Utilize local resources and access their expertise knowledge in order to cut down on costs. Get information and coupons for special attractions, family passes and two-for-one offers, free coupon booklets or special discounted offers and tickets you might not be able to find anywhere else. They also send material and guides in advance that can help you plan, budget, compare and decide when, where, how and why, soon, sooner, soonest!
Showing posts with label hotel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hotel. Show all posts
Tip #91 - Holiday Homework
Be SMART and informed about public holidays, special events, concerts and attractions in the countries and areas you plan to be visiting. This has been mentioned many times in my blog posts. By doing your homework early and coming up with budgetary categories and discretionary funds for entertainment and special events helps you with priorities, plan itineraries, save and execute a memorable and unforgettable trip.
Tip #88 - Can't Afford Tipping
Do not sweat the small stuff. If you cannot afford tipping near the end of your trip due to a drained budget, do not worry about tipping! A heartfelt thank you or honest explanation, smile and kindness, even a hand with the luggage is sometimes enough for people to know you care and appreciate their effort, gesture and service.
Tip #85 - Hotel Identification
Carrying identification and hotel or resort location information and telephone number on your person is advisable. The easiest way is to simply ask the front-desk attendant for a business card when you check in. Some hotels will provide a card with their address, contacts, a mini vicinity map, and even a space for you to write your room number on. This again will save you time and money when finding your way back to your hotel. It comes in extremely handy should you ever get lost and need to find your way or for taxi drivers. Might even save a buck or two!
Tip #77 - Special Diets
Special dietary requirements need special budgeting and attention to detail. Specifying this up-front is crucial to avoid any surcharges and or additional cost for special meals. For most travel providers it is no problem. Shopping at a local grocer, market or deli are all ways to stretch that “meal” ticket and travel dollar just a little further.
If you are in a self-contained unit with its own kitchen and fridge, you can cut your costs even further by buying some essentials and snacks, small meals in-room will cut down meal and entertainment expenses tremendously.
Tip #75 - Secure Small Change
Secure and make change as soon as you can after arriving at your destination. This will avoid having to revert to your smaller denomination bills and tipping with a heavy hand and even heavier heart! This is a sure way not to deplete your incidental travel budget category.
Tip #74 - Embrace Hospitality
Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, and never pass up a chance to use the bathroom.
What this means is, savor every opportunity, embrace every chance provided that does not cost you anything, embrace hospitality, gifts and extended generosity. A nickel and a dime here and there saves dollars in the end!
Tip #73 - Avoid Hotel Long Distance
Pre-paid phone cards are a great idea for gifts for travellers. They are a good alternative to expensive long distance from your hotel-room, cabin or any place else on location where you find yourself vacationing. Today people also choose to use cellphones and text-messages to stay in touch and remain connected. Both are good options to save money while travelling.
Tip #67 - Hotel Safes and Locks
Keeping valuables safe and have peace of mind at the same time. Hotel safes or security boxes or even in-room / wall-mounted safes are options for storing your possessions that your treasure and value.
Never lock cabinets with combination locks as anyone can open them easily with the right techniques. Use a sturdy lock with a key if you intend to keep valuables in the hotel cabinets.
Tip #60 - Service Tips
Giving tips is considered common courtesy and customary most places in the world. But as an expenditure category, it can add up quickly and substantially! If ever in doubt whether it is appropriate to give a tip, ask! Ensure you set aside enough of an incidental budget to cover these and other daily expenditures covering the duration of your trip.
Tip #53 - Vacation Rehearsal
A good way to rehearse for your trip is to look at your own area or hometown as a destination as opposed to where you live and work. Ask yourself where you would go, what you would do and see. Also think about how you would get around ... all on a budget of course! This will not only not cost you money, but also get you into cost cutting and travel mode fairly quickly. There truly is nothing like lessons learnt and experience.
Tip #52 - Travelling Alone
Personal freedom and safety also deserves a word to the travel wise. If traveling in a group, you can venture out on your own. If you chose to do so, just always ensure that everyone knows where you are going, when you plan to return and do not miss-scheduled group-activities.
Even if you are traveling by yourself, take steps to ensure your own personal safety and check that the areas and attractions you have chosen are safe and tourist-friendly, easily accessible and affordable and tell at least one other person where you are staying, where you are headed and what your plans are.
