4 Best Travel Tips to Save!

Don't Stay in the City:

One of the best tips to reduce costs when visiting a large city--don't stay downtown in pricey hotels--stay in a suburb, one with easy transportation into the city if you don't have your car.

Lower Cost Cruise?

If the destination isn't your main objective to cruise, a repositioning is what you should use.  Fares are usually lower when a ship is changing from one departure port to another. 

In-Season Rates - Not always Great!

Rates in most of FL are high in winter when the warmer weather attracts northerners tired of the cold. Same way for Europe--rates are lower in Scandinavia during cooler seasons.  

Beware of OnlineTravel Scams:

If looking for budget tours or deals, don't let 'believe it or not' headlines grab you.  Make sure you deal with reliable agencies you have checked out thoroughly. Just because a site looks good, doesn't mean the deals are.

Details Here:
How to Avoid Travel Scams

There are more ways to save on travel. Next post, deals, deals, and more deals.

Affiliate products are chosen to coincide with information in this blog.

Tips for Female Travelers

As a group tour travel agent, I traveled with groups but I was still a single female traveler doing it on my own plus, at the time, taking care of 40 or more Senior Citizens on cruises and tours.

Here are some tips I'd like to share if you are a solo female traveler.

Don't over pack. 

• Make sure your luggage is easy to lift. Once I pulled a muscle in my lower back lifting my over-packed suitcase at airline check-in
• Minimize packing by using coordinated clothes and items that can be washed in a hotel or stateroom sink. Take 3 or fewer  pairs of neutral shoes.
• Scarves for accessorizing  outfits and one for cooler times.
• Minimal jewelry. Less is always best.
•  A pair of leggings for insect deterrent in hot climates or keep warm in cooler areas.

                

       

Safety

• Avoid walking in strange places alone. Join with others in the area and most of all, do not walk alone in isolated areas.
• Hotel room door locks are usually safe but have a portable door stop with you.
• An under your clothes pouch for cash and important items like a credit card, passport, ID. 
• I know it is unusual but a whistle can be like a good friend. Keep it handy, maybe around your neck or easy to reach in your purse.
• It goes without saying but I will remind you, do not let a stranger offer to take you where you need to go in a vehicle.

            

       

Abroad Travel

• Learn basics of language like please and thank you.
• If you don't have a GPS, have a local map and a marking pen for directions.
• Again, do not let a stranger guide you. Get visible directions.
• Make friends with hotel staff, desk clerks, concierge, manager. 

That's it for now. Get more details later by following me on Facebook and Twitter for new Sr. Travel Tips

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Happy traveler wherever you go.

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AvoidTavel Scams

Don't let travel scams ruin your plans

Scams are rampant everywhere and travel scams are near the top of the list. Seniors are special travel scam victims. Many scammers think we don't know better because we aren't PC savvy.

• Never advertise your travel plans on Social Media. Many of like to share what is going on in our lives with our Facebook family and friends. Better to send private emails about your travel plans.
• Use only fraud protected credit cards when booking your trip. Get confirmation information in writing. 
• Always call ahead to reconfirm your travel plans with airlines, hotels, ground transportation. 
• Don't use your debit card at ATM unknown locations or gas stations. Scammers have devised ways of getting your information at these places. Use a separate fraud protected card for all your travel. 
• Be wary of online travel offers. Stick with known travel advisers like Expedia or Priceline.

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Some travel items you can use anytime!

                           

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3 Things You Must Know Before Overseas Travel.

Three things you should know when traveling overseas. 

#1- Before you go, after you have planned your trip, check out The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You get up to date alerts and the following.

•       Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.

•       Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
•       Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.

STEP Details Here -

#2 - Now that you've taken care of those essentials, you may want to know how to upgrade reservation to make your travel more comfortable. Airlines have well-defined ways to upgrade: either through the use of loyalty miles or by paying an additional fare. Upgrading a hotel accommodation is even easier and usually, won't cost you any additional money. 
     The first rule: be honest, respectful and friendly. Don't tell the desk clerk it's your anniversary if it's not. Ask for an upgrade politely. Many front desk personnel face rude and angry visitors every day, yet they are usually authorized to offer upgrades. Don't be a rude dude. Be respectful and ask for what you want.W

#3-What if you lose your passport while on vacation?" In years gone by you might have had a real problem. Today's technology lets you recover from a lost passport (or credit card) much more easily. Before you leave, scan your credit cards (including phone numbers for reporting a lost card) and your passport, creating image files of each. Save those images at a secure location on the web using services like Gmail, Yahoo mail, DropBox or others. You'll be able to access them with your password from any location that has Internet access. It wouldn't hurt to scan your driver's license and any other important documents as well.

Take time to search the Internet for overseas travel articles. 

Be safe, have fun, and take lots of photos for your memory book.

© 2015
M. Bradley McCauley 

All Rights Reserved.