subject: Enjoying Your Vacation [print this page] For first time planners on international getaways, it is best to seek the advice of a travel agent. Due to the many things he has already mentioned you would now find yourself excited about the trip and forgetting about the information you need. Some valuable tips will be shared for those traveling for the first time and who are budget conscious.
Just outside the airport you will see many cars lining ready to drive you to your hotel. For the same distance an ordinary taxi can take you to where you need to be, so do not ride with these people. A good choice is taking the airport coach which will only be around one dollar.
For taxi money, tipping and other expenses swap 5 to 10 dollars for the local currency. Establish your hotel rate on arrival and ask if the tariff includes taxes, service and continental breakfast. Don't be timid about asking to see the accommodations and satisfying yourself that the rate is the one quoted to you by your travel agent, or whoever arranged your booking. The hotel concierge is always ready to answer your every inquiry. You cannot overlook a concierge when he is able to make all your requests happen.
The result of converting all your money to the local currency is excess local cash that you will not know how to spend in the end. To avoid any dilemmas go straight to banks if you want to exchange your money. Be familiar with the foreign exchange rate and watch for discrepancies.
A bellboy can fetch your clothes for you, have them pressed and then another bellboy can bring in back for you and it these entire scenarios one is not required to give in tips. It's rarely the same individual because the rotation system is designed to provide tips for both pickup and delivery service. Always settle your payments before you leave the hotel or at night if you have an early morning flight. You will be able to see possible mistakes made to your statement and at the same time get local currency to pay for it.
Rental transportation should be booked before you plan to contract it, without forgetting that the gas is not free. For wellknown restaurants it is advised that you reserve a table beforehand.
Not having a reservation may dishearten you. It is not management's fault that there are no more tables available, many people have just reserved in advance. A lot of restaurants these days have a service charge of about 10 to 15 percent.
Over tipping is even done by most Americans. If the wine seems to be too costly for you, you can get the house wine or seek the expertise of the waiter to propose ones that are under your budget and still taste good. The wine steward will be anticipating a small sum by the time you are through for the night.
