Travel Lessons From Philippe de Vienne

Darrell Wade How has your job changed the way you travel? Sometimes I travel in the same way as I used to 25 or 30 years ago. And then again, on Sunday I went to Cambodia and Vietnam and stayed in five-star hotels. How much do you plan your trips in advance? I plan less in advance now. I'll quite often not know I have a trip, and there'll only be a week to plan. Flights and the first night's accommodation come first. After that, I can generally work it out. What are some packing tips you've picked up? I rarely pack more than three hours before. I always pack very light. Nine times out of 10 I have no luggage underneath the plane. I often take running gear—a pair of runners [running shoes] and shorts. I never take formal gear, even on a business trip. People overpack, particularly when heading to developing nations. People bring four pairs of shoes. Why? What do you wear on the plane? I wear the same thing whether I'm in economy, business, or first class: jeans, a pair of runners, and a T-shirt. Twenty years ago, you perhaps got treated differently if you didn't dress up, but these days, definitely not. How do you deal with jet lag? I try to exercise before and after a flight. Even if it's an early flight I'll try to get a run in before and after. If it's sunny when you get off at the other end you're lucky, because sunshine is good for jet lag. Generally speaking, going from west to east is a lot worse than the reverse because the sun is going against you, and the time shift is more dramatic. That's when I take sleeping pills. How do you get your bearings when you arrive at a destination? I go out walking for an hour or so. I usually have a map, but often don't use it. I always take a business card from the hotel with its address in the local language and writing, so I can hail a taxi and get back to where I started. How do you approach local cuisine? You don't necessarily know with street food. Invariably it's cheap. If you try it and you don't like it, you subtly throw it away. It won't cost you anything. I'll try it if it's popular with the locals. How do you keep in touch with others while traveling? Mobile phones. They work virtually everywhere now. What sorts of tourist etiquette tips have you picked up? As a guy in India, you might want to wear shorts when it's hot, but I won't wear them. I'll wear pants to be polite. In Thailand you need to be very, very careful with how you use your feet—particularly in relation to the king. Someone dropped some coins on a tour once, and they were rolling away, so someone stomped one to stop it. The face of the king was on the coin, so he was, in a sense, stomping on that. And that was not good. Fortunately, I don't think there were any locals around, but the Thai tour leader explained the offense. Read on to see Philippe de Vienne's top tips >

Christian Chumbley How has your job changed the way you travel? I'm more discerning about finding authenticity in travel. Quite often the most genuine experiences that can be had are free: They come via simply interacting with others. I am also more willing now to spend good money (on things like a hotel, transport, or a local guide) while traveling, especially if doing so enhances my chances of genuinely experiencing a place. How much do you plan your trips in advance? The big trips are often put in place months and months in advance, but the details of what exactly to do when I get there...those evolve minute by minute. I love being able to wander down an interesting street for as long as I want since I haven't overly structured my day, or to head off into a different part of the country because a local suggests it. What are some packing tips you've picked up in the course of your travels? I always bring a headlamp and a dry bag, no matter the trip. The sun going down is one of the few things you can count on in travel. And with all the electronics that people travel with these days, a dry bag is great in case you get stuck in the rain. And I don't do a lot of folding. What do you wear on the plane? Jeans, a short-sleeved collared shirt, a light sweater, and a fleece vest. The outfit keeps me both cool and warm, and can be at least moderately presentable. What's the first thing you do when you arrive at a destination to get a feel for the place? I walk and walk and walk. How do you approach local cuisine? My favorite meals are on the street. In my book, there's rarely a street vendor not worth trying. Sure, it's wise to be cautious in terms of cleanliness, but I have rarely gotten sick from street food. Seriously. You want to know what I've gotten sick from when traveling? The fancy buffet at a five-star hotel. The plates may be clean, but the food has sat back in the kitchen for far too long. Street food is often the freshest, even if the street itself isn't all that clean. Of course, I adjust my perspective depending on where I am. In Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, I eat everything the street has to offer. Everything. In Mexico, I eat it all, but I expect to get a