TheTravelNook.com

Are tour groups for you? You’re moving ahead with your trip planning. You’ve decided where you want to go. Now you need to come to grips with how you’re going to get your hotels, get around, see the sights. So I guess the next decision in your trip planning is… do you want to join a tour group or be an independent traveler.

Both options have pros and cons. If you choose to take a group tour, your hotels will be taken care of, as will your transportation during the tour. Depending on the package, most meals will probably be taken care of too, so you won’t be looking for a restaurant. Air fare to and from your destination may or may not be included.

All of this can make it easy on you for trip planning; you don’t need to worry about making reservations or finding hotels and restaurants on the road. You don’t need to worry about that foreign language, though that is truthfully not usually a problem.

You will be traveling with a group of people. If group size is important to you, be sure to check on that. Again depending on the operator and package it can range from 10 or 12 people all the way up to a bus full of about 45 to 50 people. That can make it fun, or it can slow things down as you’re waiting for everyone to get up in the morning and get on the bus. You’ll probably see all the highlights, but you won’t be able to get into small venues that can’t accommodate big groups.

You won’t be lonely… you’ll have your group to interact with. That can insulate you some from interacting with locals, but some group tours introduce you to locals or even get you into ceremonies or places that independent travelers don’t have access to. And hopefully you’ll have knowledgeable tour guides who can teach you about the area… something that independent travelers might miss.

Tours can be an economical way to travel. Tour operators get good prices on hotels and transportation. But if you want to sleep in and the tour is moving on… you’ll just have to get up and get going. You might learn things you wouldn’t have learned otherwise…. and if you’re a first time traveler, one of the things you might learn is that you don’t need a group tour.

Sometimes that first tour group experience is more than worth it… it can give you the confidence to travel independently. And if you learn that you like the company you’re traveling with, and you like group travel… you’ve come up with a great shortcut for your trip planning in the future…. just find more of their tours that you like and you’ll soon be traveling the world.

All over the world cash machines — ATMs — have become more and more common. You should check the tourist information website for the country you’re going to visit to make sure you can use one there, but most often these cash machines will be the best way to change money.

Make sure to check with your bank before you go. Most foreign cash machines use 4 digit pins and use numbers not letters. You want to make sure your card will work abroad, and you want to alert the bank as to where you will be using it. If they suspect an unusual transaction, they may freeze your card. They do this to protect you against fraud, not to make things hard on you… so give them a call, and let them in on your travel plans.

It’s a good idea to take two cards from different banks. This gives you a backup in case a machine can’t read one of your cards or if one gets demagnetized. If you run into one cash machine that won’t recognize your card, try another down the street, and you’ll probably get your money unless there’s a real problem with your card.

ATMs around the world work pretty much like the ones you’re used to at home, but there may be some extra steps…. like choosing the language you want to deal in. You put your card and pin in… choose your language, then follow the prompts.

Money is usually only available in the local currency, so figure out the exchange rate ahead of time… and calculate how much you want to get. You can get the exchange rate before you leave by checking online at a currency converter like OANDA. In the airport Arrivals Hall, there will almost always be a bank as well as a cash machine. The bank will have conversion rates posted so you can check before you use the machine.

ATMs in some countries give you high denomination bills. You’re going to need “little money” sooner or later, so it’s a good idea to go to a bank as soon as you can and get smaller change. If the banks are closed, ask your hotel to change at least one note into smaller ones.

Your ATM card has a cash limit per day, and you can’t exceed that. Some foreign banks may may have a maximum withdrawal that is smaller than you want. You will be charged a fee, so it pays to take out $200-300 at a time instead of $20 each time you need a little. Tell the machine how much you want… if it won’t or can’t give it to you, you might want to find another ATM so you can save on those fees.

It’s better to use your ATM card or Debit Card rather than a credit card. If you do use a credit card, it is considered a cash advance, and you will be charged even higher fees.

If at all possible, try to find ATMs that are in an enclosed area instead of just open on the street. If you must use one on the street, make sure it appears safe. Be alert and aware of your surroundings just as you would using ATMs at home. Once you get that money… protect it. Put it away as soon as you can… preferably in a money belt. Once you have money in your pocket and more in a safe place…. enjoy your trip!

When is the best time to go on that trip you’re dreaming about? If you’re lucky, you can plan the time of year you travel and schedule your holiday ahead of time. Some people can’t get away when the company has deadlines.

