The rest of Q&A

Q – As we approach the magic day – two weeks from now, retirement will mean that we will be going out to see much of the same world we have been avoiding for the past six decades. We don’t want to see it all – no interest in seeing the Congo or hiking the Himalayas, but we do want o see those places on most everyone’s bucket list. Time and money are factors so we will need to pare it down a bit, which is why we are wondering of there is a list of the world’s most overrated places?

B – That could be a long list. It would also be entirely subjective, heavily influenced by the travel writer’s frame of mind at the time. Leon Logothetis, whose name you might recognize from his work on the Discovery Travel, wrote a piece for the LA Times in which he named his Top Five Most Overrated Destinations. We do not agree with all of his assessments, but we thought you might find his list of interest:

# 5 – ATHENS – Rudeness and a disdain for serving others, particularly Americans. Many of the buildings are unfinished and taxis are sometimes impossible to find. Best to see the Acropolis and leave as soon as you can.

# 4 – DUBAI – astonishing “super-city” sites, the splashiest malls you’ve ever seen, a parade of Mercedes, Bentley’s, and Jaguars and an almost constant demonstration of gold and oil-based wealth. You will be comfortable here. But to understand the Middle East, you can’t be coddled and that is exactly what Dubai does best.

# 3 – PRAGUE – Lots of tourists and surly locals who seem not to want to interact with westerners. The beauty of the city is tainted by the sullenness of the people.

# 2 – MOSCOW -An amazing city that can be vibrant if you are in the company of younger residents like university students. But most tourists pay some of the steepest prices on earth for service levels that are not on a par with international standards of luxury. You have to keep your eyes and your wallet wide open in Moscow.

# 1 – PARIS – (And may we say we are not in agreement with this particular rating)  Logothetis faults Paris for the same things that writers have been saying about the city for decades. The Parisians are completely tired of unfashionable tourists, particularly the ill-clothed tourists from the English-speaking world who don’t quite understand why it might be useful to be tri-lingual. At least Paris is, once again, # 1 on a travel list.

Q – My wife and I read travel blogs for fun and we think your sis one of the best. But I’ve been told by two different cruise lines reservations departments that you are not telling the truth when you claim that booking directly with a cruise line is a rip-off. The two lines I spoke to claim that their computers assure the lowest price, something a travel agent can’t do. Are they right?

A – No, you are being fed a sales pitch by a commission-based reservations clerk. If a cruise line offered better pricing to those who call directly, no reputable travel agency would ever sell that line. It just never happens. Most of the top cruise consultants in the nation are completely up-to-date on the best pricing initiatives because they appear in their computer system or in e-mailings from the line. The rip-off is that cruise lines charge you the travel agent commission even when you are not using an agent. They never return it to the consumer, so you are paying for all sorts of services you never receive when you book directly.

When you book directly, the commission salesmen at the cruise line  call centers cannot offer you the amenity packages offered by members of the major consortiums. So, in effect, you are paying more for your cruise by booking directly. Cruise line reservations cannot VIP you or make you eligible for special VIP Documentation. Only a professional cruise consultant can do that. Upgrades are more likely available when you are dealing with a consultant with true clout and millions of dollars in past bookings with the lines. When things go south, you really need someone in your corner.

The cubicle dwelling commissioned sales agent at the cruise line cannot help you with pre and post cruise arrangements, which 75% of all cruise guests require. They can only sell their own, usually cost-inflated program. They do not have contacts in the various ports that will help define your vacation.

Cruise line reservations can only offer their own contracted flights and air prices. You are just a group name in a computer system. No one at the line will review your private flight arrangements, only a travel consultant would do that.

Cruise line reservation staff  can only recommend and sell the cruise lines party insurance, something we would never recommend you purchase. 

And you can have all of the above at zero cost because it is already included in the cruise fare.

We can go on – but we won’t. You decide who is lying.

