Yet, bearing in mind the details, one shouldn't forget about the main thing, which is a guarantee of any comfortable vacation and unique positive experiences of the rest. And only a properly selected tourist firm will ensure you an easy and quick flight, a comfortable hotel taking into account you personal wishes (either hypoallergic pillows or a concierge service), personal transfer, interesting excursions and individual tours (spa-, gourmet-tours, concert or festival tours) and even such trifles as refilling the international tourist SIM cards or car rental booking. All that and even more (like how organization and support of childbirths in the USA) may be offered by the Royal Voyage Tourist Company to its customers.
Royal Voyage is a Tour Operator with more than 20-years experience, its own air ticket offices, sales offices, accreditation at the IATA (International Air Transport Association), Consular Departments of Embassies of many world countries and, which is of greatest importance, with love and responsibility to own tourists. So you can find your ideal vacation at the address of: 2а Muzeinyi Lane, Kyiv (office 3).
Well, the first point is deleted – we found a reliable firm, so now it’s time to think about those details setting a tone to the whole journey. So what is that we must think about, for each trip to become enjoyable? We offer TOP 5 components of ideal vacation from the Royal Voyage Tour Operator.
An ideal vacation, what is it like? Dreaming about an ideal vacation we often imagine a sunny weather, comfortable hotel and polite personnel, warm sea or steep skiing slope, carefree and overwhelming rest or an active highly topical program. Everyone has his own idea on the things that really comprise the one, the ideal vacation. However, there are several details which may set both positive and negative attitude to the whole rest; for it is known that small things make the whole. So this article is devoted to them.
WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO PACK A SUITCASE?
Proceeding with packing your suitcase, first of all collect all the things you would like to take with, and do not be afraid to get rid of a quarter of needless things taken as a reserve and just to be safe. Vacuum packages will help you to reduce the size of things being packaged. But here you should bear in mind that your things may be badly wrinkled that is why they may not be used for everything. Put the heavy objects (books, footwear) to the wall, which will be the suitcase bottom during transportation. Take care for the sharp heels not to damage anything. Wrap the strap buckles in a hard paper because they may spoil other things. The empty spaces should be filled with tights and socks placed in plastic bags, they also may be laid in the footwear. Roll your shirts and T-shirts. Do not fold up the trousers, but expand them in the middle, with the ends hanging down. Put other clothes in the center (sweaters, shirts) and cover them on top by the ends of trousers. Put the tooth paste, creams, sprays and shampoos into a separate package or better into two. Due to pressure difference in the aircraft or careless suitcase handling all this may flow out and mess up all things. Having arrived to the place of destination, turn on the hot shower and hang the creasy things in the bathroom for 15 minutes and they will smooth.
GADGET FOR HELP
In this digital age a smart phone becomes very nearly the most important luggage component. So let’s make it useful as much as possible by adding several useful apps.
GateGuru. This application contains in its base maximum information about location of shops and cafes in more than 180 airports of the world with a breakdown by terminals. With GateGuru you will not be lost in the new airport and find out at once how much time it will take you for check-in and transfer.
MapsWithMe or City Maps 2GO. Launch the program and download free any country map, which may be used offline!
Redigo. This application contains maximum information about any country, cities and places, maps and sights, a photogallery, events and even a phrase-book!
Word Lens. Point the smart phone camera at the written message and you will get translation from English into Spanish, Russian, Italian and Portuguese and vice versa!
Currency Exchange. The offline currency converter will come in handy during shopping in another country. You may update the rate of exchange in the hotel and use the apps on the way without access to Internet.
WiFi Map. The application operates offline and finds a place to connect to the net with no trouble.
Weather Underground. Due to the data used from almost 26 thousand weather stations all over the world you may enjoy easy access to information about wind speed and direction, air humidity and other weather characteristics. The weather information is being updated every twenty minutes.
