u/SparkleBerrySpritz

Hello! Staying 5 nights in Barcelona then 5 nights in Madrid, in October. I was wondering if anyone has any favorite winery regions within day trip distance of Madrid and Barcelona, as well as favorite vineyards they could share? I am looking to plan one day trip each to vineyards through the World Experience Tours company. If anyone has any feedback on that company or their experience, if you’ve done any day trips with them, or if you have any feedback on vineyards to avoid or vineyards that are a must visit, feel free to share! I was looking at Ribera del Duero outside of Madrid, and then the Penedes region outside of Barcelona.

Does anyone have any spare Animax ointment? My dog has a yeast ear infection and we ran out, our vet is closed for July 4th. All help appreciated thank you!

Planning to do one winery day trip each in our 10 night trip to Madrid and Barcelona. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for the Penedes region outside of Barcelona, and also recommendations for the Ribera del Duero region outside of Madrid. So far I want to visit the following and would love recommendations on a custom tour from the city centers including transportation in each place:

Penedes Wineries: Familia Torres, Gramona

Ribera Del Duero: Pingus (I know this one is hard to get into but my hotel can get me a visit) and Protos

If anyone has other recommendations, or tour guides that could do these day trips, let me know! Thanks!

I am visiting MO Barcelona for 4 nights and FS Madrid for 4 nights this October. Flight to BCN will be an overnight and then returning from MAD it will be a long haul daytime flight, so 9 nights total. For anyone that has visited both hotels, did you opt to purchase any of the activities at MO Barcelona and FS Madrid? I definitely plan to visit the spa at both properties as I have heard good things.

For MO Barcelona, I am thinking of doing the MO "Explore" Activities such as the Gaudi/sacred wonders tour, the culinary vineyard tour and the Montserrat day trip, and maybe the Costa Brava day trip to Girona if I have any time, but I am prioritizing a visit to Montserrat over Girona.

For FS Madrid I was thinking of doing the FS historical walking tour of Madrid and either a day trip to Segovia or Toledo through FS, but it looks like everything else (Golden Triangle of art museums, Palace, Plaza Mercado, etc) can be explored in the city by purchasing individual tickets for each.

If anyone has any other suggestions for booking the activities I mentioned through other companies, or if you have suggestions for each destination (for instance, I am unsure whether to visit Toledo or Segovia for the day and will probably only have the chance to do one), I am happy to hear suggestions! Thanks!!

Just got approved for Global Entry. I've already had TSA Pre-Check separately for about 6 months now. On my approval for Global Entry it says I can now use that number for TSA Pre-Check as well. Should I disregard my original KTN and start using the Global Entry ID for Pre-Check or keep using the previous TSA Pre KTN? Thanks for your help!

For those downvoting: I am new here, and wanted to ask the community for advice. Not sure why a question like this is downvoted, even if it seems like it gets asked frequently.

Planning a trip to split time between Barcelona and Mallorca for 9-10 nights in October. Looking at MO Barcelona 5 nights and then contemplating either a split between MO Punta Negra and FS Mallorca or just staying at FS Mallorca since Palma is a mini Barcelona. I’d like to stay 4-5 nights in Mallorca.

In Barcelona I wanted to see all the Gaudi artwork/Sagrada Familia, tour the city, visit the main museums, and do a day trip to Montserrat or a day trip along Costa Brava. In Mallorca I’d like to visit some vineyards and just chill. Between Costa Brava and Montserrat, which is a more worthwhile day trip?

Additionally, for flying between the two destinations, which I’m leaning toward doing, which airline is most reliable and gives you a generous checked bag/carry on allowance for flying from Barcelona to Palma? I keep seeing that the fast ferry in October takes 7 hours when I look at the main ferry website and another subreddit mentioned that the times change and sometimes the ferry gets cancelled, and that concerns me. Maybe I’m looking at the wrong website? I’d be willing to take the fast ferry if it was 3.5 hours. Do the times change and become more definitive as the dates approach closer for the fast ferry?

All help is appreciated and suggestions on hotels/itinerary is also appreciated. Thanks!

Planning a trip to split time between Barcelona and Mallorca for 9-10 nights in October. Is 5 nights in Barcelona enough to see all the Gaudi artwork/Sagrada Familia, tour the city and visit the main museums, do a day trip to Montserrat OR a day trip along Costa Brava? Between Costa Brava and Montserrat, which is a more worthwhile day trip? I am interest in art, culture, history and wine. I am also planning 4 nights in Mallorca. Additionally, which airline is most reliable for flying from Barcelona to Mallorca? I keep seeing that the fast ferry in October takes 7 hours when I look at the main website and that concerns me. I’d be willing to take the fast ferry if it was 3.5 hours. Do the times change as the dates approach closer for the fast ferry?
For flying, which I’m leaning toward doing, which airline is most reliable flying from Barcelona to Palma?

