5 tips for a couple traveling together for first time

The first overnight trip a couple takes together can be a tricky one. Here are some tips to make the trip go smoothly.

Going on a vacation as a couple for the first time is a big deal in any relationship. This is the kind of thing that could galvanize the romance, or sending it send it off a cliff. To help you avoid that whole cliff thing we’ve put together a couple of simple tips to follow to make that first trip with your beau or lady love a great one.

1. Plan the trip together… make it a short one

One of you might be the “natural planner,” but resist the urge to let them take care of the itinerary. This is your first big foray into travel together, so plan it together. Pull out a sheet of paper, draw a line down the middle so each of you can suggest what you’d like to do on the trip. That way you can find a place that’s suits both of you perfectly. And make the first trip you take together is no longer than a weekend getaway. It’s a great way to test the waters to make sure you two can travel together comfortably without wanting to tear one another apart.

2. Stay flexible

You both know what you’d like to do on the trip, but don’t feel like you’re beholden to a schedule. Yes, you’ll want to reserve some times to do some things, like dinner at a romantic restaurant or to see a show. This trip is all about getting to know each other better, so just let the day take you wherever it goes. Besides trying to stick to a rigid schedule sounds a lot like daily life, and that’s NOT the point of any vacation. Go with the flow, my friends.

3. Split the expenses

Putting together a trip can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Each person should be able to pick up some of the bill for a rental car, hotel, and some of the excursions you’ll be enjoying together. There’s also that pesky possibility that you may break up before the trip happens. Keep ahead of the curve on that sort of stuff by checking the refund policies on anything you reserve ahead of time.

4. Communicate

You’ve got the trip figured out, so what is there to talk about? Plenty, actually. Find out what kind of traveler your date is – quiet on the ride/flight, or if they are prone to being car-/sea-/airsick. It might seem awkward to do, but it could cut out some silent treatment or argument during the trip. And don’t feel bad about making your voice heard about not wanting to do something on the trip. You can only strike compromises on what to do if you speak up. No sense in pouting.

5. Don’t forget some alone time

You’re going to have a lot of fun with your partner for the trip, but it’s good to have some time to yourself. Make sure you both have some time to be alone on the getaway. Take a walk while your significant other relaxes in a spa. The time from one another will make you cherish the moments together that much more.

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The 7 Things You Should Never Pack When You Travel

You’re Paris-bound, but dragging your giant suitcase to baggage check is basically breaking your body. Here, seven things to cut from your packing list before you depart for vacation. Trust us, these items will never (ever) be worth it.

SHOES THAT HURT YOUR FEET

That pair of wedges that always cause you to roll your ankle? Those sneakers that rub uncomfortably against your skin? Leave 'em behind 100 percent of the time. We promise you’ll thank us when you’re schlepping through the Marais.

HARDCOVER BOOKS

Are you trying to go over the carry-on limit? If the Kindle edition isn’t available and it doesn’t come in paperback, find another read and save the 700-page Jefferson biography for when you’re back home.

A BATHING SUIT YOU DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT IN

If you’re feeling unsure in front of your bathroom mirror, there’s no way in hell you’re going to love that two-piece once you’re actually on the beach. Leave the skimpy, side-fat inducing number at home and pick out one that feels more figure-flattering.

TOO MUCH DENIM

Your favorite baby blues don’t dirty that easily--and experts actually recommend minimal washing (once a month is ideal). This means you can get away with packing just one or two pairs and rewearing from day to day.

TOILETRIES

Most hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, lotion, razors, mouthwash and more. Call ahead to double check what they offer (and while you have them on the phone, the brand they carry), then whittle your products to the essentials.

HAIRSTYLING TOOLS

Same deal: Call ahead to be sure the hotel has them, and if the answer is yes, leave your heavy hair dryer at home. (FYI, more and more hotels are letting you borrow complimentary flat irons, so be sure to ask about that, too.)

