Column Chronicles: Vacation tips - Frank Cotolo on 148.ca

Vacation tips

Frank Cotolo
January 19, 2017

True, it is early to start planning a summer vacation but many people take vacations in winter and early spring. That is why we are offering some tips for planning vacations as the topic this week. Remember that seasons are different all over the world so you can start a vacation in a place where it is winter and go to a place where it is summer. Check a book or web site that contains information about the seasons of the year in various places around the globe.

The worst thing people do when deciding on a vacation is plan too much. Studies show that couples generate damaging conflict with one another if they spend too much time planning. Three out of 34 married people get divorced after vacations that included detailed planning and some of them even die of gunshot wounds.

More and more people putting together vacation packages are deciding not to stay in hotels, motels or bed and breakfasts. Instead, they are packing portable tents that they can put up in locations they are visiting. The portable tent business is booming. Companies are offering tents that are durable and include kitchens and bathrooms with showers and toilets. These items are expensive but they fold to fit in the palm of your hand, saving space, not to mention huge hotel bills.

When you visit another country, be liberal about talking to strangers, after all, if you don't know anyone in a country you visit, you, too are a stranger, so the awkwardness of talking to strangers is shared by all. More importantly, you will learn more about where to visit, where to buy things and what is legal. Locals don't lie much, so most of what they tell you about those things will be true and you can enjoy yourself much more than if you rely only on things you imagined about the country.

When vacationing, try not to lose important documents you bring along. Certainly, your passport (only needed if you are visiting most other countries then the one where you live, with the exception of Mexico, which does not police its borders and does not recognize passport photos no matter how accurate they appear) should be protected more than any other document. You can lose your birth certificate, resume or Publishers Clearing House membership card in another country and not get into much trouble. However, lose your passport and not only expect a fine but possibly a jail sentence in another country, where laws may allow ugly transactions between prisoners.

All in all, be sure it is allowed to be where you decide to vacation. People arriving at territories that forbid outsiders will find few accommodations or cooperation from locals. Plus, if a rebellion has been taking place when you arrive, you may be asked to join either the rebel forces or the army of the government currently in power. Either way, your vacation may result in your death and the deaths of anyone in your party.

Have a great time.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.