Come Fly With Me - Tips for Travelling

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Have you ever noticed how much travel continues to change? New products emerge, and existing ones are refined, all aiming to simplify our journeys. With visits to over 100 countries and close to 800 flights, I have learned a few tips to make travel more pleasant.

Losing a passport or luggage is something no one wants to experience. However, if it happens, retrieving them becomes crucial. Taking a photo of your passport's identity page and your luggage (including the baggage tag) can be immensely helpful. Without proper details from your passport, securing a replacement abroad becomes a daunting task. Although I have only lost luggage once, I quickly discovered how similar suitcases look. A photo made filing a claim much easier.

Staying connected while travelling abroad is essential. Using your home cellular provider can result in steep charges, but eSims from providers like Airalo (airalo-esim.com) offer affordable alternatives. For an upcoming trip to Egypt, I found a plan offering 500 MB of data daily for 15 days at just $40.

Did you know Google Maps can be downloaded ahead of time? Doing so ensures access to your planned routes without incurring high data costs. This has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.

Uncomfortable hotel rooms can ruin an otherwise great trip. Many properties limit air conditioning settings, but most thermostats have override options. A quick search on YouTube often reveals step-by-step instructions for adjusting the temperature to your preference.

Hotels often provide free slippers for guests, which I have found perfect for use on long flights. They are lightweight and comfortable, making air travel just a little more bearable.

Technology is advancing rapidly, and Air Canada is experimenting with a facial recognition program for boarding. A simple face scan at a kiosk, eliminates the need for paper boarding passes or digital tickets. While some may have concerns about privacy, the system is optional, and mirrors technology many of us already use in unlocking smartphones.

During a recent trip to Bermuda, I encountered a short story dispenser at the airport. The kiosk prints free stories (one per person) from a wide selection, adding a charming touch to the wait time.

Aircraft cleanliness is often questionable. I avoid seat pockets entirely, as I once found a pair of socks stuffed inside. Do not drop your phone, ear buds or any personal item in those pockets and I can guarantee the emergency cards are seldom wiped down. Headrests, too, can harbour bacteria, including E. coli. Wearing a hat or hoodie provides an additional barrier.

Essential travel items include alcohol-based sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol) and insect repellent with a minimum of 30% DEET. These simple precautions can prevent significant discomfort.

COVID, SARS and the flu have not disappeared, and safeguarding your health is still very important. You may look out of place wearing a mask on a flight (oh, how quickly times have changed), but catching a Respiratory illness on planes has, and continues to be at risk. The safest seat is next to the window. It puts you far enough away from the people walking by and coughing on aisle seats. Did you know business class has its own ventilation system on many aircraft?

Speaking of riding in the front of the plane, many airlines offer upgrades through a bidding system. I tried this last summer on a trip to Portugal and was pleasantly surprised when I learned I was whisked into row two, in sleeper seats, with all the accompanying amenities, for only $500… and that was for two.

Jetlag remains a common issue. It tends to be worse when travelling east, but adjusting meals to align with your destination’s time zone can help. Breakfast timed for the local morning, cues your body to adapt faster. Conflicting actions, like eating late at night when your brain thinks it is time to go to sleep, is not a good thing.

Vigilance is key. Recently in Paris, I nearly bought a bottle of water from a street vendor before a kind bystander, an off-duty policeman, warned me. Such bottles are often resealed with Crazy Glue after being filled with tap or street water (that way the cap snaps when you open it). I decided to wait and purchase a bottle inside the museum. You just never know.

Lastly, and I love this one, watching television in different countries can be a hassle, so now I carry my small Apple TV box, and an HDMI cable with me. If I want to watch Netflix, Prime or whatever, I simply plug the box into the TV, connect to the hotel Wi-Fi and presto, the world is my oyster.