By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Patient Services, Satori World Medical

While the winter months attract many tourists interested in outdoor sports, such as snowboarding, ice skating and skiing, summer in Montreal, Canada is one of the optimal months in which to visit. Spring, though can sound enticing, is the least ideal as the snow is beginning to melt and many outdoor attractions are still closed, however this is their low season and you will find very reasonable accommodation rates.  High season in usually late Spring to early Fall and also from Christmas to New Year’s. Hotels will most likely charge the highest rates during these months.

For those who visit in the summer, the temperature in Montreal is usually around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and can include a few thunderstorms.  Fall can also be very beautiful as the weather is agreeable as the autumn colors emerge.  During the winter months, temperatures can be as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so always dress warm and in layers to combat the cold, windy weather. Boots, a wool coat, a hat and scarves are items you should pack for winter in Montreal.

Montrealers, though always dressed well, can also dress casually especially in the summer months. Pack lightweight, cotton clothing for the summer.  It is best to always have a jacket with you, as temperatures are known to drop randomly, even in the summer.  For business, two-piece suits are the norm for both men and women.

To read more of my travel tips, please click here.

Happy Travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Patient Services, Satori World Medical

While in Manila, as with most countries you visit, try not to wear lavish jewelry or carry any unnecessary electronic devices while walking through the city. Also, be alert of pickpockets and thieves on motor vehicles. When it comes to water, it is best to only drink bottled water and avoid ice in your drinks. It is also recommended to visit your doctor before you depart, as vaccinations for Malaria, hepatitis, typhoid, and tuberculosis could be necessary. Make sure to wear sunscreen and take insect repellent as the Philippines has tropical climate and can get humid. 

As far as currency exchange, it is best to utilize foreign-exchange bureaus located in the malls, the business district, or hotels, as oftentimes banks will not exchange money unless you have an account with them.  ATMS are located throughout malls and close to banks.  Typically, there is a 12% tax added to meals and most purchases, while a nice tip for waiters and taxi drivers is between P20 and P50. For more credit card tips when going out of the country, click here.

With the hot and humid climate it is best to pack light, cotton apparel and casual, light-weight clothing for business. The prime months to visit are between mid-December to mid-May because that is off-season for typhoons.  However, always be prepared for the rain, as Manila’s weather patterns can vary. The temperature in Manila varies throughout the year, from a low 75 to a high of 99 degrees Fahrenheit.

Safe Travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Patient Services, Satori World Medical

When visiting a foreign country, it is important to know their etiquette as to not accidentally offend or disrespect the locals. There is a great emphasis placed upon remaining cool and calm in the Thai culture. If one expresses irritation or discontentment, it is seen in bad taste and will essentially lower one’s opinion of the person.  Consequently, if a Thai is offended by something that is said, the typical response will be to smile and utter mai pen rai which translated means “Never mind”.  Additionally, do not intentionally mock or disrespect Buddhism or the Monarchy as it will result in a strong feeling of discomfort.

Furthermore, the head is seen as the most valuable part of the body whereas the feet are viewed as having the least value. Therefore, certain gestures pertaining to these parts of the body can be considered rude or disrespectful.  For example, touching another’s head is particularly rude, along with pointing or touching something with the foot.  Resting your feet on a chair or sitting positioned with your feet pointing directly to another person, will be received negatively as well.  As you will see, Thais greet each other with a slight bow with their palms together in front of the chest.  This is called wai and can be inappropriate in certain situations, like in the case of someone delivering a service.  Therefore, is it best to wait until one bows to you instead greeting a Thai with a wai immediately. 

For dining tips while in Bangkok, Thailand, click here: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/2012/01/dining-tips-while-in-bangkok-thailand/

To read all my travel tips, click here: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/category/travel-tips/

Safe Travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Patient Services, Satori World Medical

While in Thailand, don’t forget to try their world-famous cuisine ranging from noodles and soups to green, red, and yellow curries.  If you are enjoying a walk through the city, food stalls are readily available where you can purchase bowls of curries, rice and fish.  On the other hand, if you are looking for a delicious upscale meal, there are a variety of haute cuisine restaurants that will include French, Italian, Japanese, Korean or Indian cuisines.  Some tasty local Thai favorites include tom yam kung, a hot and sour prawn dish, and pad thai, fried noodles. 

