Category: Travel Tips

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

PerryGolf Staff

At this time of year, everyone here in Scotland is wrapping up against the cold climate, while down under they are enjoying the start of their summer. Reflecting on the time I spent in Australia – this time last year – I was reminded of the excellent experience climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge; something I would recommend to everyone.

Alastair in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Alastair Niven, one of the PerryGolf staff members who is responsible for South Pacific programs

Myself and one of my colleagues booked the climb online a few days in advance, but it can be done much further ahead of time, which is recommended if you wish to do the evening walk which is very popular. We walked the short distance from our hotel through the Rocks area of Sydney past the various bars and excellent restaurants to the start point under the main highway of the bridge. After check in and being allocated to our group (around a dozen of us) we were given a safety briefing and were provided with all of the equipment we required based on the weather that day. It should be noted that, for safety reasons, you are not allowed to take cameras and all items have to be securely attached to you to avoid anything falling down onto the highway below.

Our group was a mixed bunch from the UK, Denmark and also a local from Sydney, ranging from around 16 years old to mid 50’s I would estimate (and all in varying degrees of fitness). I was concerned prior to the trip about being fit enough but it really was not difficult and our entire group completed the climb easily. We then set off on a gantry fixed under the bridge to the stone pylons that ‘book-end’ the bridge itself. The Pylons do not serve any structural need and are just there to make the bridge appear more solid.

We made our way up the stairs through the pylons and then up some ladders to the top surface of the arch. From there it is a leisurely walk up to the highest point of the arch. The views of the city and harbour are fantastic – as you can imagine – and the guide kept us amused throughout with various facts about the bridge and its construction (as well as several anecdotes). At the top, after some photos, we headed back across to the other side to start the descent to base.

The whole experience takes around three and a half hours so it was a great way for us to spend a morning and really get to know one of the world’s most iconic structures in a way it is not usually possible to do. Being located so close to the famous Opera House means it is easy to combine these two fantastic sights into the one day. Check out the Bridge Climb site for full details and to book online.

I would say this is must for anyone visiting Sydney!

By Alastair Niven

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Luggage Strategy

Gordon Dalgleish
As airlines look for every revenue opportunity, it is time to rethink your strategy on various topics;
Checked luggage for domestic travel – A lower weight limit (50lbs per item) is becoming more common and rigidly enforced. Coupled with a fee to check luggage and the idea of paying an airline to possibly lose your luggage is less appealing than ever….I rarely check my luggage domestically but rely on UPS (or Luggage Forward for more complex trips) to handle my shipping needs. The cost is competitive and with what the airlines charge, you can track your luggage…and they rarely lose it. Check in online before departing for the airport and the only line you stand in is for security. Even as a premium flyer when airlines waive baggage fees, I think you will be quite satisfied with the small inconvenience of planning ahead, on your schedule….rather than standing in various lines…on the airlines schedule!
You will be surprised how quickly UPS can deliver packages via their ground service. I can ship golf clubs (approx 17lbs) from Wilmington, NC to Philadelphia in 2 days for $11.
When you ship your luggage include a return label for the homeward journey and enjoy the same convenience in reverse. It works wonders and will take some stress of your game.
International shipping with customs requirements and cost is far more complicated and expensive.

 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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Torrance Course revamped at St. Andrews

Cameron Reid
Torrance New 18
18th at Torrance Course, Fairmont St. Andrews

The Torrance Course at the Fairmont St.Andrews re-opened mid summer after being closed for extensive refurbishment. Improvements were made to all tees, fairways and all 63 bunkers were completely rebuilt in a revetted style. Now the bunkers are a real hazard to be avoided. The European Seniors Tour visited in August for the Scottish Seniors Open and in 2010 it is one of the venues for Local Final Qualifying for the Open Championship.

What was a pleasant course is now a really good one, the greens were always in great shape and that has not changed, it also has great views down towards the town of St.Andrews and over the Estuary towards Carnoustie. We highly recommend adding to your schedule, especially if staying in the resort it can easily be added on our arrival day or as an additional round during your stay.

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Is 15% enough?

Gordon Dalgleish

Everyone has gone threw the same thoughts at some time…what is the appropriate tip? It adds a level of anxiety into various situations which can be awkward. In some cultures tipping is considered unusual behavior and service members may be equally uncomfortable receiving a tip…a diminishing segment of the population!

A recent USA Today story caught my attention. It goes into great detail for US domestic travel but what about the overseas golfer, what considerations should be taken into account;

  • In the British Isles use 10% as a rule of thumb when tipping as compared to 15% in the USA
  • In New Zealand & Australia tipping is less expected than USA but more so than in previous years

Having said that what are the relative amounts you should tip, for a job well done. As the USA Today writer points out it it should not be a requirement. Personally I wish the recipient of a tip just make an effort to say thanks, or even a nod of gratitude. Unspoken is fine.

