http://www.inc.com/geri-bain/best-in-travel/secrets-of-the-most-productive-travelers.html
a link shared by a friend in FB who recently had his birthday...
he had resigned from his job and is planning to do a lot of travel with his wife before putting his nose to the grindstone again :-)
Wear comfortable footwear. I always wear sandals but I bring a pair of dress shoes in case the occasion demands it. When packing my suitcase, I roll my clothes (like a sushi roll). This eliminates wrinkly lines as well as maximizes luggage space. Wear a money belt to put your passport and other valuables in. Learn common phrases in the language of the country you're traveling in. In Europe, signs on most public toilets say WC, meaming Water Closet, and there's a small charge. For FREE toilets, look for fast food chains like MacDonald's, Burger King, KFC. Make a photocopy of your passport, credit cards, driver's license and keep in a place other than your wallet, or keep in hotel safe. Leave another copy with a family member or friend at home. Outdoors wear a hat and a good pair of sunglasses. In airports served by trains, take the train to the city instead of taking a taxi - much cheaper and even faster sometimes. Wear comfortable clothes. Ask locals for good inexpensive places to eat. You'll be surprised, the hole-in-the-wall mom and pop restaurant might serve the best food in town.
ReplyDeleteI always carry an extra battery and memory card for my camera, in case I ran out of juice at the middle of my tour, and recharge it everynight. I try to limit my color scheme to one so I could mix and match my clothes so I could travel lighter and then roll them with dry cleaner plastics. Also make sure your clothes are washable in your hotel sink and dry fast enough. And when travelling in Europe I buy shoes that has rubber soles but dressy enough so they are comfy and you can fit in in a crowd. Europeans dress very well and you don't want to be sticking out like a sore thumb with your rubber shoes and wearing tropical colors during the cold fall and winter months. Always carry a light jacket and a scarf, you never know. One time from a trip from the Holy Land, in early part of November, Rome was unseasonably cold and we froze waiting in line to go see the Sistine Chapel. It was very warm where we came from.
ReplyDeleteAnd I read extensively on every place I go to so I am not so ignorant when I go there.
I also put my money in different places and if I stay in a hotel I leave my passport in the safe. I got caught driving in Lisbon without my passport but I had a temporary driver's license - if you are a tourist, they'd give you some slack.
ok, this one is missing on my tips list...haha..thanks for the tip on that BNK...that FREE term caught my eye so fast...
ReplyDeleteI only came to do this during my Japan trips (usually in other countries here without fall or spring, I never bothered before because I am the type to perspire so easily even when sitting down).
ReplyDeleteNow, my mantra is "layers"....easier to mix and match and handle during trips...add more layers when it comes older, take layers off when the temp heats up.
And I have taken to bringing foldable bags instead of 1 big bag so I can add and stuff in more into other bags as I travel and buy my souvenirs :-)
I agree! while books and blogs helps, a good conversation starter would also be to ask the locals in the area...very good unexpected finds! I remember this distinctly when we went to Puerto Princesa on a mad backback trip without much planning...hahaha
ReplyDeletemy blog on it some time ago as I was traveling thru Japan during late fall and had limited clothes (haha...my investment was my coat)
ReplyDeletehttp://cuh888.multiply.com/journal/item/234/Tips_for_Traveling_Light_for_the_Backpacker_w_Fashionista_tendencies
Yes. that's the secret, layering. Even in winter, people should wear clothes layered. Peel off layers when it gets warm.
ReplyDeleteIn most countries you don't need to have an International Driving Permit to drive, your driver's license is good enough. Car rental companies only ask to see your driver's license.
ReplyDeletehmm...good for how long? say..if you arrive in a country with only your Philippine driver's license, can that be used for say a month?
ReplyDeleteI got caught in a roundabout by the Lisbon police, a big one with 6 lanes. I cut through 3 lanes. When I showed them my Illinois driver's license they didn't even know where Illinois is. Good thing I have that international driver's license.
ReplyDeletehehe...but well, at least they can see its from the US of A
ReplyDeleteIn Canada your Philippine driver's license is good for 3 months. It might be the same in other countries. This is done so that visitors (tourists) can drive without having to apply for a local license.
ReplyDeleteWe rented a car in Portugal many years ago and the Hertz agent just asked for our driver's license. It doesn't matter if the cops are ignorant about your place of residence as long as your driver's license is valid. Last year we rented a car both in Spain and Italy and once again, were never asked for an International Driving Permit, only our British Columbia license.
ReplyDeleteThat was only a back up. I was advised to get it, just in case.
ReplyDeleteYes,always good to have a back up.
ReplyDelete