Not everyone is a seasoned traveller, and actually we never learn enough. Especially in this regard.
I have done myself a few tours in the last 30 years and I made a few mistakes !!
Through those, I guess I may give you some advices regarding living out of a suitcase for a while.
For
tours like ours, fitness is a very important element.
As
most of European cities and villages were planned and built centuries ago, their
layout didn’t take into consideration today’s masses of people and modern
traffic, therefore many areas are now restricted to traffic especially to large
vehicles such as our modern coaches.
These
new traffic rules mean that many sites in our programs are
to be visited on foot.
Now,
let ‘s stress that fitness – the way we mean – has got nothing to do with
age.
There
are plenty of 80 years old travellers fitter that 30s’, the point is to get
ready for it.
In
case you are not used to walk daily, you better start training if you want to
fully enjoy the beauties that each tour reserves.
Let’s
say you have to reach a point in which you can easily walk 2
miles without stop. Let’s also say we are not training for
Olympics, our walks are of slow pace but steady. Very often there are steps,
also in this case you should start practicing to reach the point of being able
to climb – easily, at your pace – a minimum of 30
steps in a row.
My
suggestion is to start about 4
weeks before the tour with daily walks:
Þ
1st
5 days : 10 mins no stop daily
Þ
2nd
5 days : 15 mins
no stop daily + 2 flights of 10 steps ( split in 2 different moments, home’s
steps are perfect )
Þ
3rd
5 days : 20 mins
no stop + 2 flights of 10 steps ( split in 2 different moments )
Þ
4th
5 days : 25 mins
no stop possibly with a slow, easy stretch uphill ( 2-3 mins )
Þ
5th
5 days : 30 mins
no stop with 5 mins uphill + 20 steps in a row
Þ
6th
5 days :
45 mins no stop with 5 mins climb + 30 steps in a row
this point is becoming a topic problem. Our suitcases are just TOO BIG !!. In the near future airlines will observe a much more severe code regarding weight, size and number of suitcases which will lead to very expensive extra charges. On our coaches we are experiencing space problems when group reaches full size.
My personal opinion is : do not buy " pregnant" suitcases !!!
You know what I mean : those bags with several zips ( which get torn very often), allowing them to grow bigger and bigger every day.
Well, if you have them, OK, I do not want you to throw them away, but if you are planning to buy one suitcase right now follow my advice: a nice hard-top (not textile) good sized old fashioned Samsonite or Delsey or any similar.
They stand the rain, the airports' handling ( can you imagine the craziest roller coaster of the world ? well, it's nothing compared with it!!) and the weight of many other suitcases which sometimes are heaped on them.
At the end of a tour, "pregnant" suitcases double their size and weight resulting in :
 |
very likely extra charges at homebound flight airport |
|
potential physical strains when you have to handle them ( not always porterage is available) |
|
rooms in Europe are already small. You may end up with Hamlet question : sleep or open your suitcase ? ( we had cases of people who slept in the open suitcase !! But it was already towards the end of tour, do not get alarmed !). |
|
in every tour we try to keep you comfortable on the coach in stowing your carryons in a section of the trunk. But if the trunk gets filled up with bigger and bigger suitcases, the only place left for carryons will be your laps ! No jokes ! |
The answer to this Biblical question is very plain and simple : TRAVEL LIGHT !!!
Before packing your suitcase at home, lay out on your bed all clothes you would like to take. Coordinate main pieces that can be mixed and matched, need little care and are comfortable. Once you have reviewed your selection, you should be able to put half of your clothes back in the closet !
In most regular tour we don't have requirements for gentleman's' jackets or ladies' evening dresses.
On most evenings the right dress attire will be SMART CASUAL ( no ties/jackets required). Remember, we are not going to a convention, we do not have to impress anybody with extravagant clothes, we'll be walking up and down museums, gardens, alleys... wear always comfy clothes and good walking SHOES !!!
Another good tip is LAYERING.
Layering works well for all seasons. In the fall and winter and/or cooler climates, layered dressing will help with warmth as needed. In the summer, it will also help you adjust to cooler and warmer areas, particularly when going from hot sun to an air conditioned room.
And at last : you have done at least one tour. How many things have you painfully carried throughout Europe without using them ?
Think about it, next time !!
PERSONAL HYGIENE KIT :
If you have the habit of using your personal wash-cloth ( cloth to rub your face/body) you should know that very often hotels in Europe do not provide them. Take yours with you, although you should know it may be difficult to dry it, as it has to remain in your suitcase while moving from one city to another.
SOAP : all hotels provide shampoo and soap, but this last one is sometimes so small you can hardly handle it, and kneeling down to pick it up in some of those micro-showers is something for Circus Contorsionists !!! TAKE YOUR OWN regular size SOAP with you.
BAG PADLOCKS :
This is a disputed point : many Flight Companies do not want locked bags as they may be opened for security even if you are not there.
In case of bags delayed, some Airport do not deliver locked bags to hotel because they have to be searched by local Customs, and they cannot do it if they are locked. You have to go there. That means for you half a day lost and good taxis money.
Besides, if a burglar wants to open your suitcase, do you seriously believe he will be discouraged by your padlock ????
Sometimes
it does happen that suitcases may get misplaced. It happened, it happens and it
will happen in the future, so NO
TRAGEDY, do not let this inconvenience spoil
the start of your vacation.
If
you find yourself in this condition, please observe carefully the following
advices :
1.
Make sure that
you leave the luggage carrousel after you are positive nothing else is on the
way from your flight ( usually there is a Flight Company Attendant supervising
this operation, he/she can be spotted from uniform or holding a radio , do check
with him/her). Please note that in some airports, ( Palermo – Sicily, for
instance ) luggage arriving from abroad may be delivered in a different
carrousel from the one
stated on monitors as it must go through Customs. Not always this is clearly
communicated.
