Travel Resolution #9 :: Twoonies for Travel

Earlier this year I wrote about some 2010 travel resolutions. My 8th entry was to carry a petite stack of US one dollar bills when traveling in the US, Caribbean, etc... My motivation? Never get stuck in a situation where I'd run out of cash to tip. It's happened and it's embarrassing.  Recently I was reminded of this travel resolution when I stayed at a Canadian resort hotel.  Being born and raised in Canada, it was easier to tip staff with twoonies (a Canadian two dollar coin) versus USD bills.

The Twoonie & Incidentals Generosity is good, and I always want to be conscientious a traveller who gives to staff who help me at hotels and resorts.  Although constant tipping can seem ridiculous at times like check-in, check-out or with regular valet use, I think it's always better to err on the side of regularity.  Here's an overnight account of my twoonie use at the Chateau Whistler (see my Trip Advisor review of the Chateau here) a few weekends ago: - Pull up to the valet, one of the attendants helps unload bags = twoonie #1 - Bags are brought up to room by bell hop = twoonie #2 - Use car, when I return to valet = twoonie #3 - Next day, leave room, provide tip for housekeeping = twoonie #4 - Call for bell hop to assist with bags = twoonie #5 - Retrieve car from Valet and bags are placed in car = twoonies #6 & 7 --------------------------------------------------- 7 Twoonies (and that's just overnight...) *This does not include tipping at restaurants, which is usually 15-20%.

To Twoonie or To Loonie? I don't have anything against the lonely loonie (Canadian one dollar coin), but usually tipping with a twoonie is more acceptable in Canada. A loonie just doesn't cut it. Although it does feel weird to tip with coins, I just go with it knowing Canada doesn't have an equivalent amount in the form of a bill, although we used to.

My twoonie input and output doesn't stop here, this summer I'll need them when I go across Canada to Visit Ottawa, Montreal, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI!

Travel Trend :: Carry-On Changes Coming?

[trip style = packing light]

Recently, Spirit Airlines, a sizable US-based discount carrier announced plans to charge people up to $45 for carry-ons. Needless to say, a large public outcry ensued in similar proportions to RyanAir's announcement to charge for toilet use.  Channeling my inner grandma: what has our world come to?

The Future of Travel Based on the left pic, is this how Spirit wants us to travel, avec multiple accoutrements hanging from every limb and buried in every pocket?  [More pics below.]

Making Good on Bad Promise? Multiple US-lawmakers have jumped on the lobbying bandwagon trying to stop Spirit from making good on their bad promise to charge for carry-ons and set an unfortunate precedent.  I was almost convinced that the Government would overthrow the idea, yet yesterday morning Spirit Airlines's CEO was on the Today Show defending it, noting that the costs would be off-set by the airline lowering ticket prices.

Like a Fart in Church... Matt Lauer was kind and complimentary to Spirit's CEO, but noted "you had to know this idea would go over like a fart in church."  In response to Spirit's defense of their proposed carry-on bag fees, Senator Schumer discussed the bigger issue which he predicts will be all airlines following suit.  In support of his point, he referenced Spirit as the pioneers in charging for checked baggage--well, we all know how that turned out...$25, $30, $40, $50 dollars later.

Driving Home the Point Although I understand Spirit Airlines' faster-out-of-the-gate motivation in leading the fee-for-carry-on bags, I'm not a fan. Fees never go backwards and airlines will always seek new profit centres. To drive home this point, I've taken the liberty to personally illustrate how people might start showing up at the airport for Spirit flights. Items on my person: hat, comb (attached to hat), toothbrush (in my hair), lipstick (in my hair), undergarments, t-shirt, sweater, jacket, jeans, shorts, two belts, shoes, flip flops, iPod, clear toiletries case, bathing suit, book, umbrella, bracelet, watch & camera.

Don't Judge an All-Inclusive Until Day 3

[trip style = all-inclusive]

I've been to my fair share of all-inclusives. They're an excellent trip style when seeking a vacation where you don't have to lift a finger and want the option of round-the-clock access to food, bevs, beach, activities, entertainment, etc...

Learning In between going on trips of alternate travel styles, I've frequented various all-inclusive star levels and companies (Sandals, Superclubs, Barcelo, Bahia Principe) in a handful of sun-drenched destinations. This combined experience has reminded me not to judge my experience until Day 3. Here's why:

