I don’t know about you but I really love to go to exotic places. I like to stay in hotel and dine in restaurants that are unique or provide a different experience.
I always thought that staying somewhere really different would be fun. Some of my places to stay and see on my bucket list are:
• The Ice Hotel, Sweden or Ice Hotel in Canada
• White Cliffs underground hotel, Australia
• Cappadocia Cave Suites, Turkey or Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Turkey
• Palacio De Sal Salt Hotel, Bolivia
• Sand Hotel in Dorset, UK
• Water bungalow in Bali
• Ashford castle, Ireland or Chateau Ten Berghe, Belgium
• Vertical Horizons Tree House Lodge, Oregon
• Tree House Hotel in Costa Rica
• A Capsule Hotel in Japan
• A luxury hotel in Dubai
• Poseidon Undersea Resort, Filji or Hydropolis Underwater Hotel, Dubai

See what happens when you don’t obey the warning signs. Monkeys steal hats and bite people at Gibraltar. Travel Warning signs are there for tourists and travelers because bad things do happen when signs are not complied with. Boomer & Senior Travel TV Show is all about helping you have the best vacation possible.

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Recently I was asked this question and thought I’d share it with my readers here on the blog..

Italy: Should tourists tip in Italy?

Tipping is not expected in Italy although they kinda do from Americans as we seem to do it all the time from habit not for exceptional service. When you do tip in Italy it is lower than the USA because they do get paid a wage that is not dependent on tips. I would check the bill in a restaurant. Sometimes you will find a service fee. That usually goes to the restaurant not the waiter. But ask so you don’t double tip. My tipping is always dependent upon the service that I receive. If it is excellent or someone goes out of their way to be friendly and helpful I tip more. I found that in Italy a 5-10% tip is a good tip.

Italy tip guide for excellent service:

Restaurant/Room Service: 5-10%

Taxi: Tip 5-10%

Bellman 1-2€

Tour guide: 5-10%

Room maid: 1-2€ per night

Someone who gives you help or directions: 1-5€

Street performers: 1-5€

Museums, non-profit site: 1-3€

Churches, Religious sites: As God directs your heart

Again this guide is if you feel you have received excellent service or you just want to contribute to that site or person’s personal economy.

I love to give tips to people who don’t expect it or rarely get them. We were driving in Spain recently and got lost. We asked a guy on a scooter where to find our hotel. He said follow him. We were cautious but hopeful. We followed him and he took us directly to the Parking Garage of the hotel. This to me is exceptional service. We gave him a 5€ tip. He was really grateful as well.

Another fun time was we went to the grocery store. It wasn’t their custom to take your groceries out to the car. I had more bags than I could carry and one of the girls offered to help me to the car with them. I gave her a 3€ tip. At first she refused. When I said I wanted her to have it she just beamed. That felt good. I tip people who help me when they don’t have to or they go above and beyond what they have to. It is kind of fun too.

Street performers always tug at my heart. I love anyone who uses their talent. I don’t think we honor talent enough in my opinion. There just aren’t enough paying jobs for people who love their art. Even small tips are really appreciated. I personally usually do 1-5€ depending on the performance or again my heart. One of my favorites was we were waiting at the train station at Pompeii. It was a long wait. As we sat there a guy came up and started playing his accordion and singing a romantic song for us. It made a special memory for us from Italy. He played for 10- 15 mins. while we waited for the train. Of course we gave him a generous tip – 10€. A good memory for us and for him.

One more that I always do. It is more of a donation than a tip but I think it is important. When visiting churches and religious sites if they have a tip or donation box I always leave whatever my heart tells me. I know that seems a little ambiguous but God will tell you what he needs. Similarly museums and other non-profit sites if they have a donation box I will leave 1-3€ depending on how I feel at the time.

Tipping in my opinion should be something that you want to give because you feel that someone has done something worthwhile for you whatever and whenever that is.

Does Traveling Makes You Happy?
Traveling allows people to get away from their normal environment. This gives them a break to experience something new or out of the ordinary. I think part of the reason that traveling makes people happy is because they think about it, plan for it and dream about it. It is the fulfillment of what they believe will make them happy.
I think everyone should plan for and save up for a vacation. Different people like different types of vacations. Find the one that will make you happy and then go and enjoy.

Have you watched or heard of people using the valet or bellman and wondered how that worked? Watch this informational travel video to learn about having you car valet parked and your luggage handled by the bellman. This is a useful hotel tip, travel tip or restaurant tip. http://www.boomerandseniortravel.tv Quick Tip #28b

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