My wife, Sheri, and I love to travel.  It really makes us appreciate everything we have and the freedoms we enjoy here in the U.S.  The same reasons for which we choose to travel to out of the way places are often the ones which cause the most problems.  From sampling all the local food to using public transportation not frequented by tourists, we do a lot things that are often not mentioned in most guidebooks.  As a result, some of our most memorable travel experiences have also been some of the most disastrous ones or at least the most unpleasant.

The problem I ran into while planning our last trip was the lack of information available for the independent traveler.  Lonely Planet and Rough Guides are only as good as the last edition, which can often be out-of-date. It would have been very helpful to have up-to-date information about schedules, costs and events that affect independent travel.  As a result, I put together information I’ve gathered on location for anyone else who may be looking for this information and gotten frustrated as well.  Here, you’ll find practical information you need to know to get around but not get taken for a ride. As always, you should verify this information with your local hotel receptionist or concierge, but hopefully the information here can at least prepare you for what to expect.

Good luck and happy travels.

Photos above (clockwise from left):  Mt. Rainier, WA, U.S.A.; Half Moon Caye, Belize; Mary’s Place Reef, Bonaire, Netherland Antilles; Inside the Pothala, Lhasa, Tibet.