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INT’L. TRAVEL & CRUISES -
International Travel (continued)
4. Compared to most countries, the number and convenience of affordable hotel rooms is much greater in the United States. It seems that all types of rooms (both chain and independent) at all different price levels are available everywhere in the United States, particularly along our interstate highways. This is not the case in most foreign countries, including Europe. Internationally, rooms are generally concentrated more downtown (whether in large or small towns) and often are not connected to a chain. You just do not see a Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn on every corner and, therefore, rooms can be harder to locate, particularly on a moments notice, and quality can be difficult to judge in advance.
a. When traveling abroad, it is generally better to have more of a fixed itinerary
than you might consider in the United States. This allows you to arrange rooms ahead
of time. This can be done easily using the Internet travel web sites like Orbitz.com,
etc. and other sites that offer hotel rooms like Hotels.com, or by using standard
travel agencies. Sites like TravelZoo.com and EuroCheapo.com may also be helpful
for finding lower-
b. If you are a bit more adventuresome, and/or you do not know where you will be staying on a particular night, you can arrange for accommodations “on the fly.” The biggest challenge will probably be locating a room when you need one. If you use the Internet prior to your trip to do some research, you can print out information on many hotels in the various metropolitan areas you will be traveling through and
have this information available for use when you arrive. Also available are good travel books (like Fodor’s), which will list many of the hotels available in various towns, and will include ratings. These books are a great resource for finding reasonably priced accommodations that are nice. Because rooms generally are not visible on the highway and are hard to locate, many towns will have a “hotel location center” on the road into town. At these centers they will provide information on many hotels, as well as arrange for bookings. However, often the quality of these rooms seems to be more varied than rooms presented in travel books.
c. Hotels are not the only option for accommodations, particularly if you are planning on staying at one location for a period of time. Just like in the United States, apartments, condos, etc. may be for rent, and offer the same types of advantages as described earlier under the “Lodging & Vacation Packages” heading. These types of accommodations can be found on Internet travel sites, as well as at your local travel agent.
5. Eating, when traveling internationally, can also be an adventure. Depending on the country, quality can vary significantly, as can pricing. Many of the tips set forth under the “Dining & Attractions” heading can also be used when you travel internationally to save money. Some additional tips include:
a. If you choose to eat in a restaurant, foreign restaurants often offer two or three “fixed” dinners that generally include a house special and “all the trimmings.” These meals are usually decently priced, compared to ordering ala carte, and usually are quite good. Order the house wine and you should have a nice meal.
b. Try to avoid the large, very fancy restaurants in the big cities. Just like in the United States, the prices are excessive (perhaps even more than in the United States) and you will probably leave the restaurant feeling that you had a “nice” meal, but was it “really worth the cost.” It probably wasn’t.
c. Perhaps the best way to make sure you get good food and competitive prices is to eat where the locals eat. Try to avoid the normal “tourist” restaurants (even less expensive ones) where you may very well be “paying more for less” and look for restaurants that seem to be bustling with local patrons. Just like in the United States, they will welcome your business. And a busy restaurant full of local customers is a good sign that your dining experience, whether it be a fancy restaurant or street corner cafe, will be a good one. You will also get a better flavor for the country’s culture and people, which will provide a great experience
d. And do not forget about buying groceries and making some of your own meals. Save that restaurant meal for dinner, and eat a quick breakfast and picnic lunches. Most cities around the world have great parks, and the city’s residents like to spend time outdoors when the weather is good. This will save a great deal of money, and allow you to spend more time seeing attractions, as well as get a better feeling for the local residents.
e. Most foreign cities now have fast food restaurants, including many with McDonald’s. While fast food is not the best way to go, they can provide known quality, an “on the fly” meal and less expensive dining opportunities, when eating a picnic lunch, or having a casual meal at the local bistro, is either not feasible nor desirable.
6. One of the first questions asked by many people who travel internationally is do I need local currency , how much, how do I get it, and how do I get rid of it at the end of my trip. In today’s world, the answer to these questions has actually become very simple. Follow these guidelines:
a. A small amount of local currency will probably be needed at the very beginning
of your trip, when you land at the foreign airport and need money for tips and perhaps
cab fare. Unless you are taking a long cab ride, $50-
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