TRAVEL SPECIAL ...ASK THE TRAVEL EXPERT

ASK THE TRAVEL EXPERT

Rakshit Desai, Managing Director, FCM Travel Solutions India, Flight Centre Travel Group Australia's Indian subsidiary, answers your questions on Travel — howtos, trends, recommendations and more.

I am planning a visit to Scandinavia in the second week of May. We plan to cover Copenhagen, Oslo, Norway Fjords, Stockholm in 11 days. We intend to spend 4-5 days in Norway Fjord. Can you guide us on the Fjord Route?

Scandinavia is a wonderful place to travel during any season. Travelling in Fjord Norway is an attraction on its own, particularly if you travel by car. If you enjoy road trips and prefer to be able to travel at your own pace, consider renting a car. You can choose from any of the 18 National Tourist Routes for your self-drive trip. Apart from this, travelling by city trains, luxury coaches or boats are also great ways of experiencing the unforgettable scenery.

Is it better to book in advance or wait for a lastminute deal?

If you prefer to plan your holiday meticulously and till the very last detail, then booking in advance is recommended. As a gambit to secure guaranteed bookings, most airlines and hotels offer significantly cheaper rates for early birds. Plus, you will have plenty of time to research and book everything after weighing in all options. Keep in mind that you will be giving up the luxury of flexibility though, especially with non-refundable promotional fares. Last minute deals work best for spur of the moment plans. You can't be too picky about your options though as some places may already be booked to capacity.

My son is then planning a solo trip to Amsterdam. Will he face any trouble applying for visa or entering the country since he is travelling alone? Anything I need to be aware of?

To enter Amsterdam, your son needs to have a valid Schengen Visa which permits free movement within all Schengen countries. Familiarise him with airport procedures and the immigration process so that he is comfortable doing these on his own. Ensure he has all documents in place - a hard copy and an e-version saved on his phone for emergencies.

My friends and I are planning a Euro trip covering several cities. Some of us are keen on taking backpacks while others are carrying big suitcases. What kind of luggage is recommended?

The golden rule for packing for a Euro trip is not more than one bag per person. Make sure it's a lightweight backpack or strolley bag; something that you can carry easily because Europe inevitably involves a lot of walking and lugging your bag around. Be prepared to walk with your luggage to the nearest metro for a transfer to the airport or train station since cabs can be expensive. Some of the smaller hotels may not even have an elevator or bellhop to assist with your bags. Travelling light will also be useful when you're headed from one city to the other as most low-cost carriers charge you for each checked-in baggage while trains have limited space for storing luggage.

Rakshit Desai, Managing Director

ETTR 26APR18