Traveling should be an enjoyable, comfortable and picture-worthy experience. Packing right can help achieve this. At the same time, hurried or unplanned packing can lead to harassing and uncomfortable experiences, or it can overburden you with unnecessary luggage. Your pictures and videos from the trip will be most valuable to retain the memories and also to share with friends, and these pictures can look very attractive if you plan what you pack. We share some simple factors to consider while planning what you pack for an upcoming travel, in this three-part blog.

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION

Staying connected and managing your devices is crucial in today’s digital age. Travel essentials include:

Mobile phone

While everyone carries their phone, but a few steps before travel help:

1. Clear the memory on your phone to have sufficient capacity for pictures and videos.
2. Backup your phone on the cloud (Apple or Google). This is very helpful in case of a lost phone
3. Make a physical note of some of the important phone numbers and keep them in your wallet, just in case you cannot remember these numbers if your phone is lost.

Communication Apps and Devices – Research to install essential communication apps for translation (Google translate), messaging and video calls. Certain countries require a VPN connection for making audio or video calls through an app. Install these or ask someone technically adept as setting these for you.

Consider international phone plans from your current mobile operator (Airtel and Jio have extensive coverage). This are suitable for basic requirements of – keeping in touch with you family, checking your emails and messages and browsing or searching. The data and voice limits might be inadequate for posting large number or picture on social media, watching streming movies, or for long calls.

Alternatively, you can purchase local SIM cards at your airport of arrival. These are suitable for local calls and can provide large daily data usage limit. You will need to provide some basic documentation to purchase these cards like – passport copy and local hotel address.

Universal Adapters and Chargers

Research on the countries or destinations you are visiting and ensure you have the right adapters for your destination’s power outlets. Universal travel adapters are very useful, but only address match the electrical pins and sockets, they do not address the voltage differences. E.g. Indian appliances run on 220 to 240 volt, which is common in Asia and Europe, but not in the US which uses 110 volt standard. Fortunately, most phone and laptop charges are now compatible with both voltage standards, but other devices like – hair irons, pugged trimers, travel irons etc. might not adapt to other voltage standards. You need to check this beforehand and pack chargers for all your devices, including phones, cameras, laptops, and any other electronic essentials.

Camera and accessories

While most phones today do an excellent job as a camera, but certain accessories are highly recommended for making the most of your phone camera, particularly during travel. These include:

Battery pack – to avoid your phone running out of juice in the middle of the day. This is most essential, as you are likely to use your camera excessively. The magnetic wireless battery packs make it convenient to use your phone while it is being charged. Note, that battery packs should be in your carry-on bag and not in the check-in luggage

Selfie stick – not only to check the box for posting a selfie, but also to avoid dependency on others to capture the best moments. This also avoids handing your expensive phone to strangers (tourist spots are infamous for runaway photographers). Many selfie sticks come with remote and tripod stand to provide stability for capturing low-light scenery like sunsets and sunrises.

Memory stick – if you phone is frequently out of memory space. It is a good idea to carry and OTG memory stick. This connects with your phone to download all pictures onto the memory stick for backup and to free up space on your phone.

Earphones, Headphones and Bluetooth speakers – Noise cancelling earphones (airpods) or headphones are very useful during travel. They cancel out all other noises and help you relax with your favorite tunes – on a flight, in a car, on a beach, or by the poolside. They can be useful accessory for making calls in noisy surroundings. Bluetooth speakers are party makers for small groups – while traveling in a van, celebrating on a terrace or during a picnic.

Packing for international travel need not be a daunting task. With careful planning and consideration, you can ensure you have everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. Remember, less is often more, and a well-organized suitcase can lead to a stress-free and enjoyable journey. Happy travels! Thanks for reading. Please share your views and experiences with us. If you would like to know more, or have suggestions for another topic to be covered in this blog, please do write to us at info@corporatetravel.in

CLOTHES

Factor 1: Destination and climate.

Understanding the climate and nature of your destination is paramount in deciding what to pack. The weather forecast for your exact duration of travel can be obtained from popular weather portals like Accuweather etc. Consider the day time temperature, wind speed, humidity, and possibility of rain for planning your outerwear and daytime wear. Since most of the evening or night time is spent indoors, use this only to guide your outer layer for the evenings.

Warm or humid weather: Carry light and cotton clothing, but multiple change options, as clothes get soiled often due to sweat and dust.

Cold or moderate weather: Carry light warm clothing, but use multiple layers (like- thermal undershirt, overshirt, sweater, jacket, stole or muffler etc.) as it is easy to layer on or off depending on your comfort. Layers also help in creating multiple style combinations for a fresh look.