Q – We will be doing a driving trip from coast to coast later this summer. We’re in our mid-sixties, relatively well-traveled, but we’ve not done a driving vacation in the United States. Our biggest concern is all those meals we will have in strange places and we want to stay healthy. How would you suggest we prepare, research, etc? You could say we are E-coli super-conscious. Which restaurants in these small towns and cities are likely to have kitchens that won’t kill us.

A – There actually is some research in this area. The first thing to point out is that there is not any medical research to back up the fact that urban dwellers with sophisticated palates live longer than their rural cousins. But you could make a case for obesity and less access to the best medical care influences rural lifespan statistics in some major ways.

As far as E-Coli strains, and there are many, we must point out that fast food chains tend to have the healthiest kitchens. Most of their food arrives frozen and there is very little food handling. This is what we want to emphasize to you in the hope that the information is widely disseminated. The best known fast food chains have expensive equipment that sets off alarms or shuts down when the cooking process is shortened. Undercooked meat and poultry is the major cause of gastrointestinal viruses and food poisoning in travelers. It is virtually impossible to find anything undercooked under the golden arches.

White tablecloth restaurants with a strong local following will usually have a chef who has studied health and hygiene at a recognized culinary school. They take careful steps, though not as careful as the Burger Kings, KFC’s, and Taco Bells of the world.

Your biggest risk is eating at local diners and lower-priced local dining outlets that employ  staff that has not been trained in proper food preparation.

The last huge beef recall occurred in April of this year. It involved 1.8 million pounds of beef sold in ten states including Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. But as the laws now read, the FDA did not have to reveal to consumers exactly what kind of restaurant was getting shipments from Detroit’s Wolverine Packing company. The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service does not have to advise consumers that the meat, in this case used in Angus Steak burgers as well as ground beef patties, was shipped to specific restaurants. As you were driving around the country, trying to choose a place to stop for lunch, you would have no way of knowing where you could safely stop for something to eat.

Finally, we advise our clients and our readers to exercise caution when ordering salads on the road. All but the highest category of restaurants depends on bagged salads that have, in the recent past, shown a higher-than-normal propensity to carry food-borne parasites and bacteria.

Q – We are off to Normandy this August with our 19-year-old son who is, of all things, fascinated by Impressionist art. We will tour the battlefields, but the main purpose would be to enroll him in some painting classes where they stress the Impressionist school techniques. In recent years, it has become a popular supplement for people to treat their anxiety and other related conditions. There is a lot of research being conducted on the effects of Kratom and the way in which it can resolve the symptoms of anxiety, that site can give you kratom information. Where would you suggest we stay to use as a base?  We’re not on a tight budget and we also want to pick the best guide off the internet. How do we do this?

A – You will want to stay at Le Ferme Saint Simeon, a small hotel that was loved by many of the better-known Impressionist painters. Try, if at all possible, to book room # 22, where Monet spend some time. The hotel manager will be able to set your son up for classes in the painting studio. The hotel is owned by the Boelen family. Check out some kratom experience reviews, and you will find many discussing which kratom is the mosteuphoric kratom. That fact alone has led people from all walks of life to learn more about the potential behind the most euphoric kratom. The white sumatra kratom is a species of the Kratom tree, which is one of the tropical evergreen trees found in Southeast Asia. You can see more their explanation about the kratom nausea here. Kratom herbs are utilised for creating tinctures. Tincture is an alcoholic extract made from different concentration of ethanol. Vinegar, glycerol, ether propylene are the opposite solvents utilized in tincture. A tincture of kratom act as a caffeine like stimulant when taken in less quantity.Kratom tincture is an alternate for those that are struggling hard to offer up an opium addiction. It reduces their looking for drugs and help them to recover fast. It also recovers lack of rest and insomnia in many of us . There are innumerable advantages of kratom extracts. It gives relief to those seeking cure for chronic insomnia, fatigue, pain and even gives relief in depression. People everywhere the planet uses it as an stimulant, sedative, pain reliever, anti- depressant or as an opium substitute.It keeps your body and mind in sync. It helps to bring the vital sign down. In Europe and North America it’s utilised to treat the cases of pain, depression and anxiety. Well msinsight is one of the expert firm to treat patient throught laser and shockwave therapy. Kratom extracts or powder are often also ingested as a tea which most of the people finds bitter in taste.