Many times, when you think of Thai food, you think spicy.  However, if you are unable to handle spice, don’t discount Thai food altogether.   Many Thais are aware of the Western’s sensitivity to spice and will eliminate or decrease the level of spice if you order a meal mai phet (without spice).   If you enjoy spice, then you will most likely see the phrik chili or the extremely hot pepper, phrik khii nuu, included in your dishes which will add a spark of flavor to your adventurous pallet. Typically, Thais snack throughout the day which means that you will always be able to access a variety of foods at all times.  However, normally lunch is served between 11:30-1:00PM and dinner between 6:00 and 9:00PM, closely resembling our meal times here in the U.S.

Safe Travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel & Patient Services, Satori World Medical

The busiest travel time of the year is approaching, so I wanted to provide 5 tips to make your holiday travel easy and stress-free.

1. Be Flexible: Being flexible in your arrival and departure days can save you a lot of money. Try not to book your departure and return flights on peak days, like Friday-Monday. For the lowest airfare, try booking your flight two to three days before and after the holiday itself.
2. Arrive & Check-In Early: The holidays are peak traveling times, so arrive at the airport early. I recommend arriving 2 hours prior to departure time for domestic flights and 3-4 hours for international flights. It is recommended to leave even earlier if you are flying with children or bringing a lot of luggage. Holidays are stressful traveling times, so arrive early then relax once you are at your gate with a good book and a warm drink.
3. Take the Non-Stop Morning Flight: Taking a non-stop flight, or a flight with the fewest number of connections, will minimize delays. Also, flights that take off in the early morning are usually delayed less often than those that take off in the afternoon and evenings. For more useful flying tips click here.
4. Pack Wisely – Gifts: Fly with unwrapped gifts, just in case it needs to be opened and inspected by security. Also, wrapped gifts crinkle easily in a suitcase and can fall apart by the time you reach your destination. Try packing collapsible gift bags and tissue paper in your suitcase, instead of wrapping paper, and wrap presents upon arrival at your destination. By shipping gifts via USPS or UPS, you can save time and avoid high baggage fees.
5. Pack Wisely – Food: If you plan on bringing your favorite holiday food items to your destination, double check with TSA’s Traveling With Food Guide first. Many holiday food items such as cranberry sauce, gravy, jams, wine and dressings may not be brought on your carry-on bag and should be checked or shipped. However, solid foods like pies, meats and breads are all permitted.

Wishing you and your families a very happy holiday season!

Kevin Poling

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel, Satori World Medical

One of the advantages of traveling to a foreign country is exploring the unique regional cuisine. However, some travelers may not be used to the local water and gastronomy. Below are a few general tips to avoid experiencing any food borne illness on your trip.

1. Bring your own food. Healthy eating starts even before you arrive at your destination. Bring snacks from home to avoid the high sodium airline food. Pack a few solid snacks like fruits, trail mix and energy bars in your carry-on bag.
2. Only drink properly sealed bottled beverages. Also, avoid getting ice in your drinks.
3. Wash your hands often. Wash your hands before and after every meal. Carry anti-bacterial hand sanitizer with you wherever you go, just in case there is no sink and soap nearby.
4. Beware of fresh fruits and raw vegetables. Try to eat produce that can be peeled, such as a banana, and make sure to wash and peel any fruits or vegetables you consume.
5. Eat cooked foods. To be safe, order food that has been cooked at a high temperature and avoid eating raw dishes such as seafood.
6. Look for a high turnover rate at restaurants. Stick to eating at crowded restaurants and street vendors that have lots of patrons. This is usually a sign that the food being served is freshly prepared and of good quality.

Happy travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel, Satori World Medical

The most common questions I get asked when it comes to flying are: When is the best time to fly? Which seats have the most legroom? How early do I have to arrive at the airport?  Below are a few answers to those frequently asked questions, as well as some helpful tips to reduce your chances of encountering problems when flying.

• Fly in the morning. Typically, the least expensive and less delayed flights are the first flights out in the morning and red-eye flights. When choosing a flight that departs early morning, there is less likely to be a significant delay, when compared to an afternoon flight, which is a preferred time to fly. Once the air traffic systems experiences problems and delays, the domino effect can continue throughout the entire day.
• Reserve a good seat. Emergency exit row seats usually offer the most legroom and depending on the plane, “bulkhead seats” (seats that are directly behind a wall or curtain) can be slightly more spacious, since there is no passenger reclining their seat in front of you. If you want to experience the smoothest possible flight, reserve a seat towards the front of the cabin. Turbulence, as well as engine noise, is usually greater in the back of the aircraft.
• Arrive at the airport early. The general rule-of-thumb is to arrive at the airport for a domestic flight 60 minutes prior to the departure time if you are not checking baggage and 90 minutes if you are. Try to arrive 2 hours early when flying to international destinations. It is recommended to leave even earlier if you are flying with children, bringing a lot of luggage, or traveling during peak holiday seasons.
• Plan enough time between flights. It is tempting to book a connecting flight with the shortest layover, but make sure to leave enough time to exit the aircraft and make it to the other gate, which can be at the opposite end of the airport. To be safe, it is recommended to leave about an hour to an hour and a half between flights.

