Touring tips

[simondippenhall]

One more travel tip: check your home scanner before departure, for the documents you have wisely decided to scan so that you have a digital copy available on the road in case you lose the original (or, in my case, have left on the scanner! ).

This is why I know the cost of sending a driver's license by DHL to Mali.

 

[The Other PaulG]

As I had no idea what the roads would actually be like, as some did not appear on a Michelin map, I used Google Earth to look at them, particularly those through forests or what seemed to just go across fields.

Had I used Google Earth prior to my recent trip to the Strade Bianche around Siena, I would not have ended up here -

 

[The Other PaulG]

Or, indeed here -

Of course, for us, the trip was none the worse for it, in fact it was hilarious.

 

[Wapping]

Had I used Google Earth prior to my recent trip to the Strade Bianche around Siena, I would not have ended up here -

View attachment 514716

That looks much like me on parts of the days out I enjoyed on the Oder. That, unmade farm tracks, pave, sand and torture like sections made from old concrete railway sleepers. Then, super smooth cycle paths…. Funny place, Germany…. Though I am learning the difference between a ‘foot way’ (which can be anything) and a cycle path.

All hail the mighty Brompton!

 

[wessie]

Hotel bookings: yes, using Expedia, booking dot com etc is convenient. Apparently, their fees to hotels are increasing and there have been many security breaches where people have been scammed. I have also noticed more places are only offering room only on the booking sites so they pay less commission. Breakfast, dinner and parking are charged separately at the hotel.
It was apparent last year, but even more so this year. Booking direct with a hotel can save a decent chunk of cash. You may also find inclusive offers for half board and parking on the hotel's own website.
My first port of call now to find a hotel is Google Maps, when researching at home. Check the location on Streetview if available. Then go direct to the hotel website and compare prices with those shown on Google Maps for the booking sites.
Brands that are especially good when booking direct are Logis in France and the Spanish Paradores. Join their own loyalty programmes. If you want to stay in a city centre in Spain, look for a Sercotel. A reliable mid priced brand that usually has garage parking and an included breakfast from an excellent buffet.

 

[JH]

Hotel bookings: yes, using Expedia, booking dot com etc is convenient. Apparently, their fees to hotels are increasing and there have been many security breaches where people have been scammed. I have also noticed more places are only offering room only on the booking sites so they pay less commission. Breakfast, dinner and parking are charged separately at the hotel.
It was apparent last year, but even more so this year. Booking direct with a hotel can save a decent chunk of cash. You may also find inclusive offers for half board and parking on the hotel's own website.
My first port of call now to find a hotel is Google Maps, when researching at home. Check the location on Streetview if available. Then go direct to the hotel website and compare prices with those shown on Google Maps for the booking sites.
Brands that are especially good when booking direct are Logis in France and the Spanish Paradores. Join their own loyalty programmes. If you want to stay in a city centre in Spain, look for a Sercotel. A reliable mid priced brand that usually has garage parking and an included breakfast from an excellent buffet.

I agree. This year's trip to Spain and Portugal, when looking for Hotel's I did the research as usual and some included the third party sites, but then phoned the hotel directly and sorted it out directly, mentioning I wanted to cut out the needless middlemen, this was well received and we secured some cracking deals, with free parking added because of this, breakfast was also always included.
Folks were surprised at the low cost of our stays. It's worth a call ......