Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with travelling

Why do some people travel under noms de voyages?

westerly — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:48:51 -0800

Why do some people use false names when travelling? Is this legal? I'm interested in the history of people using noms de voyages, people who do it now, attitudes towards them, and what practical difficulties there are and were.

Travelling with Ritalin

Zé Pequeno — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:57:02 -0800

I currently live in Brazil but shall be returning to my country of origin, the UK, for a month or so in December. I recently managed to get a prescription for Ritalin from a psychiatrist here in Brazil and was wondering whether I'd have any complications in bringing this back into the UK. I will most likely be travelling with two 10mg boxes containing twenty tablets each. Perhaps even less. I only use it when I have a really important project to do and, as I'm in the middle of my Masters dissertation, I'm going to need it big time.

Any tips would be appreciated. Luckily, I photocopied the prescription before handing it to the pharmacist because she kept it and I'd have had no supporting documentation. The matter is somewhat complicated by the fact that I was prescribed by a psychiatrist friend without a proper diagnosis, though I have known for a long time that I have a pretty severe case of ADD Inattentive-type for which Ritalin helps me tremendously (i.e. on Ritalin, I can behave like a normal human being).

Please don't explode computer.

sepsis — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:38:49 -0800

US visiting UK, do I need an adapter or a converter for my laptop? I just want to double check because I'd really rather not have my laptop explode when I visit the UK next month. The AC adapter for my laptop gives the following specs:

65W, 20V
INPUT: 100-240V~1.5A 50/60Hz
OUTPUT: 20V . . . 3.25A

My understanding is that I would only need an adapter for the plug and not a power converter. Am I correct? Thanks for the help.

If you were travelling the world, what geek tools (software & Hardware) would you take to help on your trip?

thelost — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:21:02 -0800

If you were travelling the world, what geek tools (software & Hardware) would you take to help on your trip? My housemate and his soon-to-be wife are going travelling after they get married next year. He's too busy to post this himself, so I thought I'd help out.

The trip is currently in its embryonic stages, so will be liable to many changes. They will start in the UK and make their way east, using the rail systems to head through central Europe, eastern Europe, Russia, china and beyond.

As a card carrying geek my housemate is after technical solutions to help make the journey go smoothly. He is also after any advice hardy seasoned travellers can give in regards to travelling in general.

He has decided to get a netbook for travelling. If there are good websites that help travellers plan and execute their journeys please mention them. More importantly please mention any good software for route planning/itineraries etc. My first thought for route planning was google earth but it won’t necessarily cache everything you need for offline use, so that’s not an option.

Any and all advice is welcome.

so much for any nightclubbing (that's actually a relief, truth be told)

the bricabrac man — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:40:11 -0800

Traveling to London / Oxford on July 2nd. Tore some ankle ligaments 6 days ago. Looking for advice on the next few days of recovery, and traveling with crutches. Starting July 2nd, we'll be spending 5 days in London & 5 days in Oxford (for a conference my sweetheart is attending).

Unfortunately, 6 days ago I tore some ligaments in my ankle 6 days ago -- the e.r. judged it to be a 3rd degree sprain, which seems to mean "the worst it can be and still not be fractured / broken". The E.R. put a temporary cast on it, which we were told to remove after 2 days (which we did). I'm now using a kind of plastic splint (I think it's called a stirrup). And Motrin.

At this point, the pain is still annoying enough that even getting around with crutches is a bit much, and I'm starting to worry it might still be an issue when it's time to get on that plane. Just standing up -- with my foot completely off the ground -- still causes pain (presumably from the blood flowing to my foot?).

So, I'm looking for two things: what I might expect in the next few days of recovery (anecdotal evidence welcome) -- am I fooling myself that the pain will be much less significant in five days? and, two, any advice anyone might have on traveling around London with crutches, assuming I'll be able to do that much. We are definitely on a budget, the thought of paying for a cab everywhere we go makes me wince almost as much as hobbling to the bathroom.

Some possibly relevant info: traveling from USA, never been to England before, never had to use crutches before (but otherwise in decent shape and completely willing to crutch about as much as possible without doing more damage to myself). No insurance.

Paris or Bust

Rocket26 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:03:27 -0800

Paris or Bust? So my parents invited me along on a trip to Paris for 2 weeks this summer. I've never been to Europe and I can't let the chance pass me by. I have some vacation time to take and its ON. However, though I love them, the thought of spending 2 full weeks with them running around the Louvre and Champs de Elysees, eh, doesn't exact me turn me on. I wish I knew some other folk in France to show me around, get me out to some bars, and basically help me let my hair down.

I know the possibilities are endless- but any suggestions for a single, sexy, young american woman alone in Paris -- (oh, that's right my parents will be there)...Ok, really, I'd just love to get out on the town some yet I don't speak a lick of french. I'm fine with taking off from them for a few days, too, so anywhere I could get to by train for an adventure, I'm wide open.

