What do you wish you'd known?

18 Jul 2007 ashleightara asked

I'm curious to know what ppl wish they'd known before they went on their trips, and only discovered afterwards...

For example,
Did you miss something in a town you wish you'd known about?
Did you pack something, and never used it?
Did you NEED something you didn't pack and had to go in search of it?

In particular, looking for different advice to what is already available on the board...share you experience so others can learn from you 'mistake'.

Thanks

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• 18 May 2012 Gurinder said

  

  Not a problem, although I would also recommend a light sweatshirt or hoody just to in case

  Not a problem, although I would also recommend a light sweatshirt or hoody just to in case or Cancel
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• 18 May 2012 Gurinder said

  

  Not a problem, although I would also recommend a light sweatshirt or hoody just to in case

  Not a problem, although I would also recommend a light sweatshirt or hoody just to in case or Cancel
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• 18 May 2012 LauraM12345 said

  

  Living in Canada, Toronto area actually, it definitely gets warmer than 22 in the summer… It’s warmer than that this upcoming weekend. It gets into the 30s at points, but the humidity is the main thing. It can be a bit cooler in Quebec, but it’s always super variable for southern Ontario and Quebec. NYC is comparable to southern ontario in the summer, plus or minus a few degrees. Have a wonderful trip!

  Living in Canada, Toronto area actually, it definitely gets warmer than 22 in the summer... It's warmer than that this upcoming weekend. It gets into the 30s at points, but the humidity is the main thing. It can be a bit cooler in Quebec, but it's always super variable for southern Ontario and Quebec. NYC is comparable to southern ontario in the summer, plus or minus a few degrees. Have a wonderful trip! or Cancel
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• 19 May 2012 Blue_Eyes131 said

  

  Hey All!

  I’m doing the London to Athens trip in August, and I’m trying to book my flights right now, but I have a question before I do. I was wondering if its worth it to spend a couple extra days in Athens at the end of the trip.

  Also, any tips for a guy traveling on his own for this 23 day tour would be helpful.

  Thanks.

  Hey All! I'm doing the London to Athens trip in August, and I'm trying to book my flights right now, but I have a question before I do. I was wondering if its worth it to spend a couple extra days in Athens at the end of the trip. Also, any tips for a guy traveling on his own for this 23 day tour would be helpful. Thanks. or Cancel
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• 19 May 2012 MattFoertsch said

  

  OK, I have questions about sleeping in the coach:

  1) How comfortable are the actual seats? Are they about like airplane seats as far as size and leg room?

  2) Does anybody have any sleeping tips that they or someone on their tour used that helped them sleep better on the bus? I have a hard time sleeping in airplanes (no matter how tired I am), and am worried it will be the same on the bus. I have ear plugs and a good travel pillow.

  3) Does the TM really play music the whole time? What about those who are trying to sleep!!?? In a past post on this thread someone was talking about make sure to bring your own ipod with good music otherwise you’re stuck listening to the TM’s music, which makes me think I’m gonna be trying to sleep and ppl will be playing music… :(

  I’m kinda serious about needing some solid hours of Zzz’s (especially after a night of drinking) and I don’t wanna be a tired zombie the whole trip! Thanks for any helpful info ppl have about this!

  OK, I have questions about sleeping in the coach: 1) How comfortable are the actual seats? Are they about like airplane seats as far as size and leg room? 2) Does anybody have any sleeping tips that they or someone on their tour used that helped them sleep better on the bus? I have a hard time sleeping in airplanes (no matter how tired I am), and am worried it will be the same on the bus. I have ear plugs and a good travel pillow. 3) Does the TM really play music the whole time? What about those who are trying to sleep!!?? In a past post on this thread someone was talking about make sure to bring your own ipod with good music otherwise you're stuck listening to the TM's music, which makes me think I'm gonna be trying to sleep and ppl will be playing music... :( I'm kinda serious about needing some solid hours of Zzz's (especially after a night of drinking) and I don't wanna be a tired zombie the whole trip! Thanks for any helpful info ppl have about this! or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 Taylormac said

