Travel Better with These Travel Tips
SELECT & REPLACE WITH ANOTHER TEMPLATE
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Discover the Latest Travel Trend: “Set-Jetting”
Many of us love to travel, and we also love a good television show or movie. Set-jetting combines those two to create an unforgettable vacation experience. It’s all about visiting a destination primarily to see for yourself the locations your favorite scenes were filmed in. Not only does it make you feel more connected to the characters, but it also gives you a great excuse to check off a new city or country from your bucket list.
A current hit television show that’s causing numerous passports to get stamped is HBO’s “White Lotus.” Season 1 of the murder-mystery show was filmed in Hawaii at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, a 5-star beach resort that pampers all guests, whether you’re a fan of the show or not. Sicily set the scene for Season 2, particularly at the San Domenico Palace, Cefalù Beach and the Villa Elena. Season 3’s locations — being filmed across Thailand in Bangkok, Phuket and Ko Samui — will surely be equally stunning.
Numerous filming locations of “Game of Thrones” are accessible for those willing to hopscotch around Europe. Scenes in Kings Landing were filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia, home to a massive stone wall, dramatic cliffs and gorgeous views of the Adriatic Sea. The 14th-century medieval Doune Castle in Northern Ireland served as the Stark stronghold of Winterfell, while Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park became the “Land of Always Winter,” a.k.a. North of the Wall.
However, when it comes to fantasy film sites, New Zealand is the one location to rule them all. More than 150 locations across both the North and South islands were used to create “The Lord of the Rings” masterpieces, many of which you can explore to follow in Frodo’s own footsteps. Hobbiton, better known as Matamata by the locals, is the most popular site and for good reason. Just a few hours from Auckland, the town offers daily tours of the set, which include 44 individual hobbit holes.
If you’re keener about music than movies, then set-jetting’s stage-setting cousin — concert tourism — might strike the right chord. From traveling to England to catch the Glastonbury Festival to following Taylor Swift around South America (where the tickets are much cheaper than her stateside shows), you’ll be able to make new memories both at the performances and the destinations.
SELECT & REPLACE WITH ANOTHER TEMPLATE
Munich, Germany
Festive Destinations to Celebrate the Holidays
Make this a holiday season to remember for your family by taking a break from your traditional festivities to experience how another country jingles their bells. Now’s a great time to book your holiday travel to get the best rates and hotel options. Here are several destinations that truly get you into the holiday spirit, making them a joy to visit.
Munich, Germany
Germany becomes transformed during December as Christmas Markets spring up across the country. At Munich's celebrated Christmas market, held in Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square) since the 14th century, you'll find all manner of crafts, sweets, cakes and other delights. Christmas in Munich is also a time for music, when churches echo with carols and Bach’s ''Christmas Oratorio'' can be heard throughout town.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Beautiful throughout the year, Scotland’s capital becomes magical around Christmastime when winter festivals include fairground rides, Ferris wheels, outdoor ice rinks, hot food stands and traditional German Christmas markets. Other Christmas events include the Santa Run, Edinburgh's record-breaking attempt for the largest gathering of Santas, the Reindeer Gardens and carol concerts.
London, England
London hosts many Christmas activities to appeal to millions of revelers. The West End lights up to illuminate shoppers on Oxford and Regent streets; ice-skating rinks appear across town; a massive Norwegian pine is erected in Trafalgar Square; the English National Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” and other favorites at the London Coliseum; there’s even an obstacle race around Covent Garden that contestants run while carrying Christmas pudding on a tray!
Sydney, Australia
Christmas on the beach? Why not in Sydney, where the warm summer season makes such beaches as Bondi and Manly prime destinations for a Christmas Day family barbeque. Christmastime is also celebrated with a light show projected nightly onto the Town Hall and the annual Carols by Candlelight at the Domain, which concludes with a stirring, hand-holding, candle-raising rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
Island Hopping Around the Caribbean
Setting sail together gives your family everything you love about the holidays — the feasts, the time together, seasonal décor — without the hassles of preparing for every detail and cleaning up afterward. Plus, a cruise ship gives your family plenty of space, activities and adventures to have the times of your lives, all while taking you to one exotic locale after another. The halls are decked, the holiday feast is prepared by a master chef and the jolly man himself is on board handing out gifts galore. Plus, your family can enjoy special shows and a choir of heavenly voices singing carols around the tree.
