What is the best tip/piece of info you learned on this site?
May 13th, 2007, 05:59 AM
#22
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
like others, i cannot name one exact tip, but i have the confidence to know that if i have a quirky question or concern, someone out there has "been there and done that" and chips right in to clear up ordinary, and not so ordinary, travel confusion!
(which makes it all flow so much better)
thanks to all the fodorites who have ever helped me out. i try to reciprocate as much as i can.
(which makes it all flow so much better)
thanks to all the fodorites who have ever helped me out. i try to reciprocate as much as i can.
May 13th, 2007, 06:04 AM
#23
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To read any and all that gard has posted - amazing maps, etc - and everyone else's tips - I read something about the big baggies and I have jsut assembled all my "cities info", incl. hotel and restaurant info, reservations and local maps and such into large baggies that I can just pull out and then store after use, or throw away. Working out wonderfully, keeps everything so organized, yes I was born in September-haha-have lovely travels, all
Leslie
Leslie
May 13th, 2007, 06:19 AM
#24
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, there have been so many good tips and pieces of advice here, that I can't even begin to think which were the best.
But one does stick out in my mind: quite often, it is cheaper to rent an apartment in big cities such as Rome and Paris than stay in a hotel. I tried in both places and it worked perfect.
And now a secret: I wrote a short article about renting and staying in an apartment in Rome and it was published in a Travel magazine here in Brazil (in "A Próxima Viagem"
. Probably, the fact that my brother is the Chief Editor of the magazine helped some...
May 13th, 2007, 06:48 AM
#25
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, poster must have been just waiting and waiting for the opportunity to malign Ira, smiley faces and all. Ira the nerve of you to give horrible awful advice, let's have a boldfaced box at the top of each pg warning about you.
May 13th, 2007, 06:50 AM
#26
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To just do it! Seriously, I don't think I'd have worked up the nerve to go without reading this forum and everyone else's experiences. And that solo is okay. And that you can plan all you want, but sometimes unplanned makes for the best adventures.
May 13th, 2007, 07:03 AM
#27
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Three things come to mind: Count your items you're carrying when you are waiting to board. Example: coat, purse, neck pillow, poster tube. 4 items. That way it's always an easy check to make sure you have everything.
Second: A "gripping" novel. I think that was a St Cirq piece of advice. Too many times I have taken a book I 'need to read' and haven't been able to get into it. Down time is a lot easier when you can't wait to get back to your book.
Third: New pajamas. Wonderful way to end your tiring day.
Second: A "gripping" novel. I think that was a St Cirq piece of advice. Too many times I have taken a book I 'need to read' and haven't been able to get into it. Down time is a lot easier when you can't wait to get back to your book.
Third: New pajamas. Wonderful way to end your tiring day.
May 13th, 2007, 07:11 AM
#29
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,382
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had never heard of the Scavi tour before reading about it here.
At the risk of getting jumped on, I have to come to Bella's side on this, as I have called Ira to task several times on this issue. Ira is most helpful, expecially when it comes to train questions. But his advice is not infallible and I, too, take issue with the fact that much of it is not based on personal experience. Sorry Ira...I certainly do not mean to offend but I have to second the advice given above that many of your posts should be checked for accuracy!! That should be the case with every "fact" posted here, but I think that many people, especially the less-seasoned travelers here, take Ira's word as gospel, not realizing how little time Ira has spent in several of the regions that are frequent subjects of his posts....
Again, I hope I have not offended with my frankness...
At the risk of getting jumped on, I have to come to Bella's side on this, as I have called Ira to task several times on this issue. Ira is most helpful, expecially when it comes to train questions. But his advice is not infallible and I, too, take issue with the fact that much of it is not based on personal experience. Sorry Ira...I certainly do not mean to offend but I have to second the advice given above that many of your posts should be checked for accuracy!! That should be the case with every "fact" posted here, but I think that many people, especially the less-seasoned travelers here, take Ira's word as gospel, not realizing how little time Ira has spent in several of the regions that are frequent subjects of his posts....
Again, I hope I have not offended with my frankness...
May 13th, 2007, 09:17 AM
#32
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 23,382
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also in Rome, I learned about Albergo del Senato here.
One of the highlights of my recent visit to Shanghai was my stay at Le Royal Meridien, a new hotel recommended by a poster on the Asia board. Other great tips have been the names of private guides including Francesca Caruso in Rome and Kong Lin in Beijing. And the Africa board has amazing detailed information on the game lodges.
And that is just for starters....
One of the highlights of my recent visit to Shanghai was my stay at Le Royal Meridien, a new hotel recommended by a poster on the Asia board. Other great tips have been the names of private guides including Francesca Caruso in Rome and Kong Lin in Beijing. And the Africa board has amazing detailed information on the game lodges.
And that is just for starters....
May 13th, 2007, 12:34 PM
#34
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do your research first, then ask questions, then do additional research to verify the answers.
If you don't do that, then you have only yourself to blame when things go wrong.
No matter how much you plan, how much advice you get, etc., things can still go wrong. Don't let it overwhelm you.
Don't expect strangers on the internet to know what is best for you. Don't believe that just because 100 people say "this is THE place to be" that you will love it. Know yourself well enough to be able to ignore advice that doesn't meet your needs.
There's always two sides to any story. Learn to see where you went wrong and put disagreements in perspective.
If you don't do that, then you have only yourself to blame when things go wrong.
No matter how much you plan, how much advice you get, etc., things can still go wrong. Don't let it overwhelm you.
Don't expect strangers on the internet to know what is best for you. Don't believe that just because 100 people say "this is THE place to be" that you will love it. Know yourself well enough to be able to ignore advice that doesn't meet your needs.
There's always two sides to any story. Learn to see where you went wrong and put disagreements in perspective.
May 13th, 2007, 01:08 PM
#36
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 894
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"That the last two digits of a Paris postal code tell you the arrondisement number."
Thanks suze...I didn't know that. You really do learn something new everyday at Fodors. When I think of all the past trips that could have been better planned had I known about this forum. Guide books are great but it's so much more helpful to get a broader perspective from fellow travelers here.
Thanks suze...I didn't know that. You really do learn something new everyday at Fodors. When I think of all the past trips that could have been better planned had I known about this forum. Guide books are great but it's so much more helpful to get a broader perspective from fellow travelers here.
May 13th, 2007, 01:55 PM
#37
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, nobody here is infallible so Ira shouldn't be singled out.
Plus what one person thinks is terrific, another will think is the pits. One person can have a wonderful experience with a site/hotel/restaurant/apartment & another can have a horrible one.
Plus what one person thinks is terrific, another will think is the pits. One person can have a wonderful experience with a site/hotel/restaurant/apartment & another can have a horrible one.
May 13th, 2007, 02:07 PM
#38
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
StuDudley helped me save over $300 in airfare to visit France this summer when he suggested flying into Brussels rather than CDG.
I am doing a multi city ticket, flying to BRU, taking the TGV to Avignon then departing out of CDG at the end of the trip. Of course it isn't money actually saved, just spend on things more fun than airfare...
I am doing a multi city ticket, flying to BRU, taking the TGV to Avignon then departing out of CDG at the end of the trip. Of course it isn't money actually saved, just spend on things more fun than airfare...
