Of course, as a trade-off, finding parking for a rental car in a crowded city may actually be more stress than it is worth. In urban locations, it might be best to simply pay for a car by the mile and not have to worry about parking since in most destinations, standard taxicab services are readily available. There are also a number of hybrid transportation service models such as Uber and Lyft, which have evolved in the 21st century and offer certain advantages over the standard taxicab option. These new transportation models allow anyone who has a car to drive passengers around their hometown for money. With drivers ready to go whenever and wherever you are, it is not even necessary to reserve a cab if you wish to be picked up and whisked …show more content…
Visit Friends and Family Friends and family who don’t often get to see you would very likely be happy to have you visit. They would likely be insulted if you opt for paid accommodations instead of choosing to stay with them. To be a gracious guest, it is advisable to pick up the tab for some expenses such as meal tickets, groceries, or special events. By buying your hosts tickets to a special event near their home, they might see something they otherwise would not have while enjoying a mini-vacation right in their own backyards. Indeed, I find that hosting folks from out-of-town often gives me a new appreciation for the place I live – hosting out-of-towners takes me out of my daily routine and rewards me with new experiences without the need to go very far. So, whenever possible, stay with friends and family, but keep the tourist mind-set and look for exciting experiences the area has to …show more content…
One of the first things I do upon arrival at a new destination is to ask a local contact what’s happening in town. Once, while visiting Guatemala on business, I found out a classical concert was scheduled at the National Palace during my stay. By finding this out from locals ahead of time, I was able to secure a ticket to attend. On a business trip to Panama, I was able to attend a World Cup Qualifying football match between Jamaica and Panama. Once you get into a new city or country, be sure to ask local contacts what activities and events are scheduled. You might be pleasantly