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Money tips for travel ...

29/10/2020

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One of the biggest headaches around travel is money. The so-called wise people will always tell you to stick to plastic as you cannot go wrong. However, there is a lot more to travel money than many imagine and plastic is not always the best way to go despite it being one of the safest. Here are a few tips about money for travel.
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Get your currency early. There is never a “real” exchange rate, and for the traveller, the odd percent dip or rise in the exchange rate is not going to make a massive difference. Getting your foreign currency before you leave is nearly always best and often saves on high commissions and fees at the airport or in the country you are travelling to.
Take a little more currency than you think you will need. It is easy to overspend a little when travelling and you may find something that you really want as a gift or memento to take home. Ordering or buying more foreign currency than you might need doesn’t mean you lose out if you cannot spend it as many places that exchange currency will have a favourable buy back provided you use them again. However, you need to ask as the special buy back rate is not always advertised that well.
Avoid ATMS overseas: Only in a real emergency should you use an ATM to draw cash overseas. While it may seem convenient, the charges are often high to withdraw cash, and you may well be in for a shock when you get your next bank statement.
Travel cards: Many banks and bureau de change companies offer a convenient travel card that is “loaded” with foreign currency that can be used much like a Credit, Debit or cheque card overseas. These cards are safe and reliable, the exchange rates and fees charged are very good, and you can “top up” using your online banking or via an app many providers offer.
Spending and storing your money - Don’t carry all your cash: As a tourist, you are a target for pick-pockets and other swindlers. Don’t keep all your cash on you, rather place what you need in your wallet or purse and ask your hotel or lodge to keep the balance in their safe if one is available. 
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Haggle: Many countries invite you to haggle, in fact, if you do have exchange currency overseas, this is also a consideration (if you don’t ask you don’t get). Haggling is part of the adventure of travel, and if you can speak the language, it can become even more fun as it is often not expected.
The magic $10 bill: One of the best kept secrets of any experienced traveller is the magic $10 bill. This is a $10 bill that you keep hidden in a place only you will know that cannot be accessed easily by a pickpocket and may not easily get lost in transit. Keeping a $10 bill in your shoe or sock can become a life saver, and depending on which country you are in, if you choose a US Dollar is as close to universal currency, $10 is just enough to get you out of a sticky situation. 
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To Russia for Love

21/10/2020

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Russia, once the iconic enemy of every Double O agent in England, the former arch enemy of the CIA and FBI with constant fear of a nuclear war breaking out at any moment and home of the feared KGB snooping around every corner, is now an open country that welcomes tourists and Moscow has even become an air travel hub for budget travellers looking for a cheap flight from Europe to the Far East. It is a country that has lifted its veil of secrecy and opened its cities and its countryside to tourists far and wide. The country has a rich and diverse history along with a fascinating culture to be explored by the tourists. Evidence of the communist past can be found and is still felt among many people but the country has moved on and is continuing to do so.  It’s a country where the familiar and perhaps more well-known history old regime still hide a country with a great deal to offer.
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To get under the skin of Russia and walk more than just a few paces away from the Kremlin and Red Square having an understanding of the Russian language can open up a number of wonderful surprises or turn something simple into something special and memorable.

The simple act of drinking a vodka can become a memorable part of a trip, having the language can spark up a conversation and you will, of course, know that you must NEVER toast vodka with Na Zdorov’ye because it is actually a thank you for a meal not a toast associated with a drink.

But Russia is a country you will love, in fact, if anyone asks you what you think of Russia there is only one right answer and that is that you love the country – there is no other answer. Having the language will help you even explain why you love the country and what you love most.  And because you have some control of the Russian Language you will also be able to explore the country a little deeper thus being able to describe what you have seen to others in Russian!
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There are many historical buildings and places that somehow survived communism and World War II that are beckoning tourists to visit, from cathedrals to monuments and museums and marketplaces.  As much as the tour guides of the many places to see will speak English and a host of other languages with the ability to converse in the Russian language your tour can become better and you as a tourist will receive a high level of respect, speaking Russian shows you love Russia and her people and in Russia that matters.
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Russia has really opened her doors to the world, the country is becoming a tourist attraction in its own right and for those who want to go beyond the Moscow’s and St Petersburg’s of this world speaking the language will open up a host of smaller towns and villages, encouraging tourists to more than ask for directions but to get an understanding of the people, the country and the journey Russia is on, starting a love affair with an amazing country that will always love you back.
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Why you should learn a language before you can travel..

8/10/2020

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Learning a foreign language can revolutionise your travel experience. English is spoken as a first language by approximately three hundred sixty million people out of a global population of over seven billion. Many English speakers seem to believe that wherever you go on holiday you can get by speaking English, so there’s no point in learning any other languages. They believe that if people don’t understand you all you have to do is speak slowly and turn up the volume. 
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You can more or less get away with this belief, as long as you stick to popular tourist resorts and hotels where you can usually find someone who speaks English.  However, if you want to venture beyond such places, do more than just take photos and post them on social media, to get to know the locals, to read signs, menus, etc., knowing the local language is necessary and will make your travel experiences so much more exciting and authentic. 
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A basic ability in a foreign language will help you;
  1. to safely navigate around your destination.
  2. to immerse yourself in the culture more fully,
  3. to meet people with very diverse life experiences and outlooks.
  4. to ensure you can order food and drink, find your way around, buy tickets, etc. 
If you have a more advanced knowledge of the language, you can have real conversations with the real people you meet, which can be so very rewarding and will definitely add a new dimension to your holiday, you may even establish lifelong friendships. 

Ludwig Wittgenstein once said “The limits of my language are the limits of my universe”. Don't limit your travelling experience!
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    About

    Travelling is an exciting opportunity which can be enhanced by learning the language before you go. This blog contains some interesting articles about language and travel.

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