EZTravelpad

Tips on Finding Your Transfers in Cancun

Finding Your Ride at Cancun Airport

 

One of the big challenges of negotiating the airport in Cancun is successfully avoiding the time-share people.... they are numerous and aggressive

Trust me, you WILL want to avoid any contact or you could find yourself in a presentation for hours!!

I give every EZTravelPad client a suggestion on how best to avoid the time-share people who are located in the airport just past the customs area, but here's a quick video to illustrate the best way to get past the gauntlet.

Remember - just keep walking!!

For expert advice and best deals around it's EZTravelPad and Funjet - see some of the latest Funjet deals at this link

 

 

We All Make Mistakes (Especially in Traveling)

By Becca Smith 

On my eight month journey to Spain and Southeast Asia, I spent time in six different countries, and went through customs 12 different times- so there were sure to be some bumps along the way. I feel like it is not a successful trip unless something a little cooky happens- like the time in Madrid when I dropped my full suitcase down an escalator, nearly taking out an entire family. Anyway - I made some mistakes when it came to getting through customs and continuing my journey in the smoothest way possible.

 

For instance, I switched airlines in Milan on my way to Madrid and I guess I did not get the memo that I was supposed to pick up my suitcase and recheck it in with my new airline. So of course, when I landed in Madrid - my suitcase was not there to greet me. Definitely talk with stewardesses if you have a short layover, especially if you have to go through customs. I thought that I knew what I was doing - and I was wrong. So a week later - I received my luggage. Always make sure that you pack a change of clothes, toothbrush, comb, soap or anything that you might need in the case of lost luggage.

I would always look up any information that I would need to cross a border before I left on my trip- like the exact requirements for obtaining a visa (documents, money, length of stay that was allowed.) And then I would always double check the requirements for getting back into the country to which I would be returning.  I found that embassy’s websites are usually the best sources. However, I once made a huge mistake.

It is important to pay attention to if visas can be issued upon arrival or if you need to apply for it beforehand.

There was one morning I woke up at 5 in the morning in Bangkok, gathered all my luggage, hailed a taxi, and took the long drive to the airport only to be told that I was not allowed on my flight to the city of Hanoi in Vietnam. I had applied for my visa too late and the paperwork had not gone through (I forgot to take into account that the weekends were not business days- rookie mistake.) So $200 to change my flight and two days later - I made my way to Vietnam with the proper paperwork in hand.
I made another silly mistake of overstaying my visa by just a couple of days. Well... it was a continuation of my first mistake of not buying a multiple entry visa. If you are going to one country for a long period of time, I would definitely buy a multiple entry visa because you are going to want to travel to other countries in the region. 

Anyway...  I’ll never forget handing my passport to the customs officer as I departed Thailand - feeling like my heart was going to pound out of my chest. Of course I knew that they were not going to throw me in jail for staying two days longer than I was supposed to, and all that I could expect was a fine. But still, it was scary. There’s a certain amount of corruption that occurs in Thailand so I use that to justify my fear. Luckily, for whatever reason, I did not even get fined (but I paid with years off of my life, let me tell you.)

So I guess my general advice to you is to

•Careful when carrying a heavy suitcase on an escalator

•Make sure you know what to do and where to go when your layover is only an hour

•Pack some essentials in your carryon

•Check with embassies about visa requirements and be prepared

•Make sure you purchase the proper visa for you & know its limitations

 Of course, you can always use a travel agency to help with some advice, advance planning, and to be there as a back up when things do go wrong.... EZTravelPad is here to help in advance planning and consultations - all without any fees!

Disney Park Discount Tickets - BEWARE

Buyer Beware - Always.... and Especially Disney Discounted Tickets

Walt Disney World has long been a favorite destination for families of all shapes and sizes from all over the world. This happens to be my family more than a few years ago....

 

This has to be one of the first years Disney World was open - early 70s - dig my Dad's shoes!

Yes, so many great memories from those vacations to Florida over Christmas break when it was COLD in Indiana. Nearly every year included a stop at Disney World.

