Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years initially as a flight attendant and now with her company Adventures For Singles. She has extensive travel knowledge having visited over 150 countries. The goal of AFS is to provide you with an affordable, well planned vacation experience to awesome destinations that will exceed your expectations.

After a nap at the Sheraton, we enjoyed a welcome dinner at Chez Leon, a typical Belgium Brasserie located on the charming “Rue de Restaurants.” You can get mussels in Brussels, but not brussel sprouts. And the french fry as it was invented here...

While her well-worn passport labels her a Smyrna resident, the truth is she’s truly a citizen of the world. It’s a far cry from her Wisconsin roots. Back when she was a child and her friends were collecting dolls, Davis was collecting globes and dreaming of the places she could go. She never fathomed that one day she could say she’d been around the world several times over, having visited more than 140 countries. Or that she would be making her living helping others’ own dreams come true.

Now in its 16th year, her Adventures for Singles (AFS) travel company is the effusive brunette’s way of showing others the world she loves so much. Having been on a few of her trips, I’ve witnessed how she still lights up on foreign soil, no matter how often she’s visited that location.

“How do I keep it fresh?” she asks. “By seeing it through the eyes of my newbies, my first timers. They will point out things I never saw.”

Liquids under 4oz are now allowed. You can carry eye drops, but not contact solution. Mascara, lipstick but no gloss. For make-up foundation, I bring the new solid compact. (I heard a Delta captain describe how TSA allowed him past security with his authorized hand gun, but confiscated his toothpaste! Soon they may be doing urinalysis and colonoscopy's at airport check in.

Laptops, cell phones etc. are still ok. All liquid medicines are ok if you have a prescription or doctors note. Flights to the UK are more restrictive.

On a personal note: We all tend to resist change but these rules are for our own good. Things change hourly. The above may be outdated by the time you read it. I believe these extreme measures are temporal. I also believe the time has come for profiling whether it's politically incorrect or not. It would narrow down delays and inconveniences such as a scene I witnessed recently when a team of TSA's were foraging through a grandmothers purse.

Also understand that if AFS, our suppliers and our airline feels that a destination is unsafe, we will cancel the trip with refund or re- schedule. This has yet to happen. We monitor travel warnings weekly from various sources for all our destinations. In 16 years, I've lead groups to Egypt, Israel, Jordan etc. without incident. I'm grateful for being so lucky and will not jeopardize that by simply choosing popular or profitable places as some other tour operators continue to do. For 2007, I've become more cautious with my intuition and discernment as a guide for new trips. My partner Terry can attest that each night I read and research every part of the globe on what's hot and what's not.

Bags - All domestic carriers will now limit checked baggage weight to a maximum of 50lbs! (That's about the weight of my shoes alone!) This is due to added fuel cost as well as airline greed. The way to beat this is to first weigh you bags on your home scale. If it's over, check 2 bags. If it's close, pack a thin nylon/canvas collapsible bag inside. Then at check in if over weight, distribute items into the nylon bag and save yourself $25 to $60 dollars in weight charges.

Carry-on bags are now limited to dimensions of 22"x14"x9" (that's about enough for my cosmetics - lol.) Weight doesn't matter domestically, so pack heavy items in this. Internationally weight restrictions (15-30lbs) can apply. Check with your carrier's website before departure.

Premium Seats - Some airlines now offer "coach choice" in economy class for an extra $15-$25, you're guaranteed an aisle seat or exit row (pure greed.) For curbside check in at UAL, AA and NW they now charge $2 per bag.

Fuel costs more than labor. Fuel accounts for 25% operating costs and hasn't been this high since 1971 (adjusted for inflation.) We will always travel, but expect added fuel charges to be a regular part of your vacation cost.

Deborah Busch, from Atlanta, spent 3 months on an around-the-world trip in early 2004. Upon returning, she realized there was a great niche business possibility for travel-themed products and set about creating www.hellotraveler.com

Check out the website. If you make a purchase, type Adventures for Singles in the Special Instruction box and you'll receive a bonus gift item.

Call Debbie- 404-376-9437 between 9AM and 5PM EST. If we are busy at the time of your call you may leave a voicemail and we'll return the call as quickly as possible. You are also welcome to leave a voicemail at any other time.