| We are not ugly anymore. | | | | roses on the bedspread which did not match the |
| If you are inclined to being loud, rude, arrogant | | | | roses on the chair - but it was warm, with a big |
| and like to sight see on the elegant streets of | | | | tub and they served a full English breakfast |
| Europe in your sweats and running shoes, no one | | | | included in the price. The underground stop was a |
| will sneer. They might even kiss you. | | | | block away. Don't ask me to remember the |
| The Americans are not traveling. And we are | | | | name but there are many like that in every |
| missed. | | | | major city. They do not spend money on |
| It's "the economy" of course but we are just not | | | | advertising and may not have a web page. They |
| going anywhere. Not even out of our driveways | | | | cater to European tourists. |
| to the mall. | | | | Some of these hotels have emails but they all will |
| It is true that the unemployment rate is | | | | have a fax. Or call them up. It is not that |
| approaching eight percent but that also means | | | | expensive to call overseas these days. Be specific |
| that 92 % of us are working. | | | | about what your requirements are. |
| You have saved the money for your dream trip | | | | Something like this: |
| and have hoarded your airline miles. You are afraid | | | | Please reserve and confirm one room with two |
| to spend them. | | | | beds with a bath and TOILET for seven nights |
| The airlines have trillions of dollars tied up on | | | | beginning ______ and ending __________. |
| those miles and I guarantee they are going to | | | | Please advise availability, cost including all taxes, |
| make it harder and harder for you to use them in | | | | any meals included and deposit required. (They |
| the future. They are hoping you will die and your | | | | count nights not days. And I am not kidding about |
| family will not know they can have the miles | | | | asking for a toilet with the bath.) |
| transferred. But not right now. If you have a lot | | | | Inquire politely about early check in as most |
| of miles, you can use them for hotels and car | | | | international flights from the US come in early in |
| rentals. Check into that. Try to book your flights | | | | the morning. Ask for detailed instructions by public |
| on line but sometimes you get better information | | | | or other reasonable transportation from the |
| if you pay the fee to call the mileage people on | | | | airport to the hotel. Taxis are pricey. |
| the phone. | | | | End with your name and contact information. |
| I remember being on a Mediterranean cruise | | | | They will answer you. They are very efficient. |
| which was full of widows hanging over the rails | | | | EXCHANGE YOUR CURRENCY TO THE LOCAL |
| and crying, "How George would have enjoyed this | | | | CURRENCY AT A BANK |
| trip." George was long gone. | | | | There are banks when you come to the airport. |
| I say. GO WITH GEORGE NOW. Or whomever. | | | | You will get a better exchange rate. |
| You are not getting any younger. | | | | AVOID USING CREDIT CARDS AS MUCH AS |
| You may have to make some adjustments in | | | | POSSIBLE |
| your plans. That trip for three weeks to 17 | | | | Sometimes, a store or a hotel will hold a charge |
| countries may have to be cut down to size. Most | | | | until their currency improves over yours. You |
| people don't remember where they have been on | | | | might be in for a big surprise months later. |
| a schedule like that anyway. They spend years | | | | BUY A WEEKLY PASS ON THEIR LOCAL |
| arguing if that picture of a church was in Brussels | | | | TRANPORTATION SYSTEM |
| or Rome. | | | | Ask for a discount - senior, student - you might |
| Here are some suggestions to make it your trip | | | | even get one if you are a teacher. Bring your ID. |
| recession guilt free. | | | | You can usually buy these at most airports so |
| TRAVEL IN LOW SEASON | | | | you can get started right away. There is usually a |
| That means between November 1 to March 31. | | | | traveler's tourist desk in major airports if you |
| You do not go to Europe to swim. Everyone | | | | don't know where to go to get these things. |
| wants to go when the weather is "nice." I ask | | | | (Also ask for a discount at all major sightseeing |
| you. When is that? The global warming issue is | | | | sites) |
| messing up weather all over the world. Just go. | | | | AVOID RESTAURANTS WITH WHITE |
| GO TO JUST ONE CITY FOR A WEEK | | | | TABLECLOTHS |
| You can get a full flavor of a major city in this | | | | That's the signal they are more expensive. Or, |
| length of time and see almost everything | | | | look at the menu on the door. Do the math. Bring |
| worthwhile. Then come home and count your | | | | a little calculator with you. |
| pennies and your miles for the next one. Pick the | | | | LEAVE YOUR LAPTOP AT HOME (IF YOU CAN |
| city you have most yearned to see. Go there | | | | BEAR IT) |
| first. | | | | Use Internet Cafes which are everywhere. I am |
| RESEARCH HOTELS YOURSELF | | | | getting mixed answers about your using Skype. |
| There are many small hotels you can find if you | | | | But bring your headset just in case. |
| do the work. And bed and breakfasts. Do not ask | | | | Ditto your hairdryer. Buy a cheap one there. I |
| your travel agent because they do not get a | | | | have burned out several. |
| commission on them so they will not book them. | | | | HAVE A PICNIC TO SAVE ON MEALS |
| Do it yourself. Pick something just a little off the | | | | OCCASIONALLY |
| main drag. Not the suburbs. Make sure there is | | | | Buy a nice bottle of wine, some crusty bread and |
| public transportation nearby. There are plenty of | | | | some cheese and have a simple meal watching |
| travel books in the library. I have found that that | | | | CNN in your room. You will need some rest after |
| is a better source than on line. Fodor's or | | | | a hard day touring. |
| Frommer is a good place to start. | | | | And I was just kidding about ugly. I think you are |
| I stayed in a very reasonable hotel in London right | | | | beautiful! |
| across from the British Museum. The room was | | | | What did I miss? Attention: You savvy travelers! |
| small, the roses on the carpet did not match the | | | | Add your suggestions! |
| roses on the wallpaper which did not match the | | | | |