Nine tips to avoid inconvenience during a trip

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!疫情结束后的整体态势正带动巴西旅游市场持续升温。众多巴西民众计划在该国年末夏季的旅游旺季出行，但不少人并未做好充分准备，亟需出行贴士以规避旅途中的各类不便。鉴于疫情背景，巴西民众国内出游的意愿显著高于国际出游：即便疫苗接种已全面普及，民众的出行顾虑仍未完全消除；但另一方面，赴巴西海岸游玩的强烈需求也成为主流动因之一——这是该国绝大多数民众已有两度假期未能成行的出游计划。无论出行方式是独自旅行、情侣出游、家庭结伴还是携带宠物，提前规划与有序筹备始终必不可少，否则本应惬意的休憩之旅可能沦为繁重的负担。正如那句老话所说：‘防患于未然（Better safe than sorry）’。 多数游客直到旅途中的问题真正出现时，才意识到需要应对各类挑战；而当问题发生时，往往为时已晚，为解决问题不仅耗费时间，更造成不必要的金钱损失。当然，部分状况确实属于难以预料的特殊意外，但多数问题本可提前预见。旅途中可能出现的各类问题包括： - 预订酒店后抵达时，却发现预订未被登记在册； - 租赁的度假民宿根本不存在，或并非房东本人所有； - 因信息缺失导致返程延误； - 因未制定行程规划，在目的地城市手足无措； - 住宿地点远离计划游览的景点； - 开支管理混乱； - 当地餐饮与游客口味不符（或存在过敏风险）； - 行李问题：遗漏重要物品或行李超重； - 证件遗失； - 轻微受伤； - 突发健康紧急状况却不知何处就医； - 自驾出行时出现机械故障； - 住宿体验未达预期； - 支付了未提前告知的额外服务费用； - 行李箱遗失导致无衣物可用； - 前往的国家未设有巴西驻华大使馆； - 证件遗失或被盗。 谨防旅途不便 一、酒店与民宿类问题 游客与民宿经营者间最常见的纠纷主要源于沟通不畅，常见问题包括：早餐未达预期、装修风格不符、床垫或床铺舒适度不足、卫生条件不佳、缺少洗衣等额外服务等。更严重的问题也可能出现，例如预订民宿后抵达时，发现民宿已满房且预订信息未被正确登记。此类状况会引发诸多不便：游客不仅承受旅途劳顿，还可能面临无房可住的窘境，只能带着行李四处寻找其他住宿场所，即便成功更换住处，也将耗费大量精力。 关于住宿预订，建议出行负责人在预订时记录所有疑问与偏好，以此规避供需双方的沟通误差；同时，应在出行前一日与住宿场所联系，确认预订信息。 二、饮食相关问题 提前了解目的地城市的餐饮特色，可有效规避多数饮食相关问题。旅游城市通常主打特色菜品，但并非所有餐厅都符合游客的饮食需求。有食物过敏史的游客需格外留意这一点。 三、抵达目的地后却不知何去何从？ 毫无疑问，‘在“某地”该做些什么？’是谷歌搜索中最常见的问题之一，这一现象频发的原因在于，巴西文化中并不盛行提前规划行程与时刻表的出游方式。我们并非认为这种随性的出游方式不可取——毕竟，未提前了解目的地景点的游客，在抵达后可以选择沉浸式地探索未知，旅行本身亦是一场冒险。但仍需考量住宿地点与计划游览的景点、餐厅及药店之间的距离。因此，住宿地点的选择与目的地景点的规划至关重要。 四、开支管理问题 规划不周的旅行可能造成本可避免的经济损失。如前文所述，住宿位置的选择同样影响开支：每日往返遥远的景点会产生额外的交通费用。毋庸置疑，旅游城市的商品价格普遍高于普通城市，因此在目的地临时采购部分物品并非最优选择。从防晒霜、药品到美妆用品，部分物品既为出行必备，在出发城市购买的价格也往往低于旅游城市。自驾出行亦是同理：与其抱有侥幸心理，未对车辆进行全面检修就上路，不如在出发城市交由信赖的汽修师进行保养——此举不仅更安全，成本也更低廉。 五、紧急情况应对 携带儿童、老人或敏感人群出行的游客，需考虑到可能需要前往急诊护理单元（Emergency Care Unit, UPA）或医院的风险。若需应对此类情况，应提前规划如何尽快抵达相关医疗机构。记下出租车招呼站等实用场所的地址与联系方式，可在紧急情况下加快救援进度。需特别注意的是，长期服用的药物无论如何都不可遗漏。 