How to travel to tropical islands?
Polina Denisenkova, specialist in Asia and exotic destinations of the travel agency "Mare Mio" and Dina Kuchina, PR-manager of "TNT-Yekaterinburg" February 1 live talked about the upcoming summer, season of holidays and islands, so far and so close, as well as the premiere of the second season of the series "Island" on TNT
D. Kuchina and P. Denisenkova discussed topical tourist offers, resorts that are in demand, romantic trips to the Day of All Lovers and features of family holidays.
D.K.: What areas are popular with Ekaterinburgers now?
- PJ: Now East Hawaii is popular (the Chinese island is at the latitude of the Hawaiian Islands), people choose Zanzibar - an archipelago of several islands in the Indian Ocean - its beaches will compete with the Maldives. People travel to Sri Lanka with a convenient flight through Dubai to Colombo. Traditionally popular ThailandRhodes, Crete, Cyprus.
They say that China is very expensive and unimaginable prices? Of course, if we eat lobster every day, then rest will cost you a penny.
JC: What is important in these areas? Plan them as All inclusive? Or are we paying for travel and travel?
- It depends on the tour. If you're flying to Crete with the kids, take an all-inclusive hotel. If you fly to Phipha Don or Zanzibar, you take breakfast or go without food and buy everything there. Products are available and available at every step.
D.K.: Question from the listener: when to buy vouchers Georgia?
- P.D.: Georgia is a very popular destination, many fly independently, we help to choose flights and transfers separately. Tourists also like to travel with a sightseeing program, visit several cities. Last season it was a very popular destination.
JC: What time does a tourist need to prepare for a trip, have time to buy a tour, issue documents and somewhere to save money?
PJ: I recommend that everyone prepare for their vacation in advance. All airlines and hotels thank you for booking your holiday in advance. They see in advance which flights can be added and which ones can be removed. This gives you up to 70% off your booking. If we book a hotel in feral, it costs 60 thousand rubles, and in the season it costs 150 thousand, then there is a significant difference. You can choose a hotel for every taste, because not all hotels are confirmed in the season.
DK: Question from the listener: the foreign passport is valid for another six months. Where can I fly?
PJ: Well, there are many destinations you can fly to, Hainan, Thailand. I recommend that you get a passport as soon as possible.
JC: I recently changed my passport, it was made thanks to the website of the state service in three weeks. Another question about the islands - where do you need a visa?
- PJ: Greece is a Schengen area, a visa is required. You do not need a visa to Cyprus, they have their own and are issued free of charge and quickly. Thailand, Zanzibar, Djerba - visa is not required, we fly calmly.
JC: Are there any other tricks that will help you save your budget?
PJ: There are tricks in every direction. We need to know about the hotel. Many tourists think that in hotels with ultra-all-inclusive – very cool. But ultra-all-inclusive can only include, for example, longer bar hours. Again, some "fours" are much better than "fives". Each country has its own nuances and we have to tell them to you.
JC: How does a tourist prepare for a trip?
- PJ: First of all, you need to find out if you are out - you need to call the border service or check it on the website. When traveling, take sunscreen with you, because the sun is very active on the islands. I recommend not to go out immediately on the heat, and a couple of days to sunbathe in the shade, under an umbrella. Think about flying, what you will occupy yourself for several hours in the flight.
JC: The first thing I do is put D-panthenol in my first aid kit, because Pauline said the right thing about getting burned very quickly.
PJ: I put D-panthenol, too. More Smecta and Enterosgel. We have an experienced mother who has compiled a list of medicines and we give this list to every traveler of our agency with children. And then there's the baggage. Your suitcase in travel often comes dirty, so catch, maybe you will buy a special case or film, you still need to hang a special tag, somehow mark it.
D.K.: The question from the listener is: do you need to pay attention to otsovnik sites?
- PJ: Very good question. I also read reviews, we go on advertising tours and often go, but hotels change, other hosts come. Reviews should be read between the lines, because you do not know what countries this person has visited before and his preferences.
JC: Do you have any recommendations on the process of recreation on the islands, in the tropics?
I recommend leaving diamonds and chains at home. Don't provoke the locals. There are small thieves who can break the chain, they are attracted to gold. Bring fruits from the islands, take a small bag with you in advance, which you can fill with souvenirs, etc. You don’t have to spend money and buy it there. I advise you not to carry towels from home, because these are additional kilograms to your luggage, but to buy them at the resort.
