Dream holiday mistakes you don’t have to make

 These are a few tips to be aware of as we look for ways to save money in our advancing years. With the corners  of the world becoming increasingly easier to reach, always remember when you are a long way from home…anything can happen, good and, not so good!

Common travel mistakes

The…“I don’t need an agent”- Mistake, Unless you are planning a long trip, (several months) preferably with a reliable friend, or have many years of experience, DIY is not a good idea for most people. Travel agents are rewarded by the holiday supplier or sometimes wholesaler, they don’t add their fee onto you’re holiday.

If you check out forums on the internet its full of horror stories of ‘luxury holiday apartments’ way below regular prices…and when you get there you are convinced you are in the wrong country!

My own personal story I once did a do-it-your-self’er many years ago only to find out that the ’red-light’ appeared after dark…you guessed it, I booked three nights, in a brothel!

Apart from disaster accommodation, Connecting travel is nearly always a problem when you were totally unaware it was a public holiday at your next leg…and the next train doesn’t leave for another twenty four hours, skilled backpackers avoid a lot of these traps because of their well-used ‘grapevines’, and they are usually young, carefree and resilient, oh those were the days!

Forget about asking the question “what’s you’re best price on travel insurance”. Saving money on travel insurance should be you’re last consideration, remember travel insurance and medical cover each need special consideration. A few examples…let’s say you have pre-booked a special golf day at St Andrews Scotland…

It turns out to be a foul wet day and the day is called off, its re-scheduled for the next day or later in the week but you are off to Paris, and are unable to make the new day… you should insure yourself and partner of those unexpected but very real occurrences.

Always be covered for operators going out of business, they won’t advertise the fact that they are going broke and will not be there, when you arrive for a tour, that you have saved you’re hard-earned for.

Medical insurance costs will depend on you’re prevailing health condition, of course, there is no ‘one size fits all’. I would not consider going to any foreign parts of the world without the fly-back cover, if I need urgent treatment I would rather be treated at home or at least in a Western hospital. Another trap can be having an accident after consuming alcohol, don’t assume you are covered… even after one glass of wine get it included in your cover. Remember anything can happen.

Credit cards… This can be a real ‘bummer’ if you are tripping with a partner and one of you fall victim to theft of your credit cards or you simply lose them, and have to cancel them.  Not only will you cancel the lost cards but your partner’s cards will also be cancelled if they are joint. This is often overlooked. Travel with your own card/s..it will save a lot of grief.

The self-assured, I have everything under control… “It will take a lot to get one over me” mistake, wherever you travel, wear a concealed money belt, or lanyard wallet around you’re neck concealed under you’re clothes. Carry only lose change in your pocket or handbag… You are on holiday the thieves are not!

Another human trait is to think that getting on well with a friend or a co-worker or a fellow volunteer naturally follows that you will enjoy each others company in a shared holiday environment  for two or maybe four weeks.

For the mutual benefit of both of you go for a few test runs and become social friends before considering sharing a room or cabin together. A friend of mine found himself walking around the deck of the ship on their expensive Mediterranean cruise at two and three o’clock in the morning…he couldn’t stand the snoring!

Happy Hols!

image: AlexaSky