All help is appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: added more information

Planning a trip to split time between Barcelona and Mallorca for 9-10 nights in October. Is 5 nights in Barcelona enough to see all the Gaudi artwork/Sagrada Familia, tour the city and visit the main museums, do a day trip to Montserrat OR a day trip along Costa Brava? Between Costa Brava and Montserrat, which is a more worthwhile day trip? I am interest in art, culture, history and wine. I am also planning 4 nights in Mallorca. Additionally, which airline is most reliable for flying from Barcelona to Mallorca? I keep seeing that the fast ferry in October takes 7 hours when I look at the main website and that concerns me. I’d be willing to take the fast ferry if it was 3.5 hours. Do the times change as the dates approach closer for the fast ferry? All help is appreciated. Thanks!

EDIT: added more information

I booked a few trips with one specific travel agency (Andiamo Luxury Travel) about 2 years ago and totally regret it. One of their now "senior travel designers" was totally inattentive, ignorant to my requests, and extremely unavailable any time I had a problem for every single trip, made it seem like she was the reason for our room upgrades and such when it was an exclusive offer available at the properties at the time of booking, never provided us with information on property-specific exclusive offers, and did the absolute bare minimum. She did not even take an inventory or have me submit a form indicating my pre-check in requests and other pertinent information. I ended up fending for myself on every trip I went on that she booked. At one point when I texted the travel designer to express my issues at a property they simply told me "oh no!" and did not fix a single thing, another time they did not answer my call. I would not recommend this agency. The owner should really do a thorough audit of her "senior travel designers" and hire better. TBH I felt like I was a quick buck of commission for the “senior travel designer”. The "senior travel designer" always recommended the most expensive hotel without giving me any heads up on reviews or other things that mattered to my reason for staying, was definitely stupid, did not help at all or check in during my stay to see how it was going, and honestly the owner of this travel agency should do an audit because when I checked into one property and something was not requested properly by this agency, they explicitly told me it happens alot with this particular senior “travel designer” at this agency. Not a good look. Not good at all. That's when I stopped booking with them completely. I never heard from the owner/main TA EVER either. The senior travel designer used the owner’s booking portal to book my trips. Also- red flag- this TA has no booking portal so you can’t even look stuff up or book on their website yourself. You’re limited to your own knowledge of the region you’re traveling to or at the mercy of the brainless senior “travel designers” who are glorified assistants acting like their job is so important yet they can’t answer your phone calls, texts, or emails during a stay they “designed”, they can’t be bothered to tell you more than an “oh no” about their mess-ups in pre check-in requests… it’s a shit show. When a widely known and highly regarded luxury hotel chain asks you who exactly was your contact through this travel agency and then proceeds tells you at check in that this company seems to screw up a lot when that one travel “designer” is in charge- it says something. Something big. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.

Asking for recommendations for a service dog when walking in the summertime. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I went with WagWellies by WagWear. DM me if you want 10% off. I have a share-able promo code.

A patient came in with flyers for their at home childcare service business and they want to tape them to our walls and stick the poster cards everywhere. I do not want them doing this. Office manager had no idea how to tell them no. This patient also acts like they own the place, skips appointments and serially no shows/calls last minute to reschedule, acts like anything they want can be done... it's a problem. I see a conflict with advertising their childcare services because... well, it's at home in their home, I don't know their qualifications, I have never sent children there nor do I want to, and they are taking advantage. The manager claims "they spend alot of money and refer patients" but they have not spent much money in a while and it's always one family member at a time... Help with this is appreciated!

I feel like this is not talked about enough and it definitely needs its own discussion. I saw something on another travel sub about this topic and wanted to extend the discussion here. How do some of you do carry on's only for trips where you visit multiple hotels/multiple destinations in 7-10 days? Laundry service? I feel like I pack 1 to 2 checked pieces of luggage minimum for every trip and I constantly feel like I'm doing it wrong. I'd love to be someone who just does a carry on. I end up using laundry service alot when I go on longer trips anyway but I just would love some help and advice. Yes, I use packing cubes. Yes, I use a secure backpack as my personal item. What's the longest trip you've ever done with just a carry on, where did you stay, and did you get laundry service on property?

Also- what's everyone's favorite secured carry on suitcase and carry-on backpack with secure zippers and such? My favorite carry on backpack is by Pacsafe. My favorite carry on suitcase is the Samsonite FrameLock Max Carry On.

