TRAVEL HINTS

Monday July 05, 2010 10:56:15 AM 

Books A Million Coupons

• Always keep some small change in the local currency for tips for toilets and food or drink in many countries, as in Dubai we could not purchase anything without the local currency. 

• Apart from the above, my first and what I consider to be the most important is --- IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD INSURANCE, DON’T GO ANYWHERE ON HOLIDAYS. 

• Avoid travelling with others UNLESS you heed to some advice given first hand. Email me for that hard advice. Much to much to have here. We took a 'LANZA' or Balanzza Digital Scale Overseas weigher to weigh our luggage, about $39.00 AU from Strand Bags in OZ, to keep and eye on our weight. Such a good item and it will go on our next trip.  Our trip to World War 1 battle sites in France & Belgium was made so much better to having the book 'Walking with the Anzacs by Matt Mc Lachlan.  A MUST HAVE! Australians were not known for being cowards on the battlefield and my ancestors were very brave. I am glad we did them justice and trod in battlefields in France and Belgium.  They are the real heroes. Back up all promises made on video and or paper before hand with anybody. DO NOT TRUST THE VERBAL WORDS OR WITH HOLDING VITAL INFOMATION! You would be surprised on who and what can be not forth coming before hand.

• Avoid buying duplicate insurance coverage for your rental car. If it is your holiday and you've down all the hard work, then be prepared for the whinging later to others that, they did not se what they wanted, go where they wanted and stayed where they wanted. See if you do nothing you can just cowardly knock the good that was done.

• Avoid the hassle of removing your laptop from its case in US airport security lines, if it's in a "checkpoint friendly" bag. Under new rules announced by the federal Transportation Security Administration, a laptop-friendly bag has a clear window and can lie flat on the airport's X-ray belt. Bags cannot have any metal snaps, zippers or buckles or pockets on the laptop side. (For more information, visit: http://www.tsa.gov)

• Buy a blow-up neck support & use it as much as you can when on planes/buses/trains.

• Check your passport has got enough time on it when leaving country.

• City secret: of London. Spend the $4 deposit on a visitor's Oyster card at any tube or bus station and save up to 50 per cent on your daily fares. There is a built-in capping system so the most you can ever spend in a day on Central London public transport is $13. Children under 16 travel free on trams and buses.

• Country secret: Japan. Sick of lugging heavy bags, along with weighty, shopping purchases, as you get off innumerable trains in the land of the rising sun? Help is at hand. Japan's network of eminently reliable courier van services, such as Nippon Express and Black Cat, can relieve you of your burden for as little as $20. Most hotel staff can easily organise a courier for you, with your items, including pieces of luggage or cartons, waiting for you at your desired Japanese destination within a day or two.

• Credit card alert: Don't leave home without informing your credit card company that your card will be used in a foreign country. It also pays to know how much your card charges for currency conversions. If you're charging a hotel room in France, for instance, the cost is in Euros but will appear on your credit card statement in dollars. The bank charges a fee for that currency conversion.

• Do not let your undeveloped film go through the new x-ray machines. It will ruin it.

• Don't make a fool of yourself trying to speak badly the local language, you will make a fool of yourself.  In Paris learn hello, Bonjour, and thank you. Merci Beaucop, goes a long way and give them a big smile.

• Ensure that you have any Visas necessary, if you are going to more than one country. 

• Exercise your legs and ankles while sitting and stand up and have a bit of a walk when possible during waking hours on air flights/long bus or train trips. 

• Get to airport very early when leaving Australia to give yourself time for huge lines and avoid travelling unless you have studied what you can leave the airport with.

• Go to chemist and get some socks for Air travel to stop Deep Vein Thrombosis. 

• Handbags are often stolen when put on a hanger on the inside door of toilets. The thieves wait until they feel you are partly undressed, put their hands over the top of the door and cleverly get your bag.  You are certainly not dressed to open door quickly and rush out to try to get it back.

• Have container with passport & credit cards attached to a chain in your purse and check each time Passport or credit card is removed/used, ensure it is replaced.  

• Hotel magnetic key card have your partial home address,rooom number checkin-out dates and yes your precious credit card number and expiry date. Never throw this card in any bin especially the hotel you are staying in and the end of your stay and certainly not in the hotel desk as you are leaving. Take it home with you and SHRED it. You will not be charged for not handing this card in as it is illegal.

• How flat is flat. Many airlines have introduced "lie-flat" or "flat-bed" seats in their business and first class cabins, but don't assume that "flat" translates to horizontal. For in-depth analysis of airline seats on a range of carriers, turn to flatseats.com, an industry watchdog site that ranks seats on factors such as configuration, width, cushion comfort, privacy, massage options and more. Flat Seats' data comes from Skytrax, a UK-based airline consultancy whose employees spend an average of 65 hours in the air per week. (Their top flat-seat picks? British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic.)
  
