We all have biases, and in the United States our views of life abroad are formed by what we know from home, as well as how countries are portrayed in the “news” and popular culture. None of these are very accurate, and it’s the small pragmatic details you need to be aware of when travelling to other countries.
Here are some common TRAVEL misconceptions or questions we are frequently asked by our clients.
- English is NOT a universal language, but the metric system is. A retired Navy Admiral that Bob used to work for famously said “we switched to metric decades ago… people just haven’t noticed yet”. You may or may not agree with that, but when you’re abroad, you’ll get along much better if you make some attempt to understand metric. It IS universal (it’s also much easier than the Imperial System once you understand it).
- Renting a car might be the worst way to get around. If you’re travelling in the United States or Canada, renting a car can be a fantastic way to explore. In Europe and other places, it is less likely to be the case. You may be driving on the other side of the road, the roads are far less easy to navigate than ours, and with the exception of Germany, they aren’t designed to get around quickly. Luckily, their public transit infrastructure (usually the train) is exponentially better than what is available here. Investigate the train before renting a car.
- The world is not as dangerous as you might think. You should always keep your wits about you, and be cautious anytime you’re travelling, but statistically it’s MUCH more dangerous here at home than it is in MOST other countries. The Global Peace Index captures data, and attempts to create a comparison of public safety and rank countries. We sit at 131 (between South Africa and Brazil). The top 25 countries are just about all European with Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
- Tipping is not done in MANY places, and in some cases it can be really insulting. Sometimes offering someone a cash tip can be considered an arrogant way of trying to draw attention to yourself and your own perceptions of your wealth. Do a quick google search before you leave home to understand the tipping culture in your destination.
- Outside the US, nobody swipes credit cards anymore. We are in Ecuador right now (follow along on Facebook!), and there’s very little need for cash. Like most of the world, chip cards are in use here, and we tap our credit card for just about everything. In some cases we have to enter our PIN. Make sure you know your PIN anytime you leave the country (including visiting Canada or Mexico).
- Passport Control in Europe. You will be asked for a passport when entering Europe, and again when leaving. Other than that, you can travel between the 29 countries in the Schengen Zone without producing your passport.
- Shoulder Season is getting shorter. Europe used to be quiet in the winter, and it still is, but that interval of “quiet season” gets shorter every year.
- Expedition Cruising is the fastest growing segment in travel. You don’t need to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy an expedition cruise. You DO need to be curious about the world around you, and those that love outdoors will love expedition cruises.
- Family and Multi-gen travel is growing considerably. We get a ton of requests for travel with mom & dad, the kids, and the grandparents. It’s a great way to create collective memories to last a lifetime. Our 20-year old son, David, is with us in Ecuador, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
- Extreme weather will shape people’s choices. Your travel options will be increasingly impacted by hurricanes, forest fires, extreme heat or cold, or water levels in rivers. These factors, as well as seemingly permanent high demand for travel means if you have move trips from your BUCKET LIST to your NEXT LIST… soon.
- The Chinese are coming… and there will be a lot of them. If you think things are crowded now, wait a few more years. Currently the United States is the number one “exporter” of tourists. By the end of the decade, it will be China. This will likely trigger many destinations to limit the number of tourists… so see my previous point about your BUCKET LIST.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
OCEANIA 30% OFF FLASH SALE UNTIL MAY 29.
Our friends at Oceania have some compelling fares on select voyages. Here are some examples:
- Athens to Istanbul departing July 23 for 10-days
- Visit Santorini, Crete, Bodrum, Antalya, Cyprus, Marmaris, Ephesus, Troy.
- Verandas from $4799 with a $300 shore-excursion credit.
- Australia/New Zealand round-trip Sydney departing January 25 for 16-days
- Visit the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Picton, Akaroa, Dunedin, Melbourne (overnight).
- Fares from $6799 with a $400 shore-excursion credit.
- Canada/New England from New York to Montreal departing October 17 for 11-days
- Visit Newport, Boston, Portland, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Cornerbrook, Saguenay, Quebec City.
- Fares from $4299 with a $300 shore-excursion credit.
- Alaska from Vancouver to LA departing September 14 for 12-days.
- Visit Ketchikan, Sitka, Holkham Bay, Klawock, Prince Rupert, Victoria, Astoria.
- Verandas from $3599 with $300 shore-excursion credit.
- New York to Reykjavik departing July 12 for 14-days.
- Visit Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Cornerbrook, followed by 3 ports in Greenland and finishing with an overnight in Reykjavik.
- Fares from $5099 with a $400 shore-excursion credit.
All Oceania fares above reflect the flash sale discount, and include beer/wine with meals, specialty dining, wifi, and a shore excursion credit as indicated. Here’s a link to the rest of the sailings on their sale: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/flash-sale
UNIWORLD 2024 RIVER CRUISE SAVINGS EVENT
If you’re looking for a river cruise this year, UNIWORLD has some voyages for you to consider. See the examples below, or see the full list here: https://pamperedcruiser.uniworld.com/us/current-offers/2024-cruise-savings
EGYPT for 12-days departing September 14 or 24.
- Spend 2-days Cairo (to visit the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum), board the ship at Luxor for 8 days, and then on to Dendera, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Edfu, Esna, and then back to Cairo for 2 days. See 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- $5999 per person ($3000 off cabin).
BUDAPEST TO AMSTERDAM departing October 19 for 16-days
- Visit Budapest (overnight), Vienna, Wachau Valley, Passau, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Wertheim, Frankfurt, Rudesheim, Cologne, Amsterdam (overnight)
- Fares from $5499 ($2000 off)
MEKONG RIVER: Vietnam & Cambodia departing December 6 for 15 days
- Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
- 2 days at Ho Chi Minh City, 8-days on board the ship (with a visit to Phnom Penh amongst others), 3-days at Siem Reap, 2-days Hanoi.
- Ha Long Bay Post cruise extension available.
- Fares from $6999 ($1000 per person off).
COLLETTE CITY STAY:
New York City (including tickets to Hamilton) for 5-days in February or March
- See Wall Street, Greenwich Village, 2 Broadway shows (including Hamilton), Statue of Liberty, 911 Memorial. Stay in Times Square.
- February departures: $2399. March departures: $2699
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
