The simple answer is yes.

Shades of green

The real answer is more complicated and is not black and white. Or in this case, green and off white. First, I try to avoid places where it is mandatory. If you look around, you can probably find some form of parking nearby. It may still cost you but it’ll probably be much less. If you are on a date, pay the valet and tip. If it is bad weather, pay the valet and tip.

Quick Tip: Valet workers probably know the area pretty well and won’t shine you on. If you have any questions, they may be able to answer them and you can save tipping the concierge later.

I don’t really like strangers in my car. I always have personal things laying around, various gadgets and outdoor survival equipment, or maybe some emergency cash tucked somewhere. If you don’t expect to have to give up your car, you are suddenly rushing to gather everything up or you just risk it disappearing to temptation. These days, you don’t know for sure if any service person at any level is about to lose their home or is on a drug habit down the yellow brick road to meth city. Valet services and the establishment usually deny any responsibility for lost or stolen items just like a self serve parking lot by a dark alley. As long as the weather is not terrible, I like to walk and will find some other place to park or another place to visit.

So much of the travel business has the mentality that the more you pay for something, you more you can be skimmed all the way back to the poor house. The more expensive the place, the more you’ll pay for side dishes, extras, newspapers, and attendants of all kinds. Even in the bathroom. I sometimes wish that if you are paying four times as much for something, you’d get some extras for free. If someone inherited the money, it’s probably no big deal and they are not reading this post anyway. If you worked from your bootstraps to a higher cost of living, you’ll probably be annoyed and not return to the place. If you are traveling on the company dime and just expense it, you are just taking the money away from your own future raise or benefits.

Quick Tip: If the hotel is in a city of any size, is located downtown or costs more than $150 a night, call and ask about parking. Don’t rely on my own website here or any other big box site for the information. I say it when I know of it, but most businesses try to avoid telling you ahead of time. I get misinformation even when I ask a direct question.

Never stiff service people who you think will ever serve you again.

This is just smart practice. Whether it’s your health at a restaurant or your car, it’s best to pay up early. You may not recognize them but a stiffed worker will remember you and you may not want them serving you soup two weeks later.

Working for the man

The valet workers are doing their jobs and trying to make a living so it is proper to tip them when you get the car back. At least you are putting the cash back into the local economy and not up a corporate ladder. I wouldn’t tip for them to park it unless you just want to try and get better service.

If you are in and out and will be using the service multiple times, I treat it like when I drink at a bar. I tip more on the first round. The staff then usually pays attention you a bit more. They will remember you and treat you better than someone who stiffs them right away. Then the tipping declines on subsequent times. That’s my way of being cheap.

How about with a rental car?

It depends on what your insurance is with it and if your are completely covered for scratches and dents. How much is the risk worth to you?

Avoiding the issue and making it simple

Park somewhere else and walk or use public transportation. How about you? What do you do or recommend to others? Any bad experiences or opinions?

By Adam Longfellow

credit: jalalspages

Timing

Remember that the sun is the strongest during the middle four hours of the day, 10am-2pm. That is when protection is most needed.

Elevation

The sun is also stronger the higher you are up in altitude. I used to live in Florida at sea level and now I live at 7,000 feet. The impact of the sun was probably the most surprising difference for me. It feels hotter on the skin even when in cooler air. You burn faster.

Clothes

You can buy clothing with an SPF factor. It costs quite a bit more and it is available at the usual outdoor stores. They breath and keep out the sun at the same time. They may also have more ventilation or options to zip a section off or roll it up. But it’s easy to just deal with what you already may have. Hats should have a wide brim or a neck flap for best protection. Where lighter color clothing. White reflects the sun more than black which absorbs the heat and makes you feel like you are overheating faster. I just shake my head at the goth kids all dressed in black walking around desert towns in 100 plus degree heat. The clothing should be tightly woven as well. Wearing something loosely knitted with holes just lets the sun through. And remember that umbrellas are good for sun as well as rain.

Surface

Reflections can burn. Sand, snow, water all can cause burns from below. Use sunscreen on your neck, chin and areas that you think are covered by your hat.

Stay cool. Stay safe. Get out there.

Spicing up breakfast:
My staple breakfast is oats, raw cooked and any way in between, but I like variety so here’s how I spice it up.

• Dried fruit such as apricots, cranberries, or raisins added to raw oats add a delicious sweet flavor.
• Cinnamon. Excellent as an antioxidant, cinnamon is also delicious in just about any breakfast cereal. Add it to raw or cooked oats with a dash of lemon juice and sugar and breakfast tastes just like grandma’s pancakes.
• Honey. It’s a little heavier to carry, but a just a small portion is delicious in tea, added to cereal oats or muesli for breakfast.

