One of the best reasons to attend the Travel & Adventure Show is to get travel tips from experts. This year offers stellar advice from the rock stars of the industry: Samantha Brown, Pauline Frommer, and Rick Steves.
Each of these experts has a different style and focus, but all of them want us to get excited about travel…and then do it well. They fill their hour-plus presentations with information to make our journeys cheaper, easier, and happier.
Samantha Brown: America’s Travel Sweetheart
- When hiring a guide, choose an ex-pat. They know what we’ll find fascinating–often it’s something that locals take for granted and a local guide would never think to point out.
- Don’t ask, “Do you speak English?” This intimidates people. If they don’t, they may withdraw. If they do, they’ll worry that we won’t understand them. Instead, say, “I don’t speak ________.” Notice the difference? They will love you and want to help you.
- People watch out for solo travelers. Besides offering a layer of protection, they will make you feel welcome. They are friendlier and more hospitable.
Pauline Frommer: Budget Travel Specialist
- Study more than the travel guides. Learn the history, watch the movies from the places you go. Your investment in your trip goes further when you understand what you’re seeing.
- 2018 is a great time to travel! Airfares to Europe are down 10% and down 15% to Asia. Use Momondo.com to find the best worldwide fares. Skyscanner.com is good, too. Booking on a Sunday can save you 17%.
- With increasing pressure from Airbnb, hotels are hurting. Use Booking.com to get great deals. The “blind” websites, where you don’t know which hotel you’re getting also offer excellent values. Try Priceline.com
- End your auto rental worries by signing up with Autoslash.com. They offer EVERY discount for EVERY car rental. After you book your car, they continue to monitor the price right up until you get in the rental car. If there are new discounts, they apply them. Amazing!
- Don’t get travel insurance for flights. But for big-ticket items, absolutely! Cruises, expensive vacations, and medical care are reasons to get it. Don’t go by price; expensive policies often cover the least. Check out SquareMouth.com.
Rick Steves: Europe by Cruise Ship, too
- Cruises can be an economical and efficient way to travel. Enjoy the fun of a floating vacation, then use ports to explore independently.
- Skip the ship’s excursions and do the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus. You’ll get a quick overview of the city, plus a chance to get off and see what interests you and eat in a non-tourist spot.
- Add 2-3 days at your departure and arrival ports. They’re often interesting places (Looking at you, Rome) but there is no time to visit before the cruise sets sail. As long as you’ve bought a plane ticket, make the most of it!
Looking for more travel tips?
Cruise Tips for Budget Travelers
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