Attractive Destinations

Are tour groups for you?  You’re moving ahead with your trip planning.  You’ve decided where you want to go.  Now you need to come to grips with how you’re going to get your hotels, get around, see the sights.  So I guess the next decision in your trip planning is… do you want to join a tour group or be an independent traveler.

Both options have pros and cons.  If you choose to take a group tour, your hotels will be taken care of, as will your transportation during the tour.  Depending on the package, most meals will probably be taken care of too, so you won’t be looking for a restaurant.  Air fare to and from your destination may or may not be included. 

All of this can make it easy on you for trip planning; you don’t need to worry about making reservations or finding hotels and restaurants on the road.  You don’t need to worry about that foreign language, though that is truthfully not usually a problem.

You will be traveling with a group of people.  If group size is important to you, be sure to check on that.  Again depending on the operator and package it can range from 10 or 12 people all the way up to a bus full of about 45 to 50 people.  That can make it fun, or it can slow things down as you’re waiting for everyone to get up in the morning and get on the bus.  You’ll probably see all the highlights, but you won’t be able to get into small venues that can’t accommodate big groups. 

You won’t be lonely… you’ll have your group to interact with.  That can insulate you some from interacting with locals, but some group tours introduce you to locals or even get you into ceremonies or places that independent travelers don’t have access to.  And hopefully you’ll have knowledgeable tour guides who can teach you about the area… something that independent travelers might miss.

Tours can be an economical way to travel.  Tour operators get good prices on hotels and transportation.  But if you want to sleep in and the tour is moving on… you’ll just have to get up and get going.  You might learn things you wouldn’t have learned otherwise…. and if you’re a first time traveler, one of the things you might learn is that you don’t need a group tour. 

Sometimes that first tour group experience is more than worth it… it can give you the confidence to travel independently.  And if you learn that you like the company you’re traveling with, and you like group travel… you’ve come up with a great shortcut for your trip planning in the future…. just find more of their tours that you like and you’ll soon be traveling the world.

All over the world cash machines — ATMs — have become more and more common.  You should check the tourist information website for the country you’re going to visit to make sure you can use one there, but most often these cash machines will be the best way to change money.

Make sure to check with your bank before you go.  Most foreign cash machines use 4 digit pins and use numbers not letters.  You want to make sure your card will work abroad, and you want to alert the bank as to where you will be using it.  If they suspect an unusual transaction, they may freeze your card.  They do this to protect you against fraud, not to make things hard on you… so give them a call, and let them in on your travel plans.

It’s a good idea to take two cards from different banks.  This gives you a backup in case a machine can’t read one of your cards or if one gets demagnetized.  If you run into one cash machine that won’t recognize your card, try another down the street, and you’ll probably get your money unless there’s a real problem with your card.

ATMs around the world work pretty much like the ones you’re used to at home, but there may be some extra steps…. like choosing the language you want to deal in.  You put your card and pin in… choose your language, then follow the prompts. 

Money is usually only available in the local currency, so figure out the exchange rate ahead of time… and calculate how much you want to get.  You can get the exchange rate before you leave by checking online at a currency converter like OANDA.  In the airport Arrivals Hall, there will almost always be a bank as well as a cash machine.  The bank will have conversion rates posted so you can check before you use the machine.

ATMs in some countries give you high denomination bills.  You’re going to need "little money" sooner or later, so it’s a good idea to go to a bank as soon as you can and get smaller change.  If the banks are closed, ask your hotel to change at least one note into smaller ones.

Your ATM card has a cash limit per day, and you can’t exceed that.  Some foreign banks may may have a maximum withdrawal that is smaller than you want.  You will be charged a fee, so it pays to take out $200-300 at a time instead of $20 each time you need a little.  Tell the machine how much you want… if it won’t or can’t give it to you, you might want to find another ATM so you can save on those fees.

It’s better to use your ATM card or Debit Card rather than a credit card.  If you do use a credit card, it is considered a cash advance, and you will be charged even higher fees.

If at all possible, try to find ATMs that are in an enclosed area instead of just open on the street.  If you must use one on the street, make sure it appears safe.  Be alert and aware of your surroundings just as you would using ATMs at home.  Once you get that money… protect it.  Put it away as soon as you can… preferably in a money belt.   Once you have money in your pocket and more in a safe place…. enjoy your trip!

