Rory Brown, International Food Critic, Shares The Best Travel Tips After 10 Years Traveling the World

Published on: 01 March 2019 Last Updated on: 22 February 2020
Best Travel Tips

After 30 years in the States, I wanted to add more experience to my travel resume than just Rory Brown, Charleston, SC native. Ten years later, I’ve traveled the globe from end to end and collected many experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything. If you’re planning to take on the open road, here are my ten best travel tips I’ve learned during my time wandering.

Rory Brown’s Top 10 Tips for Travel:

Push past your comfort zone:

It’s amazing how many people travel intending to break out of their comfort zone and find themselves sitting in their hotel room (which by the way, make sure you write down your hotel’s address). Put yourself in situations that you’d normally shy away from. You never know what you may find.

Learn a few local phrases:

Phrases like “hello,””please,” and, “where’s the bathroom?” will go far to ease your travels and avoid potentially awkward encounters. Learning the native language is helpful in your trips and a sign of respect to the local people.

Wander around, and get lost:

Go out intending to wander around without any real idea where you’re going. Some of the best experiences I’ve had traveling I arrived at entirely by accident.

Talk to the locals:

While you’re out wandering, stop in at a local establishment and strike up a conversation with the people there. They know the area and can help you have an authentic experience while you’re in town.

Get travel insurance:

travel insurance

You might think you don’t need travel insurance, especially if your trip isn’t very long, but you really never know what’s going to happen. Travel insurance will protect you if you get sick, injured or even robbed while you’re out of town.

Inform your bank of your travel plans:

Credit card fraud is a big problem these days, so banks always monitor for suspicious activity. The last thing you want is for your card to get declined when you’re halfway across the world.

Travel light when you go out:

Leave most of your belongings where you’re staying and choose just what you need when you go out. This way if the worst should happen, you only lose a small amount of what you have and can recover quickly.

Plan which meals you’ll eat out, and which you’ll make at “home”

Traveling can get expensive. As much as you’ll want to eat the local cuisine every night, if you’re spending long periods on the road or visiting overseas, plan which meals you’ll eat out and ones you’ll have in your hotel or hostel.

Carry a basic first-aid kit:

Like so many other things while you travel, you never know what’s going to happen. Carry band-aids, antibiotic, and tweezers to take care of minor injuries like cuts and splinters.

Remember patience is key:

Unexpected issues are going to pop up. No amount of planning will avoid this. If you’re too rigid about keeping a precise schedule, you won’t actually enjoy your trip. I’ve learned to stay patient throughout my travels and say, “whatever happens, happens.”