Tip #51 - Local Cuisine
Local cuisine is a special treat. Ensure to budget for a couple of meals and outings where this is a priority! If you budget for it specifically, you will not feel cheated into eating fast food or salads, for fear of over-spending or running out of travel dollars. Hotel restaurants are convenient, but more expensive typically. Do note that in many places, the best local cuisines are not found in posh restaurants but at typical eateries and food courts.
Tip #50 - Travelling with Special Needs
Be brave and daring if you have or are travelling with someone with special needs. It should not be a factor that makes you hesitant to travel at all. Most, if not all holiday service providers, airlines, hotels, campgrounds and attractions are usually very well equipped and prepared to accommodate unique requirements that could make your travel endeavor extremely memorable and pleasant.
Very seldom are there additional or hefty surcharges for special cabs and personalized service, assistance and specific needs and requirements you might have or face. Just ensure that all details have been taken care of in advance and that all providers have been notified at the time of booking, confirmation and re-confirmed just prior to arrival. Find allies and friends in the front desk staff and managers that can give you the specialized customer attention you need and deserve at anytime you might require or request it.
Tip #49 - Protect Possessions While Vacationing
Take extreme care with keeping your personal documentation and possessions safe and under-eye. Avoid endless headaches, red tape, delays and costly replacement and administration fees. Not to mention traveling to the nearest police station, long distance telephone calls home and to embassies and dignitaries to advise them of the situation is it is lost or stolen! Never leave money, valuables, or your passport unattended. This is a strict rule, no exception - not even to go to the beach! Secure them at all times.
Tip #46 - Advice from Hotel Staff
Staff and employees on location where you are staying are wonderful sources of information. Do not hesitate to strike up a conversation or ask questions. This offers you with yet another avenue to secure valuable travel information and local tips and perspective.
Asking for instructions, directions, advise and help will often be met with an eagerness to serve. Staff enjoy being of assistance to their guests and meaningfully contribute in any way, shape or form, that they can.
Remember your thoughtfulness for the room attendance, valet and bellhop (if applicable) with appropriate tips and a little note if you so choose to show your appreciation. If they are still there on any repeat visit, they will be sure to remember you!
Tip #43 - About Travel Agents
Sometimes a travel agent, or travel consultant, will charge a booking and administration fee to handle your trip and reservation. This leads to the misconception that they are always expensive and overpriced, always costing more and higher priced.
This simply is not the case. Sometimes the opposite can be true. They are indeed able to provide you with considerable information regarding special offers, limited time package deals and seat sales, as well as significantly reduced and special rates. They also offer advice and information about destination travel, travel advisories, entry requirements and travel documentation needs and costs.
Upon request, they will also spend the time to find you the cheapest and discounted options in the marketplace. This is worthwhile considering if you want to maximize your travel dollar and have a dream destination or exotic vacation to remember.
Tip #40 - Hotel Checkin and Checkout
Confirm the checkout time to avoid being billed for late checkout. Most hotels post a departure time when guests must vacate their rooms and advising the front desk immediately if there is a problem with this is prudent.
Late checkouts are often permitted if approved by the hotel management in advance. Another way to ensure you get what you paid for is, when you are booking and or checking into a hotel, to request approval for late arrival/departure just as a precaution.
Tip #38 - Plan for the Unexpected
Plan and budget for the unexpected and incidentals. Whether it is as simple as a practical collapsible type umbrella and poncho or a buffer-fund for in case there is a delay, extended stay or other factors where you will incur additional cost.
Weather, for example, is unpredictable and can ruin a travel experience if you let it. Again, the key to saving money, avoiding expense, caring for details and being a smart traveler will be organization, planning, fiscal preparedness and resourceful fiscal discipline.
Tip #36 - Travel Documents
Guarding your identity, travel documentation and ensuring document accessibility is a travel priority. Proof of identity and citizenship is your most prized travel possession. It is advised that you make at least two copies of your important documents, including your credit cards and passport.
Keep one with you at all times and deposit the other in a safe place or leave it with a friend or family member or the hotel’s safe. Have them handy and with you at all times. Never lose sight of your passport if you can help it and in case it is stolen, report it immediately as was stated earlier to avoid any difficulty, affecting your return home.
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