TravelCommentator

Category: Tips & Advice

Destinations / Tips & Advice

EES: Our Experience

In my article on the new EES (Entry/Exit System) I mentioned I’d report back what we experienced entering and exiting the Schengen Area (or Zone). Since I have a European passport and don’t use my Australian passport to enter the Schengen Area, I would not have experienced what was described in the article I wrote back in October, but my wife yes, she only has an Australian passport (for the moment).

Tips & Advice

Freedom in Motion: Crafting a Career That Travels With You

There’s a certain rhythm to working from the road — the hum of espresso machines in the background, sunlight sliding across your laptop screen, that quiet thrill of building something on your own terms. The digital nomad path isn’t about escape; it’s about alignment. Work that fits the life you actually want.

Backpack in an overhead bin on a Boeing 787-10

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Hidden Dangers of Overhead Bins

On my recent flight back from Singapore there was an incident that caused concern. A man sitting in an aisle seat was hit on the head by a bag with duty free items that had fallen from the overhead bin. I heard a large bang and looked around and saw an older man holding his head and another man picking up a sealed duty free bag with two cartons containing alcohol, one was clearly identified as a bottle of Scotch. The overhead bin was open and I could see it was full of roller cases and when the man who picked up the duty free bag tried putting them back in the locker there was no room. They were sitting on the edge just...

Tips & Advice

Pre-authorisations at Hotels: What are They?

What is a hotel pre-authorisation? Many ask this when booking a hotel direct and whether they are paying at the time of booking or at arrival or check-out at the hotel. First let’s explain what an pre-authorisation is. A hotel pre-authorisation is a temporary authorisation hold placed on a guest’s credit or debit card to confirm the card is valid and has sufficient funds to cover room charges and potential incidental expenses. It’s not a final charge but a temporary hold on funds, typically processed at check-in on arrival at the establishment, that is then released or adjusted to the final bill upon checkout. This process helps hotels prevent fraud and ensures payment for the stay.

Destinations / Tips & Advice

Europe’s New Entry System for Non-EU Nationals: What it Means

The European Union’s new digital border control system for non-EU citizens entering and leaving the Schengen zone—the EES (Entry/Exit System)—will come into effect from Sunday 12 October. The system will be rolled out over a period of 6 months until 10 April 2026. When fully implemented it will streamline movements of non-EU travellers, monitor visa-free stays and strengthen border security. What can we expect with the roll out? At first some confusion and a few bottlenecks at the EU entry points: airport immigration and border crossings. Seaports where travellers may be coming from countries outside the EU, such as the UK, North Africa, Turkey and the Middle East will also be affected as well as passengers on the Eurostar train service from London to...

Tips & Advice

How to Plan the Perfect Surprise Trip for Your Partner Without Giving It Away

Planning a surprise trip for your partner can feel like juggling secrets, logistics, and love letters all at once. It’s equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking — one wrong move and the surprise is toast. But when done right, the moment of reveal becomes a shared memory that lives longer than the vacation itself. The key? Foresight, empathy, and a stealth-level planning game. It’s not just about booking flights and picking hotels — it’s about anticipating reactions, dodging spoilers, and crafting a mini-experience before the actual journey begins. Here’s how to pull off a romantic getaway they’ll never see coming.

Tips & Advice

Travel Planning Revisited

Back in December 2020 I wrote an article on how I planned my travels. However, I didn’t mention how I kept that information filed and handy. Like in an office where a lot of information and data is kept on file, some digitally on computer and others in written format filed in cabinets, the same is done with travel plans. I file all my travel information into a folder and separate the information under different headings, then I store the folder(s) on my desk or file them away in a filing cabinet, easily accessible when I need to consult or update them. How do I separate the information I collect? Principally in two folders; one with the destination(s) I’ll be travelling to and the...