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Practical Travel Tips

Practical Travel Tips for Your Vacation to Canada

When you go on holiday to Canada, you naturally want to be well prepared, especially for your Canada visa. You should not forget that you forget the lens of your camera, forget to request your ETA form or have taken out the wrong insurance for the camper rental. In this blog, we list all practical travel tips for you. This will prevent you from getting nickel-free from the cold in the mountains, from walking around on the Great Plains for two weeks with sunstroke or from drowning in huge tidal differences in New Brunswick. With the practical travel tips below we prepare you as well as possible for your vacation to Canada. Practical Travel Tips for Your Vacation to Canada: 1. Remember your travel papers: One of the practical travel tips that should not be missed is the eTA form. Since March 15, 2016, this so-called electronic Travel Authorization form, in addition to your passport, is a mandatory travel document if you want to travel to Canada. The reason for this form is to make travel to Canada easier and to curb illegal immigration. On the page about the eTA form, you can read all relevant information and where you can request the form. You have to do this yourself. 2. Do you opt for Eastern or Western Canada? Many travelers who choose Canada as their travel destination for the first time do not know where to go. Choose in accordance with your needs. 3. Canada time difference and time zones: The time difference with Canada is not the same everywhere. Since Canada is a huge country, it is divided into different time zones, even six time zones. For example, the time difference in Vancouver in the west differs by 4½ hours from that of Newfoundland in the east. Read more about the time differences and time zones in Canada. 4. Bilingual: If something should not be missing from the list of practical travel tips, then it is that Canada is a bilingual country. The two official languages ​​are English and French. French is spoken almost everywhere in the province of Quebec, but also in New Brunswick. And well, call it French, because it is almost incomprehensible to a layman. It is French from the colonial era, strongly influenced by the English tongue and very difficult to understand if you are not used to it. The Quebecans are very proud of their origins and that echoes through in their language. Never speak to them in English at first, but in French. If you start in English, they pretend they don't understand you. Even though your French is still so bad, try it. If you can't figure it out, they suddenly seem to speak English fluently. 5. Currency in Canada: The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar, which is divided into 100 pence. A euro is worth about 1.47 dollars, the other way around a dollar is worth 0.68 euros. In Canada, denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars are used. Canadian coins that are used are those of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents. In addition, one-dollar and two-dollar coins are used, the so-called Loonies and Toonies. 6. Fuel and refueling in Canada: Fuel prices in Canada vary widely per region. In the Toronto area, you can pay $ 1.03 per liter of gasoline, while in Calgary you pay $ 0.90. When refueling in Canada it is common to use your credit card or debit card. It just works the same as with unmanned gas pumps in our country. Pay attention, because although there are fewer, there are still surprisingly many manned gas pumps in Canada, where you will be served full service. They do expect a tip. Hopefully, the above information can help you in planning a vacation in Canada. Read Also: How To Travel In Style Luxury Travel On A Budget: Is It Possible? Top 5 Ways To Avoid Canada Immigration Consultancy Frauds