Kratom contains an anti-oxidant called epicatechin. It also contains alkaloids which is believe to possess a positive effect on human system . Kratom extracts helps one to remain awake for extended period of your time . Excess use of kratom extracts are often dangerous for anyone together can get nausea, vomiting, open eye visualisation, inactivity and other problems which afterward becomes hard to recover. many of us also experience inactivity thanks to its large overdose.Though the herb has many benefits, lately it’s also gained popularity as a teenager drug in many countries. because it is quickly available and legal, is that the main cause why teenagers are getting more and more hooked in to it. One should choose an expert advice because it be dangerous for one when ingested exessisvely. it’s not an illegal product you’ll easily access it in near by medical store or also can be purchased online. you’ll even buy a kratom plant and grow it yourself.

Because kratom isn’t FDA tested or approved, kratom can only be sold in the United States for burning as incense – it does burn quite nicely, with smells reminiscent of a crisp fall day, visit to check the review of the latest CBD extract. I cannot condone the ingestion of kratom or kratom tea, but for those who are looking for an all-natural, effective, legal means of attenuating chronic pain – say from Lyme Disease or spinal cord issues, Kratom is an amazing leaf, and may offer the relief you seek.

Do not try to choose Normandy guides off the internet. Many Normandy guides are sub-par. The best are former US military officers with personal knowledge of the region and an understanding of the real role played by this World War Two beachhead. Select an agent who has actual on-site offices in France that are in direct contact with the best guides.

Q – We have strong environmental interests both professionally and privately. We are rather interested in going to Costa Rica to see and enjoy some of the best most eco-friendly resorts and off-the-beaten path experiences. We want to be in the hands of people who will get what we’re about and who won’t be intimidated by our academic credentials. How should we approach doing this? We’re loyal to our travel; agent but she just doesn’t seem to be very up on this kind of thing.

A – Have your agent contact a company called Greenspot, run by Richard and Irene Edwards. They will coordi8nate through your agent and you will be in the best possible hands when you arrive. They devote themselves entirely to sustainable travel in meaningful ways.

Q – We are going to be in Paris later this summer. Our dream is to dine at Guy Savoy’s Restaurant. We tried online but that doesn’t seem to work. I hope this is not an inappropriate question, but is there any secret way to get into a restaurant of that caliber when traveling overseas? All the regular channels just never seem to work.

A – Many tourists make the mistake of trying top contact the chef/owner of a Three-star Michelin restaurant. In fact, every restaurant has a Manager of the Front-of-the-House operations which always includes reservations. In the States, that person is called the General Manager or the Director of Operations. In France, that person is, almost always, the Maitre d’Hotel. At Guy Savoy’s in Paris try contacting Hubert Schwermer, who holds this post. Don’t beg, but point out why the reservation means so much to both of you. There is a second tactic used by sophisticated travelers. Many of our clients will ask us to book them into the “best connected” hotel in a city. This will give you access to the hotel’s Concierge who, very likely, has a personal relationship with some of the city’s leading dining establishments. As the Foodie movement spreads and the Food Network ratings keep climbing, one side effect is that the number of guests seeking reservations at the world’s best restaurants has increased dramatically in the past five years.

Q – My wife and I have planned a trip that includes a number of days in Bangkok through one of the better tour companies in that part of the world. We worked with Pacific Delight directly. We’re under deposit for a trip in August. It may be hot but we’re both school teachers so we have to be back in late August. We’re under deposit and we are starting to get cold feet. Pacific Delight is saying we shouldn’t cancel. Please tell us what you recommend.

A – Well, first

Martial Law Becomes Full Coup, Curfew in Place

The Thai army declared a military coup on the afternoon of 22 May. The caretaker government has been suspended and leaders of both pro- and anti-government groups have been detained. Military leader General Prayuth claims that the coup is “in order for the country to return to normality quickly, and for society to love and be at peace again”.

