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Travel Tidbits
[ Travel's 10 Commandments | Important Items | Medicines | Packing Hints ]
 

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home."
- James A. Michener

 
Among the benefits of travel is the opportunity to observe lives and lifestyles in other regions of our own country and the world in general.  An even greater benefit is participation in those lifestyles.  Notch Above strives to provide opportunities for you to experience life "as it happens" wherever we visit.  We do everything we can do to assure your safety and comfort.  However, it is important to understand that not everyone lives like we live in the northeastern United States.

For example, we frequently visit Canada, especially the Province of Quebec.  Canada, as you know,  is a very modern, contemporary, "developed" nation.  Language, customs and regulations, however, are not always identical to those in the United States.  Handicapped access in the Province of Quebec is often not as readily available as it is in the U. S.   Smoking is still permitted and excercised in many restaurants and public facilities.  Restaurants, hotels and attractions are normally very helpful and anxious to do whatever they can to meet our special needs and requests.  There are times, though, when they simply can¹t do anything to change the way things are.

It is extremely helpful for us to know about any special needs before we depart on a tour.  We will ask our suppliers to try to meet those needs.  In many cases they can; sometimes they simply can't.  We'll do our best!  Please feel free to contact us if you do have special requests or concerns.  Upon request, we will be happy to talk with you about the amount of walking or level of physical activity on any of our tours.

Below are some thoughts and travel hints we feel are useful.   As always, we invite your additional comments, suggestions and concerns.

Traveler's 10 Commandments
author unknown

1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home, for thou has left home to find things different.

2. Thou shalt not take anything, especially thyself, too seriously for a carefree mind is the beginning of a fine tour.

3. Thou shalt not let other passengers get on thy nerves, for thou art paying a goodly price for a goodly time.

4. Thou shalt take only one-half of the clothes thou thinkest thou may need and twice the amount of money.

5. Thou shalt be prepared with medication and the means to take it.

6. Thou shalt not judge the people of another area by a single person with whom thou hast trouble.

7. Thou shalt not make thyself too obviously a tourist.  When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

8. Thou shalt not worry, for he that worrieth hath no pleasure.  Few things are fatal.

9. Blessed is the person who can say "thank you" in any language. Say it often.

10. Thou art the guest and not the host,  so treat the host with respect.  Thus thou will be treated as an honored guest.

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Don't Leave Home Without Them
from the Society of Travel Writers

1. Good walking shoes
2. Photocopy of opening page of passport or other ID (carry separately)
3. Ziploc Bags
4. Immodium (for diarrhea)
5. Photocopies of prescriptions for medicine and glasses
6. Swiss army knife
7. Pocket flashlight
8. Spare camera batteries
9. Your address book
10. Photocopies of all credit cards (carry separately)

The Top Items People Forget When They Travel

Passport or other Personal Identification - Extra socks - Underwear
Right kind of shoes - Cash - Medication - Important contact numbers
Toothbrush - I.D. Tags on all Baggage

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A Traveler's Health Kit

The medicines you pack will vary depending on your age, general health and drug tolerance.  Donald Sullivan, a registered pharmacist, recommends the following basic supplies:

1. An antacid
2. A mild laxative
3. Antidiarrheal medication
4. Your favorite pain reliever/fever reducer (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin)
5. An antihistamine
6. A decongestant
7. An anti-itch agent
8. General first aid supplies (adhesive bandages, an antibiotic cream, etc.)
9. If you suffer from motion sickness, over-the-counter remedies are normally effective.
10. Sunscreen for outdoor activities including walks and sightseeing.
11. Prescription medicines ­ bring extra in case of travel delays and carry copies of the prescriptions in your carry on bag.

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The Fine Art of Packing
by Beverly Garland and the National Tour Association

1. Pack heaviest items first (shoes, travel alarm, etc... pack on the bottom of your suitcase).

2. Use luggage space wisely.  Stuff hosiery into the toes of your shoes.  Protect your shoes by wrapping them in t-shirts if you don¹t have shoe bags.  Roll sweatshirts and undergarments to fill space.  A full bag helps keep the contents from sliding and wrinkling.

3. Coordinate your wardrobe around one of two basic colors.  This will automatically eliminate many items of clothing.  Separates are best  because they can be mixed and matched.

4. Don¹t pack too much!  An old traveler¹s trick is to lay out everything you¹ll need, then take half and return the balance to your closet.

5. Minimize wrinkling by packing shirts buttoned.  Fold clothes as little as possible.  Be sure to fold them close to the waist and seams.

6. Place plastic dry cleaner¹s bags around clothes to minimize wrinkling.  Keep each layer as flat and even as possible.

7. For silk shirts use large zip lock food size plastic bags.  This keeps the shirts wrinkle-free.  Bring extras to use for packing a wet bathing suit.

8. Pack some of your traveling companion¹s clothing in your bag and vice versa.

9. As you pack, make a list of the contents of your suitcase.  Bring this with you in case your luggage is lost or stolen and you need to make a claim.

10. Carry fragile, valuable, or perishable items with you.  Money, jewelry and prescription drugs should be carried with you.  Make sure you have a toothbrush in your carry-on bag.

11. Pack laundry soap for your delicate articles.  Dry cleaning is often expensive on-the-road and you may not be able to take advantage of laundry facilities.

12. Pack sample sizes of toiletry articles.  Liquids travel best in plastic containers.  Squeeze the air out of bottles before you fill them and don't fill them to the top.  Place the containers in plastic bags before you put them in your suitcase.

13. Be sure your luggage is clearly labeled.  Remove old airline and luggage tags.  Make sure your name and address is in a prominent place on the outside and inside of each piece of luggage.

14. Pack and repack articles in the same order each time.  During short stays, you¹ll be able to reach into your bags and find what you want with unpacking completely.

15. Be prepared for unusual weather.  A July cold spell or a winter heat wave can happen.  Layering clothing is a good way to be prepared because layers can be added or removed.

16. Use lightweight bags if possible. Test the weight of your bag.  Walk around with your bags for a few minutes.  Do they feel too heavy?

17. Unpack as soon as possible after you arrive at your hotel.  This too helps to eliminate wrinkling.  Bring extra hangers to hang clothes.

18. Consider a suitcase with wheels to make baggage carrying easier.

19. Remember to leave room for souvenirs.  Pack an empty canvas bag for purchases.