Eco-tourism or green travel is becoming a new catchword in travel.  But this doesn’t mean you need to rough it.  You could stay in a tent or go backpacking or canoeing, but just little everyday things can make any trip more eco-friendly.  You can stay in cities or in the countryside; sleep in a big hotel or a B&B…. but you do need to think about what you can do to protect the environment.  I’m talking conserving plants and wildlife but also other resources like electricity and water.

There are more and more of us traveling every year.  With so many of us out there, it’s more important than ever to think about how travelers impact the environment.

Making your travel "green travel" is a great way to protect the environment for people who visit after you do and for our children.  You don’t necessarily have to pay more to travel this way.  You might even find that your travel will be more rewarding, more authentic… let you get closer to the people and places you travel to…. and cheaper!

So let’s list some green travel tips….

Try to choose a green hotel.  See if you can find out what kind of recycling program they have.  Do they use energy efficient lighting?  Low flow toilets?  Water saving shower heads?

Check to see if guests have the option to reuse hotel towels and sheets instead of having them laundered everyday… then reuse them!  Keep your showers short.

Turn off air-conditioning, lights, heat, television, etc. when you leave the room.

Bring your own toiletries rather than using the prepackaged ones at the hotel.  Leave theirs behind.  All those little bottles use lots of plastic, and who needs a whole drawer full of these once you get home?

Pack a water bottle that you can reuse.  (Don’t keep buying them.  Most plastic water bottles don’t get recycled.)

When renting a car, get the smallest most fuel-efficient car that you can be comfortable with.  (Even consider a hybrid… it’s more and more possible to rent hybrids these days.)  And try driving slower.  If you go 60 mph (100 Kilometers per hour-KPH) or less, you’ll use less fuel… and just maybe you’ll see more.  Get maps and directions for the most direct route.  No reason do drive around lost and waste gas.

Walk to use public transportation when you can.  Stay at a centrally located hotel.  Walk around to see the sights; in the countryside, hike or bike if possible.

If you’re walking a beach, consider picking up trash along the way.  If all visitors did this, all of our beaches would be so much cleaner.

You don’t even need to follow all of these suggestions for green travel.  If you just choose one or two during your trip, the earth will thank you.

So, you’ve decided it’s time to take your first trip to Europe.  For many Americans it seems like a rite of passage.  It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old.  It’s something special that first trip to Europe.  You’ve finally arrived somehow. 

You’ve saved the money, you’ve applied for the passport… wow, you’re practically ready to pack.  But wait… just having made the decision to get a passport and go to Europe is only the first step.  There are more decisions to make.  Let’s think through some of this.

How much time do you have?  One week will have you concentrating on an area or a city… two or more weeks lets you tour around a bit more.

What part of Europe do you want to go to?  It’s not like you can just go to Europe.  That’s like saying you want to see the United States.  There are big areas to be covered, and you need to choose an area to see even if you have several weeks.

Do you just want to see it…?  Visit the highlights like maybe London, Paris, Rome, and see the big sights?  Or… do you have an agenda?  Do you want to find family roots and do a little genealogy research?  Is there a festival you’ve always wanted to see like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona or The Gathering and Highland Games in Edinburgh?

Do you concentrate on one or two countries or try to do a grand circle of Europe? 

Do you take a tour?  Set up a Custom tour?  Or do you want to take your first trip to Europe all on your own and find your own way?

So how will you answer these questions?

If you’re a student, you may be able to travel for the summer… good for you.  You won’t find a better way to add to your education!  If you’re retired, you can stay as long as your finances will allow… AND you can travel during shoulder seasons when there are fewer crowds.

If you only have one or two or three weeks, try for those shoulder seasons to maximize your experiences and minimize the lines.  Try to limit yourself to a country a week.  Even at that you’ll just be getting an overview of the area you choose to visit.

A tour can be a good idea and can take some of the anxiety out of your first trip to Europe.  There are so many tours offered that you can easily choose one that goes to the area you want to visit for the length of time you want to spend, and you can even get tours that specifically go to those festivals or visit gardens or let you explore just castles.  Your hotels will be taken care of and many of your meals too.  It’s good way to build your confidence abroad.

If groups just aren’t your thing, being an independent traveler on your first trip to Europe is not difficult either.  There is so much information on the internet that it’s easy to plan it for yourself and leave yourself more flexibility.

Just sit down with a pencil and paper and make the decisions one at a time, and that long awaited first trip to Europe will be a reality.

Independent travel or group tours?  You’ve looked at tour groups during your trip planning and decided that you really want to be independent.  You don’t want to be herded around.  You want to sleep in when you want… find little local bistros to eat in… linger in a shop.

