Foie gras in France; pizza in Pisa; goulash in Hungary; bratwurst in Germany! It borders on sin to miss out on such culinary delights in their places of origin. So travel smart and enjoy it all.
Baggage: Pack only essential items including clothes. A hardtop suitcase is your best bet; ensure yours has a marker and your contact details. Ensure that it’s locked because airlines don’t take responsibility for your possessions. It’s wise to pack a few essential clothing items along with your hand baggage. Take along two types of clothing: woollen and light linen, because the same place may feature high day-night temperature variations. Also handy are items like a Swiss Knife, flashlight, select eatables like biscuits and chocolates, and basic medicines.
Foreign exchange: Buy it in India itself so that you pay in Indian currency. Buy 80 per cent of your requirement in traveller’s cheques and keep a cash component only to pay taxis, meals, and tipping. Buy your required exchange at one go and avoid multiple purchases to minimise commissions paid.
City news: Once sightseeing is done, the best way to spend the evening is to scan the magazines and the newspapers for the best discount sales, concerts, plays, films etc. Check the event schedules at your own hotel, as that entitles you to enjoy good entertainment without the hassle of commuting.
City/travel Cards: The local ‘city card’ — such as the Salzburg Card, or the London Pass, or the Heidelberg Card — has all-inclusive deals that include unlimited travel on local transport, shopping, dining discounts, and entry to tourist attractions.
On Sundays, shops are closed but tourist sites are open. So spend the whole day sightseeing, and save the shopping for weekdays.
Hotels - More than a place to stay: Choosing the right hotel is a key element. Your hotel’s location will impact on your total budget. Choose a downtown hotel to save taxi rides to dining and entertainment areas. Don’t let the distance from the airport be a factor, as most hotels have discounted shuttle services.
Dining out: The trick is in knowing where to go and what to order. Ask the hotel reception for tips on nearby outlets. If weight-conscious, order salad plates and open-faced sandwiches in cafes or pastry shops. Opt for broth-based soups and tomato-based pasta dishes, and choose vegetable entrees. In German-speaking countries, go for Forelle blau or blue trout, rather than pork-sauerkraut-potatoes dish. In the U.K., try Irish stew rather than fish and chips; in France, choose ratatouille instead of canard a l’orange. Order a la carte, not prix fixe.
Shopping escapades: For best value, scan the newspapers and magazines for the ‘bargains of the day’. Try to shop as close to your hotel as possible so you don’t have to lug your purchases around. Focus on ‘value for money’, not the cheapest prices. Wherever possible, go for one-stop shopping, and try the standard department stores. Street shopping is adventurous, but you may wind up cleverly designed fakes.
See, Buy, Fly: All international airports have different duty-free shopping opportunities and prices. Scan a shopping guide and seek the special bargains of the week. Alcohol, chocolates and perfumes are always good buys.
Best buys: France for perfumes and herbal oils; Italy for leather ware and fashion items; Singapore for electronics and watches; Thailand for handicrafts and fabrics; Dubai for gold; Sri Lanka for ceramics and gemstones; South Africa for masks and beadwork; Oman for dates and dry fruit; Australia for wines; Hungary for paprika.
Travel etiquette: All countries have their own distinct cultures and social norms, and it’s courteous to abide by them. Punctuality is respected and expected, especially in Germany, Scandinavia and Japan. Europeans never invite you home. The norm is to contact them only at their workplace. In Thailand, touching someone’s head or hair is considered impolite. In Japan, interrupting someone’s conversation is considered rude. While giving ladies flowers, its considered good breeding if you send the flowers to the lady’s home through a courier, rather than presenting them yourself, especially if she’s a business contact.
