25 Travel Secrets From People Who Have Been There

R Balakrishnan
Ad film-maker, 40
Always pick a comfortable hotel room. Don’t compromise to save money.

Carol Lobo
Journalist, 38
Travel the way the locals do. On a journey down the Konkan coast, take a bone-rattling ride in a state transport bus, switch to a six-seater and definitely make it across a creek or river in a leaky boat.

Shruti Seth
Veejay, 26
Know the basics of the native language. I picked up a smattering of Italian from our guide and it’s amazing how people instantly warm up to you when you speak their language. It could be as simple as asking for vino rouge instead of red wine.

Namrata Iyer
Management professional, 25
Parasailing and scuba diving are must-dos at Boracay, south of Manila. And when the parasailing boat shoots you 200 feet into the air, lie back in your harness and the world goes still, though the boat is pulling you along at breakneck speed. Then, whip out your digicam—it’s the best aerial view possible of the long, tapering island.

Milind Gunaji
Actor, 42
Befriend locals; on a dangerous trip, they can be lifesavers. On a trip to Harishchandragadh in Maharashtra, the terrain was tough and the journey involved spending a night in the caves. But the villagers knew alternative routes. They also cooked for us. Most importantly, they had secret calls to scare away wild animals.

Urmila Dongre
Photographer, 53
Never eat Indian food abroad.

John Abraham
Actor, 30
Go boho. I believe in packing everything in one haversack. Even for a 10-day trip, I just carry my backpack.

Captain Hamid Madan
Businessman, 40
Don’t book in advance. The only thing you should decide is the place—let the rest happen once you get there.

Sanjeev Arora
Builder, 38
Europe in 15 days makes no sense. Instead, pick two places, say Venice and London, and savour a week in each.

Premola Ghosh
Public relations head, 51
Live off the land—make the best use of whatever is available. I travel light as I shop quite a lot, but I usually pick up lots of local, inexpensive junk.

Kshiti Nijhawan
Assistant director, 26
Carry Maggi noodles: Cook them anywhere, anytime.

Indrani Sinha
Principal, 37
Behave yourself. I say this because when I was recently in Thailand, Phuket, one of the shops had a board that read: No Indians Allowed. It was quite embarrassing but then I feel many of us probably don’t follow basic etiquette.

Sanat Shodhan
Wildlife photographer, 62
Always draw up a list of must-haves.

Diwan Manna
Artist, 46
Earplugs, eye caps, toilet rolls, medicines, mouth freshener, umbrella, windcheater with a hood, muffler, a formal dress and lots of clean underwear and socks. These are a must.

Mandira Gauba
Consultant, 49
Always equip yourself with basic medication because abroad everything can be bought only by prescription. Even getting a simple Aspirin can give you a headache.

Iain Ball
Journalist, 34
Travel off-season for super low air fares. In January, a couple of years back, I flew from London to the south of France on a no-frills airline for £10 (about Rs 800). Hotels are also likely to be empty and rooms cheaper. The only disadvantage is that some tourist attractions are closed, but those open won’t be swamped.

Rajat Sikka
Businessman, 32
Carry two sets of spectacles. Wear track pants and slippers on long flights. And never ask an air hostess her number. Let her give it to you.

Deepankar Basu
Writer, 28
Carry condoms. It’s very important because some governments do not allow foreign travellers to buy them for cultural and medical reasons. Never inquire about the local delicacy at your hotel: Ask the guard or the petrol pump attendant. And catch the sunset whichever part of the world you go.

Payal Bose
Journalist, 26
For cold/damp places, don’t forget the hairdryer. It’s not about vanity. The dryer can also help dry out those wet, soggy sneakers and damp clothes.

Sajid Khan
Television host, 34
Eat food only where you can see it being prepared.

Siddharth Kak
Producer, 55
Don’t schedule something for every minute. You never know when you’ll chance upon an interesting person, a virgin locale or a charming pub.

Manisha Iyer
Research fellow, 27
If you’re ever trekking through the Rocky Mountains National Park in Colorado, stop at the nearby village called Estes Park. Knock at one of the friendly homesteads and ask for a snack. Chances are they’ll offer you the delicious home-made cinnamon and sugar-coated almonds—a warm, sweet, lip-smacking pit stop. Two dollars for a paper cone is the average price accepted. Free samples.

Sumana Ghosh
Frequent traveller, 24
The world’s most common travel disease, diarrhoea, has a simple remedy: A tablespoon of water with eight pinches of sugar and a pinch of salt.