SNACKS AND WINE

We get it: You’re trying to save, but unless you’re going somewhere über-remote, hit up the local grocery store upon arrival. Done and done.

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Chat up lines for the solo traveler

Travelling alone is a wondrous thing. For the most part, it’s an opportunity to assess your life by having some genuine “me time” as you go your own route. But whilst having solo revelations upon a glorious mountaintop is all well and good; it’s always nice to share memories, especially when experiencing a new place for the first time.

 “I’ll show you my passport if you show me yours?”

Generally, when you are cooped up on an airplane as a solo traveler, the person randomly selected to sit next to you falls into one of four categories:

The crying child: Perhaps the least desirable category to be sat next to, especially during a long haul flight. Cue earplugs and eye mask.

The overexcited traveler: Normally forms part of a larger group scattered across the plane and is en route/returning from a holiday. So is perhaps fond of the on flight alcohol, is a tad merry and of course, is chatting a little too loudly to their mates across the aisle. Much like for the category above, earplugs and eye mask are a must.

The indifferent passenger: The most common of plane companions. They keep to themselves, are quiet but polite and well, ultimately forgettable the second you have stepped off the plane.

The unicorn: It’s very rare to find yourself sitting next to someone on a plane you find attractive, least of all someone you would consider to-be like-minded and potentially new friend material. Should this situation arise, you should most definitely make the most of this exceptional opportunity.

A casual toss of the complimentary packet of peanuts into their vicinity when they aren’t looking is always a good conversation starter…

“Whoops! Sorry, I accidentally dropped my peanuts by your shoes!“

Alternatively, if you find yourself on an indirect flight, pull out your itinerary, look perplexed and then ask your fellow traveler if they are in the same boat. If they are… well, great! Ask if you can join them when making the flight transfer for fear of getting lost in the foreign airport. If they aren’t travelling to the same final destination… never fear! You already have an in, so just keep asking them more questions about where they are headed and their reason for travelling. Everyone loves talking about themselves, so you are onto conversation gold.

However, if your target is a little on the quiet side, the peanut trick has failed and the travel questions have run dry; you may have to pull out all the stops. Ask if you can slip-past to use the restroom and then accidentally on purpose stumble onto their lap. If that doesn’t trigger a laugh, then blame turbulence and swiftly reach for the earplugs and eye mask.

“Nice place, do you come here often?”

It’s an oldie but a goodie: Stay in a hostel. When you are sleeping with strangers (in a dorm room of course!) It’s impossible not to get talking. Break the ice by asking your roomies in the morning what their plan is for the day. If following more or less the same route, suggest some extra fun things you’ve found to add to the itinerary. Being open and friendly, not to mention helpful is key. Once you get chatting, if all bodes well, you could find yourself some newfound tour buddies for the day.

Remember to play it cool though. If they don’t extend the invite on their day’s excursions, don’t just rock up to a museum they said they were hitting and appear lurking out from a behind a statue; because let’s face it:

A) They will think you are weird.

B) They will are likely to spread the word you are weird to the rest of the hostel dwellers post guitar sing-a-long in the common room.

If this occurs, it’s time to move hostels.

Not a twenty –something touting a backpack? Or perhaps you are averse to sharing a bathroom with fifteen strangers? Well, why not opt for guesthouses where you can rent just a room for a couple days rather than having the entire place to yourself. Get chatting to those hosting, prior to your stay so you know in advance whether or not you’d gel. And BAM! You’ve yourself some ready-made friends, not to mention accommodation, all waiting for you on arrival.

However much like dating, making friends when you are a single traveler can at first seem like a daunting endeavour. The trick is, of course, confidence. That’s the not-so-secret weapon. Couple that with the these smooth moves and you’re onto a guaranteed winner when it comes to meeting new people (well for the most part anyway…) You might even score yourself a love interest if you’re lucky!

Looking for a reliable airport shuttle to get you to or from Cape Town International Airport? Contact Airport Shuttle today!

