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There’s a Telegraph in my Hotel Room…

Palace Hotel, San Francisco…
When looking for a luxury hotel, is it important for you to have a telegraph on every floor? How about a private bath or five rising rooms? In 1875 these modern technological advancements catered to travelers, business titans, the social elite, and dignitaries who were looking for the best in hotels. At that time, the Palace Hotel in San Francisco was the largest hotel in the world…and a true innovator of its time.
No wonder it quickly became ‘the place’ to stay.

Then came the earthquake of 1906 and in the fires that accompanied it, the Palace Hotel was destroyed. All the marble, crystal chandeliers, and opulence were reduced to ruble. Only three years later, the new Palace opened its doors, using what they found in that ruble and adding new spectacular acquisitions…grander than before the fires. Fast forward to 2015 when the latest renovations were complete. The old…the new…the newest, all blend together as the fresh design pairs with timeless elegance.  
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Where is my Money?

When planning for a trip, especially a big one, it’s fairly easy to know how much you’ll spend on airfare, hotels or apartments, car rental, and specific attractions. But, what about other charges? What about keeping track of your money while traveling? Do you know what to do?

You may encounter bank or ATM fees when  you get cash. You can check before you go.

What about taxis? Do you have plans to utilize public transportation or will you be taking taxis everywhere?

Do you plan on using your phone if you’re in Europe? Do you know what you will be charged?

What’s the local exchange rate? Is it better to get Euros before you leave home? Avoid exchanging at the airport.

Don’t bring traveler’s checks…no matter how cheap they appear to be. They’re not.

Do you know the local custom for tipping at restaurants, at hotels, for the maid?

Do you know how to keep your valuables safe when traveling?

Avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.

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Travel Clubs…Should You or Shouldn’t You?

So much has been written about travel clubs, timeshares, or vacation clubs. Before you say ‘yes’, think about some of these things.

Are you already on vacation in a spot you love? Do you come back year after year? You’re having fun…right? You are offered the opportunity to come back here to your own place. Step back and think about it. It may be a good deal for you and it may not. Weigh all your options.

Before you sign anything, read the fine print. Does it list the exact time you will have the villa or condo? Can you rent it out if you’re not using it? Will that cost you extra money? What are the maintenance fees and do they go up?

Is the travel club legit? AAA has one that is. Check the one you’re looking at.

Shop around.

Check for scams.

Think about how you like to travel. Will it be worth it?

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To Hire a Tour Guide…Or Not

Regardless whether you are the go-it-alone type of traveler or one who likes to know exactly when and where to go, you may benefit from hiring a tour guide. When?

If you are short on time, the right guide can help you see exactly what you want to see, customizing it for your few hours of visiting a new city. Think 36 hours in New York City…

If you are visiting really popular locations for the first time, a tour guide can tell you the best time to visit certain attractions or when the prices are best. When are the most people visiting the Grand Canyon?

If you are visiting historic destinations or cultural attractions, an educated tour guide can offer history, stories, and facts you might not otherwise know about. What do those carvings mean?

If you are on an adventure trip, a tour guide who knows the local area, the laws, and the land will be of great help. Want to go white-water rafting? Hire a guide.

If you don’t want to drive, a tour guide can take you where you want to go without worrying about getting lost. Maybe you really don’t want to drive on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.

If you don’t speak the language or even read the signs, you might be better off hiring a local guide.

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Why Can’t I Carry That On?

By now, most travelers know what they can and can’t put in their carry on bag. Having said that, there always seems to be one person in the security check line that hasn’t traveled for the last century and a half.

TSA clearly states each passenger may pack one quart sized, clear, zip topped plastic bag with their three ounce or smaller bottles in it.

Exceptions include medications…both prescription and over the counter products like saline solution and eye drops, and liquids needed for people with medical conditions. They don’t have to be in the bag but must be declared at the security checkpoints.

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Deals…Are They Really Deals?

Do you use alerts on websites like Kayak to see when a fare drops? If you receive an alert, what do you do next?

Check out all the details of that fare. Does it include all extra fees? Does it fly at a time that works for you or do you have to fly at a strange time? Is it refundable or do you pay a huge fee? Are there blackout dates or dates with higher fares?

Read everything. Then, check other sites, especially the airline’s site. You may find a better deal.