1. Take Rick's advice! Travel light, take the books, watch the shows before you go, check out a Monday Night Travel (if applicable), check out the itineraries before you go...and TRAVEL LIGHT!
2. Get into your starting city a day early, at least! Delays will happen, flights can be cancelled, and planning with some buffers in your schedule can help assure you are rested and ready for your tour to begin. Use travel apps or sites to book rides from the airport before you even land, and hey, have a conversation with your driver on their favorite restaurants or places to see-this led to a few amazing meals and experiences for us! Utilize your Tour Account and book your extra night(s) at the hotel you will be staying at if possible.
3. Keep a travel journal and take ALL the photos! Keeping track of where you went, highlights, and spontaneous moments can help you recall it afterwards, because ultimately, once you return-life starts back up and it's easy for the day-to-day to take you away from the trip faster than you departed.
4. Venture out! Walk around the area you're staying in during different times of day (morning, day & evening). Check out small local joints, find your way to the "mom & pops" in your area and enjoy their food & wares.
5. Keep change for the toilets...and other "things". By watching Rick Steves', reading the tour books & checking out the Tour Accounts, we knew that there were certain...nuances...that we had to be prepared for. For instance, many public toilets for instance require payment (sometimes they take card, but oftentimes they require cash). You will also find some of the most amazing things, sold by vendors who don't accept credit cards.
6. Eat ALL the things and travel with abandon! Keep an open mind, try the local specialties, and unless you have an allergy...try it all!
2. Get into your starting city a day early, at least! Delays will happen, flights can be cancelled, and planning with some buffers in your schedule can help assure you are rested and ready for your tour to begin. Use travel apps or sites to book rides from the airport before you even land, and hey, have a conversation with your driver on their favorite restaurants or places to see-this led to a few amazing meals and experiences for us! Utilize your Tour Account and book your extra night(s) at the hotel you will be staying at if possible.
3. Keep a travel journal and take ALL the photos! Keeping track of where you went, highlights, and spontaneous moments can help you recall it afterwards, because ultimately, once you return-life starts back up and it's easy for the day-to-day to take you away from the trip faster than you departed.
4. Venture out! Walk around the area you're staying in during different times of day (morning, day & evening). Check out small local joints, find your way to the "mom & pops" in your area and enjoy their food & wares.
5. Keep change for the toilets...and other "things". By watching Rick Steves', reading the tour books & checking out the Tour Accounts, we knew that there were certain...nuances...that we had to be prepared for. For instance, many public toilets for instance require payment (sometimes they take card, but oftentimes they require cash). You will also find some of the most amazing things, sold by vendors who don't accept credit cards.
6. Eat ALL the things and travel with abandon! Keep an open mind, try the local specialties, and unless you have an allergy...try it all!