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The Odyssey of Travel and How I Transformed My Experiences
We've all heard stories of travels turning into nightmares: missed flights, falling into tourist traps, excessive spending with no reward. In this blog, I'll share how I overcame these adversities and turned my travel experiences into unforgettable moments.
The key: planning and talk with local guide, concierge, or a friend.
Common Travel Tragedies
Depending on the city you live in and the city you plan to visit, they may or may not be very different from each other. Whether you are traveling within your own country or abroad, there are numerous factors that can influence your experience, such as the weather, unexpected social or political situations, or even a simple piece of information that makes you realize you are mistaken about something.
For example, I currently reside in Los Cabos, where a common occurrence is significant delays on the road to and from the airport. Cabo has two main access routes to and from the airport, and depending on where you stay, you might have only one of these options. However, what if there is a delay on the road? I've had clients in groups of 8-10 people who have missed a flight due to unexpected delays. Personally, I've missed several flights in my life due to delays, traffic, car accidents, city celebrations, or some other unforeseen circumstance.
I once purchased travel insurance, for instance, with American Express. After missing a few flights, I decided to invest in it. However, what I didn't know when I purchased the service was what it truly covered. While the insurance would cover situations where the airline decides to delay, cancel, or reschedule a flight, it wouldn't cover instances where you arrive late due to a protest or demonstration.
I discovered that buying a domestic flight with a regular fare and getting insurance didn't provide coverage for such situations. Consequently, I missed my first flight, paid for insurance that didn't cover these circumstances, and ultimately had to purchase another flight with an extended regular fare. The cost of booking another flight on the same day or the next can be up to 150% more than the original ticket.
Traveling can be filled with frustrating experiences. Losing a flight, not having purchased flight insurance directly from the airline, buying tickets through a third party instead of directly from the airline, falling into tourist traps like being unaware of local tourist taxes, encountering abusive currency exchanges in dubious local businesses, dealing with ATM fees, and encountering overrated tourist attractions are common issues. These challenges exist for both frequent commercial travelers and those who prefer private travel.
Many tourist destinations worldwide can test your patience during a trip, sometimes influencing your decision to return or not.
I share with you some of my stories.
Once, arriving at Oslo Airport in Norway at midnight, the only option available was a private taxi that charged around $400 USD for a transfer of no more than 10 minutes. It was extremely cold, there were few people at the airport, and few spoke English, leading to me paying an excessive fare. I did it, and I paid for it , probably the real cost was no more than 50.
In Peru, I discovered that the only way to reach Machu Picchu was by train. The two or three railway companies were overpriced, with at least one being government-owned. However, there was no other way to get there if you were unfamiliar with the area and it was your first time.
I did it, I would do it again, but with a bitter taste because it's the only way.
In Thailand, I felt awful riding on the back of an elephant, falling victim to a tourist trap that promoted the mistreatment and enslavement of these magnificent creatures. While I don't recommend or approve of it, and I regret doing it, it was not a cheap experience. Undoubtedly, it's an attraction that draws crowds, and I don't want to initiate debates or judgments, as similar situations occur worldwide with various animals and humans. Anyone like it but it seems like that never stops.
The point is, certain experiences can leave a lasting impact on your travels. Some may inspire you to travel again and recommend the destination, while others may lead you to disapprove and never want to return.
In Vietnam, I paid some bucks for a tremendous beating disguised as a massage. In Asia, they are renowned for their massages, with Thailand and Vietnam leading the charts. My friends and I truly suffered; I'm not sure if it was real or a dream, but we received a tremendous beating. It was challenging to distinguish my screams from those of the person next to me. I would recommend these massages, truly, but perhaps to some enemies with whom I have unsettled scores, hehehe.
The point is certain experiences can leave a lasting impact on your travels. Some may inspire you to travel again and recommend the destination, while others may lead you to disapprove and never want to return.
So how is the Success Formula for get no trips, and start to create experiences?
The Importance of Planning
Choosing dates, booking flights and accommodations, avoid crowds, set a budget, and keep it in it or play a little with it!
You know, chose Less-Traveled Paths vs. Popular Destinations, depending of the time o de la escuza para vacacionar con quien vas o simplemente responder esta sencilla pregunta cual es tu plan? Para muchos incluyendome es muy dificil contestar, aveces tu plan es 100% distinto a lo que realmente sucede en el sitio que visites. Aveces algunos lugares te decepcionan y otros te hacen olvidarte del presupuesto y romper el cochinito.
Al elegir un destino debes de tomar en cuanta factores basicos como playa, ciudad, descanso y relajación o aventura y fiesta. Hay lugares que inlcuyen todo lo anterior o lugares como cabo mas enfocados en el descanso y relajación, claro, tambien siempre encontrara fiesta aquel que la busca.