You may have to plan your time around when the kids are out of school. If you’re an American, you might only have two weeks of vacation. No matter what limiting factors you might have to work with, it’s good to think about the best time to go to enjoy the activities or sites for your destination. If your vacation time is short, this is especially important!

Sometimes it’s pretty obvious when you should go. If you want a ski vacation, you want to schedule it in the winter… Of course you COULD schedule it in the northern hemisphere summer and head south to Argentina or Chile.

Beaches? Beach vacations can be almost anytime. Summer would be best on both east and west U.S. coasts, but you can be a beach bum in the winter by heading for Hawaii, Mexico or any of the Caribbean Islands. Shoulder seasons in the Caribbean can be nice, a little cheaper and sometimes less crowded, but you do take a chance with hurricanes.

Shoulder season in other areas can be a great time to go. Shoulder season in Europe gives you a pretty good chance for nice weather, and you can avoid the crowds that stream there in the summer.

If you’re planning a little more exotic vacation, you have to start taking into account different weather patterns around the world. In India, you might want to avoid the monsoon. In Africa, it’s best to plan your trip during the dry season… and Africa is a big continent, so dry season can vary from one coast to the other.

Rainy season can do more than make you uncomfortable. In many countries roads become impassible in the wet season. Hiking trails are slippery and treacherous. And leeches LOVE the wet season!

If you’re after wildlife, you want to make sure that they have migrated TO the National Park you’re planning to visit. If all the herds have moved to the other end of their migratory route, you won’t see them, and you may not see many predators either.

There’s a great website called, go figure, “Best Time To Go” that will tell you the best time of year to go, rainfall and temperature, approximately how much it will cost you per day, when the holidays are, and it even gives you some hotels.

So decide where you want to go, then before you start making your reservations, check the best time to go so you won’t be disappointed.

April in Paris… Is that when you should visit? Well that notion may be tremendously romantic, but the truth of the matter is that you have a pretty good chance of running into cold and rainy weather, so just be prepared. It’s further north than you think!

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go in April. The weather in Spring may give you a taste of both sun and showers. The temperatures should average in the high 50’s F (14 C).

If you ask people about when to visit Paris France, most will probably talk about Spring. It’s a popular time for tourists and locals alike, and why not? The weather will be sunny more often the later you go in Spring, and by the end of April and into May the gardens will be blooming.

Spring may be shoulder season, but you will still need to be prepared for many other tourists. Lots of people have heard that it’s a good time to go to miss the heat of summer. Prices for hotels may even be at high season rates. There will be lines for some of the most popular attractions, but the locals haven’t been putting up with tourists all winter, so they will be fresh and friendly.

In spring, the worst of the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, making a stroll down the Champs Elysees more memorable. When the spring showers hit, head indoors to one of the museums.

Should you consider another season? Maybe you need to go in summer because of your school or work schedule. Summer brings lots of traveling students as well as all the other tourists. Prices will be at their highest, and the lines will be at their longest. It’s probably a good idea to book flights and rooms early to try and get good deals in this popular season. The weather is nice with temperatures in the high 70s F (24 C).

July draws crowds because of Bastille Day, July 14, and the Tour de France bicycle race that ends up in Paris. During August, most Parisians take a month long vacation… usually out of the city. So some restaurants and businesses might be closed.

Fall is a good time to consider. The weather is changing, and you may run into some cool days. The upside is the crowds will be smaller, and you’re more apt to find shoulder season prices. The locals are rejuvenated from their summer month away, and they will be relaxed, more tolerant, have more time for you. Temperatures are in the low 60s F (16 C) — a little warmer than spring.

You might nab a wonderfully cheap airfare right after the New Year holidays. Winter in Paris? It can be really cold… Temperatures in the 30s and 40s F (0-4 C). The gardens may be buried in snow, the Eiffel Tower closed due to ice. But it can also be romantic if you’re into cafes and hot chocolate, bookstores and boutiques.

If you decide to go then, you probably won’t run into any tourists, and the hotel rates will be as low as they get. Still our recommendation would be one of the other seasons for the most enjoyable time to visit.

So what will it be? Summer… Fall… Winter… Spring? Oh, come on…. Your choice. The City of Lights is wonderful anytime of the year.

Independent travel or group tours? You’ve looked at tour groups during your trip planning and decided that you really want to be independent. You don’t want to be herded around. You want to sleep in when you want… find little local bistros to eat in… linger in a shop.

