Are We There Yet? [How to Prepare for a Fun Trip]

Greetings all!

Do you ever have trouble deciding what to do on a trip? If you use a travel agent or go on an organized trip/a cruise/to an all-inclusive resort, a lot of activities are planned for you. But what about your free time on such trips? Or what about when you travel independently?

Do some research before you leave so you can save time, energy, and money on your trip. After all, you want to enjoy your vacation and not worry about how the metro works!!! 

My advice is to have a general (or detailed!) plan of what you want to do/see but also allow for spontaneity - do not overplan! Here are some ideas:

GENERAL: 

1) Hop-on / Hop-off bus: One of my all-time favorite activities in a big city. Typically, you can buy a ticket for 1-3 days, and it is an excellent and very affordable way to explore the city and also save on transportation. Usually, there are several routes that cover pretty much everything a typical tourist wants to see. 

As the name suggests, you can hop off at any stop to see an attraction and then hop on the next bus. The headset commentary is in several languages and is very informative.

Bonus: Your ticket might include a booklet with various discounts (e.g., a boat ride on the river Seine in Paris, delicious goulyash soup in Hungary, or a T-shirt in Barcelona).

2) Local guide (with/without a driver): Great for beginner travelers who are not yet comfortable exploring on their own, or when you are pressed for time, or interested in unique, off the beaten path, destinations, or just want to have a personal guide. 

Bonus: You do not have to worry about transportation, and they take your pictures!! Also check if there are free local guides – many are enthusiastic college students who want to practice the language. Just remember to tip them!!

3) Day tours: A good way to see the surrounding areas especially if you are based in one location. Compare prices in advance as some companies might charge much more for a similar tour. 

4) Be flexible and have a Plan B in case things go wrong. Uffizi Gallery is closed due to a strike in Florence? Go shopping on Ponte Vecchio!

5) Learn 5-10 basic words/expressions in the language of your destination. Say “Hola” (Spanish for “Hello”) in a restaurant in Madrid and most likely you will get a smile and a more patient attitude in return. In fact, smiling in general helps things go smoother!

6) If there is something you really want to see, research hours and free days. You don’t want to come to Louvre to find it closed (currently Tuesdays). Plan carefully – and your visit might be free (save 17 Euros in Louvre).

7) Have a basic idea of the public transportation and get a city map (many hotels provide for free).

Bonus: Buying a pass (1-day, weekly, etc.) might save you money while providing a lot of flexibility.

8) City Pass: Many cities have a tourist discount pass that includes access to multiple attractions/transportation/fast track entry. Word of caution: visiting so many included attractions can be exhausting and actually prevent you from enjoying your vacation!

9) A MUST: Read multiple reviews if you are considering a new tour operator or see if your friends can provide recommendations. 

RESOURCES:  

As part of my trip planning, I peruse reviews/tips/ideas/forum discussions from these sites:

• https://www.tripadvisor.com/  
• https://www.frommers.com/ 
• https://www.ricksteves.com/
• https://www.lonelyplanet.com/
• https://www.viator.com/

Bonus: You can learn quite a lot from reading reviews: 

• Your hotel might offer wine and cheese afternoons so you can skip lunch.
• Another traveler might mail you unused metro tickets. 
• Some hotels provide free/low-cost airport shuttles. 

Hope you enjoyed this post! Happy travels! Drop me a line!