Tagged With "travel tips"
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I certainly understand GarryRF's comments completely. A guest has a right to expect a good quality meal with good service. That should be part of the dining experience. That said, because I was raised and have lived in Canada/USA my life, I have a sensitivity to food service employees not being paid well and being stressed by their employers. So I tend to follow Dave B's guidelines (thanks for outlining these, Dave!) If I see a waitress is trying hard, I'll leave the 15% tip (and don't come...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Are you a worrier? Do you run to the doctor at the first sign of possible trouble? Are you particularly clumsy and break bones? If the answers are no, as it sounds like they might be, I'd say don't bother with the insurance. If you need an English speaking doctor in Italy you'll find one. Your hotel or any pharmacy will help. It won't cost an arm & a leg if rumor is true. I don't know precisely because even though I travel a lot I answered no to all my questions too, don't need doctors...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Thanks, PortMoresby. No, I'm not worried about seeing a doctor. I'm more worried about getting my cousins off my back. Someone else told me that there's an organization that puts out a list of English-speaking doctors all over the world--do you know anything about that? Thanks again...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, I'm sure there is but, as I mentioned, I just don't think you need to worry about it. As a last resort you can call the embassy if the first line of defense, hotels & pharmacies, can't help. Very unlikely. Tell your cousins only rank beginners and sick people spend time worrying that could be enjoyed planning their trip.
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Hi SueZee, I agree with PortMoresby. Embassies, pharmacies, hotel concierges, etc are a great help. I think that would be your first line of advice, if needed. There is a website that might be helpful, featuring English speaking physicians abroad. I know nothing about this organization, so it's not a recommendation -- just a resource. Here's that link.
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Here's another resource that might help you: The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers. It's a non-profit, it's been around a long time, and you can join for free. IAMAT provides a directory of doctors around the world who speak fluent English and have been checked out by the organization for standards and certification. You can read more about them and join here: http://www.iamat.org/
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, wherever you travel in the world your hotel will find you a suitable doctor who will speak enough English for your needs - just like Dr.F says - and Italy will have plenty. Don't bother with lists as they will always be out of date by the time you might want to use them, plus it will no doubt not list a great doc that the hotel knows is just around the corner! At the worst the hotel will have an English speaking staff member sit with you to help translate. Conversely, I do think that...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Mac says, a good travel insurance policy is an absolute requirement - The part he left off was "for me", for him. Insurance, any kind, is playing the odds. When you buy it you're betting you'll have a disaster. When you don't you're figuring the likelihood of a dire event is low. If you take an occasional trip of short duration and can afford insurance, sure, why not. When the number & length of trips begins to mount and the budget becomes more of an issue then maybe not. It's called...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
Like you say PortM, it is all about "right for me" choices. I generally insure us 2 adults on an annual basis - covers all our trips - and costs about USD 300 p.a. It's a choice thing
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
As with many things travel, insurance is a matter of choice. Travel Health Insurance seems to be a lot more expensive in the US than elsewhere. Policies in the US usually include trip cancellation and medical coverage and often run 5-6% the cost of a trip. Given the amount you travel, Mac, the investment of a few hundred dollars a year seems prudent to me. But when I was 30 the thought of insurance never crossed my mind. Not once. A few years ago I did start buying trip cancellation (and...
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Re: "Doggie-Door" makes lockers easier to use
It is a good and useful idea. Kudos to the Doggy Travel locker door.
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
I read about this in the Daily Mail and while I believe there are some medical reasons frequent flying can be dangerous, it failed to show the positives about travel. I too was not convinced about their emotional claims . I found the opposite in my life. "The researchers discovered that new friendships and romantic relationships forged through mobility have a tendency to be situational, expendable and short-lived" "The study found that loneliness and isolation are common among frequent...
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
And I knew I remembered the health positives of travel being posted on TG ! https://www.travelgumbo.com/blo...-longer-be-healthier
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Re: Is there Danger in frequent, long-distance travel?
