The Wendy Perrin Report

24. Need to rent in a country where your credit card doesn't provide collision-damage coverage?
In certain countries, renting a car is very pricey because on top of the hefty collision-damage coverage charges, you must still pay a deductible should your rental get damaged. And in Ireland, for example, narrow roads mean cars often get nicked and scraped through no fault of the renter's. The answer? Get a Diners Club card, which provides collision-damage coverage in countries where it's not covered by your credit card.

25. Want to make an overnight train trip as pleasant as possible?
Reserve all four berths in the compartment so that you have it to yourself.

26. How do you get a great English-speaking guide in an exotic country?
If you're using a travel planner who won't let you chat with the guide via phone in advance, request someone who's accustomed to accompanying journalists or photographers and thus knows how to be flexible and spontaneous. Such guides communicate well, have good connections, are happy to depart from the typical tourist agenda, and know how to evade crowds and where and when the best photo ops are.

27. How do you avoid paying for both a driver and a guide?
Tour operators usually book a driver and a guide (since drivers rarely speak English). If you stay at a top hotel, though, the concierge can book one person—an English-speaking driver—who is cheaper and often more efficient and flexible.

28. What's the best way to hire a guide on the spot?
Say you're at the byzantine souk or ancient ruin, and a guide whose caliber you don't know offers his services. If he quotes $10 an hour, propose $5 for half an hour. If you're disappointed, you can get rid of him with no hurt feelings. If you're pleased, ask him to spend more time with you.

29. Want a luxury small-ship cruise at a discount?
Choose a repositioning cruise (when ships relocate from one region to another) and, in exchange for an itinerary with a relatively large number of days at sea, you can save up to 50 percent.

30. Want to guarantee you're on the best shore excursions?
Sign up ahead of time, since the most interesting sell out early. Then research the port to see if it's preferable to do the activity independently, without being hamstrung by a group. If you're better off on your own, nix the ship's tour—you typically have until about 36 hours before the excursion to cancel for a full refund.