Extreme International Travel: Tips and Insights for Visiting Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations

The Black SandsThe Black Sands

Iwo Jima
©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

The Veterans

The Charter

The Memorial

What It Took
Delta or United award to Guam – 70k economy
Military Historic Tours Charter $1535
Charter waitlist persistence
Who’s in for Wake Atoll in December?
Delta or United award to Guam – 70k economy
Military Historic Tours Charter $1535
Charter waitlist persistence
Who’s in for Wake Atoll in December?

The Pacific TheaterThe Pacific Theater

Thin Red Line in Solomon Islands

Yamamoto’s Bunker, Papua New Guinea

Manila and Corregidor

Extreme International Travel
FTU DFW 2015
FTU DFW 2015
Stefan Krasowski
Rapid Travel Chai

“You Went Where???”
- Rapid Travel Chai definition of

Or stop calling them ‘Dream Trips’
Just call them trips

Who am I?
I lived in China for 8 years
I work in international business
I plan obsessively
I travel fast
I come back exhausted
My wife is the opposite
I lived in China for 8 years
I work in international business
I plan obsessively
I travel fast
I come back exhausted
My wife is the opposite

Where Have I Traveled?
131 UN Countries
193 Travelers’ Century Club Countries

Itinerary
Why
How
Where

Why Extreme?

French Canada or France in Canada?
St. Pierre & MiquelonMontreal, Quebec
Photo by Gord McKenna ,flickr

How to Get to St. Pierre & Miquelon?
United or Air Canada to St. John’s, Newfoundland
Drive to Fortune and take the daily summer ferry

Gorillas and Volcanoes in
DR Congo
Gorillas and Volcanoes in
DR Congo

Virunga National Park

The World’s Largest Lava Lake

The Lodge and The Camp

The Village and Goma

The Gorillas

What It Took
Wideroe $400+ fare on Delta/KLM
United 35k award around East Africa on Ethiopian
Virunga is a 3x FlexPerks charity!

Cons and Pros

Cons
Red tape (visas) can be a hassle
Some destinations unavoidably expensive
Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels
Stress…especially with companions
Red tape (visas) can be a hassle
Some destinations unavoidably expensive
Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels
Stress…especially with companions
Andaman Islands, India

Pros
Some places every day is off-peak
Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds
No tourist industry = few tourist scams
Authentic interaction with locals
Make a difference with your dollars
Learn
Some places every day is off-peak
Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds
No tourist industry = few tourist scams
Authentic interaction with locals
Make a difference with your dollars
Learn
Kyrgyzstan

Dominican Republic’s Tourist East
Photo by Marlene lls, flickr Photo by Larry Armstrong, flickr

Dominican Republic’s Quiet West

Where to Start?

UNESCO Sites
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters and Sanchi Buddhist Monuments,
Bhopal, India

Traveler’s Century Club
Anne of Green Gables & lobster suppers,
Prince Edward Island, Canada

Thorn Tree Forum for Destination Info
Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum

Tips

US Passports
Large passport book and add 2x pages before 2016
Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID
Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI and
add to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck
Have scans and copies
Large passport book and add 2x pages before 2016
Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID
Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI and
add to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck
Have scans and copies

Second US Passports
Great for frequent travelers who need visas
Easy process
Only valid for two years

Visa Requirements for US Citizens
166 countries Visa Free or Visa on Arrival
Sources: Henley & Partners, Wikipedia

Visas for US Citizens
Check embassy websites
Check travel.state.gov
Specialist visa agents vs big generalists
10-year China & India and 3-year Russia tourist visas
Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance
Yes, you need a visa for Australia
Check embassy websites
Check travel.state.gov
Specialist visa agents vs big generalists
10-year China & India and 3-year Russia tourist visas
Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance
Yes, you need a visa for Australia

Money – Cash
Cash is still king
Traveler’s checks are dead
Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates
Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements
Avoid anything Travelex!!!
Cash is still king
Traveler’s checks are dead
Carry a cheat sheet or app for fx rates
Schwab debit card – no fx fee + ATM reimbursements
Avoid anything Travelex!!!