It is hard to go through a list as exhaustive as the article, but my advice would always be to have small denominations of local currency in your pocket…do not be the ugly American and tip the bellboy in Italy with US dollars! A small gesture of some value for effort is appreciated…in local currency!

A number of nicer resorts and hotels charge a daily fee which is in lieu of tipping any member of staff, personally I prefer this solution as it takes the logistics and guess work out of this practise.

Finally, be sure you know the general tipping guidelines for the country you are visiting, specifically if it is part of the culture or frowned upon. In the globalization of the world, tipping is one US export which has done extremely well!
 

About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him on Google+

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So You Want to be a Group Leader?

Mark Barnes
The Swilcan never looked better!
The Swilcan never looked better!

I was lucky. A wise elder from my club who knew the ropes organized the earliest golf trips I joined, all stateside. The game changed in 1994 when our bunch set sights on Ireland and our elder could not make the trip. His lieutenant took the wheel and did a nice job. Two truths became clear; first, international travel is more complicated than a long weekend at Pinehurst. Second, a specialized golf tour operator is worth their weight in Pro Vs!

I’ve led four international trips, beginning with my first in 1994; three with guys from my club to Scotland, Ireland and Scotland/England, and one with the wives (and a couple mother in laws!) this past October to South Africa. I enjoy the role. It earns me a pint now and again and it’s interesting to learn so much more about the counties we’ve visited. I’ll confess to a perk as well: I prefer to control my fate when so much is on the line.

If you’re thinking about volunteering to lead a group, or you’ve been “volunteered,” my experience has found three things that make a big difference:

1. Start Silly Early: Starting early pays off … literally. You’ll almost always find early- bird offers (airfare discounts typically), and nothing comes close to endearing you to your group than saving them money! If the unfortunate happens and someone has to drop out, you’ll have time to find a replacement. Early puts you at the head of the line, increasing availability for your top course and hotel choices. Time also allows you the chance to react to the fluctuations of the US dollar. If it’s headed south, a tour operator who prices in guaranteed US dollars can do you a big favor. Eventually everyone’s prices will have to go up, so again sooner is better. You can bet on a tour operator who prices daily if you think the exchange rate will improve, but like any wager the agreement cuts both ways.

2. Get Several Quotes: You never want anyone thinking they paid too much so I always get competing quotes. You can also get good ideas. It’s gospel in my view to prepare your preferences in a Word document – rather than visiting each website and completing difference forms – so the input will be identical for pricing. I try to keep my hands on this pretty close. If a member of the group is inclined to quote a different tour operator, it’s fine but I ask that I do the liaison so the input will match. The quotes always come back with apples and oranges anyway; so the last thing this needs is apple, oranges and coconuts!

There will be a lot to see in the quotes beyond the cost. How promptly was it prepared? Did the operator provide sufficient detail? Was the quote easy to read? Were terms and conditions spelled out? As you might expect, quotes will vary in spite of having all begun the same. The hotel room category alone can have real money impact on the total. You could see the same hotel, but the room overlooking the sea is going to be more than the parking lot view. This is the homework phase — not my favorite — but a bad place to make a mistake.

Be absolutely sure you pay attention to the Terms & Conditions. You need to understand the cancellation policies, payment schedules, change fees and credit card surcharges (most are charging 2% or so to pay with a credit card). And don’t overlook payment terms. Many tour operators price by the day; a number price with guaranteed US dollars. You can choose to gamble or play it safe..

I don’t hesitate to spend time with the tour operator if something isn’t clear, whether it’s a point in their quote or their competitors’. At the end of the day, I’m not after anyone’s job!

3. Answer Questions Privately: Once I’ve circled back on the proposals and made sure I understand the “fruit baskets” reasonably well, I’ll email the best and next best to the group for their review. This naturally surfaces comments and questions, and leads me back to the tour operator. I like to forward questions to the operator for two reasons: 1) the process will soon be in the their hands to finalize for reservations forms, payments, documents, etc., so the Q&A exercise serves as a handoff , and 2) they’ve got the answers! (If they don’t, you may have the wrong tour operator.)

One thing I’ve learned, the uncomfortable way, is when I forward the question to the tour operator, I’ll normally copy only the group member who asked the question rather than the entire group — even if everyone was copied on the original. Every question isn’t relevant to everyone, and truth be told, some won’t be relevant to anyone. Pretty sneaky I know, but I’m not signed on to herd cats!

[BB1]not sure about this first-time reference.

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