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Pitt Osher Class
06-26-2012For weekly class topic lists: Week One - Week Two - Week Three
Travel planning resources
David Bear travel web sites:
The Traveler’s Journal – www.travelersjournal.com
(Osher course materials to posted at www.travelersjournal.com/articles2.php?ID=622
Gigapanorama.org - Interactive Gigapixel panoramas of more than 150 cities around the world. http://gigapanorama.org/?page_id=10
Passports/Visas – American citizens need to have a valid passport for any travel outside the US, including Canada and Mexico. Always be sure that your passport is in order and that it has at least six months' validity before it expires. If your itinerary is taking you to countries that require a visa, make sure to obtain them well in advance of departing. The same goes for any vaccinations that may be necessary. The US Department of State Web site (http://www.state.gov/travel) details passport application information as well as visa and vaccination requirements, security issues and warnings for all countries with which the US maintains diplomatic relationships.
For a simple guide, you can also check http://projectvisa.com/
Health - Regardless of your itinerary, you should be up-to-date on routine vaccines, such as tetanus, measles/mumps/rubella, varicella, and seasonal flu. Some counties also require special vaccinations or medical preparation. The Web site of the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/travel) provides information on medical requirements in most countries, often with area-specific warnings. Three other online health resources are www.tripprep.com, www.mdtravelhealth.com and www.worldclinic.com.
The Allegheny County Health Department maintains free resources on the subject of medications necessary for foreign travel. They have an online form at www.achd.net/infectd/travel.php. If you have specific questions, you can call them at 412-578-8060 and leave a message, and a trained adviser will call back. You can check out the overall performance of health systems in various countries around the world at www.photius.com/rankings/world_health_performance_ranks.html
General destination research
Travel organizer
www.tripit.com - Excellent interactive system to build an itinrary
Directory of Tourism Bureaus world wide
Online travel guides:
http://searchengineland.com/the-thirteen-best-online-travel-guides-47074
www.frommers.com - They put their entire guide series online.
Finding Airfare deals: www.bestfares.com
(domestic only): www.airfarewatchdog.com
Airfare aggregators (they compare fares but don’t actually sell tickets)
www.hipmonk.com - Excellent graphic representation.
Online travel agencies
Cruise aggregators
Group tour operators tailored to older travelers
Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) www.roadscholar.org
Grand Circle - www.gct.com/
Overseas Adventure - www.oattravel.com/
Maupintour - www.maupintour.com/
Tauk Tours - www.tauck.com/
Perillo Tours - www.perillotours.com/
Your Man Tours - www.ymtvacations.com
Eldertreks - www.eldertreks.com/
Odysseys Unlimited – www.odysseys-unlimited.com
Affordable Tours (consolidator) www.affordabletours.com
HotelResort Booking
Hotel listings Worldwide - www.hotelserver.net/travelpage/main/default.asp
Bed and Breakfasts
Housecondo rentals and home exchanges
AirBnB www.airbnb.com
Vacation Rental By Owner – www.vrbo.com
HomeAway – www.homeaway.com
Senor Home Exchange - www.seniorhomeexchange.com/
Tripadvisor - www.tripadvisor.com/vacationrentals
Roomorama.com - www.roomorama.com
Travel Rental Network - www.travelrentalnetwork.com/
Other information sources
Travel Insurance:
Travelguard – www.travelguard.com
Insure My Trip - www.insuremytrip.com
Medical evacuation insurance - www.medjet.com
International SOS - www.internationalsos.com/en/
US Customs Questions - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
Car rental insurance
A good discussion of subject at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damage_waiver
Maps – www.googlemaps.com
Weather - www.weather.com
Currency convertor - www.xe.com/ucc/
Walking and transit directions - www.hopstop.com
Restaurant recommendations and reservations - www.opentable.com
Value added tax refunds - www.global-blue.com/
Staying safe online - Here's a comprenensive guide to all things security on the Internet. https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/the-ultimate-internet-safety-guide-for-seniors/
Osher Course 2012 – Plan the trip of your dreams
(Tuesdays 1:00 to 2:50 p.m., Room 209 Lawrence Hall)
Instructor – David Bear: traveler@travelersjournal.com
Course resource list posted at www.travelersjournal.com/articles2.php?ID=622
Brief Bear bio and travel background: Polly – Often worked in travel related fields -Why Bear went over the mountain.
