The Effect of Exchange Rates
With
exchange rates changing on a daily basis and some of the changes becoming quite considerable in many countries, it will be
necessary for you to remain informed as much as possible, as this can have a significant affect on the cost of your holiday.
There are many websites that offer real-time reporting of exchange rates for all the currencies and this will allow
you to get some idea of how it will affect your budget.
As the larger economies of the world are the major influences
on how the currencies of the smaller countries perform, there are a lot of factors that can change their direction and that
can also determine whether you will be able to achieve all your holiday expectations if there is little room to move on your
budget.
Prepaid and all inclusive holidays are probably the best solution if you are traveling to countries where
the currency is vulnerable to change.
By paying for such a holiday, your expenditure will be fixed no matter what
might happen to the exchange rate and the only concern you will have is for any additional expenditure that you plan on making
outside of the facilities that are provided in the package deal.
For the additional expenses that you are planning
on spending, you can buy foreign exchange prior to going away and at a time when you think it is at its optimal value.
You can only hope that you have read the market right for maximum benefits although there will probably be an element
of luck in doing so.
If the currency rate is moving in your favor it could be better to leave the change of funds
until the last minute and even buy your overseas funds at the airport just before departure in the hope that you will have
a little more money to spend while you are away.
Cruise Ship Tips: Use the purser's office onboard ship to exchange for the local currency. They'll
have the exchange rates posted, and are usually the best deal. You'll need cash if your going on a guided shore excursion
for tips, etc. But if possible, always use credit cards everywhere else. Master Card and Visa have the best exchange rates.
Travel Fitness
Many people don't even consider whether
they are fit enough for the type of travel plans they have in mind.
If the places you intend to see involve a lot
of walking, have you considered whether you will be fit and able to do what you propose to do?
If not, then a simple
fitness program will make your holiday a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.
And while on the subject of walking,
do you have suitable footwear that you will feel comfortable wearing for hours every day? It is unwise to buy new shoes before
leaving on holiday and expect to break them in while you are away.
Maybe you are going on a skiing holiday and
have yet to get your fitness levels up to a suitable standard because it is outside of your usual skiing time at home.
You also need to consider how activities will affect your muscles and aches and pains. This can have a detrimental
affect on the fun you wish to experience on holiday and should be taken into consideration with some form of preparation before
your departure.
Failing that, you should check to see whether you will be able to get a massage to reduce any muscle
fatigue.
Often you will not decide on what you want to do until you get to your destination and to realize that
you can't participate in certain activities simply because you are somewhat unfit would be a shame don't you think?
Even a small increase in physical fitness can have a profound affect on the fun you can experience while on holiday.
It might be something as simple as reducing your level of fatigue while walking through shopping centers all day or
allowing you to do more snorkeling because you won't get as tired swimming.
The sooner you prepare for your holiday
the easier it will be to get fit in time.
Cruise Ship Tips: Almost every major cruise ship has a workout facility for you to take advantage.
It's use is usually included in the price of your cruise package. But check first. In addition, there's always the large outdoor
circular decks that are great for doing walks. As for those shore excursions, most of the major cruise lines have fitness
levels posted on their website, per excursion.