international travel

[terbear1225]

I will be doing a bit of international travel in the coming months (Rome, Morocco, and Spain) other than the obvious (passport, clothes, luggage, etc.) what are the most handy things to travel with that someone who hasn't travelled overseas before might not think of?

 

[robt]

1. vitamins, meds (wrapped daily, in small ziplocs)
2. security pouch for passpt, currency
3. contingency items (e.g.,extra cold or warm colthing, Pepto-Bismol, Ibuprophen, etc. )
4. Electricity conversion device (converter, not just adaptor)
This is a good start.

 

[oldman]

A very open mind. Being there isn't quite the same as here but accept it and enjoy. You will love the experience.

 

[aps45819]

Eat first, then ask what it was

 

[RoseRed]

Extra memory cards for your camera.

 

[robt]

Checklist:
1. vitamins, meds (in small ziplocs; by day).
2. security pouch for passpt, currency.
3. contingency items (e.g.,extra cold or warm weather colthing, Pepto-Bismol, ibuprophen, travel insurance papers, emergency telephone numbers, etc. ).
4. electricity conversion device (a converter, not just an adaptor).
5. open mind (yes, they may be different, but probably polite and curious just like you).
6. spare media (SD/CF/uSD cards), various DLSR lenses, camera manual (you'll be jet-lagged).
7. Beforehand: adjust your schedule to the destination time zone. DC to San Francisco is relatively painless; DC to Honolulu is kinda unsettling, DC to Japan is painfully disorienting:
Time Zone Event Planner - Compare Multiple Time Zones
8. Plan your departure logistics (parking lots, rental car vs. personal auto comparison, coupons, airport layout info) at:
http://www.metwashairports.com/
9. Flexibility - 41 years doing this, something *always* goes wrong, every time. E.g., last week I checked a rental car into Avis Albuquerque, and they assured me I had not rented the car from them (I had). In Rome, my wife and I missd our connection due to hand-carried luggage issues. Plan on this, roll with it. Humor is essential; we're all human.
10. Pack 2 ~ 3 days before your departure, put a special marker on your luggage (I've had people pick up my bags; they all look alike).
11. Enjoy this time in your life. You will look back on it and smile in 2020.

 

[Rommey]

Get an International Drivers License from AAA.
Pack a carry-on with a few days of clothes, medications, etc. just in case the airlines lose your checked baggage.
Don't fill your baggage up too full. Its almost guaranteed to be fuller coming home.
Make sure you have the correct electrical adapters for the countries you will (or may) be going to visit.
Do a little homework on what the basic driving rules are for the countries you will visit. For instance, the speed limit signs are the same in Scotland and Spain, yet the values in Scotland are in MPH, while in Spain they are in KPH. A lot of signs are self-explanitory while others are not.
Check carefully the differences with rental cars. Its a bit different and you'll more than likely need to purchase whatever insurances they have since your US insurance probably won't cover a rental in a foreign country.

Fly business class if you can afford it. Its a much nicer flight experience than coach.

 

[terbear1225]

Get an International Drivers License from AAA.
Pack a carry-on with a few days of clothes, medications, etc. just in case the airlines lose your checked baggage.
Don't fill your baggage up too full. Its almost guaranteed to be fuller coming home.
Make sure you have the correct electrical adapters for the countries you will (or may) be going to visit.
Do a little homework on what the basic driving rules are for the countries you will visit. For instance, the speed limit signs are the same in Scotland and Spain, yet the values in Scotland are in MPH, while in Spain they are in KPH. A lot of signs are self-explanitory while others are not.
Check carefully the differences with rental cars. Its a bit different and you'll more than likely need to purchase whatever insurances they have since your US insurance probably won't cover a rental in a foreign country.

Fly business class if you can afford it. Its a much nicer flight experience than coach.

travelling with a student tour group so won't actually be doing any driving myself, good idea though.

anyone havea recommendation for converters? only thing I need to charge is my ipod or maybe the ipad from work.(assuming I can get wifi anyway)

 

[Rommey]

travelling with a student tour group so won't actually be doing any driving myself, good idea though.

anyone havea recommendation for converters? only thing I need to charge is my ipod or maybe the ipad from work.(assuming I can get wifi anyway)

Look on eBay. The nice thing about the Apple plugs, is they can take all the different voltages and frequencies; you just need the adapter to plug into the wall outlets. I bought a set of adapters off eBay that came from Hong Kong and there were 4 different types of adapters. My wife and I charged our laptops and I just plugged my iPod into my laptop to charge it as well.

As for wifi, I think you'll find it in most places, but not necessarily in all places. When we were in Scotland in August, we found most of the hotels and B&Bs we stayed in had wifi, or at least an internet connection. But just like in the states, not every hotel has it, nor is it always free. One place to look if you really need to get online for something: McDonald's. I don't know if its worldwide, but every McDonald's we went into had internet available for free.