六、证件保管问题 唯有经历过旅途中证件遗失或被盗的游客，才能深知妥善保管这类重要文件的重要性：没有证件，游客几乎寸步难行，而证件遗失可能导致返程延误。无论酒店或民宿多么诚信，作为普通人，都无法完全杜绝意外状况。当客人离开房间外出游览时，酒店工作人员可能会进入房间进行清洁、更换床品与毛巾、检查迷你吧等工作。已有多起此类场景下的失窃报道，这一点毋庸置疑，但需说明的是，此类情况并非普遍现象，多数工作人员仅会进行清洁整理工作后锁好房门。 七、出行安全防范 年末及一二月的假期是旅游活动的高峰期，海滩、河流、泳池与瀑布的人流量大幅增加。巴西夏季频发各类水上安全事故，包括溺水事件，因此需格外留意儿童的安全。人群聚集也为不法分子提供了可乘之机，他们会利用游客的分心实施各类犯罪，包括盗窃、抢劫、银行卡克隆、闪电绑架、儿童诱拐、诈骗、骚扰、强奸等。 八、健康防护要点 旅途中的兴奋情绪有时会盖过理性，导致游客时常超出身体负荷。对皮肤防护的疏忽是日晒相关投诉的主要诱因之一，包括晒伤或一、二度灼伤。另一常见健康问题则是暴饮暴食，或因食品销售者卫生维护不当，引发消化、肠道或泌尿系统感染。游客不可忽视轮状病毒的传播风险，该病毒可通过身体接触、受污染的饮品与食物传播。此外，即便已完成疫苗接种，在公共场所仍需佩戴口罩，新冠病毒（Covid-19）的防护仍不可松懈。 九、宠物随行注意事项 是否携带宠物出行，若主人可自主选择，最佳方案是不带。因为猫、狗在陌生环境中极易感到不适，旅行本身也会给宠物带来极大压力。但若别无选择，则需采取若干措施以缓解宠物的不安，避免宠物走失等极端情况发生。 首先，计划携带宠物出行的游客需了解目的地允许的交通方式及完整的托运流程。宠物需放置在航空箱内运输：若搭乘飞机，宠物将被安置在货舱，可能暴露于噪音、颠簸与气流颠簸中，这对宠物而言极为不适；若自驾出行，则需定期长时间停靠，以供宠物解决生理需求、进食饮水与休息。宠物还会暴露于高温、汽车引擎噪音与空间狭小等旅行常见的不利因素中。在巴西，乘坐公共巴士出行不可携带宠物。缓解宠物旅途不适的小技巧是选用尺寸更大的航空箱。 十、出行目的地推荐 米纳斯吉拉斯州 米纳斯吉拉斯州是巴西最热门的旅游目的地州之一。该州的旅游城市正逐步恢复旅游相关活动，以期在夏季迎来更多游客——许多巴西民众为规避沿海城市的人流聚集，会选择前往相对清静的城镇度过假期。 欧鲁普雷图与马里亚纳 米纳斯吉拉斯州虽无海岸线，但拥有秀美的瀑布、山地景观与绝佳的生物多样性。除生态旅游选项外，该州还有诸多承载丰富历史底蕴的旅游城镇，欧鲁普雷图与马里亚纳便是其中代表。 欧鲁普雷图旧称‘旧里卡维拉（Vila Rica）’，城内拥有数十处景点，周边亦有诸多秀美城镇可供往返游览。该州的住宿以舒适度与地方特色餐饮见长，其殖民时期建筑风格更是当地的核心亮点。漫步欧鲁普雷图，仿佛随手可撷取明信片般的风景，亦可领略米纳斯吉拉斯州巴洛克建筑大师的作品。其中最具代表性的艺术家当属安东尼奥·弗朗西斯科·利斯博阿（别名阿莱亚迪尼奥）。蒂拉登特斯广场是游客游览该市的起点，周边聚集了餐厅、咖啡馆与多处旅游景点。博物馆、矿场与教堂皆是当地的文化瑰宝：城内至少有二十座教堂与礼拜堂可供参观，其中尤以圣母升天堂、圣方济各圣殿与圣埃菲吉尼亚教堂最为精美。圣方济各圣殿对面便是皂石手作集市，游客可在此购买当地手艺人制作的纪念品与工艺品。若想全面了解这座城市，务必参观因孔芬桑萨博物馆，馆内展出了讲述巴西独立进程的艺术品与历史文物。当地的矿产开采活动留下了诸多金矿遗址，如今已作为游览景点对外开放。一个值得推荐的往返行程是游览邻近的马里亚纳市：从欧鲁普雷图出发前往马里亚纳，无论是搭乘巴士还是火车，旅程都将十分惬意。‘玛利亚-富马卡’观光列车每日两班从欧鲁普雷图开往马里亚纳，行程时长约一小时，沿途可欣赏绝美风光。 漫步马里亚纳的历史中心，仿佛穿越回数个世纪之前。米纳斯吉拉斯广场是当地最受游客欢迎的景点之一。建于18世纪中期的圣方济各教堂与圣母卡梅尔教堂是当地的标志性建筑。这座静谧的城市被绿意环绕，保留着众多殖民时期的宅邸。若想深入了解城市历史，参观马里亚纳音乐博物馆与大主教神圣艺术博物馆皆是绝佳选择。 您即将开启旅行吗？愿您旅途平安，佩戴好口罩！