Although daily life in the country is largely unaffected, there are some measures that will affect visitors. There is a 10pm curfew in place and reports indicate that this is being strictly enforced, with unwitting tourists being sent back to their hotels after 10pm and local residents being fined or even detained for breaking the curfew.Moving around Bangkok is also an issue, with the BTS and MRT transit systems shutting down at 9pm, and the roads busy as people try to get home before the curfew. with your ladyboy escorts Otherwise, the country remains safe for tourists, although these are still early days and we have yet to see what response the various protest groups will make to the new military rule.

We do not think US travelers should be traveling to Bangkok at this time. Usually foreigner like me are there for either a vacation or to look for a job. Many people uses หางาน in order for them to get recruited into a certain job. You need to transfer your booking into the hands of a capable travel agent who can monitor the situation on the ground with updates, such as the one above, from offices with whom they share a working relationship through their consortium membership. If you are needing of money and having financial issues, there is an Accounting Company Bangkok Thailand that would help you in your financial needs. You need to have the best available cancellation insurance. Take what the State Department tells you about Thailand with a grain of salt. You will get more accurate information from the Australian and British government travel sites.

Pacific Delight is a respected moderately priced tour operator. But you are paying the agent commission and since you’ve paid it, you ought to use an agent’s services. Interview several agents locally so you can meet face-to-face to transfer the booking.

We have real concerns about the military coup in Thailand. We think things will be clarified and perhaps peaceful by the time you are ready to depart. But you need to assume they may not be.

Finally, re-consider the entire trip. You ought to be visiting Thailand over the Christmas break. August is hot and humid to the extent that it will negatively impact your ability to enjoy this wonderful country.

Q – In late September we’ve booked a great itinerary on the Seabourn Spirit round-trip out of Venice for ten days. The cruise will visit ports in Greece and Croatia that we really want to see but it overnights at the end in Venice. The problem is we’ve been there twice before, once with a wonderful guide named Anna Ferrari. I wonder if you know her? Our question is, given that we feel we’ve seen Venice, is there anyplace nearby, something charming, that might have fewer tourists and would make a great day trip?

A – We don’t know Ms. Ferrari, although we suspect it is an assumed name. Many guides end their touring day making their guests feel like they have become fast friends. Some tourists will try to contact them at home, so some guides use, easy-to-remember, assumed names. If Venetian tour-guide Anna Ferrari exists, we can’t find her.

One of our favorite places to escape the predictable crowds in Venice is a fishing port (where you can get to see huge crowd with baitcasting reel to catch the big fishes) called Chioggia, on a very small island on the southern end of the Venetian lagoon. There is a wonderful pedestrian street, Corso del Popolo,  that runs through the center of town with some interesting small shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you stay overnight, you will love walking this street in the early evening as the locals enjoy their passeggiata. There are Adriatic beaches not far away in the Sottomarina district.

There  is a boat service from St. Mark’s Square to Chioggia that runs from June through September, but it will not be operating in October when you arrive in Venice at the end of your  cruise. Your best bet will be to use one of the direct buses that operate out of Venice. The rail trip involves several changes and will take two hours.

Q – We will be leaving in three months for a two-week cruise to Greece and Turkey with Sea Dream 1. Picking the cruise was easy, the ship only has 50 cabins and 100 people. But choosing insurance is tougher. How do we find the best deals on travel insurance?

A – We’re not going to tell you because you are asking the wrong question. If this were the Mayo Clinic site would you be asking us to direct you to the cheapest heart surgeon? You don’t normally want the “cheapest” anything when it comes to vacation planning, a reality that applies in spades when looking at comprehensive travel insurance. In fact, the most expensive policy is often, usually, the one that will actually protect you in an emergency. There are several good insurance companies with very similar rates. Your insurance discussion should be held with the  consultant who sold you your trip – knowing about insurance options is an important part of every travel consultant’s job. Travel consultants are constantly updated on travel policies and they normally have vast experience dealing with issues related to insurance. You would need to know, for instance, which insurance companies are most active in fighting on your behalf and which firms will do a comprehensive review of a “coverage declined” decision at the request of a consultant. Look for two things upfront: Can you get the pre-existing condition waived? (Absolutely necessary for most travelers) and know exactly what amount of emergency evacuation is included. We would never recommend a policy that gave you a penny less than $50,000 of medical evacuation, the most likely serious expense travelers encounter. When traveling is very important to have a small first aid kit in order to avoid big expenses in case of small emergencies, for eyes conditions I found these visiclear reviews very useful.