2.
Proceed to
the Lost and Found Office to obtain full Claim Report
3.
Carry always
in your hand luggage the complete list of Hotels and Dates, the Lost/Found must
be given all dates, as you are not sure luggage will be delivered on 1st
hotel.
4.
If you
travel in 2 or more, while one is filing the Lost Luggage Report, the other
one should go out in the lounge to advice Tour Company Representative ( or
Driver ) the reason of your delay. Do remember they do not know why you
are not showing up, and after sometime they will leave if they are not aware you
are there !
5.
MOST
IMPORTANT SUGGESTION : do you
travel with a companion ? Place some clothes in the other’s suitcase, the
chances that both suitcases are misplaced together are much fewer, in this way
you may have a couple of days of “autonomy “.
we have to straighten the meaning of this word : a carryon ( as the term should self explain) is a piece of light baggage which is small enough and EASY TO CARRY ON. The shoulder-strap travel bag that most of tour Companies present to their passengers is a good example.
It can be easily carried on shoulder and stowed comfortably inside coach above/under your seat.
Many people think that small suitcases with wheels are Carryons . They are NOT. In full size groups, you may end up in caressing them the whole driving !!!
Airport arrivals are always dramatic.
You will be tired after a long flight, nervous being
in a strange country and in the middle of a similarly nervous crowd. And yet,
thrilled to start a great experience.
All these feelings may create a funny cocktail that
sometimes makes people loosing lucidity.
That’s the critical moment.
What you have to do is calmly collect your suitcases,
proceed through local Customs and look for your Tour Company Representative or
your designated driver ( usually holding Tour Company sign).
To make sure that they recognize you, please observe
carefully these suggestions :
1.
Wear always
Tour Company badges ( even if you don’t write your name on them )
2.
Carry
Tour Company travel bags
3.
Make sure
your suitcases have clearly visible Tour Company labels ( with your name )
4.
In case you do
not spot them at 1st moment, do not panic : keep slowly moving in
the hall among all those looking for new comers, making sure you comply with
the above 3 points.
If after a reasonable waiting time ( say between 30 and 60 mins) you are not met, make your way to the hotel getting a taxi or even better and faster using one of those Limousine Services Firms offering car transfers for a fixed price, Firms that can be found in most of airports’ arrival lounge. Please note that if your flight has delay the Tour Company may have serious problems in re-arranging transfers.
these should be always carried in your carryon while flying (very seldom, but it still happens that suitcases may get delayed). Carry with you a list of full names of all medication you may require and the reason why they are used, in case you need a doctor abroad.
One more advice : as in foreigner countries medications' names are different, ask your doctor to write the basic chemical description of your medicine : it will be easier for foreign doctor/pharmacists to give you the right staff if needed.
Spare reading glasses highly advisable.
Spare partner : no comment !
in Europe we have a different voltage (220 volts) and different electric sockets depending on countries.
For the electric appliances you may need, you must have 2 THINGS : 1) converter = to convert our 220v in your 110 v ;
2) adapter = to adapt your plug into our sockets. There are on sale devices which match both requirements in one piece, there are others which match only one. Check well what you are buying !!!
do not travel without one. Needing health assistance abroad can be difficult and extremely expensive. It's better to think - after - that we wasted money on insurance rather than the opposite ! Listen to uncle Riccardo !!!!
basically use your common sense as you were at home. Few tips :
invest in a money belt. This will be the only time in which you can be proud of your bigger belly !!
most hotels have safes available : keep valuables there while visiting that city
do not keep a lot of cash in your front/back pocket or lady's bag. Just enough for snacks and souvenirs. Otherwise, why going on holidays with a rich lover ?
You know that beautiful watch or that fantastic piece of jewelry you have ? Well, keep it at home. Or better, sell it and go for another vacation !!
Most of shops and restaurants accept well known credit cards. Use them.
Most European Banks have ATM machines. Make sure you have PIN number.
EURO currency is making our visit in most of European country much easier, as so easy is to get this currency in all banks. But, still, keep in mind : banks are not open 24 hrs, often are not quite round the hotel's corner and it takes long time to exchange money.
When you arrive on 1st day in Europe make sure you have already at least 200 $ into Euros per person from home.
Advise your bank/c.card company your are visiting Europe : they may stop your c. card charges if they don't know you are there, resulting in painful phone calls you have to make to reach your bank, usually in the middle of the night.
Make a photocopy of passport and c.card and keep them separately from original.
Do take into consideration that in many banks in Europe Travelers' cheques are not exchanged anymore, and if they are there will be heavy commissions.
Some small $ bills (1 - 5 $) are still good for small stalls' purchases as well as tipping. Green money still talk !!
Generally in Europe films, batteries, memory cards and all staff for this purpose is more expensive than USA ( so is golf stuff ! SOB !!!). Make sure you have plenty of supply from home. If you get stranded and you have to buy a fresh battery in front of the Colosseum you'll need a mortgage. Or your grandma' cameo.
When flying, keep cards and films in your hand luggage, usually X-rays detectors for suitcases are stronger than the ones for human beings.
as most of you experienced, in Europe we have big squares and small hotels' rooms.
Do take this into consideration when planning your baggage. Especially for people sharing a triple room : most times a triple room is a double with a roll away extra bed. Could be not that great for 3 adults.
SINGLE rooms : I know you pay more but not always you get the double room's size. Actually most of the times you won't.
Here, single's extra guarantees your privacy, not necessarily your comfort.
For couples wishing a double bed you have to request it in advance through your Travel Agent/Advisor. Regular rooms for two people are almost always supposed to be twin bedded ( 2 single beds, not 2 double beds ! ).
For any other suggestion you think good to be here added, well, what are you waiting for ????
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