In Dublin for the longest day...

jokeefe — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:36:20 -0800

Dear Askme-- it looks like I'm going to be at loose ends for one night in Dublin: Sunday, June 21st. Aside from a show by my countryman Neil Young, what else could I take in that evening? I'm open to any live music (except for club scenes where everyone else there is half my age), poetry readings, performance art, theatre of the conventional or experimental kind, film, or what have you. It's the longest day of the year: perhaps just a stroll beside the Liffey? (I have been to Dublin before, but just for a couple of days, so I know my way around the city a bit.) Any suggestions happily received; offbeat ones even more so.

How do I travel well with someone I don't like?

Flying Squirrel — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:52:15 -0800

How can I make the best of a holiday with a difficult travel companion? A few months ago, I planned a three-week trip to Thailand with a dear friend of mine. We're going at the end of March. I'm really excited.

My friend is going to be moving to the UK from New Zealand, and is doing the Thailand trip with me on her way to the UK.

Recently, my friend told me that her roommate wanted to come along with us and asked if that was OK with me. I said sure. So the roommate has booked her ticket and is on the trip as well now.

I've met the roommate a few times, and have tried to be friendly and get to know her. She's made it clear that she doesn't like me, and has a very domineering personality. While my friend and I had a very open itinerary (loose ideas of what area we wanted to be in at what time, estimates on how many days we wanted to spend scuba diving/snorkeling vs. cities and trekking) the roommate seems to be taking over and adjusting the schedule to what she wants.

I've become disappointed that this girl is tagging along, and really want to figure out how I can enjoy my time traveling with her. She has a really negative attitude about everything, and every time I've been with her she has dominated the conversation with gossip about other people, making fun of other people (I hate what she's wearing, he smells, they make a bad couple, etc.) which I have no interest in. I get the feeling she isn't going to be much fun.

I haven't said anything to my friend. Should I try to get to know the roommate better and try to and become friends with her? Or should I just be open to the idea of going off on my own if this isn't going to work?

Has anyone experienced this situation before?

It's the last time I'll be seeing my friend for a long time and I was really looking forward to the trip until this new development. I want to make the best of this situation. I don't want to be grouchy! What should I do?

From Michigan To Florida, Where to Visit?

bleucube — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:54:06 -0800

We are driving from Michigan to Florida in October on our way to a Disney Cruise. Travelers consist of Me, Pregnant wife (will be 20 weeks in October) and our 3 year old daughter. We plan to take it easy and make a bunch of stops along the way. Any suggestions were to stop? Wife mentioned mammoth cave or a visit to a plantation in the south. We are on a budget so cheap and free would be ideal.

What Do I Want to be Sure to Remember Before Moving?

andoatnp — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:50:15 -0800

Looking for a good guide about what to do when moving from America to a foriegn country generally, or moving to Israel specifically, or advice about anything that I should be sure not to forget. I'll be heading to Israel in about three weeks, and I want to make sure there isn't anything crucial that I would need to take care of that I forget. I'll be there for at least a year, possibly longer. It seems like every day I think of something new I should take care of, and I'm hoping there is a comprehensive list somewhere with all the issues I need to deal with.

Some examples of the sorts of things I'm thinking about
*getting any shots/vaccines that I might need
*getting some sort of international driver's license
*switching my cell phone plan and carrier
*looking into international health insurance
*forwarding mail
*getting a bank account that would be accessible for foreign ATM's

Has anyone does a cross-world move recently that has any advice or links to any resources that you found particularly helpful for getting one's life in order. Thanks!

Getting around the "center" of Europe.

skepticallypleased — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:22:59 -0800

We are planning to go to central Europe -- Austria, Czech, Hungary. Has anyone taken the trains in this region? How reliable and pleasurable were they? I would prefer to fly in light of the short trip but it seems that cheap airline craze I've heard so much about in Europe has, not, well a sort of cheaper part of Europe yet. Flights on Austria or Hungarian are running US$450 per segment! Thanks for any help. AskMe saved me a lot of $$$$ on our last vacation.

Help me decide where to live, worldwide

uk_giffo — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 11:05:38 -0800

If you could move to any place in the world where would you go to and why? I am getting a little bit bored of living where I do, and I have just managed to bag myself a job that is purely web-based. I have no co-dependents, no traditional career path lined up, a British passport, and I love travelling. I think I may take advantage of the nature of my new job and move to a foreign city, or even a series of foreign cities every few months or so. Just for a couple of years, or at least until the online work dries up. So I think I have an opportunity very few people get offered and I intend to make the most of it.

If you were in my shoes where would you move to and why?