 

[libertytyranny]

Best advice is to pack as light as possible. Bring tummy medicine. In Russia especially keep your valuables close by, so a cross body flat bag is a great thing to have under your clothes. pickpockets LOVE a tourist. Also don't forget to call your credit card or bank..and let them know you will be traveling. I used my visa checkcard all over europe, I just let them know beforehand I would be traveling. Have fun!

 

[Rommey]

One more thing: learn the exchange rates and don't get confused on the "BUY" and "SELL" rates. The airports generally have the worst exchange rates, so go to other places instead if at all possible.

You can use your ATM cards and get the going rate, but you will likely pay a foreign exchange fee, but even with that it could be the best overall rate. I did exchange a little money (~$100) at American Express before I left so I would have some money when I got there just in case.

 

[itsbob]

Best advice I can give??

Don't act like an obnoxious, ignorant American when in another country.

TRY to speak the language, don't expect everyone to know English (though most people you will run into probably know 4 or more languages, it means a LOT to them for you to at least TRY!).

Where-ever you are, learn the customs before you go out, and do NOT dress like an American. Show a little class when out and about, try to leave a good impression for those of us that may come after you.

 

[libertytyranny]

Best advice I can give??

Don't act like an obnoxious, ignorant American when in another country.

TRY to speak the language, don't expect everyone to know English (though most people you will run into probably know 4 or more languages, it means a LOT to them for you to at least TRY!).

Where-ever you are, learn the customs before you go out, and do NOT dress like an American. Show a little class when out and about, try to leave a good impression for those of us that may come after you.

conde nast online has a really neat article about appropriate dressing for many countries..for the most part..leave the fanny packs and american flag windbreakers at home.

 

[JoeR]

I will be doing a bit of international travel in the coming months (Rome, Morocco, and Spain) other than the obvious (passport, clothes, luggage, etc.) what are the most handy things to travel with that someone who hasn't travelled overseas before might not think of?

Do you have a GPS? If you have a Garmin you can get the maps for all of Europe and the UK for it. It will need to be one that can handle additional maps though. My wife has the Nuvi 205 and she used it last month when she went home to England and then visited a friend of ours in Italy. You can either down load them directly or purchase them on a SD card. It worked great.
Also if your going to be using any credit cards (including you bank card) call them and let them know where your going to be traveling so they don't block them when you use it thinking someone is using it fraudently.

 

[DQ2B]

A xerox copy of your passport id page.
Call your credit card company before leaving to let them know you'll be using your card out of the country (assuming this is so).

 

[jp2854]

A xerox copy of your passport id page.
Call your credit card company before leaving to let them know you'll be using your card out of the country (assuming this is so).

i would also make 2 xeroxs front and back of your passport and your medical insurance card and creditcards u are taking with you whatever else u will need on this trip that is like that. take one copy with u and leave one at home that way if your cards or any of that get stolen or get lost u can call and cancel them immediately and not have to worry about wether u have the phone number memorized or not.
Also you might want to check with the hotels you are staying in to see if they have a blowdryer in the room if not you might want to pack one and the adapter not knowing what the weather there will be like. Also take a list of emergency contacts with you incase there is an issue or something happens that way you can pull the sheet out and dial the number you need. also make sure you have an overseas calling card so if you have to call back to the us it doesn't cost an arm and a leg when using the hotel phone.

 

[punjabigyrl]

I will be doing a bit of international travel in the coming months (Rome, Morocco, and Spain) other than the obvious (passport, clothes, luggage, etc.) what are the most handy things to travel with that someone who hasn't travelled overseas before might not think of?

I know you can get preloaded cresit card. I know AAA has some, check on the charges and fees for using overseas. In morocco, If you have time try the authentic desert trip. Camping trip with the local nomads. I would highly recommend it. Here is a link to give you an idea
http://www.authentic-morocco.com/sample-itineraries/marrakech-camel-treks-erg-chebbi
See if you can use you cell phone internationally. If not, buy a satellite phone, worth the cost. Good Luck.

 

[kom526]

The number and address for the US Embassy in every country you are visiting, and hope you never have to talk to them.

 

[kom526]

Best advice I can give??

Don't act like an obnoxious, ignorant American when in another country.

TRY to speak the language, don't expect everyone to know English (though most people you will run into probably know 4 or more languages, it means a LOT to them for you to at least TRY!).

Where-ever you are, learn the customs before you go out, and do NOT dress like an American. Show a little class when out and about, try to leave a good impression for those of us that may come after you.

conde nast online has a really neat article about appropriate dressing for many countries..for the most part..leave the fanny packs and american flag windbreakers at home.

^^THIS!^^

 

[itsbob]

Also you might want to check with the hotels you are staying in to see if they have a blowdryer in the room if not you might want to pack one and the adapter not knowing what the weather there will be like.

Unless you have a 110/220 capable blowdryer you'll also have to carry a 220 to 110 1000-1500 watt step down transformer, not just a plug adaptor. It's only about 20 pounds.

Granted I haven't bought a hair dryer in about 30 years, so maybe they do sell hairdryers in the US now that are multi-voltage.