You can read more useful flying and travel tips here.

Happy Travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

A passport is your key to unlock the doors of international travel. Below are a few helpful passport tips before you travel abroad.

1. Apply early. Processing times can vary, but once you have applied for a passport, it can take approximately 4-6 weeks to receive it. However with an additional fee, you can get it within 2 weeks by applying for the expedited service. As of 2010, applying for a U.S. passport costs $135 and the fee for renewing one will cost $110.
2. Check the expiration date. Make sure your passport is up-to-date. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.  The U.S. Department of State recommends renewing your passport approximately nine months before it expires. Passports are valid for 10 years.
3. Sign your passport. Make sure your passport is signed and the emergency information page is filled out.
4. Check to see if you need a visa. Some countries require a visa to enter their country. Check the U.S. Department of State’s website to see if the country you are traveling to require a visa stamp.
5. Make a copy. Before you travel abroad, make a couple photocopies of your passport’s identification pages, just in case it gets lost or stolen during your travels. Keep one copy with you and leave the other one with someone at home.
6. Take advantage of the passport card. If your travel plans only involve land or sea border crossing (e.g.: Canada, Mexico, or a cruise to the Caribbean/Bermuda) you may want to purchase a passport card, an alternative to the regular passport booklet. The passport card is very convenient since it is credit card-sized and less expensive than a passport booklet. A passport card costs $55.

 Happy travels,

Kevin

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Jet lag, a condition that results from long distance transmeridian travel, affects most travelers and even the most seasoned fliers. Symptoms may include fatigue, insomnia and headaches. It is said that it takes about one day per time zone crossed to adjust to the local time. Below are a few simple tips to reduce the effects of jet lag.

1. Rest beforehand. Get plenty of sleep the week prior to your flight. Adjusting your bedtime by an hour or two a day, a couple weeks before your trip, can also help you avoid the effects of jet lag.  Also, planning a flight that is scheduled to arrive at your destination as near to the time when you normally go to bed will help with the adjustment. While flying, remember to stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as these can disrupt sleeping schedules.
2. Adjust your watch. Change your watch to the destination time immediately when you board the plane. This helps your body start changing its internal clock. You can start adjusting sleeping and eating hours on the plane to match the destination time.
3. Adapt to local time. Immediately upon arrival at your destination, try to adapt to the local time. If it is daytime, be active and get exposure to daylight. This is a great, natural way of allowing your body to adjust to the new time zone. Also, try to avoid afternoon naps and eating earlier or later than usual.

Read all travel tips here: http://www.satoriworldmedical.com/blog/category/travel-tips/

Happy travels,

Kevin Poling

By Kevin Poling, Director of Travel at Satori World Medical

Follow these tips to protect your credit while traveling overseas.

1. Call your bank. Before you leave for your trip, let your credit card company or bank know that you will be traveling out of the country. Banks constantly monitor their customers’ accounts for fraud, so an international charge can raise a red flag and have your card suspended and your purchases declined.
2. Research foreign transaction fees. It can be expensive to use a credit card abroad. Call the credit card issuing company to check on their foreign transaction fees. Some cards have lower transaction fees than others. However, some can add 3-5 percent to the cost of foreign purchases.
3. Pick a card compatible with your destination country. Not all credit cards are widely accepted in other counties. Research which credit cards are accepted in your destination country.
4. Do not bring all your credit cards. Do bring a couple credit cards, just in case one is not accepted or is lost or stolen.
5. Always bring a debit card. Not all countries permit cash advances on credit cards.
6. Carry local currency. Always carry some cash with you, just in case some smaller stores do not accept credit cards, have a minimum purchase amount, or your card is rejected. Use cash when making smaller purchases and credit cards for larger ones.
7. Save your receipts. Saving receipts can ensure you are tracking expenses and not being charged for something you didn’t buy. After you return home, be sure to double check your credit card statements. Make sure you are not overcharged on any purchases or see any suspicious charges.

Happy travels,

Kevin