JC: Who will tell you all the information about what can be carried and in what quantity?
PJ: Of course you need to talk to your guide, you can also ask me. In many countries, the export of coral is prohibited. About the export of fruit - the rules depend on the airline. I usually distribute the fruit in a suitcase, before wrapping it in something.
DK: Is it possible to find a group of your agency on VKontakte?
P.D.: VKontakte group vk.com/mare mio. Our Instagram instagram.com/maremio travel/
Q: Which tour did you sell for the lowest price?
I went to Vietnam for two weeks, the tour cost 25.000 rubles for two. It was a very spontaneous trip. It happened that I sold trips for 8 and 5 thousand rubles.
DK: Share the secrets of budget travel?
- PJ: If you can’t fly for 14 days, you can go for two, three, four nights. Let it be not the Mediterranean Sea, but our Black Sea, you will fly for 8 thousand in Sochi, take a walk along the Red glade. Believe me, there is something to see, you can go skiing. It's a great substitute for a day off. For 8 thousand you go to the sea (flight, accommodation, breakfast, transfer).
DK: Do travel agents often reveal the secrets of low prices?
- PJ: We disclose often. I learned that it is better to travel for a short time, but more often. Of course, if you fly with children, the minimum travel time will be 10 days, because acclimatization in a child takes longer. And early booking for the fourth year in a row is very happy.
JC: Imagine that we did not have time to prepare for rest, and we want to fly in a week. What payment methods do you have?
- PJ: We have four months installments, without interest - you came to us, photographed passports - you can immediately buy a tour. There is a loan, it is also without interest.
DK: We were sent questions to the VKontakte vk.com/tntekb group, and now we will read them. The question is: what foods are ideal for the tropics and why you should not take sausage in hot countries?
- P.D.: I remember the situation when in March last year on the island of Hainan in a bus on a transfer from tourists took lard and eggs. Sausage you can take, but then transport it to Tetra Pak so that it does not spoil. Take with you dried fruits or seeds, nuts.
JC: How do you handle the heat?
- PJ: If you can’t stand the heat, it’s best to choose alternative destinations or travel at the end of the season when it’s not as hot. Do not go out at lunchtime in the sun, drink more liquids.
DK: Do you have a lot of tourists who don’t know where to go and ask for advice?
PJ: There are a lot of people out there, but I’m ready to help you. We have an office, we'll pour you coffee and tea. In 12 years, I can quickly determine what you need and what you don’t need. Live communication is the best communication.
Q: Where would you recommend flying with a baby?
I would recommend Crete or Cyprus. There is a short flight, about 4 hours, there is no serious acclimatization. You can have a nice hotel, all-inclusive.
DK: The question from the listener is: where to go on a romantic trip for All Lovers’ Day and how much will it cost?
PJ: Lovers should fly to the Maldives! Good price tags are on the island of Hainan, a week costs 60-70 thousand rubles. By the way, about the expensive Maldives - you can fly there economically - fly to Sri Lanka and from there buy tickets to the Maldives for some very penny. On the islands for three days to rent a great villa on the beach and live, take pictures!
DK: Question from the listener: are there tours to the northern islands, to Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Scandinavia?
- P. D: Of course, there are tours to these islands, it is better to go there in the summer, but it is not too cheap. Flights there are not charter flights, but regular ones. The price for such a tour starts from 100,000 rubles per person.
DK: Question from the listener: What time is it better to fly to Cuba?
Tours to Cuba cost 150-160 thousand rubles. Hotels 5 stars on "all inclusive". Cuba is year-round.
Q: The most dangerous tourist destinations?
- PJ: Caracas and Brazil. But people don't really go there.
JC: What's the cuisine on the islands?
- PJ: A variety of seafood: lobsters, shrimp, eels, fish, fruits and rice.
DK: Question from the listener: What fun are there for kids?
PJ: It all depends on the state. In Cyprus, for example, there is a wonderful Luna Park, in Crete - entertainment on the territory of the hotel.
JC: If your vacation and rest will not be soon and is in delayed waiting mode, we advise you one cool and free way that will help you relax. On February 5, we turn on TNT at 20.00 and from the TV screen a warm breeze blows on you, the sun will shine, you will find yourself on the islands!
The Island is a comedy series, the second season of which begins on Monday. For the second winter in a row, TNT is preparing a “climate weapon” that can defeat any February frost, any winter and send you to the tropics, providing a portion of humor!