A guide for frequent travelers
Montse Novillo Desumvila has been an Iberia cabin crew member for 17 years and tells us that She "crosses the pond" between three and four times a month . Buenos Aires, New York and other capitals of the American continent are some of her usual destinations. Montse is aware that when she travels professionally she does not go to a place for tourism and she recognizes that once in the destination city she has to put things like personal rest first because she has a responsibility to fulfill. "But we did take the opportunity to go out," she tells us. “For lunch, for dinner, a museum, a square, take the tourist bus...”.
The destinations of Oscar Castellano Baz , General Director of the company Aixam Mega Ibérica, focus more on the European continent and the Peninsula. Like Montse, Óscar admits that it is not always possible to have a moment of distraction on his work trips and he sometimes prefers to stay in the hotel to eat a sandwich quietly . But, if he can, he takes the opportunity to do a bit of tourism. “When you're away it's not like being in the office, where you finish work at six in the evening. With clients you are working longer. You finish late but you can look for a good place to have dinner and go sightseeing in the area near the restaurant”, explains Óscar, who after 15 years traveling already he knows where the best hotels are with good value for money and location.
Bryant Park, rest and work in the center of NYC
PLANNING, PLANNING AND PLANNING
“Whenever I can I plan it”, he emphasizes. “If I go to Seville I can try to make it at the time of the April Fair, to get together and go to dinner at the fair. But you have to do it in time, well in advance. Taking the ticket and the hotel before . Because if you organize it at the last minute the costs are very high”.
Oscar adds that his job requires him to visit the same areas regularly . Something he has learned to take advantage of. “If this month I go to Galicia, in five months I will be back in Galicia. If I wanted to go to a restaurant that was full or whatever, I plan it. I even put it on my agenda to combine it and be able to go next time, ”explains the manager about some of his tricks. “ A city in summer has nothing to do with a city in winter . Lugo or Santiago de Compostela seem beautiful to me in winter, but then in summer they also have their charm. If you go now you see one part of the city, if you come back later you can see another part. Until there comes a time when you have been going for so long, that you are no longer going anywhere.
They both admit that above all smaller cities can look better this way and with repeated trips, but also recognize that the work break is not always the ideal method or for all types of destinations . “Starting from cities that I have known for work, then I have wanted to return to them as a tourist with my family. Like New York or Buenos Aires”, Montse tells us, explaining how going to a place for work has helped her choose places where she has wanted to return with the time that can be dedicated to a destination while on vacation.
THE BEST SOUVENIRS
Beyond the small recreational or tourist moments, traveling for work can have other advantages. “One of the best places to buy suits is in La Rioja. I discovered a tailor shop that made them to measure and much cheaper than in Barcelona”, explains the manager, who acknowledges that shopping can be part of the appeal of a particular destination.
Ultimately, another of the tricks highly recommended by these professionals is simply ask for advice. Montse is based on the experience of co-workers who have already been to that destination or ask at the hotel. “In the hotel they know the characteristics of what we are looking for or need. They can recommend a nearby restaurant or a market”, Montse tells us. “ The hotel people know the characteristics of the time we are in the city . If you ask on the street it is not the same, they see you as a tourist without the pressure of time”.
And it is that at no time can you forget that time is much more limited than when traveling simply for pleasure. "You don't get to disconnect" adds the stewardess. "You do think: 'I'm lucky to be visiting this corner or drinking this lemonade in Havana,' but you have a responsibility to fulfill later."
Óscar seems to agree and makes sure to end our conversation by reminding us that in addition to traveling and having some relaxation time, basically the frequent traveler works... and a lot.
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In the end, the truth is that you will work AND A LOT
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