Page 134 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 134
TRAVEL TIPS TRAVEL
TRAVEL TIPS...
Booking your holiday on the internet is often seen as the cheapest option but only if you are a
diligent and regular researcher and are willing to take a certain amount of risk!
A good travel agent will not only give recommendations on your transactions to avoid fraud while you are
according to your tastes and wants but often have away.
agreements with airlines and hotels, offering discounts and
free nights/upgrades etc. They also take all the stress and • Research: Always know what events are lanned
worry out of booking and leave you free to enjoy your trip!
at your destination so you don’t miss out on the
If you decide to book each element of your holiday yourself, fun.
review sites such as Trip Advisor show traveller reviews for
just about everywhere in the world! These views can be • Adaptors: There are many different plugs and
a good source of information but should only form part
of your research. Don’t forget to check the review date - a voltages in use around the world. Check what
glowing review from 3 years ago is no good to you! Read adaptors you will need in order to use/charge
between the lines, ask yourself if the writer shares your your appliances.
mind-set or if a negative review is the result of a cranky
traveller or just a bad experience. PACKING ...
As a rule of thumb, the more people that have contributed,
the more valuable overall ratings become. Always check • Plan in advance
travellers’ photos - they can often be more informative than • Lay out all the clothes you want to bring and
reviews!
then put half of them away!
• Guidebooks: always look for the latest version.
• Roll your clothes - you fit more in!
They will contain local maps, phrases and • Mix and match your outfits and layer for colder
valuable, unbiased information. Local libraries
often stock a wide range. Many guidebooks, weather
including Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, can
now be downloaded onto your phone, kindle or • Bring as many crease-free items as possible.
tablets and save on space! • Pack a week’s worth of clothes for 2/3 weeks
• Book tickets in advance: many tourist sites holiday. Most destinations will have access to
washing facilities.
have their own websites and having your tickets
helps you to avoid the queues when you get there. • Holiday Rule: 3 tops for every bottom.
• Limit shoes as they take up too much room and
• Credit Cards: Let your credit card provider
add weight. Pack socks and underwear into shoes
know when you are travelling. They keep an eye to utilise the space.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase,
close to the wheels. Weighting the bottom of the
suitcase will make it more stable when transporting.
• Use a plastic, ziplock bag for your toiletries -
you’ll need it for customs anyway so why bring a
separate washbag?
134 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
TRAVEL TIPS...
Booking your holiday on the internet is often seen as the cheapest option but only if you are a
diligent and regular researcher and are willing to take a certain amount of risk!
A good travel agent will not only give recommendations on your transactions to avoid fraud while you are
according to your tastes and wants but often have away.
agreements with airlines and hotels, offering discounts and
free nights/upgrades etc. They also take all the stress and • Research: Always know what events are lanned
worry out of booking and leave you free to enjoy your trip!
at your destination so you don’t miss out on the
If you decide to book each element of your holiday yourself, fun.
review sites such as Trip Advisor show traveller reviews for
just about everywhere in the world! These views can be • Adaptors: There are many different plugs and
a good source of information but should only form part
of your research. Don’t forget to check the review date - a voltages in use around the world. Check what
glowing review from 3 years ago is no good to you! Read adaptors you will need in order to use/charge
between the lines, ask yourself if the writer shares your your appliances.
mind-set or if a negative review is the result of a cranky
traveller or just a bad experience. PACKING ...
As a rule of thumb, the more people that have contributed,
the more valuable overall ratings become. Always check • Plan in advance
travellers’ photos - they can often be more informative than • Lay out all the clothes you want to bring and
reviews!
then put half of them away!
• Guidebooks: always look for the latest version.
• Roll your clothes - you fit more in!
They will contain local maps, phrases and • Mix and match your outfits and layer for colder
valuable, unbiased information. Local libraries
often stock a wide range. Many guidebooks, weather
including Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, can
now be downloaded onto your phone, kindle or • Bring as many crease-free items as possible.
tablets and save on space! • Pack a week’s worth of clothes for 2/3 weeks
• Book tickets in advance: many tourist sites holiday. Most destinations will have access to
washing facilities.
have their own websites and having your tickets
helps you to avoid the queues when you get there. • Holiday Rule: 3 tops for every bottom.
• Limit shoes as they take up too much room and
• Credit Cards: Let your credit card provider
add weight. Pack socks and underwear into shoes
know when you are travelling. They keep an eye to utilise the space.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom of your suitcase,
close to the wheels. Weighting the bottom of the
suitcase will make it more stable when transporting.
• Use a plastic, ziplock bag for your toiletries -
you’ll need it for customs anyway so why bring a
separate washbag?
134 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