Do you have a nomads DNA? Here’s how to tell

Having a nomad’s DNA can be quite tiring. It’s not cool like having X-Men DNA or something. It’s like being an animal in a cage and you’re constantly planning your escape, but instead of a cage, it is a boring office job where you day dream about travelling somewhere, anywhere. Here’s how you know you’ve got a nomad’s DNA.

Every day you cruise travel sites and read travel blogs for inspiration.

There’ll be realisations that you haven’t gone travelling for two whole months.

So you start planning absurd scenarios in order to fund your travel addiction.

And the thought of another office meeting is just too much to bear.

You’ll book the cheapest seat on the cheapest airline going to some place you’ve never heard of.

You can only afford it if you stay in hostels, even though you feel old as hell in them.

You’re determined not to be just another tourist.

And you’ll get way too excited when you find a random hidden spot.

You’ll try everything once.

And you’ll learn to appreciate clean clothes as the luxury they are.

You’re always meeting interesting people.

Then you get home and your friends tell you it’s time to settle down and have a baby already.

 There’ll be a flood of people asking if travelling alone is scary.

Then you’ll spend the new few days figuring out how much it would cost to just travel forever.

Have you ever had any of these feelings? If so, then you’ve probably got a bit of that nomad DNA in you. Experience all these things on a daily basis – you’re a full on nomad!

Visiting the Mother City on your travels? Make sure you get to and from Cape Town International Airport quickly and comfortably - contact Airport Shuttle today!

You won’t believe these strange reasons for flight delays

Crappy weather means flight delays and there are always those odd people who believe the airlines can’t control the weather. However, most folk will just accept a delay grudgingly. That being said, occasionally a flight doesn’t depart on schedule for reasons that are both strange and incredible. Here are a few of those…

Turtles on the Runway

Runway incursions are usually caused by stray vehicles or other planes, but that’s not always the case. New York’s JFK airport has had its fair share of incursions, but once every few years the offenders are diamondback terrapins! These little critters use the runway as a highway to speedily head to the beach to lay their eggs and if the airport can’t use a different runway when nature calls then they have to stop operations. It’s true that a jet could just leave the terrapins under its wheels, but it wouldn’t look good if the papers were full of photos of steamrolled turtles.

People on the Runway

In July 2015, a group of crazy protestors cut through the perimeter fence at London Heathrow and planted themselves on the runway. The reason they decided this was a good idea was because they were angered by the decision to build a third runway and wanted publicity for their movement. Unfortunately, this little stunt caused huge delays and extra fuel for the police helicopters and vehicles – I wonder what all the tree-huggers think about the unnecessary carbon emissions that were wasted on them!

Chemical (toilet) Weapons

Whether an aircraft toilet uses a vacuum system or the classic long drop method, it is basically the same thing – a hole leading to a tank full of nasty stuff. But sometimes the on board loo just can’t cope anymore, and that’s when it gets messy. In March last year, a jet bound for Dubai had to turn back to London when a mystery passenger used the bathroom. To put it in simple terms: what they left behind stank so much that the crew had no choice but to turn back home before the passengers died a slow painful death.

Crabs on a Plane

In 2014, a US Airways plane was delayed when a box filled with live crabs broke open in the cargo hold. The plane was delayed for about 30 minutes while the airport workers rounded up the escaped crustaceans. This is only one of the number of delays that have been caused by out of control wildlife, in the past there have been run-away rodents, fleeing cockroaches, cats breaking loose and, yes, even snakes.

Nutty Passenger

A Korean Air executive became famous when she was arrested for forcing an aircraft to return to the gate. The reason for this? The steward served her nuts in a way that displeased her! Apparently, her Majesty The Nut Queen didn’t like her nuts being in a bag rather than presented to her on a plate. This didn’t go down so well and she was sentenced to a year in prison for interfering with the safety of an aircraft. Of course, the normal reaction would be to ask why the pilot did it instead of simply giving her a slap. Well, probably because her dad owns the company.