Extremely cold, windy or wet weather: Carry warm and light innerwear for comfort, but carry one or two outerwear depending on how cold the weather is. When facing adverse weather, the functionality of the clothing will matter more than its look.

Travel tip: Warm clothing does not need to be heavy, light wool/acrylic with an air sealing outer layer can make it suitable even for skiing. A windbreaker is light and a very useful travel hack, which can be compactly packed in a bag pocket but pulled out for wind protection when the need arises.

Factor 2: Duration of Stay and Activities.

The length of your trip and planned activities will greatly influence your packing list. Tailor your packing list to include gear and clothing suitable for any planned excursions (e.g., hiking, swimming, skiing). For regular sightseeing and leisure activities consider the below:

RULE OF THUMB – For travel duration between 5 to 14 days

Day wear – carry two changes per day.

Evening wear – carry two to four formal wears for the evening, unless more formal events are planned

Night wear – carry one night wear for every two or three nights, with a gown to cover during room service or to sit in a balcony.

Underwear – one for each day of travel with option of light and dark colored, to coordinate with your clothing.

RULE OF THUMB – For travel duration greater than 14 days

Find out laundry options during your entire trip, ideally in the middle of your trip. This will help you manage within your luggage allowance. These laundry options can include – coin operated laundromat (most long-stay hotels have one), complementary laundry (many hotels offer certain pieces of laundry complementary for long stay guests), express laundry services outside the hotel (usually more economical), lastly hotel laundry services.

Alternatively, if you plan to shop clothing for yourself, planning it in the middle of the trip can help provide you a few more clothing options.

Day wear – carry one change per day. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)

Evening wear – carry four to six formal wears for the evening, depending on the number of formal evenings planned.

Night wear – carry one night wear for every three to four nights, with a gown to cover during room service or sit in a balcony. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)

Underwear – one for every second day of travel with option of light and dark colored, to coordinate with your clothing. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)

Travel tip:

1. Choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down to suit different occasions.
2. Instagram tip for warmer weather – choose whites and pastel colored upper wear for day wear coordinated with bright colored bottom wear or vice versa. These can be coordinated with accessories like – hats, sunglasses, beach bags, sarongs etc.
3. Instagram tip for colder weather – choose brighter colors for day wear as most outer wear tends to be dark and boring for pictures. These can be coordinated with accessories like – hats, sunglasses, mufflers, stoles etc.
4. Instagram tip for all weather – Accessories, outer wear and props are more unisex than we believe, so feel free to swap with you partner or friends to create interesting combinations.

Factor 3: Applicable travel essentials for your own requirement

Certain travel essentials apply for all – comfortable walking shoes, swimming trunks/suit, a rain jacket, sunglasses, a hat, a travel sewing kit, a formal white shirt with trousers and leather shoes for men, a cocktail dress with heeled sandals for women, flight pajamas for longer flights.

Consider any specific events or your regular requirements to carry suitable clothes. These can include – traditional clothes for festivals or to meet family, dresses for a particular occasion like wedding, gym clothes, bags, belts and accessories.

Travel tip: While best of clothes and accessories are recommended for holidays, but you need to be conscious of packing expensive or emotionally valuable clothes or accessories. Travel is fraught with mishaps like – lost baggage, belongings left behind in hotel rooms and pick pocketing in crowded areas, and mugging in secluded areas.

Factor 4: Dress code and cultural norms.

Research the local customs and dress codes to ensure you’re respectful and appropriately attired. This is especially important for countries with a strong religious code of conduct and for places of religious importance or public areas like museums. These dress codes could include – no parts of the body being exposed like arms or legs, or could include covering the head with a scarf.

As an example, many of the luxury hotels in London require extremely formal attire with ties, jackets and dresses for evening tea. Most casinos in south of France require formal clothing. On the contrary, you can find yourself overdressed at a beach in Southern Europe or Brazil.

Packing for international travel need not be a daunting task. With careful planning and consideration, you can ensure you have everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. Remember, less is often more, and a well-organized suitcase can lead to a stress-free and enjoyable journey. Happy travels!

Thanks for reading. Please share your views and experiences with us. If you would like to know more, or have suggestions for another topic to be covered in this blog, please do write to us at info@corporatetravel.in

Step 1: Profile of travelers

One of the most important aspects in choosing the destination, is the age and interest suitability of the travelers, or a group of travelers. The age and interest can vary significantly across – young couples, middle aged friends, retired couple, a young family with kids or a larger family with older parents and younger kids. Similarly, destinations can vary significantly offering – honeymoon cottages or couple only hotels, all-night party and shopping, adventure activities, leisurely family fun with large common areas, tourist attractions with skip the line access for elders, theme-parks and water-parks for kids of different age groups. The information on profile of travelers is essential for your travel consultant in filtering the options, or to suggest alternatives.

