2019 TRAVEL TIPS updates in RED

TRAVEL TIPS

CRUISES/LAND TOURS

1. HAVE MORE THAN 5 CABINS/16 PEOPLE ON A LAND TOUR- MAKE A  GROUP

• GROUPS ON SHIP- EXTRAS LIKE COCKTAIL PARTY, REDUCED CABIN RATE,

DINE TOGETHER

• LAND TOUR- LOWER PRICE, TRAVEL TOGETHER IN SMALLER GROUP

2. USE TRAVEL AGENT FOR CRUISE/TOURS ABOVE - NO EXTRA CHARGE

REMARKS BELOW APPLY TO INDEPENDENT TRAVEL - IF YOU USE A TRAVEL AGENT THE AGENT WILL ASK ABOUT YOUR NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS AND BOOK YOUR TRIP ACCORDINGLY

3. BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE-

• MEDICARE DOES NOT COVER MEDICAL EXPENSES WHILE TRAVELLING ABROAD
• LOST LUGGAGE ASSISTANCE
• TRIP CANCELLATION
• TRIP INTERRUPTION

4. RESEARCH YOUR TRIP- WHETHER BY CRUISE OR LAND

• READ ABOUT THE SIGHTS TO SEE SO YOU CAN SELECT THE PROPER CRUISE EXCURSION OR THE STOPS ON A LAND TOUR

• MAKE SURE THE TRIP IS COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR PHYSICAL NEEDS IE EASY OR NO WALKING, MODERATE WALKING OVER COBBLESTONES OR UP AND DOWN STREETS/HILLS

5. IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING INDEPENDENTLY AND LOOKING FOR HOTELS IN EACH CITY USE TRIP ADVISOR, FODOR'S, FROMMER’S OR RICK STEVE’S TO NARROW DOWN HOTELS

• FOR EXAMPLE DO YOU WANT TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF A CITY TO BE ABLE TO WALK TO SIGHTS OR STAY FURTHER OUT AND HAVE TO TAKE A TAXI OR METRO TO GO TO THE CITY CENTER OR SIGHTS.

• LOCATION IS A FACTOR IN SELECTING A HOTEL BY COST

• SELECT A HOTEL THAT WILL MEET YOUR STANDARDS IE 3 STAR, 4 STAR ETC.
• REVIEW HOTEL AMENITIES- IE LOBBY COMPUTER, ELEVATOR, WIFI, BREAKFAST INCLUDED, ETC

• YOU CAN GET A BETTER RATE FROM A HOTEL IF YOU BOOK ONLINE

• BEST PRICE FOR HOTEL IS WHEN YOU PREPAY BEFORE YOU LEAVE- ALSO MAKES FOR FASTER CHECK IN AND CHECK OUT.

• USE HOTELS WHERE YOU HAVE A LOYALTY CARD

6. RESEARCH TOURS FOR EACH CITY YOU VISIT

• IE HOP ON HOP OFF BUSES
• GREYLINE OR OTHER TOUR BUS COMPANIES
• EMAIL WHERE POSSIBLE TO SEE IF TOURS OPERATE THE DAYS YOU ARE IN THEIR CITY
• TRY SMALL VAN TOURS- 6-9 PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE FLEXIBLE IN SIGHTSEEING TIMES AND STOPS

BEFORE YOU LEAVE PREPARE!

1. DO YOU NEED A VISA?

2. IS YOUR PASSPORT CURRENT OR EXPIRING WITHIN 6 MOS OF RETURNING TO THE US.?

3. ARE YOUR CREDIT CARDS CURRENT AND NOT EXPIRING WITHIN 6 MOS. OF YOUR TRAVEL DATES?

4. IF YOU ARE DRIVING APPLY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL LICENSE (IT ALSO ACTS LIKE A SECONDARY FORM OF PHOTO ID AND SAFER TO CARRY THAN A PASSPORT)

5. MAKE PHOTOCOPIES OF ALL THE CREDIT CARDS & ATM CARD YOU ARE TAKING WITH YOU, COPY  OF YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE, COPY OF PASSPORT AND PACK IN YOUR PURSE OR CARRY ON- NOT IN YOUR SUITCASE!!

6. CALL YOUR CREDIT CARD COMPANY AND ADVISE THEM WHEN AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING

• WHY- SO WHEN YOU BUY THAT TURKISH CARPET THE CHARGE WILL BE PROCESSED.

7.  MAKE SURE YOUR ATM CARD HAS A 4 DIGIT PIN

• IF YOU HAVE A LOW DAILY WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT YOU MAY WANT TO INCREASE IT SO YOU CAN WITHDRAW MAX AMOUNT EVERY TIME TO LIMIT ATM USAGE FEES.

8. CELL PHONE- SET UP SKYPE OR ACTIVATE INTERNATIONAL PLAN TO USE PHONE OVERSEAS. ACTIVATE A DATA INTERNATIONAL DATA PLAN IF YOU WANT TO USE THE INTERNET WHEN TRAVELLING.

