Charles MacPherson - The Pocket Butlers Guide to Travel

T HE VERY FIRST TRIP I remember taking was to Martinique, in the French West Indies, when I was a child. My parents travelled often, and always brought me along with them. Two things about that trip stand out in my mind: first, that we got dressed up to take the airplane, and second, that the meal served on board was absolutely delicious. My mother felt the same way about airplane food back in those days, although she was adamant that the food served on flights from France was much better than on flights from anywhere else! Its so funny to think of it nowcan you imagine the food being the highlight of a flight?

Airline travel has changed. My dear friend Karen Walker was a flight attendant for Pan Am in the 1960s and 70s. She loved working in the first-class cabin, and she tells stories of wheeling the trolley with a full standing rib roast directly to the seated passengers, then carving to order. It is a far cry from todays buy-on-board selections, or a miniature bag of pretzels!

My parents travelled the world extensively and always took me with them, without hesitation. My most memorable childhood trip was to the exotic destination of Tunisia in north Africa. On our first night there we went to a local restaurant (I can still picture the room). The place was packed and noisy and I, a nine-year-old, was tired. I fell asleep on the banquette beside my mother, with her coat draped over me for a blanket. My parents carried on enjoying their dinner, and nobody batted an eye at the little one fast asleep beside them.

The next day, my parents hired a driver and we spent the day visiting historic sites. I remember saying Who cares? as my parents dragged me from one place to another. I just didnt understand what they were so excited about. To me, one crumbling ruin looked like any other. But my parents were relentless and insisted that we could not go back to the hotel until the day was through; I just had to keep up with them. In hindsight, Im glad I did, because I believe my passion for travel, and the art of travelling well, started way back then.

Today I consider myself a professional traveller. I spend a tremendous amount of time travelling for business: in 2016 alone I logged over 109,000 air miles! Im not sure if this is a badge of honour or a badge of insanity, but it does mean that I have learned a lot about how to travel well. And, as a professional butler, I have a wealth of experience to share concerning how best to ease the trials and tribulations of travel.

I do hope you find my tips and notes on the following pages useful, and at least some of my stories and anecdotes amusing. It is my pleasure to share them with you.

Bon voyage!

Charles P. MacPherson

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

ALDOUS HUXLEY,

Author of BRAVE NEW WORLD

Planning to Travel

W HY DO WE TRAVEL ? For many, myself included, it is a necessity of work. There is also leisure travel, which many of us daydream about on a daily basis. And now were seeing the rise of bleisure travel, which is the perfect antidote for the busy business travellersimply extend a business trip to include some well-earned leisure time.

No matter what your reason for travelling, I believe you will make the very most out of your trip by planning and preparing well, and well in advance.

BUSINESS

Today, it is possible to book flights to anywhere in the world at the touch of a finger. The ease and speed of travel today have facilitated an exponential increase in business travel. But business travel can be exhausting and demanding, and sometimes downright stressful. As a frequent business traveller, I have found that the more disciplined I am with my sleeping and eating routine on board and on the road, the more successful (and less stressful) the trip.

DID YOU KNOW?

KLM is the worlds oldest airline, established in 1919. Its first flight, between Amsterdam and London, took place on May 17th, 1920.

BUTLERS TIP: BUSINESS TRAVEL

Join an airline loyalty programthese can provide many benefits for frequent flyers.

Join a hotel loyalty programthese can offer perks and paybacks for frequent stays.