• Tired upon arrival.  Between packing late, getting up early, rushing through the airport and flying for up to 10 hours, I usually arrive at my destination tired to the point of semi-delirium--not the best state to evaluate my surroundings or initial experience.
• Outsourcing.  In addition to being tired, unless you're paying thousands of dollars to be picked up in a Rolls Royce and stay in a suite at Sandals, most all-inclusive companies OUTSOURCE their transport--even if they say the resort is super all-inclusive from the moment you get off the plane.  This means the porters and drivers will ask for and expect a tip, and the level of service will unlikely be on-par with the resort's 4 or 5-star promise.  I've had some 'doozie' experiences with all-inclusive drivers, which more often than not, can start off your experience on a bad note.  In other words, between tiredness and transport, there's the potential to arrive at the resort with '2 stikes.'
• Check-in.  Although this is an obvious statment, it needs to be said: other countries don't do things the same way  things are done in North America or Europe.  Thinking back, I don't know that I've ever had a smooth check-in process--except for at the Grand Lido Negril, now Grand Breezes Negril.  If you spend a significant amount of time reading Trip Advisor reviews for package-style vacations, transport and check-in are often people's biggest beefs!
• 7-day rotation.  Like cruise ships, most all-inclusives operate on a 7-day activity schedule. Therefore, if you're not partial to the activities, meals or events happening on your first or second day, you may write-off an experience which could improve over the next 5 days...
• Getting acquainted. Getting used to the resort's daily flow takes time.  Knowing this now, I always take the first and second day to acquaint myself with the grounds and check out the offerings, so I don't realize there's something I love on day 6.  I want to stress this point because discovering and activity or restaurant you love on the last day is the worst, and happens to people more often than not.
• Finding your niche. After a day or two, travelers find their niche at the resort.  This is a source of comfort for people as they tend to find peace and calm when they get into the swing of things like: where and when to eat, lounging at the beach or pool, finding a bartender with whom to develop rapport, discovering the ebb and flow of their daily schedule, etc...
• People.  Meeting or not meeting others at the resort can make or break an experience, yet getting to know others can take time, which is a commodity on a short week escape.

Context All this is to say, after day three you have context to evaluate your experience properly and with a clear head.  This is the formula I use to form my make or break opinion.  Also, looking on the bright side, if you don't love your first two days, the resort has 5 days to make it up to you.

Don't Love it? What to do First and foremost, my general bent is to always try and make the best of the situation.  Having been involved in a few all-inclusive experiences that haven't exactly gone my way (see accounts below), if you don't have any luck pleading your case with the resort's managers, wait until you get home and write a letter.  Most resorts take letters of complaint very seriously.  See a detailed account of best practices for 'holding an all-inclusive accountable' here ('complimenting and complaining' section).

Related articles All-Inclusive Tricks of the Trade :: Tips on booking for the best experience A Redo trip :: What to do when an all-inclusive experience goes belly-up Update on my Redo Trip :: An overview of the highs and lows of the Sandals WhiteHouse

Travel iPhone Apps :: GateGuru

Has the Icelandic Volcano got you down, as in, not in the air?  Find the airport service you're looking for with the ultimate, easy-to-use airport guide for 85 US airports.  This iPhone app acts as an insiders' guide to finding food, shopping and services, so you can sit in one spot and search for a restaurant or spa rather than walking aimlessly down the concourses.   My only wish is that GateGuru would include international airports in the app. GateGuru App Details

• free
• comprehensive and accurate listing of amenities in US airports
• sort by food, shops and services
• access to real-time ratings, reviews and photos
• use the search engine to find pre or post-security options, etc...
• bookmark restaurants, shops and services you've enjoyed in the past
• participate by earning points & improve your ranking among other travelers. become the “Captain” of your airport locally or nationally. monitor your ranking versus your Facebook friends.

Other Travel iPhone Apps we’ve Reviewed

• Kindle for iPhone
• Packing Pro
• Skype
• World Fact Book
• AAA/CAA Savings
• Royal Caribbean
• Medical Concierge
• Tourism British Columbia :: Near Me BC
• Postman Postcard
• 2010 Guide
• Nat’l Geo World Atlas
• hostelworld.com
• kayak first class
• flight control (game)

Localizing Travel with a Home Exchange

[trip style = budget]

There's something romantic about the idea of exchanging homes with a tuscan farmhouse and living like Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun. Equally enticing is the idea of escaping to an English country home like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday--assuming you're OK allowing someone to live in your home.

Localizing Travel What I love about the home exchange trip style is how it catapults and engages you in local culture.  Not being cooped-up in a hotel or touristy area allows for a deeper immersion in the tastes, sounds, activities and lifestyle of a local. It's an experience that compels you in a walk-in-someone-else's shoes way of life and directs you with out-of-the-way advice, suggestions and tips you wouldn't necessarily get from a concierge.  The whole experience is oriented toward embracing the normality of an area versus the sometimes abnormal sense of place overly touristy activities can create.

Top Home Exchange Sites HomeExchange.com - popularized by movie "The Holiday" (actual website referenced in the movie) - 35,000 listings in over 130 countries - since 1992 - insurance option provided by Lloyd's of London - cost $9.95/month for 1-year unlimited membership or 3-month membership for $15.95/month

HomeforHome.com - major focus on listings in Europe with additional listings in Canada, the US and select countries in South America - free

HomeExchangeVacation.com - significant presence in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia - offer feedback function for added accountability - good FAQ section and website usability - cost: basic membership is free, full membership is $29 for 3-months (need full membership to email other property owners, so if you're serious, you need the full membership)

HomeforExchange.com - 13,500+ listings all over the world, including places like French Polynesia & Mauritius - cost: 1-year $59, 2-year $88, 3-year $110.

iehv.com - International Vacation Home Exchange - touted as "the" luxury home exchange option - mentioned in multiple publications - founded in 2003 - focus on non-simultaneous exchanges and credit system to exchange with variety of properties - cost $179 - $375/anually depending on membership level