Independent Traveler Reveals Top Secrets of Travel Writers. Have you thought of these 10 ?

Online, Independent Traveler reveals 35 “tips” for travelers, given by Travel Writers. A couple, I didn’t quite agree with, and others, I just didn’t choose to include here on my blog. You can finish reading the article if you choose:

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/troubleshooting/35-travel-tips-revealed-top-secrets-of-travel-writers/2



Here are a few I choose to make comments over …

1)  “Book your accommodations directly on the hotel's own Web site” (Pamela Jones, Travel Site Critic).

My personal comments. I have personally spoke with hotels, and been told, that not booking direct with them, can often mean, not receiving the best locations. Also, I’ve been told, call the hotel direct and see if the will give you any rate you have seen !

2)  "Place a plastic bag under the screw caps of soaps and shampoos and tie the bag around the bottle. This way if the cap opens, the bottle spills into the bag, not on your clothes." (Annemarie Dooling, Frill Seeker Diary)

My personal comments.  Under the screw caps ? Hhmmm. I just place the items in a separate zip log bag, for the same purpose. Also hairspray and deodorant !

3)  "Do away with bringing loads of money on European trips and simply pack your debit card. ATM machines are all over the place in major cities and work the same way as they do here in America.” (Andrew Hickey, The Brooklyn Nomad)

My personal comments.  Because most of my trips are totally on cruises, even when in Europe, I simply find that I seldom need cash or foreign money. Taking land packages can be different. I was in Japan, 2 days prior to my cruise, and most definitely needed cash ! To get cash there, 6 years ago, was like going into the bank and getting a bank loan, for real ! Once I was in Greece and needed more money, and actually used my credit card in the ATM and it worked easily !

4)  "To prevent leaving your phone charger in your hotel room when you check out (which, alas, happened to me once), unplug the charger every time you remove your phone and put it back in your luggage.” (Veronica Stoddart, USA Today)

My personal comments. Personally, this is how I do it. Just like the morning I get up to leave for a trip, the first thing I do, when I get out of bed, is grab my cell phone and the charger !

5)  "Low-cost airlines aren't always the cheapest. The ticket price may appear to be a bargain, but take a minute to tally the additional expenses. These include items such as booking fees, check-in baggage fees, advance seat reservation fees, and food and drinks on board.

My personal comments.  It's your choice if you want to take the time and add all this up prior to making your flight decision. Allegiant Air seemed to have a lot of little fees prior to the taxes having to be given forth front ! I hear Southwest may not have so many fees that others do.

6)  "Remain FLEXIBLE and have BACK-UP PLANS. Expect things to go wrong -- the rental agent not to answer his phone; delays that keep you from getting to town before the restaurants close; your wallet to be stolen; your passport to be lost. That way you won't spend precious hours freaking out ... you can simply move to Plan B. (My Plan B's for the above: cell phone number too; cans of soup/nutrition bars; documents copied at home for quick resolution.) If you don't already have a Plan B, take a deep breath (or 10) and figure it out." (Lisa Bergren, The World Is Calling)

My personal comments.  This one is my favorite for today … “EXPECT THINGS TO GO WRONG !” We all, in general, expect everything to go smoothly and as expected, but it is not always true ! Could be a “natural disaster” interferes; an unforeseen circumstance; or maybe it‘s folks you encounter with. Remember, we’re living with other people’s lives out there ! Not everyone is detailed; not everyone remembers everything; not every one cares; not everyone is giving 110%; and not everyone has their work solely on their mind; and REMEMBER, EVERYONE THINKS TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN YOU - We all need to work on accepting, that No 2 people actually think alike (see my Coaching Blog) ! Sure, we would naturally like to fire these folks ourselves, but you know that's not going to happen !

More. Here’s just 3 of my own personal situations that went wrong:

* Once in Seattle, I planned 3 days of tours, prior to my cruise, with Greyhound of Seattle. When picking up my docs at the Seattle airport, the lady attendant, later told me, on the day I was coming back home, that she had been fighting with her BF. Anyway, she left out all the transfers. I had to get my own self around, which cost me a fortune. Upon returning home, and contacting Greyhound, even as a Travel Agent, they not only never refunded my money, they never even responded to my letter and calls. You can imagine I will NEVER use them again, NOR REFER anyone to them; not because of her, but because of their lack in responding !

* Upon leaving Lynchburg airport, one of my flights was unable to leave. The airline kindly put me on another airline. The other airline, failed to book me all the way, only to the next airport. FUN ! Spent hours fixing and I did not arrive till the next day !

* Was headed for a cruise in South America. The original airline, no longer would be flying back from the city I was returning from. I knew this in advance; and they set me up with a new airline. Because this was all new, the Lynchburg airline did not remember to give me return tickets from that other airline. KNOW, you must have these tickets. Upon trying to come home, the other airline, though they could see our names (yes, I had a group), they would not let us on. I had to rebuy the tickets; yes, I had to use my credit card to pay all ! Once home, took me 3 months to get this money back from the original airline. You can not imagine what I went through and the hoops I personally jumped !

More. Know … I am a very positive person. However, I often tend to think the worst; that way, when it turns out to NOT be as big, I’m not quite as shocked; truly, I don’t like surprises and this is how I help my own self !

More. I don’t necessarily have plan B already set up when I travel, but I am a very detailed person ! In my own personal cruising tips for my clients, a few things I remind them are, to take phone numbers & their cell phone; not to put all their money in one place; pack your underwear in your carry-on; never pack your meds and keep a list in your pocketbook, etc !

More. Matter of fact, when you plan like this, you most often never need it ! It’s just like buying Trip Cancellation Insurance … I have folks who buy it, because they say it “wards off disaster” and they never need the insurance … It’s not only a smart gesture, but practical !

7)  Lastly for today … "Ten Essentials for Traveling Well:
1. Smiles
2. An open mind
3. Tolerance
4. Laughter
5. Flexibility
6. Mindfulness
7. Curiosity
8. Manners
9. Gratitude
10. Serendipity" (Peggy Coonley, Serendipity Traveler)

My personal comments.  I thought these might be good for me to add to my clients cruising tips, as a reminder in having a fun vacation !

8)  This one is from me.  When things happen, don't take it out on each other.  Stop and think, that the reason you are upset and irritable is because of the situation at hand and not each other !

9)  This one is from me.  It's not worth getting so upset that you ruin your vacation !  Trust me.  Down the road, you can choose & WILL laugh at what happened to you (turn it into a funny story for others to hear), as I have.

10)  This one is from me.  If you have chosen to travel less or fly less, because of the distasters or hassles you have heard of, YOU ARE THE ONE MISSING THE BOAT !  It's not worth staying home and not traveling and not having fun, just over disasters or things you've heard !   I personally do not have the patience for folks who give me this sad story.  And feel sorry for you, that you have actually chosen this path !


Food for thought:  How often do you go to the drive-thru to pick up your meal, only to find out, once home, what you ordered is not in the bag ?  If this doesn't happen to you all the time, then it must be only to me.  Anyway, my point ... It's not any different !   You get mad, even possibly call that restaurant !  But you keep going back !