EXPERT ADVICE
They Learned the Hard Way
We gathered travel tips--such as never take a nap when you have jet lag--from some of the experts quoted in our article, "2007 Scouting Report." Read on for more of their advice.
Avoid seafood in the countryside unless it is locally fished. Refrigeration can be an issue. —Geoff Watts
So as long as it looks like people are eating and leaving alive, I'll probably try it. —Mo Frechette
TIPS FOR SOLO TRAVELERS
I used to love traveling on my own and would suggest to others not to worry too much about being lonely: you will often find that local people will come and chat if you are on your own, and it can be a great way to make friends. —Bruce Haxton
In a restaurant, don't isolate yourself in a booth or in a corner. Sit at the bar when possible, or at a centrally located table. Buy the local newspaper; it's a good way to start a conversation. —Pancho Doll
I enjoy going out to dinner alone (with or without a book). View it as a special treat—having time to yourself and treating yourself to a nice dinner. —Walter Lowry
Eating alone is fun because going for dinner is often a special occasion, especially outside of big cities, so there is a lot of awkwardness and etiquette, and that makes for very amusing people-watching. Instead of feeling self-conscious, I enjoy observing the behavior of those around me without the interruption of having to talk to someone else. —Henry Madden
Afterward, I take an evening stroll, if it feels safe to walk alone outside. I remember one evening on my own when it was my only night in Barcelona. I didn't want to go out on the town by myself, so I paid a taxi driver to just drive me around and show me Barcelona at night-just for an half hour. It actually didn't cost that much, and I really enjoyed seeing all the people dressed up for their night on the town walking about, and hearing the sounds of the city alive at night. —Anne Wood
RECORDING YOUR TRIP
I use my digital camera to record new products—or new product ideas. I also have a notebook with me at all times, in which I record all sorts of things in chronological order. When traveling on business, I not only take notes about products, vendors, etc., but I also staple business cards onto pages in the notebook. Months later, when I need information, I know exactly where to find it. —Walter Lowry
I always take a digital camera with me. Digital is wonderful, because you don't have to worry about film going through the X-ray machines, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on terrible shots. When I return, I can sort through my images, e-mail them to friends, crop them, or even order an album of photos online. —Anne Wood
I record my trips in my mind. I don't even take many photos, because I don't like the immediate barrier this can put up between me and locals. —Bruce Haxton
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Being accessible 24/7 for my 8-year-old daughter is very important to me, so I take advantage of modern advances in telephone technology while on the road. With a GSM quad-band, PDA-phone, I can travel to Europe without needing a new phone number. Plus, it allows me to take pictures or even short videos and e-mail them to friends and family so they know I am still alive. Text messaging is a quick and easy way to connect with people I am rendezvousing with abroad. I get a lot of the same benefits of carrying a laptop when I take a PDA, without having to actually carry my laptop. —Anne Wood
I rely heavily on e-mail. I have a mobile phone with me at all times in case my business or my family needs to reach me urgently. And I use a landline, accessing it with a telephone credit card that bills to one of my numbers, which saves me a fortune as compared to using a mobile phone internationally. —Walter Lowry
I primarily use a cell phone. I hit Wi-Fi once every two or three days to e-mail, and I text my current itinerary to a couple of contacts, so my general whereabouts are known. —Pancho Doll
Postcards. They're really cheap! —Mo Frechette
TOURIST ETIQUETTE
I never wear shorts and sneakers when I travel. I like to fit in (as much as possible) and nothing sticks out more than a white guy in shorts and bright shoes. Don't make assumptions-ask someone if you are uncertain what to do. Realize that you are on someone else's turf, and always be humble. Most of all, be patient: Other cultures operate on a different time frame then we are used to in the States, and things take longer to get done...just expect and accept that, and don't get stressed or be rude about service. —Geoff Watts
If I am going to an area I know has a certain sensitivity to certain clothing, I will respect that. I'll bring a scarf to Turkey if I want to go into the Blue Mosque (or wear their loaner scarf), because I'm a guest. However, no matter where I go, I'm still me, so I bring what I would normally wear, except possibly more wrinkle-resistant fabrics. And then I always try to pick up some common phrases in the local language, such as hello and good-bye, please and thank you. I attempt to speak as much of the local tongue as possible, even if I make an idiot out of myself in the process. Any effort is better than none. —Anne Wood
- 'We Have No Idea Where We're Going'
- The Next Croatia
- 10 Coolest Small Towns
- Scouting Report 2007
- Brand New to You
- Table of Contents: September 2007
- Hush-Hush Europe: La Cerdanya
Budget Travel Real Deals
- From $1,249
- From $1,008
- From $129
- From $1,285
- From $126
- From $179
- From $1,075
- From $1,125
- From $994
-
