Looking Backwards and Forwards

We"re now on the last leg of our journey. We will be boarding the Queen Mary 2 for a transatlantic cruise to New York. This will provide a relaxing conclusion to three weeks of daily tourist activities and five weeks of travel, thus far.

Overall, this was the longest length of travel time for us. What have we learned from it?

• We can actually pack pretty lightly. Although we needed to do some hand laundry rinsing each night and wear a limited set of clothes, we could pack within a 22 inch backpack luggage piece (leaving larger suitcases with cruise related clothing in storage).
• If we are in one location for several days, using an apartment is best. We can spread out a bit rather than staying in a room not much larger than a bed. Plus, making breakfast at 'home' is more relaxing.  
• Its better for us to stay in one area for at least three nights from which we can use as a travel home base. Otherwise, it feels like we're spending too much time actually traveling rather than seeing sights. This may be age-related advice, but who needs a lot of hectic activity?
• Learn to use the local transportation system. In some cases, taking a bus could save time if you know parking in a crowded city or small village is problematic. Sometimes, combining a bus ride out and taxi back in offers a great convenience. 
• If we didn't have dinner reservations in a busy location, we often ate a bit earler than the locals (6pm seemed to work well).
• We tried to limit daily drives to no more than three hours, if possible, and sightsee the remaining time. 
• We walked a lot on this trip. My fitbit reported that I walked an average of six miles each day.
• Check for age related discounts. While 60 may not get you a senior rate in the US, it often does in Europe! 
• In general, UK Enterprise car rental staff indicated that automatics can be found in smaller rental cars but most are in larger rental vehicles. If you want a smaller car, be prepared to drive a stick.
• Conduct a test run with any new travel luggage. I purchased a new eBag luggage piece and a couple of the fabric seams became undone on this trip (hmm, I tested the bag on a previous trip). eBags customer service was great and agreed to replace the luggage when we return. Luckily, the seams will hold long enough until the end of the trip. In all fairness, a second identical eBag luggage piece did not have any seam problem.
• Presuming cell phone use is needed while you're overseas, be sure to have an unlocked phone. While you can purchase and use a local SIM card, consider using a SIM card free service for calls and data (see knowroaming.com). We tried this service and found it worked well for calls, text messages and data. We also used Skype when WIFI service was available.
• Enroll into a VPN service prior to traveling. On a long trip you will likely need to check on some financial or household accounts. As open WIFI services are insecure, using a VPN becomes essential. Reliability, availability, security, connection locations and speed are considerations for VPN provider selection. I pay an annual fee of  $100 for my VPN service.
• Traveling with a Nexus 9 tablet met most of my technical needs. I generally travel with a laptop computer, but needed to reduce my luggage weight and packing requirements. The only downside of the tablet was that I could not access Adobe Flash and, due to storage limitations, couldn't really view/adjust large RAW photo files.  
• Prepare in advance for pick-pockets. 
• KEEP all zippered closures of handbags/backpacks zipped and, if possible, SECURE the zipper tabs closed with a clip that requires some manual dexterity to open. 
• Wear your handbag/backpack in FRONT of you in a crowded touristy area. Unless you have eyes in the back of your head, you can't see what is happening behind you. For the same reason, DON'T HANG your backpack on the back of the restaurant chair you're sitting in.
• If you have a handbag/backpack while in a restaurant, consider putting it in clear view or between your feet. I recall a work colleague that told me his laptop was quietly stolen from his briefcase while he was eating at a restaurant table in Argentina. 
• Be suspicious of physical bumping and spontaneous activities that immediately draw your attention. The person asking you for directions, may not be that innocent (moreover, someone asking a tourist for directions seems odd anyway).
• Consider clothing that is more challenging to pick-pocket thieves (check out Clothing Arts). But also remember that these clothes can make it difficult for the wearer to get to a pocket, as well. 
• Wear a secure money wallet for your credit cards and larger cash bills. To minimize the need to pull the wallet out, keep about $20-$30 cash in a more handy buttoned or zippered pocket. Better to lose a small amount of cash than your larger cash wad or credit cards.  
• Keep the number of items (credit cards, etc) in your wallet to an ABSOLUTE minimum. Keep a record of emergency contact numbers and account numbers in a secure and separate location that you can access if you have a loss. Its hard to cancel a credit card if you don't know who to call or have the account number.
• If you travel with someone that you share credit card accounts, be sure the other person brings a different credit card. If you need to cancel one card mid-trip, you may need an active card to use. A replacement card may take time to get to you. 
• If you use a debit card, do not use one that permits you to 'charge' against your bank account WITHOUT a PIN. If you have a debit card with a VISA or MC logo on it, chances are that debits can be made using it WITHOUT A PIN at a retail store or kiosk. Most unauthorized charges against a credit card can be backed out. A direct withdrawl from your checking account - maybe not.  You can request your bank create a debit card that only works at an ATM machine WITH a PIN.