• MAY WANT TO JUST TURN OFF DATA ROAMING AND CELL PHONE CALLS AND USE YOUR SMART PHONE WIFI AT CAFES, HOTELS ETC FOR SKYPE AND INTERNET USE.
• Use hangouts by Google.
• Activate calls over wifi if your phone allows it and if your carrier provides it
• Get a Skype phone number and use it to make calls home or get calls from home. 

9. PACK MENS AND WOMENS CLOTHES TOGETHER IN TWO SUITCASES- NO MAN'S LUGGAGE AND WOMEN'S LUGGAGE IN CASE ONE BAG IS LOST. 
THIS HAPPENED TO ME THIS LAST MAY. - LUCKY IT WAS MY CLOTHES AND NOT MY WIFE'S AS I WAS ABLE TO GET BY WITH THE FEW CLOTHES I HAD.

• ALSO PUT YOUR ITINERARY AND NAME AND ADDRESS IN EA. BAG AS WELL.
• USE SEVERAL LUGGAGE TAGS WITH A WORK ADDRESS AND A CURRENT PHONE NUMBER.
• TAKE PHOTOS OF WHAT CLOTHING YOU HAVE PACKED TO REMIND YOU WHAT YOU PACKED IN CASE YOU LOSE YOUR BAG AND NEED TO MAKE A CLAIM

10. LUGGAGE- USUALLY EACH INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT WEIGHT ALLOWANCE IS 50 POUNDS.

• IT HELPS TO HAVE A LIGHT BAG TO ALLOW MORE CLOTHING
• INEXPENSIVE OR EXPENSIVE BAGS WILL BE DAMAGED BY THE AIRLINES SO FILE A CLAIM IF YOUR BAG IS DAMAGED
• LUGGAGE SCALES ARE GREAT TO WEIGH YOUR BAG SO YOU DON’T GET HIT WITH EXCESS WEIGHT CHARGES FROM SOUVENIRS, WINE ETC
• BRING SOME BUBBLE WRAP TO CUSHION YOUR SOUVENIRS

AIR TRAVEL

USE A SEARCH ENGINE TO FIND THE AIRLINES THAT WILL FLY TO YOUR DESTINATION.

USUALLY THE INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE FOR YOUR DESTINATION MAY HAVE THE BEST TRAVEL TIMES AND ARRIVAL TIMES. RETURNING YOU WILL CLEAR US CUSTOMS IN SAN FRANCISCO.

DOMESTIC AIRLINES MAY REQUIRE CLEARING CUSTOMS IN THE US AIRPORT YOU LAND IN FROM EUROPE AND COULD CAUSE DELAYS IN MAKING YOUR CONNECTING FLIGHT.

WHEN CHOOSING AN AIRLINE CONSIDER SEAT SIZE, LOCATION, CLASS AND BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES AS WELL AS CONNECTION TIMES.

CHECK FOR NON STOP FLIGHTS VS. CONNECTING FLIGHTS FOR PRICES AND DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL TIMES.

EXAMPLE- TURKISH AIR WILL TAKE YOU TO CONSTANTINOPLE NON STOP. DEPARTS LAX AND 13 HRS LATER YOU ARE IN CONSTANTINOPLE.

SIGN UP FOR THE MILEAGE AFFINITY PLANS OF THE AIRLINES YOU USE THE MOST.

• Join the mileage program of your airline as you may be able to use the miles for another airline that participates in Star Alliance.
• Download the airline app.

MAKES TICKETING AND BOARDING PASS PRINTING A SNAP.

ALSO ALLOWS FOR GETTING TEXT/EMAIL ALERTS IF THE PLANE IS LATE.

PERSONAL SAFETY

In last three years we visited different ports as part of our cruise excursions. Every time we got on a bus the local guide warned us of pickpockets who targeted men but also women.

Men- buy a front pocket wallet and keep it in your front pocket OR use your existing wallet but keep it in your front pocket.

Women- keep your purse zipped and carry it by putting on across your body and not hanging from your shoulder to prevent purse snatching.

When possible keep your passports ( and money) locked up in the hotel or ship safe and carry your driver's license and photocopy of passport with you.

Only take money with you that you will need for that day's expense. If you need money for a purchase use your credit card.

 There are very few instances where you will need your passport once you pass the airport passport control.

I also get an International Driver's License as another form of photo ID.

MISCELLANEOUS

MONEY- HOW MUCH AND DO I USE DOLLARS OR CONVERT

• WHEN DO I CONVERT AND HOW MUCH

• Use currency application like

  XE Currency 

• BRING $100-200 US IN SMALL BILLS IE ONES, FIVES, TENS IN CASE YOU RUN OUT OF LOCAL CURRENCY.

