Does food play a role in where you decide to take your vacation? For those interested in taking a delicious trip, Hotels.com surveyed 27,000 international travelers to find out what they believed the best destinations for cuisine were.
According to news.com.au, 32% of respondents said Italy had the best food because of its mouth-watering pizza, pasta and gelato. France, the country of baguettes and pastries, came in second with 24% of the votes. And, in third place with 18% of the votes was Japan with their sashimi, sushi and tempura. Next came mainland China, followed by Spain, the United States, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan and India.
When the survey analyzed American’s food and travel habits, they found that:
On average, Americans spend 25% to 49% of their daily budget on food when traveling abroad
Americans believed the top three places for food on a budget were the United States, Italy and Mexico
Fifty-six percent of Americans named barbeque as the must-try dish when visiting the United States
Americans believe France is the number one destination for a posh dining experience
Americans named the United States, Italy and Germany as the best places to go for family dining
“Sampling the local cuisine when travelling can be such a rewarding experience and it’s no wonder it plays such a big part in the decision-making process for travellers,” Hotels.com spokeswoman Katherine Birch said.
When planning a trip, the most confusing aspect is often trying to figure out what type of currency to bring along and how to navigate your credit cards. With help from Anisha Sekar, VP of Credit and Debit Products at NerdWallet, as well as my own travel experience, I’ve put together this guide to help you travel more efficiently with credit cards.
Know Before You Go
There are a few things you should take care of before heading off on your trip. First and foremost, no matter what credit or debit card you bring along, you must call the card company to let them know you will be traveling. If you don’t, the card will most likely become locked and you will have to call to have it reactivated, a process that can be a hassle when using international phone lines. It’s also good to call to see what spending and withdrawal restrictions are on the card, as well as if there are any incentives like travel insurance, no transaction fees or coverage on rental cars. For example, with Visa, travelers can save money on basics like rental cars, as well as receive perks from the Visa Signature offerings, including the Luxury Hotel Collection and the Visa Signature Global Concierge.
Moreover, making photocopies of all your important documents, including your credit cards, is important. When I travel, I always bring a copy hidden somewhere in my luggage, away from my valuables, as well as leave a copy at home with my family just in case.Questions To Ask Yourself Before Choosing A Credit Card
Everyone has their own unique travel style, meaning while one card may be right for one person, it may not be as practical for someone else. Before deciding on a card, ask yourself:
Where am I traveling to? For example, if you often travel abroad, a card without foreign transaction fees is a must. However, if you’re more likely to do a domestic road trip, you’ll probably be more concerned with what types of car rental insurance a card offers.
What brands am I loyal to when I travel? If you tend to stay in hostels and use different airlines every time you travel, a branded card probably isn’t a wise choice. However, if you’re a loyal Starwood or Delta customer, signing up for one of their company cards can have a lot of benefits.
Can I travel hack? If you don’t mind putting in the time to do research, cards that pay out in airline miles or rewards points can offer serious benefits.
Is the annual fee worth it? While many people automatically reject all credit cards charging annual fees, it’s a better idea to do a bit of research and math before making the final decision. Advises Sekar, “Do a quick back-of-the-napkin calculation weighing a higher rewards rate and benefits against an annual fee, and let the numbers speak for themselves.”
Foreign Transaction Fees
When trying to choose a travel credit card, this is probably the most important factor to look into. Many cards will charge you 1% to 3% every time you use the card. While this may not sound like a lot, it adds up very quickly, many times ending up to be more than the card’s annual fee. In my opinion, if you travel abroad regularly, it’s a good idea to find a card that doesn’t impose a transaction fee, like Capital One and Discover. Some good ones to look into include:
Capital One Venture Rewards Card– This is the credit card I use for travel and highly recommend. Along with being able to use it abroad incessantly without ever being charged a fee, some of the perks include two miles for every $1 spent, 2% back on all purchases, 10,000 bonus miles when spending $1,000 in the first three months of signup and no annual fee on your first year. Moreover, every single time I have called them, I have received exceptional customer service. They overnighted me a new card when mine was stolen, taken off charges for returns that never went through and have always been extremely helpful.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card– While I’ve never used this card myself, I’ve heard excellent things about it from those who have. Some perks include a $500 signup bonus, 40,000 Ultimate Rewards Points if you spend $3,000 in first three months of signup, no annual fee the first year and two points per $1 spent on most travel-related expenses. You’ll also receive one additional point per $1 spent and 20% off when you book travel through Ultimate Rewards.