  

  sleeping tablets for the flight over may help. and ear plugs for the bus ride possibly?

  sleeping tablets for the flight over may help. and ear plugs for the bus ride possibly? or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 emily7 said

  

  I wasn’t able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn’t play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps

  I wasn't able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn't play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 emily7 said

  

  I wasn’t able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn’t play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps

  I wasn't able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn't play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 emily7 said

  

  I wasn’t able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn’t play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps

  I wasn't able to sleep on the bus for the first few days. Until I got sick then I found it really easy, as I was so tired! I always find it hard to sleep on planes and the bus was the same! I guess just try your best and talk to people around you. My tm did play music, most of the time, I got used to it. After Amsterdam we were all so hungover, that he didn't play any! Maybe just talk to yours. The seats are. A little more. Comfy than airplane seats also. Hope this helps or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 JL said

  

  @MattFoertsch- The seats are a bit more comfortable than airplane seats and you can also let them down to lay flatter. I found that a travel pillow is a must. There is also more legroom if you sit at the back of the bus, or right in front. If you have no one sitting behind you the seat can almost be as flat as a bed (this can of course depend on the bus).

  Our TM played music very softly when he saw that most of the bus wanted to sleep. They are quite flexible with that. He even switched off the music and played a DVD on the front screen for those who did not want to sleep.

  @MattFoertsch- The seats are a bit more comfortable than airplane seats and you can also let them down to lay flatter. I found that a travel pillow is a must. There is also more legroom if you sit at the back of the bus, or right in front. If you have no one sitting behind you the seat can almost be as flat as a bed (this can of course depend on the bus). Our TM played music very softly when he saw that most of the bus wanted to sleep. They are quite flexible with that. He even switched off the music and played a DVD on the front screen for those who did not want to sleep. or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 MattFoertsch said

  

  OK, thanks for the info, guys. I definitely like that the seats can lay back more than airplane seats, that should be huge. I’m a very light sleeper and, even with ear plugs in, it’s gonna annoy the crap outta me if I’m dying for sleep and have to hear music playing, but hopefully that won’t be an issue. Sounds like I should maybe try and get a seat in the back of the bus for more legroom and music less loud…

  OK, thanks for the info, guys. I definitely like that the seats can lay back more than airplane seats, that should be huge. I'm a very light sleeper and, even with ear plugs in, it's gonna annoy the crap outta me if I'm dying for sleep and have to hear music playing, but hopefully that won't be an issue. Sounds like I should maybe try and get a seat in the back of the bus for more legroom and music less loud... or Cancel
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• 21 May 2012 Jezzcar said

  

  When sleeping on the plane, I just adjust the headrest, which a lot of people don’t realise you can do, as in move it so it surrounds your head, so that I can just lean my head to one side, put my iPod in and fall asleep. Easy peasy.

  When sleeping on the plane, I just adjust the headrest, which a lot of people don't realise you can do, as in move it so it surrounds your head, so that I can just lean my head to one side, put my iPod in and fall asleep. Easy peasy. or Cancel
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• 22 May 2012 AlanaM said

  

  Who is going on the European Vista – starting June 25, 2012??

  Who is going on the European Vista - starting June 25, 2012?? or Cancel
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• 22 May 2012 cdm115 said

  

  Jason, speculating on the Euro is like speculating on the stock market, everyone will have a different opinion, and it will do whatever it wants. From the bits and pieces I’ve heard, my guess is that Greece will not pull out of the Euro.

  I’m in the US, but I’ve used tripinsurance.com to pick insurance, it lets you compare different plans.