TIPS LIKE TO BE COUNTED: WHERE, HOW MUCH AND WHEN GIVE A TIP
In Austria, as a rule, tips are included into the bill, but you pay some extra for perfect service. It is not customary to take change, if you drank only coffee. “Danke” said to the waiter means literally “keep a change”. You may give 1-2 Euros per night in the hotel for better service. In Germany the waiters usually bring some change with them that is why you pay for a bill face to face with the servant. Usually change is not taken, and you better say at once how much change you would like to take (tips included already). A taxi fare should be rounded to the nearest Euro. In Great Britain in pubs and small family hotels it is not customary to leave tips. In any other place 10% is a norm, 15% is high on the hog. In a taxi you better say that you don’t need any change. In general, tips are not a big deal, so just leave some cash on the table or on the bed. Tips are expected in the tourist places of Czechia, moreover 10% per dinner on the average, provided even that the service fee is already included. In presentable restaurants it is customary that money is left on a special saucer, in common places you pay the waiter in hands. Waiters in Italy make a decent living, so you give tips only in a special case, when you enjoyed everything very much (normally 10%). If coperto or servizio is specified in the bill, this means that all possible services are already included. It is unlikely that the Spanish will look for some coins to give tips. At best, they leave a change or its part. In France servis compris (service is included) is a usual practice. Most commonly they do not give tips. In case of being very much pleased, 10% is enough. If the service is not included, even 15% may be left. You better give money to the waiter in hands and say c’est bon. In taxi you should round the fare to the nearest Euro. And in Japan, if you decide to fee a waiter as an act of gratitude after a good dinner, you better never come to this place any more. Its owner and all service personnel would hold it a mortal offence.
USEFUL AND USELESS SOUVENIRS: THINGS WORTHY TO BRING FROM THE JOURNEY
A thing to bring: Magnet. The simplest souvenir, which may be found in the nick. Crockery. A useful souvenir very much likely to be in use at home. Besides, with ethnic crockery you may give theme parties and invite guests for dinner. Jewelry. An ideal souvenir for a woman reminding her of the journey and prettifying a woman of fashion. Local products. Each country and any city are famous for special products and goods. Find out beforehand, what are those things made at a location and buy them for a present. Alcoholic drinks. If you don’t mind tasting the local alcoholic drinks, take a bottle of a strong drink on your way back. Such souvenir will help you remind the “hottest” moments of your journey.
What souvenirs are not worth noticing: National clothes. A souvenir which could be useful only for a thematic party at home. In any other case the national clothes will gather dust in your wardrobe and not justify the price. Statuettes. Such things may be useful only if you have a special shelf for such souvenirs. Stick to one style at home, for a variety of statuettes not to disturb it. Copies of sights. The same reason, as for the statuettes – such a souvenir just gathers dust, and nothing else. Besides, such things are mostly made in China, but not in the country you have visited.
If you doubt every time, what souvenir to bring from the journey, try and clear up the things you like most of all and begin collecting such things. Those may be packs of playing cards, subway maps, travel tickets or currency notes, and here even the most senseless trifles look rather interesting and unforgettable.
UNOBVIOUS LAWS AND TRADITIONS THAT MIGHT BE VIOLATED BY TOURISTS
It is not allowed to chew a gum in public transport in Singapore, and in Thailand you may be fined for having no underwear. In the UAE a couple in love may not passion in public. In the Greek Acropolis and other ancient places you may not wear high heels especially stilettos. According to the local government, they may hardly damage not only the owner’s legs, but also the local sights. Outside the beaches of tourists in Barcelona you may be fined for being topless or in a bikini, and on Fiji it is categorically prohibited to take the sun topless. In Venice it is prohibited to feed pigeons on the San-Marco square. In Thailand you should take off your footwear at the entrance to a house, and especially to a temple. It is also prohibited to point out to people or things by the leg, as it is deemed to be offensive, and when seating in a temple take care for your leg tips not to pint out to a statue of Buddha. It is also inacceptable to point out with a finger. In Turkey it is impolite to refuse from the tea offered. This way you show disrespect to the host. The same as in Thailand, in Turkey you should unshoe before entering into a house. In Greece you shouldn’t show an open vertical hand with outstretched fingers. This gesture is thought to be very offensive. In Israel you shouldn’t take photos of somebody else’s children, in particular, of Orthodox Jews. It is not recommended to do it especially on Shabbat. It is not customary to treat somebody else’s children with sweets in the USA. They also may not be snapshot, as it is forbidden by law.
Please bear in mind these simple tips and your vacation will be ideal!
Have a pleasant vacation time!
Royal Voyage Tour Operator
2а Muzeinyi Lane, Kyiv (office 3)
+38 (044) 279-00-94, (044) 22-33-582
