Happy New Year! I trust that you each had a safe and simple holiday season and are ready to dive into all that 2021 is set to deliver.
I thought I would start out the year by addressing some of the questions that I’m asked most often when it comes to travel.
“When planning our vacation, where should we splurge and where can we save?”
I love this question, because it shows that you are considering all aspects of your vacation, not just the bottom line. Saving can come by scheduling your vacation for the off season or even a shoulder season when the crowds are lighter and so is the price tag. Splurging can come down to personal preference and travel style, but a good rule of thumb is to plan something special for the end of the trip. Perhaps a lovely dinner in an Italian vineyard, a cooking class with a French chef, or even a photo session to get the entire family in your vacation photos at the same time.
“What is the best defense against jet lag?”
The best way to avoid jet lag is to start planning early. As soon as you get on the plane towards your destination, set your clock to the local time in destination. When on an overnight flight I realize that not many travelers are able to sleep, but at least set the stage for rest. Don’t stay up and wait for the airplane meal that you are unlikely to enjoy. Don’t get lost in the tiny screen in the seat back in front of you. Change into some comfy, non restrictive clothes, put on your eye mask, some relaxing music and at least get some rest, if not a few zzzz’s. Once you arrive at your destination, keep moving. The worst thing you can do is head straight for a nap. Walk around and get acquainted with the neighborhood, grab a light snack or lunch, stay active, albeit slower than usual and then eat dinner at a normal time. You can turn in a bit earlier than normal, but beware, the earlier you turn in, the earlier you’ll be up wandering the streets looking for your morning coffee with all of the other travelers the next day.
“When should I leave a tip for housekeeping, and how much should I leave?”
I suggest that travelers leave at least $1 – $2 per guest, per day for housekeeping. You don’t want to wait until the end of your stay as staff can work different schedules and perhaps not every day.
“What do I need to do to carry my medicine through security?”
Medicine can all be packed in your carry on bag. You should not pack medicine in your checked bag incase of loss. While I don’t recommend taking a full 90 day or even 30 day supply, you should take at least 50% more than you will need during the trip incase of travel delays. You do not need to take each medication in the original container, however, I do recommend that you take a print out from the pharmacy of the medications and doses that you are traveling with.
“Where is the best place to get foreign currency?”
I recommend that you use an ATM in destination. You will find that using an ATM will help you avoid additional fees associated with a currency exchange office, or even your local bank before leaving home. Of course, it’s always a good idea to let your bank know where you will be using the ATM so you are not restricted for suspected fraud and to verify any fees they may apply for use.
“Which credit card is the best to use overseas?”
This is a question for your credit card company directly. Each card carries different fees, so check with each of them before you travel. The most common fees that you will want to avoid are the added percentages to each charge as a foreign transaction fee, they can range from 0% – 3% on most of the cards I’ve seen.
I’ll answer more in depth questions in the weeks to come. In the meantime, if there is a question you would like answered please let me know.
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