Don’t tell hawkers where you’re from – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Hawkers from Brazil to Thailand are excellent psychologists. Very often, when you say “no thank you” to whatever they’re selling, they will ask where you’re from. This is not just an effort to engage you: they’re trying to figure out what approach to use next and what price to offer.

They know that what works on a German will not necessarily work on an American, and vice versa. They also know that a Norwegian might happily pay a price that would seem exorbitant to someone from a country with a much lower cost of living.

[Photo: Flickr | gripso_banana_prune]

GPS: More than just a road map – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Traveling abroad and don’t have an iPhone or other smart phone device? Got a GPS? A GPS can be your best travel companion.

Sure it can get you from point A to point B but many units also have a built in travel kit including —
* bilingual dictionaries,
* world clock,
* currency converter,
* measurement converter, and
* calculator.

It can really be a handy resource when you find yourself physically or mentally lost in an unfamiliar place!

[Photo: Flickr | u07ch]

Make time for yoga – Road trip tip

by Gadling Staff on

When embarking on a road trip of a few days or more, plan ahead by finding local fitness classes you can take as you pass through a new city.

Rather than spend your time stretching at a boring rest stop, pop in for a 30 minute or 1 hour session at a yoga, pilates or fitness studio. You’ll meet locals, get a feel for the town, and get that cooped-up car-feeling out of your system. Search for businesses that accept walk-ins, and allow yourself time to get to town in case of traffic or a minor misshap.

[Photo: Flickr | fdean55]

Get an ISIC card – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

If you’re a full-time student, teacher or under age 26, there’s a bevy of discounts — museums, food, transportation and more — available to you overseas if you get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) or International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC).

The ID cards generally cost about $20 and pay for themselves within a week’s worth of travel, even quicker if you’re savvy about using the discount finder.

[Photo: Flickr | Ken_Mayer]

Learn the national holidays before you go – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Before departing for a foreign country, be aware of any national holidays that will occur during your trip. Do your best to learn about even the minor ones that aren’t widely known.

My husband and I nearly had our honeymoon derailed by a national holiday during our stay in French Polynesia. Most businesses were closed, including restaurants, banks and museums.

We were saved by the tourism office, which offered us a chance to spend the day learning about Tahitian culture on the grounds of a closed museum. Otherwise, we would have wasted an entire day of our trip stuck in an urban area with nothing to do.

[Photos: Flickr | Yandle]