Effective Planning for Enjoyable & Economical Foreign Tour April, 2010 By Mrugank Kapadia

Conducted Group Tours Preferable for first time travellers to Europe; may get lost in different/ automatic systems without human involvement Very cost effective for Central Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Holland) due to economy of scale (Cosmos may be booking 1000 rooms throughout the year in Europe & negotiating hotel 40% of normal); Value for Money Many tours covering differing no. of days and countries English speaking guide Optional tours & free time Coverage of many places in limited time (rather hectic) Very professional especially Cosmos & Global; strict discipline & punctuality (Indian tours emphasise on food & company)

Peculiarities of Europe Multiple languages; English not common in Central Europe especially with older generation Food habits & taste; usually bland food; more difficulties for vegetarians More formal and not so friendly and helpful as in Japan Most travellers either have their own / hired cars or go by conducted tours Different lifestyle of Europeans and peculiar Indian tourist requirements of comfort, servants and casual approach

Tailor Made Tours Designed per your requirements May combine with conducted city tours Can do some portion of your own; city maps, metro charts, tourist information centres Suggested for countries like China (22 days tour covering 12 places with English guide, domestic travel & hotel stay in 2007 booked with a local China travel agent thru Internet for $ 4000 for 2 persons), South America, Africa Should book all international & internal flights not covered in the tour

Without a Tour Operator -Advantages Tour can be planned as per individual taste; advisable if you are travelling second time to Central Europe Conducted tours are very expensive for Scandinavia (Northern Europe) and Japan where some people do speak English and are very helpful Lots of adventure; rent a car requiring an international driving license can be fun (Turkey, Black Forest & Yellowstone National Park, USA experience) Can combine with conducted day tour of the city Avoid holiday club membership; rigidity of plans & places Use Eurail /Japrail/ Combi pass & night trains (save hotel)

How to Plan Lonely Planet or similar books which give practical advice about things to cover, mode, etc Discuss with friends who visited before or known locals Study travel plans of conducted tours & discuss Internet- information on temperature, festivals, events, rains, maps, etc and hotel/s booking advisable if plans fixed Make your itinerary but keep it flexible per ground realities Travel light, be adventurous but cautious Food : carry some & visit 9-11 type of stores for fruits, milk, etc Intelligent & economical tour routing of all flights (package) ; check fares with agents before booking thru net

Hints Avoid shopping & craze for Indian food Do not waste money on expensive hotel stay Go for unusual adventures (Bungy, scuba, hot air balloon, helicopter, dog sledge, float plane, para sailing) Carry adapter for electric plugs Carry ‘Ready to Eat’ food & plastic raincoat Local simcard to save communication cost; use internet Passport valid for >6 months with enough blank pages Apply for visas well in time Overseas travel insurance thru net (policybazaar.com…) Credit and debit cards, forex card, TC & local currency Copies of important documents to keep separately; precautions for safety of pass-ports & valuables Pics, videos & daily notes for life long memory

What to See? Japan for discipline, cleanliness, automation Kenya & Tanzania for animals; Zimbabwe for Victoria Falls Egypt for 4500 year old pyramids, mummies & Nile cruise Brazil for carnival, Amazon river jungle & Iguassu Falls USA for Disney, Grand Canyon & Alaska Australia & New Zealand for natural scenery Turkey for Bosphorous cruise, Cappadocia & Pummukale Europe for history & richness Scandinavia for pfjords, lakes, islands & 24 hour Sun China: natural beauty of Guilin & Longji and terracota warriors at Xian apart from Great Walls Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius, Malaysia,Thailand ideal for beginners

Our Unusual Experiences Travel to S.America without UK transit visa Rio Carnival (9 pm to 6 am) Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) without visa 2800 km drive in Turkey without any hotel reservation 3 week tour to Scandinavia without any hotel, train or bus booking(difficulty in Stockholm) Penguin parade after the tour bus left Bad experience at LA Grey bus terminal Sweet memories of New Zealand, African safari, Vic Falls Language problem in China (Beijing taxi, breakfast)

Questions ????