READ MOREDetails
One Day In Barcelona

One Perfect Day In Barcelona: A Deep Dive Through The Heart Of Catalonia

Barcelona is not a city, but an experience — a wild tapestry of Gothic gloom, Gaudí imagination, seaweed-scented sea air, and the Catalonian rhythm of pride. You may have thought it impossible to spend a day in that enchanted city — how were you ever going to sample all its flavors, hear all its symphonies of sound, and see all its aspects of beauty within the limiting confines of a humble 24-hour day? The key is conscious travel: choosing symbolic spots, being where you need to be, where you need to be for real experiences, and letting Barcelona catch you up, at least for a while. What you will be left with when it is all said and done is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour experience — a carefully curated combination of architecture, cuisine, history, and natural beauty — so that your one day with us is fulfilling, complete, and memorable. 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Awakening Barcelona — La Rambla And La Boqueria An Early Morning Stroll through La Rambla Sleep in early because the city's waking up. La Rambla, usually crowded with tourists at lunchtime, is close to magic in the morning. The plane tree entwines' dappled light, yellow patches on the still-scented cobblestones with morning scents of tidiness. Flower sellers spread out bouquets, the first newspaper vendors creak open, and street artists start to sketch the first doodles. Stop at the Font de Canaletes, a humble, off-the-tourist-strains fountain where FC Barcelona fans gather to celebrate victories — a place rich in local tradition. Breakfast At Mercat De Sant Josep De La Boqueria Step into a kaleidoscope of color, aroma, and texture beneath the giant iron gateway. Succulent mangoes radiate with frosty vapors mist, rose dragonfruit with bouquets of citrus-marinated olives, and countertops heaped with glimmering sardines, flame-red tuna, and curled-up octopus tentacles. Just-frying churros' aroma overpowers the aroma of strong Spanish coffee. What to Eat: A serving of jamón ibérico slices, fat-dripping and melting upon your tongue. A fruit cup of tropical essence. Or, if you're starving for something more substantial: a large plate of tortilla española (potato omelet) and an espresso to rouse even the deepest sleeper. Tip: Take some homemade chocolate or turrón (nougat) with you to snack on later. 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Wonders Of Architecture — Gaudí's Barcelona 9:00 AM: Casa Batlló — The House Of Dreams Stroll along Passeig de Gràcia, where fashion shops with the latest designs mix with modernist legends. Casa Batlló is like a monster, its ceramic tile hides glowing blue to green in hue. The balconies with bone-like projections and wavelike windows look more grown than constructed. Go inside and see: Wavy walls and ceilings are like a wave at sea. A spine-like staircase. Serene inner courtyard ringed with cooling blues whose color deepens more and more as it rises. Audio guides give way to augmented reality, and Gaudí's fantasies are overlaid upon real life. 10:00 AM: Casa Milà (La Pedrera) — Wind And Water-Sculpted Casa Milà is a two-minute stroll down the same boulevard away. Infamous for its stone-like, haphazard appearance, having been referred to as La Pedrera ("The Quarry"). Enjoy Balconies made of wrought iron swathed like seaweed. Chimneys protruding from the roof as if supernatural, horror-face warriors. The roof has breathtaking views of Barcelona — the glinting Mediterranean in the distance like a mirror. 11:00 AM: Sagrada Família — Gaudí's Magnum Opus Purchase your ticket in advance to avoid serpentine queues. From blocks away, the spires thrust heavenward like a ghost. The exterior is a wonderful sequence of biblical statuary, each of the three fronts (Nativity, Passion, and Glory) narrating a chapter of Christ's life with an almost maniacal imagination. Inside the basilica: Light filters through rainbow-colored stained-glass windows, casting columnar columns blues, greens, oranges, and reds. The columns branch out like trees, like walking through a stone forest. Fact: Sagrada Família is still built and won't be finished until 2030-2035, over 150 years since work started. 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Gothic Quarter And A Tapas Lunch Introduction To The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) Return to the medieval heart of Barcelona. Cobblestone streets, with stones very closely set but again just space enough to walk two abreast, with the breeze blowing between big stone buildings. Footsteps resonating off emerald-mossed walls. See Plaça Reial, whose lovely arcades and lampposts were created by Gaudí. The tranquil Plaça Sant Felip Neri, a square which is still scarred by Spanish Civil War bullet holes. The breathtaking Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona, with its tall spires and cloistered interior,r which protects 13 white geese. Lunch in a Traditional Tapas Bar Select a local favorite like El Xampanyet (light and true) or Bodega Biarritz (little but legendary), and also great tapas bars in Barcelona. Tapas to Try: Pimientos de Padrón — Green peppers, fried in olive oil, one in ten will have a spicy kick. Gambas al ajillo — Shrimp fried in garlic. Pulpo a la gallega — Smoky paprika-topped tender octopus. Glass of cold local Cava (champagne wine) or home-made Vermut casero (home-made vermouth). 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Dreamscape — Park Güell Subway or taxi to Park Güell, the Carmel Hill summit. Abandoned housing project on its first construction, Gaudí had imagined it as an imaginary park. Take a stroll around: The sea serpent-profile mosaic-tiled balcony. The gingerbread castle-like gatehouses of fantasy. Viaducts of stone are integrated between the pines and palms surrounding. At the top of the park, you'll have panoramic views of the whole city, rooftops as far as the blue sea horizon. Tip: Save a trip to the Monumental Zone for uninterrupted camera shots. 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Coastal Breeze — Barceloneta Beach Barceloneta's Charm Back down to sea level and walk to the Barceloneta quarter. Old fishing village turned sun-dried, salt-crusted city quarter. Walk promenade beach promenade Rollerbladers speed by. Street musicians' guitars sang out above washing waves. Sizzling fry of fried sardines and salty anchovies filled the air. Relax Options: Wiggle toes in refreshing Mediterranean waters. Sit in a beach chair with an ice-cold mojito at a beach chiringuito Related Resource: The Best Travel Tips After 10 Years Traveling the World 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Night Magic — Montjuïc Hill And Dining Montjuïc: Sunset End And Spectacle Ride funicular to Montjuïc Hill. Enjoy golden sunset from Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) terraces, domed palace glinting in sun's decline. Walk down to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc — colossal, kinetic display of water, light, and sound. The program (free) is a multisensory ballet, in front of royal facades and open sky. Last Supper: Catalan Gastronomy Where to eat: Can Culleretes (Barcelona's oldest restaurant, traditional Catalan cuisine). Orio BCN Gòtic (thinking Basque pintxos bar). Recommended Courses: Esqueixada de bacallà — hot salad of salted cod. Canelons — oven-dried Catalan cannelloni with meat and béchamel filling. Mel i mató — mountain honey and fresh Catalonia cheese. End the night with a glass of Moscatell or other dessert wine. 9:00 PM – Late: Flamenco Dreams Or A Nightcap If you still have some energy remaining in you: Watch a flamenco show in Palau Dalmases — a stunningly lovely 17th-century palace where the dancers stomp and whirl and wail with abandon. Or stop to refill with a final cocktail -  on the balcony of a top-floor terrace over a cityscape glinting with centuries mingling with each flash of light. A day in Barcelona isn't just about ticking sites off a list — it's about experiencing the city's layered heartbeats, about sampling history and future in one bite, about standing on stones laid centuries ago while gazing out at the endless horizon. There are amaizng places from clubs to pubs to have a great time, eithe alone or with your group. If you are feeling adventurous enough then you can try out the Cannabis clubs or weed cafes as well in Barcelona. The cannabis association in Barcelona is quite popular.   And even though your time is short, you’ll leave with something that lingers — a small piece of Barcelona forever stitched into your memory. Read Also: How Do You Absorb a Foreign Culture? Live and Work There Follow These Steps To Become A Travel Influencer 6 Essential Tips For Long-Distance Train Travel

