The end of the pandemic climate has been heating up the market in the tourism sector. Many Brazilians are planning to tour during the country's high season, the end of the year, summer. However, many may not be fully prepared, needing some tips to avoid inconvenience during a trip.
In view of the pandemic scenario, the tendency is for Brazilians to travel more domestically than internationally. Even with the advance of vaccination, fear still prevails. However, the desire to enjoy the Brazilian coast, something that a large part of the population has not done for two vacations, is also a predominant factor.
Whether it's a trip alone, as a couple, as a family, or even with your pet, it doesn't matter, planning and order are always necessary, otherwise, the dreamed rest can become a lot of work.
It's like the old saying goes: “Better safe than sorry”. Most tourists are not aware of some challenges to be faced during a trip until they arise. And when a problem arises, it's too late, time and money are wasted trying to fix it.
Of course, there are situations that are really unexpected and very specific, however, some are predictable.
Problems that can arise during a trip
- book a hotel and arrive at the place the reservation is not registered;
- rental of a holiday home that does not exist or does not belong to the tenant;
- delayed return due to lack of information;
- not knowing what to do in the city due to lack of schedule;
- stay far from where you want to know;
- poor management of expenses;
- The city's food proposal is not compatible with the tourist's taste (you may be allergic);
- problems with luggage (lack of important items or overweight);
- absence of documents;
- minor injuries;
- health emergency not knowing where to turn to find care;
- in case of traveling with the vehicle, mechanical problems;
- hosting that does not meet expectations;
- payment of extra service fees that were not foreseen;
- having the suitcase lost resulting in the lack of clothes;
-go to a country that does not have a Brazilian embassy;
- loss or theft of documents.
Beware of inconvenience during a trip
Problems with hotel or inn
The most conventional problems that occur among tourists and hostels are mainly due to lack of communication.
It is usually a breakfast that did not meet expectations, the decoration, discomfort of the mattress or bed, lack of hygiene, lack of extra services such as laundry, for example, among others.
Other more serious issues can occur, such as booking an inn and when arriving at the place, it is full and the reservation has not been registered correctly. A situation like this can result in many inconveniences, as in addition to the fatigue of the trip, the tourist may have no place to stay and, consequently, have to carry their belongings wherever they go, even if they are looking for another establishment to stay.
With regard to accommodation, it is important that when making a reservation, the person responsible for organizing the trip writes down all doubts and preferences, this will avoid possible errors in the communication between the contracting party and the contracted party.
It is also pertinent that, on the eve of the day of the excursion, the person responsible contact the establishment to confirm the reservation.
Food
Consult the cuisine proposed by the city where you intend to visit can avoid many problems related to food. Tourist cities commonly have restaurant options with popular dishes, but not all.
The traveler who has any type of food allergy needs to pay attention to this factor.
I arrived in town but I don't know where to go, now what?
Certainly, one of the most asked questions in Google's search is, “What are they doing in 'such a place'?”, this must happen frequently, as it is not part of Brazilian culture to organize a trip with itineraries and schedules.
We will not define the practice as a mistake, after all, people who travel this way, without prior knowledge of the tourist attractions of the destination city, can choose to be surprised when they are already inside it. Traveling is also adventuring.
However, aspects such as the distance from the inn or hotel to the tourist spots you want to know, restaurants and pharmacies, must be taken into consideration. For this reason, the choice of the place to stay and the choice of places where you want to visit during a trip is significant.
Expenses
A poorly organized trip can generate a loss of money that could be avoided. As already described in the paragraphs above, location is relevant, even in this sense, after all, commuting every day to fulfill routes that are too distant causes expenses with transfers.
Unsurprisingly, commerce in tourist cities has higher prices compared to conventional cities. Therefore, leaving to buy certain items in the place can be a cold one.
From sunscreen to medicines to make-up the first aid kit, there are products that cannot be added to the suitcase, as in addition to being very necessary, in the city of origin it can be cheaper than in the one chosen for sightseeing.
The same goes for vehicles. Instead of choosing to rely on luck and travel with the car without going through a good overhaul, how about carrying out maintenance in your own city, with your trusted mechanic? In addition to being safer, it can be cheaper.
Emergency
Those traveling with children, elderly or sensitive people should consider the risk of needing to visit an Emergency Care Unit (UPA) or hospital. When considering this possibility, it is necessary to establish an imaginary connection of how to get to these places as soon as possible.
Writing down addresses and telephone numbers for useful places such as taxi ranks, among others, can speed up the process.
It is noteworthy that in cases of continuous medication use, they cannot be forgotten under any circumstances.
Documents
Only those who have experienced the inconvenience of losing or having their documents stolen on a trip know the importance of taking precautions in keeping these valuable papers, as you cannot get very far without the documents, and their loss can result in delay for return.
