Fly high with these travel tips

Manila, Philippines -  Travel isn’t just sightseeing or shopping  though both are the core of most Filipinos’ pleasure trips. Travel is also a passport to learning, and since the knowledge gained from travel comes with theory as well as experience, it is indelible.

So, for seasoned travellers as well as newbies about to flex their (travel) wings, here are some tips from some of the country’s most frequent flyers:

1. JJ Berenguer Testa, Mondial Tours  “Travel light. And no padala, please.”

(JJ was the only man in our Spain fam tour group, and therefore one understands his admonition to travel light only so clearly! The tall and handsome JJ was the gentleman who tried to help all the girls in the group (his “angels” he would call them), whether it was to negotiate the steep steps on the roof of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela), or to avoid an excess luggage fine. His warning to avoid “padalas,” especially from strangers, is to protect the passenger from unnecessary interrogation in airports.)

2. Rita Dy, marketing communications services manager, Singapore Airlines  “Bring Issey Miyake outfits. They are light, easy on the body, and elegant for business and evening wear. Also, you can handwash them and they dry so quickly. And when you see something you like on a trip, buy it. You may not have a chance to go back for it again and you’ll end up regretting the decision not to buy it. Last, but not the least, bring your medicines.”

(Rita had everything in her medicine kit  from Vicks VapoRub to Zyrtec to Ercefuryl. And whaddayaknow  they were all put to good use, not by Rita herself but by grateful members of our group.)

3. Marget Villarica, Destination Cebu Specialists  “Travel in style. It will get you places. Get travel insurance, because it buys you peace of mind. I know of so many people who saved thousands of dollars because they bought travel insurance. And never feel bad when you don’t reap the advantages of travel insurance  you should be grateful walang nangyari sa iyo!”

4. Shan David, Corporate International Travel and Tours  “Wear a messenger bag so your hands are free. Also bring light totes with zippers that you can stuff your extra clothes into after the trip.”

5. Analee Yulo of Executive Resources Inc.  “If you are travelling alone, don’t bring two pieces of luggage with wheels because it is hard to use each hand to push or pull each piece. Better have a tote on the other arm. And if you have a connecting flight, make sure your luggage is tagged properly. Sometimes we overlook this and you may end up with delayed or missing luggage.”

6. Thelma San Juan, lifestyle editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer  Take good care of your feet. Wear trainers for walking tours. When travelling in cold weather, bring a woolen pashmina. With it, you don’t need heavy overcoats.”