Hints & Things U Wish U knew Before U Arrived
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:37 AM
#25
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This is not a Place tip but a Process -- to avoid being buried in folders, booklets,cards, receipts etc as you travel, yet not lose the vital info you'll want later. It's particularly useful when you go quickly from place to place (i.e., Greek Island hopping).
Have one of those JUMBO ziploc bags in your luggage, and as you leave each stop on your trip, put in it all restaurant & hotel cards, stubs, brochures etc. I call this the "goodbye bag". Then you don't clutter up a daypack or pockets with bygone data, yet at trip-end it's all together, for cataloging (or just keeping) for future reference.
Have one of those JUMBO ziploc bags in your luggage, and as you leave each stop on your trip, put in it all restaurant & hotel cards, stubs, brochures etc. I call this the "goodbye bag". Then you don't clutter up a daypack or pockets with bygone data, yet at trip-end it's all together, for cataloging (or just keeping) for future reference.
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:54 AM
#26
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travelerjan, you touch on a key notion: when possible, pickup the business card or matchbook or printed paper napkin from shops, hotels, restaurants ... again, it helps you find them the next time (or next night) and also helps when you want to recommend a place here in the Forums.
Years ago a chef at the restaurant where I worked asked me to bring him something from a trip. Anything, he said, a matchbook, etc - nothing purchased, just something from the country, for good luck.
That got me started noticing some of the freebies that make good souvenirs for their authenticity. Funny sugar packets, advertising items, takeaway menus, etc.
On a similar note, I agree with gtg's recommendation not to overdo the tired photo ops, but it can be great (especially in the say of digital photos) to take a shot of the places you really want to remember: that great cafe or gelateria, the hotel that looks interesting for "next time", the quirky boutique ... I love it when debate gets going on the Forums about what exactly was that restaurant, and someone directs us to their photo blog with a shot of it.
These things help us create a "wiki" guidebook. (Now there's an idea ...)
Years ago a chef at the restaurant where I worked asked me to bring him something from a trip. Anything, he said, a matchbook, etc - nothing purchased, just something from the country, for good luck.
That got me started noticing some of the freebies that make good souvenirs for their authenticity. Funny sugar packets, advertising items, takeaway menus, etc.
On a similar note, I agree with gtg's recommendation not to overdo the tired photo ops, but it can be great (especially in the say of digital photos) to take a shot of the places you really want to remember: that great cafe or gelateria, the hotel that looks interesting for "next time", the quirky boutique ... I love it when debate gets going on the Forums about what exactly was that restaurant, and someone directs us to their photo blog with a shot of it.
These things help us create a "wiki" guidebook. (Now there's an idea ...)
Jun 9th, 2008, 08:06 AM
#27
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Someone told me this before I went to Tokyo but I think it's a good idea in any unfamiliar city where you don't speak the language: always carry a business card with the name and address of your hotel on it. You never know when you're going to need to hand it to a cab driver, a policeman or someone else.
Jun 9th, 2008, 08:10 AM
#28
1. Bring a lock for your suitcases
2. Have a map and/or a small travel book.
3. Know how to reach your hotel before arriving.
4. Have an idea of the things where you want to see and where they are. Don't set your itinerary in stone unless there are reservations made.
5. Less is more.
2. Have a map and/or a small travel book.
3. Know how to reach your hotel before arriving.
4. Have an idea of the things where you want to see and where they are. Don't set your itinerary in stone unless there are reservations made.
5. Less is more.
Jun 9th, 2008, 12:29 PM
#30
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The hotel business card in your pocket on arrival is a very good idea. I had been to Paris many times, but due to last minute changes in our schedule we got our room at the TI at the Paris train station.
Upon arrival we were so excited to be in Paris that we dropped our luggage and with a short conversation at the desk we hopped a bus to the St. Germain area in the 6th.
We spent the day running all over and when we pooped out at the Arc d'Triumph we decided to hail a cab back to ??????
As we entered our cab we had no idea where we were staying. The only saving grace was that it was on a bus line. The cabbie knew enough about the city bus system and after considerable time up and down the bus route we found our hotel.
I will never do that again. Always grab a card at the front desk or write it down.
Upon arrival we were so excited to be in Paris that we dropped our luggage and with a short conversation at the desk we hopped a bus to the St. Germain area in the 6th.