BankAmericard Privileges with Travel Rewards– This travel card comes with many perks, and no foreign transaction fee. You’ll earn double points on each purchase, there’s no annual fee for the first year, and if you qualify you may have the fee waived in subsequent years. Additionally, points never expire and you’ll have access to 24-hour travel and emergency assistance as well as a concierge service.
EMV Compatibility
For those using a magnetic stripe card for travel, be aware that some places may not accept them.
“Around the world, credit cards are using embedded smartchips, called EMV chips, for verification rather than the traditional magnetic strips,” explains Sekar. “Though standard in other countries, EMV technology has yet to be adopted domestically.”
There are many cards that use the EMV technology, such as the BankAmericard Privileges with Travel Rewards card mentioned above, Chase Hyatt Visa Signature and all Citi MasterCards by request.
It is worth to note that even when cashiers say they cannot accept your magnetic stripe card, they probably can.
“Your magnetic-stripe card does work,” assures Ava Kelly, Head of Global Affluent and Cross Border Initiatives at Visa Inc. “When traveling internationally, if you encounter a business that says it cannot accept your card, just ask them to try again. Tell them to look for the slot for swiping a card, and follow the prompts on their payment terminal.”
Personally, I think this is worth taking into consideration. However, I think it’s more important to make sure you use Visa when traveling abroad. When other travelers have their credit cards declined, it is usually because they are carrying an American Express or Discover Card – unless they’re in China, that is, where Discover is the preferred method of payment.
Auto Rental Coverage
For travelers looking to rent a car, you should look to your credit card to help you with insurance. Often times, the policies offered to you by car rental agencies are already included in your credit card.
“All credit card networks provide some form of rental car insurance, though not all specific cards offer the benefit,” explains Sekar.
The questions you should look into include:
What is covered? For example, while Discover’s policy is limited to collisions and upsets, American Express Platinum covers theft, collision and other events.
How long do you have to make a claim? For instance, MasterCard holders get 60 days. On the other hand, American Express gives their clients 48 hours.
What will the company pay for? If you look into Visa, you’ll see they cover administrative and towing costs. However, Discover will not pay for “loss of use.”
Overall, Visa offers the best car rental insurance benefits of the four major networks. First of all, each of their cards includes rental car insurance for physical damage, theft, loss of use, towing and administrative costs. MasterCard is also pretty good, although its not offered on all cards. Remember, it doesn’t cover loss of use or theft of an unlocked vehicle like Visa does. American Express offers one perk that some may be interested in, the ability to add extra coverage for a small fee. Discover is hands down the worst card when it comes to auto rental coverage, and only a few of their cards even offer it.
Additionally, many prestigious cards also other types of travel coverage, such as lost baggage, travel delays, trip cancellation, accidental death and dismemberment, which is worth looking into.
Should You Consider A Branded Airline Or Hotel Card?
This will depend on how you travel. For example, if you regularly check bags, you may want to find an airline card that waives baggage fees. Just make sure to look at what the annual fee is, and calculate if you will end up spending more or less. If the annual fee is $50 and you usually spend $150 a year checking bags, it may be worth it to get the card. Moreover, hotel cards can often make your stay a lot nicer if you regularly book a particular hotel brand.
“Hotel credit cards can sometimes come with automatic elite status, which brings perks like late checkout, free newspapers, accelerated rewards earning and other goodies,” says Sekar. “Sometimes, these hotel cards will even have no annual fee, providing you with perks for free.”
Personally, I’m a fan of the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest Card. Although there is an annual fee, it is waived during your first year. Additionally, you’ll get 10,000 Starpoints after your first purchase, and 15,000 additional Starpoints when spending $5,000 in six months. Points can be redeemed for free stays in over 1,000 hotels in over 100 countries or free flights.And, they give you many chances to earn double points and sometimes even five points per dollar.