I have an endless list of cities and countries I'd love to spend extended amounts of time in. I think I'll weigh them up against each other and factor in issues such as the quality and availability of Internet acess and so on, but in the meantime I'd love to hear from which cities and countries would be your first destination.

While I'm posting this, I may as well say if anyone has any other tips/encouragement/discouragement, feel free to comment.

Thanks!

Advice for Studying Abroad in Germany

internet!Hannah — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:18:47 -0800

I have just been accepted into a study abroad program in Germany for next summer, and am very excited! But now I would like some advice. I just got accepted into a five week Study Abroad program in Germany to study the history of medicine and veterinary medicine, with a scholarship. Obviously, I am ridiculously excited. However, I would like some advice.

First off, I speak no German, and have no real knowledge of the country. Does anyone have recommendation for a good guidebook and a book on basic, conversational German I could pick up and start looking over? I will be staying with a host family in Düsseldorf, and part of the course is getting exposed to German culture and learning a bit of the language from them, but I would love a leg up.

Secondly, we have all of our weekends free, and are encouraged to travel and sightsee during them. Since I'm staying in Düsseldorf, I'm planning to visit Amsterdam for one of the weekends, since it seems close by. I'd also like to go to Berlin. Does anyone have any recommendations on other good, nearby places to visit, as well as what I should see, how I should travel, and where I should stay?

This brings me to my next point: I will have a Eurail train pass, and since a scholarship is covering a good deal of my program fees, I'll have (hopefully) around $2000-3000 (USD) to spend on these weekend trips. Is this going to be sufficient for traveling and spending nights at hostels on these weekends? Any advice in this area would be great.

And finally, does anyone have any general advice for preparing to travel? The program is in July and August 2008. I've started the process to get my passport, I'm trying to get airfare taken care of right now, and I'm saving money like none other. What else should I be doing?

Pertinent info: I am a 20 year old white female from Texas. I have never been out of the country (sans one trip to the Bahamas when I was little that I can't even remember). I have no criminal record.

(Also, I know a lot of these questions will be answered during my program orientations in the Spring. But I want to know now, gosh darn it!)

What's to do in NY?

peruvianidol — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:56:36 -0800

I'm headed to NY from Chicago for the first time in my adult life and am looking for suggestions on things to do, places to eat/drink. I'll be there from Thursday night through Sunday night and staying near 26th St. and 6th Ave. What are some of the must-see places in the city? Where's a great place to get a burger and a pint of Guinness? Any uniquely NY cuisine I should try? Are there any areas I should avoid at all costs? Thanks for your ideas!

on the road again

luriete — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:57:06 -0800

In late May, I'll be driving with a bunch of friends in an RV from Sacramento CA to George WA and back for the Sasquatch Music Festival. I've only driven as far north as the Oregon border before, so I'm looking for recommendations of interesting places to stop - your favorite diners, pie shops, waterfalls, hot springs (improved or not) and other oddities of northwest highway culture. I'm familar with many Northern California hot springs (I really like the one in Sierraville), and would love to find other very inexpensive and informal places like that.

Travelling with a dog?

anonymoose — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 20:37:08 -0800

DogFilter: If I'm going to be travelling all the time for the next 10 years, should I not get a dog? I'm about to start a career that will have me bouncing all around the world for the next 10 years or so with little semblance of a home base. The thought of not having a dog for that many years kind of sucks.

I've read up on airline requirements for pets, but I haven't heard much first-hand experience regarding travelling with your dog. If I get a dog, I'd get one that satisfies airline carry-on requirements (Seems like under 15 lbs is a good rule of thumb), as I've heard some horror stories about pets travelling in cargo.

So, my questions would be this: Can I get a dog without traumatizing it with all of this travelling? With sufficient training, can I find a dog that would be cool with getting on planes and hanging out for the whole trip under the seat? Any first-hand experiences?

I'm particularly curious about whether international flights are a feasible thing; seems like airlines officially don't allow you to take your dog out, which is kind of crazy when it's a 10 hour flight (what do you do? get doggie diapers? Sneak your dog into the bathroom?) What about these insane 6-month quarantine issues I hear about?

Help me stop sitting on the floor outside the Admiral's Club checking my email.

jessamyn — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 09:45:11 -0800

Starting in a few weeks I will be doing a lot of travelling with my laptop. Help me choose a wifi provider for airports and possibly other locations. I do not have a cell phone, so I can't add on to a cell phone plan. My home DSL ISP does not have any roaming plan. I would like to be able to access wifi primarily at airports, but hotels and/or other places would be good too. It would help if the plan were international so I could connect when I am in Australia, but other countries don't much matter. I have a MacBook so anything requiring a card is unlikely to serve my purposes, unless there is something I do not know about how they work.

Basically I would like a way to connect to multiple access points per day a small number of days a month [N=3-7 usually] in a fairly hassle-free manner.