READ MOREDetails
Guest

Treat Your Guest Right, Enhance Your Service Quality!

For whom did you invest massively in building a reputed hotel? Guests, of course! Guests and their review can make or break the fortune of your hotel. Every hotel tries their level best to make their guests feel at home and are not troubled by any inadequacy. Guests, travelers want to relax and indulge in all the luxuries that a hotel can offer. But just because they want posh, in no way does it mean that you go overboard with all the amenities. There are certain items and facility that every guest wants. When you offer the same facilities, but at a higher quality standard, you are remembered. Keep reading to know what are all the essential amenities that matter the most to your guests. AROMA: You know what is that one thing that every guest, entering a hotel notices first apart from hospitality and cleanliness is the aroma of the place. The immediately perceive the hotel’s service quality and other aspects, by what they smell: a bathroom stench or garden fragrance. Purchase premium quality room sprays and immediately remove anything that easily gives out the smell. BEDROOM: Almost in every guest's mind, the first image that pops when hearing the word hotel is “plush beds.” Nothing feels better than sleeping comfortably.     Make sure your beds have soft and breathable linen of natural fibers TOILETRIES: Instead of regular inferior quality toiletries like shampoo, soap, stock your bathroom supplies with hygiene kits, oversized towels and always full bottles that make them feel clean and refreshed all day long. CUSTOMIZED COLLECTIVES: What better way to make your guest feel more valued and loved than treating them with a customized collection of limited beauty kits or fragrances by some “on-request only” labels. Other than these facilities, hotel staff must make sure they perform a deep cleaning of their rooms, periodically: Make sure the carpets of the guest room are dusted regularly and cleaned once in every two weeks. They easily accumulate dust and debris, and all the dirt is easily apparent. Similarly, make sure that curtains are free from any scum, smell. Soak them in an all-purpose cleaner for deep cleaning. With time, dust and debris start filling the gap between the tiles and grouts. Make sure your housekeeping staff uses necessary cleaning equipment like disinfectant and bristle brushes. Regularly inspect for repairing or replacing any pieces of furniture getting stained or scratched. Check upholstery and surfaces, as well. Check if the walls, dashboard are operating or not. Regularly shut the window panes and schedule a week deep-cleansing session thrice. Take care of sufficiently stocking and maintaining your guest room supplies and amenities and your job to impress the guests is half done. Looking for hotel supplies? Why get overpriced pieces of equipment from stores when you can purchase all the hotel supplies from guest house toiletries to cleaning supplies to restaurant items in bulk, at an attractive discount, in an online store. Get quality products for the hotel sector and hospitality trade at best possible prices. Order today to get free shipping on all orders above ‎£300. Read Also: Tips To Plan Destination Vows Renewal Ceremony Best Places To See In Europe

READ MOREDetails