Step 2: Time and duration of travel

Travel planned for a particular time of the year can rule out certain destinations due to unsuitable weather or even due to overcrowded tourist places during high season. This is also important since certain tourist attractions are closed during certain parts of the year, or you could be facing long queues and crowded places during high-season. This can also significantly impact your travel expense, without delivering commensurate pleasure. Your travel consultants can provide valuable information to avoid such misadventures, or even suggest options based on flexibility on dates of travel or alternate destinations. On the contrary, if you have a destination in mind, you travel consultant can suggest the most optimal time of the year, balancing the weather and avoiding extreme high-season. This advice can make your trip memorable, while delivering the bang for you buck. In fact, you might be able up the leisure and luxury experience, while keeping your travel budget the same.

Each destination has certain essential attractions to offer and then certain options based on your interests. Our endeavor is to ensure each attraction chose should be experienced leisurely, rather than in a hurried or superficial manner. This not only makes the visit memorable, but also helps your travel consultant choose the best local agents to make your visit comfortable. You definitely should avoid cheap and transactional local operators, who can be rude, unresponsive or inconsiderate.

Based on the essential attractions, you travel consultant would provide you options of different itineraries which can match your proposed duration of travel. It is important to note, that there should be a minimum threshold depending on the destination, to make the trip worthwhile e.g. if you are visiting a large city like London or Paris, you would require a minimum for 4 to 5 days to make it worthwhile. At the same time smaller cities can be planned for lesser number of days or clubbed with other cities e.g. Phuket for 3 days combined with 2 days in Bangkok or Krabi.

A related aspect of time and duration of travel, especially for international travel, is to plan your travel ahead of time. This increases the number of options, reduces the travel expense, as well as, avoids any visa delays impacting the travel plan. The ideal period to plan ahead is 3 months for Europe, US, Africa and Latin America, and 1 month for most of Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East. Then there are certain exclusive experiences which need to be planned almost an year in advance e.g. northern lights viewing in Scandinavia, cherry blossom season in Japan, skiing at certain slopes in France, Switzerland or Austria.

Step 3: Objectives of the trip

The purpose of the trip provides useful information to the travel consultant to match the attractions and itineraries for the destination to these requirements. This is again a very important input which will help your consultant in providing you interesting information, which you might not have known earlier. E.g. a stag trip for bachelors or friends can be tuned to destinations and activities offering – sports, golf, adventure, whiskey tasting, car rentals etc., where as a bachelorette trip or group of lady friends would enjoy – shopping, wine tasting, spa treatments, limo and butler services etc. Similarly, trips for honeymoon, celebrating significant birthdays, family reunion can be planned keeping in mind activities an locations which make the trip memorable. Let your travel consultant suggest and surprise you with multiple ways of making it special.  

Step 4: Any destinations you want to avoid

If you have already visited certain destinations, and are not inclined to visit them again, it is an important input for your consultant. Most countries have lots to offer that you do not need to visit the same cities again or nature of experience can be completely different based on your itinerary, mode of transportation, and the kind of activities planned. E.g. you can experience Eiffel Tower by going up the elevator, or by having a meal at the restaurant on the higher level, or viewing from the Seine river cruise, or from a perfect viewing restaurant across the river, during the day for a photo op, or in the night to view the lights show. Your travel consultant can be your window to all of these possibilities, to make each experience unique and enjoyable.

What to avoid?

While a travel budget is an important input for your consultant, but do not start with a budget being your filter as this will take you down the path of similar destinations again and again.

Over influence by hearsay from friends or relatives can lead to you to be fixated with destination or itinerary without fully exploring better possibilities. While their feedback might honest and helpful, but it is based on their limited personal experience of one or more visits. You travel consultant can share richer experience with you.

Since choosing a destination is the most important decision in planning a trip, any change in this decision would impact the entire travel plan and consequently the travel expense, visa requirements etc. The decision to choose your destination should be made most consciously with due agreement with you fellow travelers and your travel consultant.

Thanks for reading. Please share your views and experiences with us. If you would like to know more, or have suggestions for another topic to be covered in this blog, please do write to us at info@corporatetravel.in

Choosing a destination

If you plan to explore a new destination, you only know little about it from social media or the internet. These sources are most likely to provide you a biased marketing view, which might not be incorrect but is incomplete. Similarly, if you have heard about the destination from your friends/family, it might be more true, though limited based on their own experiences. A travel consultant, who regularly sends their customer to these locations, and has personally experienced or validated these, is likely to know from multiple perspectives. This tells them – “What works and what does not!”. Based on this ability, they are able to suggest the most suitable destination, given your travel interest.