I think this study focused on the frequent long distant travelers -- say those who travel to and from Europe and North America every week. That intensity of traveling and disruption of biorhythm can definitely take its toll. The vacation traveler, who goes on a few trips a year, is not the focus of this study.
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
Interesting thoughts on a constantly recycled debate. I certainly tried to prise the tourist out of the people in the groups I led, but not all were willing victims. Part of it surely is the time allocated to holidays - the tourist tries to see as much as possible in that time, but a traveller would be as happy poking around local markets - it's TOO easy to get sight-sore !
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
AmateurEmigrant, you've just added a word to my vocabulary, and if it's not too late, I nominate it for 2017 Word of the Year: 'Sight-sore'
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Re: The Difference between Tourists and Travelers
I think it may not be all that easy to divide the world into 'tourists' and 'travelers;' the world is not really that binary, and there are many shades between them. And many of those we meet are on the path to deeper experiences as they experience more and travel more. I think of the many new travelers who used to post on the Frommer forums about their desire to 'see as much as possible' and 'do as many countries as possible' in impossibly short time allowances. Some of us who were regulars...
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
A most amazing and lovely landscape (with tip of the hat to its Scottish counterpart). When is a good time for a tourist to see the heather in bloom? I know some folks that would plan a trip just to see these colors.
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
Early to mid august would be the prime time to visit and view.
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Re: Tips for Traveling in an RV with Your Pet
I found this an informative post. We had an old dog that could have used one of those doggie wheelchair devices in the past, whom we had to put down because he couldn't walk anymore. This would helped out a lot, so I'm glad to know the product is out there.
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
So often people travel without real contact with the ordinary people around them...makes moments like yours very special! thanks!
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
Somehow I have no difficulty imagining the scene...it seems to fit your nature perfectly, TravelwithLamb. A nice travel moment, thanks!
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Re: What To Do In Miami When It Rains
Great blog idea! I remember when my kids were young (they're all in 30s and 40s now, bad weather was always one of the issues on vacation, and we had to scramble for things to do that would keep them occupied and happy. Some of your ideas here look great for adults and kids!
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Re: What To Do In Miami When It Rains
That bookstore really looks appealing to me....always one of my favorite destinations on a rainy day. That, and a library. I love visiting libraries in cities when I visit. The quality of a town's libraries tells me a lot of that city's priorities.
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Re: Gallery: The Worst Train in the World Redux
This is the true Orient Express.. Thanks for the great pictures, and the chance to "be" somewhere truly special.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
It's really amazing because the US dollar has done so well in 2014 compared to most currencies . I'm not surprised at all that Japanese tourists to the US decreased after the hit the Yen been taking, but i guess thats been more than made up in increased travel from travelers from Brazil,Mexico and China
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
Actually, what surprises me is that overseas tourists keep coming, despite the terrible attitude so many of them encounter from airport Customs and Immigration people, and the whole visa issue.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors
The post indicates the biggest growth comes from China and Brazil. Folks in those countries are used to their governments treating them poorly. The TSA/Immigration probably seems like business as usual to them. Just my humble opinion.
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Re: The Reason To Love Cambodia
Very cool! I love the sights and the food but it's meeting people that is my favorite part of travel
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Re: Hiking Sani Pass, Lesotho, on a Budget
That sure looks like an amazing (and very difficult) hike, Travel with Lamb! I wished I'd been using trekking poles starting with my teens. They take tremendous strain off your knees, especially when carrying a heavy load like you were. My knees sadly show the effect of decades of hiking and backpacking. Given how far this is from home and such, I know I'll never do this hike, but you've taken me there so I thank you for that!
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Re: 13 Year Old Boy Starts Travel Charity
Good on Eli for starting this! I've had a similar idea for starting a travel charity in the future and this gives me more inspiration to do it.
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Re: Travel Times Listed on South Central Pennsylvania's Electronic Message Signs
This is good news. For years a lot of the Electronic Message signs were not showing road conditions but rather community information.