BEST ADVICE IS TO BUY LOCAL CURRENCY IE EUROS, TURKISH LIRA AT THE WELLS FARGO BANK. IN THE LONG RUN IT IS CHEAPER THAN PAYING THE TRANSACTION FEES AT OTHER BANKS OR A CURRENCY EXCHANGE.

• GET A VARIETY OF BILLS AND IMPORTANTLY A GOOD AMOUNT OF SMALL BILLS TO BE USED FOR TIPPING, FOOD, TRANSPORTATION. NOT ALL STORES OR TAXIS CAN BREAK A LARGE BILL IE 50 EUROS

• GET ENOUGH MONEY FOR ONE DAYS EXPENSES PLUS TAXI FROM AIRPORT TO HOTEL.

SINCE EUROS ARE USED IN A LOT OF COUNTRIES NOW YOU CAN WITHDRAW MONEY AS YOU GO FROM ATMS.

TRAVELER'S CHECKS ARE NON EXISTENT AND THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS CHARGING FOR EXPENSES OR HOTELS.

ATTRACTIONS REQUIRE CASH IE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM, LOUVRE. USING A CHARGE CARD MAY MEAN A LONGER LINE.

THIS IS A PERSONAL CHOICE. I PREFER TO PAY AS I GO AND USE THE CHARGE CARD FOR LARGE PURCHASES OR EMERGENCIES.

EACH CHARGE USUALLY HAS A FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE AND ONE RISKS IDENTITY THEFT/CREDIT CARD FRAUD EVERY TIME ONE USES THE CARD AT A STORE/RESTAURANT.

HOTELS ARE OK.

SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR NON EURO COUNTRIES LIKE TURKEY.

BEST EXCHANGE RATE IS AT A BANK HERE OR ATM IN TURKEY. ALTERATIVE IS US DOLLARS BUT EXCHANGING THEM MAY DELAY TRANSACTION OR BE MORE  EXPENSIVE DUE TO CONVERSION.

FOR EXAMPLE AS OF A FEW DAYS AGO ONE TURKISH LIRA WAS WORTH .45 US.

A BOTTLE OF WATER IS USUALLY 1TL. IF  ONE PAYS WITH A DOLLAR BILL ONE IS PAYING TWICE AS MUCH THAN USING LOCAL $. IF THE MERCHANT ACCEPTS THE DOLLAR MAY GIVE BACK TL AS CHANGE- NOT A GUARANTEE.

AT REST STOPS PRICES FOR WATER WAS $1 OR 1 TL.

TRYING TO CONVERT DOLLARS TO TL IS TIME CONSUMING AND FRUSTRATING- MERCHANT MAY NOT TAKE $

• USING EUROS MAY BE MORE EXPENSIVE BUT MORE ACCEPTABLE THAN US $.

KEEP IN MIND YOU PAID A CONVERSION FEE FROM $ TO EURO AND MAY LOSE IN THE EXCHANGE TO TL.

MAPS

In addition to Google maps there is a new  one Maps.me available on the apple app store and google play.  Download and use before going on a trip to see how it works.

RESEARCH

BRING ALONG A TRAVEL BOOK ON WHERE YOU ARE GOING. THERE ARE THE 10 BEST SERIES OF BOOKS by DK AS WELL AS OTHERS.

BOOKS ON KINDLE/IPAD ARE GOOD TO. IPAD BOOKS CAN ALSO BE READ ON YOUR IPHONE SO THE INFO IS READILY AVAILABLE.

CELL PHONES

TRAVEL BOOKS WILL TELL YOU YOU CAN BUY A PREPAID PHONE OR USE YOUR CELL PHONE AND THEN GO ALONG AND SWAP SIM CARDS.

NOT TRUE CANNOT DO IN GREECE OR TURKEY.

ONE MUST GO TO A PHONE STORE AND REGISTER THE PHONE TO GET A SIM CARD.

BETTER TO USE SKYPE OR ACTIVATE INTERNATIONAL CALLING ON YOUR CELL.

Buy an international phone plan from your existing carrier for the period you are travelling for the ease and convenience of making calls home and getting calls from home.

PHOTOS, NOTE BOOKS JOURNALS

Memories can be short so bring a journal or notebook to document what you enjoyed about the place you visit every day. Note interesting experiences and events. You can do this during a coffee break or at night.

PHOTOS AND MOVIES

smart phones and digital cameras can take photos and movies-no need for a separate movie camera anymore

• remember to bring enough memory cards and chargers and cables- do not pack in luggage
• instead of postcards use instagram or email/text to send a photo postcard to friends and family
• post movies/photos to facebook once you return home- do not alert people that you are not home and on a trip
• take a photo of signs and then photos so you know where you were when you took the photo
• gather business cards of that great shop or restaurant to remind you if you want to revisit on another trip or to write a glowing review on yelp/tripadvisor
• bring a ziplock bag for business cards, notes and small items. this way everything is in one place and water resistant.