  163 degrees - Aer Lingus
  
  169 degrees - El Al
  
  170 degrees - Continental, Japan Airlines
  
  171 degrees - American, Lufthansa
  
  175 degrees - Air France, Qantas
  
  180 degrees - Air Canada, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta, Emirates, Jet Airways, Qatar, Singapore, South African, United, Virgin.
  

• How to Pack

• How to dial emergency abroad.
  
  Emergencies can happen any time, any place. Be prepared when travelling by knowing the right number to call for help.
  
  All EU countries 112
  
  Australia 000
  
  Canada US 911
  
  Hong Kong 999
  
  Japan 119
  
  Thailand 191
  
  Argentina 911
  
  Mexico 060
  
  Israel 100
  
  New Zealand 111
  
  Switzerland 144
  
  Vanuatu 112

• I cannot stress this enough RESEARCH, read, read, read, yourself. Months before hand. Don't ever rely on others; it is very easy to blame others if you don't do your own researching. If you sit back and do nothing, then you get what you paid for.

• I always take a jar of Vegemite/Marmite/ Promite with me. 

• If you're booking several nights at a quiet time of year - or if you regularly visit one particular property - a hotel will often be willing to include some extra services (spa treatments, meals, transportation from the airport and other perks) in the price of your room and maybe the best approach is to speak to a manager or a sales or marketing agent before you arrive.

• In Paris avoid gypsy type folks bearing rings, " Is this yours?' They are trying just to get money. One of oldest trick in the book, but some fools pay up.

• In Paris also get subway/ Metro map printed out before you leave in large print. Saves time, getting lost and getting off on wrong station.

• I can not emphasis enough to do the research before hand properly, books (Rick Steves) and the Internet. You won't regret it.

• I would find it also a big plus to find the word on all languages for Laundromat, etc, these places were hard to find in most countries.

• If your passport photo is making you look bad, then perhaps you should not be travelling.

• If going overseas check your passport and make sure it will cover you for the whole time you are away.

• If you have the time, also check the cost of travelling by train.

• If you have hired a car and want to clean it up before returning, car polish like we have here in Australian was impossible to find. Take some with you, much easier than wasting time. Also take window cloths, to wipe outside of windscreens before you head off in the morning. A MUST. Scatter local newspapers round the car so they don't think you are a tourist good also for putting on floor as many places in the Somme in France were very muddy.

• If you need to rent a car at your destination, RESEARCH size of vehicles first call around, email them with any questions.

• If you take any tablets/medicines, whether prescription or over-the-counter, get your doctor to list them all. Some countries do not allow some of these in, even thought we can get them over the counter.  For any that are prohibited drugs – you must have a certificate from your doctor but I advise to check with our Customs and ask the Consulate of the country concerned what their rules are before taking them with you , but be sure those who are travelling with you know what drugs you are intending to take, giving other the courtesy to decline travelling with them. Always VERBALLY discuss  these with travelling companions and any other very important relevant information. Also have letters from your GP etc with any medication you are taking. You never know if you may need them.

• It is not always easy to get some of the over-the-counter tablets that we often use generally, in many of the places overseas and it is wise to take with you, the ones that you need.

• Laptop security: Computer security experts recommend that you erase any important files from your laptop and also clear everything off your laptop that you wouldn't want publicly broadcast, including passwords, business secrets and tax details, before entering a foreign country. If you must bring critical files, be sure they're encrypted. Despite constant laptop use, don't store any critical information on it. Don't save emails. Don't use Quicken. Don't access your bank account. Try ti avoid using your credit card on your laptop.

• Listen carefully ALL instructions given onboard aircraft before landing, (make sure your hearing aid is working before hand) even when you  are tired don't let this be the moment you did not listen. Also make sure your reading glasses have been checked before you leave as if hearing aid goes dead at least you can read where you are, this is for the not so good travellers with lots of problems.

• Make three photo copies of all your documents.  All important pages in your passport, Driver's Licence, Visas, your Credit Cards and all airline & reservation tickets, itinerary and make sure someone back home - trusted friend has a copy of all of these important documents.   Put one in your carry on luggage, and one in your main suitcase.  If you are travelling with a friend, get that person to carry the third and make sure they read it before you go.   This will save a lot of headaches/heartaches if you lose them and make it easier and quicker to get replacements. 

• Never let anyone you don't know offer to take your photographs with your camera!

• Never leave luggage unattended or place on ground between your legs, have all in front of you with your hands on them. If travelling with others try and go through the same scanner so if one is held up the ones who are through can collect your goods whilst you are being rechecked. It worked for us.

• Take tissue for when visiting toilets overseas, just in case there is no toilet paper. A packet of Wet Ones/ Baby Wipes when you arrive at your first stop and keep in the car.

• No matter where you are, it is wise to ask the Hotel Reception if there are any ‘no go’ areas, when you intend exploring. 