I had a Boingo account briefly to try it out and thought it was pretty simple and just worked. Maybe that's the answer, but I'm wondering how the other providers work in terms of a) coverage and b) price, especially "Can I get the price down by paying for a year at a time?" since Boingo was $21.95/mo, no obvious discount for multiple months. Also if there are places to look for deals and/or sales on this sort of thing, please point me in that direction. I have already seen the Free Airport Wifi list. Thanks.

Name This Travel Show

bleucube — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:45:19 -0800

For the life of me I cannot recall the name and It's driving me crazy. I caught the show only a couple of times. It was about a man travelling to various places around the globe and performing three tasks. If he didn't accomplish all three he had to do something bad. I think it was on Discovery, TLC or the Travel channel.

Some task I remember:

* Catching spiders in a bathtub that shot tiny poisonous hairs.
* Killing an ox and making a hamburger out of some of the meat.
* Drinking some soup made from natives chewing something and spitting it into a bowl.
* Drinking a mixture from a shaman that caused him to have visions and empty his bowels.
* Using a pole to jump over a river.

Thanks!

Any fun/interesting places of interest to stop at on my way from Vancouver to Kelowna?

Anizev — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 16:51:07 -0800

Hi! I will be travelling to BC for one week in early September (3rd-10th) and will be driving from Vancouver to Kelowna and back (leaving Sunday, coming back Wednesday). Can anyone recommend any places of interest to stop at along the way? A place for a bite to eat, or an interesting store/museum/attraction etc... Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!

Where to go?

speranza — Tue, 30 May 2006 07:30:49 -0800

Where should I go in July and August? If I have the opportunity to go travelling in July and August, where are the best places to go? I would prefer to be outside Europe, and in Asia or Africa, though I know that Asia has its monsoon season around this time, so I don't know how uncomfortable it would be (given that I live in the UK and have little experience of seriously hot/humid climates).

I am female (20-something) and would be alone, so although Africa would be amazing, there is a lot of it I don't think I'd feel safe in. Money would not be huge concern, but I would be backpacking. Any suggestions?

Backpacker Nirvana?

0bvious — Mon, 29 May 2006 22:43:58 -0800

Know any good travelling websites? Most specifically for backpacking in Asia... I am going to hit up SE Asia this August, hopefully for a few months, and am looking for some great resources for planning my trip.

A backpackers message board / forum would also be great, specifically one which hooks up lone travellers into potential groups.

Any SE Asia hints in general will be gladly accepted (I am travelling starting in Japan - see previous MeFi-question)

Cheap & Weird Things To Do In N.Georgia (US)?

mikeybidness — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:50:51 -0800

I'm an Aussie who is going to be spending a month in northern Georgia, in the area of Cedartown/Tallapoosa visiting his girlfriend's mother and boyfriend for Christmas. I'm looking for cheap and interesting things to see and do in the area -the weirder the better. I'm not adverse to travelling into Atlanta. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!

Have you ever been to Belarus?

cmonkey — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 10:44:35 -0800

Have you ever been to Belarus? I'm young, bored, reckless, and I really like Central Europe. So I'm thinking about going to Belarus for a while before I head elsewhere on the continent. Can anyone share their Belarussian experiences and cautionary tales? Am I going to get rolled as soon as I step out of the airport?

books for travelling?

WaterSprite — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 20:22:02 -0800

I'm about to go on a looooong plane trip (two stop overs, 22 hours total travel time.) Can anyone suggest a couple of books? I like non-fiction, true life stories (i.e., about slavery, mafias in different American towns, Irish potato famine, dustbowl accounts.... should be an easy read since I'll be on planes and in airports. Thanks!

What would you take on a long road trip?

orange swan — Wed, 11 May 2005 05:38:49 -0800

What would you take on a long road trip? I was a bad daughter last Mother's Day weekend and didn't have a present ready for my mother. She is terribly hard to buy for, and the only idea I've come up with is a "survival kit" for her and my father's upcoming Grand Circle Tour.

The Grand Circle Tour is a six week driving trip that my Dad has been dreaming about for several years—they plan to drive west through the prairies to B.C., north along the coast line and into Alaska, wind up in the Yukon in time for the "midnight sun", and then head back through the NWT and Nunavut and Northern Ontario to their home in southwestern Ontario. Dad’s very excited and constantly pores over his eight-inch stack of travel guides. Mum acts like it’s going to be an endurance test.

Mum is 66, relentlessly practical, and really likes functional gifts, so what can I give her that would be useful for such a trip? I've thought of insect repellant, and my sister gave her a big book of crossword puzzles last weekend. Since my dad won't be home for Father's Day, I might as well make this a joint gift. He's the same age and is also a no-frills kind of guy. Ideas, please!