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British Mensa Travel Special Interest Group |
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The
A-Z of travel We have a friend arriving from California in early August and, because he has not flown internationally before, I started to put together some simple notes to help him; but where to begin... or end? Once I started I realised that it’s a long list and it continued to grow. It became a list of comments about what we do - but we are comfortable travellers and so the list is based on the ideas that you want to travel, want to get value for money (while having a good time) and are prepared to consider booking each part of holiday separately. I have not mentioned children as I could then have doubled the length of this, nor cruises, which we don’t do. So after 25 years of travel here are some insights that may help. 1. Where
to go? a. Here’s the thing, we don’t mind. A few years ago Ryanair did a selection of 1p flights (+ taxes), and we took advantage – by booking where ever we could get to cheapest for a long weekend –we travelled all over Europe not knowing at the time of booking exactly where the airport was (and on one occasion which country it was in!) That’s one option - go where cheapest, but don’t forget there may be reasons it’s cheap – weather at that time of year, other issues – fear of terrorism, recent poor weather etc. b. Read about it first. We have selected where to go on many grounds: adverts, guide books, novels, a whim etc, but once we have thought of going somewhere we then get a guide book. Not just any guidebook but the guidebook and for us this is the Lonely Planet series. Why Lonely Planet? We find them compact, comprehensive, simple to use, a good background of national and local history, clear maps, good recommendation for hotels, possible walks, restaurants, etc. We have not been really disappointed by any recommendations... yet. Make sure that the book is up to date as possible – even a book published this month may have been researched up to 18 months earlier. Other people will have their favourite series. But don’t forget – the key is to do some reading before you go, even if you have booked an all-inclusive package. c. Don’t believe all you read! The papers (especially the Sundays) are filled with full page ads suggesting their location is the location… and of course have prices to match. Do some reading, often we have found cheaper alternatives elsewhere or been able to put together our own trip for far less with ‘more’ included than an advertised package. d. Consider the options at the place you want to go. What do you want? History, museums, beach, clubs, restaurants, quiet, noisy etc; resort, hotel, camping, travelling around, based in one place. Each give you a solution, but don’t forget language barriers, culture values, food allergies etc, which may make what you want to do more difficult. It’s a case that you have to find the mix you want. e. Online research – often helpful, but be careful of sites that seem to provide tourist information but which only want to get you to book hotels. Also careful of some of the independent sites that claim to give reports of hotels etc. These can have ‘good’ reports added by the hotel staff, and check the dates of the reports; is something described two years ago still relevant today? f. Will you need to take any medication before you go? Are you happy with the possible side effects? Even if you do take the medication, you may still catch the disease anyway – just look at Cheryl Cole recently. g. Finally, for everybody there is a place that you just have to visit (Rome, Paris, Athens etc.), but remember when you arrive why you wanted to go. We recall watching cruise passengers being herded around the Parthenon in Athens in minutes when, for some, to see the Parthenon was the very reason they booked the cruise. So when you plan, plan time to see what you want, make sure it’s open and that you have tickets in advance (if possible). 2. Booking So you’ve planned, where and when. Now you need to book it... I use whatever method I consider best for us, so:- a. Booking method
b. Just consider before you book your flight... i. How much luggage you want to take with you - how long are you going away for? It could be cheaper to find a laundrette than pay extra luggage fees. Do you need to book any luggage at all? It’s amazing what you can get in a backpack. ii. Do you want pay more for a seat allocation/ priority boarding? On the budget airlines you can pay to be at the front of the queue to board and since there is no seat allocation, first on means best seats (either leg room or first off at the other end). If you, like us, figure it’s only 3-4 minutes saved at the other end don’t bother. On a long haul flights you may be asked to pay for an economy plus seat (extra leg room) or emergency row seats – these we also feel are worth it if you need the space (i.e. long legged). iii. Many airlines will have very cheap prices, for a price! That is you will be unable to change your ticket/flight unless you pay more (often much more) for the benefit, and if you don’t show up you lose the money. iv. We feel that the airlines get us to our holiday, if you have a ticket you then have a seat on the flight – if it’s two hours long sitting in a rigid seat next to someone you don’t know – well, it will give you more money to spend on your hotel (And you’ll spend longer in your hotel than in your aircraft seat)! c. Just consider before you book your hotel... i. How long will you spend in the hotel? Let’s face it - why pay megabucks for effectively just a bed, but why go cheap if you have seven nights in the hotel? ii. Beware the price without breakfast – which is fine in a big city but less good in the middle nowhere... on a weekend... in winter iii. Do you want the spa/sports facilities/car park etc.? If so, it may be cheaper to get a room that includes use of the spa rather than paying on the day. iv. Executive floors – may well be worth the price. The free alcohol and food all day is no longer as prevalent as it was – but again it’s down to your use of the facility that you are paying for! v. Many hotels will have very cheap prices, for a price! That is you will be unable to change your dates unless you pay more (often much more) for the benefit. d. Just consider before you book your car hire... i. Just how far are you going? Car hire is great for freedom and getting off the beaten track, but sometimes they can be a pain. ii. Don’t book a car if you are on a short city break, take public transport and save money and your sanity. Think Paris/Athens/Rome – do you really want to drive and park in these cities? Just book a car for a day if you want to leave the city. Parking in Rome seems to me to be more the sport of abandonment than actual parking! iii. But if you hire a car, make sure:
e. Just consider before you book your tour/entry tickets... i. Is it cheaper than paying on arrival? ii. Is it quicker than paying on arrival? In many cases yes, but you will probably book a specific entry time, so check your times carefully. f. Have you
booked yourself in for the required medical treatments? 3. Packing – can’t be that difficult… My favourite saying about packing is ‘take half the clothes and twice the money’ – oddly, however it’s not my wife’s. First did you book luggage on the flight and if so what’s the weight/size limit? Check these carefully as mistakes can be costly. a. Essentials i. Passport – even for internal UK flights you may require a passport for ID. ii. Money – that’s cash (include some low denomination notes), credit cards and ATM cards. Yes, cards may be expensive, but cash once gone is gone... iii. All those bookings you have made – don’t forget to print out and take with you. Often they won’t be needed but sometimes you will need the booking reference. iv. Boarding passes. If you check in on-line (and on some airlines it’s the only way) you must remember to bring the boarding passes with you. v. Guidebook and phrase book. Learn the local for hello, yes, no, thank you (and beer and wine?) and try to use them. Most places we have been, people are pleased you tried. vi. Camera – a good small digital camera to get the snaps you want. vii. Medication – always ensure that you have it with you, and not in the check-in luggage. b. Weight i. Your checked luggage will have a weight restriction and a size restriction. Make sure you don’t get a bag that’s too big and remember that you may buy stuff to bring back, so save some weight and space… c. Clothes i. What’s the weather going to be? Don’t forget to wear that heavy coat (rather than pack) and the same with those heavy walking boots – wear them on the plane to reduce luggage weight. d. Electrical i. If you take any electrical items, you will need an adaptor. ii. Ipods, phones, MP3 players, cameras and satnavs all need chargers! e. What not to take i. Other than all those items barred by security or by law, what not to take is down to you. However, I would suggest that anything that could look suspect is left behind. ii. Anything
very heavy a. Before you go - check-in online Some airlines (budget) insist you check in online, and the big airlines offer this; you still have to drop off luggage, so it becomes an exercise in double work. b. Car parking i. The rule is the further away the cheaper, but on return at midnight do you want to wait 20 minutes for a bus to go 15 minutes off airport, or pay that little bit extra for that closer car park? ii. Also booking earlier and accepting the fact there’s no refund will get you a cheaper rate. iii. Try
BAA for good deals; at Heathrow we use Purple Parking. i. Liquids under 100ml (and that’s not a lot) need to be in a separate bag. They are then presented separately at the x-ray machine. ii. Before the x-ray machine, take off metal objects, coins, watches, belts etc and place in coat pockets. Then remove your coat and place in a tray for x-ray. Then place any carry-on in a tray and any computers in another tray. iii. Shoes. Some airports require them to be removed, some don’t. Watch what’s happening. iv. Finally please do all this before arriving at the x-ray machine, as those behind you will all stand around and wait while you do this. Trust me, you will feel all those eyes on you! d. Duty free i. Unless I know what I want and know how much it costs ‘on the high street’ or online, I personally wouldn’t buy anything unless I could see a good saving. ii. There are normally a lot of food outlets since you will be here a while. Don’t forget alcohol and flying doesn’t always mix well. e. Lounge i. A lounge pass can be helpful, but how much does a pass cost before a flight and how much would you spent on coffee/tea/biscuits etc outside? ii. Yes, they have alcohol – often free but again the cost may well outweigh the benefits. f. How early?
‘You can always be early, but never late.’ ii. Once in the airport there’s check-in and security to negotiate, again those minutes are an investment iii. Happily delays here are now rare and you’ll probably find yourself sitting around early. Personally, I’ll take that risk! 5. On the plane a. You’re at the gate, ready to board... i. If it’s low cost, you’ll be sorted by whether you have paid extra to board first, and then a large queue with scrum-like tendencies will form for everyone else. Don’t be late to the gate. ii. If you are on a ‘normal’ flight on a big aircraft, you will be boarded by rows. Just be patient your seat is there! And let’s face it, they’re not leaving until you are on board! b. Seating i. Window or aisle? At night, flying over an ocean and during cloudy times there’s not much to see. Just try not to get stuck in the middle of a row. Many of the bigger airlines allow you to select seating at online check in (it may change, but it’s a start) so be early checking in to get the better seats. On budget airlines it’s a free for all... c. Food i. Bring your own. ii. Don’t forget that the pressure in the aircraft (i.e. less than at ground level) will mean that your taste buds are not as acute. Already bland food tastes even blander. iii. Try eating that book you bought along, it’s tastier and healthier than much of the airline ‘food’. First class or business class is better, but... iv. If it’s not free and it is a short flight – we don’t bother with the over-priced under-sized offerings. Have something on the ground or bring your own. d. Lap seatbelt Always, always, keep it on in the air, when seated. There is a reason for this, turbulence... it can (and has) killed people. 6. At the hotel a. You’re here – you check in and you’re... i. Told about
a resort fee – If you booked and have a price, refuse to pay for
extras that are added to your bill. Resort fees in the US are favourites. b. Your room - Check the following: i. Are the
towels clean? c. Checking out; check that bill before you go and question any charges you don’t recognise. If you are paying on a card, then check to see if any further charges may be added. 7. Car Hire a. Check the following work when you collect the car: i. The lights
(front and back) b. Returning: i. Ensure
the fuel tank is full, or really empty, depends on what you have decided 8. Sensitivity a. Locals like tourists for their money, but how often have you complained about tourists when you’re at home? So a few thoughts:- i. Wear appropriate
clothes, bikini on the beach, much more covered in a place of worship. c. Disease and illness are not respecters of nationality – If you wouldn’t eat from a place like that at home – don’t abroad. I know that’s not always possible so always ensure you have the medication available to deal with the most common ailments. Ensure that bottle caps are unbroken and ask from fizzy water in a restaurant (it’s much harder to refill a bottle with fizzy water). d. Security: i. Carry
a local newspaper when going around town. 9. Other things a. Travel insurance – Ensure that you have your European Health Insurance Card form for the EU and Travel insurance for your trip. It’s worth it – if, like me,you travel a lot - to get annual insurance. If you do travel in the USA, trust me - medical care is expensive. I have paid over $250 just to see a doctor for a prescription for antibiotics. b. Copies of documents. We have found that it helps to carry copies of our passports in our carry-on luggage. These are then kept in a separate location so, should one set be lost, you can at least get a replacement passport quickly. Another tip, leave a complete set, with your itinerary, with someone at home. c. Medicines – ensure that you have any medicines with you, and add an extra week’s worth, just in case, and don’t put them in your checked luggage on the aircraft. If it’s that important to you, carry it with you! d. Also: i. American Express Platinum card – this card (cost approx £350 per year) gives Annual Travel Insurance (including car hire), Priority Pass cards (see below) and upgrades in various travel loyalty programs, including Hilton VIP Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, Avis, Starwood hotels, etc. Other cards will offer similar. ii. Priority Pass – This card offers access to over 600 airport lounges around the world. These offer comfort and quiet in an often crowded terminal. I doubt I would buy it for what it is, but as apart of the AM EX package it makes the card well worth it. iii. Loyalty points hotels/cars. Most loyalty schemes aren’t for you but for the company concerned. However sometimes perks automatically appear because you are a member. These may be upgrades to room/cars to simple things like extra free bottles of water in your room. 10. Have fun and jump in with both feet Having said all of the above, a holiday is just that, a break, a chance to relax. Whatever you do, enjoy it. We enjoy finding the differences in culture, meeting the locals and getting away from the standard international hotel, travelling around seeing how the locals live. Some of the most interesting people we have met have been via clubs that we belonged to. We enjoy stopping at places which may be mentioned in guide books but are often not major tourist spots. One of the nicest and most interesting places we visited in Mauritius was a Martello Tower museum. The guides were friendly and happy to chat during their tour about how the Tower fitted into the island’s history, giving us a far greater overview. We learnt more there than in almost any other place we visited. Look for a nice restaurant – one of the best dining experiences we had was at very large dim sum restaurant in Xian, China. We spoke very little Chinese, they spoke almost no English. But we survived (our four words yes, no, hello and beer seemed to get us what we wanted) and we ended up with a great meal – because we all tried to communicate. Earlier walking around town we had found a 45 minute queue for Pizza Hut! We often do a MacDonald’s test – not eating, but looking at what is the difference between one in the US or the UK. It shows the difference in culture in something we all believe to be the same worldwide (they’re not). We also like to go into a supermarket or grocery store. This throws up differences in what and how people cook and what they believe to be a staple item. Also what is imported (and from where) and what is local (beer, wine, cheese, bread etc), and is the local better than the imported (often!) But above all enjoy what you want from your holiday, enjoy the beach/city/museum/landscape whatever you want to do - enjoy it! First published in VISA 92-93 (Aug-Oct 2010) |