little tummy ache at some point. If the tacos are good, then it's worth it. Same in India: Expect to get sick. That frees you up to indulge in that fantastic street-cart curry. How much of your travel is on your own? I don't do a whole lot of solo travel. But when I do, I'd rather hang out in a local market with the old ladies selling fruit than seek other travelers. Not to say that I haven't become good friends with other travelers...it's just that those experiences happen better randomly than at a tourist bar where everyone is trying to outdo the other with their travel stories. Locals' bars....those can be fun. How do you take notes on your trip? A small Moleskine notebook is always in my pocket. How do you keep in touch with others while traveling? I use Skype. And I travel with a GSM, quad-band phone—and buy a local SIM card if I'm spending any significant time in the country. I also have a BlackBerry for work. What sorts of tourist etiquette tips have you picked up? Be aware. Most locals don't care if you make an error in etiquette if they see you observing others and then adjusting your behavior. It's obliviousness that's offensive, as it calls into question your motivations for travel. In general, be open and trusting. Smile...and ask questions. Asking questions is important. Let people know that you want to get it right. Most appreciate that, and few expect you to know all the rules. Read on to see Darrell Wade's top tips >

  Christian Chumbley     How has your job changed the way you travel? I'm more discerning about finding authenticity in travel. Quite often the most genuine experiences that can be had are free: They come via simply interacting with others. I am also more willing now to spend good money (on things like a hotel, transport, or a local guide) while traveling, especially if doing so enhances my chances of genuinely experiencing a place. How much do you plan your trips in advance? The big trips are often put in place months and months in advance, but the details of what exactly to do when I get there...those evolve minute by minute. I love being able to wander down an interesting street for as long as I want since I haven't overly structured my day, or to head off into a different part of the country because a local suggests it. What are some packing tips you've picked up in the course of your travels? I always bring a headlamp and a dry bag, no matter the trip. The sun going down is one of the few things you can count on in travel. And with all the electronics that people travel with these days, a dry bag is great in case you get stuck in the rain. And I don't do a lot of folding. What do you wear on the plane? Jeans, a short-sleeved collared shirt, a light sweater, and a fleece vest. The outfit keeps me both cool and warm, and can be at least moderately presentable. What's the first thing you do when you arrive at a destination to get a feel for the place? I walk and walk and walk. How do you approach local cuisine? My favorite meals are on the street. In my book, there's rarely a street vendor not worth trying. Sure, it's wise to be cautious in terms of cleanliness, but I have rarely gotten sick from street food. Seriously. You want to know what I've gotten sick from when traveling? The fancy buffet at a five-star hotel. The plates may be clean, but the food has sat back in the kitchen for far too long. Street food is often the freshest, even if the street itself isn't all that clean. Of course, I adjust my perspective depending on where I am. In Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, I eat everything the street has to offer. Everything. In Mexico, I eat it all, but I expect to get a little tummy ache at some point. If the tacos are good, then it's worth it. Same in India: Expect to get sick. That frees you up to indulge in that fantastic street-cart curry. How much of your travel is on your own? I don't do a whole lot of solo travel. But when I do, I'd rather hang out in a local market with the old ladies selling fruit than seek other travelers. Not to say that I haven't become good friends with other travelers...it's just that those experiences happen better randomly than at a tourist bar where everyone is trying to outdo the other with their travel stories. Locals' bars....those can be fun. How do you take notes on your trip? A small Moleskine notebook is always in my pocket. How do you keep in touch with others while traveling? I use Skype. And I travel with a GSM, quad-band phone—and buy a local SIM card if I'm spending any significant time in the country. I also have a BlackBerry for work. What sorts of tourist etiquette tips have you picked up? Be aware. Most locals don't care if you make an error in etiquette if they see you observing others and then adjusting your behavior. It's obliviousness that's offensive, as it calls into question your motivations for travel. In general, be open and trusting. Smile...and ask questions. Asking questions is important. Let people know that you want to get it right. Most appreciate that, and few expect you to know all the rules.

