don’t assume your credit card is accepted everywhere. The merchant selling the most exquisite cashmere scarves in the Moroccan souk might not accept credit cards. Mind your global manners Do brush up on the local culture of where you’re headed, even if it’s a well-known place frequented by Americans. Most guidebooks include historical and cultural sections to help you understand a specific host country’s norms and customs, such as tip obligations, dress codes and other travel etiquette. Don’t expect everyone to speak English in your vacation spot. If you don’t understand something, apologize politely (that’s a universal language) and ask if someone can translate. Pack the essentials Do invest in a good travel pillow, earplugs and sleep mask for long- haul flights. Your journey will be more restful, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running once you land. Speaking of, buy some comfy, chic travel shoes that go anywhere. And dress in comfortable layers so you can make clothing adjustments for different legs of your trip.
magnet — ship or buy gift cards instead.
planning translation. Note: Many museums in Europe are closed on Monday and religious/holiday observations may affect business hours throughout a region. Don’t assume everything will happen as planned. Traveling is an adventure, especially during the holidays. Be flexible, manage expectations and embrace the moment.
Clear the ground details Do double-check if hotel and dinner reservations, driver arrangements and any pre-booked sightseeing activities are confirmed upon arrival. Ask the hotel concierge for help. Sometimes small details get lost in trip-
Don’t overload your suitcase. All planes including private and charter jets have a weight
More bang for your buck The American dollar has never traveled so well, particularly in Europe. In July, the euro reached a historic low rate against the dollar at 1:1, giving U.S. travelers roughly a 15% discount on purchases. Americans should take advantage of the positive currency news by booking and paying for hotels and tours in advance to get the conversion savings now because there’s no
limit. And rather than bringing wrapped holiday gifts — a security inspection
guarantee the exchange rate will remain the same. It’s also a good idea to use credit cards without foreign exchange rates while traveling to get more bang for your buck while exchange rates remain favorable.
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IN YOUR CORNER ISSUE 12 | 2022
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