Find travel insurance for seniors, a international travel has its risks, and senior citizens should ensure they don’t leave their medical coverage behind. Should a new and unexpected health issue occur on your trip abroad, seniors travel medical insurance can cover eligible doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, local ambulance rides, and even some physical therapy costs required to get you back on your feet. You can go physical therapy by BetterPT. Thrоugh thе Part A hospital insurance benefit, Mеdісаrе рауѕ for рhуѕісаl therapy as a соmроnеnt of ѕkіllеd nurѕіng саrе, in еіthеr thе асutе саrе setting оr іn a post-hospital ѕkіllеd nursing fасіlіtу. In order tо ԛuаlіfу for reimbursement, ѕuсh thеrару muѕt meet thе сrіtеrіа for skilled nurѕіng саrе under 42 U.S.C. – 1495і. In order tо qualify, a patient оthеrwіѕе аррrорrіаtе fоr Mеdісаrе muѕt ѕhоw a ԛuаlіfуіng hоѕріtаl ѕtау оf three оr more dауѕ within thе 30 days prior tо entering thе ѕkіllеd nurѕіng fасіlіtу. For the best treatment cardiac rehabilitation in Singapore must visit us , here you will get a individualised rehabilitation programme to meet your needs.

As a general rule, although there are specific travel product exceptions, you want to avoid any policy sold by the tour operator or cruise line. You want to be represented by an independent insurance firm with solid long-term financial stability. That really narrows the field.

How many people fly the “cheapest” airline without ever considering the salaries paid to that airline’s pilots or the condition of the equipment they fly. This notion of “cheapest” is popular with the media but it is a silly way to approach something as serious as planning the best moments of your life – or insuring them.

Q – We would very much like to have your help with planning our ultimate trip, a celebration of my retirement from the financial world with  a month-long journey that might include as much wildlife as possible in Africa as well as, if at all possible, the Amazon. We’re open to what else we might see but we really prefer the exotic. Our budget would be in the neighborhood of $250,000 but we’d like everything included and handled. We don’t mind traveling with a small group but we could never handle a long cruise or a typical group tour. We need this to be absolutely top-drawer. Our schedule is that we can go anytime in 2015. We want six months, at the very least, to thoroughly plan for this journey. We dread the long flights/delays etc. But that is, I suppose, something one must endure. Can you help us and do you have any initial thoughts?

A – The best approach for a trip of this sort is to have a number of conversations with the goal of knowing you well, your likes and dislikes, and then moving on to specific destinations and a recommended timeline. When we have created the perfect trip, we then get into some of the specifics of each day as in (full day or half day sightseeing, dinner reservations this evening (and what type of restaurant) etc. The next step is a First Itinerary. We then review, make changes, and design the final itinerary which you have approved.

But you may want to look at a specific trip that appears, to us, to meet a great many of your bucket list requirements. We would recommend that you talk to us about a new Around-The-World by Private Jet Tour being offered by Abercrombie & Kent next October that will include a luxury safari in Kenya, time on the Amazon River on a luxury cruiser, Easter Island, Papua New Guinea, the islands of Indonesia and Madagascar and all sorts of special touches such as breakfast with A&K’s owner at his home in Monaco. You won’t have the airport delays, all flights will be true First Class in your private jet with a hand-picked crew, and you will come out, in the long run under budget at $108,000 per person for 26-days. Custom arrangements can be done in virtually every part of the world but the travel convenience of these private jet programs is making them increasingly popular and most sell out quite quickly.