How course will be organized – refer to resource sheet.
Bear’s Laws? Going and coming versus being there.
Week 1
1. What’s your trip? Do you have a destination in mind? Doing basic research online. Tourism agencies, travel guides, Wikis, Google or Bing.
2. Why? What are your reasons for going?
3. Where? Domestic or International? If leaving the country, do you have a passport with at least 6 months validity? Will you need to get a visa/s for your visit?
4. When? Time of year? Have you been thinking long about this trip or did an opportunity just arise? Are you likely to encounter holidays or special events there that will complicate your trip? High season, low, or shoulder? Reason the seasons.
5. How? What are the ways to get there? Will you fly, drive, train or bus? How about taking a cruise or escorted tour? Are you comfortable planning the trip and assuming responsibility, or would you prefer using a travel agent or tour company? If not, consider package tours that combine travel, transfers, and accommodations.
6. How much will it cost? Estimating expenses/setting a budget. Be aware advance deposits often required many months in advance and that full payment for airfare due at time of reservation.
7. Language issues? Is English spoken? If not, will you be able to communicate?
8. Safety and security issues? Any special risks or dangers of places you want to go?
9. Assess your own health needs and physical capabilities. Will trip require special vaccinations?
10. Health insurance? Do you have it? What does it cover? Will it provide protection in other countries? Know that plans and coverage differ dramatically. U.S. medical insurance may not be accepted abroad. Blue Cross is, but on a reimbursement basis. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs do not provide coverage or reimbursement for medical costs or hospital stays abroad. Medical evacuations are very expensive. Always contact your provider before you go to make sure and purchase extra coverage if necessary.
11. Travel and trip insurance: Is it necessary? Where to buy it? What does it cover? Know that some American Express, Visa and Master Card may provide coverage for arrangements purchased made with them or offer extra protection plans.
Some practical tips:
Establish a trip folder, whether on computer or in a manila folder for information you gather during research. Could also be on an Excel spreadsheet.
Set up a schedule for trip planning and a checklist of items that need to be done or considered, both before you go and while you’re away
Create a calendar for the actual days of the trip
Pick a place to physically gather items you want to take along on the trip
Make a bookmark folder to gather Web sites you visit during research
Make sure your passport will have at least 6 months validity at time of trip. If you don’t have a passport, get one.
Week 2 – Transportation/Accommodation options
Transportation
1. Finding flights, comparing fares, connection options, making reservations. Price is important but should not be only factor – efficient routing, connections, total travel time and airline are also important. Ticket consolidators. Round the World Fares.
2. Airline frequent flyer and credit card programs. Big differences in annual costs, credits they offer, protections and insurance coverage they include, ease of redemption and benefits they provide
3. Flying from Pittsburgh International. Fewer direct flights (only one to Europe).
4. Planning an auto trip in the U.S. or abroad? Getting routes and directions. Gas prices.
5. Renting a car? Rental insurance issues, here and abroad. Your own auto coverage may provide liability coverage in the US and Canada. Less likely overseas. Collision Damage Wavers. Check the vehicle out before you leave the lot. Don’t forget to consider parking costs. Driving on the left.
6. Taking a cruise – Different cruise lines? Large ship or small? River cruises? Repositioning cruises. All inclusive versus ala carte. Booking land tours? Special health considerations?
7. Booking group tours – tour companies vary by destinations, type of activities, hotel, and typical clients. Some specialize in trips for older individuals. They organize travel arrangements, but leave little flexibility or opportunity for individual explorations.
8. Using rail - Amtrak, Rail Canada, and European trains. How about a rail pass?
9. Getting around on the ground. To/from the airport? Does hotel provide shuttle? Taking cabs, using mass transit, hiring a driver, walking.
