http://inflightinsider.com/2010/07/19/for-the-world-traveler-holidays-are-not-always-fun/ Insider Tips for Traveling Well Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:05:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://inflightinsider.com/2010/07/19/for-the-world-traveler-holidays-are-not-always-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Carolyn W. Paddock Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:34:10 +0000 http://inflightinsider.com/?p=1625#comment-459 Megan, Thanks for your brilliant reply and comments! I appreciate your insight and hope that others will benefit from your experience. I agree that its best to be cautious in foreign countries than sorry. Safe travels! Cheers, Carolyn Megan,
Thanks for your brilliant reply and comments! I appreciate your insight and hope that others will benefit from your experience. I agree that its best to be cautious in foreign countries than sorry. Safe travels!
Cheers,
Carolyn

]]> http://inflightinsider.com/2010/07/19/for-the-world-traveler-holidays-are-not-always-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-448 Megan Columbia Wed, 18 Aug 2010 06:37:13 +0000 http://inflightinsider.com/?p=1625#comment-448 First of all, from one flight attendant (and fellow world traveler) to another...your website/blog is fabulous!! I discovered it when I was reading an article on msnbc.com and I have thoroughly enjoyed perusing all the different entries! I just wanted to add something to your entry regarding holidays and other events that might affect international travel....(and a little something about concierges) For the last 8 years, I have worked as a U.S. Military contracted flight attendant, a job which has taken me to some amazing, and many times VERY different, destinations. In many places like Europe, I quickly discovered how events such as holidays can cause drastic changes in public transportation, banking and retail hours, etc. But what I was surprised to find out, was the fact that in places such as many countries in the Middle East, holidays can legally affect your ability to do such simple things as drinking a bottle of water in public!! For instance, during the holy month of Ramadan in Kuwait, it is prohibited to eat, drink or smoke in public during daytime hours. This is an Islamic law/tradition, and I must mention that even after research I have conducted, I am not 100% certain of the actual legalities. But with that in mind, I have found it is IMPERATIVE to always err on the side of caution in situations such as this...when it comes to religious holidays and traditions in other countries, I understand that arrests, and even incarceration, can take place if someone does not strictly adhere to religious laws, even if they are not "governmental laws". Of course, the internet is a fantastic resource when it comes to researching local holidays, religious events, laws & traditions, etc., before you travel to a new destination. But my favorite resource? The hotel concierge!! I typically return to the same hotels when traveling, and one of the first things I do when arriving at a new hotel for the first time, is befriend the concierge. Not only am I able to "pick their brains" about local customs and traditions (such as tipping and religious laws), they almost always have the most fabulous ideas for 'out of the way' places to eat, visit and explore! Plus, there is nothing better than being on a 5-week trip, being incredibly homesick, and walking into a hotel to have the concierge exuberantly greet you by name from across the lobby. it's like being welcomed back to a distant relative's home! And as I'm sure you're aware, befriending the concierge can definitely have its 'perks' - For example, I have spent so much time in one specific hotel in the Middle East, that when I arrive, the concierge not only ALWAYS greets me by name, he also personally delivers a glass of ice-cold, freshly squeezed Mango juice to me (my favorite, which he always remembers), while I'm waiting on my room in the lobby (a welcome treat when coming in from 120 degree heat),AND he always makes sure that there is a bucket of crushed ice (my favorite) in my room, along with some chilled Coke Light! !! As far as I'm concerned, when I'm traveling, the "big things", like fabulous upgrades, are always wonderful...but for me, its the LITTLE things like this that make the difference! First of all, from one flight attendant (and fellow world traveler) to another…your website/blog is fabulous!! I discovered it when I was reading an article on msnbc.com and I have thoroughly enjoyed perusing all the different entries!
I just wanted to add something to your entry regarding holidays and other events that might affect international travel….(and a little something about concierges)
For the last 8 years, I have worked as a U.S. Military contracted flight attendant, a job which has taken me to some amazing, and many times VERY different, destinations. In many places like Europe, I quickly discovered how events such as holidays can cause drastic changes in public transportation, banking and retail hours, etc. But what I was surprised to find out, was the fact that in places such as many countries in the Middle East, holidays can legally affect your ability to do such simple things as drinking a bottle of water in public!! For instance, during the holy month of Ramadan in Kuwait, it is prohibited to eat, drink or smoke in public during daytime hours. This is an Islamic law/tradition, and I must mention that even after research I have conducted, I am not 100% certain of the actual legalities. But with that in mind, I have found it is IMPERATIVE to always err on the side of caution in situations such as this…when it comes to religious holidays and traditions in other countries, I understand that arrests, and even incarceration, can take place if someone does not strictly adhere to religious laws, even if they are not “governmental laws”.
Of course, the internet is a fantastic resource when it comes to researching local holidays, religious events, laws & traditions, etc., before you travel to a new destination. But my favorite resource? The hotel concierge!! I typically return to the same hotels when traveling, and one of the first things I do when arriving at a new hotel for the first time, is befriend the concierge. Not only am I able to “pick their brains” about local customs and traditions (such as tipping and religious laws), they almost always have the most fabulous ideas for ‘out of the way’ places to eat, visit and explore! Plus, there is nothing better than being on a 5-week trip, being incredibly homesick, and walking into a hotel to have the concierge exuberantly greet you by name from across the lobby. it’s like being welcomed back to a distant relative’s home! And as I’m sure you’re aware, befriending the concierge can definitely have its ‘perks’ – For example, I have spent so much time in one specific hotel in the Middle East, that when I arrive, the concierge not only ALWAYS greets me by name, he also personally delivers a glass of ice-cold, freshly squeezed Mango juice to me (my favorite, which he always remembers), while I’m waiting on my room in the lobby (a welcome treat when coming in from 120 degree heat),AND he always makes sure that there is a bucket of crushed ice (my favorite) in my room, along with some chilled Coke Light! !! As far as I’m concerned, when I’m traveling, the “big things”, like fabulous upgrades, are always wonderful…but for me, its the LITTLE things like this that make the difference!

]]> http://inflightinsider.com/2010/07/19/for-the-world-traveler-holidays-are-not-always-fun/comment-page-1/#comment-309 Tweets that mention For the World Traveler, Holidays are not Always Fun | In-Flight Insider -- Topsy.com Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:23:00 +0000 http://inflightinsider.com/?p=1625#comment-309 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Biz Briefs, John M Adams, myprgenie, Jay Bonds, In-Flight Insider and others. In-Flight Insider said: International Travelers know it makes sense to learn the holiday schedules before you travel to a foreign country - http://cot.ag/aTFLrW [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Biz Briefs, John M Adams, myprgenie, Jay Bonds, In-Flight Insider and others. In-Flight Insider said: International Travelers know it makes sense to learn the holiday schedules before you travel to a foreign country – http://cot.ag/aTFLrW [...]

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