Gayle’s Travel Tips
Gayle’s Travel Tips
Whilst travelling overseas well out of your comfort zone is not an elite sport, preparation and forward planning is essential. Here are some hard earned tips to prepare for the journey and some ideas for handling the hurdles along the way.
1. Photocopies: Carry a photocopy or photograph of your passport, licence & credit cards. This is very useful should you lose one of them.
2. Insurance: Carry your policy number & 24 hour emergency contact number with you.
a) If you lose or damage something, email your insurance company to advise them of the pending claim.
b) If you require hospitalization, contact your insurance company immediately.
c) If you have something stolen, you must report this to the local police & get a written police report to submit with your claim.
d) Credit Card Insurance… check you understand your cover. How much of your holiday needs to be charged to your card to validate the insurance? What is the excess? Make sure you have a 24 hour contact number. Check whether the contact is in Australia.
3. Cash: Never carry large amounts of cash. Use ATMs to withdraw a few hundred every few days. Multi-currency cash cards are great. Loading in your required currency makes it easier to keep track of your remaining balance without having to check online. These cards are available at banks and post offices.
4. Pack light: you often need to carry bags up and down stairs. Light, easy dry clothing with a warm & waterproof jacket & scarves will save you valuable time and comfort mid travels.
5. Power outlets: these vary throughout the world. One adaptor per country with an Australian power-board will limit the number of adaptors needed and allow you to charge all your devices at once.
6. Mobile phone: turn off Data Roaming. Most hotels & airports now offer free WIFI so you can use Messenger, Viber or Skype to stay in contact with home. I leave my phone on international roaming for emergency calls or messages only.
7. Local Currency: I’m often asked how much money one needs whilst away. $150 per person per day is probably more than enough but better to have more than not enough. Any large purchases can be charged to your credit card. Meals at local restaurants are usually 20 – 30 euro per person including one or two drinks. Meals in large hotels are often much more expensive as are restaurants in major tourist areas. Restaurants that are a street or two back from these busy areas are usually cheaper and more authentic.
8. Entrance fees: these, in addition to tours can add up. It’s a good idea to arrive with at least $100 in local currency for taxis etc. Taxis in most European cities are quite reasonable and a 30 – 40 minute trip from airport to city is approximately 50 euro. From city train stations to your city hotel range from 10 – 15 euro. Speaking of tours, "Hop on/Hop Off Buses" are a great way to get your bearing in a new city and then be able to choose wisely what interests you in particular.
9. Backpacks: these aren’t a great idea. The openings on the outside are very easily accessed by pickpockets in crowded areas (ie train stations, trains, escalators & queues). You often don’t even realise something has been taken until much later. If you insist on taking a back-pack, wear it on your front in crowded places.
10. Airport check in: with heightened security, check-in can take much longer than expected. I suggest allowing 2 – 3 hours for all flights. Rushing & stressing is when you lose things! If you have connecting flights that aren’t booked on the one ticket you will need to collect & re-check your luggage in so don’t have less than 2 – 3 hours between flights. If flights are on the one ticket then your bags will be checked through to your final destination and if your first flight is delayed, the airline is responsible to get you to your final destination. If booked separately you will be up for the cost of a new flight. My suggestion is to ALWAYS book connecting flights on the one ticket, even if they are a bit more expensive.
11. Training for Travel: visiting the major cities of the world will demand a lot of walking. Get in shape with some daily walking before you go, to ensure you get the best out of your holiday.
12. FESS: (Frequent Flyer Nasal Spray)…A must to avoid picking up nasty bugs from airline air-conditioning. I can’t emphasise this enough. This can be purchased at a local pharmacy or the airport.