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Michael Gebicki

Michael Gebicki

The Tripologist

Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebickiConnect via email.

There are no specific rules about how many toilets an airline needs to provide on board.

The 10 rules of plane toilet etiquette

Earlier this month, Qantas passengers on a nine-hour flight to Hong Kong were warned that three of the five toilets wouldn’t be working.

  • Michael Gebicki
An Indian street seller serves up chai.

The false claims people make about travelling in India

“Beggars are everywhere”. I see more beggars on a stroll through Sydney’s CBD than I do travelling in India.

  • Michael Gebicki
Australians are almost alone in calling it a doona, in the rest of the world it’s a duvet, but there are exceptions.

Too hot or too cold: The worst thing about hotel beds

There are some places where a doona makes sense, but they pop up everywhere. I’ve had them in tropical island resorts. I just don’t get it.

  • Michael Gebicki
Even if you’re careful with what you eat in a foreign country, you could still fall victim to a viral stomach bug.

Despite my long experience and best efforts, ‘Delhi belly’ got me

I’m a road-tested traveller, I tend to stay in decent hotels and I’m careful with what I put in my mouth. It didn’t save me this time.

  • Michael Gebicki
Some credit cards will offer you complimentary travel insurance, provided you pay for a minimum amount of your travel on the card.

Lost luggage forced me to put free credit card travel insurance to the test

When we arrived in Morocco, my wife’s bag didn’t, resulting in $1200 in expenses for clothing and other essentials. The airline didn’t want to know about it.

  • Michael Gebicki
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As much as Americans try to explain tipping, we will never get it.

Your questions: Do I have to tip everyone in the US and Canada?

Tipping is not optional in the US in most service-related industries and Canada is not far behind.

  • Michael Gebicki
The portable stairs used to board an aircraft are called boarding stairs, airstairs, or ramp stairs.

Ghost flights to gate lice: The phrases every traveller needs to know

Do you know the difference between “direct” and “non-stop” flights? The travel industry has a language all its own – here are the key terms.

  • Michael Gebicki
After Tim Ryan’s Airbnb host cancelled his booking, he was offered a bunk in a hostel as an alternative.

Tim’s Airbnb cancelled last-minute. He was offered a bunk instead

Airbnb hosts can cancel a booking for legitimate reasons, but sometimes they do it to try to get a better price. What can you do in response?

  • Michael Gebicki
Rice grows at Ha Giang in northern Vietnam.

Your questions: What destination in Asia will keep our marriage intact?

“One of us needs a week of fun, food and action and the other needs downtime with a swim, lovely food and cocktails.”

  • Michael Gebicki
Having enough time to reach your connecting flight can mean factoring in numerous variables.

Nine mistakes you should never make at an airport

The airport terminal is one of the most stressful environments known to humankind – don’t make it any worse for yourself.

  • Michael Gebicki

Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/traveller/by/michael-gebicki-hvf4s