We love to travel, and 2020 was supposed to be a big travel year for us. Like the rest of you, that hasn't happened.
We're still dreaming about travel, reading about new destinations, and making (tentative) plans for the future. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
With vaccines arriving, let's hope we can be traveling again in 2021!
You just never know if you're going to run into booking problems when you're traveling.
That fact of travel life is just one more reason that you need to be flexible when you travel.
If you're an independent traveler, you'll have to deal with this yourself, and that's one reason some of our friends say they only want to take tours...
...But we've developed strategies and attitudes that help...
Stay calm.
The airline/hotel/tour operator is NOT out to get you.
Listen to the alternatives that are being offered....
You just might find that things work out for the better.
Most of the booking problems you run into will be "overbooking".
You probably hear all the time about airlines overbooking... and they do. Less now with the computer models they have, but still, it happens.
In the U.S., airlines usually ask for volunteers who can travel later in exchange for vouchers for additional future flights in compensation.
Countries in the E.U. also have strict rules on how bumped passengers must be compensated.
If you run into booking problems in other countries, you really need to be prepared to be flexible so you can work things out.
Here's one example we have...
It doesn't pay to get angry at anyone at this point... your tour operator and the airline aren't really to blame. We were understanding and flexible... we got on the next flight... two days later!
Here's the good news... Our Tibet tour ended up being a PRIVATE tour, and because of that we got into more places and saw everything anyway.
It isn't only with airlines that you might run into overbooking problems. Hotels also overbook their rooms sometimes.
Your hotel should take care of you, so if this happens, just stay calm and work with them.
Another example:
Here's a twist on booking problems with accommodations.
There was not an extra tent, so the first night, they moved an extra bed into our tent... and we had a slumber party. There are great stories to tell... and the very next night, they had that extra tent available.
They also treated us to some great long game drives because we were so flexible.
And here's a booking error that worked in our favor. Again in Africa, and on that very same trip...
They
managed to round up a substitute game guide and kitchen staff, and they
took really good care of us... and we were the only ones in camp.
Talk
about exclusive... and all because we are willing to be flexible.
Trains can be overbooked too.
What we're trying to tell you, is if you run into booking problems, don't get angry or frustrated.
Be willing to work through those problems...
Sometimes you'll end up with a better trip than you planned.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
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The New Year is here...
And we're ready to put 2020 behind us.
What are your resolutions? To lose weight? To Exercise more?
We're hoping for an end to this virus and the travel restrictions so...
Why not a FUN resolution!
Resolve to TRAVEL!
It's a good time to plan your travels...
We have lists to help....
Custom Tour Planning List
Destination stories....
Europe Travel Tips
Africa Dream List
See America
Travel Planning
International Travel Planning Tips
Guidebooks can help you plan
Don't Forget Valentine's Day
Romantic Weekends
What About Your Passport?
Time to get one... or renew...
Answers about Passports and Visas
Dreaming of Warm Weather or Snow?
Packing for a Tropical Vacation
Cold Weather Packing List
…Or just make a resolution to explore more pages here and get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip this year.
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Our 2020 travels were slim. COVID kept us home too. One trip to the Three Guyanas, but dreaming of travel next year.
Love discovering less touristed regions? The three Guyanas are tucked up in the north east corner of South America that doesn’t get much attention.
On our 2019 travels, it was independent travel, a custom tour and a group tour. All work beautifully... just depends on where you’re going and what you want.
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