A wonderful friend recently sent me “10 Commandments for Travel” that she had come across, with the suggestion that I provide my own. Well, here goes:
- Go with the flow!
- Bring copies (yes, paper) of your reservations.
- Keep copies of cancelled reservations including the cancellation number until after your trip — or until your credit card posts.
- Work with hotel concierges. They are your best friends.
- Hire local guides and drivers through the hotel. They work with and know the best and it’s not just a matter of cost. You might also get a referral for a guide from someone you know and trust.
- If you’re of a certain age, make sure you are covered if you get sick or have an accident. We recently enrolled in GeoBlue — covers all international travel for 12 months at a reasonable cost. It’s unlikely your health insurance covers foreign travel.
- Try for morning flights. If it’s a “short” hop, you can still get to your destination and perhaps have an afternoon tour. Try not to blow an entire day with a midday flight.
- Even if you can obtain a visa upon arrival, I recommend paying perhaps a bit more and arriving with it in hand. Why waste travel time searching for the kiosk and perhaps waiting in line.
- Splurge on a greeter at the airport if you’re arriving somewhere foreign for the first time. It’s so calming to have someone show you through the maze upon arrival. You can cut your costs on the airport return.
- Talk to locals! You can talk to your fellow countrymen when you get back home. Smile and engage — you’ll get it back tenfold in return.