Tips & Advice

From Office Chair to Open Skies: Build a Location-Free Life That Works

You’ve stared at the office wall one too many times. Same desk, same Slack pings, same stale coffee. But what if you could break the loop—without breaking your career? Becoming a digital nomad isn’t a fantasy. It’s a systems upgrade. With the right structure, you can live anywhere, work everywhere, and still hit your deadlines. This guide shows you how.

Tips & Advice

Smart Travel Tips for Seniors: Comfort, Safety and Confidence on the Go

Travel can be one of life’s greatest pleasures at any age—but for seniors, it takes a little more intention. The small things that used to be second nature (packing, navigating crowds, or adjusting to new environments) can introduce new challenges as we age. But that doesn’t mean travel has to become intimidating or out of reach. It just means you travel smarter. Whether you’re heading to a family reunion across the country or ticking a bucket list city off the map, here’s how to do it on your terms.

Air Travel / Airports / Tips & Advice

Airport Hotels

Some may ask why are there hotels at airports when most people travel to the centre of cities or towns where they’ll be staying while holidaying or doing business? The short answer is convenience. Mostly for those that require a place to stay immediately before or after their flight. They are perfect for people who do not live close to a major airport and have difficulty getting there within a required time before a flight or perhaps a late flight when public transport may not be available. A good example are country people that come from outside cities and are required to travel a fair distance. Also business people who want an easy transition between doing business and flying in or out. There are...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Sky High Thieves

A few days ago well known YouTuber Sam Chui did a story on thefts on planes alerting his many subscribers (in the millions) to the possibility of their valuables being swiped. Having property stolen while transiting airports or actually on board a plane is not something many give much thought to or are aware of. We think theft while travelling is mostly pickpocketing or scams at tourist sites and while sightseeing. It does happen and stealing on planes is not a recent thing. I remember, about ten years ago or so, reading a blog post on a loyalty website. In that article it mentioned Asia as the prime hotspot, specifically flights in and out of China and Hong Kong (this last destination noted by...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Worst Becomes the Best Seat in the House

Can the worst seat in Economy Class actually become the best? You may ask, “how can that be so?” Well this happened to a female passenger on my return flight from Rome (FCO) to Singapore (SIN) in late January this year. The exact same seat that I labelled the worst seat ever (see my article “The Worst Seat Imaginable”) about a year ago when I flew in the opposite direction SIN-FCO. On that flight I took a gamble. I moved from the seat I had previously chosen, way back in the middle tail section, to the forward section. At the time when selecting this seat, around 48 hours before flight departure, the row was empty. I chose the aisle seat just in case. As...

Air Travel / Opinion / Technology / Tips & Advice

Turbulence, Avoidance and Legalities

Turbulence is becoming a real issue flying, especially on long haul flights where there’s more chance of it happening. I won’t get into the scientific or technical explanation of how and why turbulence happens and whether it is exacerbated by climate change, etc. I’m more interested whether the passengers aboard flights can be notified visually of bad weather (and the possibility of turbulence) instead of being warned by a chime and a seat belt sign lighting up. Before take off the captain or co-pilot make an announcement—the one where they welcome you on board and give some general info on the flight including if there’s chance of bad weather or turbulence, etc.,—is the only time, except when required during the flight, the cockpit makes...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Medicines: Preparing for the Unexpected

A recent trip to Europe made me realise my lack of planning regarding health and whether I should have taken any medications with me as a precaution. Of course I was super confident I’d be fine and thought I’d be immune from any of the usual nasties, like a cold, a sore throat, etc. What made me think this way? Well, throughout the “COVID-19 pandemic” I was fine. No colds, no sore throats, no fevers and no coughs, etc. I did get something but didn’t get tested to see whether it was COVID or not. It did feel different and it wasn’t like any cold or influenza (which I haven’t had for probably 30 years) so it made me think this has to be...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Anti-Bacterial Wipes a Necessity in the Cabin, Definitely

Some will be thinking, “I won’t be taking any wipes with me and do the cleaning others should have done for me”. I’ll guarantee you, you will get strange looks from other passengers if you start doing the wiping and cleaning after sitting down in your seat. They do it to make you feel out of place as most won’t bother. But there is no dodging this fact; airline pilots and cabin crew recommend antibacterial wipes. Why? Because they know their workplace and know what goes on. Do I agree with them? Wholeheartedly even though I haven’t asked them specifically. I have always suspected the airplane cabin to be a place that harboured bacteria. I can tell you this through observation. Others should do...

