $100 3+ – $85 Overweight Bags 1 – $30 to $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 to $150 Carry On 1 – $37 to $65. Fees may be waived based on member status.
Sun Country Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $35, 2nd – $50, Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags – $100 to $150 Carry On 1 – Free
United Airlines The airlines no longer publishes a baggage fee schedule. To calculate cost based on a flight and bag description click HERE.
Virgin America Checked Bags 1st – $35 2nd – $50+ Overweight Bags 1 – $50 to $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100. Carry On 1 – Free
U.S. & International Airlines Baggage Fees on Most International FlightsAer Lingus Checked Bags 1st – Free 2nd – $100 3+ – $100 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 Carry On 1 – Free
Aeroflot Russian Airlines Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – $50 3+ – $150 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $150 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 to $150 Carry On 1 – Free
Aeromexico Checked Bags 1st – $20 to $25 2 – $45 to $55 3+ – $150 to $180 Overweight Bags 1 – $35 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $160 to $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Air Canada Checked Bags 1st – $26 2 – $37 3+ – $105 Overweight Bag 1 – $105 Oversized Bags 1 – $105 Carry On 1 – Free
Air China Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $110 Overweight Bags 1 – $75 to $110 Oversized Bags 1 – $75 to $110 Carry On 1 – Free
Air France Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – $80 to $100 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $300 Carry On 1 – Free
Air India Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $100 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 to $600 Carry On 1 – Free
Air New Zealand Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – $150 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $150 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 Carry On 1 – Free
Air Tahiti Nui Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – $75 to $100 3+ – $150 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $75 to $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 to $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Alaska Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $25, 2 – $25 3+ – $75 Overweight Bags 1 – $75 Oversized Bags 1st – $75 Carry On 1 – Free
Alitalia Checked Bags 1st – Free Carry On 1 – Free
All Nippon Airways Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $100 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $60 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 Carry On 1 – Free.
American Airlines Checked Bags 1st – $30 to $75, 2nd – $75 to $553+ – $100 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $450 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 to $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Avianca Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $175 to $250 Overweight Bags 1 – $90 to $150 Oversized Bags 1 – $130 Carry On 1 – Free
Cathay Pacific Airways Checked Bags 1st – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $150 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 Carry On 1 – Free
El Al Israel Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $85 to $100 3+ – $85 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $55 to $100 Oversized Bag 1 – $85 to $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Emirates Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $158 to $175 Overweight Bags 1 – $50 Oversized Bags 1 – $175 Carry On 1 – Free
Etihad Airways Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $240 to $300 Carry On 1 – Free
Finnair Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $60 to $75 3+ – $60 to $75 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 to $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Frontier Airlines Checked Bags 1 – $25 to $60 2 – $40 to $50 3+ – $75 to $80 Overweight Bags 1 – $75 Oversized Bags 1 – $75 Carry On 1 – $30 to $35
Hawaiian Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $150 Overweight Bags 1 – $50 to $400 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 Carry On 1 – Free
Iberia Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $85 to $100 3+ – $170 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $50 to $320 Carry On 1 – Free
Icelandair Checked Bags 1 – Free Carry On 1 – Free
Insel Air Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $40 3+ – $150 Overweight Bags 1 – $40 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 Carry On 1 – Free
JetBlue Airways Checked Bags 1 – $25 2 – $35 3+ – $100 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 Carry On 1 – Free
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $80 to $100 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $80 to $150 Carry On 1 – Free
Korean Air Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Latam Airlines Group Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $100 to $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $50 to $200 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 Carry On 1 – Free
LOT Polish Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $71 to $332 3+ – $71 to $332 Overweight Bags 1 – $71 to $221 Oversized Bags 1 – $71 to $221 Carry On 1 – Free
Lufthansa German Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $75 to $100 3+ – $75 to $500 Overweight Bags 1 – $70 to $450 Oversized Bags 1 – $70 to $450 Carry On 1 – Free
Malaysia Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free Carry On1 – Free
Norwegian Air International Checked Bags 1 – $57 to $130 2 – $57 to $130 3+ – $57 to $130 Carry On 1 – Free
Philippine Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $100 Overweight Bags 1 – $150 to $450 Oversized Bags 1 – $150 to $450 Carry On 1 – Free
Qantas Airways Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $175 3+ – $175 Overweight Bags 1 – $75 Oversized Bags 1 – $75 Carry On 1 – Free
Royal Air Maroc Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $150 3+ – $150 Overweight Bags 1 – $50 Oversized Bags 1 – $50 Carry On 1 – Free
SAS Scandinavian Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $110 3+ – $110 Overweight Bags 1 – $250 Oversized Bags 1 – $250 Carry On1 – Free
Singapore Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $150 to $350 Overweight Bags 1 – $100 to $225 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 to $225 Carry On 1 – Free
South African Airways Checked Bags 1 – Free, 2 – $75, 3+ – $200 to $400 Overweight Bags 1 – $200 to $400 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 to $400 Carry On 1 – Free
Southwest Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free 3+ – $75, Overweight Bags 1 – $75 Oversized Bags 1 – $75 Carry On 1 – Free
Spirit Airlines Checked Bags 1 – $32 to $65 2 – $32 to $65 3+ – $32 to $65 Overweight Bags 1 – $30 Oversized Bags 1 – $100 to $150 Carry On 1 – $39 to $65
Swiss Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $85 to $210 3+ – $85 to $210 Overweight Bags 1 – $300 to $450 Oversized Bags 1 – $300 to $450 Carry On 1 – Free
TAP Portugal Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $160 to $280 3+ – $160 to $280 Overweight Bags 1 – $120 to $220 Oversized Bags 1 – $180 to $220 Carry On 1 – Free
Thai Airways Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free Carry On 1 – Free
Turkish Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $100 3+ – $100 to $300
Overweight Bags 1 – $80 to $150 Carry On 1 – Free
United Airlines Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – Free to $100 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags 1 – $200 to $400 Oversized Bags 1 – $200 Carry On 1 – Free
Virgin America Checked Bags 1 – $25 2 – $25 3+ – $25 Overweight Bags 1 – $50 to $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $75
Virgin Atlantic Airways Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $100 3+ – $200 Overweight Bags
1 – $100 Oversized Bags 1 – $60 Carry On 1 – Free
Virgin Australia Checked Bags 1 – Free 2 – $90 3+ – $160Overweight Bags
1 – $100 Oversized Bags Carry On 1 – Free
WestJet Checked Bags 1 – $19 to $22 2 – $26 to $30 3+ – $74 to $87 Overweight Bags 1 – $55 to $65 Oversized Bags 1 – $55 to $65 Carry On 1 – Free
Because of the constant changing fees consider the above information for comparison purposes only. To help you reach an informed decision check with the actual airlines. Following is a collection of links to a number of airlines baggage web page*
The Intentional Travelers 