Predictions are that leisure travel from the US will increase in double digits this year. On top of that you have a growing percentage of Asian travelers. Right now 120 million Chinese are traveling outbound. So even if the percentage doesn’t increase by much due to some fears of terrorism, imagine the numbers hitting the skies and sights. I’ve put together a list of travel  tips 2016  which can help make for smoothe (or at least smoother) vacations. And a tip you probably didn’t know about – how to be a guest at a wedding overseas!

• Never before has the advice to travel in the off season been truer.

The contrast between a trip to Europe in April and another in late June/early July was dramatic. The crowds in museums ,airports and attractions have increased exponentially. Example: at the tax free window in Madrid’s Barajas airport where there are usually maybe 5 people waiting to get documents stamped for refunds, on my recent trip the line was 30 people (see the image above). If traveling to Europe try to avoid mid-June through August; New York at Christmas; and holidays (a good strategy is to travel on the holiday itself, e.g. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).

• Buy museum tickets online in advance, especially if there’s a special show you want to go to. And plan on getting to the museum when it opens. Otherwise, you might not be able to get close enough to the art works to see them because of the crowds.
• Be careful about taking Uber overseas. In some countries it exists but it isn’t approved by the government so in effect, they are rogue drivers.
• Bring bubble wrap and some tape or rubber bands. You never know when you might want to buy a bottle of special wine, condiments, or anything else in a bottle. Some people swear by wrapping a bottle in a towel, but I find that risky. For wine there’s something called Wine Skin that works like a dream.
• When merchants ask if you want to pay in Euros or dollars what do you choose? I asked my oldest son this question since he’s a serious traveler and works in financial services. Here’s what he said: you should always try to pay with credit card in the local currency as long as your card has no foreign transaction fees. When you try to pay in dollars, the business usually charges extra (vis-a-vis a worse exchange rate) to give themselves a cushion because they eventually have to convert it back to their home currency.  Using a credit card when possible gives you the best exchange rate, prevents having to take out too much foreign currency at the ATM, and can even give you insurance and/or return protection. Amex platinum will guarantee that you can return an item up to $300, so if you buy something, have buyer’s remorse, and then the merchant won’t accept a return, you can submit a claim to Amex and they will credit your statement.
• Want a farm to table meal, fresh food that’s cheap? Many more of the indoor European markets now have casual, very low cost places to eat in the market. And while you’re there, you can find gourmet items to take home at low prices.
• TripAdvisor I’ve found is a very reliable guide not only to hotels, but also for restaurants and tours. I’ve booked day tours found on their site in Mumbai and Bologna and they were total winners.  In fact, never gone wrong with them yet.
• If you are traveling with a companion, book aisle and window, leaving the middle seat empty (tip from a very well traveled friend).  Sometimes no one takes it. Spend a little extra and book “coach extra” seats.  You won’t have someone’s seat back (and your tray table) right in your face.
• And finally, wait until you hear this one! Like to be a part of a wedding overseas? Now there’s a website, join my wedding, that makes it possible in places ranging from India and Russia to the USA (mostly at this point in India). Prices range from $100 to several hundred dollars and can be a several day affair.

Let’s hear from you. Any tips? Other travel questions? Remember I have a feature AskKaren you can find on the bar at the top of the blog. Click on it and ask away.