* Review / Tips & Advice / Trains / Transport

Leonardo Express

Another short review about the best way to travel between Rome’s airport at Fiumicino and central Rome at the Roma Termini railway station. I have used this service virtually every time I am in Rome and I cannot fault it. It’s not cheaper than catching one of the bus services that run the same route to Roma Termini. If time is important the Leonardo Express is the best solution as the buses take about twice as long to get to Fiumicino and traffic can be a problem depending on the time of day. Also the buses do not run as frequent. Taxis are expensive and Ubers although more competitive are still prone by those road issues. If your destination is not central Rome or...

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

The Risks FAs Take on The Job Deserves Respect

The recent events of severe turbulence on two flights Singapore Airlines SQ 321 (London to Singapore) on the 21st of May and Qatar Airways QR017 (Doha to Dublin) on the 26th of May, has highlighted the dangers of being a Flight Attendant (FA). Yes, passengers did get hurt some severely with one elderly person dying from a heart attack, but cabin crew do this everyday with higher probability of getting injured while making sure passengers are safe. Their job is not all rosy and glamorous as some may think. They work very hard. Passengers need to understand this. Next time you fly please spare a thought for the FAs and what they have to endure while doing their job and the risks they take...

Loyalty / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Hotel Memberships and Newsletters; Their Value

Just recently one of the hotel chains based in South East Asia, Far East Hospitality, sent me an email with a discount voucher. It was a nice surprise. They valued me as a member, even though I haven’t been that loyal. My last stay with them was many years ago. It’s not because of their product, which is good, it’s just that I’ve stayed elsewhere during this time. Just after that stay I signed up to their loyalty programme and newsletter which I receive regularly and keeps me informed of their products, services, promotions and new hotels. This particular email was sent to all their members celebrating “Members’ Day”. A promotion they do every year during the month of May. A nice gesture for...

Air Travel / Loyalty / Tips & Advice

Is Pursuing Status Worth It?

There are various perspectives to whether status is worth its weight…in Gold. It can be complicated. The simplest answer; does the individual see value in chasing status? Holding on to it is also a challenge. So the question beckons. Is it worth it?

Air Travel / Tips & Advice

Losing my iPhone at Fiumicino Airport

A moment I never thought would happen to me; losing my iPhone. Something I would dread to experience again… Like many people today we carry our lives on our smartphones. We are so dependent on them for most of our daily tasks: phone calls, messages, email, notifications, banking, air and train travel, identification, etc. To make matters worse most of the world around you requires a smart device to actually get things done. What would we do without them? This is why if your smartphone goes missing you are in a jam. The feeling of helplessness will overcome you, but, there is no place for panicking. A level head is required. As long as the smartphone is missing or lost and not destroyed there...

* Review / Chauffeur & Taxi Services / Tips & Advice / Transport

My first experience with Uber

I don’t usually catch taxis (cabs) on my travels, whether it is going to and from the airport or for general transport between places I visit. I tend to always catch public transport when it is convenient. However with luggage in tow not all public transport is suitable. Trains from airports to central stations are fine. Most places I’ve visited have this well sorted and just to name a few: Athens, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Singapore, Hong Kong… I have caught taxis too in the past in Barcelona, Hong Kong, Rome…, but I think unless they are the only option I now have an alternative. One I didn’t really fancy trying before. When travelling between home and the airport and back I was happy...