Where to Go – What to Do?

Some people go to the corner travel agency and put themselves in the agent’s hands and discretion. This is frequently the least expensive solution because agencies generally use “wholesalers” that have buying power. They are able to guarantee a certain number of PAX (passengers) per year.  But be prepared; more often than not, you won’t find yourself booked in that charming undiscovered hotel in Paris or dining at an intimate bistro.  If you’re traveling with 30 “friends,” the group is “space challenged.”

An increasing number of business travelers are taking the opportunity to extend their business trips to include some R&R. They may or may not have a companion join them. But whether or not they do, it really doesn’t matter. Ironically, some road warriors are the most inept when it comes to booking leisure travel. They’re so used to pre-programmed back-to-back meetings that when left to their own devices to reserve even a long weekend, they’re as confused as the novice traveler. In this case, his or her business colleagues should be able a name some destinations that are close and yet far. Then, do an Internet search for information about the area. Book a train, plane, car and a hotel and get up and go. Some of the best experiences are the unanticipated ones.

The nitty-gritty reality of air travel promotes extending trips and seeing a part of the world you might not otherwise see. Just getting though airport security is a drag in itself. One of the best travelers I know says he tries to avoid certain airports. For example, did you know that a fold-up umbrella in a carry-on suitcase in some airports causes bells and whistles and security searches?  Check the airport’s website before you leave home and see what is and is not allowed.

If you don’t already know about the time needed to check in at a specific airport, make it your business to find out. The time also may differ according to the time of day in a different time zone, not to mention the day of the week.   If it’s a 6 p.m. flight leaving Dulles (Washington, DC’s major airport) and the one from which all international flights depart, frequent fliers know that they need to get there good and early. Being a Premium member of an airline affinity program helps you cut a few minutes off your check-in wait. But don’t get complacent or you may miss the plane or be a candidate for heart failure.  Since I travel frequently, I’ve joined an airline club so I can make last-minute phone calls and get a few emails sent off. Others like the adrenalin rush that comes from just making the plane –I’m not in that category.

The current and increasing trend is that people are booking trips on line. Most airline and travel sites, plus many hotel sites, have offered the option of booking one segment of the trip and adding other components such as hotels (you choose the quality and price level), reserving a car, and quasi-custom tailoring the trip to your specifications.  Whatever you do, be sure to every print out all confirmations in duplicate. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a hotel to find it has no record of your reservation.

Once you’ve decided where you want to go, how do you make the decision on where you want to stay, much less do?  I have a collection of travel magazines that is so heavy that our bookshelves are literally sagging under their weight. I promise that I’ll skim them and throw out after four years–clipping out some of the articles of special interest. Each time I see a travel magazine proclaiming in big letters, “The Best of Paris” or the Top 100 Best in the World,” I’m a sucker and end up buying the magazines for “professional” reasons and because I am a travel junkie.

There are also some first rate guide books–and all travelers should carry at least one. If you’re Paris or France bound, some favorites are Paris Access  and the same Eye Witness one to France; consider them reference material. Places come and go with such rapidity that there’s no way that any book can be 100% current.

The reality is that, as good as these magazines and books are, they’re often obsolete before they hit the newsstands.  Country-specific Internet sites are changing consumers’ travel habits. We know that an enormous number of people read Bonjour Paris when heading to France. If they want to garner ideas or get feedback on specific hotels and restaurants, they access the message board. Ask and you will receive information from people who have recently been to the location or the restaurant or the hotel. More likely than not, you’ll locate the “hidden treasures” on Internet sites.

If you want to know about restaurants, eGullet.org is the site to access no matter where you’re traveling in the world.

What makes a successful trip?  Research or having a passion to see something out of the ordinary from your lexicon. There’s nothing wrong with going to the same beach year after year. Americans don’t have the same flexibility as European, since two weeks of vacation can easily be spent going to see relatives.

Europeans have approximately five weeks of vacation per yearm, which explains why they seem to be always traveling. Before their current trip is over, they have booked their next one.  Bonjour Paris promotes the philosophy that there is a bit of everything in France. No matter how many years people live here, there’s no way they’ve seen every region unless they’re a traveling salesman who never gets out of the car.

If you’re traveling to more exotic destinations, check the country’s information site. You may need a visa(s) and that takes time unless you use one of the RUSH visa services that can be well worth the money if time is an issue. Ditto for having shots if you’re off to some developing nations.  Travelers really need to think ahead and plan for the unanticipated. For that matter, don’t leave the U.S. without insurance should you need to be jetted home because of illness.  We recommend All Trip Insurance

Having read the above, name the top three destinations you’d like to visit.