Amazon
Books of Gordon Rogowitz
Barnes and Noble
Amazon Books
Category:
Travel
ISBN-10: 1497487285
Type: Non-Fiction
Copyright: June, 2013
ISBN-13: 9781301237555
Price: $5.99 (eBook)
A guide to traveling anywhere in the world without being on a tour.
This guide describes how to travel without being in a tour group. The book is loaded with practical suggestions from seasoned travelers and includes numerous references to useful websites. The author tells you what to take with you and what to leave behind, how to avoid potentially dangerous situations, what to do if you get sick, and even includes a section for women travelers. Read this guide before traveling independently. It will make your trip safer and more enjoyable.
Excerpt
Traveling in Lesser Developed Countries
In lesser developed areas such as those in South and Central America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia, buses are more readily available than trains. Also, most will have airplane service between different areas of the country. It is often the case that the taxis will be inexpensive and all of the hotels at a destination will be located in close proximity to one another, which makes traveling quite easy. Thus a simple way to travel is to hop on a bus and after arriving at a destination, either walk or take a taxi to a hotel or hostel.
A good way to proceed is as follows:
(1) Before arriving at a destination, look in your travel guide and select two or three hotels that seem suitable, e.g., those that are near the bus or train station, and those that are located near attractions and restaurants.
(2) After arriving at the destination, walk or take a taxi to your first-choice hotel. If this hotel is unsuitable, try the next one.
(3) Especially in lesser-developed countries, it is recommended that you head toward your hotel with determination. In this way, you will deter touts trying to entice you to stay at another hotel (one that may be less desirable).
Whereas in Europe it is wise to book at least a day or two in advance of your stay, particularly during the busy summer season, in lesser developed countries advance booking is rarely needed (except during holidays). You will seldom have a problem getting a room, especially if you arrive early in the day. That said, it's a good idea to reserve a room during your first night's stay in a foreign country. If you have just flown in, you will be tired and glad to have a room waiting for you.
Note that budget hotels in lesser developed countries may not offer hot showers, except in cooler mountainous regions. However, the “cold” water found in warmer regions, e.g., tropical areas, is quite warm, especially in the late afternoons. Air conditioning may or may not be available, but a room on the second floor with a breeze is typically all that is needed.
Finally a note about security: be especially careful in lesser developed countries. As mentioned previously, locking your luggage and taking precautions such as wearing pants with zippered pockets is wise. Also, it’s a good idea to carry money in two pockets. In one pocket carry smaller bills (with the smallest of these bills placed on the outside of a folded bundle) and in the other pocket carry a few larger bills (just-in-case money). When purchasing items, try to not openly display the larger bills; pickpockets target people who flash big bills.
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