Lunch time snacks:
As a diversion from tuna and dry biscuits, I like to throw some fresh ingredients into the mix. Here are a few options that are both tasty and travel well.

• Mini rosa tomatoes. They do not need to be refrigerated, and can be added to biscuits, tuna or nibbled on their own. They provide a great source of vitamin c and are a nice juicy treat.
• Mini cucumbers. They too do not need to be refrigerated, don’t get easily squashed, and are a great addition to sandwiches or as a side salad.
• Seed mix.  A filling and tasty snack is a combination of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and raisins. A healthier alternative to peanuts as it provides you with an excellent source of omega oils.

Dinner diversions:
After day three, two minute noodles can be a bit bland. Here are a few of my secrets for making dinner a little more tasty and convenient:

• Rice noodles. They cook in 2 minutes by just adding boiling water and letting them soak. So you save on fuel and do not need to watch a boiling pot.
• Sun dried tomatoes. A delicious addition to add flavor to any meal. Slice them up and let them hydrate in some boiling water for a few minutes. Or simply add them to your pasta or rice and let it cook.
• Curry powder.  Add it to two minute noodles, rice noodles or rice together with some rehydrated vegetables. It makes a delicious vegetarian curry that is filling and tasty.
• Herb mix. My favorite herb mix that I have had is one of rosemary, roasted garlic and sea salt. Add that to just about any meal and it make it more palatable.
• Dried chili. Just a small sprinkling of chili flakes brings out the flavor in meals much like salt. Combine it with your herb mix or the sun dried tomatoes and you have a winner.
• Dehydrated sweet potato. A delicious diversion from smash, much tastier in my opinion. Simply let it hydrate in boiling water for a few minutes and then cook up as part of your meal.

Sweet treats:
To avoid melted chocolate and gooey jelly babies here are some alternate ideas:

• Chocolate eclair sweets or toffees. Small individually wrapped toffees with a chocolate centre.  Yummy as a treat on the trail or as dessert in the evenings.
• Jelly beans. I’m personally not a fan of them but if you like them, use them. Same flavor just less sticky and squishy. You could add them to a seed mix, it may change the healthy aspect of it but who’s checking anyway.
• Hot chocolate. I mix a few spoons of milk powder to the chocolate before adding boiling water to make it nice and creamy.  Delicious after dinner.

How about you? What are some treats, tricks and tips that you use out on the trail?

The state of Hawaii was admitted to the union of the United States on August 21, 1959. Contrary to what you might have heard on some nutty news sources, you don’t need a passport to travel within the United States and that is what you’d be doing if you are going to Hawaii. So change the news channel you watch on tv, pack your Hawaiian shirts and shorts and go have a great time. Deals are great there in a down economy.

Car rental:
Confident explorers will enjoy the freedom of car rental, it’s easy, efficient and affordable. South Africa has a good and extensive road network and it’s certainly the most convenient way to travel around.
What you need to know:
•Most rentals are gear shift. Automatic vehicles are available but usually only in the more expensive categories and in limited number. If you want an automatic vehicle then request it in advance.
•Choose a rental option that includes comprehensive insurance and unlimited mileage or at least 200km a day. These will work out to be the most cost effective.
•You will need a valid international driver’s license, be over the age of 23, and have a valid credit card for the fuel deposit. Without these you will not be able to rent a vehicle.
•Drivers drive on the left hand side of the road with the fast lane on the freeway being the far right hand lane. Traffic lights are commonly called robots.
When to use it:
•If you are two or more people travelling together, exploring regions or multiple cities where there are scenic routes in between that are worth exploring.
•If you are confident to drive and navigate yourselves and know which sites you’d like to visit or have a preplanned route.
When not to use it:
•If staying in one place for more than 4 days where the sites are fairly close by – then it’s a better option to get a taxi or local shuttle.
•If you are not confident of your ability to drive on the left hand side of the road and in traffic then it’s not for you.

Private transfers:
A good option for arrival and departure. It means you won’t have to navigate in unfamiliar territory, especially when you are tired from a long haul flight.
When to use it:
•When you are 1-8 people travelling together. The rate is charged per vehicle so naturally it’ll work out more affordable if there are more of you.
•Upon arrival if you are not part of an all inclusive tour. You will be met and taken directly to your hotel or guesthouse which is both safe and convenient.
When not to use it:
•If you are staying overnight at an airport hotel. Most of these have inexpensive shuttles to and from the airport.
•If renting a vehicle and starting your overland explorations right away.