Independent travel is a great way to go. There are several ways to approach it. You can rent a villa for a week or a month… or make hotel reservations for every day. You can just arrive and find accommodations as you go… or you can make reservations for the first night or two then start finding your accommodations for the rest of the trip.

It takes less advance trip planning if you decide to find accommodations as you go, but some people don’t like the stress of finding a hotel every night. Part of the process is deciding what works best for you.

As an independent traveler, you can stay in small economical places that groups won’t fit into. It may cost more to stay in larger hotels… group tour operators tend to get good breaks on those rooms. But you’ll probably rub elbows with more locals in that small local place than you would in that big hotel. (Though sometimes that big hotel isolation can give you a little respite if you’re traveling in a rugged or third world area.)

You can use the internet to make reservations at museums and popular spots before you leave on your trip. This means you’ll be sure to get into those museums or other venues, but it also locks you in to a timetable. If you’re feeling a bit more independent, consider making phone calls or using the internet to make those reservations on the road.

You’ll get English speakers on the phone; you’ll probably still get the reservations you want and still have the flexibility of changing your timetable as you travel. (Getting those reservations can help you avoid lines just like the tour groups do.)

Independent travel allows for more adventure and spontaneity. If you end up in a village that looked charming in the pictures… but there really isn’t anything there for you… you can just move on. On the other hand, if you stumble on a great local festival, you can linger and enjoy it. You’ll miss what a tour guide might teach you, but if you feel you need it, you can always hire a local guide… or talk to a friendly local…. You never know what you might find out, and you could end up with a new friend!

If you decide you’d like to rent a car, it will be expensive if you’re traveling all by yourself…. It’s easier for a couple and better still if you travel with friends to share the expense. But traveling with friends and family takes some planning of it’s own!

So weigh you options, tour group or independent travel. Make all your reservations ahead or wing it? A large part of the joy of travel is the trip planning and anticipation.

You’re going abroad, and you’ll be changing money. What is the best way to do that? The short answer is to use the ATM. REALLY! Almost anywhere in the world now, you’ll find ATMs. Almost.

Try to check ahead before you go to know whether to take cash, traveler’s checks, ATM or credit cards. Traveler’s checks aren’t used all that much anymore, but they’re a good backup in case something goes wrong with the credit cards and ATMs.

If you can’t get money out of a cash machine, it doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with YOUR card. Those electronic transactions have to be submitted and approved, there may be communications problems in less developed counties; their readers might not read your card; or (and this has happened) the bank ATM has run out of money!

You may hear that changing money — at least a little — before you travel is a good idea. That’s not necessary. There are almost always banks or money changers at the airport, and ATMs are everywhere…. well, almost everywhere. There are a few countries that won’t accept ATM cards from certain other countries. You do need to check this out. You can find out in government advisories about each country.

If you’re going to drive across the border to a country with a different currency, you should check to see where you can change money and if they’ll take some other currency, like that of their neighbors or Euros or Dollars.

If you think the exchange rate is going to change dramatically, and you’ll get a better deal changing money ahead… you might want to give it a try. It’s hard to time those money markets though.

Another reason for changing money before you leave is if you want to familiarize yourself with that funny looking currency. Even if you wait to change money on the road, do try to familiarize yourself with the local currency so you don’t fumble too much with it. If you change your money once you get to your destination, it’s best to familiarize yourself with it in the privacy of your hotel room and not in public.

You will fumble. Sometimes those little coins will be worth a dollar or two or five…. or that 10,000 “Whatever” note could be worth about five dollars! So try to get a rough idea of what those coins and bills are worth. We’ve found that most people are helpful sorting out the right change, but you should always be on guard for a scam artist that might try to charge you too much because you don’t figure out how much you’re paying fast enough.

If you’re changing cash, change money only at reputable or official locations. Black market money exchanges could get you in trouble at worst or be scams where you’ll lose money. If you do change money at money exchangers, compare the exchange rates and commissions carefully. ATMs are much more straight forward.

You should avoid buying more foreign currency than you actually need. You will lose money if you need to convert back, and some countries restrict the amount of their currency they permit you to take out when leaving the country.

If you are traveling on a prepaid tour, you won’t be changing money as much. Also, you may be able to pay bar bills at lodges and hotels in dollars or with your credit card. So check ahead, take credit cards, ATMs and travelers checks and don’t worry, you’ll find plenty of places to change them.

Definitely plan to take credit cards with you when you travel. Even when you travel abroad.