We spent the day running all over and when we pooped out at the Arc d'Triumph we decided to hail a cab back to ??????
As we entered our cab we had no idea where we were staying. The only saving grace was that it was on a bus line. The cabbie knew enough about the city bus system and after considerable time up and down the bus route we found our hotel.
I will never do that again. Always grab a card at the front desk or write it down.
Jun 9th, 2008, 04:41 PM
#31
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A few more things I thought of...
Venice in the early morning is beautiful for picture taking. The canals are still and the people still asleep. I'm no photographer but this city makes it hard to fail.
If you're traveling alone take walking tours, they are a great way to meet fellow travelers. And as others have said...don't be afraid to talk with locals or others along the road. My most memorable travel encounters are from these chance meetings.
Venice in the early morning is beautiful for picture taking. The canals are still and the people still asleep. I'm no photographer but this city makes it hard to fail.
If you're traveling alone take walking tours, they are a great way to meet fellow travelers. And as others have said...don't be afraid to talk with locals or others along the road. My most memorable travel encounters are from these chance meetings.
Jun 9th, 2008, 05:50 PM
#32
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Try to get some rest before you go away. Don't stay up all night packing etc. No point being exhausted even before you get there.
I also just thought of this on reading the posts about taking restaurant cards - bring a few of your own business cards. I've done that and given them out when I've met someone I wanted to exchange contact info with and it seems to work better than trying to decipher handwriting. I've stayed in touch with a few people that way.
I also just thought of this on reading the posts about taking restaurant cards - bring a few of your own business cards. I've done that and given them out when I've met someone I wanted to exchange contact info with and it seems to work better than trying to decipher handwriting. I've stayed in touch with a few people that way.
Jun 10th, 2008, 07:46 PM
#33
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Wow! Some great tips! We leave this Friday, so i'm trying to get it all together.
Here's a tip from me.
I have an old laminating machine. I used businees card stationary and I put a pretty picture relating to the city we will be in (Venice, canals) and typed the address and phone number of each hotel on the front and the US Embassy or consulate on the back. (that part was more for kicks than anything.) I laminated them and, viola! I have one for each of us for every place were going to. Just in case we get separated. Long shot, but who knows. The reason I thought of this is a funny story.
My husband and I travel with very good friends frequently. One trip we were in Mexico. The guys took a cab to a very nice golf course and spent the day golfing and drinking. (More drinking than golfing by the looks of them when they got back.) Anywhoo, 6 or 7 hours later they went to the cab stand to catch a cab back to the hotel and realized neither one had the slightest idea where we were staying. As they were racking their brains trying to remember, the cab driver who dropped them OFF was in the line for new pickups. He saw and approached them and basically saved the day. (they both admitted they didn't have the slightest idea) They would have made it back eventually, but it would have been awhile!
Now as soon as we get to any hotel/resort my girlfriend and I go to the gift shop and buy them a cap with the hotel name printed across the visor! All they have to do is read each others foreheads!
Any more tips for Paris, Venice, Rome or Florence would be welcome!
Thanks!
Here's a tip from me.
I have an old laminating machine. I used businees card stationary and I put a pretty picture relating to the city we will be in (Venice, canals) and typed the address and phone number of each hotel on the front and the US Embassy or consulate on the back. (that part was more for kicks than anything.) I laminated them and, viola! I have one for each of us for every place were going to. Just in case we get separated. Long shot, but who knows. The reason I thought of this is a funny story.
My husband and I travel with very good friends frequently. One trip we were in Mexico. The guys took a cab to a very nice golf course and spent the day golfing and drinking. (More drinking than golfing by the looks of them when they got back.) Anywhoo, 6 or 7 hours later they went to the cab stand to catch a cab back to the hotel and realized neither one had the slightest idea where we were staying. As they were racking their brains trying to remember, the cab driver who dropped them OFF was in the line for new pickups. He saw and approached them and basically saved the day. (they both admitted they didn't have the slightest idea) They would have made it back eventually, but it would have been awhile!
Now as soon as we get to any hotel/resort my girlfriend and I go to the gift shop and buy them a cap with the hotel name printed across the visor! All they have to do is read each others foreheads!
Any more tips for Paris, Venice, Rome or Florence would be welcome!
Thanks!