Money – Credit Cards
Logo in the window may only mean local cards
Chip and Signature cards work most of the time
Chip and Pin cards for heavy EU travelers (Diners Club)

Handy Credit Card Benefits
Chase & Citi – trip delay coverage
Discover – accepted in China via UnionPay, Japan via JCB

Tech
Unlocked phone + local SIM card
T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries
Encrypt – TrueCrypt
Get a VPN – WiTopia
Unlocked phone + local SIM card
T-Mobile – unlimited data & text to 120+ countries
Encrypt – TrueCrypt
Get a VPN – WiTopia

Insurance
Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff?
Credit cards often insure
your trip and your stuff
I insure myself – GeoBlue
Trekker Choice annual plan
Annual or per trip?
insubuy.com,
travelinsurancecenter.com
Credit cards often insure
your trip and your stuff
I insure myself – GeoBlue
Trekker Choice annual plan
Annual or per trip?
insubuy.com,
travelinsurancecenter.com

Health
CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel
Know scientific names of your meds
(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)
Plan ahead for vaccines
Malaria pills pros and cons
International Certificate of Vaccination
CDC Yellow Book @ cdc.gov/travel
Know scientific names of your meds
(aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid)
Plan ahead for vaccines
Malaria pills pros and cons
International Certificate of Vaccination

Yellow Fever
Source: CDC Yellow Book 2014

Safety
Don’t be:
Drunk
Drugged
Debauched
Especially when you
don’t speak the
language or know the
legal system
The Rapid Travel Chai ‘3 Ds’ of Travel Safety
Don’t be:
Drunk
Drugged
Debauched
Especially when you
don’t speak the
language or know the
legal system

ISIS
ISIS is rapidly shifting the travel map
Anyone can be a target
Closely monitor local conditions with local sources

Miles and Points
Beyond Cathay J to Bali
Miles and Points
Beyond Cathay J to Bali

Some Offbeat Star Alliance Awards
Ethiopian from DC to Africa
Copa in Latin America
Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+
United now partners with Azul for Brazil
Ethiopian from DC to Africa
Copa in Latin America
Turkish flies to more countries than any airline, 100+
United now partners with Azul for Brazil

United Micronesia Island Hopper
Join missionaries, military, dignitaries and islanders

Pohnpei

Palau and Peleliu

Some Offbeat One World Awards
Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries
Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,
Australia, Pacific and Russia
Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives
Avios, Avios, Avios – fill in gaps on itineraries
Use for Canada, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean,
Australia, Pacific and Russia
Example: Sri Lankan several daily flights to Maldives

Always Check Non-Alliance Partners, Too
+
+

British Airways Avios are Awesome
Redeem for short, expensive flights
Fill in gaps on itineraries
Africa, Canada, Pacific, South America flights

Check Non-Alliance Partners, Too
+
+

British Airways Avois.com Account
Use UK address to register
Book Air Aurigny flights to Channel Islands

Guernsey, Channel Islands

JAL Awards on Bangkok Airways
Long-running discount promo
Transfer from SPG (processed once weekly)

Some Offbeat SkyTeam Awards
AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia
Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando
Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean
China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia
Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands
Saudia for…a Saudi experience
AeroMexico for Latin America and even to Europe/Asia
Gol in Brazil and to Brazil from Orlando
Air France to Madagascar and Indian Ocean
China Eastern/Southern + China Airlines to Asia
Virgin Australia to Solomons, Christmas & Cocos Islands
Saudia for…a Saudi experience

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

Air France KLM Caribbean Hopper
Visit Caribbean on the way to Europe
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have hoppers, too

French Guiana and Suriname

Air Where the Awards Don’t Go

Air – Research
Wikipedia’s airport and airline pages

Air – Booking
Find flights on ITA Matrix for most airlines
Locate booking options on Hipmunk

Air – Book Local
Check airlines websites & local ITAs
Check residency requirements (Latin America)
Use for China, Vietnam, India, Indonesia & more

Air – Budget Airlines
skyscanner.com and
whichbudget.com
Price all the extras
Know the airport –
where in ‘London’?
Know the terminal –
Malaysian remote LCCTs
Air Asia is awesome
skyscanner.com and
whichbudget.com
Price all the extras
Know the airport –
where in ‘London’?
Know the terminal –
Malaysian remote LCCTs
Air Asia is awesome

Air – Obscure Airlines
OneTravel for hard to ticket airlines
Get reservation record AND ticket number

Ideas

Americas

Moonscapes in Bolivia
La Paz

How to Get to Bolivia?
Avianca or LAN to La Paz
Santa Cruz has AA and more but no Uyuni flights
Overland from Peru at Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca

Bolivia Practicalities
Visa on arrival at all points of entry ($135)
Land transport is very rough – fly to Uyuni
Uyuni tour is high altitude and physically difficult
La Paz – Uyuni
bus breakdown

Otherworldly Salar de Uyuni

Jesuits and Germans in Paraguay
Deserted UNESCO
Jesuit missions
German yerba
mate farmers
Itaipú Dam
+ +

How to Get to Paraguay?
AA nonstop from Miami, or Latin American airlines
Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas)
American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight

