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Did you know you are "Vertically Limited"? Let me explain: Whenever I start to consider an international adventure, I begin by applying what I call Vertical Limits (yours and mine). In other words; how does the program identify with our 'senior' capacity to be vertical? My experience suggests most of us can manage no more than about 10 hours a day - especially when we are on an extended holiday. The other 14 hours are needed for contemplation and quiet repose. Sleeping, in other words.
On tour, this means planning the itinerary so we can arise a little later in the morning, and leave for our daily safari after the last seating for breakfast. We faithfully stop every two hours to 'stretch'. We will arrive at our overnight accommodations a little earlier in the day, and we seldom make extensive formal evening plans. Quite a bit of interesting data can be developed by using my "10-hours = Daily Vertical Limit" formula. For one thing, it's a great tool for determining costs and values when considering your travel investment. In the halcyon days of yesteryear, I learned a good "rule of thumb" for travel costs was about $100 per person, per day. In the new millennium, I've discovered it's closer to $200 (inflation, no doubt). Using the Vertical Limits formula, that means your vacation is going to cost you about $20.00 per "active hour" from the time you leave the ground on departure, until you return home. Say you're going on a two-week trip to England. That's 14(days) X 10(hours per day) X $20(dollars per hour) = $2,800.00. This is just about what to expect for costs as a group tour member using economy class group airfare, sharing a double-room with bath; including daily breakfast, daily transportation and touring. My 1999 trip to England and Scotland was about $2700 (14 days), and just over $3100 for our 15 day journey to eight countries in western Europe in 2001. Extra airfare was required to get us back to England from Norway, but otherwise right in the Vertical Limits Bandbox. You may find it interesting to apply this formula to tours you find advertised anywhere. The closer to the formula, the better the travel value, in this writer's opinion. TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT - THAT IS THE QUESTION: A good pal and traveling companion called me after reading some of my notes, and suggested I talk a bit about FOOD. Specifically, he wondered why I seldom include evening meals in my tour package costs. The answer is complex, but it boils down to MONEY. Let's presume you can buy a reasonable lunch for $10 or equivalent, on your own. If I buy it in advance, I will be responsible for the menu; I will be required to 'guarantee' the numbers and the quote will include 'tax and tip' of about 25%. Your tour cost will increase to about $17.50 for each gastronomic experience. If all meals are included in a 10-day program, your initial tour cost could very easily be increased by more than $350 per person! You are going to question the value of such a price, and frankly - so am I. An interesting statistic rears its head: American Plan (three meals a day) is virtually unavailable in America. Overseas, one finds that a continental breakfast is usually included in the hotel quotation. (This equates to 'bed and breakfast' - and is what I usually buy). The British usually quote for 'bed and Full English Breakfast'. This represents a staggering amount of food every morning - and most Americans love it! Modified American Plan means 'breakfast and one other meal'. Full American Plan is 'all meals included'. My experience has been that most travelers appreciate having breakfast included, may or may not be in the mood for lunch - and whenever possible - prefer to explore for dinner on their own. This puts the traveler in control of menu and costs for lunch and dinner, both of which can be purchased on a credit card. It also makes the initial tour price a lot more reasonable and attractive. It's fun to have breakfast together, and it is efficient as well. While everybody is munching their muslix, I get to count heads (and luggage), and ensure the day's activities get started on time. Lunch time may find us along the highway, or in a quaint village, and enough time is made available for everybody to find sustenance. We try and check in to our hotel fairly early, and while 40% will prefer to take dinner there, the rest will scatter to the gastronomic winds, and come home belching tales of gourmet delights they found on their own. WHAT'S THIS "BAGS BEFORE BREAKFAST" BUSINESS? You first saw this mentioned back in the Luggage section. It didn't take many trips abroad with Americans to discover I had to take some control over AM activities or we'd never get started in the morning! Your itinerary will include schedules and times - not meant to be restrictive, but to guarantee you'll get to all the adventures listed in your diary. All this means getting started on time in the morning, even though we try to make it 'senior sensitive'. The easiest way to do this is to insist that each tour member have luggage packed and stacked in the hall outside the room BEFORE coming downstairs to the breakfast buffet. During the meal, hotel porters, your driver and I will get all the bags counted and on board the coach. After breakfast, everybody climbs directly aboard, and we're off (on time) for the day's adventure. Sounds simple, doesn't it? And now you know why I get the moniker "Bags Before Breakfast".
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