TRAVEL TIPS....... 

Considering a holiday?   These tips may make your preparations easier and your holiday much more enjoyable.

CHOOSE YOUR TRAVEL DESTINATION for the best seasonal conditions for the purpose of your holiday, while aiming to avoid the high season with premium costs, and crowds of tourists queuing for everything.  When you decide on your destination, check out visa, health and other requirements of the countries you intend visiting and whether you will need inoculations to combat potential health hazards.

INSURANCE – don’t leave home without it. Take the most comprehensive travel insurance cover available – don’t skimp and don’t choose a policy for price – it could cost you more than you have ever dreamed of.   

ARRANGE IN ADVANCE - Credit cards are now acceptable in most tourist destinations around the world and are best for any major purchases. Ask your bank to organize a pin number for your card to access local currency from an ATM on your travels. For security, check out having your credit card adorned with photographic ID. A little local currency could be handy for a cup of coffee if you want one before you find your ATM.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WARDROBE – Check out the baggage allowance for the airports and airlines you will be traveling with. Generally out of New Zealand it is based on weight –

Economy class – 20kg      Business class – 30kg     as well as one cabin bag per person.

Take clothes that coordinate, that is, all tops shirts and jackets able to be worn with all or most skirts or trousers and accessories.

Clothes that layer which can be discarded or put on, for changes in weather conditions, that is, clothes from singlet style tops, to tee shirts, shirts or blouses, to cardigans or light/medium weight pullovers or jerseys, to jackets, and if appropriate, a coat.

Shoes can make up the major part of the bulk of your travel packing. They will need to be suitable for your holiday needs, but generally, you will need strong comfortable and broken in walking shoes that can be easily cleaned up if they end up in muddy puddles. A pair and a spare are probably minimum requirements, then add a pair for more dress up or evening wear.

All clothes, including hats, should be as lightweight and uncrushable as possible and able to be rolled up and carried easily during the day.  Many hotels do not have facilities for you to do your own laundry. Most offer dry cleaning and laundry services, and ironing equipment if required.

Pop in a pair of binoculars to enhance your viewing, and a fold up umbrella for the odd shower.

Unless your holiday requires it, do not take your tiaras and precious jewelry with you –safety and security could give you headaches.

Remember when you pack, to allow room for items you might buy on your travels.

INSURANCE CLAIM LIST – When you have decided what you will be putting in your baggage, make a list of everything – you will never recall every item if the unthinkable happens and your bag is destroyed, lost, or stolen. You will also need to add to the list, those things you acquire on your travels.

SECURITY - There will be room safes or reception security available in most hotels, but you may like to invest in alternative options for your money or your passport. You can wear a passport/cash belt under your clothing if you are prepared to semi undress to retrieve anything you want from it, but it is advisable to carry your passport and other documents separately from your spending money.

Though you would be unfortunate to be relieved of your possessions, there are always opportunists - it pays to watch your belongings when out and about. If you wear a bag over your shoulder, make sure it is in front of you where you can see it and keep your hand firmly on the bag and/or strap. Be prepared and suspicious if anyone approaches you with a sob story – be ready to make a scene or attract attention.

CREDIT CARDS are best for most major purchases – if you organize a pin number with your bank, you will have the means of accessing local cash from an ATM on your travels. For extra security you could have a credit card adorned with your photograph. Make a list of al credit cards and details and places to report as soon as possible in case your cards are lost or stolen. A supply of smaller denominations of currency will be handy for small purchases like a cup of coffee if you want one before you find an ATM.  Traveller’s Cheques can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, but are used less these days  - again, know where to report any lost or stolen  cheques.

FITNESS - To get the best out of any tour, the more you can do on foot, the more you will get out of your holiday experience. The fitter you can get yourself before you travel, the better you will be equipped – even regular brisk walking will help a lot.
To prepare your general health for the different conditions you will encounter on the aircraft and on tour, we suggest you consider fortifying your energy and immune system for at least a few weeks before you travel, with any or all of the following - Multivitamins, Vitamins B and C, Garlic, Echinacea, and Salmon Omega, or other fish oils - there may be others that you are either using, or could be beneficial as well - BUT CHECK WITH A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

TRAVEL COMFORT -  You may like to take some sleeping or ‘jet lag’ tablets to get you through a long haul flight – it may also help to get information about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) - ask for advice from your pharmacist or health professional.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE - If you take prescription medicines with you, it is a good idea to have a list of them with you in case replacements are needed while you are on holiday. Have your pharmacist supply a list or copy the labels - keep this list separate to your medicine.

TEA AND COFFEE - If you simply can’t do without a cuppa as soon as you arrive at your accommodation, it may be as well to take a plunger and adaptor plug with you – make sure you have a multichoice plug fitting and voltage adaptor or the appropriate connection for your destination. Some hotels have coffee making facilities but you never know. (Don’t forget the tea and coffee)

TIPPING is now practiced in many countries around the world.  Food service providers expect to be tipped – seems to be up to 10% to 15% and more – find out what is expected before you sit down to a meal. Check to see if the gratuity has already been added on to the bill before you pay.  Bell hops and cab drivers and many other service providers expect a tip,  but in all cases you should tip only for good or excellent service.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY – That should be your intention, and when you arrive at your destination, remember it isn’t going to be the same as it is at home. Enjoy everything you discover – you will come home all the richer for your travel experiences, and some of the people you meet could become lifelong friends – we like this expression – STRANGERS ARE ONLY FRIENDS YOU HAVEN’T MET YET.   

ENJOY YOUR TRAVELS

Do you have advice you would like to pass on to other travellers?
Contact us.