Independent travel is a great way to go.  There are several ways to approach it.  You can rent a villa for a week or a month… or make hotel reservations for every day.  You can just arrive and find accommodations as you go… or you can make reservations for the first night or two then start finding your accommodations for the rest of the trip. 

It takes less advance trip planning if you decide to find accommodations as you go, but some people don’t like the stress of finding a hotel every night.  Part of the process is deciding what works best for you.

As an independent traveler, you can stay in small economical places that groups won’t fit into.  It may cost more to stay in larger hotels… group tour operators tend to get good breaks on those rooms.  But you’ll probably rub elbows with more locals in that small local place than you would in that big hotel.  (Though sometimes that big hotel isolation can give you a little respite if you’re traveling in a rugged or third world area.)

You can use the internet to make reservations at museums and popular spots before you leave on your trip.  This means you’ll be sure to get into those museums or other venues, but it also locks you in to a timetable.  If you’re feeling a bit more independent, consider making phone calls or using the internet to make those reservations on the road. 

You’ll get English speakers on the phone; you’ll probably still get the reservations you want and still have the flexibility of changing your timetable as you travel.  (Getting those reservations can help you avoid lines just like the tour groups do.)

Independent travel allows for more adventure and spontaneity.  If you end up in a village that looked charming in the pictures… but there really isn’t anything there for you… you can just move on.  On the other hand, if you stumble on a great local festival, you can linger and enjoy it.  You’ll miss what a tour guide might teach you, but if you feel you need it, you can always hire a local guide… or talk to a friendly local….  You never know what you might find out, and you could end up with a new friend!

If you decide you’d like to rent a car, it will be expensive if you’re traveling all by yourself…. It’s easier for a couple and better still if you travel with friends to share the expense.  But traveling with friends and family takes some planning of it’s own!

So weigh you options, tour group or independent travel.  Make all your reservations ahead or wing it?  A large part of the joy of travel is the trip planning and anticipation.

When is the best time to go on that trip you’re dreaming about?  If you’re lucky, you can plan the time of year you travel and schedule your holiday ahead of time.  Some people can’t get away when the company has deadlines. 

You may have to plan your time around when the kids are out of school.  If you’re an American, you might only have two weeks of vacation.  No matter what limiting factors you might have to work with, it’s good to think about the best time to go to enjoy the activities or sites for your destination.  If your vacation time is short, this is especially important!

Sometimes it’s pretty obvious when you should go.  If you want a ski vacation, you want to schedule it in the winter… Of course you COULD schedule it in the northern hemisphere summer and head south to Argentina or Chile.

Beaches?  Beach vacations can be almost anytime.  Summer would be best on both east and west U.S. coasts, but you can be a beach bum in the winter by heading for Hawaii, Mexico or any of the Caribbean Islands.  Shoulder seasons in the Caribbean can be nice, a little cheaper and sometimes less crowded, but you do take a chance with hurricanes.

Shoulder season in other areas can be a great time to go.  Shoulder season in Europe gives you a pretty good chance for nice weather, and you can avoid the crowds that stream there in the summer.

If you’re planning a little more exotic vacation, you have to start taking into account different weather patterns around the world.  In India, you might want to avoid the monsoon.  In Africa, it’s best to plan your trip during the dry season… and Africa is a big continent, so dry season can vary from one coast to the other.

Rainy season can do more than make you uncomfortable.  In many countries roads become impassible in the wet season.  Hiking trails are slippery and treacherous.  And leeches LOVE the wet season! 

If you’re after wildlife, you want to make sure that they have migrated TO the National Park you’re planning to visit.  If all the herds have moved to the other end of their migratory route, you won’t see them, and you may not see many predators either.

There’s a great website called, go figure, "Best Time To Go" that will tell you the best time of year to go, rainfall and temperature, approximately how much it will cost you per day, when the holidays are, and it even gives you some hotels.

So decide where you want to go, then before you start making your reservations, check the best time to go so you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you don’t need us to tell you about security and the TSA Self Selecting Lanes.  You’ve probably already used one of those "Black Diamond Lanes" designed to get you through the TSA check point faster.  According to the TSA, those lanes are working. 

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, you’re not a black diamond traveler…. and if you see color coded signs at the airport TSA checkpoints in the U.S., you should choose the blue square or the green circle.  WHAT???

In the last year or so, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, the TSA, has implemented a plan that they hope will speed up the screening lines at U.S. airports.