It’s a good idea to let your card company or bank know when and where you’ll be traveling. Identity theft is such a problem these days, that if your card company sees unusual spending patterns they may grow suspicious. They might block charges on your card to protect you from fraud… You know, like a lot of charges from London when you live in Des Moines. Notifying your card company isn’t required, but it’s a good idea to protect yourself and ensure that you can use your card on your trip.

Travel with only a couple of charge cards in addition to your ATM card. You don’t want to have a whole pocket full of cards at risk, but you do want to have more than one type of card. It’s a good idea because if something happens and one card can’t be used, you’ll have a backup.

Some places only take Visa; some only take MasterCard. Pick one or two of each and leave the rest at home. American Express may say “Don’t leave home without it,” but there are many places that won’t take their card. It’s a good card to have, but it’s also good to know the limitations.

If two of you are traveling as a couple, consider carrying different credit cards. This will give you even more options.

If you rent a car, sometimes car rental companies will put a large charge on your card at the beginning as a deposit, leaving you less on your credit line. Your back up cards will make sure you always can use a card. You do want to charge the car on a card that will cover collision damage waiver… that’ll save you money.

Credit card companies have started adding international transaction fees. Visa and MasterCard have charged a 1 percent fee for years, but now some banks that issue the card also tack on a 1-2 percent foreign transaction fee in addition to that. Quiz your bank or card company. There are a handful of cards which don’t charge any fees at all. As of this writing, Capital One Card charges no fees, so you might want to carry one of those.

Don’t let foreign vendors charge that bill for you in dollars. It seems nice, but you’ll probably end up paying more. The dollar amount you’re charged may be at a crummy exchange rate (way worse than you’d get with your credit card or ATM), and you’re card company will still likely charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Credit cards are accepted in more places all the time…. most now in fact. But there are still many little B&Bs that take only cash, some small restaurants too. And in some less developed countries you may find you need to pay in cash. If you want to pay with your card, they may add 3-5 percent onto your bill to make up for the fees that they’re charged. So take those credit cards traveling, but change plenty of money and be prepared to pay cash in many places too.

Canceled flights are a headache for everyone. Believe me, the airlines don’t like to cancel. It starts a whole domino effect. Not just for your flight, but for flights at down line airports all through the day. Planes end up in the wrong places with crews that can’t fly them because of time regulations.

Probably the most common reason a flight is canceled is weather. Sometimes this is pretty obvious, like if you’re sitting in the middle of a snow storm, and no one is moving anywhere.

Sometimes you look outside, and it’s sunny and calm. How can the flight be cancelled for weather like that? Think about it. The weather might be occurring somewhere else. Maybe there are severe thunderstorms on the East Coast, and that’s where the flight is coming from. Maybe the flight is coming from sunny Florida, but it’s coming THOUGH a hub in the middle of one of those storms. Maybe there is a sandstorm in the Sahara or a typhoon in Japan. Weather anywhere in the world can affect your flight if it is a long haul flight.

Another reason flights may be canceled is mechanical problems. If this is the case, you want them to cancel, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated anyway.

Or a flight could be cancelled because there have been delays, and now the crew has been waiting for too long. There are rules about when they can fly and when they can’t.

If your flight is canceled, the second you hear that your plane is not going anywhere, call the airline’s toll-free number. (It’s a smart idea to have it programed in your cell phone.) Get into the line at the counter, especially if it’s fairly short, but make that call while you’re standing in line. There’s a good possibility you’ll get rebooked more quickly on the phone than at the counter where a couple of overwhelmed airline employees are being swarmed by a plane full of disgruntled fliers.

Ask what your options are. Actually, it pays to have an idea of alternatives before you get to the airport. True, most times you won’t need to use the alternatives, but with canceled flights, the sooner you can act on those alternatives, the more apt you are to get on your way while everyone else is still looking them up.

Most airlines will rebook you, with no fees or penalties, on the next flight on which space is available. Not necessarily on the next flight… the next flight on which space is available. During holiday periods or really bad weather situations, this could be more than just hours. If you seen the news the last few years, you know it can even be days!

If the wait seems too long, ask the agent if there might be a seat on another airline. Remember they are in competition, but airlines will often endorse your ticket to another carrier to try and get you on your way in a timely fashion. You’ll have the most luck if the flight is on a partner airline.

