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More Travel
Tips
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Diet:
Don't go overboard when travelling.
You will have to pay for the additional weight gain
when you return home.
Remember your electrolytes. Especially
in warm climates, make sure you're also getting enough
salt and potassium whether in a vitamin/mineral capsule
or by bringing along packets of powdered sports drink.
Exercise:
Try to stick to your at-home routine
as closely as possible. Get out in the fresh air with
a walk around your hotel; stroll along your resort's
beach, go for a swim, walk the deck of your cruise
ship or even visit the ship's fitness center.
Moderate your time:
Don't try to cram too much into
one day. After all, you're on vacation. Relax and
enjoy yourself. Sometimes it's worth the hotel expense
to arrive the night before your tour or cruise and
get a good night's sleep.
Delays:
In the current travel environment,
you may experience airport delays. So, come prepared
with pleasant distractions like a book, magazine,
or a new CD for your Walkman...and plenty of coloring
books and games for the kids.
Avoiding Jet Lag:
Jet lag can occur on long domestic
or international flights. Veteran travellers agree
that the westbound trip is easier to adjust to and,
as a general rule, it takes one day for your body
to adjust for each time zone you cross. Avoiding alcohol
in-flight and eating light are a central theme in
many popular methods for dealing with jet lag. Alcohol
consumption compounds your body's confusion and adds
to dehydration, so drink plenty of water and fruit
juices when you fly. You will be more comfortable.
Manners
Even if you have no talent or inclination
for languages, learn the words for "please" and "thanks"
wherever you go-and smile when you say them. People
do their best to help when they see you're courteous.
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Your Passport:
If you are travelling outside Canada
or the United States, you will require a valid passport.
You should apply for it several months before you
plan to leave the country. Some countries also require
a visa before you can enter. Check with the local
embassy or consulate of the country to which you are
travelling.
A good idea is to get extra sets
of your passport photos for visa applications and
your international driver's permit.
REMEMBER....never pack your passport
in your luggage. Always carry it in a place where
it will be secure and accessible at all times!
If you lose your passport -- call
local police and consulate. Get a 3-month temporary
replacement.
Currency:
Purchase travellers checks when
travelling. It is safer and when travelling overseas,
you often receive better exchange rates than cash.
If you do carry cash, local banks at your destination
usually give the best exchange rates, so avoid changing
money at hotels or shops.
Most banks now belong to worldwide
ATM systems allowing you to obtain cash in the local
currency of the destination you are visiting. You
will be billed according to the rate of exchange on
the day the charge clears in your home country, not
the rate in effect on the day of the transaction.
Basic Packing:
Bring clothes that you can mix or
match. To avoid wrinkles, choose wool or cotton and
polyester blends. Pack clothes in plastic bags from
the dry cleaners and when you get where you're going,
just hang your clothes in the bathroom when you shower.
The wrinkles will fall out from the steam.
Don't take too much with you. Pack
larger items first, then stuff rolled-up underwear,
socks, shoes, and other items around them. And remember,
don't get upset if you forget something. You can buy
just about anything you need at the destination or
on board ship.
When you've finished packing, place
a copy of your itinerary with dates and addresses
inside each bag. Don't carry valuables, medications
or flammable materials inside your checked luggage.
Remember to pack a change of clothes, important medication,
valuables and toiletries in a carry-on bag. And, always
check your luggage through to your final destination
if possible and never leave it unattended.
Only a very small percentage of
luggage is ever lost or misplaced by airlines, however
if this does happen to you, file a formal claim immediately,
before leaving the airport or cruise terminal. You
will have to list the lost items, including date of
purchase and cost. Keep the claim form, baggage check
and ticket until you get reimbursed.
Pack a bathing suit even if swimming
isn't on the itinerary. Often you'll find that your
hotel or condo has a pool.
Black leather sneakers do double
duty. They're comfy for walking, and, if you and the
maitre d' aren't too fussy, you can fake it when you
need to be more formal. (This trick is easier for
men than for women, but black sneakers may blend in
with a pants suit.)
Dress in layers. The combination
of a windbreaker over a sweater over a shirt or blouse
over a T-shirt offers you many more options than one
light layer and one heavy coat.
Take along a few zip-closure bags
in several sizes. They're bound to come in handy for
holding loose stuff that you accumulate, or wet items
that haven't had a chance to dry before packing.