Taxis:
Convenient for short city point to point trips.
When to use it:
•A good option for when you are sightseeing or out to dinner and don’t know how long you will be spending at a place.
When not to use it:
•When travelling distances of more than 30 minutes or visiting multiple points in a day. This then works out to be quite an expensive option and it would be better to arrange a private transfer or tour.

Trains:
Whilst there is an extensive rail network in South Africa, it’s not a popular mode of transport, especially for foreigners.
When to use it:
•If you are an adventurous backpacker, then taking short trips around the city in places like Cape Town during daylight can be fun. But know where you are going and where your stops are to avoid ending up in the wrong side of town.
•If you would like a short sightseeing trip, then the Apple Express in Port Elizabeth and the Outeniqua Choe Choe in George are great afternoon excursions. Info can be obtained from the local tourist offices.
•If you are looking for a luxury travel experience, both Rovos Rail and the Blue Train offer trips between Cape Town and Pretoria or along the Garden route. It’s a superb experience.
When not to use it:
•In Johannesburg or Durban, and especially after dark. Safety is unfortunately is an issue so it’s not recommended.

Campervans and 4×4’s
For the adventurous and independent type of traveler, this can be a lot of fun!
When to use it:
•If you plan to explore the back roads, like to be totally self sufficient and exploring at your own pace then this is the option for you.
•A nice option for families where you are exploring multiple cities and destinations.
When not to use it:
•If you are not good at navigating your way around or familiar with handling large vehicles and camping equipment.
•If you are on a tight budget. Hiring campervans and 4×4’s can be expensive so if travelling modestly it’s better to pack a tent and hire a smaller vehicle.

1. DO NOT be impatient:  In Africa things happen in their own time, are frequently delayed and usually take longer than expected. You will have far greater enjoyment on your vacation if you have a laid back approach. By jumping up and down you won’t achieve any greater haste. In fact your tantrum will probably encourage the locals to go even slower.

2. DO NOT be disrespectful:  Like on all continents there are local customs and dress codes. Be aware of these and dress and act appropriately. Especially at historic or religious cultural sites.

3. DO NOT take photographs without permission:  Most locals will not mind you photographing them and will appreciate a small tip in return. However in more remote areas they may be suspicious of cameras and you could embarrass or cause them a great amount of distress.

4. DO NOT drink tap water unless you are sure it is safe:  In countries such as South Africa and Namibia is it safe to drink the tap water. However this is not the case in most other African countries.  Rather purchase bottled water and check that it has been properly sealed.

5. DO NOT leave your bags unattended:  No matter where you are from, you are likely to be far wealthier than the locals in the country you are visiting. When poverty is the norm the temptation to take unattended bags is just too great. So be vigilant and look after your possessions.

6. DO NOT wear expensive jewelry and watches:  For the same reason as above, displaying wealth ostentatiously can make you a target for robbery and mugging. Unless you are attending a gala function leave your finery at home where it will be safe.

A difficult night can be avoided by verifying what time the hotel you will be staying in closes for check-in.  Coordinating your flight to have a good cushion time in the event of a delay is vital if you are staying in a smaller hotel, especially in the smaller cities. Many of the smaller and boutique hotels do not offer check-in later at night, but with larger hotels this should not be a problem.  A good resource for minimizing flight delays is to check with http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml, which is based on the US Department of Transportation statistics.

After you have settled in to your hotel and are looking for restaurants to satisfy your urges for consuming pasta, pizza and parmagiano until the smile of satisfaction on your face is permanent, check your watch.  While the restaurants that cater to tourists stay open all day, most of the best food will be served in restaurants that have traditional hours.  Lunch is normally served from noon until about 2:30, with most Italians beginning lunch between 1:00 and 1:30 so a 12:30 -12:45 arrival time gets you a good table, good food and good service.  Dinner is served much later than in the US with most restaurants not opening for service until about 7:00, with most Italians not arriving until about 9:00.  Bring cash, cash is king in Italy.

The afternoon shop closure concept is still alive and well in Italy and travelers may want to plan around this.  While the city centers in Milan, Rome, Florence and Naples will have shops open all day, when you walk three steps outside of the tourist zones in the early afternoon long aisles of shuttered shops will greet you.  The frustration that seeing the perfect unique item in a store window that will not reopen for another threes hours can only be soothed by the consumption of gelato.  This rule applies to Sundays as well.  It is actually forbidden for businesses to be open on Sundays without a special permit.  Do not question this, it “is the Italian way.”