• Pack these security-friendly hotel amenities. Instead of fiddling around, decanting your favourite hair and body products into security approved mini containers is a thing of the past with some of our favourite hotels around the world stocking high-quality products in containers which meet the new Department of Transport regulations (100ml/grams or under). So those containers that you had from hotel rooms from the past come in handy when you travel. Fiddling around, decanting your favourite hair and body products into security approved mini containers is a thing of the past with some of our favourite hotels around the world stocking high-quality products in containers which meet the new Department of Transport regulations (100ml/grams or under).

• Test the waters with a one-way cruise. "Repositioning cruises" used to be the only way to find a deal on a luxury cruise. When the weather changes seasonally the cruise ships move their ships from the Mediterranean in summer to warmer Caribbean waters in the winter and similarly from Alaska to the Caribbean. Rather than sail with an empty ship the cruises are discounted to encourage passengers to join these "repositioning" journeys. But as companies expand their itineraries across the globe one-way cruises have become a new way for passengers to experience life on the high seas for less. Holland America and Carnival Cruises are both lines that offer one-way routes from Vancouver to Alaska in seven days. Meanwhile Majestic America has a one-way cruise from Juneau, in Alaska, to Seattle. Holland America also offers travellers the option of taking one leg of their Grand World Voyage cruise, which lasts 117 nights and includes 39 ports on five continents. Depending on where you join the cruise you can buy a single leg ranging from 22 to 69 nights.

• Try travelling in Europe's off season to get cheaper fares if in OZ.

• Travelling with book of familiarise the sayings from the countries you indeed visiting is always a good idea.

• Research what Post Offices are called in the countries and where you can purchase stamps from and post boxes also. The ones who don't might very well land back in their country with unsent mail.

• Seek out the best seats on board. The distance between rows of seats (known as pitch and still calculated in inches in the airline industry) varies from plane to plane and even between rows. In general domestic carriers, the pitch for seats is between 30-33 inches while exit rows range from 37-39 inches. But how much of a difference does a few inches make? With 31 inches, a 183cm tall person's knee would touch the seat in front of him; with 34 inches he could put a hard cover book in his seat pocket without his knees touching; and with 36 inches he could get up from a window seat and walk to the aisle without disturbing the person next to him. Exit rows can vary within the same aircraft. When they are aligned one right after another the front exit-row seats will not recline. For more information on seat pitches and configurations for most carriers visit seatguru.com or check out the airline websites.

• Travelling with Emirates we were able to select our seats before hand, would travel with them again and again. Try and get the two seats configuration then travelling with loved ones you don't have to wake strangers up to get to toilet.

• Watch out for the water. Flight attendants begin most flights serving bottled water, but if they turn to the plane's onboard tanks, there may be cause for concern. According to the most recent available US study, one out of every six planes had coli form bacteria in its water tanks. Since 2004, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered 46 domestic airlines in the US to regularly flush, disinfect and test their water systems. Richard Naylor, the EPA's aircraft drinking water rule manager, suggests that concerned passengers avoid drinking coffee or tea on board (water may not reach a cleansing boil). T+L tip: Also avoid using bathroom tap water (use wipes or mouthwash). Opting for canned drinks or stocking up on water after clearing security may be the answer.

• We purchased before we left a GPS from OZ  to assist with our driving for six weeks. Familiarise yourself with it in your own environment and make sure you have the gist of it. Don't rely on anyone else's equipment or products.  Research the GPS thoroughly. We bought the MIO GPS and overseas maps also. It was a  MUST HAVE for us as we travelled through the Western Front of WW1 and used it to get to as many places as possible during our 6 days there. As we are from Australia travelling on the wrong side of the road made the job difficult for my husband to do the driving and me the navigating reading the GPS, it was full on concentrating the whole time.

• When travelling by car have plenty of small change for tollways.

• We have to carry our passports, money belt etc, but make sure they are not visible to others. Of course we have our cameras, but we need not look foolish. No flashy jewellery, just look neat tidy, fashionable and not like a traveller to avoid thieves.

• When travelling with others offer to take photos of them, photographers seldom get into photographs as you must trust the person you give your camera to. Avoid getting in their way when they are taking photo, as when you bound along in front, it will take longer for them to get their shot with you always ahead in their shots. The best picture we have taken of us was when a local indicated he would take a photograph of my husband and myself at Rocomadour France, and we hesitated by realised we were younger and fitter than them and top of the mountain, they were not going anywhere, so it all turned out well.

• When travelling by train overnight in Europe, put all your personal documents in some bag and have under your clothing for safety. There are professional thieves who haunt these overnight trains. Although we had no trouble with overnight trains. I have not done this but a very well-travelled friend and her companion had their handbags taken from under their pillows, while they were asleep in a cabin with a locked door.  How they did not wake up is mystery. They felt they may have been drugged and lost everything.  Their arrival in Rome was on a Public Holiday weekend and they had to almost starve, until they were able to have cash sent from Australia and had to wait a few days, to get a new passport and other documentation.