Do I Have To Pay An Annual Fee?
The truth is, even though many credit card companies charge an annual fee, you can often get out of paying it. Just simply pick up the phone and ask. It helps if you have a good relationship with the credit card company and are timely with paying the bills. Furthermore, because many companies are now relying heavily on social media, consider tweeting a polite comment about your displeasure with the annual fee, including the company in the tweet using the “@” symbol and the credit card company’s Twitter handle. Other fees you can try to get lowered or waived include the balance transfer fee, late fee, foreign transaction fee, interest rate and over the limit fee.
While it can be worthwhile booking a tour through a big-name company when traveling, it can get boring seeing a new city in the same old fashion. To do something off beat and interesting, these companies are offering unique tours and activities created and led by locals.
Gidsy
A marketplace for local and unusual experiences, Gidsy was started in 2011 in Berlin by two brothers, Edial and Floris Dekker. The idea was formed in an unusual way, when the hungry brothers were looking for someone to take them mushroom picking so they could make mushroom risotto. Thus, Gidsy was born. The business puts an emphasis on the host, trying to show off their personality and unique skill or knowledge.
“The experiences are better because they’re expressions of an individual’s personality and passion,” explained Edial to VentureBeat. “Instead of attending a yoga class at a gym, for example, you’ll find an expert on Gidsy offering candle-lit yoga classes on a rooftop.”
Described as a “marketplace for activities, tours, lessons and experiences,” CanaryHop is a helpful tool for connecting travelers with local hosts in a city. The idea for the site, which was cofounded by Andy Samberg in June 2011, came when the founders were traveling through the South of France with their families. After searching the web for hours, they still couldn’t find anything to do. They knew there had to be a better way to make the most of vacations.
“Our solution is to give travellers around the world a diverse set of local activities that they can book for their kids, for themselves and can be accessible by locals, tourists, travel agencies and more in booking travel around the world,” CanaryHop told Tnooz.
Started in 2011, GuideHop is a “peer-to-peer marketplace for tours and guided activities.” The company aims to connect people from around the world, and help travelers and those interested in making discoveries try new things. It integrates social media by allowing you to post your activities to Facebook and Twitter, and also focuses on giving guides fair rates, while at the same time showing those signing up for tours exactly how much the guide receives from the price.
“Your hotel room should not be what you write home about. An uninspired bus tour of all the obligatory sites shouldn’t be the only way you experience a city,” the founders told Tnooz in an interview. “It’s no fun burying your nose in a guide book but you don’t want to waste your precious spare time on some lackluster tourist trap.”
Triptrotting is a versatile site that not only allows travelers to connect one-on-one, but also through tours and activities hosted by locals. The idea began to take form in 2008, although the venture was formally founded in July of 2010. When traveling through Thailand, the founders felt like “clueless tourists,” being herded from one site to the next. While they took photos of numerous monuments, they couldn’t help but feel as though making a connection with locals was the key factor missing. They wondered what natives their age did, and from there, the idea for Triptrotting was born.
Triptrotting is passionate about global citizenship, stating on their “About Us” page, “Through face-to-face interaction, people will learn to understand each other beyond cultural differences and boundaries. With the help of the Triptrotting community, we hope to make the world a better place through cultural exchange and understanding.”
Vayable, which the site defines as “the best way to find unique, insider travel experiences, worldwide,” has the unique mission to better the world through experiences. For example, a study by UNESCO showed that tourism is one of the greatest threats to global sites by which it sustains itself. Vayable tries to respond to this problem.
“… the survival of the industry translates into the survival of the communities that sustain it, particularly in developing countries,” Vayable says in their mission statement. “For many countries, tourism presents the greatest promise of prosperity and economic mobility. Vayable provides these communities with a new, safe and fun way to accomplish this.”
The idea for Vayable came when co-founder Jamie Wong went on a trip to Morocco. Guidebook in hand, she wandered into a carpet shop and began telling the owner how much she wanted to visit the Sahara Desert. Moments later, they were driving for 15 hours through the Atlas Mountains to the desert, where Wong met the shopkeeper’s cousin, Ali, who was head of the caravan tribe. Wong got to travel for five nights on camel, sleeping under the stars and eating bread baked in the sun. When the trip was over, she realized the small amount of money she had spent – well, what she saw as small, anyway – had given Ali and his cousin enough to live on for a month. Wong’s new understanding of the world lead her to want to make a difference. From here, the idea for Vayable was born.