For the dreaded Italian transportation strike.  For those that have traveled and experienced this or heard horror stories from those who have, you can avoid falling victim to “il sciopero.” YOU need not be the one stuck in an airport or train station crying on your luggage.  If you head to http://www.commissionegaranziasciopero.it/. And click on the calendar icon and then the “Elenco Scioperi” button below it, all upcoming strikes will be alphabetically listed by the occupation that is striking that week.  Yes, the site is in Italian, but you need only know “aeree” and “trasporti” to avoid any of the misery.  The upside if you do encounter one is that they normally only last between 4 and 12 hours, yes hours.
For many people traveling to Italy is one of the most memorable vacations of a lifetime.  You can make it that much better with just a few precautions that will take less than an hour of your time.  The times it takes to sit back and sip one glass of light sparkling Prosecco to celebrate your trip.

Giant water bottles:
This one is my personal favorite. I have travelled to many countries worldwide and I am yet to see any locals lugging their daily water supply with them, unless it’s in rural Africa. But tourists for some reason can never be found without their 1,5 litre water bottles. The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink, pretty tasty and it’s free. A small 500ml bottle that can fit into your bag is adequate if you are exploring the cities as there is always a tap or corner store where you can replenish your supply if needed.

Camera happy:
Yes South Africa is indeed a beautiful country, but if you want to blend in you may just want to keep one camera around your neck as opposed to three. Nowadays there are comfortable camera specific backpacks which make it easier to store and carry your cameras around if you are an avid photographer. It’s also a safety issue, I am sure your cameras are very valuable, and the last thing you want is some dodgy person deciding they need one of your cameras more than you do.

Feel at home:
South Africa, and particularly cities like Cape Town are very cosmopolitan.  Dress as you would at home and it’s quite likely you will fit right in. Unless of course you have terrible dress sense, and believe that socks and sandals go together – in which case you are entirely on your own!

So how do you avoid the endless harassment and still get a good bargain on some souvenirs when you do want buy some. Here’s something I learned a few years back I was backpacking around Malawi. Maybe it’ll work for you on your next trip.

I had headed up to Cape Maclear for a chilled New Years and sure enough I was barely out of the taxi when I was offered salad spoons, necklaces and the like. Not the relaxing break I’d envisaged. I politely told each vendor in turn that his goods were very nice, but I would be there all week and would definitely purchase some items before I left.  And so they left me alone. Each day as I walked down the street I would greet them and have a brief look at their wares before continuing on my way. This really was quite an enjoyable exercise.

Then on my last day, when I knew how much I had left over to spend on gifts I went to each vendor and selected a few items. The best part was that without having to haggle, each one offered me a really good price. I knew this because fellow travelers I’d met earlier in the week had paid much more.  And so I got my souvenirs at a good price and a harassment free week on the lake. The holiday was perfect, just as I’d imagined it.

Each has their appeal.  While some may think that price is a factor, the truth is that cabins are available at a variety of price points as are hotels.  So, after removing price from the equation, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Cabins

Pros

• Cabins offer privacy and seclusion. Some offer total seclusion and some websites even allow visitors to search for a cabin based on the level of privacy desired.
• Typically, cabins will offer much better views than most hotels.  Some offer breathtaking mountain views, while others have views of lakes or rolling pasture.
• Cabins almost always offer full kitchens complete with cookware and table settings.  This provides the option of easily eating some or all of the meals in, rather than having to eat at restaurants every day.
• Cabins typically feel more like home and offer extras such as a washer and dryer, hot tub, and grill for cooking on the deck.
• In most cabins, the neighbors are far enough way that it doesn’t really matter if the kids make a little noise.
• Something just seems right about staying in a log cabin in the Smoky Mountains.

Cons

• Many of the cabins are more off the beaten path than the hotels.  This means that visitors will have to drive, and then find parking, in order to visit the area attractions.
• There will be no daily housekeeping service, and other amenities, such as a fitness center and free breakfast, often found in hotels will not be available.

Hotels

Pros

• Many hotels are located right on the main drag in Gatlinburg.  Visitors can step out of their hotel room and walk to such popular attractions as the Ripley’s Aquarium, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and many others. Shopping and dining are also often within walking distance.
• Some hotels offer amenities such as free breakfast and coupons for free dinner at a local restaurant.
• It is very convenient to leave the hotel room in the morning and come back to a bed that has been made and room that has been cleaned.

Cons

• Hotels lack the charm offered by a cabin.  Obviously, a hotel is not going to have the same feel as a log cabin in the mountain.
• While some hotels do offer decent views, they cannot compare with the best views offered from some cabins.
• Hotels cannot offer the level of privacy available when staying in a cabin.
• Other hotel guests may complain about the noise if the kids get a little rowdy.

There are clearly pros and cons to each lodging option.  The better choice will likely depend on the reason for the visit and which of the amenities are most important to you.

Either way, Gatlinburg has a lot to do and see whether visiting the museums and many antique shops or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.