Paraguay Practicalities
Visa required – on arrival for air only ($160)
Major cities have safety issues – stay in German towns
Need land transport – only domestic flight is Asunción
to Ciudad del Este (Brazil border)
Visa required – on arrival for air only ($160)
Major cities have safety issues – stay in German towns
Need land transport – only domestic flight is Asunción
to Ciudad del Este (Brazil border)
Asunción Airport

Europe

Divided Cyprus
4th-century BC Tombs of the Kings, Pafos

How to Get to Cyprus
Larnaca and Paphos served by many airlines
Turkish-controlled Ercan served mainly from Turkey
Onurair
Istanbul-Ercan

Cyprus Practicalities
No issue going in/out Turkish-controlled territory
Bringing rental cars across is difficult – rent on both sides
Divided Nicosia

Soviet Land in Transnistria
Batman Lenin

How to Get to Transnistria?
Fly to Chisinau, Moldova on Austrian, Tarom, Turkish
Bus to Terespol (avoid Russia through-trains)
Transnistria
border

Transnistria Practicalities
Moldova permits tourists to visit with no hassle
Visa on arrival process subject to whim
Extremely little English spoken
Wedding Party

Africa

Zimbabwe – Zambia – Botswana Triangle
Victoria Falls

How to Get to Victoria Falls?
BA Avios to Victoria Falls or Livingstone from Johannesburg
Star Alliance: South African or Ethiopian
Day tour to Botswana’s Chobe National Park
Everything but
the lions

Victoria Falls Practicalities
Zimbabwe’s tourist industry is fine, despite the economy
Visa on arrival for Zambia & Zimbabwe, free for Botswana
Colonial Victoria Falls Hotel & Royal Livingstone
Victoria Falls Hotel

Bargain French & Lemurs in Madagascar
Luxury for $100/night

How to Get to Madagascar?
SkyTeam: great availability on Air France & Kenya Airways
Lemurs in
Andasibe

Madagascar Practicalities
Visa on arrival (free)
Road network is dreadful
Great value hotels and French cuisine
Countryside around TanaThe capital Tana

Middle East

Iran Loves Americans
At least the people do!

How to Get to Iran?
Europe and Middle East carriers fly to Tehran and more
Land entry from Turkey (US/UK may have issues)
Lake near Shiraz

Iran Practicalities
US/UK citizens must book agency tour with guide
Expect 2-3 month visa process, apply at Pakistan Embassy
Iranians are cosmopolitan and very friendly to Americans
Watch Rick Steves Iran Lecture @ bit.ly/1lgelmT
US/UK citizens must book agency tour with guide
Expect 2-3 month visa process, apply at Pakistan Embassy
Iranians are cosmopolitan and very friendly to Americans
Watch Rick Steves Iran Lecture @ bit.ly/1lgelmT
Home decoration expo

Iran Mosaic

Asia Pacific

Serene Bhutan
Tiger’s Nest

How to Get to Bhutan?
Get to New Dehli, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore
Connect on national carrier Druk Air
Druk Air

Bhutan Practicalities
Must book with tour agent who arranges visa on arrival
Government all-inclusive rates based on group size
Peak months single person tour US$290/day
Last (departure) day free
Must book with tour agent who arranges visa on arrival
Government all-inclusive rates based on group size
Peak months single person tour US$290/day
Last (departure) day free
Guides in required
traditional dress

Himalayan Idyll

Turkmenistan the Wacky ‘Stan
The Gates of Hell

How to Get to Turkmenistan?
Star Alliance Lufthansa and Turkish; OneWorld S7
SkyTeam China Southern from Ürümqi for Silk Road trips
Azerbaijan by ferry, Uzbekistan by land
Neighborhood
MiG in Mary

Turkmenistan Practicalities
Tourist visa requires guided tour and long process
Transit visa is guide-fee but lots of restrictions
Average summer temperatures 100⁰F+
My guide in 130⁰F+ heat in non-AC Soviet jeep to Gonur

Edifice Complex

My Head Hurts,
Just Send Me to the Caribbean
My Head Hurts,
Just Send Me to the Caribbean

Then Go Where the Cruise Ships Aren’t

Saba

Montserrat

And I Leave You to Figure Out
How to Get There!
And I Leave You to Figure Out
How to Get There!

Thank You
stefan@rapidtravelchai.com
@rapidtravelchai
rapidtravelchai.com

Extreme International Travel: Tips and Insights for Visiting Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Semelhante a Extreme International Travel: Tips and Insights for Visiting Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations

Semelhante a Extreme International Travel: Tips and Insights for Visiting Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations (20)

Mais de rapidtravelchai

Mais de rapidtravelchai (8)

Último

Último (20)

Extreme International Travel: Tips and Insights for Visiting Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations