Rapid Travel Chai: Opening Doors to Hidden Countries at Frequent Travelers University Seattle 2014

1. Opening Doors to Hidden Countries Stefan Krasowski Rapid Travel Chai

12. Cons ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Red tape (visas) can be a hassle Some destinations unavoidably expensive Standards vary…a lot, especially at hotels Stress…especially with companions Andaman Islands, India

13. Awards can do a lot, but not everything ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Delta or United award to Saipan or Guam Freedom Air to Tinian $84 - $261 Rental SUV $50 = Driving North Field, B-29 Superfortress Base Enola Gay Loading PitAir Ops BuildingFreedom Air

14. Pros ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Every day is off-peak Enjoy breathtaking sights without crowds No tourist industry = few tourist scams Authentic interaction with locals Make a difference with your dollars Learn “You went where?” bar stories to tell Kyrgyzstan

18. US Passports Get the large passport book Get a passport card for land & sea & backup ID Enroll in Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI and add to airline profiles for TSA PreCheck Have scans and copies ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

20. Visas for US Citizens travel.state.gov is reliable Land borders – may not have visa on arrival or allow foreigners Specialist visa agents vs big generalists like CIBT 10-year India and 3-year Russia tourist visas Must pay Argentina reciprocity fee online in advance Yes, you need a visa for Australia ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

22. Insurance Insure yourself, your trip, or your stuff? Annual or per trip? Credit cards often insure your trip and your stuff I insure myself – GeoBlue Trekker Choice annual plan insubuy.com, travelinsurancecenter.com ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

23. Health CDC Yellow Book cdc.gov/travel Know scientific names of your meds (aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid) Plan ahead for vaccines Malaria pills pros and cons International Certificate of Vaccination ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

36. Some offbeat flight awards Star Alliance: Copa in Central America (with United complementary upgrades) Ethiopian from Washington D.C. for Africa Turkish flies 100+ countries OneWorld: Avios, Avios, Avios SkyTeam: AeroMexico for Central America and even Europe and Asia China Eastern + China Southern for trips around Asia Delta seasonal JFK flight to Prince Edward Island, Canada Tarom for Eastern Europe ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

46. Air – Budget Airlines skyscanner.com and whichbudget.com Price all the extras Know the airport – where in ‘London’? Know the terminal – Malaysian remote LCCTs Air Asia is awesome ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

53. Bolivia Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Visa on arrival at all points of entry ($135) Land transport is very rough – fly to Uyuni Uyuni tour is high altitude and physically difficult La Paz – Uyuni bus breakdown

56. How to Get to Paraguay? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved AA nonstop from Miami, or Latin American airlines Overland from Argentina (Iguazú Falls or Posadas) American Airlines Miami – Asunción inaugural flight

57. Paraguay Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Visa required – on arrival for air only ($160) Major cities have safety issues – stay in German towns Need land transport – only domestic flight is Asunción to Ciudad del Este (Brazil border) Asunción Airport

64. Transnistria Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Moldova permits tourists to visit with no hassle Visa on arrival process subject to whim Extremely little English spoken Wedding Party

67. How to Get to Victoria Falls? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved BA Avios to Victoria Falls or Livingstone from Johannesburg Star Alliance: South African or Ethiopian Day tour to Botswana’s Chobe National Park Everything but the lions

68. Victoria Falls Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Zimbabwe’s tourist industry is fine, despite the economy Visa on arrival for Zambia & Zimbabwe, free for Botswana Colonial Victoria Falls Hotel & Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel

75. Iran Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved US/UK citizens must book agency tour with guide Expect 2-3 month visa process, apply at Pakistan Embassy Iranians are cosmopolitan and very friendly to Americans Watch Rick Steves Iran Lecture: http://bit.ly/1lgelmT Home decoration expo

79. How to Get to Iraqi Kurdistan? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Fly to Erbil or Sulaimaniyah on Austrian, Lufthansa, Turkish and the Middle Eastern carriers – great award availability No viable land borders Boom town Erbil

80. Iraqi Kurdistan Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Visa on arrival, not valid for travel to rest of Iraq (free) Very safe, but still Iraq, so be alert Cash economy, don’t rely on ATMs or credit cards Entrance to many buildings

86. Bhutan Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Must book with tour agent who arranges visa on arrival Government all-inclusive rates based on group size Peak months single person tour US$290/day Last (departure) day free Guides in required traditional dress

89. How to Get to Turkmenistan? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Star Alliance Lufthansa and Turkish; OneWorld S7 SkyTeam China Southern from Ürümqi for Silk Road trips Azerbaijan by ferry, Uzbekistan by land Neighborhood MiG in Mary

90. Turkmenistan Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Tourist visa requires guided tour and long process Transit visa is guide-fee but lots of restrictions Average summer temperatures 100⁰F+ My guide in 130⁰F+ heat in non-AC Soviet jeep to Gonur

93. How to Get to Solomon Islands? ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Virgin Australia from Brisbane, Australia Combine with Great Barrier Reef Trip Award via Delta, Virgin America/Atlantic or Singapore VA retired DJ flight codes in Jan ‘13 so all flights now bookable for Delta Edson’s Bloody Ridge

94. Solomon Islands Practicalities ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved No visa required Transport to outer islands unreliable Need clan permission for some sites – guide is useful Honiara Hotel children’s pool

97. Can You Go? Yes, it is legal Now open year-round Agency handles visa and does not need your passport What if something happens? Call Swedish Embassy, Jimmy Carter or Dennis Rodman ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Mansudae Grand Monument detail

98. How to Get to North Korea? Typically must get yourself to Beijing: 2-entry visa if train or visit other Chinese cities 72-hour stopover if international flights only Train entry/exit for US citizens still an issue Koryo Air is cheaper and the full experience Air China is Star Alliance, I’ve never seen awards to FNJ… ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved Air Koryo

99. Agencies Must book with an approved agency: Koryo Tours: the pioneer with lots of options big bus tours or $$$ small group Uri Tours: new player, more boutique smaller groups Consider private tour for more local interaction ©Stefan Krasowski, All Rights Reserved

Rapid Travel Chai: Opening Doors to Hidden Countries at Frequent Travelers University Seattle 2014

rapidtravelchai

Rapid Travel Chai: Opening Doors to Hidden Countries at Frequent Travelers University Seattle 2014