What type of research should I do before I travel? Use this handy travel checklist for planning your trip.
Learn as much as you can about your destination. Be sure to check the points of interest around and near your destination. Otherwise, you may miss seeing or doing something which you will regret for years. Don't go to Paris without visiting the Palace at Versailles and when you visit London, you may wish to visit Stonehenge or Las Vegas could be your home base for a trip to Hoover Dam or even the Grand Canyon.
Find out if you will need a Passport to enter the country. Passports must be up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, extend it, if you are close to expiration.
Find our what type of electrical outlets each country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances. Here is a set of adapters that work anywhere in the world.
Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you'll have when away from home.
Consider purchasing trip insurance to protect you and your possessions in light of the world's state of affairs.
Check the Yahoo currency convertor, or the financial section of your newspaper where money exchange rates are posted. This will give you an idea in advance of how much you'll need to budget.
Research the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Include in your budget amounts for taxis and tipping as many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
Research with Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
Check the dates of local major Holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
Most of the world uses the metric system so try to become familiar with this system.
How are car rentals outside the United States different from those within the U.S.?
Every country has its own rules.
The rental contract may not be in your native language. Ask for rental contracts or at least an explanation of contract terms available in a familiar language.
Your personal insurance or credit card coverage may not be valid or acceptable to the rental company, so you may need to purchase extra coverage.
Foreign rental car fleets often have a large percentage of smaller cars with only manual transmissions. Gauges may read in the metric system.
Many countries have higher taxes on rental cars.
What do I need to know if I plan to drive a car in a foreign country?
You will need to check out the local driving regulations.
You might need to obtain an international driver's license or need special insurance.
If you are renting a car, check with the rental company to make sure you'll meet the local requirements and be able to pick up the car. Some countries' car rental companies have upper as well as lower age requirements
You may have to pay a permit fee that allows you to drive on a country's roads.
Become familiar with road signage, which may be in unfamiliar languages, colors and shapes.
The direction of the lanes are often opposite of those in the United States.
Gasoline is often sold by the liter and may be considerably more expensive in some countries.
Road conditions may be considerably more dangerous than in your country.
Much higher speeds may be allowed on some modern highways. Stay out of the fast lane, unless you are passing or willing to travel at these high rates of speed.
What is the best way to carry my medications?
Carry them in your carry-on since it will be less likely to be lost than your checked luggage. Your carry-on will also do less harm to temperature-sensitive medication.
Carry your medication in their original bottles to help avoid security questions
Bring along the generic names of your medications since brand names can vary
If you have any questionable drugs or particularly large supplies, you might want to bring a letter from your doctor stating you have a legal right to use these drugs
If you are traveling outside the United States, check to see what you can take with you. Something legal here might be illegal elsewhere. It could get dumped, or you could get dumped in jail!
What should I do with my valuables?
Leave them at home in a safe place if you can.
Use locks on your luggage.
Do not carry valuables in your checked luggage. Valuables will be safer in your carry-on bags.
If you do place any valuables in your luggage, hide them in the lower sections of the bags so a quick look inside won't reveal them.
Things to Carry on Your Person?
A passport, for all travel outside the U.S. and identification purposes
Wallet
Driver's License
Insurance cards for both your medical and automobile insurance
Credit cards
Traveler checks
Coupons
Airline, Cruise or Train tickets
Itinerary with confirmation numbers and addresses and phone numbers of where you'll be staying
Travel brochures and maps
Pocket size language dictionary with words and phrases highlighted.
Lots of crisp one-dollar bills for all those tipping opportunities
A small amount of local currency for immediate use to hold you over until you can make it to a currency exchange, if you're planning foreign travel