What Do You Do When You First Arrive at a Travel Destination?

[MARTINE]

Hi again AFF family,
I need to keep some levity in my threads to balance the (mostly appropriate) gravitas of Covid related topics.
We can’t travel for O/seas holidays but -thinking back to when we did - remember the excitement of getting into the hotel abd starting ‘the holiday’
Whats your travel ritual?
1/I unpack everything and secrete the (if they’re high quality) given toiletries into my luggage. You know I have form here.
2/Go to the nearest supermarket and just stroll. I buy the newspaper , all my toiletries as I do hand luggage only and alternatives to the hotel drinks. They are put into my supermarket reusable bag from the destination to remind me when home if the memory
3/ Having already had lengthy comms prior to arrival with concierge who already knows me (much to the embarrassment of my family)… get a coffee+/- meal and mention Pierre told me this is the best place to do so. Then I ask the staff their suggestions

whats your travel ‘ritual’?

 

[henrus]

Interesting question and unless it's late often I won't even bother going to the hotel. I'm someone who just travels with a backpack (nothing massive just 25L) even on longer trips through Asia and the Pacific (remember those). As a result when landing in a city unless there is work to be done then it's off to explore or find a brewery/bar.

One big thing though is upon arrival I aim to get through and leave the airport as quickly as possible. Sometimes at major airports you see people wheeling a checked bag with an emirates tag or other unique airline and then realise that flight landed 90+ minutes ago.

 

[kpc]

Apart from getting to my hotel and check in rituals, I usually go for a walk around the neighbourhood to soak up the atmosphere. If I'm in a new city I often go on a "free" walking tour to get oriented to the city and to get an idea of what to see and where to eat / drink.

 

[jakeseven7]

Have a shower to wash the filth of the common people off me

 

[tgh]

I tend to be like kpc.. fly>Hotel> walkies time.. even if I am lagged it helps with orientation.
That first few hours can be very atmospheric, especially if well off the beaten track.

 

[MARTINE]

Have a shower to wash the filth of the common people off me

You J snob you!!!!

Post automatically merged: Aug 21, 2021

Interesting question and unless it's late often I won't even bother going to the hotel. I'm someone who just travels with a backpack (nothing massive just 25L) even on longer trips through Asia and the Pacific (remember those). As a result when landing in a city unless there is work to be done then it's off to explore or find a brewery/bar.

One big thing though is upon arrival I aim to get through and leave the airport as quickly as possible. Sometimes at major airports you see people wheeling a checked bag with an emirates tag or other unique airline and then realise that flight landed 90+ minutes ago.

Really agree re no checked luggage …. Soo liberating

 

[jase05]

After we get to the hotel I always go for a wander to get my bearings especially in a new place. Doesn’t matter the time we get in but I always do it. If it’s day time I try and find a barber as I’m a bit of a compulsive shaver and like my 2 or 3 barber visits per week

 

[VPS]

Hi again AFF family,
I need to keep some levity in my threads to balance the (mostly appropriate) gravitas of Covid related topics.
We can’t travel for O/seas holidays but -thinking back to when we did - remember the excitement of getting into the hotel abd starting ‘the holiday’
Whats your travel ritual?
1/I unpack everything and secrete the (if they’re high quality) given toiletries into my luggage. You know I have form here.
2/Go to the nearest supermarket and just stroll. I buy the newspaper , all my toiletries as I do hand luggage only and alternatives to the hotel drinks. They are put into my supermarket reusable bag from the destination to remind me when home if the memory
3/ Having already had lengthy comms prior to arrival with concierge who already knows me (much to the embarrassment of my family)… get a coffee+/- meal and mention Pierre told me this is the best place to do so. Then I ask the staff their suggestions

whats your travel ‘ritual’?

So if you buy your toiletries when you arrive what happens if you're moving on every few days. Do you leave them behind and buy more. I wish I could do this but so many skin allergies and it's hard to get hypoallergenic stuff everywhere and especially cheaply

 

[MARTINE]

So if you buy your toiletries when you arrive what happens if you're moving on every few days. Do you leave them behind and buy more. I wish I could do this but so many skin allergies and it's hard to get hypoallergenic stuff everywhere and especially cheaply

Ill rephrase - the first stop of the trip is full toiletries stock up (and keep the nice hotel ones). We tend to travel in Europe on trains so no probs carrying with us…So bar the toiletries I do all the other things at each hotel… Re your products: One thing you could do is research the brands you use and then go online to see if local place stocks. ?