Every piece of clothing should match
at least two other items or have at least two uses
(e.g., sandals double as slippers).
Use large ziplock bags or mesh bags
to keep items separate and visible.
Washing Clothes:
Try Campsuds (concentrated biodegradable
all-purpose soap) or liquid or powdered Woolite. Or
buy European clothes soap that comes in a tube complete
with scrub brush built into the cap.
When washing, a few drops from a
small bottle of bleach freshen well-worn socks, underwear,
and light T-shirts.
If your sink lacks a stopper, pop
a film-canister cap in the drain.
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Daybags and convertible daybags/fanny
packs are popular, but some women prefer the type
of bags (such as the Eagle Creek Wanderer) that look
more like a purse, sling across your body for safety,
and are easier to access than a daybag that's on your
back.
Be sure your moneybelt is fastened
securely or it could slip off unnoticed (especially
if you're wearing a skirt). In addition to threading
the belt through the D-rings, knot it.
A hairdryer is essential in the
winter and for those with long or thick hair. And
it doubles as a sock dryer! To save money, buy a compact
travel hairdryer with a built-in voltage converter
rather than buy a converter for your regular hairdryer.
Remember to bring a plug adapter.
If you must bring a curling iron,
consider the cordless ones with canister fuel--but
check with your airline's regulations regarding the
fuel.
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General Safety:
Always assume you're being watched.
There really is safety in numbers.
Inform others of your plans (consulate/embassy).
Change routes.
Avoid public bathrooms in big cities.
Always keep passport, tickets, money
and camera with you, except when pensions and hotels
need passport for 1-2 hours to register you with police.
Toss out business cards and ask
people to call consulate if you are detained.
Take room keys in the water with
you.
Watch for men separating ahead of
you.
Never let elevators go to basement.
Keep foot in door while pressing floor number. Don't
get in if it is going down. Late at night, push top
button, but don't get in. It is safe if it doesn't
stop on the way up or down.
In the case of a riot-- go to the
hotel, call your consulate and airline. Do not go
to the airport without a confirmed ticket or assurance
that it is safe there.
If you have car trouble, put a white
flag on aerial, or a triangle on rear bumper. Open
the window only a crack and ask a stranger to stop
at next exit and phone for help.
International law requires your
home country's embassy be notified if you are arrested
or detained, and you're entitled to a timely visit
by a consular officer. They will notify family and
get money transferred and insure fair treatment. Family
can wire money to Overseas Citizens Service, and they
will disburse to you in local currency.
Be wary of corners and doorways,
parked cars, and shadows, stay near the curb.
Avoiding Theft:
When you're travelling, keep your
valuables safe in a moneybelt worn under your clothes.
Your essential documents will stay with you as surely
and thoughtlessly as your underpants. Ever thought
about that? Every morning you put on underpants. And
every night when you undress, sure enough, they're
still there. When you travel, enjoy the luxury of
having your valuables just as securely out of sight
and out of mind.
In Europe, rental cars are a thief's
favourite target. Make your car look local: remove
the rental company decals and put a local newspaper
in the back. Never leave anything of value in view
in your parked car, especially in cities. Keep anything
worth stealing in the trunk. Open your glove compartment
so the thief can look in without breaking in. Avoid
parking lots that glitter with broken glass. Get advice
on safe parking from your hotel.
If you travel in places where violent
theft is a possibility, carry two wallets: one for
you, and one for them.
If mugged, cooperate. Try saying,
"You can have anything you want, do you mind if I
just keep my driver's license, etc.? Do you want me
to get it or do you want to get it?" Avoid eye contact.
Keep $25-$100 in pocket as insurance. If hostile,
offer money or possessions he overlooked.
Don't wear jewellery, and avoid
carry wallets or purses.
Don't put anything in your pockets--it
invites thieves.
If you do carry things in your pockets,
wrap rubber bands around the items to slow down pickpockets.
Pack all film with you. If your
luggage is lost or stolen, you lose all the pictures
you have taken.
Remember that your credit card number
is on your airline ticket.
Transfer money from belt to pockets
in the bathroom.
Always say, "Excuse me" when you
bump into people, but check all your belongings.
Keep camera hidden. Use tote bags
instead of camera bags.