SideTour, whose tagline is “Challenge the ordinary,” was launched in the summer of 2011 by Vipin Goyal within the TechStars incubator in New York City. They set up travelers and curious locals with hosts who can show them unique skills and facets of the city. While many similar companies use a listing system, where users find an interesting activity and contact the host to arrange to meet, SideTour uses an event outline. Hosts plan an activity for a specific date and time, and then interested parties can purchase tickets. For now they’re focusing on New York only; however, they will be spreading to other cities in the near future.
“We update our site weekly with the most uncommon and unexpected activities, so you’re always in the know with whatever’s going on around you,” says SideTour. “Our NYC-based team curates each and every listing so you can book knowing that a great experience is guaranteed.”
While often overlooked by travelers, Meetup is excellent way to find unique activities to enjoy with like-minded people. With more than 9,000 groups and about 340,000 monthly meetups in 45,000 cities, they boast being the world’s largest network of local groups. You can search for meetup groups that interest you, join, then attend interesting activities and events. The concept for Meetup began shortly after 9/11, when founder Scott Heiferman read the book “Bowling Alone.” He realized the less people interact with those they don’t know, the less they trust strangers. Because of this, they end up interacting less. Additionally, Heiferman used to go see a band he loved, Luna, often times alone. Although he would see the same people at every show, he usually felt awkward going up to them.
“…it’s not just find the people that have a similar interest because the other people that like that band were in the same place multiple times a year, but it’s more about giving them permission to talk to people, giving them license to talk to each other,” Heiferman explained in an interview with Betabeat.
What’s really great is the activities and events are usually free or extremely inexpensive to attend. You’ll have to join the groups to RSVP to events, although there is an option to contact the group moderators. Simply let them know you’re coming to town and interested in attending an upcoming event. While it’s hard to narrow down just a few offbeat groups to join on Meetup, some include:
Long Island Role Players– This is great if you’re interested in fantasy-meets-reality role playing games, like “All Flesh Must Be Eaten,” a survival horror game, “Four Color Blues,” a superhero adventure game and “Dungeons and Dragons,” a game of political rule.
Sydney Arthouse and Foreign Films– Join this group if you’ll be in Sydney, and are interested in arthouse and foreign films and going to events like film festivals, open-air movie screenings and coffee and drink gatherings with other cinema-lovers.
Dublin’s City Life Drawing– This group meets on Tuesdays at a studio in Dublin to draw still life and have constructive discussions. The members also go for drinks afterwards at a local pub.
Free Fun in Las Vegas– If you’re looking to save money but have fun in Vegas, this group hosts activities that are $5 or less. They post events like free movies and swimming, $5 improv comedy shows, free farmers markets and free poetry slams.
In your home country, you probably have no problem starting up a conversation with other locals. However, when traveling abroad it becomes a bit trickier. You may find yourself losing your temper in stressful situations, or feeling anxious asking simple questions, like for directions or where the nearest bathroom is. To help you successfully interact with locals on your next trip abroad, here are some tips I’ve learned through my travels.
Remember, You Are The Foreigner
Too often, I find tourists getting snippy with locals because they can’t understand what they’re saying. While in Vienna, I was actually with a girl who shouted at our waitress – who spoke German – for bringing the wrong salad. She actually had the nerve to turn to me and ask, “Why can’t she speak English?”
It was mortifying for me, mortifying for the waitress and should have been mortifying for this nasty tourist as well. The correct reaction would have been to either to politely try to explain to the waitress – with hand gestures and pointing to the menu, if necessary – that she brought the wrong entree. Or, just eat the salad. Sometimes, receiving the wrong order in an eatery adds some adventure to the trip, anyway.Be Patient
Of course, if you don’t speak the local language it will take longer to ask questions and get your point across. Instead of acting impatient, take a deep breath and remind yourself how lucky you are to be having an interaction with a local in a foreign country.
