GENIUS TRAVEL TIPS (From the People Who Know Best)
Rely on the guidance of these hi-fliers to make your own vacay super smooth!
“Having an Internet and GPSenabled phone can make travelling
within the country or abroad a cakewalk. Download country-based apps onto the phone to get valuable info on the place you are heading to. The net is flooded with valuable tips on what to see and how to get there, which is a boon for a first-timer.”
— Tarun Khiwal “Force yourself to adapt your sleep
pattern to the time zone of your destination. If you are going to land in London in the evening, stay up all through the flight so that you are tired enough to get a good night’s rest. It’s the best way to beat
a nasty jet lag!” — Aditya Ghosh
“Start building a ‘ travel fund’ as soon as possible. Travelling is expensive, even
if you are a backpacker. Put away a little bit of your
earnings for your future adventures— you never know when the next unbelievable opportunity knocks on
your door.”
—Gauri Jayaram “Many a time, you may get the best duty-free deal in the in-flight shop of your airline. While booking your ticket, check out what’s selling on your flight back home. Compare the price list with the rates in the departure duty-free of the airport
from where you’ll be flying back and in the arrival area of your home airport.”
— Ritu Rohatgi “Keep a back up for your camera data. The photos you take on your holidays are memories for a lifetime, load them on your comp asap.”
— Kanishtha Dhankar
“Carry a diary and a pen with you throughout the trip. Make notes when something strikes you as memorable. Jot down what guides are telling you. Describe sights and sounds on paper. Record anecdotes. It’ll all make for fabulous memories in the future.” — Ajay Jain “Flying on less-travelled days like Tuesdays and Wednesdays may be less expensive than flying Saturday or Sunday. Not travelling at peak hours will save money. The lessfilled 6a.m. flight can be a bargain.”
— Deep Kalra “Avoid carrying too many shoes; they add weight and take up a lot of space. Sneakers and sandals are your best bet to explore any place. They are comfy and sturdy.”
—Aditya Ghosh “Give specific instructions on meals while booking your flight ticket—if you want non-veg on board of an international flight but don’t want beef or pork, be specific. Often, a meal request by an Indian gets put under ‘Special Hindu Vegetarian
Meal’.” — Ritu Rohatgi “Use a travel agent to book a tour. Most of what is available on the net may be reliable, but not everyone has the same needs, perceptions and standards. Research is always
helpful, but a travel agent is equipped to give you an insider view of all the hidden treasures that you may not have known about.”
— Gauri Jayaram “Learn some basic words like ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ in the local language of the place you’re visiting; it’ll help you break ice with natives, and make you feel more at ease.”
—Neha Dixit
“Whether it’s a holiday or a hectic work trip, try and take out at least 20 minutes a day to stretch or exercise. Working out will help you
stay healthy, fresh, and energetic, plus keep away all that extra holiday
weight gain!”
— Kanishtha Dhankar
“Carrying a travel card with the
currency of the country you are heading to helps. It is also a convenient way of carrying money than travellers’ cheques.”
—Tarun Khiwal “Certain destinations offer bargains
at certain times of the year. Europe is cheaper in winter. This applies to hotel rooms as well as air fares. You can save a bundle on Caribbean cruises by planning a trip in September or October, when the weather is still nice, and the fares much lower.” — Deep Kalra “It’s not just about comfort when you travel, it doesn’t hurt if you look stylish too. I’m not saying you have to wear a pair of killer heels, but you can flaunt a cute summery dress. It might help you avoid
waiting in long lines!”
—Kanishtha Dhankar “Plan nothing on ‘day one’ of your vacation—knowing what you will do each day is great, but hidden surprises could lead you to experiences that will make your vacation unforgettable. Keep your first day at a destination free, to explore on your own.” — Gauri Jayaram
“Always try out the local cuisine, shop where locals go and don’t buy
what you can get at home. Taxi drivers are always good sources of info, but may not be the best guides! The Internet is your friend... use it
wisely!”
— Aditya Ghosh “When you transit in Europe, don’t buy alcohol or tobacco—you won’t be permitted to take your shopping to your final port of call. Do your duty-free shopping at the airport after reaching your final destination or in-flight, during your last leg of
flying.” — Ritu Rohatgi
“Carry a small medicine box with you while traveling abroad, as drugs can be expensive.” — Neha Dixit “Whether you’re booking a rental car or buying airline tickets, book in advance for a great deal. Book six weeks earlier, if you’re headed to a popular spot. ”— Deep Kalra “Carry a light- weight, roomy suitcase that’s water- proof. A good stroller can increase the comfort level of your travel and save you the excess baggage
expense at the airport.”
—Tarun Khiwal “Out on a self drive holiday? Keep an eye on the fuel gauge. You never know when you will run out of gas.”
— Ajay Jain
“The days you feel like staying in your hotel room, rather than calling for room service, ask the hotel concierge for phone numbers of restaurants that deliver and try the
local cuisine.”
— Kanishtha Dhankar