Travel Tips - Amazing Maharashtra

Travel Tips

• Travel Documents
It is best to give obtaining a passport priority in your plans. U.S. Residents must apply in person to the U.S. Passport Agency in New York, Chicago, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, San Francisco, Washington D.C., or the local courthouse. Take with you a proof of citizenship, birth certificate and two recent photos, 2.5 x 2.5 inches full face.

• Health
Always carry your prescription medications in your luggage.

• Buy a Travel Insurance Policy
It is better to be safe than sorry and we strongly suggest that you be fully covered with theft, loss and disability policies prior to your arrival in Maharashtra. This does not mean that thefts are more prevalent here than elsewhere (in fact, we believe there are less) but you will be covering a lot of territory and we advise it for precaution's sake. Liability coverage carried by local transportation, including taxis, is either non-existent or so low that you should take out your own coverage at home before leaving. Insuring for all types of policies can be done in every large city in Maharashtra from local branches of British and American Insurance firms or a duly authorized local travel agent.

• What to Take
Travel Light. Whether you go by Air or not, keeping under the Airline free limit of 66 pounds (30 Kilograms) of luggage per person makes sense. Better still, keep under the 33 pounds (15 Kilograms) tourist class limit. It simplifies going through customs, makes registering and checking baggage unnecessary. It's a good idea to pack the bulk of your things in one large bag and put everything you need for overnight, or for two or three nights, in another, to obviate packing and repacking.

• Tipping
India follows the British tradition in many ways. It does not have a rigid system of imposing a service charge on hotel and restaurant bills. The addition of a service charge to bills is of recent origin and gradually coming into force in all large cities, though there are still several hotels which have not adjusted themselves to this system. Usually the service charge is 10 per cent. But, as in many other parts of the world, you are still expected to tip. Since the waiters or other staffs are not highly paid, the room bearer or the man who looks after your room, or the lift boy, does not merely make a suggestive gesture but sometimes makes a direct request for a tip. Generally, you will not go wrong if you tip the room bearers about a total of ten rupees per night you spent in the hotel where there is a service charge, and about Rs.20/- a day in a hotel where there is no service charge.

• Cosmetics
Imported toilet articles are nearly twice the price of their cost back home. You would be well prepared if you came to Maharashtra with enough of your favorite brands, because there is usually not a wide range of choice. Locally-produced items, made by the more prominent companies, try very hard to imitate the Western Products.

• Begging
Maharashtra has a very large number of beggars, partly because many Maharashtrians give money to them for religious reasons, partly because it is so profitable. On the whole, begging is a racket and the Central Government and local authorities are trying to wipe it out. Your personal rule should be not to give to beggars.