No matter how honest a hotel or an inn is, when it comes to human beings, you can expect everything. Once the guest leaves their room to visit the city, it is possible for people who are part of the establishment's staff to come in to carry out their maintenance work, such as cleaning, changing bed linen and towels, checking the minibar, among others. There are many reports of theft in this regard, this is undeniable. However, it is noteworthy that this is not the rule, usually these professionals enter, clean and lock the rooms, limiting themselves only to organizing the objects.
Security The
end of the year and January and February holidays are periods of intense tourist activity. The traffic of people is increasingly intense on beaches, rivers, swimming pools and waterfalls. Many water accidents happen during the Brazilian summer, including drowning. Therefore, care, especially with children, must be redoubled.
The agglomeration of people ends up camouflaging the bad guys who take advantage of tourists' distractions to commit various crimes, such as theft, robbery, card cloning, lightning kidnapping, child abduction, scams, harassment, rape, among others.
Health care
It is natural that during a trip the excitement speaks louder at times, causing the traveler to often exceed the limits of the body. Carelessness with the skin results in one of the main complaints of those who are going to be exposed to the sun: burning or first and second degree burns.
Another recurrent cause is overeating with food, or poor maintenance or hygiene by the seller, which can end up in an infection of the digestive, intestinal or urinary tract.
Those traveling cannot forget the rotavirus, which is transmitted through physical contact, contaminated drinks and food. Another disease that cannot be ignored is Covid-19, caused by the coronavirus, even for those who are vaccinated, the use of a mask is still essential in public places.
The pets
Whether to take the pet on a trip or not, if the owner can choose, the best thing would be no. Because cats and dogs are extremely uncomfortable in new places. A trip really stresses a pet.
However, if there is no alternative, some care needs to be taken so that the animal feels more at ease and that extremes do not occur, such as the loss of the animal.
First of all, those who intend to travel with a pet need to know the means of transport allowed and how the entire process takes place.
Animals are transported in cages. In the case of airplanes, they are in the cargo compartment and can be subjected to noise, bumps, and turbulence, which in itself is a very bad thing for an animal.
Those who will travel by car, on the other hand, need constant and long stops, whether for physiological needs or to ingest food, water and rest. These are also exposed to heat, the noise of the car engine, lack of space, everything that a trip normally offers.
In Brazil, it is not possible to travel by an animal on a bus.
The tip to reduce the inconvenience of animals during the trip is the purchase of larger cages.
Travel options
Minas Gerais Maybe one of the most sought after states for tourism
The tourist cities of Minas Gerais are preparing for the gradual return of activities related to tourism, aiming at a growing number of visitors during the summer, as many Brazilians, to try to escape the agglomerations that may occur in coastal cities, they can choose less busy cities to spend a few days of vacation.
Ouro Preto and Mariana
Minas Gerais doesn't really have a sea, but the state was rewarded with beautiful waterfalls, mountainous terrain and incredible biodiversity. In addition to options for ecotourism, Minas offers a “range” of options for tourist cities that have a lot of history. This is the case of Ouro Preto and Mariana.
Old Vila Rica it has dozens of sights and beautiful cities in the vicinity for round-trip tours. The inns in Ouro Preto are also highlighted in terms of comfort and regional cuisine.
The city's colonial architecture is the main highlight. Strolling through Ouro Preto is to collect postcards and contemplate the great names of baroque architecture in Minas Gerais. Among the most important artists is Antônio Francisco Lisboa, Aleijadinho.
Tiradentes Square is the starting point for tourists in the city, concentrating on restaurants, cafes, and some tourist attractions.
Museums, mines and churches are some of the local treasures. There are at least twenty churches and chapels for visitation. Among the most beautiful are the parish church of Nossa Senhora do Pilar, the church of São Francisco de Assis and the church of Santa Efigênia.
Opposite the Church of São Francisco de Assis, there is the Feira de Pedra-Sabão, where you can buy souvenirs and items produced by artisans in the city.
To get a general idea of the city, be sure to visit the Inconfidência museum, where works of art and pieces from the period that tell about the process that culminated in the independence of Brazil are exhibited.
The extraction of minerals left several gold mines that today function as visitation points.
An interesting hit and return suggestion is to get to know the neighboring city of Mariana.
When going to Mariana, it is worth starting the journey from Ouro Preto, the tour can be very pleasant for those who will be transferred by bus or train.
The Maria-Fumaça leaves Ouro Preto towards Mariana at two times. The journey is not long, it takes about an hour, and is a great opportunity to admire the landscape.
Walking through the Historic Center of Mariana is like taking a trip to the past centuries.
Praça Minas Gerais is one of the most popular spots for tourists. The churches of São Francisco and Nossa Senhora do Carmo, built in the mid-18th century, are a highlight.
The quiet city is surrounded by greenery and preserved colonial mansions.
If you are interested in learning about the city's history, a tour of the Music Museum and the Archdiocesan Museum of Sacred Art in Mariana are excellent suggestions.
Are you going to travel? Travel safely, wear a mask!