Remain Calm
If you have an important question that seems impossible to get answered – like where your bus will be arriving or how to get back to your hotel – don’t panic. This will only cause you to seem like you’re upset or angry, making it less likely for someone to answer you. Instead, think of an alternative way to ask your question. For example, instead of using words to ask for hotel directions, show the person the property’s business card or a map and ask them to draw the route.
Carry A Pen And Paper
Going along with the above tip, one of the smartest things you can do when abroad is to carry around a pen and paper. Drawing pictures and writing out the names of sites and cities can be much more effective than speaking, especially as accents can get in the way. I find it especially helpful when buying train or bus tickets, as I can simply write down the name of my starting city and draw arrows pointing to the names of the other places I need to get to.
Keep In Mind That Cultural Barriers Are Part Of The Experience
This goes along with being patient. It may seem frustrating while you’re speaking and not being understood, but keep in mind that it’s all part of the travel experience. Once you return home, these incidents will probably have turned into comical stories of the trip.
Every Time You Interact Your Cultural Knowledge Grows
Each time you interact with a local in a foreign country you learn something about the culture or place. Because of this you should try not to be nervous about asking questions or starting a conversation regardless of your knowledge of the local language. Even doing something as simple as saying “hello” can help you learn about greetings in the community. On a recent trip through South America, I had a lot of trouble making steady conversation with locals, not because I didn’t know Spanish, but because of my New York accent. However, having locals correct me was a great way for me to perfect my Spanish, and also add some new phrases to my vocabulary.
Don’t Get Offended
Traveling in Ghana I was constantly trying to be polite, using the phrase ma daa si, or “thank you,” as much as possible. However, every time I said it, my courtesy was met with hysterical laughter. At first I felt stupid for not being able to say the phrase correctly, until my homestay mother explained to me that I shouldn’t be offended and that the locals appreciated foreigners trying to speak the local language of Twi. It was also common for Ghanians to shout oburoni, or “foreigner,” at you as a way to start a friendly conversation, call you skinny or fat to describe a fact or propose marriage to you within just getting to know you. You have to get out of your Western mindset and remember that in other countries different responses and behaviors mean different things. Plus if the person you’re interacting with really is being rude to you, it’s no different than if someone at home were doing the same thing. Ignore them and move on.
Research Cultural Taboos
While you shouldn’t get offended, you also don’t want to be offensive. Before leaving for your trip, do some research on the etiquette and customs of the culture you’re visiting. Asking someone personal questions may be acceptable in one culture, but not another. Moreover, take space and touching into consideration. We may shake hands in America to greet someone, but if a woman tried to shake the hand of a monk in Thailand that wouldn’t be good.
Take A Chance
So what if you say a word wrong or the person you’re talking to doesn’t understand you? Most likely, the worst thing that will happen is you end up walking away without your question being answered. On the other hand, what if you get your question answered, learn some new foreign vocabulary and make a new friend? Think of the possibilities of your interaction and take a chance. When in Ghana I traveled with a girl who was terrified of talking to locals even if just to hail a taxi or purchase fruit at the market. One day we were buying fabric to have dresses made and she asked me to order hers for her. Because I wanted her to have the experience of interacting with locals, I refused. In the end, she was really proud of herself for talking to the local woman and wasn’t so terrified to interact from there on out.
Teach Locals About Yourself, Too
While you’re curious about the life of the local you’re talking to, they’re probably curious about you, too. Make sure to share some insight, and if you can, bring photos of family and friends, and items that give them some insight into your culture.
While travel is often thought of as being a luxurious and fun break from reality, there are times when you’ll probably feel like you’re losing your mind. Moving around can be exhausting, and being away from home can make you feel scattered. To help you stay sane on the road, here are some helpful tips.
Have Someone To Talk To
Having someone to talk to that is not a complete stranger when traveling is important, especially when you’re on the road for long periods of time. Simply hearing the voice of a trusted friend or relative from home at times when you’re away and feeling stressed can be a comforting reminder of home. If you don’t want to pay for long-distance calls, services like Skype and Viber allow for low-cost and free calling.Read About Extreme Journeys
Whenever I’m feeling stressed while traveling, I like to read about other nomads and adventure-enthusiasts who are also on the road, but doing crazier things than I am. While huffing and puffing my way through the Inca Trail, it was comforting to hear about Appalachian Trail expeditions, or climbs up Mount Everest. If you’re in a hut in a remote village where there is no running water, read stories about people who are living in the forest with no running water and no roof over their heads. Not only will you feel less overwhelmed about what you’re doing, you’ll feel inspired by other brave travelers.
