Foxtel’s Imagine This travel series helps travellers plan a perfect holiday
A NEW six-part travel series on Foxtel, hosted by Deborah Hutton and Lachlan Daddo, offers expert advice to anyone seeking the perfect holiday — and how to avoid tourist traps.
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EVERYONE wants the unforgettable holiday experience that steers clear of jet-lag, tourist traps, and minimises the number of bilingual menus.
But is that possible as a first-time visitor in a foreign land? The answer could be less daunting than it seems.
Hosted by Deborah Hutton and Lachlan Daddo, Imagine This is a six-part travel series designed to give expert advice to anyone seeking the perfect holiday.
The panel-show is based on insider tips and, importantly, local knowledge, with the goal being to maximise travel itineraries and help travellers avoid the usual holiday pitfalls.
“It offers deeper experiences that give you an insider’s look into a destination,” Mr Daddo said, adding that medical tips and packing hacks are also a central feature of the show.
The advice ranges in scope, depending on the location, Mr Daddo said.
In Shanghai, for example, his edict is to avoid restaurants in favour of local dumpling houses. In the resort town of Cancun, Mexico, viewers are advised to take a 10 minute drive south of the city to find the “freshest fish right on the beach”, for a grand price of $2.
By comparison, a meal at the local McDonald’s can cost upwards of $25.
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Rowena Ryan, associate editor of The Sunday Telegraph’s Escape liftout, and a featured guest in the first episode, said her immediate advice for travellers was to pack a powerboard, an adaptor, and wear slip-on shoes through airport security.
An empty water bottle is another trick — it can be filled up near the departure gates, once the metal detectors have been dealt with.
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Another simple trick — adjust your watch early.
“Expert flyers set their clock to the time of their destination upon boarding and eat and sleep accordingly to help avoid jet lag,” she said.
The show is now airing on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel.
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TRAVEL TIPS
PACKING HACKS
* Expert cruisers pack foldable shoe organisers. Can hang them on the wardrobe door to store items as is limited space on dressing tables in small cabins
* Use resealable bags to prevent liquids spilling throughout your suitcase
* Also pack magnets on a cruise. Walls are metal so you can stick your itinerary or cruise announcements to the wall with magnets.
* A scarf is one of the best multi-use items to pack. Can double as a blanket, towel, sarong, head scarf, jumper
* Use shower caps to cover the soles of your shoes in your suitcase
* Pack handheld luggage scales to avoid paying for excess baggage
GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS
* Pack a powerboard and an adaptor to charge multiple devices overseas
* Use packing cells or for a cheaper option laundry bags/resealable bags
* Expert flyers set their clock to the time of their destination upon boarding and eat/sleep accordingly to help avoid jet lag
* Use seat guru to book the best seat on a plane
* Wear slip on shoes through airport security for airports such as the USA where you need to take your shoes off.
* Take an empty water bottle through airport security and fill it up at water fountains on the other side
* If travelling as a couple, it can be a good idea to split your clothes between both suitcases in case one gets lost
* Pack a spare set of clothes in your carry-on bag in case your suitcase goes missing
* Take advantage of stopovers. For example, if you fly Etihad you get the second hotel night free in Abu Dhabi
* Clear out the seat pocket when flying to create more leg/knee room
* Never leave home without travel insurance. Ever.