Foreign Travel?

[WinterDeere]

I still prefer direct flights

I've done both. If you can work a day or two in on a stop, then it's not a bad way to go. We worked out an evening and dinner in Dublin Ireland on our way home from continental Europe last summer, which was fun. There's nothing like actually stopping in on Ireland for your Guiness and Shepherd's Pie, or flying to Italy for your gnocchi.

But stops for the sake of stops, just sitting in some foreign airport, is a pointless waste of time and frustration. And that's why the whole "jumbo jet" model has mostly died over the last 30 years. No one wants to take a regional jet to a hub, just to hop on a 747 for a long-haul flight, to another regional hub. Much nicer to just go direct on a 737 or 757... assuming they don't fall apart in the sky.

I did have the pleasure of a few transatlantic flights on the 787 Dreamliner this past summer... nice!

 

[kenmbz]

Going to Japan and doing a stopover in Singapore for a few days is fun.
Going to South Africa I always flew direct, though on the way back there is a refueling stop on some tiny island off the west coast of Africa.
If I am going to someplace specific, sometimes I will fly into a different country to tour around a bit and then do a car or train to get to my real destination.

 

[Tigaenz]

I used travelbusinessclass.com a few times now and found deals on international business class way cheaper than what I saw elsewhere. They helped me book a trip to Europe last year, and it made the long flight way more bearable. Worth checking if you're looking to avoid coach without draining the bank account.

 

[WinterDeere]

I just carry copies of my passport and important documents and leave the originals locked in the hotel safe. Makes it easier if something gets lost or stolen.

Where are you going that a copy of a passport is accepted??? I've never personally run into that scenario.

I like the passport cards, as you can leave the passport in the hotel safe, and carry the card in daily travels. Especially with kids, I can hang onto the passports, but have each kid carry their own passport card.

If you haven't seen these, they look like a driver's license, usual laminated plastic thing with all the fancy holograms and RFID. They've been offered alongside the standard passport for an extra dollar or three at time of application, the last 15 or 20 years.

I have Global Pass, which if I recall correctly, precluded me from keeping a passport card, as if the former supercedes the latter. Whatever, I carry the Global Pass card and leave the passport in the hotel safe, as that card has my passport number, photo, RFID, etc. The damn thing looks so austentatiously official, I suspect foreigners must assume I work for the CIA, or some other secret 3-letter organization.

 

[kenmbz]

When I traveled for government contracts I got pulled out of line here and there, having military orders helped get through this a few times.
Miss having those papers.

 

[domin]

Going to Japan and doing a stopover in Singapore for a few days is fun.
Going to South Africa I always flew direct, though on the way back there is a refueling stop on some tiny island off the west coast of Africa.
If I am going to someplace specific, sometimes I will fly into a different country to tour around a bit and then do a car or train to get to my real destination.

AIrport in Singapore is just unreal. Can't wait to go back there

 

[JasperFrank]

Just do it. The tourists who get in trouble are those with no 'street sense'. Your hosts are locals, they will know where not to go, and will instinctively sense and get away from trouble. I'm sure you have similar instincts for Oakland. Same thing.

Enjoy your trip!

I do have street sense. But felt perfectly fine in Naples Italy, which people fear. No biggy. People were great and helpful. Said, where not to go. Cause they know. And they don't go there. So we didn't. If you are not a player, you are not a player. You are a tourist. An this is somewhat respected. I know this is counterintuitive, but the stealing is within the common folks. Stealing from a tourist pulls their entire police force to bear. They get on it. Cause they live off this tourism. And they know that.

 

[WinterDeere]

I do have street sense. But felt perfectly fine in Naples Italy, which people fear. No biggy. People were great and helpful. Said, where not to go. Cause they know. And they don't go there. So we didn't.

I've walked all over Italy, mostly alone, and never had even a hint of worry about my personal safety. Petty crime like pick-pockets and credit card theft are rampant there, but their violent crime numbers must be many times lower than any American city.

 

[JasperFrank]

I've walked all over Italy, mostly alone, and never had even a hint of worry about my personal safety. Petty crime like pick-pockets and credit card theft are rampant there, but their violent crime numbers must be many times lower than any American city.

It is the little things like that. And if you see the scam, sight the pickpocket, you are okay.

 

[kenmbz]

Naples was not too bad, just like anywhere, know where not to be at night.
Train station is not marked well, ask for some help and you become very welcome and people will walk you over and make sure you get on the right train.

Paris used to be bad for "welcoming" but not so bad last time we were there.
Pickpockets and people watching our luggage was pretty funny, when we start to stare back.

No pocketbooks for the ladies and no fanny packs and all is well in most places.