Coffee Nirvana

Recession. So what, you can still go on that holiday. Just make sure that these points are checked on your list.

1. Prioritize – Do you want to make frequent short trips or that travel destination abroad that you always dreamt for an annual holiday? I am a travel-oholic and I need to hit the trail once a month. If you are my kind, you are better off doing frequent weekend breaks or make a short trip once a month or 3 months, rather than fly to an exotic locale this year.

2. Plan – Once your priorities are clear, you decide to make a trip next month, plan in advance. Search through travel guides for other places you could visit near the destination of your choice, transport, hotels, happening events. This will save time, money and also give you the window to complete your work deadlines. You dont want to lose your day job for an ill-timed holiday, do you?

3. Budget – This will definitely influence your priorities and hence the planning. If you are on a very tight budget, then you should probably look at making shorter trips or stay in economical hotels. Sometimes the nearer places are just as exciting as the far off exotic sounding destinations.

4. Accessories – If you want to do a trek through Himalayas, then you might want to buy some trekking equipments, camping gear etc. Again budget how much you would have to spend. Unless you are a pro, you could rent these equipments from a nearby store or a supplier. You might still have to buy hiking shoes, so include it in your budget.

5. Travel Agent – If you are travelling abroad as a family, choose the travel firm you are comfortable with. Also, it helps to check with the airlines the schedule of your flight. I once nearly missed a return flight from Bangkok since the Thai Airlines and the agent had a communication lapse.

6. Airlines – Choose the Airlines that give you minimum transit or direct flight options. If you choose a less expensive airlines but with an overnight transit, your lodging and travel expenses to see the city in the 12 hours makes the trip very expensive. Sometimes it is better to opt for a slightly expensive airline that provides direct flights.

7. Discounts – Recession also brings freebies, discounts. After all, every travel firm is looking at innovative ways to attract customers. Choose the discounts that help your travel. It does not help getting free mileage in an airline if you are not a frequent flier. If it’s a group discount, see if you can get some like minded group to travel with you. Don’t make a trip that has a huge itinerary, just because of its attractive discounts; chances are that you might be so tired that you will need another holiday after the hectic tour!

8. Insurance – I am a safe traveller. I always take insurance. I don’t mind paying the extra few dollars/rupees if it will insure my baggage or camera or credit cards. I always take travellers cheques. Well if you don’t mind a few risks, you could opt out of it. But then chances of losing your expensive laptops, camera or foreign currencies in a far off land can be very unnerving.

9. Medicine – Taking a few common off the counter medicine helps. Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes, please pack enough tablets with prescriptions that can last for your entire stay abroad. Drugs are very costly for us Indians when we convert our rupees to the local currency. Always take a health insurance policy. You’ll have to cough a huge amount for even a minor health check up.

10. Accommodation – If you are a backpacker, there are many budget options in many countries. In India, you could try YMCA hostels or many budget hotels that provide good accommodation. If you travel as a group, you could ask for discounts. You could try camping if you are on a trekking tour. If alone you could try some B&B accommodations instead of a hotel. Plan your visits around your hotel area. Use the freebies given by your hotel. Try changing the options. Can I get a free ride to the city instead of the extra dinner?

Hope this helps. Have a nice trip.