Step 6: Bookings & Reservations
Monday, February 1, 2010 at 05:06PM The best advice is to confirm your international flight first and, reserve accommodation in your first destination, especially if you are going to be a late arrival. In this case you may also want to book your transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
Now work out how many days you plan to spend in each place to design your itinerary. Remember to allow for travelling time, and some time to relax after each trip. Also, build in some extra time for possible travel delays.
If you are visiting three or more destinations consider booking your internal flights with an Airpass to save money. The rates are specially discounted for foreigners. You will need the details of your international flight booking to buy one. The internal flights can be changed if necessary, but a fee for making the change will be charged. Check the small print for details before booking.
If you are only going to fly internally between two destinations, you may want to book the internal flight before you travel. But, if you have, or want, flexibility in your plans you can buy the internal flight when you are in Brazil.
With your international and internal flights confirmed, now is the time to reserve your accommodation. Before making a reservation, check the cancellation policies in case you need to adjust your itinerary at any time.
It is advisable to keep a printed copy of the reservation details with you when travelling. Take two copies and keep them in separate bags. And, if possible, post them to the Internet in a way that you can access the details from any internet connection whilst traveling.
In case of any problems, or if you choose to change your schedule whilst travelling, and your first accommodation choice is no longer available, have the details of your second and third choices with you.
You might also want to check out and book some tours, especially if they are a key part of your holiday plans, or a likely to have limited availability. Pearl Travel Guides has a list of Routes & Tours which you can search by several different criteria, including “By Destination”.
If you planned your trip and make your bookings and reservations just before travelling, you may not need to re-confirm them. But, if you planned well ahead, it may be worth sending a few emails to re-confirm bookings and reservations, especially reserved accommodations.
Continue to Step 7