Here
are 10 random summer technology tips if you are travelling to Europe (Or how
sometimes I can call: Ways to Increase your European Cultural Intelligence -
CQ). Bottomline, use technology to your advantage. Except for car rental and
Eurail trip, this blog did not focus much on Pre-Travel (such as Airfare but I
used Kayak for many years now to help me get the best fare).
1.
I've tried many travel apps but I always go back to Kayak to search for the
best car-rental rate (also for airfare) no less than 2 months before you travel
(although you can get lucky on last minute deals so always check the actual
company and don't book on Kayak). If you get the Europcar (usually the best
rate even if you have Hertz member rate) ask for one way drop off specials.
Summer 2017, my family spent 30 days driving a roomy midsize Skoda one way from
Seville Spain to Switzerland then drop off to Barcelona and pay only $600
unlimited mileage (we drove about 6,500 miles around 5 countries). Use the
airport car rentals, they are usually generous with upgrade specially if you
have a high CQ and nice personality with high EQ, Emotional Quotient (just a
non-techie tip there).
2.
Road App: Google Maps and Google Trips (download the guide for each cities) and
use the route, if you happen to be driving that area, Google trip will give you
real suggestions, no more "Oh, we've pass that, we could've seen the Nimes
or Vevey or Porto". It will save you another trip.
3.
Use T-Mobile Unlimited Global (it's free and if you are veteran, you get even
further discount). We were streaming YouTube music, TuneIn Podcast (Daily Hope)
along the highway and fast Internet with no surprises in your bill.
4. Lodging App: Airbnb: Increase your Cultural Intelligence
by living with locals, you will be surprised how accommodating almost everyone
was. Except that mansion we rented in Barcelona (creepy), so read the reviews
carefully. Avoid newly posted spaces. (Insert are from our 2014 Europe road
trip / Eurail, meeting these locals who opened their homes to us, at half the
cost of a hotel and maybe increased our Cultural Quotient)
5.
Consider Eurail pass if only two or less are travelling (we did get a 21 day
Global in 2013 for 3 of us - we learned a lesson). They have 35% off now until
June 4 (about $700-ish each unlimited ride for a month). Good only if you
travel light and don't mind hopping in and out with your luggage from one bus
or train station to another. You still have to make a reservation, but you
don’t have to worry about parking and going to major cities and it's kind of
romantic or dramatic as you bump to many locals travelling, especially in local trains (which is included in
your Global Pass).
6.
Use your MC/Visa/Amex credit card (with chip or Android Pay, always tell the
cashier to use US $ rate) rather than carry more than $50 or Euro cash. Most
cards have insurance (cars and buyer protection) so it will give you peace of
mind (Remember Travelers Check?).
7.
Connect with your social media (Facebook) friends who are already in Europe way
ahead of time. Give them a clue you are coming so they can plan and offer a
"gift from America". They sure will appreciate it in exchange for a
hospitality tour. Now you will discover who your real friends are.
8.
Take a photo of all your IDs, Passports on your phone and upload them on your
Amazon or Google Cloud, just in case.
9. Remember most people in famous cities are tourists,
increases your real cultural intelligence and mindfulness by visiting suburb
malls and buy your souvenirs in supermarket (like Aldi, Lidl, Carrefour,
Migros, Tesco). Some of their Food
Courts are high quality (El Corte Ingles in Spain is all over). You will be amazed how people from different
countries eat and buy stuff. Cheap food, cheap souvenirs. Never buy in tourist
areas. (Photo insert shows El Corte
Ingles Supermarket Japanese food court)
10.
Take video clips (5-10 seconds) besides taking selfies to create real life -
hearing the laugh, people's accent and musical memories that will connect you
back in time.
I hope you enjoy this Tech Trip to Europe Trip (Ways to Increase
your European Cultural Intelligence - CQ). Successful travel may not need a
high IQ, but a high EQ will help and a high CQ add to your advantage.
Now
these tips are random and not all based on research, but lessons learned. Do
you have additional 10 or just one tip we can use this upcoming holiday?
Dr. Tony Astro’s
expertise is cultural intelligence, career development and promotional
branding. He has 2 decades of experience as human resources supervisor
with Department of the Navy as Chief Counselor providing administrative support
and training to all hierarchy and equipping organizations and their teams with
skills to effectively work, advance in their career and education within and
across multi-cultural diverse environment of military and civilian
environment. He has over 10 years extensive entrepreneurial practice as
marketing director of two Asian Business association and owner of Mvoss
Creation Promotional & Marketing.
Tony has traveled in over 50 major cities around the world during his 23
years in the Navy and every summer for leisure with his family. He conducts
keynote speaking to diverse community of professional associations, university
students, entrepreneurs and military organizations.
He was born to a Spanish mother and Filipino father and
raised in the city of Manila, Philippines. He attended all his 12 years of
education in an all-exclusive Chinese school. He joined the Navy and lived
in Japan for 4 years and in the span of 23 years have been assigned and
deployed in Europe, Middle East, Australia, Asia.
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