Traveling Thursday

Traveling Thursday – You are not a European*.

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When traveling it is not a good idea to select clothing, jewelry or accessories that made you stand out. By blending in, you become less attractive to pickpockets and other criminals.

With that said, your efforts to blend in shouldn’t ruin your vacation. I once had a gentleman tell me that his feet were blistered and sore because his wife wouldn’t let him wear his regular white tennis shoes in Europe. She didn’t want them to look like Americans so their tennis shoes and jeans were replaced by loafers and a trendy all-black wardrobe. After offering the gentleman some band-aids, I had to sigh and shake my head. I understand where his wife was coming from, but she might have gone a little too far.

Research tactics for not looking like an American tourist and you’ll see that some make sense and should probably be followed. I agree with tips to limit logo apparel, ditch the fanny pack in favor of a money belt, be mindful of new personal space expectations, leave big pieces of jewelry at home, and slow down and enjoy the relaxed pace. It’s also nice to learn several key phrases in the local language. Your pronunciation is likely to be off but many locals just appreciate the fact that you’re trying.

Beyond that, you need to use your best judgment. Leaving your comfortable tennis shoes at home could cause you to miss part of your itinerary if your new trendy Euro-loafers aren’t broken in. The same is true for the no-sock advice. Some travel sites would even tell you not to be obvious about taking photos. Again, that’s up to you but if you’ve spent your whole life dreaming of seeing the Eiffel Tower, why stop yourself from taking 100 photos just because you’re worried about looking like a tourist?

Make the simple changes but think long and hard about the rest. I think most locals would agree that they’re much more interested in your attitude and willingness to try new things than your apparel.

*Unless you really are a European and then I’d love to know your thoughts on the topic.

Traveling Thursday – Tip of the Hat

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On a recent business trip, Mr. McB and his coworkers used the hotel’s free shuttle to go to dinner. On the return trip, one of the coworkers asked if the driver could stop at a store so she could buy some personal items. The driver gladly complied with her request. When the group left the shuttle, they tipped the driver. He was surprised that they would tip him.

I ran into a similar situation when the valet helped me with a few bags while the bellman was otherwise engaged. He was generally shocked when I pressed a few dollars into his hand.

On a walking tour a few years ago, I was the only person (out of a group of 30) to tip our fantastic guide.

I chose to believe that this isn’t a case of people being cheap but rather a lack of understanding of the importance of tipping workers within the hospitality industry. These folks (porters, valets, housekeepers, guides, drivers…) are there to make your experience special. You can reward their hard work with a tip in addition to learning their names and bragging about them on surveys and/or in your TripAdvisor review.

TravelSense offers a handy tipping guideline card. Magellan’s has a handy grid and Conde’ Nast offers a great article about tipping customs around the globe.

I highly recommend looking at your trip in advance and setting aside your tipping money in a special envelope. By putting the money aside, you know that you have the right denomination and by physically separating them, you won’t feel like the tips are cutting into your spending money.

Traveling Thursday – Thrifty is nifty.

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As travelers, most of us are looking for a bargain. It’s why we use Priceline and Kayak or check flight prices around 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.

During our travels this summer, I’ve been thinking about other “hidden” tricks for keeping the cost of vacations low.

Loyalty = lower gas prices
Consider doing your shopping at a supermarket that allows you to rack up gas discounts through your grocery purchases. You can earn even more by buying gift cards at the same markets. Many outlets offer gas station, restaurant, and/or hotel gift cards. Why not get an extra benefit from money you’re already planning to spend on your vacation?

Membership has its privileges.
We all know that AAA and AARP members can save a lot on travel expenses but consider your other memberships as well. I know some alumni associations and professional groups that offer hotel and rental car discounts. If you are member of a zoo, aquarium, garden, museum or other attraction, find out if you can use reciprocal benefits during your travels. With most reciprocal agreements, you can enjoy at least a 50 percent discount on admission fees.

Pack your snacks.
Whether you are flying or driving, there could be major savings in bringing your own munchies. Airport stores and food marts at hotels and resorts are infamous for over-inflated prices. I can remember a trip to a resort market where the items were selling for more than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.  By packing your own snacks, you avoid the high prices and make sure you’ve got nutritious options.

On trips to Vegas and Orlando, where we we staying in a unit with a kitchen, we took advantage of Southwest’s generous bag policy and packed staple food items in our extra bag. We were able to bring pasta, peanut butter, oatmeal, cereal, flat-breads, and canned soup. When we arrived, we still had to buy perishable items (at the higher resort-town prices) but we saved a lot of time and money by bringing what we could.  If you go this route, don’t be surprised to find a TSA inspection note in the bag.

Couponing isn’t just for the grocery store.
Be sure to pick up a coupon book found in most hotel lobbies or welcome centers. You can find some good deals while learning about the area you’re visiting.

Buy in advance?
Review the websites of the attractions you plan to visit to find out if you can get a discount by purchasing tickets in advance. I highly recommend buying advanced parking for sporting events and concerts. You can save money and avoid the hassle of lines.

Do you have any tricks for shaving the cost from your vacation? Leave your tips in the comments.

 

Traveling Thursday – Extreme Heat

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We were in Atlanta last weekend during their record-breaking heat wave. When HOTlanta is breaking records, you know it’s hot.

It was while I was sitting at the open-air sauna Turner Field that I decided to write a post about traveling and/or being outside in extreme heat.

PLAN AHEAD

  • Consider the temperatures when you are packing. Look for light-colored, light-weigh natural materials. Dri-fit shirts are becoming very popular, and if you sweat profusely they can help you stay dry but consider the fact that the very thing that makes them effective might hurt you since your body cools down as sweat evaporates from your skin.
  • Pack a hat and sunscreen.
  • Pack an empty water bottle to help with hydration. There are collapsible versions that will not take up a lot of room in your luggage. There are also versions with both a filter and freezer stick built in. Look around and find the bottle with features that will work well and make you want to stay hydrated.
  • Schedule your activities around the weather. Go outdoors in the morning and early evening and save your indoor activities for midday. This could be the perfect time to see a movie, go shopping, visit a museum, or even take a nap.
  • Check for airline delays. Heat brings storms and potential airline delays. Stay on top of this situation by setting up text alerts from your carrier. If you are caught by a storm and need to rebook, stay as calm as possible. You don’t want to take your frustrations out on anyone but especially not that airline employee you are counting on for help.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

  • STAY HYDRATED!!! It can’t be stated often enough. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. You are bound to run into trouble if your body becomes dehydrated. The rule of thumb is that you should drink eight ounces of water for every hour spent outside.
  • Muscle cramps could signal bad things. Visit the CDC’s site for great information on spotting the signs of heat exhaustion/stroke.
  • If you are going to a sporting event, concert, festival, or theme park, scope out the first-aid area. If something happens and you need immediate assistance, seek out an employee.
  • Lather up with sunscreen and wear a hat.
  • Don’t overdo it. It would be better to juggle your schedule, even if it means missing a few outings, than to try too many activities only to be overcome by the heat.
  • Eat small meals. Watch your protein intake as these cause high metabolic heat.
  • Listen to your body. If you start to feel queasy, dizzy, or flushed get to a cool place. If you vomit, seek first aid or call 9-1-1. It doesn’t take long to go from slightly overheated to distressed.

Oh and one final world of advice, if you are going to the Braves game when it’s 106, limit the number of pre-game samples you allow yourself at World of Coke.

Traveling Thursday – Picture Perfect

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Vacations, Forth of July fireworks, family gatherings…there are so many things to photograph during the summer. This week I’m sharing a list of links that will help you improve your photography skills.

Shooting Fireworks
This piece from Digital Trends focuses on tips for a “real” camera. http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/fourth-of-july-photo-tips-shooting-fireworks/

The New York Institute of Photography offers tips for both DSLR and point-and-shoot models with a lot of editing tips thrown in as well.
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/firewks.html

This piece from Photojojo includes some ideas to spark your creativity.
http://content.photojojo.com/guides/11-tips-for-sparkling-fireworks-photos/

Vacation Photos
TLC offers tips for taking fantastic family vacation photos.
http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/slideshows/family-travel/10-tips-taking-great-family-vacation-photos/

Hip Trip Mama has even more tips, both technical and artistic, to shoot great pics on your next family vacation.
http://www.hiptravelmama.com/hip-tips/hip-tips-family-vacation-photography-how-to/

Fodor’s has lots of tips for creating memorable vacation photos.
http://www.fodors.com/travel-photography/

Planning to use a self-timer? Here’s how NOT to do it.
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-not-to-take-a-self-timer-portrait

Take better beach photos using these tips.
http://www.lightstalking.com/beach-photography-tips

Improve Photography gives great advice for shooting in the mountains.
http://improvephotography.com/1793/tips-ideas-landscape-photography-mountains-hiking-camping/

Miscellaneous Links
Camping with your photography equipment
http://improvephotography.com/1362/10-tips-for-camping-and-being-outdoors-with-your-photography-gear/

Interesting, alternative uses for your camera during your travels
http://www.vagabondish.com/clever-uses-digital-camera-traveling/

If you know of other good resources, please share them in the comments.

Traveling Thursday – Be realistic

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It’s disappointing when you realize that you might not be physically able to travel in the way that you used to. No one wants to admit that an ailment or age might keep them from seeing, doing, and going. As painful as it may be, we should all think seriously about our fitness level and whether we can meet the challenges of the trip that lies before us.

If you are taking a group tour, talk with your operator about the physical challenges you’ll meet on the tour. They should be able to provide information about the lengths of walking tours and the types of terrain you’ll encounter. Ask about your accommodations as well. Is there an elevator? If you’re traveling abroad, does that elevator work? What is the shower/tub like? Use this information to decide whether a trip is right for you or not. Reputable operators will not push you into taking a trip that is outside your comfort zone. If you feel pressured, it might be a sign that the operator and itinerary aren’t right for you.

Be honest from the start. If you have a physical limitation or condition that requires special consideration, talk with your tour operator and/or traveling companions about it. Find out if accommodations can be made but understand that sometimes, there is nothing that can be done. Most attractions in the U.S. are very accessible to those with limited mobility. The same is not true for other parts of the world. Find out what’s involved with traveling to your dream destination.

Don’t forget the airports. If you’ll need a wheelchair for the airport, talk to your travel planner or airline in advance. Don’t feel bad about asking for this assistance. Some airports are massive. By pre-booking a wheelchair you ensure that you won’t overexert yourself before the trip even begins.

It’s more than just mobility, disclose other conditions too. A traveler waited until the week before departure to tell me that her traveling companion had hemophilia and required a refrigerator for his supply of clotting factor. We were able to arrange for a small fridge to be put in their room but it involved a lot of last-minute effort on everyone’s part. This is the kind of thing that you need to tell your travel planner from the beginning. It’s much easier to solve these problems in advance.

Many travel companies will ask passengers to complete a passenger information form that asks lots of questions, including some related to health and fitness. Answer those questions completely and honestly.

Group tours are not a babysitting service. I have encountered a few instances where adult-children knowingly sent their parents on a group tour despite physical or mental limitations. You can’t expect that someone will take care of your loved one. Tour leaders have to take care of logistics for the whole group and do not have the time or training to be an aide for travelers with special needs.

With anything else in life, honesty is the best policy. By honestly assessing your fitness level and asking questions in advance, you should be able to select the right trip. Once you’ve selected a trip, be sure to share health-related information with your traveling companions and/or travel planner.

Traveling Thursday – Staying healthy while traveling

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Travel can be rough on your body. Even a short trip means changing your routine and possibly throwing your system off kilter. Being sick or feeling a little off is never fun but it’s even worse when you are away from home, especially if you are wasting precious vacation time.

There are some basic things you can do to treat your body well and minimize the effects of travel.

Stay hydrated. More than half your body is made of water and if it’s going to function properly, you need to stay hydrated. The symptoms of jet lag can be compounded by dehydration. To take care of your body, be sure you’re drinking several glasses of water a day. If you cringe at the price of water in the airport, bring an empty bottle through security and refill it at a water fountain near your gate. Ask for water during your flight. Remember that drinks with alcohol or caffeine can make dehydration worse.

Be mindful of where that water is coming from. If you are traveling internationally, be sure to ask whether it’s OK to drink the water or not. In most European countries, there’s no reason not to drink the tap water but in other parts of the world, it can be more dicey. Ask your guide or the hotel staff. If you are encouraged to buy water, make sure you are buying a sealed bottle from a reputable shop. If you can’t drink the water, don’t eat the ice or drink any cold beverages that are mixed with water. Also, stick to fruits and vegetables that must be peeled in these countries.

Jump (well move) around. Deep Vein Thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occur when a blood clot forms in a large vein. This can be fatal if a portion of the clot breaks off and enters your lung. Most people associate the condition with long flights, say the 17.5 hour jaunt between Dulles and Johannesburg; but studies show that even four hours of travel in a plane, train, bus or car, can put you at risk. Walking around is a great way to mitigate your risk. If you can’t do that, you should raise and lower your feet/heels while seated. This PDF from the National Blood Clot Alliance offers some great prevention tips.

Get your Zzzz’s. Treat your body well and it will return the favor. If you are out late, then try to stay in bed a little longer the next morning. Remember that caffeine can make dehydration worse so don’t try to make up for your lack of sleep by downing mass amounts of coffee.

Watch what you eat. Yes, it’s vacation and you should feel free to indulge but keep it under control. Your body doesn’t want a steady diet of deep fried, fatty foods. Try to balance heavy meals with lighter options.

Pack the antibac and sunscreen. You’ll need them both. I got a sunburn in Scotland because I was expecting dark, dreary skies. You’ll likely have at least one intensely sunny day so pack a small tube of sunscreen.

