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If
you are traveling abroad here are 10 tips, to help
make your trip easier (taken
and adapted from the U.S. Department of State website):
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1. Make
sure you have a signed, valid passport
and visas,
if required. passport
and visas,
if required.
For women, if you have been married since your last
trip abroad, make sure your married name is on your
passport. (If you changed your name.) Also, before
you go, fill in the emergency information page of your
passport!
2. Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public
Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for
the countries you plan to visit. It's a good
idea to check with the CDC
(Center for Disease Control & Prevention)
for outbreaks
in the countries you plan to visit and any necessary
vaccinations, if applicable.
3. Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the
countries to which you are traveling. Remember, the
U.S. Constitution does not follow you! While in a
foreign country, you are subject to its laws.
4. Make 2 copies of your passport identification page.
This will facilitate replacement if your passport is lost
or stolen. Leave one copy at home with friends or
relatives. Carry the other with you in a separate
place from your passport.
5. Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or
friends at home so that you can be contacted in case
of an emergency.
6. Do not leave your luggage unattended in public
areas. Do not accept packages from strangers.
7. Prior to your departure, you should register with
the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the State
Department’s travel
registration website
. Registration
will make your presence and whereabouts known in case it
is necessary to contact you in an emergency. In
accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your
welfare and whereabouts may not be released without your
express authorization. Remember to leave a detailed
itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or
other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in
the United States.
8. To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear
conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do
not carry excessive amounts of money or unnecessary credit
cards.
9. In order to avoid violating local laws, deal only
with authorized agents when you exchange money or
purchase art or antiques.
10. If you get into trouble, contact the nearest U.S.
embassy. For obvious reasons, avoid demonstrations
and other situations that may become unruly or where
anti-American sentiments may be expressed.
Travel
Guides They're
Not for Everyone!
If you are traveling by car in the
U.S., an easy way to get deep discounts is to pick up a
hotel guide at a state rest area, gas station or possibly
even a hotel. These travel guides offer deeply
discounted hotel rates for travelers who aren't bothered
by not having a reservation. Most of the time, these
coupons are for "walk-ins" only. What that
means is you cannot make a reservation over the phone, you
must "walk-in" and see if there are rooms
available. The majority of the time there is no
problem getting a room, the only time there may be
problems is if there is a convention or during holidays.
It's always a good idea to call first to see if rooms are
available. A wide range of hotels are usually found in
these guides - from the ultra modest Super 8 to the
moderately priced Marriott (Springhill Suites/Fairfield)
or Hilton chain (Hampton Inn). If you require posh
hotels, this tip is not for you.
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