Travel Tips

Reading travel books and surfing travel websites are my sources for travel. For how can I go when I don't know where to? When I am not busy travelling, I am surfing travel websites, joining forums asking questions about the places in my travel wishlist. From there, I gather tips on "what to do" (attractions), hotels and accommodations, means of transportations, sports facilities, etc. Because I AM AN IMPULSIVE TRAVELLER, I always keep a handy notebook with all my gathered tips and my basic travel needs in a bagpack, ready to go whenever my budget permits.

My son and I started travelling on our own since he was just 5 years old...two trips to the Philippines and some few places nearby such as Holland, Brussels, Antwerp, etc. At the age of nine, I taught him the art of travelling in style. In the beginning, I was somewhat paranoid in checking in at unfamiliar hotels, so, extravagant as it might seemed, we only booked and took 4 to 5 star hotel accommodations wherever we went to. Much more, I always signed in a Mr and Mrs. with a child of nine at the reception. I thought it would be safer if no one would know that we were travelling alone. We often took Holiday Inn chains, the Hotel Adler in Austria, Disney Paris Hotels, etc. Safety over price was my motto. However, we could have been staying at the Casino Hotel in Luxembourg, but our dinner was at the corner shop for fries in Remich. We would be having breakfasts at a luxurious hotel in Switzerland but we were sneaking out a few sandwiches for lunch. When my son became 15, there was no need for luxury anymore. We discovered the hotel chain Ibis and was immediately contented with its price, location and amenities.

Being knowledgeable of the places in our wishlist is very important for us as IMPULSE TRAVELLERS. Except for air travels, the rest of our trips were based on decisions made at the very last hours...even before my son woke up from his sleep. Yes! I would wake up at dawn, pack our bags, drag my son out from his sleep and buckle him up at the car seat. By the time he woke up, we were already half way to Luxembourg. I usually pack up a few drinks and foods that I ransack from my kitchen cupboard. Staying low-budget is my aim. However, accommodation is very important. Comfort and safety is always on the top list.

NEVER AGAIN. All my travels so far had been successful. However, there are a few that I would say, "I'll never do it again"...and that is, STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR RELATIVES on holidays. Oh geeeeee....I remember all the waiting and all the endless blah blahs I remember visiting relatives and friends for holidays and had gone nowhere. What a waste of time!

I HATE GUIDED TOURS. Although it may seem interesting for some, I love reading books on places and discovering things on my own. I don't like people telling me where to go or what to do next. I want to enjoy my trips, not to be stressed. Knowing a certain place is not just listening to your guide...it is visiting the place, talking to people, eating their foods and digging down their cultures. That's my travel!

TRAVELLING FOR US DOES NOT MEAN DESTINATION. Destination is the end of our travel, but the adventures before getting to our destination matter most.