This post could go on and on. There are so many easy, common sense things you can do to have healthy travels. For more great tips, and in depth coverage on things like vaccinations and region-specific issues, visit the CDC’s site for
great resources and tips.

Traveling Thursday – Drive safely

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For many, summer vacation involves driving. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your journey as safe as possible.

  • Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Both under-and-over inflated tires can cause you trouble so use the tire gauge to ensure that your tires are at the proper pressure. Check your tire pressure before you start driving. The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle should be listed in the driver’s side door, on the glove box door, or in the owner’s manual. Don’t confuse the recommended pressure with the maximum pressure that is stamped on the tire itself.
  • Don’t skimp on service! Regular oil changes are even more important in the heat of summer when your engine needs even more lubrication. If your summer routine involves pulling a boat or other equipment, ask your mechanic if you should switch to a more viscous oil.
  • Just as you are taking precautions to keep yourself hydrated, make sure your automobile’s fluids (coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid) are at proper levels.
  • If your vacation takes you to the mountains, consider downshifting instead of riding your brakes down a hill.
  • Keep an eye on your temperature gauge. If you start to overheat, try turning the heat on in your car. This should bring the temperature down a bit. If you have to stop to cool the engine down, remember that you should wait a bit before opening the hood.
  • Check out your wipers and replace if needed. Sun and heat can cause your windshield wipers to wear faster.
  • Check out the air conditioner. Not only will you get uncomfortable if the air conditioning goes out, but may also lose other important engine systems.
  • If you are taking a long drive or heading to a sparsely populated area, consider packing a gallon of water, extra coolant and oil. These items may come in handy during your travels.
  • Remember that there are areas were the GPS doesn’t get a signal. Buy an atlas or print your Google map as a backup.
  • For driver safety, be sure to take routine breaks. I know someone who drove so long that when he got out of the car, his legs locked up and he fell hard in parking lot. He always thought I was a wimp for taking breaks to stop and stretch my legs but that changed after he bloodied his knees. Be kind to your body and plan to stop about every two-hours or 100 miles.
  • Don’t drive when you are sleepy. Drowsy driving can cause accidents. Pull over at a rest area to take a cat nap or treat yourself to a night in a hotel. Check for coupon books at interstate rest stops to bring the cost down.

Traveling Thursday – Get outdoors and enjoy freebies

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Saturday, June 9 is National Get Outdoors Day. What, you haven’t ordered a cake or mailed your cards yet? I know it is a made-up holiday but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying free admission to select national parks and public lands.

For a list of participating National Parks, visit this site. This link lists other days when admission to these parks is free.

For a list of the 56 public lands waiving admission on June 9 visit here.

Enjoy the sun and the freebies.

Traveling Thursday – Tell them about it.

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When you are traveling, it’s a great idea to share your itinerary with a family member, friend, or trusted neighbor. Not only does this mean they can easily contact you in case of emergency, it also gives them details to provide authorities should something go awry on your trip.

Ideally, you should share your lodging details including address and phone number along with some kind of daily schedule. If you are traveling on a group tour, just make a copy of your itinerary and share it with your contact. Many tour companies also offer “where to reach me” cards that include lodging details or cruise ship contact information. If you are traveling independently, share transportation details (flight/train/bus schedule or the planned driving route for the day) and a tentative schedule of any planned activities.

I know this might seem like overkill but imagine that your contact needs to get in touch with you immediately and your mobile phone doesn’t have service. Though we depend on our mobile phones, who hasn’t been without service when they need it most? Your contact has the hotel number and can try calling you there. Maybe your contact knows you’re expected to be at a museum and can call to seek their help in tracking you down. You never know when an emergency will require your immediate attention.

Your contact(s) can also find relief in knowing your itinerary when a natural disaster strikes. Imagine you are touring in South America and visiting a number of countries when an earthquake hits Chile. With a quick check of your schedule, everyone is relieved to find out you were safe in Argentina that day.

No one wants to think about it, but by sharing your itinerary, you could also help provide useful clues if something happens to you. Say you are traveling solo and planned to go out for a little hike during the day. Your family member is a little worried about you hiking on your own so he/she decides to call and check in later that night or the next morning but you don’t answer your cell. He/she calls your hotel and you don’t answer the phone. He/she can now decide to ask hotel management to knock on your door and if you’re still not there, it might be time to call the police or the park service in order to track you down. You can see where you might not want to give your schedule to the “nervous Nellie” of your group, but you can also see where this information would come in handy if something bad happened.

As with everything else in life, use your best judgment but strongly consider giving your itinerary to someone you can trust.