At the same time, the travel consultant is fully aware of all other essential aspects related to the destination, such as – age suitability, visa requirements, flight options, suitable time of the year, approximate travel expense etc. Without all of this information, choosing a destination can turn out to be an ill-informed or complex decision.

If you are a repeat traveler to a destination, you most likely want to explore new locales, or desire new experiences. You would want to know what options exist in terms of – locales, tours, adventure, mode of transport etc. A travel consultant can provide you a wealth of information, including a suitable local connection to book these for you in advance. The local associate agents are experts in in these experiences or specialize in certain tours, which makes the experience worthwhile.

Choosing a flight

Booking flights require an IATA authorized agent to issue tickets, so non-IATA agents could be fly-by-night operators and should definitely be avoided.

Online travel portals provide you a bunch of flight options ranked by lowest to highest cost. This information does not include any description or information about the reasons for the prices being higher or lower. Pricing of airline tickets is one of the most complex and mostly opaque pricing mechanism.

Just to exemplify – many times the return fare to a destination can be lower than the one-way fare, or that the lowest fare is usually the one without any change or cancellation possibility, or that you can get free connecting flights to another destination in Europe if you travel through a major carrier to their hub, or that certain airlines provide you free airport transfers at your origin and destination airport.

Your travel consultant is aware of all such complications and options, when suggesting the best flight and connections. They are also aware of – your preferences, minimum connection time required based on the airport layout, fall back options in case you miss connecting flights, any offers to upgrade your class of travel for a small fee, or the option to redeem your frequent flier miles on a particular airline. Remember, international travel is fraught with exigencies like – missing a flight, losing a bag, immigration issues etc. If you are stuck at a foreign airport at an odd-time in your home country facing any of these exigencies, you will miss a trusted travel consultant the most. This is why a simple search on an online travel portal can only lure you into picking the lowest fare or package, but cannot provide you all of this valuable information.

Planning your itinerary

Cookie cutter travel packages for large groups are usually the most economical e.g. 9 nights, 10 days Tour of Europe starting Rs. 2.5 lakhs – touching London, Paris, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. But as you can imagine this tour cannot do justice to any of the destinations. A city like Paris alone requires minimum 4 to 5 days to visit the main attractions of the city, and if you visit any of the museums or Euro Disney then a few more days. Only this can make the visit to Paris memorable. Also note that the more cities you travel to, you end up adding the cost of connecting flights, airport fees, airport transfers, visa etc, without enjoying any of the cities properly.

You travel consultant is an expert on planning itineraries. With personal experience of visiting all of these attractions, as well as based on the experience of multiple other travelers, they know best on how to plan your route efficiently, to minimize the travel time/expense and provide for a leisurely visit to the attractions which suit your interest. They can also ensure you avoid – long entrance queues or getting hassled with local language/tourist guides etc.

Being in a foreign land, without knowing the local language, and not having someone you can ask for help, can be the most harassing experience. A well-planned itinerary with the support of local travel affiliates avoids all these pitfalls and makes the experience memorable.

Expense of your travel

The travel industry operates on revenue through commissions, which vary between 2% to 15%, depending on the service and supplier. This commission is shared by the end supplier, like a hotel/airline/cruise with the intermediary travel agents.

So, the cost to the customer is essentially the same. The commissions can be on the higher or lower end of this spectrum, depending upon volumes or nature of partnership between the supplier and the agent. It is more of a myth, that one travel agent charges more than the other, since the price from the supplier is more or less same for all. More importantly, even if there is a differential it will be small in the wider perspective of the total expense of the travel. For that small differential, the value-add by a trusted travel consultant can be multiple times larger for fulfilling the objective of the trip. If the trip isn’t memorable, then any expense made small or large is wasteful.

Earning your trust

An online portal or a tour package company focuses on the transaction, and nothing beyond, which limits their incentive to deal with customization, preferences, exigencies etc. This is the difference between making a travel happen vs making it memorable.

A travel consultant strives to become the TRUSTED travel consultant, not only for this travel but for all future travels. They might have fewer travelers, but all happy travelers. They take pride in their experience and their network to make the customer’s travel memorable. This is why you need a TRUSTED travel consultant for your International Travel.

Thanks for reading. Please share your views and experiences with us. If you would like to know more, or have suggestions for another topic to be covered in this blog, please do write to us at info@corporatetravel.in