BY CLAY LARROY
Make
the most of your travel experiences. Taking a cruise is a great way to see many
different places when you travel. Cruises offer many activities and things to
do while on the ship, while offering you the opportunity to explore different
locations each time you arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to
learn more things. Time spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate
diverse cultures. In addition, it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of
ways of life that differ from your own. When
you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Before you leave the
U.S. you will have to purchase all of your airline tickets, and all of your
flights must culminate in a round trip. In most instances, you must continually
move in a westward or eastward trek with no back-tracking. Travelers must have
a return or onward ticket out of the country they are visiting. The only
exception is if you have a student, work or residential visa.
With some fares, each
flight in your journey will need to be booked in advance; others will allow
open dates, which will give you more freedom in your itinerary. If you are
planning to travel for more than a year, you will have to purchase your tickets
in stages since airline tickets are usually valid for a year after their issue
date. Tour operators specializing in ATW programs can often provide a greater
percentage of flights with open dates as part of the package.
Once you have
purchased your tickets, it is likely that you will incur a cost to change
travel dates. Date change rules vary depending on the airline and fare, so be
sure to ask your tour operator for the date change and cancellation policy of
each airline you are using. And since the least expensive fares sometimes do
not offer frequent flyer mileage credits, also ask your travel consultant if
there are any such restrictions on your tickets.
Your choice of
accommodations as you travel is important both in determining the degree of
comfort you can anticipate and also your total expenditure. Your travel
consultant will provide you with excellent resources for this part of your
planning. Most travel planners have access to insider hostel and hotel guides
that provide detailed description of not only the amenities of each property,
but also reviews by professional hotel critics. Your travel consultant may book
through the same tour operator used for airline ticketing or may choose other
suppliers.
Decide if you want to
stay in local, indigenous properties, or whether you want to work with mostly
westernized properties. It is often the case that particular properties are
frequented by similar ethnic groups: western travelers congregate at particular
properties, Asian travelers at others, and the local population may use still
other properties. The flavor of your stay in any destination will be greatly
influenced by your choice of accommodations, so choose wisely!
Now that you have
made your travel arrangements, you are just about ready to start your
adventure. But before you step on the plane, it is time to organize your travel
documents. Make sure your passport is current and will be for at least a year
after your return date. You may need certain visas or other documents for each
country you are visiting. Ask you tour operator which documents are needed at
each stop. And keep all of your airline tickets together. In some countries,
health certificates are required certifying to yellow fever vaccinations. Check
all health requirements of all countries you will be visiting. Make sure that
you are appropriate physical condition prior to travel. Visit with a doctor
experienced with travel medicine and cover your itinerary. Have any deferred
dental work or other medical issues settled prior to your departure. Bring
copies of your passport and airline tickets with you on the trip, as well as
copies of your passport photos, which are often needed when purchasing
rail/metro travel cards. It is also practical to give a copy of your itinerary,
passport and return ticket to a friend or family member back home, who can fax
them to you in an emergency. During your trip, keep your documents on you at
all times, not in your hotel room. A money belt in which to carry documents is
a good idea.
If you are traveling
with a companion, make solid arrangements in advance on how to handle any
contingencies that might arise, such as one of you wishing to stay longer in
any given destination, or returning sooner, sickness or meeting new
acquaintances along the way, not getting along...you get the picture. The more
advance contingency planning you do, the less stressful unforeseen
circumstances need be.
Staying in touch with
friends, family and business at home will likely be a necessity. There are a
number of alternatives such as internet cafes, international calling cards and
"world phones" that will make communications from other countries
more simple to negotiate. Investigate your options well in advance of travel.
During your planning,
consider how you will handle your finances while on the road. In general, traveler’s
checks and credit cards are the safest bet, since they can be refunded or
replaced if lost or stolen. Credit cards generally offer the best exchange
rate, but in some destinations are less common for trade than others. European
merchants prefer credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. For the rest of the
world, it is best to have some American dollars in case you get into a bind.
And remember that you do not want to unzip your money belt and expose your
passport and finances each time you need cash. Keep a small amount of local
currency in a more easily accessible place, such as your pocket or purse.
Monitor your budget and expenses carefully as you travel, as it is easy to lose
track of finances as money in changed repeatedly from one currency to another.
After all of your
planning for your trip of a lifetime, it would be wise to invest in travel
insurance. Some companies have long term travel policies available. Remember
that your own health insurance may not be valid abroad. Items generally covered
by a typical travel insurance policy include airfare, baggage, health, and trip
cancellation/interruption for up to a year. Some companies also offer travel
assistance services and worldwide call numbers should something happen.
Packing for a
yearlong trip does not have to be as daunting as it sounds. Whether you will be
traveling with backpack or luggage, the most important thing is to pack light.
Bring only the essentials, safe with the knowledge that the world is loaded
with stores. And if you cannot find that particular something in another
country, maybe it is not really necessary. A common practice among experienced
travelers is to set out everything you think you will need, and then only take
half. Remember that everything you start off with, you will also be coming home
with, in addition to whatever shopping you do along the way.
A backpack is a
practical way to go, especially if you will be doing a lot of overland and/or
adventure travel. Also be aware that you will most likely be packing for
different climates, terrains and possibly insects. Ask your travel agent or
tour operator for the average temperatures and rainfall for the countries you
will be visiting. Three items often left off a packing list to the eventual
dismay of the traveler: sunglasses, SPF lotions and a hat! Medications should
be packed in their original prescription bottles and carried with you, not
stored in checked baggage. Of course you will want to take a camera to
immortalize your trip and help illustrate your adventure to others, and
possibly a journal. Understand that although a state-of-the-art camera would do
those majestic sunsets more justice, keeping a constant eye on such a valuable
piece of equipment could prove to be a burden.
Is an around the
world trip safe? Common sense will be your best defense. Trust your instincts
and steer clear of potentially dangerous situations. Do your research before
you go so you will be aware of less hospitable areas in the cities you visit?
Find out if the water is drinkable or if you should stick with bottled. The
latter includes while brushing your teeth, and means foregoing ice cubes.
Research the local culture and mores of the regions you will visit. Be
respectful of different cultures, even if they are not particularly fond of
your politics, gender or race. Dress appropriately and do not expect superior
treatment because of your nationality. View your trip as educational and as an
opportunity to connect with others.
REFERENCE SITES:
“Adventure is worthwhile.” – Aesop
No comments:
Post a Comment