Wednesday 13 February 2013


Well today was my first radio Toni's Travel Tips and I think it went well--except for my speedy delivery.  I always speak too quickly when I get excited. 

Nic and I talked about the most popular travel methods for stressed vacations - Cruises and Escorted Tours.  I thought I should elaborate on these two mehods of vaationing.

By the way, here's a link to the poo cruise fiasco that we discussed on air.  I also note a follow up story.  Talk about the holiday from hell hey?  Of course this is a one-in-a-million occurence, but it's a cheap and sensational segue for me to iterate that when choosing a cruise it is vital that you get one that is right for you. This webpage has broken the types into seven types of cruises.  Remember a ship can be a small place if you're on the wrong one--to me the "adventure cruise" looks the most inviting.

I can't believe I had a brain fart on radio this morning of course I meant Antarctic and Arctic.  I drove from Brisbane to do the segment so put it down to too much caffeine. 

My own cruise experience - when I was 17 I boarded a big ole ship and sailed to the UK from Sydney.  It took about three weeks and I thoroughly enjoyed my time.  The stops included Fiji, Tahiti, Acapulco, Christobal and Balboa, Fort Lauderdale and finally Southhampton.  I remember seeing black sand for the first time (Acapulco), being underwhelmed by the Panama Canal and nearly missing the ship in Fort Lauderdal (I hired a car and got totally lost).  After working three jobs to finance my European trip, I needed the rest and met a lively group of females.  Debbie Gooda if you're out there reading this -- email me.

Since then I'll admit I like boat/ship travelling and I don't suffer from seasickness too often.  I think the most spectacular time I spent on the ocean was my trip on a DDG off the coast of Hawaii (Maui actually) when we were surrounded by a pod of whales.   I was one of the few on deck--most people were downstairs throwing up.  Umm note to people:  if a bunch of folks are downstairs throwing up - perhaps being up on deck, in the fresh air is the best place to be?

My ideal break is to do a barefoot cruise on the Barrier Reef--I tried to talk some friends into it but no one was up for it.  I need to get me some new friends.  This website is interesting -- maybe one day Nic and I will take one report back to you.  In the meantime if any of you have done a barefoot cruise please email me...

Well that's all for tonight - 

Ciao


Disclaimer:  all information is my opinion and in no way endorses the companies or wbsites.







Tuesday 12 February 2013

What's Hot for 2013? De-Stressing


As Plato told us,  the only rule to a successful vacation is KNOW THYSELF.  Which of these pictures is the one where you want to be?  On a cruise ship soaking up the fun and sun without a care in the world -- where everything is provided?  Or perhaps its a deserted island or a cottage tucked away from civilisation?  Maybe you'd rather be where the action is -- fun nights and shopping days.  One thing is for certain - unless you plan the right holiday you won't enjoy it.

What's trending in vcations at the moment?  Apparently cruises are big - especially for families.  This means that mum gets a proper holiday - ie no shopping or cooking or washing up (yes guys it is not a holiday if the chores have to still be done).   Be sure, of course, that you get the appropriate  cruise -- you don't want the football end-of-year-celebration-cruise unless you're a really fun person. One of my BFFs has to suffer cruises with her in-laws -- their idea of a fun time is to cruise to a strange and exotic place and sit on the cruise ship's "beach"- they never venture into the actual ports of call.  She hates it and so she's protested by refusing to go unless the cruise is to somewhere truly exciting like Alaska or Antarctica.

Remember most of your days you are on the ocean and not in port - so be prepared for limited shopping facilities.  And the quarters are cramped -- I don't care what the brochures say - step it out in your bedroom or loungeroom before you book that room.  I have heard horror stories from families who didn't have the space for their luggage in the same room?  Warning: crossing the Panama Canal is not that exciting -- I did it a few years ago and after a few minutes --well there's 'nothing to see there'.   Here are some last minute deals if you want an idea of what it's going to cost you.  Remember costs include all food (usually) but not drinks or tipping or port activities. Check about airfares getting there and back and on-land accommodation. 

Despite all of my bad mouthing - cruises are great for de-stressing - the greatest decision you have to make is whether to have another mai-tai or not.  And de-stressing is THE travel word for 2013.

This year - according to my research (websites and asking industry folks) - what people want are big advenures but easy vacations.  That's why cruises are so popular.  The other growth is in the escorted tour industry. 

Now when I was a young woman Contiki was THE fun way to see Europe.  I was shocked to learn that not only are they still going but in fact they are more popular than ever.  Of course they are strictly for the limber of frame and young at heart 18-35.  But it appears they no longer do the camping thing but actually have hotels?!   For older people there Trafalgar, Cosmos, Gobal etc - these are great for the new travellers as they take do virtually everything and often include meals.  More to come on guided tours as I'm going to do a whole show on them later -- email me  your questions and I'll have an answer for you.

What cruises and escorted offer is taking the stressout of decisionmaking - it's simply then a matter of WHERE you want to go.

What are the HOT destinations? 

If you want exotic but civiised it should be no surprise that the 2013 popular desintations are Africa, India and New Zealand.

Africa is a big continent and potentially a dangerous one--so it's no surprise that people are heding for South Africa.  South Africa offers many familiar things for the Australian - it's a similar climate, has great beaches aned a very laidback lidfestyle. Dare I admit it but South Africa has some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.  And despite the warning from everyone, as a female who travelled on her own 8n South Africa - I drove the Garden Route on my own and stayed in one of the best ever bed and breakfasts places in the world, Liberty Lodge.   David Attenborough's Africa is showing on Channel 10 at the moment and should inspire many people to make the trip. 