Does anyone have any guidance on this topic? They keep saying they will roll this out by Q4 of 2026 and will give several months' advanced announcement, but the website currently says "don't worry about it at this time"... I'd love to start a thread here so we can all discuss it if anyone has any further updates on the whole thing. I just wanted to make sure I don't need it yet for any Q4 2026 trips or H1 2027 trips. I feel like we might get GTA6 before ETIAS or Four Seasons Santa Barbara become a thing... IYKYK haha

Making a trip to Big Sky, Montana and Jackson Hole, WY in early October. Spending 6 nights in the Yellowstone area and then another 3 days in Jackson Hole to see Grand Teton NP and explore Jackson/Teton Village. Should I make it 4 nights in Yellowstone before going to Jackson? I am planning on booking excursions with Yellowstone Safari Co. I am also debating between Sage Lodge and One & Only Moonlight Basin. If anyone has other lodging recommendations, let me know! I chose outside the park given that alot starts to close at the end of September.

EDIT: changed plans to spend more time in Yellowstone region based on recommendations!

Anyone who has been to Jackson Hole in the fall, specifically end of September/early October, was it a good time to visit Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP? I know some activities like the gondola rides start to shut down at the end of September or early October, but it seems like a great shoulder season to see everything before the snow comes around. Has anyone done the national park tours/safari tours through Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari Co? Four Seasons uses them and they also have a sister company called Yellowstone Safari Co that operates on the Montana side of Yellowstone. Is 2 private tour days in each park enough to see the highlights/wildlife with a guide? Planning 1 national park tour per park plus 1 safari tour per park as well as the Grand Teton stargazing experience. If the gondola rides are still open I also plan to check out the aerial tram, as well as a half day fly fishing trip, and the Jackson Hole Rodeo if any shows are available in early October.

We are planning to stay at Four Seasons Jackson Hole. I like that it is walkable into Teton Village and the spa at FS looks really nice. I have plans to visit downtown Jackson and have a list of restaurants to try: Glorietta Trattoria, Jackson Drug Co, Snake River Grill, Mangy Moose, Wild Sage, Gather, Palate (lunch only) and El Metate, as well as all the FS hotel restaurants on site. I also plan to check out Million Dollar Cowboy Bar and Silver Dollar Bar right next door to each other, and was given the recommendation to checkout Snake River Brewing, and Jackson Hole Still Works (distillery). If anyone has any other restaurant recommendations, activity recommendations, or recommendations on how to get the most out of the national parks nearby, I'm all ears! Really looking forward to this trip!

UPDATE: For those recommending a split stay in Big Sky/closer to Yellowstone, what are thoughts on One & Only Moonlight Basin? I’m not considering Montage Big Sky, apparently it sucks worse than it did when it first opened 🥲🥲🥲

I recently saw a thread on here about traveling to Italy from the USA with a service dog and wanted to check up on the requirements. It seems like the requirements are very much like the US. How is it traveling between destinations in Italy? Do they need to see any paperwork or is it similar to ITA airlines where it’s similar to USA requirements? Anyone who has traveling to Italy with a service dog, let me know and I’d love to discuss more! We are planning a trip there in the fall- to either Sicily or Florence.

From the article written by Robert Dyer on RockvilleNights.com:

“Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a CVS Pharmacy in Derwood yesterday, May 12, 2026. The robbery took place at the CVS at 17651 Redland Road at 5:35 PM Tuesday. According to police, three suspects entered the store and attempted to shoplift merchandise. When the store manager confronted them, one of the suspects drew a knife and told the manager they would kill him. The three suspects then successfully fled the store with stolen merchandise.

Police have not released descriptions of the suspects. They did not indicate how the three avoided appearing on the many surveillance cameras inside the CVS. This was - yet again - another violent crime taking place during daylight hours, the latest trend in the six year Montgomery County crime wave.”

What the hell is going on? If this isn’t any indication of how bad the economy has been, I don’t know WHAT is. What’s the solution to this problem? Not looking for facetious tone, but rather an educated discussion with fellow county residents on the disparities we are seeing here in one of the wealthiest counties in the country.
It’s really sad, and is making safety concerns a greater issue, in a drug store nonetheless, where people go to pick up prescriptions and items they need. How can we help stop this from happening? The merchandise stolen was supposedly $20 or less. At one time Derwood was a pretty quiet, rural part of the county. This ongoing theft and violence problem needs a real solution fast, and this is something everyone should be thinking about with county council elections upcoming later this year. Don’t vote for someone who is endorsed by someone who is CONTINUING this problem.

Story also was posted on @thedmvliv3 on Instagram.

Does anyone know if FS Naviva ever historically offers a 5th night free in December? Right now they have it from May to September, but I am wondering if any other times have this rate /package?

Can anyone suggest how the day passes work at this hotel? I'm reading various things all over Reddit and elsewhere that give conflicting info and cannot for the life of me find anything about this on the CJ website. I have stayed there before so never bothered with a day pass but for a future trip I am fully spending my time at FS Anguilla and just wanted to explore/sit on the beach at Belmond CJ for a day.