 

[RooFlyer]

Another one for going for a recconaissance walk on arrival. Usually ends up being much longer than I planned, but by the end I have hopefully gotten my bearings, seen where shops/public transport are, scoped some eateries and absorbed enough sunshine to nudge the body clock back into line.

 

[VPS]

Ill rephrase - the first stop of the trip is full toiletries stock up (and keep the nice hotel ones). We tend to travel in Europe on trains so no probs carrying with us…So bar the toiletries I do all the other things at each hotel… Re your products: One thing you could do is research the brands you use and then go online to see if local place stocks. ?

and you still manage hand luggage only - well done

 

[TheRealTMA]

Have luggage taken to room then go to bar!

edit: forgot to add, go to bar with wife and iPad!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I take pictures and a video of the room/ suite unless it’s ugly/ordinary or I’ve stayed a million times before.
I unpack my suitcase, hang things in the wardrobe and clothes in the drawers.
Then I unpack my skincare and toiletries and set up the bathroom vanity to my liking.
Turn off the TVs with the annoying “Welcome Princess Fiona” message.
Leave the room and check out the Spa, pool , Gym etc.
Arrive at the Exec Lounge 5 minutes before evening drinks and canapés to get a good seat for people watching.

 

[oznflfan]

Have luggage taken to room then go to bar!

edit: forgot to add, go to bar with wife and iPad!

Don't travel as fancy as you, take my own bag to the room, then head to the bar.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Don't travel as fancy as you, take my own bag to the room, then head to the bar.

Youngster! Remember, “if you don’t travel first class,your children will”.

and after being in the bar for a while, we go back to room for afternoon nap then head to exec lounge for canopies and G&T and wine from around 6-7.

 

[Denali]

Take photos or video of the room, open bags (chargers/power board, laptops, get out room comfy clothes), unpack toiletries and usually have a shower and nap.

If theres a lounge, we most prob will head there for a mini feed before we venture out to a nearby grocery store for some basics snacks as we rarely have 3 meals a day when travelling so lunch or dinner is usually light (nuts, cheese, water ect). If weather/sun permitting we might venture out for dinner if hungry or just a look around.

1st day is generally a quite one for us as we like to rest before next day outing.

 

[tgh]

I cannot remember actually unpacking in a hotel room as I never stay anywhere long enough to do that.
Cruise ships are different, it's sometimes a bit of panic , unpacking has to happen quickly to find some dinner clothes, send stuff out for pressing, lifeboat drill, change into freshly pressed clothes returned by the butler, pre dinner drinks, dinner, post dinner drinks, show, post show drinks… sigh…...

 

[Stealthflyer]

If I arrive AM, first thing I do it find a coffee and then I head to an art gallery. I usually have quite the list prepared.

 

[flyingfan]

Turn off TV, move card from the bed, take out toiletries and any big items that have been suffocating in the suitcase, stick DND sign on the door, take photo of room number with phone, put valuables in safe, connect to wifi, use Google Maps to get bearings of immediate vicinity and start exploring.

 

[MARTINE]

Turn off TV, move card from the bed, take out toiletries and any big items that have been suffocating in the suitcase, stick DND sign on the door, take photo of room number with phone, put valuables in safe, connect to wifi, use Google Maps to get bearings of immediate vicinity and start exploring.

Yes - putting the valuables in safe - I forgot that.Tx. I feel more comfortable carrying tiny bits of cash and low value card w photocopy of passport when I roam. If I do - and I stress this is rare !!! - find something I would like to buy I can always walk back feeling virtuous and deserving after all that exercise

Post automatically merged: Aug 21, 2021

Yes - putting the valuables in safe - I forgot that.Tx. I feel more comfortable carrying tiny bits of cash and low value card w photocopy of passport when I roam. If I do - and I stress this is rare !!! - find something I would like to buy I can always walk back feeling virtuous and deserving after all that exercise

I’m also impressed about taking photo of room. I’ve never done that …