SELECT & REPLACE WITH ANOTHER TEMPLATE
Lost in Translation
Breaking Through the Language Barrier
Poets and greeting card manufacturers claim that the international language is love, but travelers know better. For anyone who has spent a good deal of time in a foreign destination, surrounded by people they cannot understand, the international language is effort — as in making the effort to communicate slowly, thoughtfully and with the intent of being understood. Here are some helpful tips to get your message across in any situation.
English 101
English comprehension is growing around the world, creating more students of the language. As students, their grasp of English is tenuous at best, so speak slowly and clearly, annunciating each word as if you’re speaking to someone reading your lips. Just like you cannot understand a Spanish film even though you took two semesters of Español in high school, international English students may not be able to understand you because you’re talking too fast.
App Up
Download and test a few translator apps to your phone before you go. Be sure to practice with the app so that you can smoothly and quickly use it when someone is waiting for the translation.
Choose Your Words Wisely
Use simple, straightforward English phrases without slang (“Where can I chow down on some grub?”), colloquialisms (“Y’all know where the bathrooms are?”) or idioms (“I’m looking for a place to drown my sorrows.”).
Word Economy
There’s no need to communicate a complex message or mangle a foreign phrase when one word will suffice. “Toilet?” works better than “Excuse me, sir, but where is the toilet?” And “Photo?” will do instead of “Can you please take our picture next to this cathedral?”
Keep Moving
Language is only one small part of communication. Don’t forget that facial expressions and gestures work just as well, especially when exaggerated. Rub your belly if you’re hungry or mimic drinking with your pinky extended if you’d like a cup of tea.
Make it One Big Game of Pictionary
For those with artistic talent, keep a pad and pencil on you at all times and draw whatever it is you want. A picture of an airplane will tell the taxi driver where to go, while a stick figure with a stethoscope shows you’re looking for a doctor.
The Most Important Phrase
While it’s extremely helpful to learn basic phrases in the local language before your trip, the most important phrase to learn is “thank you.” Even if you failed to get the answer you were looking for, you should thank the person for their effort.
SELECT & REPLACE WITH ANOTHER TEMPLATE
Travel Scams
Travel Scams to Watch Out For
There are thousands of genuine travel promotions every year. However, those legitimate offers are sometimes overshadowed by travel scams and bogus claims that prey on travelers who find the idea of a free vacation too tempting to pass up. Here are a few recent travel scams — both before and during your vacation — that you should definitely be aware of. Please keep in mind that you can always contact our travel agency to determine which deals are legitimate.
“Free” Vacations
The saying goes that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. The same can be said for vacations. Any “free” vacation you accept will suddenly get bogged down with hidden fees and taxes, and then you’ll have to attend a marketing seminar at the destination. It’s not worth it.
Taxi Overcharges
Taxi drivers may claim that their meter is broken to charge you an exorbitant rate. Either insist that the driver use their meter or find a cab that will. Also, call ahead to the hotel or place you’re going to find out how much a taxi ride should be.
Robocalls
Robocalls trying to sell you something are illegal unless the company first obtained written permission, directly from you, to contact you in that way. If a company is ready to break the law to sell you something, then odds are it’s not going to be worth it.
Free Accessories
Never let a stranger, no matter how nice they seem, place anything on you, like a bracelet. They might immediately demand money for it and cause quite the scene when you protest.
International Driving Permit Scams
If you want to drive in a foreign country, you must obtain an international driving permit (IDP) from a legitimate source. If you buy a fake IDP from a dubious website, not only will the document you receive be worthless, but you also might face legal issues for driving without proper documentation.
Stolen Passports
Even though passports are becoming more secure through digital scanners and facial recognition, they are still sought after by thieves to be used for identity theft or illegal immigration. Keep your passport secure, and, if it is stolen, contact your country’s Embassy or Consulate General immediately.
SELECT & REPLACE WITH ANOTHER TEMPLATE
We are here to help you turn your travel dreams into reality. contact us today!
Travel Leaders Network is the largest network of professional travel agents in North America. Wherever you want to go, however you want to get there — we have a travel agent for you.
Using an Agent Enhances Your Overall Travel Experience.
Local Agents. Global Experts.
Our travel agents are respected worldwide by a massive network of cruise, resort and tour companies, giving us special advantages to making your vacation truly unique.
77
Years Serving the Travel Industry
17,060
Travel Experts In North America
65
Industry Awards Since 2009
300
Global Partnerships