If these things don’t work, suggest solving your flight problem by connecting through another city or going to another airport. Remember, all of these suggestions only work if your canceled flight is pretty much an isolated situation. If all the airlines are canceling flights, as they must in bad weather, ….patience is the only thing that will work.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you don’t need us to tell you about security and the TSA Self Selecting Lanes. You’ve probably already used one of those “Black Diamond Lanes” designed to get you through the TSA check point faster. According to the TSA, those lanes are working.

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, you’re not a black diamond traveler…. and if you see color coded signs at the airport TSA checkpoints in the U.S., you should choose the blue square or the green circle. WHAT???

In the last year or so, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, the TSA, has implemented a plan that they hope will speed up the screening lines at U.S. airports.

Instead of having just one security line for everyone, there are three lanes. They are color coded, and the TSA has chosen to model them after signs on ski runs that tell skiers where the hill is difficult and for experts, or where it’s moderate, or easy.

The Black Diamond Lane is for “Expert Travelers”. This is where frequent flyers go. People who know the routine and can get through the checkpoint quickly. They are familiar with the rules and procedures, have their plastic bag of liquids packed correctly and out of their carry-on, and they are prepared and ready to go through.

The Blue Square Lane is for “Casual Travelers”. This would apply to travelers who are familiar with the rules and regulations, but they may take a bit longer to sort out the plastic bag, the computer, the shoes… and they just don’t want to feel rushed at the checkpoint.

The Green Circle Lane is for “Families and Passengers with Medical Liquids”. If you’re really not sure what you need to do as you go through security, this lane is for you. It’s for families with small children, strollers, and liquids for children. Passengers with special needs should use this lane if they need assistance or extra time.

You are allowed to take more than 3 ounces/100ml of “medically necessary liquids” outside of the one quart plastic bag, but these must be declared to a TSA Officer. If this applies to you, you should use the Green Circle Lane where possible.

Though it’s up to individuals to choose the appropriate lane, the TSA says the honor system seems to be working. According to them, the black-diamond lanes are 21 percent faster on average. So far 50 airports have the new lanes in place.

The self-selecting lanes seems to be lowering the stress and anxiety levels of all passengers. Expert travelers don’t feel that they are being slowed down, and families are able to take their time with all the things they have to carry for the kids. The TSA officers are happier when you aren’t so stressed so everyone wins.

So no matter what level of traveler you are, if you see those Black, Blue and Green signs at the start of the security line, choose the level that suits you best, and everyone will be on their way with fewer problems.

Choosing your destination…. that’s the very first step in trip planning. It’s obvious, and it may seem simple, but let’s take a look at the things you need to think about as you do your trip planning and make your decision.

Some of these things will be running in the background of your head when you’re choosing your destination, but just so you don’t make any mistakes, let’s list some of the major concerns.

You have some vacation time. Is that a set time of year that you can’t change? The time of year will play a role in choosing your destination. Do you want to go some place where it’s hot so you can sit on the beach? ….Or cold so you can ski? Are you planning it around a festival or trying to avoid crowds? Do you want to take a cruise?

Do you want to be active… skiing or hiking? …Or do you just want to sit and relax? Go sightseeing, explore museums or shop? Or do you want to have the options to go either way. Do you have kids or other family members to consider? It’s always good to make this a family decision.

And speaking of others… do you want to travel on your own or join a tour group where everything is planned for you?

How long is the vacation time? If you only have a week, that will limit what you can do. If you have two or three weeks or even more, you have far more options when choosing your destination. You can go further, plan for more activities… or more relaxing time. Some people say it takes a week to unwind… so even if you just want to relax for a few days, you may need more than a week to get into that relaxed zone.

Choosing a destination that offers a relaxing venue will help… a beach, a spa, a cabin on a nice quiet lake. For some people, shopping is relaxing… it wouldn’t be for me.

Another factor we all have to take into account is money. If you’re rolling in it, the sky is the limit when choosing your destination… you can go to Europe and stay in castles; go to Africa and fly from safari camp to safari camp; go to Asia or Australia or Antarctica! You can go to all of those places on a budget too, but it takes more planning and legwork on your part.

You can economize and go camping… or even (if they’ll invite you) stay with friends or relatives. Do you want to go by car, train or plane? I have a friend that will not fly and will not float… that definitely limits your options.

So where will it be? I know I haven’t given you any destinations to choose from. That would take some of the fun out of it. Where would you like to go? What would you like to do?

Part of the fun of any vacation adventure is dreaming about your options, so give all these factors some thought, and get closer to choosing your destination. This is the dreaming part of trip planning… next we’ll get to how you find information to flesh out these dreams.