Jul 3, 2007
And now, the 10 Commandments of Smart Travel (part one of a three-part series)
I've afflicted you in these blogs with (a) the 10 Great Myths of Travel, and (b) the 10 Great Truths of Travel (see our archives, at the right-hand side of our main page). It's time for the 10 Commandments of Smart Travel, of which I propose to present three or four a day -- today, tomorrow, and the day after.
1. Never make a phone call, change money, or send out laundry from your hotel. Each of these activities is a hotel "profit center," and hefty surcharges are added. Change money at a bank, use a cell phone or public booth for your calls and visit a Laundromat to clean your clothing.
2. In addition to avoiding hotel cashiers for money-changing purposes, do the same with respect to commercial money-changing kiosks and other storefront establishments. Look instead for a bank, the biggest you can find; they pay the best rates. Better yet, search for a bank ATM machine that honors your card -- they are increasingly found all over the world -- and you'll get even better rates from them.
3. Pack the least amount of clothing your courage will allow. People who don't pack light, become money-squandering beasts of burden, needing expensive porters and taxis, unable to shop around among several hotels for the best value.
Write and read comments about this post.
1. Never make a phone call, change money, or send out laundry from your hotel. Each of these activities is a hotel "profit center," and hefty surcharges are added. Change money at a bank, use a cell phone or public booth for your calls and visit a Laundromat to clean your clothing.
2. In addition to avoiding hotel cashiers for money-changing purposes, do the same with respect to commercial money-changing kiosks and other storefront establishments. Look instead for a bank, the biggest you can find; they pay the best rates. Better yet, search for a bank ATM machine that honors your card -- they are increasingly found all over the world -- and you'll get even better rates from them.
3. Pack the least amount of clothing your courage will allow. People who don't pack light, become money-squandering beasts of burden, needing expensive porters and taxis, unable to shop around among several hotels for the best value.
Write and read comments about this post.
Labels: tips
Fifty years ago, 
Arthur Frommer is generally acknowledged to be the nation's foremost travel authority. He is the founder of the