Instead of having just one security line for everyone, there are three lanes.  They are color coded, and the TSA has chosen to model them after signs on ski runs that tell skiers where the hill is difficult and for experts, or where it’s moderate, or easy.

The Black Diamond Lane is for "Expert Travelers".  This is where frequent flyers go.  People who know the routine and can get through the checkpoint quickly.  They are familiar with the rules and procedures, have their plastic bag of liquids packed correctly and out of their carry-on, and they are prepared and ready to go through.

The Blue Square Lane is for "Casual Travelers".  This would apply to travelers who are familiar with the rules and regulations, but they may take a bit longer to sort out the plastic bag, the computer, the shoes… and they just don’t want to feel rushed at the checkpoint.

The Green Circle Lane is for "Families and Passengers with Medical Liquids".  If you’re really not sure what you need to do as you go through security, this lane is for you.  It’s for families with small children, strollers, and liquids for children.  Passengers with special needs should use this lane if they need assistance or extra time.  

You are allowed to take more than 3 ounces/100ml of "medically necessary liquids" outside of the one quart plastic bag, but these must be declared to a TSA Officer.  If this applies to you, you should use the Green Circle Lane where possible.

Though it’s up to individuals to choose the appropriate lane, the TSA says the honor system seems to be working.  According to them, the black-diamond lanes are 21 percent faster on average.  So far 50 airports have the new lanes in place. 

The self-selecting lanes seems to be lowering the stress and anxiety levels of all passengers.  Expert travelers don’t feel that they are being slowed down, and families are able to take their time with all the things they have to carry for the kids.  The TSA officers are happier when you aren’t so stressed so everyone wins.

So no matter what level of traveler you are, if you see those Black, Blue and Green signs at the start of the security line, choose the level that suits you best, and everyone will be on their way with fewer problems.

It may seem obvious, but when you’re traveling, you want to get there on time.  So why do we need to discuss this?  Because so many people don’t!  When you’re planing your flights for your trip, there are several things to keep in mind so this doesn’t happen to you.

The tendency is to book flights to get you to the ship, or the tour, or the wedding just exactly when you need to be there.  That’s really not the best option.  In order to be sure you get there, it’s a better idea to plan on flights that will get you there early.

Why?  Because if you plan it that way, you won’t have to worry if problems arise…. you’ll still get there on time.

What if your flight is delayed or cancelled?  With fewer flights, it’ll be harder to get on the next plane out if this happens to you.  Delays and cancellations are risks in snow-and-sleet season, but there can be problems in summer too… think thunderstorms on the East Coast of the U.S. or Europe.  They delay flights every summer.  You can check on-time performance records of flights you’re considering, but this won’t help with weather problems.

If you’re traveling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports, or customs delays if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip.

The first flight of the day is generally your best bet for avoiding delays.  Those delays have a domino effect and get worse throughout the day.   

If you have a choice of connecting cities, pick the one with the warmest climate.  Try to avoid airports with lots of delayed flights… though many times these will be hubs, and you won’t be able to avoid them.  It’s because they are hubs that they have more delayed flights than other airports.  It’s sort of the nature of hubs. 

Delays may also be because of frequent weather problems as in the case of Chicago – ORD, or because of runway alignment as in the case of San Francisco – SFO.

Prepare for reality… This gets back to the "get there early" idea.  Fly at least 24 hours before you need to be there (or back home).  If you’re connecting, be sure your layover is at least two hours.  Sure layovers are a drag, but if you have a tight connection, and that first flight is delayed an hour… your connection is BUSTED!!!  Now what?

If you can’t avoid a tight connection, have a "plan B" ahead of time.  If you’re delayed, knowing the alternatives will be valuable when you’re trying to rebook.

To avoid missing your flight in the first place, be sure you get to the airport in plenty of time.  Most airlines now cut off check in for domestic flights 30 minutes to flight time.  Show up 29 minutes to flight time… with bags to check… and you won’t be going when you thought you would.  Even getting there 30 minutes ahead is dicey if there is any possibility of long lines at security.  And face it, that’s always a possibility.

So to get there on time, get to the airport early… for an early morning flight…  Avoid tight connections, and get there a day ahead.  You can get over your jet lag, get a good nights sleep, and be ready for the start of your trip.

Definitely plan to take credit cards with you when you travel.  Even when you travel abroad. 

It’s a good idea to let your card company or bank know when and where you’ll be traveling.  Identity theft is such a problem these days, that if your card company sees unusual spending patterns they may grow suspicious.  They might block charges on your card to protect you from fraud…  You know, like a lot of charges from London when you live in Des Moines.  Notifying your card company isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to protect yourself and ensure that you can use your card on your trip. 

