Review: For any new reader, "P" stands for one of the mantras of Nursing, my former occupation, from which I'm now retired. "Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance" was drummed into our tired student heads. Toward that end, in traveling, the same thing helps: prepare well for your travels and you'll have a much better time!
Here's a list of my former blog posts about the "Ps": P#1, July 31, 2013: "The Five Ps;" P#2, August 5, 2013: "P" Help #2: Travel Insurance;" "P" Help #3: I.D. & Credit Cards;" "P" help #4: Money, and "P" Help #5, Medical & Safety Needs."
Buses, Cars, Trains, Planes & Taxis: For every place I've traveled in the last twenty years, I've at least had to travel from airport to destination in a city. I might be going to visit a relative, the best scenario, and just have to collect my baggage and be met at some pre-designated area, and be chauffeured to the relative's home. Oh, happiness!!
Otherwise, I'll be going directly to a hotel, hopefully, one close to where I want to be. There are always waiting taxis, sometimes hotel shuttles, or you may rent a car. Taxis are always expensive from the airports. All hotels don't have shuttles. Car rental is an good option if you'll use it during your visit and if the parking fees are included with your hotel room (rare), or if you don't mind expensive parking fees. The only hotel with complementary parking I've stayed in is the Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu. Anyone know of others? I have seen folks on buses with their suitcases but - wow! - I wouldn't do it: cheap but exhausting.
Buses: In many large cities, there are so many wonderful sights you want to see that are spread out all over the city that you can't walk to everything, even in the 'old', historic, central city. If you research the bus system, you'll know how it operates. In Rome, Daughter #3, Cathy, and I, used the local buses extensively. Riding is strictly on the honor system. Pay the fare and receive a printed ticket. Many people don't bother paying. BUT - if an official 'checker' comes aboard and asks to see everyone's ticket, you will get a fine if you can't produce your ticket. It was so cheap; why would anyone cheat?
Cars: I'm hesitant to rent cars in foreign countries. . .especially if it's one of those countries in which you'd be driving on the 'wrong' side of the road. Check before you leave home if your car insurance would pay if you need it in another country. Try to find out the rules of the road also before you leave home. Be really, really careful about parking by your touristy sites. Daughter #4, Theresa, and I got the rental car towed in Hawaii. We looked for "No Parking" signs but didn't notice the little ones that said, "no parking 3:30 - 6:30." It was a very expensive lesson!
Trains: In Europe, the trains are phenomenally wonderful! They are super-clean and super-on-time, not to mention very affordable. Cathy and I found First Class in Italy positively luxurious. Daughter #7, Marie, and I found Standard Class really nice in England. Cathy and I traveled with my nephew, Cieran, from his home in Cavan County, Ireland, to Dublin, in pure comfort, in a bus that was just as nice as our American tour buses, and quite affordable. In Boston and Washington, D.C., the Subway trains are clean, on-time and also affordable.
One feature in England we noticed that was quite different from our American trains: from London to Shrewsbury, there was not a single gated crossing. All the intersections were over bridges. How safe that must be for motorists. What efficient planning they accomplished.
Planes: Yes, planes!, local transportation in Hawaii. You can get from one island to another either in a boat or in a plane. Theresa and I had more than enough fun in Hawaii this time. We thought of taking a day trip to another island but decided we'd rather not rush and get in some more 'beach' time.
Taxis: They are everywhere. I think they're really expensive, even on the rare occasion I've used one in my own city in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. But Marie and I found them rather affordable in London. The cabbies were so informative and interesting. One told us, "I could tell you who most of the American presidents were but not so the Prime Ministers of my own country." Another asked us, "What do you think of your president?" (private answer!).
Walking: Perhaps I should add this! The only city I have ever felt unsafe and intimidated in, I'm sorry to say, on both occasions I visited, the last one this past summer, was New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A. Tourists have been cautioned for years to walk always in a group, a large one. I'm really embarrassed by this! No where else have I felt unsafe! The exercise is good and you can certainly see much more on foot than by vehicle. Cathy and I also found that in the blistery city of Rome in July are many clean water fountains to be found. Caution: traffic is wicked fast in Rome: look both ways twice before you cross a street!
Plan your next trip soon - travel is SO fun!
Every hotel I've stayed at in the Washington DC area has complimentary parking for guests. I've never known other hotels were different.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I never knew that there were hotels that *didn't* provide free parking to guests. Every time I've been in a hotel in DC, they've always had free parking, usually in a garage beneath the hotel -- warm, dry, and a quick elevator trip to your room.
ReplyDelete