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
A nice introduction to Bulgaria! Like many Americans, I've never really thought of visiting Bulgaria, and have mainly traveled in other parts of Europe, but not the Balkans. And after reading your blog I'm thinking...why didn't I think of this? and when will I go? I'm looking forward to learning more about your country from your blogs!
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
Thanks for telling us! I've been to Bulgaria a few times and was unaware of so much. I need to go back! Bulgarians really appreciate travelers. For budget travelers wanting to experience Europe, it really is a great country to spend some time and stay within budget.
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
LOL @ coz HuffPost says so. I just did the Baltics, I need to do the Balkans next. I worked with a Bulgarian guy in Boston and for years he would passionately talk about his country. Since then I have always wanted to visit and after reading this you've definitely encouraged me to hurry up and get there! I'd like to go before the mass tourists do
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
Thank you very much for this introduction to your very interesting country, Travelling Buzz! Like PHeymont said, we in the Americas need to take a closer look at this region. I don't like to travel to Europe during the months of July and August as it's just too busy. When would be a good time to visit Bulgaria? Weather doesn't have to be perfectly warm, I don't mind wearing a jacket. Is it a Mediterranean climate? Also, is there a good guidebook or reference you'd recommend?
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
I'm glad you liked the article. I would be more than happy if the post make you visit the country. @DrFublefinger I believe the best time to come to Bulgaria is september-october from the weather perspective, but if you want to see the charm the blooming trees give to the city, you should come in the spring. The summer is really, really (I mean really) hot and dry! The country lies between the strongly contrastic continental and Mediterranean climate zones, so it has an unusually variable...
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Re: 7 of many reasons to choose Bulgaria for your next trip
You sold me. Bulgaria is now on my travel wish list. Thanks.
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Re: Traveling to Europe soon? It may pay to prepay...
I do think it's a good year to add Europe. And with cheap airfares available now for spring and summer all the more reason Another currency that has has dropped compared to the US dollar recently is the Canadian Dollar. http://www.theglobeandmail.com...air/article22446079/
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Re: Iran: Friendliness, Culture, Modernity - So Far Away From The Clichés!
That's a fascinating look at a country rarely visited by people in North America. I especially enjoyed your lovely photos, which share so vividly the experience with all of us. I have two specific questions: 1) What is the tourist infrastructure in Iran like? Easy to find hotels or hostels? Restaurants? Public transit? 2) I've always enjoyed those Iranian people I know, but I'm not sure if the bulk of our readers (Mostly from the USA and Canada) would receive the same welcome from the...
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Re: Iran: Friendliness, Culture, Modernity - So Far Away From The Clichés!
excellent article and amazing pictures....definitely one for the wish list
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Re: Iran: Friendliness, Culture, Modernity - So Far Away From The Clichés!
Hello Dr. Fumblefinger, Thank you for your Feedback! To answer your questions: 1) The infrastructure is good to very good, and it is extremely easy to travel within Iran: there are lots of buses and excellent trains, there is a wide range of hotels, from simple guesthouses to world-class 5 stars hotels, restaurants going from street food stalls to fine dining, ... I have read that with the very fast development of tourism, the high-end category of hotels is the one that might get overbooked...
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Re: Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!
There are only a few destinations where all the family over in the US and us English can meet. Vegas, Florida and New York. So we all went to Vegas to meet up. Walking along the strip towards NY,NY. 9 Fine Irishmen looked like an attractive bar - so in we all went. They had real "Pint Glasses" - 20 ounce. Not the 16 ounce we've had to suffer ! But after a few minutes we were frozen. They do love AC in Vegas. Too much like Ireland. Freezing cold. So we moved outside and sat in the shade...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#105)
Let me try to get the ball rolling. While they look like owl eyes at first glance, I think it's an aerial photo of a garden or park....or perhaps of a model of a garden or park. Where???? I don't have a clue at the moment.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#105)
And so the ball rolls…but it is neither garden nor park. But the sharp-eyed doctor is correct: it is not viewed from ground level. And that’s the first day’s hint.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo? (#105)
I have a picture ready for you guessers...but you have to pay for it with a guess, suggestion or hint! Nothing for you until you bring something for me...