Christian Chumbley Regional manager of Asia and Africa trip operations for Backroads, which specializes in multisport tours (backroads.com). On packing "...always bring a headlamp and a dry bag, no matter the trip." On etiquette "It's obliviousness that's offensive, as it calls into question your motivations for travel." More Travel Lessons From Chumbley Scouting Report: Graskop, South Africa Darrell Wade Cofounder of Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel, which specializes in small-group, experiential tours around the world (intrepidtravel.com). On getting around "I always take a business card from the hotel with its address in the local language and writing." On airplane attire "I wear the same thing whether I'm in economy, business, or first class: jeans, a pair of runners, and a T-shirt." More Travel Lessons From Wade Scouting Report: Purnululu National Park, Australia Philippe de Vienne Cofounder with his wife, Ethné, of Épices de Cru, a spice importation and retail business based in Montreal, Quebec (epicesdecru.com), and coauthor of the cookbook La Cuisine et le Goût des Épices. On etiquette "Buy something that you may or may not need. When you buy from people, they're always more talkative about themselves and their country. Listen to them, and never ask a leading question." More Travel Lessons From de Vienne Scouting Report: Gaziantep, Turkey Rick Steves Tour leader, producer of shows for television and radio, writer of a syndicated travel column, and publisher of over 30 guidebooks via his namesake company (ricksteves.com). On jet lag "I deal with jet lag by leaving home well rested and then using a quarter tab of Ambien when I wake too early, to finish the first night's sleep." More Travel Lessons From Steves Scouting Report: Moravský Krumlov, Czech Republic Britt Karlsson Cofounder of BKWine, a Paris-based company that publishes wine newsletters and leads small-group gastronomy and wine tours throughout Europe (bkwine.com). On attire "For a wine tour, you need to have comfortable shoes because you always walk in vineyards. You also stand a lot in cellars, which are cool, so you'll need a jacket. And you shouldn't wear white clothes. It's hopeless." More Travel Lessons From Karlsson Scouting Report: Bergerac, France Dan Philips Founder of the Grateful Palate, an Oxnard, Calif.-based company that sells specialty foods and kitchen accessories, imports wine, and even runs wineries in Spain and Australia (gratefulpalate.com). On attitude "You'll forget everything once, including your passport. You think to yourself 'I'll never travel without underwear,' but then you forget it, and you get by. You just go shopping." More Travel Lessons From Philips Scouting Report: Willunga, Australia Armenia Nercessian de Oliviera Cofounder of Novica, a National Geographic-associated organization with eight international offices that enables local artisans around the globe to sell their crafts over the Internet (novica.com). On packing "I pack at least half a dozen attractive shawls, for example, that are suitable for different occasions. Wearing them can replace the need for five entire outfits." On street food "When the foods are prepared fresh right in front of you, and when you can see that any perishable ingredients are indeed stored, handled, and cooked well, and if many locals are also eating right there, then I say, 'Go ahead, enjoy!'" More Travel Lessons From de Oliviera Scouting Report: Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil Nat and Rachael Lopes Cofounders of Hilride, a mountain-bike park and tourism consulting firm that's based in Berkeley, Calif. (hilride.com). On traveling as a couple N: "We've learned not to underestimate the power of sleep deprivation and hunger while traveling with a partner. If you're hungry, you can be cranky." R: "And the power of sitting in the backseat. I might drive while he works in the back, and that extra three feet creates space." More Travel Lessons From the Lopeses Scouting Report: Wilson, Kansas Alisa Grifo Owner of Kiosk, a New York City-based store stocked with souvenirs from her travels (kioskkiosk.com). On bargaining "I never talk people down on a price. If I feel someone is taking advantage of me, I just don't buy from him or her. In certain places, I always factor in a minor markup; after all we are not locals, and it's OK to pay more since, in these cases, we have more." More Travel Lessons From Grifo Scouting Report: Tanabe, Japan John Chatterton and Richie Kohler Scuba divers who inspired the books Shadow Divers and Titanic's Last Secrets (johnchatterton.com, richiekohler.com). On attire "Quite often it sends a message, and if you are working with locals you can't afford to send the wrong one by mistake. Wearing shorts rather than long pants can have a huge impact." More Travel Lessons From Chatterton and Kohler Scouting Report: Weymouth, England