khassandraTraveller options
March 8th 2007 23:52
TRAVELLER OPTIONS
These days we travel for various reasons- leisure, business, family catch ups and the need to ‘get away’ from anything resembling the everyday things.
With these reasons we are given options- first class, tourist class, ‘cattle’ class and ‘singles’. You might wonder why I add the latter two. We all have experienced times where economy is key…can you have an inexpensive and enjoyable holiday…the answer is a resounding YES. Well then, can singles also take advantage of it…the answer – an emphatic “NO”!
Why is it that those who enjoy their own company without the need to refer to a companion for opinion have to ‘subsidise’ the masses?
I don’t think it is fair that two people can go to Paris for the price of one when an individual has to pay not only the full fare but usually with a loading. If travel companies had any ‘nouse’ they would actively market singles and ‘bundle’ them together in their own group rate while travelling on their own- after all, seats will still be filled. You may be as lucky as was when living abroad to have just such a travel agent. I often got calls like “do you fancy a group trip to South America? “or “what have you got planned for this weekend- how does New York sound?”
Now about economy. There are differing levels of travel anywhere depending on your interpretation of ‘basic’. I find travelling the way the locals do is a good start – unless of course you plan to visit a country where transport is a luxury!
Then you also need to re-look at your travel wardrobe because footwear and headgear not to mention a good strong ‘bumbag’ (with water bottle attachment) is essential packing! Nothing worse than finding yourself miles from anywhere looking at everyone else eating their lunch while you try to reserve your saliva!
Economy means budgeting to carry SOME funds with you…after all you are going to be a tourist not a tramp! (apologies to tramps!). Plan a few days ahead at a time to ensure you have enough to pay for food, drink…you DID plan to ‘visit’ and enjoy local treats n’est pas?
I would strongly suggest AGAINST packing smelly salamis and cheese as I did once on a long distance flight. I was not a popular passenger altho’ I did enjoy the feast en route. Always pack plastic bags….good for dripping foodstuff, catching water, wearing as rain hat….I could go on. I found that carrying a little cutting knife for fruit/veg very useful…but of course pack it in your suitcase and don’t purchase a hunting knife variety..otherwise you are asking for trouble. Don’t forget a lightweight can opener….there…you are now ready for step one in economical explorations…more next time!
P.S. Must emphasise do NOT travel with untested airlines…if you are tempted, find out what their service/travel record is to…also take out insurance in case the airline goes belly up so you can get a refund on investment. My friend lost out with Cambodian Airlines!
I am very much in favour of trains and selected bus/coach trips. If you can afford it, try hiring local mopeds,…but don’t use them in hilly terrains…! Lots of bad luck stories in that regard.
These days we travel for various reasons- leisure, business, family catch ups and the need to ‘get away’ from anything resembling the everyday things.
With these reasons we are given options- first class, tourist class, ‘cattle’ class and ‘singles’. You might wonder why I add the latter two. We all have experienced times where economy is key…can you have an inexpensive and enjoyable holiday…the answer is a resounding YES. Well then, can singles also take advantage of it…the answer – an emphatic “NO”!
Why is it that those who enjoy their own company without the need to refer to a companion for opinion have to ‘subsidise’ the masses?
I don’t think it is fair that two people can go to Paris for the price of one when an individual has to pay not only the full fare but usually with a loading. If travel companies had any ‘nouse’ they would actively market singles and ‘bundle’ them together in their own group rate while travelling on their own- after all, seats will still be filled. You may be as lucky as was when living abroad to have just such a travel agent. I often got calls like “do you fancy a group trip to South America? “or “what have you got planned for this weekend- how does New York sound?”
Now about economy. There are differing levels of travel anywhere depending on your interpretation of ‘basic’. I find travelling the way the locals do is a good start – unless of course you plan to visit a country where transport is a luxury!
Then you also need to re-look at your travel wardrobe because footwear and headgear not to mention a good strong ‘bumbag’ (with water bottle attachment) is essential packing! Nothing worse than finding yourself miles from anywhere looking at everyone else eating their lunch while you try to reserve your saliva!
Economy means budgeting to carry SOME funds with you…after all you are going to be a tourist not a tramp! (apologies to tramps!). Plan a few days ahead at a time to ensure you have enough to pay for food, drink…you DID plan to ‘visit’ and enjoy local treats n’est pas?
I would strongly suggest AGAINST packing smelly salamis and cheese as I did once on a long distance flight. I was not a popular passenger altho’ I did enjoy the feast en route. Always pack plastic bags….good for dripping foodstuff, catching water, wearing as rain hat….I could go on. I found that carrying a little cutting knife for fruit/veg very useful…but of course pack it in your suitcase and don’t purchase a hunting knife variety..otherwise you are asking for trouble. Don’t forget a lightweight can opener….there…you are now ready for step one in economical explorations…more next time!
P.S. Must emphasise do NOT travel with untested airlines…if you are tempted, find out what their service/travel record is to…also take out insurance in case the airline goes belly up so you can get a refund on investment. My friend lost out with Cambodian Airlines!
I am very much in favour of trains and selected bus/coach trips. If you can afford it, try hiring local mopeds,…but don’t use them in hilly terrains…! Lots of bad luck stories in that regard.
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