Practical tips:
For finding the best flights, start with fare aggregator on online travel agency to compare prices, connection options and set availabilities. But once you’ve found flights you want, it is generally better to make the reservation directly with carrier.
Auto rental insurance - Will your existing auto insurance policy provide basic liability coverage for rental? May need proof of coverage. Credit card may also offer Collision Damage Waiver coverage, but check the specifics of your card. Also be aware that taxes and other add-ons that can add greatly to final bill.
Accommodations
1. Researching and booking hotels and resorts online.
2. Hotel rating systems - 4 Stars not the same everywhere - In US – Forbes Travel Guide (formerly Mobil Travel Guide) is best rating; Many countries have own rating systems, but not always comparable.
3. AAA and AARP discounts in US can save 5 to 10%
4. Branded credit cards (Starwood/Amex) and hotel affinity programs
5. Finding discounts - Hotwire, Hotels.com, Priceline.
6. Using frequent flyer miles for hotel bookings
7. Airline package deals can offer savings and other extras (breakfasts, internet access, free newspapers, airport transfers)
8. Finding and booking B&Bs
9. Renting a house or condo for short/long term stays
10. Setting up home exchanges
11. Time shares
12. Couch-surfing
Some practical tips
Where do you want to be staying? Location, location, location.
How much will you be using the accommodation? If only for sleeping, is it worth paying for extra amenities, pool, spa, etc?
Ask about extra charges and mandatory fees (resort fees).
Be aware local taxes can add 15 - 40% to the cost of a hotel stay.
Beware high rates for use of in-room phones, especially from abroad.
If ever a question or problem about stay, best to address it immediately or at check-out time
Week 3 - Daily activities/Day of travel considerations
What will you do when you get there?
1. Outlining daily schedule. Researching the possibilities in advance. What do you want to see and do? How will you get around? If you have a lot on the to-do list, don’t underestimate the logistics. When planning itineraries, remember: less is more. Keep closing times and days off in mind. Always allow for flexibility, depending on weather and other conditions and contingencies that may arise.
2. Money matters. Using credit cards (Magnetic strip v. embedded chip), debit cards, pre-loaded credit cards, ATMs abroad (Cirrus and Plus), currency exchanges, and travelers checks. Foreign exchange transaction fees (3% except at Capital One, Chase, Amex Platinum. Currency exchanges. Traveler’s checks (in dollars or foreign currency)
3. Finding food. Indentifying restaurants and making reservations. Other options?
4. Electricity issues – points on power (110/220 AC, DC power) and different plug configurations.
5. Laptops, Ipads, Kindles and travel electronics. Cameras and other equipment. Getting connected.
6. Communications - Cell phones, smart phones, and blackberries. How accessible will you be? How accessible do you want to be?
7. Keep safety and security in mind.
Practical tips
Contact your credit card/ATM provider and let them know your travel plans
Set up and learn to use Skype accounts as a way to keep in touch with people back at home.
Many places offer City passes, museum cards that can provide significant savings (2 for 1 deals) if you use them wisely.
The world has five basic ungrounded plug configurations and eight for grounded plugs. The one Americans use, two flat, parallel prongs, is standard in the Western Hemisphere. Most ungrounded plugs in Europe have two round prongs, but there are local exceptions. For example, British sockets take either three flat or two oversized round prongs. In Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, plugs have two flat prongs, but they're set at angles. Rule of thumb for plugs. Since the two-pronged system is used in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Japan, U.S. travelers only need adapter plugs for trips to Europe, Britain and Australia. Conair Travel Smart® All-in-One Adapter include surge protector ($10) but not a current convertor.
Travel day considerations
1. Packing tips – checked bags (fees) and carry-ons (what you can take with you).
2. In-flight health issues – keep hydrated and walk around
3. Bringing medicines and prescriptions. Taking medicines en-route.
4. Electronic ticketing issues.
5. Getting to the airport. 28X, Super Shuttle, On and off-site parking at airport.
6. Negotiating the airport maze - TSA security inspections and restrictions