Indulge With Comfort Food
Of course, a smart way to stay sane on the road is to keep the mind and body healthy with nutritious foods and exercise. That being said, nothing calms me more than something delicious that reminds me of home, especially when all you’ve been eating is unfamiliar local cuisine. Whether you love your mom’s homemade macaroni and cheese or a McDonald’s hamburger, indulge yourself and keep sane by giving yourself a delicious piece of home.
Get In Some Alone Time
Whether I’m traveling or at home, nothing is more effective in keeping me sane than spending some quality time with myself. When I’m traveling and feeling stressed, I love to put on my iPod and just wander around a city, getting lost in the sites and in my own head. It can give you time to think and unwind, without feeling any pressure to have a conversation. Like a silent retreat, being alone with yourself will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.
Pamper Yourself
When you feel like you’re going insane on the road, the key is to relax. For me, that usually means going to the nearest spa and getting a massage; however, this could mean different things to different people. Maybe you’ll want to splurge on a fancy hotel, go for a round of golf and find a hot tub to soak in or buy yourself a new shirt. Sometimes you need to take a break from the sightseeing, and give yourself some time to breath and turn your mind off.
Adjust Your Attitude
With that being said, the phrase “attitude is everything” holds a lot of truth. If you’re having negative thoughts, find a way to think positive. While not every situation you’ll face will be absolutely perfect, you can learn to focus on the good things and make the bad things less apparent. For example, on a recent trek on the Inca Trail in Peru, I was bummed when I found out my group for the ensuing four days was all couples – and single me. On the bus to the start of the trek, I found myself feeling lonely as I watched the couples snuggle into their bus seats, while I occupied the back by myself. However, as soon as I adjusted my attitude and told myself to focus on the incredible journey, and get to know the other participants as individuals, I ended up having an amazing and unforgettable experience.
Stay Organized
It’s easy to get frazzled when you’re constantly rummaging through you luggage, unable to find what you’re looking for. If my backpack is unorganized during my travels, it makes me feel disoriented. It’s amazing how unpacking and repacking everything in a more organized fashion can really calm you down and make you feel more centered. To help with this, buy suitcases and backpacks with many compartments, separate toiletries in plastic bags, keep similar items together, place items you’ll use often in an easy to reach place and, most importantly, pack light. The less you have, the easier it is to organize.
Watch A Movie
When I feel like I’m losing my mind on the road, nothing helps me escape more easily than watching a movie. For 90 minutes, you’ll be able to relax and completely focus on something else. If you’re staying at an accommodation without a TV, it’s also a good excuse to give yourself an upgrade. Don’t worry if your budget is small, as many hostels and B&B’s have TVs in the rooms or common rooms.
Make Your Hotel Room Your Home
Making yourself feel at home, even if you’re not, is key to keeping sane while traveling. Even doing small things, like placing a framed photo of your family, lighting a candle or bringing your favorite throw pillow can help to put you at ease on the road.
Travel Less
Stop worrying about missing out on things and seeing everything, and just enjoy what you are seeing. When you’re on the move every other day, you increase your risks of travel fatigue, as well as your chances of losing your mind abroad. Instead of getting a glimpse of 10 cities, choose two or three and get to know them in-depth. You’ll not only have a better understanding of the culture, you’ll have more energy to really enjoy the trip.
Spray Your Favorite Scent
The sense of smell is very powerful, and spraying your favorite scent can help calm your nerves and center your mind. Especially in foreign cities where unfamiliar odors are everywhere, it’s nice to smell something you’re accustomed to. Because I don’t like carrying perfume, I always make sure to bring at least one shower product with a smell I love. Then, when I’m stressed, I simply take a shower and clear my head with vanilla and sugar or wild citrus sunflower. It may sound simple, but it works.