Travel with only a couple of charge cards in addition to your ATM card. You don’t want to have a whole pocket full of cards at risk, but you do want to have more than one type of card.  It’s a good idea because if something happens and one card can’t be used, you’ll have a backup. 

Some places only take Visa; some only take MasterCard.  Pick one or two of each and leave the rest at home.  American Express may say "Don’t leave home without it," but there are many places that won’t take their card.  It’s a good card to have, but it’s also good to know the limitations.

If two of you are traveling as a couple, consider carrying different credit cards.  This will give you even more options. 

If you rent a car, sometimes car rental companies will put a large charge on your card at the beginning as a deposit, leaving you less on your credit line.  Your back up cards will make sure you always can use a card.  You do want to charge the car on a card that will cover collision damage waiver… that’ll save you money.

Credit card companies have started adding international transaction fees.  Visa and MasterCard have charged a 1 percent fee for years, but now some banks that issue the card also tack on a 1-2 percent foreign transaction fee in addition to that.  Quiz your bank or card company.  There are a handful of cards which don’t charge any fees at all.  As of this writing, Capital One Card charges no fees, so you might want to carry one of those.

Don’t let foreign vendors charge that bill for you in dollars.  It seems nice, but you’ll probably end up paying more.  The dollar amount you’re charged may be at a crummy exchange rate (way worse than you’d get with your credit card or ATM), and you’re card company will still likely charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Credit cards are accepted in more places all the time…. most now in fact.  But there are still many little B&Bs that take only cash, some small restaurants too.  And in some less developed countries you may find you need to pay in cash.  If you want to pay with your card, they may add 3-5 percent onto your bill to make up for the fees that they’re charged.  So take those credit cards traveling, but change plenty of money and be prepared to pay cash in many places too.

Should you keep traveling when things get tough financially around the world?  Everyone is affected… and everyone needs to trim costs.  But even when economic downturns occur, a majority of travelers intend to travel anyway… they just become more cost conscious. 

The travel industry is "self-correcting" when it comes to economic downturns.  It may be THE best time to travel and get travel bargains.  Airlines, hotels and tour operators are slashing prices and offering extras like they haven’t in a long time.

We think it’s important to keep traveling unless it will completely ruin your home budget.  Clearly during global financial slowdowns, we are all going to have to work a little harder for less. 

We will have to plan our spending a little more carefully, but we shouldn’t give up traveling.  You might want to dine out less often at home, take your lunch to work, start mowing your own lawn… then put the money you save toward your travel budget.

Travel plays a vital role in our lives.  It is rejuvenating.  It’s one thing to take your vacation time and just stay home… it’s a whole lot better for you to go somewhere and try something new. 

There is pleasure in the discovery that travel gives you.  You might even cherish your travel experiences more during tough times.  If you have to focus on value, do that, but still travel.  

We just need to find ways to pad our travel budget.  You know you still want to go….  You just want to trim around the edges and travel for less.  Stop and make a list of things you can cut down on at home and not miss too much. 

We’re sure you can add to our list….  Don’t part with your vacation.  Even in the U.S. where workers normally only get two weeks of vacation a year, the majority of people say that vacations are important.

Travelers may simply travel closer to home in rough times.  With our web pages and blogs, we’ll try to help by giving you ideas on how to save… how to travel more frugally.  Don’t give up on your wildest travel dreams.  Travel frugally now, but hang onto those travel dreams for future trips when the economy recovers a bit.

Travelers may look to prepackaged tours to save money but still be able to travel.  Volunteer vacations may be a way to save on a trip and contribute to helping some segment of society at the same time. 

Some people may talk about cutting back, but we’re a world full of wanderers… collectively, we love to travel…. and since we do think of that old saying… Where there is a will, there is a way.

Go out and enjoy the world, but instead of eating at 5 star Michelin restaurants, enjoy a little local place, or picnic.  Spend leisurely days in free museums.  Hike in the mountains.  Take the travel pace a little slower… walk, take public transportation… just sit in a sidewalk cafe and enjoy the ambience.

Travel not only helps you, it helps keep economies flowing.  During economic downturns, and when terrorism strikes, it’s easy to start feeling depressed.  Taking a break from the daily grind… some place exciting and new lifts your spirits.  It just makes you feel good.  And isn’t there a saying that goes something like… if it feels good… do it? 

So we hope everyone will keep traveling… you’ll just learn to travel smarter.