The accommodation rental is tied to the travel plan you have in mind; sometimes, as obvious as it may seem, it's not that simple. A modest and less well-located place allows and demands spending little time there, freeing up a larger budget for adventure and letting yourself be surprised. On the other hand, a luxurious place with an exceptional location entices you not to want to leave and to enjoy it to the fullest. Some travelers can afford either option or indulge in high-end adventure services where they don't have to worry about any detail.
In any of the ways, accommodation is crucial. Location, for what? Comfort and luxury, size, and amenities – these are the factors we should consider. But believe me, few times is the place exactly right; often, we are in for many surprises.
Once, I was lucky to stumble upon a dream accommodation in the heart of the Italian Tuscany, overlooking the vineyards of one of the world's most famous wines. It happened unintentionally, without actively seeking it, and it wasn't until I arrived that I discovered it. Now, with a bit of effort, I've been able to refine my search and improve the results. The key, I insist, is to answer certain basic questions. The first one: What is my plan? The second one: How much budget do I want to allocate to accommodation? Is it a family trip, with friends, for leisure, etc.? Being honest in answering these questions will surely exceed your expectations.
Once you have your flights and have discovered a gem of accommodation, remember that the earlier you book, the more and better options you'll find.
Travel Basics
Next is the arrangement of essential services: transportation, insurance, food, tours, activities, etc. We always start with transportation. You arrive at the airport, and now what? Uber, taxi, private transportation— a brief investigation will show you what you need to know about the options. Of course, the opinion of a local or a professional is always the best. Determining what is essential and what is superfluous is subjective and fleeting; each of us measures it differently. In my case, after many travel mistakes, I decided to improve my luck and leave transportation in someone else's hands. That way, if something went wrong, I had someone to blame—let them pay for my mistakes, hehe. Private transportation, in my particular case and for my travel style, is always better. In large cities, Uber is not a bad idea, but since I visit few large cities, I always opt for private transportation —more comfortable, with A/C, and additional security, always on time!
Food
Now, the topic of food—such a big deal! I'm a chef, are you? Do you like to eat? I don't believe you if you say no or that you don't care where. I also bet you'll say you like the most delicious food, seeking it in the most beautiful places. Well, we have that in common, at least one or two of those. I have a formula for eating while traveling—it doesn't always work, but it serves its purpose. Basic, discovery, and luxury—three categories, different but serving the same function.
Basic: 50% to keep my body functioning and not die in the process. Discovery: This 30% deserves almost all my attention. I make sure to talk to locals before, during, and after. Here, I search, walk, investigate, and with luck, I discover hidden gems that few tourists know about. It's the driving force that keeps me going, my inspiration is one of the indispensable reasons in each of my journeys, regardless of everything else.
Well, you know, this is what I live for—I cook to travel, and I travel to cook. The last 20% is to stay updated, know the hot spots, the typical "if you didn't have a drink or a snack at the trendy place in X location, you didn't go." But that's how I see it, and I firmly believe that in the end, it's all about trendy food in the trendy place, no more, no less, raw and cold and without love. In most cases, the food is mediocre, but it looks good, the place is more than beautiful, as is the people there—it works.
I encourage you to ask locals or true travel professionals where they eat; you'll surely fall in love.
Hiring the services of a private chef is like having a bit of all three categories together. If you ask a private chef to cook authentic local cuisine just as they would eat it, you'll be very close to having a real and authentic experience. Surely, if you ask, that chef also knows how to focus more on making it beautiful and delicious than just the taste itself. Finally, what is more luxurious: going to a trendy place full of people, with moderately functional service and dishes that are more cold than hot but with exceptional views? Or having a well-prepared private chef cook just for you and your loved ones right in his place or yours? Well, we already know the answer—here and in China, that happens. Do it at least once on your next trip, and hopefully, you'll return with a delightful experience.
Luxury Experiences
Finally, the tailor-made, the personalized, you know, the cherry on top. Turning a regular trip into unforgettable experiences is the positive sum of the above. Taking your vacations to the next level, making the basic magical, the unforgettable. I say, create synergy, make things happen as they should and when they should, and ensure that what shouldn't happen never occurs. Well, this is more challenging to achieve at all levels of travel.
You must be open to the fact that many things can influence both positively and negatively. Be clear and honest with your requests and have expectations aligned with the budget you allocate to each element of your trip. That significantly improves your travel experience; that's how the magic begins.
When is your next trip? And where? Many times, we travel for work, obligation, necessity. Rarely do we travel for pleasure.
Let's travel for pleasure; life is a journey.
Chef Lisandro Silva
www.privatechefloscabos.com
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