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It is very important to enjoy yourself when on a trip, whether it be for business or pleasure and you must not be constantly thinking about what you should or should not be doing. Instead the tips below are meant purely as a guide, for you to take some points from and others to leave all together. |
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try to look as if you know where you are going, this may not be so easy if after all it is the first ever time in that country, but even still look confident as IF you know. |
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Carrying maps around looking perplexed, and stopping to look at monuments or buildings, obviously shows that you are from out of town, and may attract the wrong type of attention. |
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Do NOT pull large amounts of cash out of your pocket. This will catch attention, no matter what country you are in. It sounds so silly, but it is amazing how many people pull out a mound of cash to be some small item. I see it all the time in Thailand, and it always amazes me. There have been times when even I was tempted to follow the guy and .... rest assured I didn't ! |
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Do NOT accept drinks from anybody that you have just met, especially if in dubious surroundings or do not know, they could be laced with any type of concoction. |
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try not to go on "wonderful trips" or to a "super shopping centre" rides with people who approach you in the street. This could lead anywhere, and will probably cost you a lot more than by taking a normal taxi. Ask your concierge. |
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Check on your first day whether you need to reconfirm your next flight, if so do it then. Some airlines do not require this anymore but it is still worthwhile calling them so that they at least have your contact details, in case the flight is delayed or whatever. |
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Do not carry your passport around, leave it in the safe in your hotel. A photocopy will suffice if local law states that you need to |
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Backpacking is an enjoyable way to experience nature and access remote terrain. The folks at Camp trails offer the following tips to help you get started: |
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Study a map or guide to know the terrain you'll be hiking and estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination. Pad your estimates with extra time to account for delays. |
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Obtain necessary permits and reserve campsites in advance, and check local regulations to avoid fines. Know the area's weather patterns and accommodate for time of year. Always be prepared for the worst weather. |
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Remember, it's very easy to perspire, even in the winter, so dress appropriately in layers and be prepared for changing conditions, temperature changes at higher altitudes, and evenings. Avoid wearing jeans or cotton clothing. Wear polypropylene, wool or other breathable materials that wick moisture away and dry quickly. |
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Always pack rain gear. |
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Get to know your gear before heading out. Seam-seal the tent and familiarize yourself with its design and set-up. Learn how to operate your stove so you're not caught in the dark or the rain trying to figure it out. Know what you can carry and how long you can carry it without straining yourself. The pack shouldn't weigh more than 25 percent of your weight, so take only what you need. |
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Do the research so you’ll know the particular risks you face. |
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Know the local laws and abide by them. |
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Take care when choosing your hotel and transportation providers. |
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If you haven’t left your valuables at home, leave them in your hotel’s safe. |
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Don’t draw attention to yourself, avoid wearing flashy jewelry and don’t display large amounts of cash. Carry only enough cash to make it through the day and leave the rest in the hotel’s safe. |
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Avoid traveling alone. |
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Be careful about sharing your traveling plans with strangers. |
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Stick to the main roads and avoid taking shortcuts down narrow alleys and/or poorly lit streets. |
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Always be aware of what is going on around you. |
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Only use taxis, tours and other transportation services with official markings. Only select transportation from official pickup points at transportation hubs. |
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Be very careful if you are asked to sell or part with your personal items. Many countries have restrictions on items foreigners can sell or give away and you can get into serious trouble for violating those laws. |
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Never accept gifts or packages from unknown parties. |
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Don’t accept items from locals to carry out of the country and deliver or mail to someone they know. |
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Approach any "special deals" with caution, especially if you have to go off the beaten path to get them. |
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Know the laws about exchanging money. Only use official exchange facilities since this is another area that can get you into trouble fast. |
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Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets. |
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When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you. |
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Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket. |
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Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your |
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knowledge. |
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Carry your purse under your arm. |
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Carry your money under your clothes. |
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Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and best way to compare many Rental Car rates. |
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If you are planning on purchasing extra items such as a damage waiver or insurance, you should also comparison shop those rates. |
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Make sure their mileage policy is favorable to you so you can avoid extra charges. |
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Airport fees can be quite large so you might see if it is worth it to use an off-airport facility. However, if the off-airport company picks you up at the airport, you'll probably still have to pay some of the fee. |
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You can check their national reservation centers and their local offices; one may be offering a better deal than the other. ASK, if this is the best rate they have available. |
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Make your reservation as soon as you have decided on plans. Most Rental Car Companies increase their rates as reservations come in and their fleets become booked. Also, certain classes of cars will sell out and you may have to end up reserving and paying for a larger vehicle than you want. |
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Being flexible about your travel plans can save you money. Rental Companies that focus on the business or replacement market customers often have great weekend specials. The best rates are found during the off season and at other times when the Rental Companies have extra cars sitting around. |
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Check into booking your vacation as a package. You might be able to save by booking your car along with a certain airline, hotel or attraction ticket package. |
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Book the smallest car that you will need and hope for a free upgrade. But, remember you may get stuck with that small car. |
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Check into other size class vehicles. They may have extra cars in a certain class and be offering discounts for that size class. |
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Use coupons, but read them carefully for exceptions. Most upgrade coupons are "based on availability", so if you have an upgrade coupon that you wish to use and also have a monetary discount coupon, bring them both. If they can’t honor the upgrade, they may still give you the monetary discount. Also, remember to book any coupons or discounts in your reservation. |
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Apply any special discount programs for which you are eligible. |
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When you get to the counter, ask if there are any upgrade specials available, they might have some good deals. |
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