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05 Consider Flight and hotel packages rather than building
the holiday yourself. British Airways can often produce a deal where the accommodation is little more than the flight alone! Furthermore, whilst you must pay for a flight at once BA allows you much more time to pay if it is a package.
06 The same goes for Eurostar rail trips. On the official website
look at the option’ train and hotel’.
I have found Paris trips including a night in a hotel for little more than
the train fare. This comes into its own if you are booking close to a departure date as fares rise dramatically with an imminent journey.
07 If you are booking a hotel, look at the reviews on ‘Tripadvisor’.
Whilst there will always be someone having a rant, you can get a decent sense of where the hotel is and what guests make of it. Reviews are recent so you might discover that, for example, building works have recently started. On one epic trip through Italy I secured the best value every time by contacting the hotel and booking direct. Comparison websites charge the hotel commission of perhaps 20%, sometimes more. Hoteliers will always want to deal directly because they receive every penny that you pay. By all means scout prices and then write and ask them what is the best rate available.
I have found myself upgraded with thanks on several occasions and been given a welcome glass of something serious. The fine Citizen M group of hotels around Europe and in New York give me a voucher for a glass of lovely wine/Champagne every time I stay solely because I book direct.
08 Never change money at a station or airport. You might as well ask to be mugged. Rates are dire. Do shop
around. Do not accept big notes. The concern is that they might be regarded as forgeries and are really difficult to shift. I ask for nothing bigger than €20 or $20. Indeed, fivers are really useful as
are single dollar bills.
09 Get yourself a free bank card that doesn’t add on fees for spending abroad. I have the Halifax
Clarity Credit Card, a Monzo card
and a Chase card. For the fifirst year with
Chase you get 1% back on purchases. Using
any of these 3 cards for purchases abroad gets you a
brilliant exchange rate and they do not charge commission. Mainstream Banks charge a fifixed fee for every transaction which is
dire if you are buying a bus ticket or a drink. Whilst these card providers say they won’t charge you for taking cash out whilst abroad I fear you will find that the foreign bank will seek to extract a fee. Take cash with you whilst using your card to pay as you go. Also, switch over your payment card for Uber as your British bank card will again add on a fee. In Japan, surprisingly, metro tickets must be paid for in cash so always carry a reasonable stash, just in case.
10 Whilst away pay for a card transaction as if you were a local. There is a widespread practice abroad of shops asking if you
would like to pay in sterling. Do not, not fall for this. The catch is that the vendor sets their own exchange rate which enables them to take more from you. Insist on paying in Euros/Dollars and you will get the correct international exchange rate.
11 Label luggage but never put your home address on the tag. You are advertising
that no one will be at home. However, put inside your baggage a large sign with all of your contact details. Consider buying an Apple AirTag. If travelling by train keep your luggage close. On a long journey a thief might grab a bag just before departure and you would be sadly ignorant of the fact for hours.
12 InItaly,Franceandsome other countries pharmacies
enjoy a monopoly of selling products which are freely available over the counter here. The result is that a packet of ibuprofen in Venice costs £8 whilst a generic from a supermarket here can be as little as 40p. Suntan lotion is available in supermarkets abroad but is much more expensive
so pack it and other medical essentials and take them with
you. Include Loperamide, just in
13 Have clear photos of your passport details and the front and reverse of your bank
cards. If lost or stolen you will have all necessary information at your fingertips to contact issuers.
14 Put your shoe in the hotel safe was the exotic suggestion
of a BA pilot who was checking in alongside me at the Milan Hilton. That way you will not depart leaving passport, phone or other valuables behind!
15 Beware of dodgy types at airports and train stations.
Pickpockets sadly abound in Paris, Barcelona and Venice to give just
a few examples. They are often teenage girls working together.
Don’t ever, ever carry a phone or money in a back pocket. Keep bags closed and appreciate they can unzip backpacks with ease.
16 Your passport is crucial.
I keep mine in a water resistant
Snopake mesh zipper bag which you should be able to buy for less than £3. A passport inadvertently exposed to liquids runs a serious risk of being rejected. Treasure it and have a happy time wherever you go.
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