TOP 5 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED TRAVEL QUESTIONS

I often receive questions from clients when they start thinking about a trip or are getting ready to travel. So I compiled a list of the top 5 most frequently asked questions (since you may be thinking about these too!)…

HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BEGIN PLANNING MY TRIP?

In general, the earlier you book the better. There are so many components to a custom trip… air, accommodations, excursions, and ground transportation. Airfare becomes available 11 months before your travel dates and typically those are the best rates you will see. As demand starts to increase on a flight so do the prices. You will also have the best availability and pricing, for the rest of the components, the earlier you plan. And that’s especially important when traveling during peak times like Spring Break, Summer or Christmas week. At a minimum, planning your trip at least 6 months in advance is ideal.

HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY IN EACH CITY?

This totally depends on the travelers’ interests. We work on getting to know your preferences and interests in order to recommend the right number of nights in each city. This is based on what you would enjoy there as well as day trips you can take outside of each overnight city.

HOW MUCH CASH SHOULD I TAKE ON MY TRIP?

You will be able to use credit cards to pay for just about everything on your trip, except 2 things… purchases made at small local shops (that may not accept credit cards), and gratuities. In most countries restaurants prefer you tip in cash and don’t allow gratuities to be added onto the bill like we do here in the US. Plus you will need cash to tip your drivers, guides, and the staff at hotels.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET FOREIGN CURRENCY?

You can request foreign currency from your bank in the US before leaving on your trip. You can typically request it online and it will be mailed to your home within a couple of days. Once at your destination you can exchange at hotels or the airport.

WHAT IS THE ATTIRE AT MY DESTINATION?

Since the majority of the trips I plan are to Europe I’ll make recommendations for dressing there… Europeans generally dress up more than Americans. But in the summer months, shorts are fine for sightseeing except in churches. In general, churches require a proper dress code and people wearing tank tops or shorts are not allowed to enter these holy places, as knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. In the evenings for going out to dinner, a nice outfit is always appreciated (such as a dress shirt for men and long pants, and a dress or dressy pants for women).

I hope this is helpful as you think about planning a trip or are getting ready for an upcoming vacation.

Contact me for your complimentary consultation. I would be honored to help plan your next adventure.