So much opportunity for fun, so much opportunity for disruption....don't let it happen to you

Discounted tickets available on internet sites like Craig's List can come with a heavy cost. There are reports that people are getting scammed when they purchase "discounted" tickets for Walt Disney World theme parks, and perhaps other theme parks as well?

You can purchase a multi-park multi-day pass to Disney. The Park Hopper pass. Say for example you want to go to Disney for 5 nights, it only costs a few dollars more to add a couple more days on to the ticket which can then be used another time - you can even add an option allowing for the tickets to NEVER expire so use them for the grandkids (if you can remember where you put them 25 years from now).

Some people have apparently been reselling these types of tickets, but the thing is they are non-transferable so that when the buyer goes to use the tickets (did you know they are fingerprinting for entry these days?) they are denied entry.

Costly + Embarrassing!

Do the right thing - purchase your tickets from a reputable source (Disney or your travel agent) - EZTravelpad can help. Then, go have the time of your lives and make memories to last a lifetime!

 

 

New Brides, Honeymoons and traveling under Maiden Name

Should You Travel Your Honeymoon in Your Married Name?

You may have already thought about it and answered the questions, or you may have not even given it any consideration- what name do you travel in shortly after you get married?

Assuming you are a bride that is changing her name from the Maiden Name to the Married Name this can be confusing, and you want to make sure that you do it correctly!

Here's what Carnival Cruise Lines says-

For newly married or soon-to-be married brides, we recommend that if the government-issued picture ID is in the maiden name, the cruise booking be in the maiden name. If the reservation was made in the married name, but the government issued picture ID is in the maiden name, the guest must bring proof of the marriage certificate or marriage license with them.

Remember that for a cruise you do not necessarily need a passport (although it is highly recommended!)- if you leave and return to the same US port (a closed loop cruise) you can board with just the birth certificate and photo ID (plus in this case, proof of marriage).

So here's what we are suggesting at EZTravelpad-

If you are taking your Honeymoon shortly after you are officially married (within the following 8 weeks) travel under your maiden name. After all, you've got enough to think about without worrying over little details like getting your passport at the last minute!

If you are traveling much later, and have time to be certain that your passport will be in your new married name, then book your travel in your new name.

In any case, don't stress- use a professional travel planner to help you along the way, and most of all- enjoy YOUR Honeymoon!!

If you have additional questions please contact your travel agent - or if you don't have one, EZTravelpad is here to help

Healthy Paranoia - Top 20 Travel Safety Tips

Most people can, and will visit foreign countries repeatedly without incident. Others are not so lucky. In view of the recent drug related violence in Mexico, here are some great things to keep in mind when traveling anywhere away from home (even close to home)-

Travel is the very stuff of life for some of us. We start getting itchy feet after sleeping within the same four walls for a full cycle of the moon, and spend the next twelve weeks miserably awaiting having saved enough to start travelling again! However, a lack of local knowledge, but in terms of people and the environment, has caused many travelers grief - even the very experienced ones. Today we look at 20 ways, from international travel insurance to dummy wallets, to keep travelers safe while they are away from home.

 

Safety and Health

1.      Always get the recommended vaccinations for your country of travel
In some cases, a course of vaccinations needs to be completed months before you can travel. In many cases the needles will be expensive and not very much fun - but they are well worth it.

2.      Have general medical, dental and vision checkups before you go
There is nothing scarier than having to make a travel insurance claim for a hospital stay overseas ... not understanding doctors properly, wondering what is happening, and possibly having to be evacuated. Do all you can to avoid the hassle by having general checkups before you leave.

3.      Watch your foods and drinks
Having sedatives slipped into a drink is a common way to be robbed, or even raped. This is both health and crime related.

4.      Pack a small first aid kit
In some countries a cut can quickly turn into a serious infection if you can’t wash and dress it properly. Make sure you bring your own basic first aid supplies wherever you go.

 

Safety and Crime

5.      Be alert and aware
Be aware of your surroundings and constantly assessing what your environment might mean for your safety. Be aware if there are any people in particular watching you; if there are women and children around (a general sign of safety); and be aware of the actions of those very close to you (be alert for pickpocketing and drink spiking).