Carry extra money ($20) or wallet
for muggers.
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Take these precautions
to make sure your stay is safe and enjoyable:
Request a room on the 2nd-7th floor
away from stairs and elevator.
Make sure you can't be locked in
by locks or a bar across the door.
Find out if there is on-site security.
Verify window and door locks are
secure.
Ask for all room keys. Is the hotel
name and room number on the key? Remember to return
them at checkout.
Put valuables in sthe hotel safe
and get a receipt. Check their insurance liability
limit.
Be careful of exits and elevators
on the way to your room. Get escort to room late at
night if alone.
Be suspicious of anyone loitering
around the lobby.
Close door tightly when entering
or leaving.
Look for small holes in walls, especially
behind mirror/pictures.
Don't leave the windows open.
Count the number of doors to fire
exit. Know where extinguishers and alarms are.
Police need a warrant to enter.
Have them show ID before you let them in.
Call the desk if an unexpected person
knocks.
Make sure there is a telescoping
rod for sliding glass door.
Cancel maid service.
Do not put dive gear on balcony.
List calls made and received, including
the times, even for unanswered ones.
Leave radio or TV, and lights on,
with Do Not Disturb sign out.
Wedge door while showering.
Dinnertime is popular with burglars.
In case of fire -- Extinguish fire
or pull fire alarm, if you can. Phone fire department
before front desk. Stay low, turn off A/C, get room
key, check door for heat. If you can't exit, stay
in room or go to roof. Put wet towels under door and
in vents. Fill tub, sink, and baskets to rewet towels
and cool hot walls. Remove curtains. Crack open window.
Put wet towel in/over mouth and nose.
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Your vacation should be
a time of relaxation, but don't become careless and
allow yourself to fall victim to one of these common
scams:
Look out for the yuppie who's lost
his wallet; the 'pregnant' woman (it's a pillow) who
needs bus money; unordered food on your bill; kids
polishing your shoes; people who claim their car has
broken down; kids surrounding you using cardboard
or magazines to block your view; purse-snatchers on
scooters; people who say they've found a pile of money;
people who bump into you and drop bottle of 'expensive'
wine; the cutting open of backpacks; people dropping
change or spilling food on you so you will put your
bags down at airport or train station; sleeping gas
in trains or buses; drugged cups and drinks (Asia
and Italy); fake porters taking your bags; bags being
snared under seats with umbrella.
Beware of people who tell you about
a problem with your car, or cause the problem, and
then offer to help you. Also beware of people that
cause a car accident to stop you, break your window
at a light or in a traffic jam.
Small town cops may pull you over
for a driving infraction. Beware of friendly locals
who actually negotiate fine up. Pay on-the-spot fine
or "I can pay the fine to you, can't I?" Offer a contribution
to the policeman's welfare fund.
Ask for receipt if local authority
asks for fines or tourist taxes. Bargain hard--call
the consulate.
Photography permits may just be
bribes.
Smile and be persistent with border
guards. You have NO RIGHTS, so don't demand them.
Give a friendly handshake, and give them the impression
you have all the time in the world. Give them all
documents that look official. Do not get short-tempered
or mad when you want something. Try offering cigarettes
or ballpoint pens.
Find out what the favourite scams
are locally.
You best defense: avoid a setup.
Your chief defense: don't get distracted,
isolated or stopped. Con artists will ask for directions,
a match, or a handout. Don't stop, move away quickly,
especially from fake arguments or 'street fights'.
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Keep a colour picture of your child's
face in your purse or wallet in case he or she gets
lost in a crowded airport or shopping area.
The air in a fully-pressurized airliner
is about the same as the atmosphere at 8,000 feet.
That's why your ears pop when you fly. Kids may not
know how to equalize the pressure in their ears. Yawning,
swallowing and chewing gum can help avoid potentially
severe pain. Blocking the nostrils and blowing very
gently can also help. If your baby starts crying shortly
after take off, this may be the problem. A teething
ring or pacifier might help. Avoid air travel with
very young children who have head colds.
Different airlines have slightly
varying regulations about children flying alone but
the following apply almost universally:
- Children must be at least five
years old to fly alone.
- The airline must be informed
at the time reservations are made that there will
be a child flying alone.
- An "unaccompanied minor" form
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