While I was writing this article I was sitting at the airport in Bordeaux for many hours after a sleepless night. That's what you get if you book super early flights. Boarding at 5.30 am is just not really my thing. But if you want to travel there is sometimes no other way - because there is not endless money for those perfect flights. Unless you travel smart - something I am still trying to bring to perfection.
As I was waiting for my friend to join from another part of Europe, I was currently enjoying my stay at the airport in an outdoor Starbucks in the sun. And Iced coffee and some sun always manage to make me happy. We headed to Hossegor for the first time. As we are always traveling super last minute we've just booked accommodation and the car on the same day as we departed. As a frequent traveller I want to share some things that make traveling easier and more comfortable. Maybe I'll extend this from time to time - but for now this is a start with some points I've learned.
Booking Accommodation:
Here I should improve a lot by myself. Always last minute and looking up too many possibilities we get stuck in all those choices. What used to be super helpful are Facebook groups where you can ask people with the same travel goals for their experiences. There is for example a group called surftravellers where you can ask for a place to stay, the best waves, surfschools or just to meet up with some surfers at the place you're heading to. This is something I love because by meeting locals you always feel home wherever you are. I often use pages like Kayak to compare flights and hotels and of course as well Airbnb. Especially for Airbnb you should not book too late because then the cool places are gone. And if you travel as a group you can get amazing places on the platform.
Car Rental:
For surftrips you often need a car. Unless you don't stay at a place where you have the spots just in front of your door. Don't let yourself fool by those guys at the agency who try to sell you another insurance on top. When you take the option with fully comprehensive insurance, you can add the option with zero deductible so you are completely safe. And with many credit cards you have already an insurance As we are always having troubles with double insurances with car hire agencies I can only recommend to check the insurance you might have with your credit card.
With the Visa Liberty Card you can rent a car at Avis and have your deductible already insured.
Cancelled flights and lost baggage:
I am a real specialist if it comes to delayed or cancelled flights. As I travel often, I face this situation regularly. It happens, that the airline companies just try to give you a voucher for flights with their planes instead of paying you the money back you had to pay for a hotel night because of a cancelled flight. Check your rights on the webpage of the airline company and then hand in all the details and receipts via email. And - don't accept the first offer they make you, if they don't pay you in money but want to give you a voucher, if you do not agree with the amount.
And if you are at the airport, something I've learned is to immediately call the hotline, while waiting in line with the other passengers to get another flight or hotel. And if you are able to speak a not so common language, choose this one in the hotline - they pick up much faster than on the german or english one.And what would I do an a blog journey with a lost baggage. I don't want to think about loosing my camera, or not knowing where it is. But as well not having your outfits to shoot can be a problem. So be prepared and keep having insurances for these cases.
During my trips I had countless experiences where I wished that I'd had the best insurance possible.With the Visa Liberty Card you have most things covered and you can even collect points you can exchange to get reduction on further travels. And you get all the security you wish for while traveling. Because the most important thing while traveling is to enjoy all the moment you experience and not to let you stop because of trifles. So having a good preparation helps a lot. I will check how traveling will be with this special Visa Liberty Credit Card with a very wide offer for travelers.
And the most important thing - I want to share some of those magic moments you can enjoy - when you don't have to worry about anything. Captured on film they find step by step the way into my home in prints on my walls and now once more on my blog for a special travel story. If you plan to travel to one of these destinations - don't hesitate to ask me for tips. I am happy to share and I'd love to hear your stories. It is always nice to get some tips and tricks from fellow travelers.
Cascais - Portugal
We were in Lisbon and headed to this lovely fisher village about an hour north. Big plus - next to its picturesque look the village offers as well some surfspots.
Rome - Italy
Rome is always a good idea. I can't get enough of the beauty of the architecture and of the italian flair. As an art history student, I am getting the full immersion of museums whenever I am there.
And - my alltime favorite - San Sébastian - Spain
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