|
By: Susan Sherren for Couture Trips Published: August 21st, 2024 6:37 PM  Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Rome We share our top travel hacks to help you make the most of your visit. We've got you covered, from timing your trip to visiting lesser-known archaeological sites. Let's dive in! Timing Timing is crucial when visiting this popular destination. Plan your visit during the off-season or early summer to avoid the crowds and long queues at the famous sites. The weather is also more pleasant during these times, making your visit more enjoyable Plan in Advance Stay flexible if you are wanting to visit the Colosseum. The City of Rome has total control over how many and what areas of the Colosseum can be visited. Stay calm when your tour involves the underground portion, and you receive a cancellation notice. They are working on restoring the original floor, and closures related to the construction are frequent and without notice. Book directly with the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo and avoid third-party suppliers. This organization controls ticketing to the Colosseum, Domus Aurea, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum and underground or hypogeum aspects of the Colosseum. These are now considered "super sites," and bookings must be done months before. A new and exciting option is the night tour of the Colosseum, a convenient and thrilling way to explore more sites during your stay. 
0 Comments
By: Susan Sherren for Couture Trips Published: 6/17/24 3:25 PM EDT Whether we like it or not, travel these days can be filled with the unexpected. How we cope with and are prepared for these "black swan" events can make or break a vacation. These out-of-the-blue events can range from flight delays to significant health events while you are away. Knowing that you might face some setbacks or how you can forecast these mishaps can set you up to keep your cool and allow you to sail through. Here are a few of our tips for travelers. Trusting Your Gut Trusting your instincts, often called a 'sixth sense,' is not just a strategy but a vital survival skill. When those alarm bells start ringing, it's not a sign of fear but a signal to take control of the situation. This is not a weakness but a strength. Pause, assess your environment, and understand why you feel uneasy or cautious. This is your power, your instinct, guiding you to safety. Have a Backup Plan A well-prepared travel plan is crucial to staying safe and avoiding potential risks. Look for the nearest exit, remove yourself from large crowds, and avoid veering into unfamiliar scenarios. For instance, Europeans often have public protests in large cities, and you don't want to become trapped in one of these scenes. Avoid conflict when you are out of your typical environment, such as when traveling overseas. Stay Informed Staying informed about the local news is not just a suggestion but a necessity. This knowledge empowers you and keeps you updated on any potential risks or changes in the local environment, allowing you to make informed decisions and stay one step ahead. By staying informed, you are equipping yourself with the necessary tools to ensure your safety and security.  How to Avoid a Medical Emergency Avoid traveling after having a major or even minor medical procedure. You want to ensure you address any health concerns before your travel dates. Ignoring these issues is asking for trouble; the same applies to dental concerns. Consult with your doctor if you have a nagging medical issue. Make sure you are well prepared to deal with the problem that arises when you are traveling. As a nurse and owner of Couture Trips, a travel consultancy business, I always tell clients that their appendix or gallbladder is not sensitive to their vacation dates. So be prepared for the unexpected and arm yourself with a travel insurance policy.  Travel Mishaps Realize that even well-thought-out travel plans can go awry. All it takes is a rail or airline strike to disrupt your itinerary. However, it's important to remember that most things are fixable. If you remain calm and problem-solving-oriented, you can get your itinerary back on track. By adopting a proactive and composed approach, you can navigate travel disruptions with ease, minimizing stress and anxiety. Know the Rules and Regulations Know the laws, rules, and regulations of the locations you will be traveling to. In Europe, most highways/freeways are patrolled with electronic surveillance, so you won't see a red light in your review mirror if you're speeding. But you will be welcomed home by a speeding fine or ticket. And yes, pay them, or the penalties increase and it could escalate significantly if you return to the country again and try renting a car. I once ignored a speeding ticket from policing authorities in the South of France, and when I realized I would be traveling back to Nice, I realized I had not paid the ticket. By the time I succumbed, the fine had tripled in price.  Staying alert, arming yourself with good intel, and learning to stay calm amid a crisis will prepare you for an actual travel event or situation. Travel is an adventure, and staying on your toes is half the battle.
Published: June 12, 2024 Author: Susan Sherren Travel these days has become quite complex especially is you are headed overseas. You need to be prepared for your international trip with some critical information and important details. We find the following tips and topics will help ease your next trip out of the country.
1. Passports: You need a valid passport to leave the U.S. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you return home. The passport must be in good condition, without spills, torn pages, etc. Your Passports must have enough blank pages to accommodate entry and exit immigration stamps for each country of travel. At least one visa page in your passport is required for each visa. Most travel visas stamped into your passport need an entire blank visa page. For additional questions on renewal or validity, visit Travel.State.Gov. Also, the name on your air tickets must match your passport exactly or you may denied boarding. 2. Copies: Leave hard copies of your travel documents (Passports, Rail Tickests, Itinerary, etc.) with a close friend or family member. All of our clients have access to their itinerary and important documents in our travel App. This makes keeping track of all your travel documents quite easy. 3. Currency: Obtain some local currency before your trip. You will be prepared if your debit or credit card is non-functioning or a digital malfunction occurs. Not all ATMs (especially in rural places) accept foreign debit cards, and not every restaurant and store will. Some merchants do not allow foreign debit cards. So, you should have some backup cash and a credit card. Be aware of where you swipe your credit card. Fraudulent transactions can prove disruptive to your vacation. Additionally, using debit or credit cards regularly could accumulate transaction fees. At ATMs, for instance, you'll be charged for converting funds into local currency and, if outside of your network, an additional ATM fee. Check with your bank before departure about their foreign transaction fees and policies. 4. Enroll in STEP: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 5. Global Entry: Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. If you plan on frequently traveling in and out of the U.S., then Global Entry may be a good idea. Apply for Global Entry HERE. 6. Medications: Some prescription drugs, including narcotics and some U.S. over-the-counter medications, are illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation before you travel. It is also good to travel with enough medication to last beyond your travel time frame. You never know when you could encounter a delay in your travel plans. Keep your medicine in your carry-on bag and not in your checked luggage. |
RSS Feed