  Jason, speculating on the Euro is like speculating on the stock market, everyone will have a different opinion, and it will do whatever it wants. From the bits and pieces I've heard, my guess is that Greece will not pull out of the Euro. I'm in the US, but I've used tripinsurance.com to pick insurance, it lets you compare different plans. or Cancel
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• 22 May 2012 cdm115 said

  

  Duplicate

  Duplicate or Cancel
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• 22 May 2012 Blue_Eyes131 said

  

  it never hurts to buy closer to your holiday. just keep an eye on the news and on the exchange rate on a daily basis and go from there. I’m from canada, and our dollar is pretty much at par with the australian dollar now, so that what i’m doing. if the euro goes down, chances are i’ll get them then.

  but i agree with cdm, i don’t think greece will pull out any time soon.

  it never hurts to buy closer to your holiday. just keep an eye on the news and on the exchange rate on a daily basis and go from there. I'm from canada, and our dollar is pretty much at par with the australian dollar now, so that what i'm doing. if the euro goes down, chances are i'll get them then. but i agree with cdm, i don't think greece will pull out any time soon. or Cancel
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• 22 May 2012 Sharna said

  

  Hi Jase, I’m from Australia to and I think covermore is probably the best insurance provider…… I saw them at travel expo and had massive chat and my travel agent recommended them……. I’m about to go overseas for 4 weeks and my insurance cost $200 and that’s including my medical condition I have…….
  as for euros….. it is like Cdm said…. it’s like the stock market…… but yeh greece arent pulling out anytime soon and all we can do is wait and see……. I’m in the same boat., i brought some euro and GBP awhile ago when rate was good and now its gone crap so I havent been able to buy anymore………. all we can do is check each day and as soon as u see a good rate, GRAB IT!

  Safe Travel!

  Hi Jase, I'm from Australia to and I think covermore is probably the best insurance provider...... I saw them at travel expo and had massive chat and my travel agent recommended them....... I'm about to go overseas for 4 weeks and my insurance cost $200 and that's including my medical condition I have....... as for euros..... it is like Cdm said.... it's like the stock market...... but yeh greece arent pulling out anytime soon and all we can do is wait and see....... I'm in the same boat., i brought some euro and GBP awhile ago when rate was good and now its gone crap so I havent been able to buy anymore.......... all we can do is check each day and as soon as u see a good rate, GRAB IT! Safe Travel! or Cancel
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• 23 May 2012 Sparks.55. said

  

  Hi Jase, have a look at the website canstar, its great for comparing travel insurance in australia :) thats what i used to find mine but just so happens cover more was the best for me :) My cousin has used southern cross travel insurance and had no problems claiming a while back. good luck!

  Hi Jase, have a look at the website canstar, its great for comparing travel insurance in australia :) thats what i used to find mine but just so happens cover more was the best for me :) My cousin has used southern cross travel insurance and had no problems claiming a while back. good luck! or Cancel
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• 23 May 2012 Sparks.55. said

  

  Hi Jase, have a look at the website canstar, its great for comparing travel insurance in australia :) thats what i used to find mine but just so happens cover more was the best for me :) My cousin has used southern cross travel insurance and had no problems claiming a while back. good luck!

  Hi Jase, have a look at the website canstar, its great for comparing travel insurance in australia :) thats what i used to find mine but just so happens cover more was the best for me :) My cousin has used southern cross travel insurance and had no problems claiming a while back. good luck! or Cancel
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• 24 May 2012 travellingjess said

  

  I got good insurance with allianz…shopped around a bit first and was really competitive and at least its a company i’ve heard of! Also I’ve bought my Euro’s a couple of weeks ago and since then the dollar has dropped so I’m glad I did, though i’m travelling in 8 days happy dance so had to get organised. But don’t stress too much!

  I got good insurance with allianz...shopped around a bit first and was really competitive and at least its a company i've heard of! Also I've bought my Euro's a couple of weeks ago and since then the dollar has dropped so I'm glad I did, though i'm travelling in 8 days *happy dance* so had to get organised. But don't stress too much! or Cancel
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