With the increasing entree of India into the commercial world we know more about it these days than we did in the past.  I haven't been to India in years -- but I can highly recommend Sri Lanka if one visits.  It is still the jewel in the sea.  I will be discussing my trip to Mumbai more later.  

Closer to home - New Zealand is the place to go. Fantasy movies have made it THE southern destination to visit. Not ony is it only a few hours' flight, but also our dollar is very strong.  If you are thinking of driving StandbyRelocations offers great bargains especically  for those who want to take campervans--from as low as AUD1 per day.

Other De-Stressing Activities

In order to accommodate the hassle of travelling - airports are offering yoga areas (San Franciso, Burlington and Dallas Fort Worth)and many airline lounges have showers and massages.  To kep the kiddies happy in Hong Kong Airport there are free Playstations. 

San Francisco International Airport. (Photo: Courtesy San Francisco International)





Best Ever Travel Apps and Websites

Yes I know you all have your favourites -- but you never know maybe I have some that you haven't heard of. Below are a list of those which I use every time I am planning my trips --  remember these are my opinions only -- feel free to email your faves.  I use an iphone so I am unsure if there are android apps for the following. 

Airfares - KAYAK - I find most airline (and travel agents) websites to be pretty hopeless -- they are too clogged down with promotions and advertising and my itineraries never seem to match theirs (QANTAS is the worst one of all).  Enter KAYAK. I particularly like the mobile app.  It's fast and it covers the entire globe.  It also gives prices -- a couple of which beat those offered by my 'travel agent'--so they had to give me the Kayak price.  Cha-ching!

If you're a hound who needs to know where you are sitting, then SEAT GURU is for you.  I find they change the planes on me so often that it is just not worth the hassle. 

Hotels/Places to Stay.  HOTEL TONIGHT - this is my new favourite.It offers the lowest hotel prices - what's the catch?  You can only book that day -- yep it's to fill up the hotels for the night and so rather than go empty the hotels offer rooms as vastly reduced rates.  Obviously it's not ideal but if you are travelling offpeak or going somewhere not too busy then this is the way to save money  Another minus - it's USA mostly with a few major Candian and European cities.  Hint:  check it several times before you leave and if the same hotels are empty then you have an idea of your chances of snapping up an el cheapo room.  I'm going to use it in Los Angeles - or maybe not?  Am I too chicken?
TRIPADVISOR - yes it's an old favourite but when a hotel seems suspiciously cheap then it is always wise to read the trip advisor reviews.  I have found some great bargains there. Be aware that some reviews could be sour grapes or not reliable - so go with the majority view.  But forget it when it comes to restaurants and attractions etc - often the reviews are years old or too few to be of benefit.  They also have great City Guides for most of the major cities in the world and the list grows longer all the time - I use these city guides instead of buying paper ones. (It saves your data so no roaming charges).  The guides have pretty good "general" maps and give you an idea of where the hotels actually are (I always find a new city intimidating -- how do I know if I'm in the most convenient neighbourhood?). 
EXPEDIA - for a rough idea about hotel prices I find the old expedia gives me a general guide - it used to always be the cheapest place on the web, but I am finding that more and more hotels are matching expedia and other online prices and I think the hotels treat people who book directly better.
AIRBN - this is the way of the future.  It combines great prices, different types of accommodation and traveller reviews. Mostly they have apartments and rooms in people's houses.  And they are very reasonable - especially for cities such as New York and Los Angeles and London.  I prefer the anonimity of hotels but some of their apartments do look inviting - and they offer some quirky accommodation types - caravan anyone?  If anyone has ever used them please let me know.

Travel Plans - TRIPIT. This is a handly place to keep all of your flights etc - personally I'm a pen and paper gal - besides I might need my phone juice onboard to compensate for the crappy movies.

Language Apps - if you really want to get to know the locals then I suggest downloading one of the many language apps.  I am too cheap and only download the freebies.  But at least they give you some handy phrases.

Maps - Definitely download GOOGLE MAPS.  The others are just a hot mess. Make sure you plot your travel BEFORE you leave the hotel so that you aren't using roaming data.  Then photograph the map and you have it. 

Travel Diaries - There are tons of them out there - but I simply use Facebook (when I'm in Wi-Fi range) to let everyone know where I am.  Saves me doubling up and to be honest I never keep a diary after the first couple of days.

Keeping in Touch - SKYPE - Still the best free phone app.  And no matter where I am, I have hate great connections--Venice, South Africa, Japan, USA, Spain, UK.

Boredom - to fill in the long hours I must have my favourite podcasts (In Our Time, This American Life), something to read (Kindle), and Angry Birds.   Remember to take noise reducing earbuds (they are definitely worth paying extra for) and your charger as some plane seats have plugs now.

Please email any new apps !

Ciao

Monday 11 February 2013

Welcome!!

Hi Everyone

Welcome to my travel tips blog.  I'm not a travel agent and I don't earn money from this - I just love to travel and to share my experiences with y'all.

You probably came here from Mornings with Nicole Dyer -- so I am pleased that you took the time to look me up.   If not, please visit the website and send Nicole lots of good wishes.  She and I have been radio mates for years and she truly is a fun human being :)

For the rest of the year we will be meeting on the radio on Wednesdays at 10am.  Here is our planned schedule


13th Feb
13th March
10th April
8th May
12th June
10th July
14th August
11th September


This year my travels will take me to Washington DC (for Easter), Mumbai for September (maybe October) and Hong Kong for December.  For closer-to home travel - I haven't decided yet.  So if you have anything to add or questions to ask them please feel free to submit your comments.

Oh and if you would  like me to discuss anything in particular on the radio - then please send me an email or contact Nicole.  We want to include YOU (the listeners) as much as possible.

Ciao
T