6.      Don't be a flashy tourist
Many people know that tourists are less likely to pursue prosecuting crimes against them - you have to return home, lawyers in the country may not speak your language, there are bureaucratic barriers, etc. So try to blend in with the locals as far as possible for safety.

7.      Keep your money close
Keep your money in a pocket or bag inside your clothing, and always carry the minimum possible amount with you. A good place for females to carry cash is in their bra - but be discreet about getting it out!

8.      Look like a local
Always walk like you have a purpose, and be discreet about reading maps in a foreign country. This helps avoid tagging you as a tourist, for the reasons we just talked about. Dress like the locals where you can, and don't wear expensive jewelry or obvious designer items.

9.      Get more than the basic level of travel insurance cover
The basic level of travel insurance cover will often not pay claims for things like hijackings or legal advice and expenses. Get a higher level of cover and be a little more confident.

 

Transport Safety

10.  Keep a close eye out for your bags at the carousel
If you hang back, someone may have already taken your bag.

11.  Taxi safety is critical
Sometimes criminals will pose as taxi drivers to lure you into their cars - not an ideal situation! Either do your own research, or ask your hotel manager what an official taxi looks like, to avoid getting into the wrong sort of car.

12.  Rented cars
Keep the doors locked and windows fully wound up to avoid becoming the victim of carjacking, and make sure your travel insurance covers overseas car rental excess in case you have an at-fault accident.

Hotel Safety

13.  Be secretive!
Don't tell anybody where you are staying (apart from friends and family back home, of course). If you need to meet somebody at a hotel that you don't know, go down to the lobby rather than telling them to come straight up to your room.

14.  Be exit-minded
When you arrive, make your own little mental map of fire exits, stairways and fire extinguishers. On this point - make sure you know how to get in touch with hotel reception in case there is a fire.

15.  Door locks
Always lock your door - and if the reception gives you a choice between a numbered key or an unmarked swipe card, always take the swipe card. If you lose it, nobody will know which room it opens.

 

Travel Scams

16.  Pickpocketing scams
In many developing countries pickpocketing is a way of life.  Tourists are seen as rich, whereas locals are very poor. It is an understandable fact of life ... but still not something you want to happen to you. Be aware of the different pickpocketing scams, like:
-  Diversion pickpocketing scams, which may include something spilling on your shirt, a loud commotion, a set of keys or some coins lying on the ground ... or anything that makes you take your eyes off your bags or pockets.
-  People wait for you to fall asleep on a bus, and help themselves to your bag's contents in the overhead locker.

17.  Taxi scams
There are many variations of taxi scams. Some of these include bartenders telling you that taxis don’t run after a certain time of night, but they will drop you at home for a bit extra. They will then charge you an exorbitant amount, and perhaps physically threaten you. In other taxi scams, the driver will go around in circles until you are nicely confused about your location, then drop you off with some 'friends' who will relieve you of money and clothes. Again, make sure you know the official taxi service, keep note of the vehicle's license plate, and ask to be let out immediately if you think you are being deliberately confused.

18.  Payment 'errors'
Many people have been scammed out of money when they are either exchanging currency, or paying for a service (especially taxis or good from street vendors). The vendor might take a $10 bill and claim it was a $1, for example. You can avoid this happening to you by counting the money out into vendors hands.

19.  Begging scams
In many countries children are used to beg for money from tourists. These kids often have to hand over their money to a 'supervisor', and get little more than enough food to keep them alive. If you feel sorry for a child begging, buy them some food rather than giving money, to avoid supporting child exploitation.

Bonus tip

20.  Know your embassy and insurance provider
Carry the details of your national embassy in the country you are visiting, as well as your travel insurance provider at all times. If you have a health emergency you may not be able to be treated until you give your insurance details. Also, your embassy is a good general resource for help and safety.

 

Travel overseas is so exciting, so amazing and such a boost for the soul. Mishaps on holidays can be truly devastating, though. Insurance can only cover so much - good precautions will free your mind to enjoy the culture, the food, the sights and the uniqueness of the countries you visit.